For Rosie about MT575. Warning. Long. Others should skip.
Rosie,
I have owned the Maytag mvwp575gw for about 18 months now. I believe it is the best top load in terms of cleaning performance. Period. Not only do the tub and agitator move separately, but the top and bottom of the agitator move independently too (dual agitator). This creates a wash action that moves the clothes around AND through the water—not just a side to side motion.
This review is a good comparison between SQ TC5 and the Maytag mvwp575gw: . I would like to add a few comments of my own.
This MT575 owner's manual (which looks like it is written for more than one model) states, "Normal, Warm, and Hot water may be cooler than your previous washer. Deep Water cycles will provide higher temperatures for the wash cycle." I have not had any issues with the main cycle water temperatures. I seem to have hot tap for the main cycles with my water heater set at the recommended 120 degrees F. The temperature for warm, cool, and cold can be made a little warmer by starting the wash cycle with hot and then turning back to the desired temperature for the remainder of the fill. I am not sure what the ratio of hot to cold is for those settings, and the final temperature is determined by your water heater settings and temperature of your incoming cold-water supply. The washer alternates back and forth either filling with Hot OR cold but not both at the same time.
The initial reviews I saw suggested this washer's max hot temperature was a mere 90 degrees. Based on this information, I had my washer setup a different way in the beginning, so I could manually control the temperature for main and the normal "eco" cycles. I am not getting these same results. I do not know what role the thermistor plays in this washer, but I seem to have tap hot for the main cycles. I tried to go back and correct any comments I made where I could. With this said, I do not know if this is everyone's experience.
The single biggest remaining quirk I have with the MT575 is the ONLY half tub wash cycle IS temperature controlled. There is no way around this that works ALL year that I can find. If you set the water temperature to hot, the water is only lukewarm. This works cycle works well for most loads I do, and the hot setting is warm enough to dissolve detergent. For a true hot load, I have a workaround. Watch this video: .
If you do not want a spray rinse for a Normal half load, just run another wash cycle with no detergent. However, this spray rinse works surprisingly well. I love this cycle for quick loads!
If I were to compare the SQ TC5, this is what I would consider.
Plus for the MT575. The cycles on the Maytag are what you would expect. Delicates, Bulky, Mixed, Powerwash, and Normal "Eco". Some of the cycles on the SQ TC5 are not what I would expect. Delicates is almost like a handwash cycle. Bulky is more like Delicates. Knowing this up front, will help you select the cycle that will work for your needs.
Plus for the SQ TC5. The TC5 does not have Automatic Temperature control. No extra sensor to break. Fills with hot, cold, or a mix.
Plus for the MT575. The automatic temperature control (ATC) can add some hot water to cool and cold-water washes to keep it from being too cold.
The rinses on both washers are tap cold.
VMD. The vertical modular design does not seem as durable. Critics do not like that it uses a mode shifter and a gear case (Maytag calls this a transmission, but I guess it is not a "real transmission"?). However, this is the reason the tub and agitator can move separately. It is inexpensive and easy for most consumers to replace themselves. I do think I will probably have to replace the plastic parts and a belt before the washer is ten years old, but this washer is 20 to 25% less for me. I am going to take an educated guess and say the TC5 will probably just need a belt in this same time period.
Both washers have control boards behind the knobs. The TC5 also has a control board for the motor. I think that the SQ's are probably better built, but that the MT parts will be less expensive and easier for me to find and replace later—it shares the same parts with several of their real commercial products. The TC5 seems like it is a time-limited model. SQ reinforces this by continuing to promote the TR series in its ads, programs where it provides free washers to schools, or to testers at a discount/no charge in exchange for a review. SQ also has been known to pull negative reviews and blacklist sellers with honest reviews. The only incentive MT provides is a chance to be entered into a sweepstakes. I have not heard of them doing the same.
The TC5 does have better suspension (springs attach to the bottom) whereas it the MT575 has hung suspension. You can see that here: . I have not had any issue balancing loads in the MT575. I wash like items with like items: A load may be 6 or 7 jeans OR 28 t-shirts OR business casual (5 pants and 5 shirts) OR 6-7 towels OR sheets, etc. If you want to wash bed pillows or pet beds, you may have more of an issue with the MT575 because the weight will be different on each side of the tub, and it will not handle it as well as the TC5's design. The items should really be washed in a front load or taken to a commercial laundry mat.
MT offers a five years parts and labor warranty. There is an additional warranty (10 years total on the motor).
SQ normally offers a three-year parts and labor warranty. There is an additional parts-only warranty on the transmission (15 years total).
SQ says their washers will last twenty-five years. However, most washers will require at least a rebuild and the bearings/seals to be replaced around 15 years. As an average consumer, I do not have access to those parts at cost or have the experience, skill, and strength needed to replace those--I am an extra small adult. While I think I the SQ will require less minor repairs and will run a little longer without major repairs, I do not believe the average consumer would get more than 15 years out it. I expect to get about ten years out of the MT (maybe more because I use the washer like you are supposed to not overloading it and washing stuff in it that is was intended for).
GE has some dual agitator models with direct drive, but I have seen this only for their touchpad models. I am of the opinion that knobs even with a control board behind them will probably last longer than a touch pad on these models. Control boards are usually more expensive than a gearcase for the MT.
I have spent a lot of time reading reviews, posts on boards, etc. They have good information based on experience based on the perspective of someone who sells or repairs appliances for a living. What is not so obvious is many of the people have access to parts at a discount, can fix the major repairs washers themselves, and trade out washers on a regular basis. I am just a typical consumer. I plan to use my washer until it dies, can do minor repairs myself (this does NOT include rebuilding transmissions or replacing bearings/seals which is cost prohibitive for me to pay someone else and may not be physically possible for me given my small size), and wash several different types of clothing (towels, outdoor wear, sports uniforms, technical trade uniforms, kids' clothing, pet stuff).
I think either washer is a good choice. The SQ has the overall edge for durability with good cleaning performance. The MT has the overall edge for cleaning performance with average durability. No washer today is like your Grandma's thanks to the government new energy regulations--gone are the tried and true mechanical washers with a real metal transmission.
