reliable washer (top loading)?

[YeahBuddy]

I don't think the brand of appliance matters as much anymore. Most appliances are made to break. We now buy appliances from a local appliance store that services the machines for the first 1-2 years and offers extended warranties after that. They pride themselves on their ability to service the appliance much quicker than the manufacturers of the appliances they sell can service them. So far, so good.

[gunny]

Quality has nothing to do with being a top- or front-loading machine.

It definitely can. When a technology gets to the tail end of its popularity it tends to be cost reduced and lower quality.

Again, there is nothing inherently better or worse in terms of quality with top vs front and just because something is less expensive doesn't automatically equate to lower quality either. Certainly that's true in some cases, but it all varies a lot.

[cadzan]

Bought a Maytag 9406AAE ($589) top loader in 1998, lasted until 2006. So 8 years.

Replaced it in 2006 with a Whirlpool LSW9700PW ($499). Still going strong in 2025. So 19 years so far.

Both top loaders.

[rogue_economist]

just because something is less expensive doesn't automatically equate to lower quality either. Certainly that's true in some cases, but it all varies a lot.

At a certain point it does. Being expensive does not make something good quality, but below a certain price point the cost of production is too low to produce a quality product. The aforementioned example of VCRs is a very good example of this, towards the end the prices were simply too low to support the manufacture of a quality product. There is a floor on price below which quality ceases to be a possibility.

[gunny]

just because something is less expensive doesn't automatically equate to lower quality either. Certainly that's true in some cases, but it all varies a lot.

At a certain point it does.

It can. It isn't a given in all cases.

The aforementioned example of VCRs is a very good example of this, towards the end the prices were simply too low to support the manufacture of a quality product.

That had nothing to do with it. It simply became outdated technology. You could make a top-end, super high-quality, lasts 100 yrs VCR today and nobody would buy it.

[cubs1999]

We have the Speed Queen top load all mechanical version we purchased in 2012. Never had one issue or service call on it. Great product that I highly recommend. Commercial stainless steel heavy duty tub. I bought the matching dryer also that has been flawless.

I've had my speed queen top loader since 2007 and it's still going.

Haven't had any issues yet.

[rogue_economist]

At a certain point it does.

It can. It isn't a given in all cases.

The aforementioned example of VCRs is a very good example of this, towards the end the prices were simply too low to support the manufacture of a quality product.

That had nothing to do with it. It simply became outdated technology. You could make a top-end, super high-quality, lasts 100 yrs VCR today and nobody would buy it.

Wrong, it most certainly had much to do with it. And the rest of your statement basically proves my point. No one wanted to buy quality at the end, so they would only make garbage. Moreover, the higher quality ones of the past are long out of production and none of the tooling or assembly lines exist now, so realistically you could not make a high quality VCR today even if demand rose considerably from its present levels.

That is exactly what we have seen with LPs and cassette decks as well. Demand has returned, but not to the levels needed to make the quality machines of the past. I think the same is largely true with washers, most of the development and market has moved to front loaders, so whatever is still top loading is the low end of the spectrum. I have not seen a high end top loader in years, every one I have seen has been a landlord special.

[gunny]

Wrong,

Believe that if it makes you happy; not going to go round and round about it.

I think the same is largely true with washers, most of the development and market has moved to front loaders,

I see plenty of both, so I'm thinking not. And there's certainly nothing technologically advantageous about front loaders.

[WoostaGal]

... I think the same is largely true with washers, most of the development and market has moved to front loaders, so whatever is still top loading is the low end of the spectrum. ...

Out of curiosity, I counted the number of top loaders and front loaders on offer at a random major appliance store in my city. There are more top loaders than front loaders. At Home Depot, there is virtually the same amount of both types.

[Catalina25]

Three days ago, I replaced the water valve on my 12-year-old Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum top loader washer. I can't remember what I paid for the washer back then, but it wasn't the most expensive nor the least, maybe $600, which averages out to $50/year. I'll take that.

[tdm757]

The LG top load if on a budget. https://www.costco.com/lg-5.0-cu.-ft.-t ... 12320.html. Other LG models listed in thread. You have to set it to deep wash to mimic what you are used to, otherwise it looks like your clothes get washed in a small puddle. They probably could have alleviated this concern by not having a glass top to see how the sausage is made.

Speed Queen is more expensive, but would have been my choice if money not as big a factor.

[bogles the mind]

We have owned 2 washer dryer sets since 1978. Both sets were/are Maytag commercial units. I can't say if the newer ones are as good but I'm probably going to get another set before I die.

[JaeJones]

TC-5's - We have 3 total in 2 (different houses) and one at parents. Should be easy to find a local small business retailer that sells and delivers/installs them, as well as provides local service IF ever needed. Also a bonus - they are made in the USA and they just work!

[runr]

I think the answer is buy like a lite commercial washer. Buying the ones (99%) not known for heavy duty parts seems like buying stuff at the dollar store.

[Mudpuppy]

I went through this same question a few months back when my old Whirlpool failed for the third time in 12 months, and I decided to replace it rather than repair it again. For my particular washing needs, I would have had to go up to the Speed Queen TR7 to get the features I use with my most frequent (nearly daily) caregiving loads. I found a new but slightly scratched and dented GE 585 series washer/dryer pair at a local outlet store for 1/3 the price of the TR7 / DR7 pair.

The GE washer has all the features I need for my caregiving loads, particularly being able to select the water level, and having options for soaking and sanitizer rinse. I particularly like the button that saves my options for a cycle, so I don't have to reprogram it with every load. I don't know how long it'll last, but the only issue I've had so far is it can get a bit off-balance by the end of the extra rinse for some of the loads (primarily bedding). So, I only run those loads when I plan to be home at the end of the cycle in case I need to stop it and redistribute the load.

Edit to add: I'm also appreciative of a tidbit from another Boglehead on another washer thread to check the inlet filters if the washer doesn't seem to be filling fully. I guess some washers have a maximum fill time, probably as a safety feature in case the water level detector has failed. I had to clean the filters repeatedly after some work on the main water line that stirred up a lot of debris. It's looking like I need to do that again this weekend, as it's not filling up as far as it was previously.

[Index24]

Speed Queen for the win. Finally took the plunge myself and it’s just a superior product. Porsche vs Kia.

[Nyc10036]

Update:

The factory-authorized repair guy was just here.

I found out on Reddit that the control board for my washer has a Service Pointer ---
eligible for a free secret out-of-warranty repair.
I called Whirlpool, and they agreed based on the washer's model and serial number that
I was eligible.

The repair guy verified that the control board indeed was bad.
DUH.

So, he/they are placing an order for a new control board direct from the factory/warehouse,
and he'll be back in a week.

A trip to the laundromat upcoming.

After this repair, if the washer breaks, we're going with Speed Queen.