So you need a new washer and dryer? I’m sharing my product review of our Speed Queen washer and dryer set we’ve had for a few years now.
Whenever I share a picture of my laundry room on social media I get tons of questions about our Speed Queen set. After having a funny experience with my hand mixer, you can watch that here. I decided that you liked my product review, so I should do one on my Speed Queen set!
Our First Washer and Dryer
Now, my sense of time is terrible, so we either got these in 2018 or 2019… I CAN NOT remember and neither can my husband. I’m 99% sure it was winter time and our previous set was having issues. We had a Whirlpool front loading set and after some adjustments with that set, I had grown to love them.
Our issues with that Whirlpool set was that we had purchased the risers for them. Risers are drawers that you can put under the machine to raise it up higher off the floor. That way you don’t have to bend over or squat as much to put clothes in and out of the machine. The drawer also gives you some hidden storage. And who couldn’t use more of that!
But, with the risers comes a higher center of gravity and our machines would walk all over the place. By walk, I mean they would scoot around the room. Come to find out that they do this more often with risers AND when they are positioned on an interior wall. Basically, we were told that the machines were made to go on concrete, a solid surface. When people put them, in our case, on the main floor, there is obviously more give in wood. That combined with them being on an interior wall, again, less stability, that would cause the machines to move when they were ran.
Since we wouldn’t be moving our washer and dryer hook ups, we took them off of the risers which helped. Then, we built an addition and decided to move the outlets to an exterior wall. That took care of all of the movement issues.
Commonly front loaders have a smell, or leave a smell on clothing. We did have this problem in the beginning, but then it just stopped. I did clean out the rubber ring around the door a few times, but honestly the smell just stopped on it’s own. So we were VERY happy with this front loading set.
With a family of 5 active people who would go through at least a couple outfits a day, I’m pleased to say this set lasted 12 years!! Okay, and having remembered that I can say that we got our Speed Queen set in the end of 2018.
The dryer on the Whirlpool just wasn’t drying like it used to and we would have to run the dryer multiple times to get the clothes dry. Since we had the set so long we decided to just go ahead and replace both. I don’t remember the washer having any major issues when we replaced it, but we figured it would happen soon.
Purchasing the Speed Queen Washer and Dryer
Running my own small business, I like to shop local when I can. So, I went back to where we bought our first set to get our replacement. It was going to be a few months before they had anything available because they had been wiped out and there was some issue with getting new ones. This is pre Co-vid mind you! He did have one set on the floor, the showroom model that he could sell me, so we took that.
I didn’t really care what it looked like and I figured that last one had served us well, so this would too! A couple former students delivered the new set, got it all set up and loaded up our old set. But, when they tested everything, there was NO HEAT in the dryer. Short version of the long story. We did not keep that set nor will ever spend money with this shop owner again!
Since they had already taken our old set, here we are a family of 5 without a washer and dryer. My parents live across the road, so I’m sure at some point we hauled clothes over there to wash. But, that made picking a new set and getting it installed a priority.
At this point we are a little more gun shy. We shop at a few other local places, but just can’t decide what to do. Matt then goes by himself and comes home wanting to spend big money on a Speed Queen because they are durable and commercial…meaning they’re in hotels and laundromats.
I used Google a bit to help with the decision, but honestly the reviews aren’t that great. So, do not ask me why we actually went with the Speed Queen, because I’m really not sure. Basically the guy on the sales floor must have done a good job selling it to my husband!
3 Years Later
3 years later I can honestly say I am happy with our purchase. I am probably most happy with the warranty, which I’m not sure is something that the local business provided does or if it comes with all Speed Queen’s. The Speed Queen has had issues, but we have spent zero dollars repairing those issues.
And with the initial price tag, zero on the repairs sounds good, really good. Checkout what the Speed Queen set is going to run you HERE.
So what issues have we had with our Speed Queen set? The first issue was a crazy loud noise. Now this noise only happened a couple times, at least while we were home, but it was LOUD and CRAZY sounding! We can’t see any issues, everything seems to be working, but we call our retailer anyway to send out a repair man to check it out.
They immediately thought they knew what the issue was because it must commonly happen. The tub is metal but has a hard plastic ring on the top of it. When the tub gets out of balance for whatever reason on the spin cycle, it comes up and hits the top of the machine causing the plastic to come off.
On our machine, once we knew where to look, we could see that plastic had rubbed off of the ring. The repair man said normally you have white shavings in your laundry load, but we hadn’t noticed anything. So they replaced the tub. This actually ended up being an ordeal because the repair man couldn’t get our tub out and then didn’t have some special tool with him, so it took a few trips and a lot of muscle to get our old tub out.
The machine washed fine with the old tub and washed fine with the new tub.
The next issue we had was after we had the machine a couple years. The lid door would lock and remain locked while the wash paused. We tried unplugging it and replugging it in, which seems to work on most technology, but it didn’t solve the issue. Again we called and got the repair man out.
Everything looked fine. According to him, sometimes moisture causes damage to the boards (tech panel), but to the eye ours looked fine. I think he replaced it anyway, but we soon called back because we were having the same lid lock issues. This time they literally ordered every possible piece it could be and switched it all out. He was here almost ALL day taking the entire machine apart. But, we haven’t had any issues since.
What the Internet Says
The Internet says it doesn’t get your clothes clean. I have not noticed our clothes being less clean than with our previous set. Without getting super personal, when we first got the machine there was an issue with one piece of clothing getting cleaned. However, after having that issue about a year, that same item is always cleaned now.
We do not have anything heavily soiled. We do not farm, and our athletic uniforms and practice clothes are never overly dirty. I don’t have dirty diapers or baby food caked on everything. So, I can only say that normal clothes seem to clean like normal.
The Internet says it leaves soap residue. We always put the soap in first, which should prevent this if it was an issue.
The Internet says it isn’t very eco friendly. I honestly didn’t look for that when I selected our set. Our water bill is slightly higher, but that could be due to numerous other things as well.
Final Thoughts
I am very happy with our Speed Queen set, although we have had two issues with it in the first 3 years, those issues have been repaired for free. If this set lasts for another 10 years without needing any more repairs, that would be ideal, but if the repairs are covered under warranty then I guess it really doesn’t matter!
With a family of 5 we are doing a load every day, if not multiple loads. We need a washer and dryer that can handle that much use and that is one of the reasons we went with this commercial brand. If the Speed Queen can handle a laundromat, then it should be able to handle the Johnson’s!
Want a Speed Queen washer and dryer? You can purchase one HERE.
You can read more about my laundry room HERE.
This post may contain affiliate links for the products I use and recommend. I am not paid to promote these products. If you purchase using my affiliate links, I could make a small commission at no charge to you.
18 thoughts on “Speed Queen Product Review”
Just bought a speed queen front loading FF7005WN since 7009 is not available. Installed and found is defective. The dealer suggests to repair. I try to contact SQ myself now…Who knows what is going to happen. …..
Ugh! So frustrating when you spend that much money! Our retail store was so easy to work with, so I hope your is too!
I bought my first Speed queen washer 71/2 years ago and it just went out. It is the electronic board that cost $550 plus labor. That is real close to what I paid for the washer. Don’t think I will buy another one. They are mostly American made but the electronics says made in Mexico. Model# Awne82sp113TW01
We bought our Speed Queen model AWN432SP113TW04 in 2017. Our appliance repair man encouraged us to buy it. Supposedly it would last for at least 20 years.
Fast forward to May, 2024. Not working!
1. Would not stop. Continued to go through every single cycle.
2. When I finally got it to stop, and tried to run it again, it would not fill with water.
3. Called Alliance. Claimed they never heard of this problem before. We needed a timer which was not in stock anywhere. Corporate was no help. Finally found the part, replaced it and still no water.
4. We have been troubleshooting and refuse to pay for another part which will probably not work.
5. Ordered a new washer…..not Speed Queen
So, so disappointed
So frustrating!! When we use something every day and spend that much money, we want it to work!! We moved and got a new machine (not a speed queen) and the electric panel went out in a year and a half. Luckily it was under warranty, but also not a good sign for the future!
We bought our Speed Queen washer and dryer at the recommendation of a friend. Fast forward 3.5 years and now needs $1500.00 worth of repairs. We did not buy an extended warranty. We called the manufacturer and they said best of luck.
How long does it take for a regular wash take?
You loved your Whirlpool but got rid of them after only a few years? Are you saying you didn’t trust the Whirlpool to go five years? Have been reading that all washers and dryers are basically junk now. So sad because the costs are higher than ever and that means we are spending more dollars each year for lousy appliances thus increasing our overall cost of living.
My dryer died. It’s been so long ago I can’t remember exactly, but since we had to get a new dryer we decided to get both. Our Whirlpool was a front load and my husband wanted to go back to a top load.
Oh…and thanks for the very helpful info about the risers! Almost went that route and you saved me a lot of aggravation.
Happy to help!
Mine work fine with my risers. No moving.
When writing a review or a blog about a specific product please, please start off with the make/model number and similar information. After watching your video on YouTube then coming to this post it’s quite frustrating to sit through a long winded video then read several paragraphs and still not being able to find the information.
I recognized the washer because I bought the same one Speed Queen TR5 model and I have been very disappointed with its quality. Clothes just don’t come out clean. It helps some if you wash smaller loads and pretreat stains but if it’s a tough stain or something really soiled it’s going to need to be prewashed (yep, washed before putting in the washing machine) beforehand to remove the majority of dirt. I hate the lack of water it limits itself to automatically. The lid has been a bit of a issue due to not completely closing enough to lock it which results in you going to get your laundry out and put in the dryer only to discover it stopped and now you have to Unplug the plug the machine back in and start a new cycle all over again.
After searching online for why my Speed Queen was not anything like all the other owners that I came across that spoke so highly of the brand I discovered that the older models were very good but at some point Speed Queen decided to follow the same more modern/eco friendly scheme. I’ve read that they’ve supposedly returned to the old design and the quality and performance got better but I don’t know personally. It’s heartbreaking to spend high bucks to get the same ol junk that could have costs a lot less. I am keeping a look out for an older, used, basic as they come washing machine and buy it. The repairs are much more easy to do and the clothes came out clean with the old machines.
I had a sq years ago, that thing was a workhorse. The lid rusted off and wouldn’t run so my father came and straight wired the machine and it worked. Then the water pump cracked and my father came and wired it back together. I had. The set for about 15 years and I gave it away to a lady that had a bunch of kids. It sounded like a jet engine taking off when it spun out but it was still running when I gave it to her.
You are lucky your dad is so handy!!
My husband and I purchased at SQ washer and dryer set at a local appliance store Jan 2023. The washer was a TR5003WN and the dryer DR5003WE. We have a 5 year warranty. In the first month we had the company out twice to repair the dryer vent because it kept blowing off. Inside of dryer piece was not screwed in properly. Also, our dryer drum had some decolorizations. First tech said he didn’t have an idea why that happened. The next one told us that was from leaving wet clothes in the dryer. Seriously!!!! If I have clothes drying and we decided to leave the house I turn the dryer off. My husband is retired FF and leaving the dryer run while we are not home is not an option. If I knew that would happen, I would have taken the clothes out or made sure they were dry and taken out prior to leaving. I also find that I have to dry the clothes on Delicate cycle because on Permanent Press they seem to come out very hot and they get very wrinkled. Shouldn’t have to do this.
My real issue that I am having is with the washing machine. I cannot get the fabric softener liquid to dispense in the clothes and rinse out. What always happens is that the clothes spin and then they are all around the edge of the drum and it seems the softener liquid spills out of the top dispenser as an after thought and sits at the bottom of the washer. I have diluted the softener, stopped using softener and even bought a downey ball and nothing has work. I also have sheets that have bleach stains as it appears the bleach dispenser is doing the same thing. I have reached out to Alliance Laundry System and have gotten no help. I put in a call beginning of the week to the appliance company that we purchased them from and they will be here tomorrow. I am very disappointed in this set as we were told these machines would probably out live us. And for the basic set with turn knobs similar to the picture above, we paid almost $2,700.00 I am just about ready to put this set up for sale and buy a set from Costco. A friend of mine is moving to a new house and asked if I liked my set because she was in the market for a new one for her new house. I told her absolutely not!!! She asked why and I explained all the problems. She is searching out a different brand. End of rant. Just being honest here.
Ugh! I’m so sorry! It is beyond frustrating to spend money only for something to not work as it should! On my YouTube video a lot of people said the model I got was bad. Of course I picked the one that they only made for a few years that ended up being less than ones made before or after it! We have moved since and did not bring that set with us and we did not get a Speed Queen the next go around! Best of luck!
Thanks for this review! We have always tried to purchase “Made in USA.” But recently, it has become almost a crusade. So as we are about to move across country and will need to purchase a new washer and dryer (again), we will absolutely look for American and Union built. We also always purchase a whole home warranty – so that should help with any repair. Looks like Speed Queen will be our next purchase!