June 3rd, 2025 | 9 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect laundry products with our Washer Buying Guide
In 2001, I was sure consumers would opt for front load washers.
They were bigger than top loads, and used less water, detergent, and energy.
Front loads also spin faster for less drying time.
Flash forward 25 years later, and there is a backlash of sorts to the popular front load.
Turns out, they are hard to fix and have assorted minor, yet annoying issues.
In fact, many people are turning to specific top load washers, like GE and Speed Queen for more solid and predictable performance
In this article, you will learn the difference between the two brands, and which one might be best for you.
In the end, it might be a 30 second TikTok video we recently published that might change your mind.
📌Skip Ahead:
- Quick Comparison
- Brand Overviews
- GE Washer Review
- Speed Queen Review
- Performance Breakdown
- Price & Warranty
- TikTok Insights
- Reliability
- Final Verdict
- FAQs
Quick Comparison: GE Commercial vs. Speed Queen Top-Load Washers
| GE Commercial | Speed Queen | |
| Price Range | $1,034–$1,149 (not on promotion) | $1,399 |
| Build Quality | Commercial-grade components; galvanized steel cabinet and stainless hoses | Commercial-style, metal components, built to last |
| Cycles & Options | 7 cycles, including Deep Clean and Bulky Items | 6 simple cycles, fewer options |
| Cycle Time | Under 30 minutes with Auto Soak | Under 30 minutes with Soak |
|
Spin Speed RPM |
Up to 800 RPM | Up to 710 RPM |
| Noise Level (dBA) | Not published; quieter than Speed Queen’s TC5003 | Not published, louder and more mechanical |
| Features & Smart Tech | Dual-action agitator, Deep Fill, Auto Soak, no Wi-Fi | No smart tech, no sensors, manual controls |
| Reliability | 7.0% service rate based on Yale service data | 3.6% service rate (among the best) |
| Warranty | 5-year full, 10-year motor, lifetime tub | 5-year full, up to 15 years on select parts |
Brand Overview
Both GE and Speed Queen are popular in laundromats, albeit for different reasons.
GE Commercial
GE is built in America but is now owned by Haier, a Chinese brand, and offers a wide range of washers.
You’ll find everything from basic top-loaders to front-load models with Wi-Fi and smart dispensers.
However, the GTW525 doesn’t have any of those features.
It’s a simple GE washer with additional functional features, rather than their Microban, Wi-Fi-enabled regular machines.
But why would they do that?
This GE is designed to compete with Speed Queen, but it may be missing the most important feature to a Speed Queen.
Speed Queen
Speed Queen is a family-owned company based in Wisconsin.
They build their machines like the ones you'd find in a laundromat: heavy, simple, easily serviced, and made to run for years.
Editor’s Note: Ever try sliding one of these into place or lifting it with a two-wheeler?
These washers are incredibly heavy.
Last Note: Speed Queen has two series: the TR and TC.
The TR is a more recent design, while the TC is the one known for its aggressive agitation and washability.
🔍We have an extensive blog article describing the two: Speed Queen Top-Load Washer Review 2025
Top-Load Washer Comparisons
GE Commercial GTW525ACWWB ($1,034)
Review
This GE washer is built tougher than most. It uses commercial-grade parts like a galvanized steel cabinet and stainless hoses, but still looks like a regular top-loader.
It has a 4.3 cubic foot stainless steel tub and a dual-action agitator.
That means it moves clothes better and gets them cleaner than most machines in this price range.
There’s no WiFi or touchscreens. Just simple cycles, Deep Fill, and solid wash performance.
You get 7 wash cycles, including a Deep Clean option, and a spin speed of 800 RPM to cut down on drying time.
Editor’s Note: Front-loads average 1300 RPM. Just saying.
The best part is the warranty. It comes with 5 years full coverage, 10 years on the motor, and lifetime on the tub.
It costs more than GE’s other top-loaders, between $1,034 and $1,149, but it's one of their best-built models to a certain degree.
You’ll find out what’s missing later in the comparison.
Key Features
- Capacity: 4.3 cu. ft.
- Agitator: True Dual-Action Agitator
- Water Levels: Auto-sensing + Deep Fill
- Spin Speed: 800 RPM
- Wash Cycles: 7, including Deep Clean and Bulky Items
- Warranty: 5 years full, 10 years motor, lifetime tub
Pros
- Commercial build quality
- Long warranty
Cons
- Fewer features
- Higher price than GE’s entry-level models
Editor’s Note: I should also mention to my fellow Bostonians to look at their electric and utility bills. We have some of the highest rates in the country.
Both machines are much more expensive to run than a front-load with less capacity.
So you’ll be spending more for each load and will need more loads to wash.
Speed Queen Top-Load TC5003WN ($1,399)
Review
This is Speed Queen’s classic top-load washer, built for people who still want a machine that actually cleans.
The TC5003 uses a full-size agitator with a 210-degree stroke at 60 strokes per minute.
That’s a lot of movement. You’ll feel it when it runs.
It also spins slower at 710 RPM, but it still finishes most loads in under 30 minutes.
Editor’s Note: That’s a lot shorter than the 52- to 68-minute cycles I run in my front-load.
You get a 3.2 cubic foot stainless steel tub, a 27-minute soak cycle that flows right into the wash, and full Deep Fill when you want more water.
It costs more than almost any top-load or even front-load washers, but it comes with a 5-year warranty.
However, that warranty has a small problem depending on where you live.
Speed Queen, however, is simple to service because the front panel is detachable.
I have no idea why more manufacturers don't adopt this design.
The repair person doesn't have to move the machine out to fix it.
If you’ve owned a Speed Queen before and want that same gritty wash performance, this is the one.
Key Features
- Agitator Wash Action: Traditional agitator provides strong, deep cleaning.
- No Lid Lock: Open the lid anytime to add or check items.
- Fast Cycles: Wash loads in about 30 minutes.
- Heavy-Duty Suspension: Steel base and springs reduce shaking and improve stability.
- Durable Tub: Stainless steel inner tub with a coated outer tub.
- 6 Cycles: Includes Heavy Duty, Bulky, Delicate, Perm Press, Spin, and Eco.
- 4 Water Temps: Hot, warm, cool, and cold options.
- Deep Fill + Rinse: Adds more water when needed.
- Extra Rinse Option: Helps remove more soap and soil.
- 5-Year Warranty: Covers parts and labor.
Pros
- Aggressive agitation to clean everything except delicates
- Front serviceability
Cons
- Smaller capacity
- Higher price
Performance & Features Breakdown
Cleaning & Fabric Care
Both machines use traditional agitators, but how they clean is very different.
Speed Queen’s TC5003 is a tank. It uses a single, full-stroke agitator with a 210-degree motion that moves fast and hits hard.
You’ll hear it. You’ll feel it. But it works, especially on dirty towels, uniforms, and work clothes.
GE’s GTW525 takes a more refined approach.
Its dual-action agitator uses an upper spiral and a bottom fin to rotate clothes through the water. It’s effective and easier on fabrics.
The Deep Clean cycle gives you 67% more cleaning power than its Normal setting, and it won’t beat up your clothes in the process.
If you want pure force, Speed Queen wins. I would not wash anything delicate in this machine or even slightly torn.
But if you’re looking for a balance of stain removal and fabric care, GE is the better option.
It’s also important to note GE is larger at 4.3 cubic feet versus 3.2 cubic feet for the Speed Queen.
Noise, Vibration & Speed
Neither washer is built to be quiet, and neither brand publishes a decibel rating, probably for good reason.
That said, GE's wash feels smoother.
It vibrates less and is noticeably softer than the mechanical churn of the Speed Queen.
Speed Queen’s suspension helps stabilize the load, but you’ll still know it’s running.
As for speed, both machines can finish a load in under 30 minutes with their soak cycles.
GE offers a 30-minute Auto Soak, while Speed Queen clocks in at 27 minutes.
Water & Energy Use
Neither is Energy Star rated.
GE lets you choose the setting. Its auto-sensing feature helps save water, but you can override it with Deep Fill if you want more control.
Speed Queen skips the sensors and fills up by default. It uses more water. That’s part of how it cleans better.
If you want a more aggressive wash, Speed Queen is your better choice.
Price & Value
Cost Over Time
GE is priced between $1,034 and $1,149 when not on sale.
It’s one of the most expensive GE washers, but you’re still getting decent features for the money.
Speed Queen’s $1,399 price reflects its build: fewer parts, fewer electronics, and a commercial-style frame that’s designed to last 15 to 20 years.
GE offers more features at a lower cost and bigger capacity.
But if you're planning to keep your washer for the long haul, Speed Queen may end up saving you in service and replacement costs.
Warranty Coverage
GE now comes with a 5-year limited warranty, a big step up from their older models.
Speed Queen still leads here. You get 5 years full, plus up to 15 years on select parts.
It’s one of the strongest warranties in the business.
But GE still operates their own service department, while Speed Queen does not.
You must check reviews to see which is best in your area.
Editor’s Note: It’s weird, but Speed Queen is especially popular on Nantucket. There must be existing service on that island besides us.
Lessons From a TikTok Video
I decided to publish short videos on Instagram and TikTok.
There is just a lot of misinformation about appliances on those platforms, so we decided to clear up many of the misconceptions.
This short video will tell you a lot about both machines:
The Speed Queen suspension is part of the transmission, so it doesn’t move.
You will never go to your basement and find the Speed Queen unbalanced.
The construction is rigid.
The GE tub can be moved easily when you watch the video.
This commercial model is made like all the other GE washers, with the same pulley system.
This machine can become unbalanced.
Moreover, that system will need repair because those pulleys can break.
Which Washer Is More Reliable?
The best test of any washer is how often it breaks, especially in the first year.
The chart below shows actual service rates from our records.
We only included brands where we sold and serviced at least 50 units, with a total sample of over 700 top-load washers sold and tracked over 12 months.
Top-Load Washer Reliability for 2025
| Service Rates | |
| LG | 3.2% |
| Speed Queen | 3.6% |
| GE | 7.0% |
| GE Profile | 8.5% |
| Grand Total | 5.5% |
Speed Queen has one of the lowest service rates in the industry at 3.6%. GE is double that at 7%.
These aren’t guesses.
We calculate reliability by dividing the number of machines we serviced by the number we sold over 12 months.
Last year, our team logged over 33,000 service calls.
We have 32 technicians on the road five days a week.
So, when something breaks often, we know about it quickly.
Speed Queen keeps things simple: fewer parts, fewer electronics, and a heavy-duty design.
GE offers more features, but that usually means more problems, including long-term issues with consistent unbalancing.
If you want a washer that’s at least statistically less likely to need a service call in year one,
Speed Queen is the safer bet.
Final Verdict: Which Brand Is Right for You?
Both GE and Speed Queen make solid top-load washers, but they’re designed for different kinds of laundry rooms and different kinds of people.
GE’s GTW525 is one of their better-built models compared to their entry-level machines, with a steel cabinet and stainless-steel hoses.
You still get Deep Fill, a dual-action agitator, and enough capacity to handle most family loads.
It’s not loaded with smart features, and the 5-year warranty is a big improvement over the rest of the GE line.
You have service with GE through their new, incomprehensible name, Bodewell.
Service is the black hole in this industry, and GE solves it—or at least tries.
However, that GE commercial machine is still made like every other GE washer internally.
The systems are identical.
Speed Queen’s TC5003 is built like a commercial machine.
It’s designed to clean hard and last for 15 to 20 years. If you’ve owned one before, you know what you’re getting.
If you want reliability and don’t care about modern features, go with Speed Queen.
If you’re looking for a decent washer for $300 less and a service department to fix it, then GE is a decent alternative.
| Pros | Cons | |
| GE | Bigger capacity, Deep Fill, decent capacity, 5-year warranty, can handle more fabric types | More electronics, higher service rate, same system as the other GEs |
| Speed Queen | Built to last, fast cycles, fewer service calls, strong warranty | Smaller, louder, no tech features, costs more |
Choose GE If You…
- Want a washer for less money with a good warranty
- Prefer traditional features like Deep Fill and Auto Soak
- Have access to service support
- Want to wash a wider variety of fabrics
Choose Speed Queen If You…
- Want a washer that lasts over a decade
- Want to deep clean dirty clothes
- Prefer fewer repairs and less hassle
Additional Resources
Download our Yale Washer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 1 million people have already found answers in a Yale guide.
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Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
