Speed Queen Top-Load Washer Review 2025: Reliability, Costs & Drawbacks

My mom had an old Maytag when I was a kid. It lasted 17 years with zero issues.

To the best of my knowledge, it was still there when we moved out of Needham.

Speed Queen is about as close as you’ll get today.

Forget capacity. Forget Wi-Fi. Forget the 27 different cycles you'll never use.

People are buying Speed Queen for one reason:

They are under the impression it doesn't break.

Numerous influencers have also made that claim.

But is it actually true?

In this review, we're diving into:

• The differences between Speed Queen top-load models
• How their Classic Clean and Perfect Clean systems actually work
• What 33,000+ real service calls say about their reliability
• How they compare to LG, Maytag, GE, and front-loaders

By the end, you'll know if Speed Queen is right for your home.

🔍 Speed Queen Top-Load Snapshot

📌Skip Ahead

• Influencer Opinions
• About Speed Queen
• Washing Machine Lineup
• Strengths
• Drawbacks
• Price Considerations
• Reliability
• Comparison to Other Brands
• Conclusion

Influencer Hype vs. Reality

It’s funny.

I’m always assailed on YouTube whenever I say anything remotely negative about Speed Queen.

Seriously.

Like this one:

❛❛It's incredibly obvious that these guys refuse to recommend speed queen, probably because they make their money on service calls and parts.

Most speed queen service calls can literally be resolved by unplugging it and plugging it back in.

More over the 7 years warranty and the commercial quality of this washer and dryer set makes them damn near bullet proof.

I see people all the time say I'll never buy another Samsung/GE/LG after having a bad experience with one.

You never hear that about speed queen. When was the last time you even saw a speed queen commercial, I never have.❜❜

I believe Speed Queen is built better, but you have less capacity and pay a hefty premium. Then you may run into labor issues on their 7-year warranty.

You won’t hear this from anyone else.

But there are tons of influencers who gush about this company.

They have affiliate links through which they earn commissions, and they may have product tie-ins. 

I don’t judge, but we don't take money from any brands, and this article contains no affiliate links.

Here's the part you need to understand:

We are one of the only companies you see on YouTube that actually fixes Speed Queen under warranty.

Further, we are the only company publishing that data.

Let’s look at Speed Queen.

Who Is Speed Queen?

Speed Queen is made in Ripon, Wisconsin.

That matters, because they're still building washers like commercial machines, the kind you'd find in a laundromat or your old college dorm.

They're heavier, simpler, and arguably more durable.

One stat says it all:

• Speed Queen top-loaders weigh 196 lbs.
• Most others? Around 135 to 156 lbs.

That extra 40+ pounds is steel, not Wi-Fi boards.

More importantly, Speed Queen is mostly American made, which invariably is better for jobs and investment.

Tariffs? That deserves another paragraph later in the article.

Speed Queen Washer Models: TR vs. TC Series

Let’s break down their two main lines.

TR Series – Perfect Clean System

All use inverter motors (quiet) and spin at 840 RPM. The difference? Cycles and controls.

TR3003WN – 4 cycles, rotary controls, 3-year warranty

TR5003WN – 6 cycles (adds Handwash & Spin Only), 5-year warranty

TR7003WN – 8+ cycles (Bulky, Rinse+Spin, Special Cycles), digital controls, 7-year warranty

Digital controls are only on the TR7003. The others are old-school rotary knobs.

TC5003WN – Classic Clean System

This is the machine Speed Queen purists swear by.

It’s louder (they don’t publish decibels, and that’s no accident) and spins slower at 710 RPM. But it uses an aggressive, motor-driven agitator, just like the old days.

You can even open the lid mid-cycle. Try that with your regular washer.

Classic Clean vs. Perfect Clean: What’s the Real Difference?

Bottom line: If you’re washing work gear or muddy cleats, go Classic Clean. If it’s mostly t-shirts and towels, Perfect Clean gets the job done, and you won’t hear it doing it.

What Is the Big Difference Between the TR and TC Series Not Listed on the Specs?

The agitator of the TC is connected directly to the motor. It is not on the TR.

On the TR, water drives the agitation. So, you get more aggressive agitation with the TC, which is better for really soiled fabrics, versus a decent but quieter machine in the TR.

If you have heavily soiled clothes, the TC is the better choice. Otherwise, the TR is fine.

What Speed Queen Does Well (Really Well)

Deep Fill: 40 gallons of water. Soaks your clothes like it’s 1995. Then again, it’s not 1995, and you can wash with just 15 gallons in a front-load.

Cycle Speed: Around 40 minutes, not an hour-plus like other brands. Way faster than mine, but it depends on what you wash.

Many front-loads have 15- to 30-minute cycles for smaller and medium-sized loads.

No Lid Lock: Add that forgotten sock mid-cycle. No error codes. No drama. I like this. It would even out my sock drawer considerably.

No Mold Issues: No standing water. No musty smell. Period. Mold, mildew, and odor are common knocks against front-load washers.

However, GE has their Microban coatings to resist mold. You can also leave the door open and dry the gasket to prevent it.

Build Quality: Steel components, three coats of commercial-grade finish, and everything is front-serviceable.

Speed Queen is an easymachine to fix, just like Mom’s old Maytag.

Compare that to fixing a transmission in a front-load.

Actually, don’t compare it.

It’s almost impossible to fix a front-load washer.

We often replace the machine under an extended warranty because parts and labor cost more than the washer itself.

Warranty: Up to 7 years on the TR7003. No other major brand comes close, which is a good thing, mostly.

Independent servicers are often reluctant to fix anything under warranty. Labor rates are much lower for in-warranty jobs than out-of-warranty ones.

Look for a dealer that services what they sell to avoid this issue.

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What You Give Up with Speed Queen

Let’s be honest. You lose some things, too.

Capacity: 3.2 cu. ft. total, 2.6 usable. Not great for king-size bedding.

The average front-load is 5 to 5.3 cubic feet. Top-loads now average a bit less at 4.5 cubic.

I wonder, did we have king-sized sheets back then?

True story: My favorite sheets were NHL-branded from Sears.

Spin Speed: 710 to 840 RPM = longer dry times compared to 1300 RPM front-loaders.

Slower spins mean less water is wrung out, so drying takes more time.

Smart Features: No Wi-Fi, no app, no notifications.

Rather than getting an alert, you have to wait in your basement for the last 4 minutes and 21 seconds.

Auto Dispensers: You measure detergent the old-fashioned way.

An auto dispenser is helpful because it holds more and releases the right amount of detergent at the right time.

Price: Speed Queen has bypassed the cutthroat price wars between LG, Samsung, and GE.

The TC5003 is $1,400 versus an average of $900 to $1,000 for a comparable brand.

Will Tariffs Affect Speed Queen Prices?

Yes, tariffs will affect Speed Queen prices. Even though Speed Queen is made in the U.S., they’re not immune to global supply pressures.

Tariffs on imported steel, motors, and circuit boards, particularly from China and Southeast Asia, affect the cost of parts.

Speed Queen sources many materials domestically, but rising input costs will lead to more price hikes.

Expect an increase over the next 12 to 18 months if tariff pressures continue.

Speed Queen Reliability: Built Like a Tank

We logged over 33,000 service calls last year. Here's what the real numbers say.

Top-Load Washer Reliability for 2025

The following service rates are based on a minimum of 50 units sold per brand and a total sample size of over 700 units within 12 months.

So yes, Speed Queen is solid with a 3.6% service rate. But it’s not bulletproof.

🔍 How We Measure Reliability

We base our rankings on real service data, not speculation. Here’s how we do it:

• Sample size: 700+ top-load washers across multiple brands
• Timeframe: First year of ownership (when customers call us under warranty)
• Formula: Service Rate = Units Requiring Service ÷ Units Sold
• Coverage: 40+ full-time techs complete 6–10 service calls per day
• Scale: 33,000+ total appliance calls logged last year in the Boston area

⚠️ We only track the first year because it’s verifiable. After that, customers may move or use different servicers making the data unreliable.

Unlike LG or GE, Speed Queen doesn’t operate its own service network. Make sure your local servicer actually works on them. Some don’t.

Keep in mind, this is only first-year reliability. It’s also the only period we can measure accurately.

🔍Read more: The Most Reliable Front and Top-Load Washers

The Video That May Sway You to Speed Queen

I published this TikTok video a month ago.

Look how rigid the Speed Queen is compared to the GE.

That’s because the transmission is tied in on the Speed Queen, while the others use a pulley system.

So, Speed Queen will not go out of balance as often, and that barrel won’t wear on the pulleys over time.

In theory.

Speed Queen vs. the Competition

Let's compare Speed Queen's top competitors for top-load and front-load laundry.

Speed Queen vs. LG 

LG WT7405CW – Big, Quiet, and Smart

If you want tech, LG has it. They invented inverter motors, which offer huge capacity, smart features, and are rated the best in Consumer Reports.

However, Speed Queen has a better system, is easier to fix, and comes with a stronger warranty.

Speed Queen vs. GE and GE Profile

GE Profile PTW605BSRWS - Feature Overload

I love the Tangle Control.

Two years ago, I moved into an apartment in JP with a top-load, and tangles were the issue.

GE is feature-rich, but you don’t need Microban on a top-load.

The dispenser and ability to customize are interesting if you actually use them.

Speed Queen still has the same value proposition: better warranty, easier repair, and long-term durability.

GE GFW655SSVWW – Mold-Free, Fast, Smart

Front-loads give you the most usable capacity while using the least amount of water.

However, you will have a nightmare fixing the transmission. That’s why you’re considering Speed Queen.

Verdict: Should You Buy a Speed Queen Washer?

If you're done with digital panels, detergent sensors, and unfixable boards, this washer was made for you.

Speed Queen is the last of the tanks. It’s not the biggest. It’s not the smartest. But it’s one of the toughest.

The TC5003 with Classic Clean is still your best bet for old-school muscle. The TR7003 is a nice middle ground. It’s quiet, controlled, but still built to last.

Just know what you're giving up, and be sure your local technician can service it.

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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