World of Washers

I was thinking today about the state of the economy. I live in a county that is experiencing an unemployment rate of 17%. My own employment future is uncertain as the company I work for is drastically trimming fat to cope with the downward spiral in sales. Across the country, consumers are snapping shut their purses and wallets, drawing back their spending. And while sales of durable goods are in the toilet, people still need to replace broken washing machines.

So what if you need to buy a washing machine, but you don't want to spend over a grand for a bling machine? How do you get the most bang for the buck? That's what I will focus on in the next few posts, starting with top load washers.

To start with, I am going to completely ignore high-efficiency top load washers. I just don't see these machines as being described as a "value". The propensity for expensive repairs and mediocre wash results, among other issues, are just too great.

So in looking for the best value in top load washers, what criteria am I using?

One: capacity. Capacities in top load washers vary in size from 2.5 to 3.5 cubic feet. All of the washers on this list vary from 3.3 to 3.5 cf. (On a side note, you may notice that Whirlpool/Maytag offer 3.2 and 3.5 cf drums. The drums are exactly the same size; the difference comes in the size of the agitator.)

Two: reliability/service. This area can be somewhat a crap shoot. Whirlpool washers are simple and relatively dependable, and are supported by a vast network of service providers. GE has greatly improved reliability in their top load washers through the years, and they also offer and extensive support network. Speed Queen simply offers the best-built machine, backed by the most extensive warranty, on the market.

Three: features/benefits. When talking about features in these washers, we're not talking about extreme spin speeds or miserly water usage, fancy colors or LED control boards. We're talking about the basics: adjustable water levels, multiple water temperature, a moderate level of cycle selections, maybe an extra rinse cycle. That's it.

Please note that the prices listed below are subject to change, and are accurate as of 6/27/09.

Whirlpool WTW5200VQ

Best Buy: $450
Lowes: $448
Sears: $408
US Appliance: $389

Drum Material: Porcelain on steel
Number of Speed Combination: 2
Bleach Dispenser: Yes
Number of Cycles: 10
Extra Rinse: Yes
Number of Temperatures: 3
Hot/Cold, Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold
Water Levels: 2


Maytag MVWC400VW

Home Depot: $449.10
Lowes: $498
Sears: $450.49
hhgregg: $499.97
US Appliance: $389

Drum Material: Porcelain on steel
Bleach Dispenser: Yes
Number of Cycles: 12
Extra Rinse: Yes
Number of Temperatures: 4
Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold
Water Levels: 3


GE WDRR2500KWW

Best Buy: $450
Home Depot: $404.10
hhgregg: $449.97

Drum Material: Stainless steel
Bleach Dispenser: Yes
Number of Cycles: 14
Extra Rinse: Yes
Number of Temperatures: 3
Hot/Cold, Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold
Water Levels: 3


Speed Queen AWN412

*Not available at any big box stores. Check independent retailers in your area. Online prices varying from $600 to $679.

Drum Material: Stainless steel
Bleach Dispenser: Yes
Number of Cycles: 8
Extra Rinse: No
Number of Temperatures: 3
Hot/Cold, Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold
Water Levels: 4

From looking at the above, you can see that there are not really any major differences between those machines. They all offer good capacity. They all offer porcelain or stainless steel wash baskets. The offer a fair amount of flexibility on cycles and wash temperatures and water levels.

This is why, when I in the appliance biz, I grew very exasperated with shoppers that made picking out a washing machine a flippin' ordeal. It is not that difficult!

1) Do not buy Frigidaire. (They're cheap crap.)
2) Do not buy from Sears. (Their service sucks.)
3) Start with the washers above and go from there.

Some of you may question why I put Speed Queen on this list. Remember, I wrote this with an eye towards value, and Speed Queen washers, with their tremendous durability and exceptional warranty, offer a very high level of value. I advise you to give Speed Queen a look if you are in the market for a top load washer.