My Review of the Speed Queen Top Load Washer

Today Im going to review basically ALL of the Speed Queen top load washers. Speed Queen makes 3 different top load washers:

  1. AWN432SP113
  2. AWNE82SP113
  3. AWNE92SP113

Of course, all three of these machines are different, but from a mechanical standpoint, they are all basically identical.  The 432 is the only washer that still has a basic, no frills, no computer, mechanical timer.  The 8 and 9 series both have a electronic control board. (Actually 2 of them).

The Speed Queen top load washer is about the most traditional washer you can get, mechanically speaking.  It has a proper split phase motor, ( and a big one too), a regular transmission, and of course, a full size agitator.  It also fills up all the way with water.

How I test them:

I physically buy these machines, take them home, and use them for at least 60 days, all the way up to 6+ months.  I have children, and they get EVERYTHING dirty. Needless to say I have a never ending supply of dirty laundry.

The grading scale

My grading scale is 1-100, based on the following factors:
 
1. performance (20pts)
2. cost    (20pts)
3. build quality (repair-ability) (20pts)
4. how long I think it will last. (20pts)
5. My general feelings towards the machine (20pts)
 
Just for the record, I don’t believe any washer will ever, ever get a score of 100.  I don’t even think there will be any in the 90’s, but I guess we’ll see. 

The review:

Speed queen AWNE92SP113 washer.
I had this machine in my house for about 6 months.
Their flagship unit, this is the fully loaded top load washer.  Speed Queen is immortalized with their legendary build quality.  This is the one thing that NOBODY can argue.  It comes with a standard 5 year warranty, which covers parts and in home labor.  Their failure rate is really, really low.  I happen to be an Authorized servicer, and I average about 1 warranty related service call per year.  The 8 series is the same, just minus a few “extra” options.  The 432 is the most basic of the bunch, but bear in mind that mechanically they are all the same.

Performance

The wash action is good, not the best I have ever seen. It definitely get things clean. Having a full size agitator makes the washing action a bit aggressive. The agitator is physically beating the dirt out of your clothes, so a bit of color loss is just collateral damage.    It actually CAN get a load of clothes clean in 30 minutes, start to finish.  Couple of notable options are the soak cycle, and delay start.  It also has the option for double, and triple rinse if it were every to be necessary.
A few drawbacks with the machine are this:  With that aggressive agitation, it seems to beat up my clothes. Oddly, it still seems to struggle removing serious stains.  Another annoying thing is that when filling, if you open the lid, the washer stops filling, preventing me from being able to rinse out my soap measuring cup.  Not really a deal breaker, but for those of you who like to rinse your soap cup, you feel my pain.

Cost

At around 1 thousand dollars, its not the cheapest one out there, but also not the most expensive.  You pay a little more up front, but in the long term this washer will likely end up being a good value.

Build quality

Their electronic controls are bullet proof. With BUILT IN surge suppressors, there is not really anything that can destroy these controls.  They are the same boards used in their laundromat models for many years.   Over sized motor can easily handle anything you can load in it.   The outer tub is made of steel (the other brands are plastic) which  basically prevents any disgusting goo from building up in your machine, causing it to get stinky.  The all-steel transmission, with steel gears will quite literally never go bad.  I service some really old speed queens, and have yet to ever change a transmission.

Longevity

 
Even under intense use, the washer will easily outlast its 5 year warranty.  It will likely need a fresh belt every 8 or so years. (about $200 total, or less if you paid a professional to do it)
Bottom line: If you find yourself burning though washers every 3-5 years, this is the washer you should be looking at.

Personal opinion

Speed Queen as a company is awesome.  I do call them from time to time, and actually get through to a real person in Wisconsin that is willing and able to help me no matter what weird questions I might have.  The machine is made in Wisconsin.  Its not the situation where they just bring 99% of the parts from China and assemble it here, its actually mostly made in the same plant in Ripon, Wisconsin.   They do not sell their wares in big box stores, which gives us little guys something that you simply can’t buy at home depot.
 
Overall , I’d say it is a good machine.  This is not a machine that you would buy for performance reasons, but for its reliability.  It doesn’t have any fancy chrome, and it won’t sing you any weird song when its done.  It is a purpose built machine that has only one purpose… to serve.  After all said, my wife and I were a bit sad to see them go.
Category Score
Performance 12
Cost 11
Build Quality 19
Longevity 18
Personal 20
Total Score 80

Hello, my name is Eugene. Appliance reviewer, restorer, and repairer….

In the world of appliances, it seems to be a difficult thing to find the best one.  Which is more reliable? Best performance? Best price?  Cost to repair?  It can get pretty confusing.  In the end, they are all just washing machines, right?  Don’t they just clean clothes? Aren’t refrigerators just supposed to get cold?

Hopefully I can help.

About me:

I am a 34 year old with a beautiful wife and 2 daughters, ages 3, and 1.  I live in century home just outside the city limits of Cleveland.  I would consider myself to be just about average in every way except one thing: I have a weird obsession with appliances.  Im fascinated with how they work, their design, and just how much of an impact they have on our lives.  You may be able to go a week without a dryer (and just maybe), but can you go a week with no refrigerator?  The answer is yes, you can, but it will completely change the way you live for that entire time.

Anyway, appliances are important.  They are also expensive.  Needless to say, you don’t want to but a $1500 fridge just to have it break down 1.5 years after purchase. ( and conveniently out of warranty).  I have been tinkering with my appliances all of my life.  I have been selling and servicing appliances since I was 18 years old. I am very talented at fixing them.  I have a pretty extensive knowledge of just about all appliances made from the 80’s, all the way to the present.

Hopefully this blog will be helpful in making your decision on your next appliance purchase.

Kicking off the Blog with a beautiful restoration video of an antique Tappan gas stove!

welcome to our blog!

We are Lorain furniture and Appliance located on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio in the historic Ohio City neighborhood. We have been in business for 27 years and are trusted to give you the best most knowledgeable service you deserve. First up we would like to invite you to watch the end of a restoration project we have taken on for a customer. She brought us in an old rusted Tappan stove and said she wanted to use it as her every day cook. We took on the challenge and made it shine like new AND added insulation to the stove to make it more reliable and safe. Check out this video to see the end result!