There are three washers which seem appealing...

1. Speed Queen Front Loader - love the reliability, durability,concerned about the capacity.

2. Maytag Bravo - People seem to love them. Capacity is right. Really concerned about the durability and reliability.

3. Electrolux - The capacity seems right. Don't know much about reliability. I was really impressed by how well it cleaned. Saw the pictures someone posted on a forum.

So, if you have experience with these three, please chime in.

Thanks, Ann

You couldn't give me ANY type of top loader with impeller type wash system...have you seen them on Youtube...nothing moves. How is a huge comforter going to get washed?

If I had to buy a machine today it would still be an Electrolux front loader.
Why...because reversible doors on BOTH washer and dryer.
Huge capacity 5.1 cu. ft. washers and 8.0 cu. ft. dryers.
From the Energy Star web site, Electrolux isn't extremely skimpy with water. Some washers use even less water. To me a front loader is already energy efficient, some manufactures are going over board touting they use even less resources
Wash times are more reasonable. All front loaders do take longer to do a wash though, except laundromat washers...they are done in 30 minutes (because they use more water, dirt is lifted out faster).

That's my two cents.

Keep us informed on what you get.

Max Spin Speed IQ 1200 RPM, WaveTouch 1400 RPM.

Max Capacity IQ 4.7 cu.ft, WaveTouch 5.1 cu.ft.

# Wash Cycles IQ 11, WaveTouch 65 (don't let that number fool you, the WaveTouch just offers more options per cycle boosting cycle count).

Individual Custom Options IQ = 1 & Favorties = 1
Individual Custom Options WaveTouch = 3 & Favorites = 3

Spin Speed Selections IQ 5, WaveTouch 6.
Soil Level Selections IQ 5, WaveTouch 6.

Delay Start Hours IQ 14, WaveTouch 22

Personally I like the WaveTouch better only because I like the display with all the options built into it. Where the IQ has all the buttons laid out in front of the machine.

But basically they are the same machine with slight differences so which ever you like/want will be fine.

Life expectancy for front loaders is around 11 years with "normal" use. Give or take with your individual use and care.

The Speed Queen seemed very well built and a solid, no frills machine.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

I will post a review once I have had it for a few months.

http://www.allbrandservicenaperville.com/products-washer.html

A previous poster is very mistaken in his/her comment about HE toploaders, particularly concerning Maytag Bravos. Laundry DOES move while it washes, and our comforters (including a king-size comforter) come out very clean and fresh after being washed. If one hasn't actually owned and used an HE toploader, s/he can't give an experienced review.

Also -- all HE toploaders are not equal, another thing non-owners may not realize. Friends and relatives who have Oasis, Cabrio, and GE's HE toploader have reported problems I have not had with my Bravos washer.

HTH

One think of which I'm sure, shopping for laundry units these days should start with picking up a supply of aspirin, ibuprofen or the like! :)

This is what I said:

All HE toploaders are not equal, another thing non-owners may not realize. Friends and relatives who have Oasis, Cabrio, and GE's HE toploader have reported problems I have not had with my Bravos washer.

It is also true that some (very few, in my experience) people have reported problems with Bravos washers that I have not experienced.

My intention was not to "crown or condemn" any line of washers (though I have read a number of posts here which condemn HE TL's en masse), but to point out the fact that not all HE toploaders are equal -- just as all FL's are not equal.