Should You buy Dexter or Speed Queen Washers?

Here is my answer to a very common question posted online and some of the things you might want to consider:

  1. Do you want the established technology of hard mount moderate extract speed washers versus the newer high speed extract models available from other suppliers such as Continental, Wascomat/Electrolux, Maytag and Domus? You can pick either one and explore the benefits or negatives of both extract speed models.

  2. If you want true high speed extract washers, you can’t buy ether of these brands. Look at Continental GIRBAU, Domus, Maytag or Wascomat/Electrolux for true high-speed extract washers.

  3. Do you want to avoid the problems coming in the future of computer board failures? More likely with Alliance in recent experiences, so go with Dexter if you want to keep it simple.

NOTE: The more complicated, the more likely computer board failures. The enemies of computer boards are heat, moisture, vibration and lint. Laundromats have all these items in spades.

  1. Which appearance of the two brands do you like better? Take a trip to a couple of Laundromats and talk to some customers about how they like the machines they’re using, and determine if you find one brand is more appealing to your eye.

  2. Which company has immediately available parts and service techs. This will be important. Walk around the parts departments of your local distributor. Do they have in house repair people or do they use contract repair people.

  3. Ask if either brand distributer will provide a a two or three-year free labor warranty? Very useful as you learn the repair characteristics on the washers you select.

  4. Compare the financing options, if any, that the potential distributor is able to provide. Ask if they get a fee from their factory for a referral and if they will waive it to your benefit.

  5. How about price. Sit down with the distributor and see if you can negotiate a price that is acceptable to you. Ask if they will allow you to only pay for the actual factory charge for freight charges.

Finally, both Dexter and Speed Queen/Huebsch are American made designs that have been around for years. Although both buy many of their parts from Germany, Mexico and Asian suppliers they are assembled in the USA. Beyond the difference in electronics there’s not much difference between these brands in quality. It’s like buying a new truck; Ford or Chevy. Don’t believe sales-person hype or people who have never owned both brands. They both are good brands and their reliability is very good. If you want to discuss more, just contact me for any more information you want. I’ve been a distributor for both models. “Laundromat 123”