Plumorchard, we considered SQ, as we too like their simplicity of what they have to offer. We settled on Miele as a friend of ours runs an appliance store that sells them. However, we are still awaiting their arrival as they sold-out at the end of the year and they have received our washer, but no dryer, so we are still waiting as we would like both delivered at the same time. We are replacing a Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washer model L03 and dryer model D04; both purchased new in November 1996 as F&P was starting to establish itself in the US. The washer has been flawless except normal wear as the agitator blades there are three) have a relief line in them (I suspect to prevent the drive mechanism from locking should a situation arise where a bundle of clothes binds against the drum and the agitator) and one fatigued to the point that it broke-off with another showing fatigue signs so a new agitator was in order (approximate agitator cost is $215 with shipping, and a DIY project). The other issue was, and still is, the one-piece plastic control fascia cover with all the button selections that cracked once and was replaced, and has since cracked again. I do not like this method of covering buttons as it leads to the same outcome time-and-time again. The dryer did give us issues, the main issue: It would not shut-off when it should after selecting an automatic selection (e.g., cottons, permanent press, etc.) causing the clothes to get super hot. At the time I contacted F&P providing a very detailed description of the issue, and F&P worked directly with me under the condition that I send them back the parts I replaced, I did. All functions worked well for about two years, and then the same problem reoccurred. Again, I contacted F&P and they had a record of me so they sent out the same replacement part only this time the part was made by GE versus F&P, I sent them back the old parts as instructed. All worked well until the five-year mark where the same issue occurred. By this time F&P had become established in the US, and they no longer allowed me to fix it, as they sent a repairman. The same part was replaced, and it too was made by GE; on each occasion the part had changed (as I photographed the parts each time). Since that time the dryer has worked without fail. There is simple workaround if the automatic selection does not work and that is to run the manual timer versus the automatic selection. The plastic fascia control cover also cracked over time, twice. Both the F&P washer and dryer are going to a needy family when our new ones arrive. The reason we chose not to go with F&P again is that I come from a family that will not own GE consumer products (GE's commercial and industrial products are excellent, their consumer products are typically below par). During that time I do recall something on how GE became involved with F&P, but because of all the acquisitions and mergers it is hard to put all the pieces together, but the bottom line is that I want nothing to do with GE consumer products. I can say, without equivocation, that I enjoyed interfacing with F&P as they were very accommodating.

I'm glad the EcoSmart is working well for you! We have the AquaSmart model WL37T26D with impeller and it works just fine for us. I choose the correct cycle for the clothes and it seems to do the rest. Clothes come out clean and ready for the dryer. My water bill has gone down since we purchased it, so that's good too. kcred

Well I have neither,but my neighbor has the F&P and loves hers. She said it has a 2 year warranty plus she bought the extended warranty for 4 more years. It is very electronic with control boards and all that stuff. My sister has a Speed Queen and she has never bragged on a washer before until she got this one. She loves it cause it has a large tub and a 3 year warranty. It also is more like the older T/L since it doesn't have all the control boards to go out and cause those problems. You will just have to weigh the +'s and -'s that work/don't work for you and go from there. I think you would like either one. For me I would go with the Speed Queen for the simplicity. I have a front/load now and love it but I have had control board issues and they are costly if not covered with a warranty.

A little water may get into the air dome and tube at the tub-end when it fills but should drain completely, unless the air dome has gotten clogged and can't fully drain. Could be the tube has a crack or break and is leaking pressure ... thus filling too high. However, that should result in overfilling on all water levels. Do the other levels also seem too high? There's a flood protection function that turns the pump on if the tub level exceeds the highest level by a margin ... but of course that depends on accurate pressure reading from the transducer. The pressure transducer may have gone bad, off-spec, if the air dome and pressure tube prove to be OK. The transducer is integral to the board and has no adjustment so the board must be replaced if that's the problem. Automatic vs. manual selection doesn't affect the fill levels. Automatic sensing settles on one of the five levels, same as a manual selection. Two other things I can come up with that could affect the water level and/or the basket's float characteristics on a small load vs. large -- 1 - Weight of the basket. There are liquid-filled gyroscopic balance rings integral to the rim and base of the basket. The weight of the basket, including the fluid, must be within a specification range for proper operation. The basket must be replaced if fluid leaks out of either ring, which is rare and would also cause spin-balancing issues. 2 - Wrong machine size is set. F&P agitator-style washers on the Aus, NZ, and other world markets are sold in several capacity sizes. US models are all the largest size but the control board must still be set for the size of the machine. Wrong size setting makes for wrong water levels and other operational characteristics. Size is set via a "hidden" key pattern but I suppose it's possible for someone to accidentally change it, except that the wrong sizes would be for smaller capacity and presumably lower levels. But, check it anyway. With Power off, press/hold Wash Temp Up, then press Power at the same time. Should get four beeps and the panel turns on. Spin Hold light indicates the correct size. Press Spin Up to change if necessary, then Power to confirm & exit.