I'd go with a front loader and my first choice would be an Electrolux (I read less dislikes with them).
Speed Queen front loaders are built very very well but are even more expensive than Electrolux but if you want a machine with longevity they are up there with Miele (in terms of build quality).

Yeah, I'd stay away from any top load HE machine also.
And I don't read many great reviews with Samsung, LG etc.

I'm in the market too and it's scary. Why are washers and dryers such moldy junk? I have a whirlpool top loader he cabrio. It's okay but does not clean as well as the old washers. I also leave the top open and spray the inside with Lysol clean cotton spray to keep mold out.

I am very happy with my Fisher Paykel Washsmart that top load that I purchased three months ago. It has an agitator, choice of automatic or selected water levels, a full water rinse, and a true hot wash. I think it is gentle and pretty quiet (I live in a condo) and my clothes are clean.

To those looking for a new washer/dryer: look on youtube and see if there are any videos of models you are considering. Watch them in action. Also, go to the websites of the models and see if there are any videos there.

I highly recommend the Electrolux Wave Touch 70 Series washer and dryer or the LG or LG made Kenmore Elite 5.2 cu ft. washer. Laundry reviewed . com rated the Kenmore Elite the highest rated washer they've ever tested. The Electrolux Wave Touch dryer is also rated a 10/10. The Kenmore Elite and LG dryers are average.

I purchased a Fisher-Paykel washer and dryer in 2005 and happily used them for 10 years until I sold my house last month, and they went with the house. I never had a minute's problem with them, and everything was cleaned very well. I'm looking at this same brand for my next set of washer/dryer.

I do not own, but have heard the new HE top loaders use so little water, they don't clean clothes sufficiently...especially clothes with actual dirt on them (i.e. ground-in kid dirt, handy-man hubby dirt, weekend warrior dirt). The only thing I dislike about my front loader is how tangled up the clothes are when removed. But they are clean at least! When not in use, I always leave the FL washer door open about 2" to help reduce mildew/mold and every so often, I run an empty load on HOT with bleach.

Beware! I have owned and hated three front loaders:

A Maytag--mold issues. A Whirlpool Duet--tangled, twisted, dry, wrinkled clothes. And an (expensive) Electrolux--same old musty smelly mildew problem along with too dry of clothes. (Yes we leave the door and detergent drawer open in between uses and sanitize often. It doesn't matter. There is mildew inside the cavity the drawer sits in and it is super hard to clean--not that you should be expected to...that is ridiculous!) I am fed up rewashing clothes because someone left them in overnight. They look clean but never smell good. I decided to give away the Electrolux set (over $2300) and never look back. (The dryer has issues too.) Goodbye front loaders.

After tons of research I have definitely decided against the HE top loaders!

I'm going back to the old fashioned top load agitator. I am leaning toward Speed Queen and Fisher and Paykel. I have read very positive reviews. The laundry room won't look as good but I will save tons of time and frustration.

OH I almost forgot--on more than one occasion, my washer "ate" my socks! Seriously, I found them months later--that had gotten lodge inside the large front door seal (those who own FL will know what I mean).

I love my LG's and have not had any issues with them. According to CR they have the least repair calls.

I replaced my 20 year old top load Kenmore washer with a
Speed Queen front load and I am very pleased with it. This machine has a larger
load capacity than my Kenmore (about 3 bushel baskets), has higher spin speed
and much longer wash times are selectable. This washer also includes a pre soak
and pre wash cycle and you can add up to three additional rinse cycles. This washer
does not have any fancy cycles like allergen or steam and has no water heating capability, but it does
a great job washing and has a 5 year warranty. I'll let you know in about 20 years if the longevity matches the hype.

Thanks everyone for all your comments. I have done so much research now on every brand that's been mentioned here. I'm still not sure of what brand to buy since they all seem to have their problems. I have heard that Speed Queen is about the best but it is pricier. I do believe tho that I will stick to an old fashioned agitator model and not go with the HE models. The HE's are much more attractive but it IS just the laundry room. It's so easy to get caught up in all the hype about low water usage, pretty colors and designer looking machines when all I really want is something that will get my clothes clean without ruining them and not break down all the time. I have never had to spend one dime on the old Kenmore washer and dryer that I have now and it's OLD! I know things aren't built like that anymore so will just have to get over it and lower my expectations somewhat, but I still don't want to spend good money on machines that will not last. Whatever I wind up with, I just hope it's not a lemon. I think that's the problem nowadays...the quality is just not there anymore. Too many plastic parts, too many engineering shortcuts. A lot more lemons than there use to be. :(

FWIW I think you'll have less issues with a simpler machine. Not to pile on more factoid on your plate-o-info, but we have Kenmore Elite FRont Loader. The "mother board" went out a month before the warranty expired. Outside of warranty, it would have cost around $800 to repair. And now machines are even more high tech.

The best advice I got and it was from a sales person in the appliance dept at Home Depot was "whatever brand you decide to buy, also buy the extended 5 yr.warranty". I had already decided to do just that but it's good advice for anyone buying any new large appliance. It can add up to $200 onto the bill (approx $100 per appliance) but it's just so worth it. A lot of brands come with a "10 yr warranty" but that's only on the motor and that isn't normally the problem. It seems like the "mother board" is a big problem with a lot of machines...lots of issues with that particular part within the first couple of years. That alone makes the extended warranty well worth it.

Just to chime in one more time..you said the Speed Queen is pricier but, as someone else mentioned, the one with electronic controls comes with a 5 year ("extended") warranty while a quick check online shows most brands come with one year. That helps. I am pretty sure I am going that route. Consumer Reports doesn't rate the top load Speed Queen high but there are over 150 reviews that rave and average 4.5 stars while all of the other brands in that category have 10 or less or no reviews, not all good. Also, if you search consumeraffairs.com and put in top complaints for washers ie, you will find 100s for some of the most popular brands and all I can find about Speed Queen are references in the others' complaints about how good they are. I am convinced this may be my best shot and am going to spend more and hope I am right. I wish you the best of luck with your choice.

@maryfitz27, is that a 5 yr warranty on all parts? Because if so, that's a great feature and a definite plus.

VLR - The Speed Queen standard warranty is 5 years on everything. It breaks, they fix it for five years. And when you factor in inflation for what I paid for my previous washer some 20 years ago, the Speed Queen costs the same.

From the Speed Queen web site:

"Our (Speed Queen) industry-best 5-year warranty covers all parts and in-home labor on electronic control models. That’s right. We stand behind both our product and your purchase. Lifetime warranty on the stainless steel wash basket and outer drain tub. - See more at: http://www.speedqueen.com/products/front-load-washers.aspx#warranty";

Thank You for your suggestion. I think most washer and dryers, even less expensive brands, built 10 or more years ago, were better built products. It seems as if the major complaints (of all brands) are coming from consumers who have purchased recently or within the last 3-5 years. I myself have a Kenmore set that are 20+ years old and have never had a repair on either one. Even though they're old and not efficient, they are still working, still doing a good job cleaning our clothes. This is why I'm so apprehensive about buying anything new. I firmly believe the material/construction quality have really gone down. As I've said before, there just seems to be so many more "lemons" out there and no customer service to back any problems up.

If there working, keep them. There is nothing out there that will clean better, and last as long. Kenmore is now made by LG. the old Whirlpool quality is extinct. Don't believe all the hype, you will glad you did!