Product review (4 stars): THE BEST WASHER DRYER COMBINATION BUT IT COULD BE MUCH BETTER!
UPDATE: Thursday, December 12th, 2013. I've been using my Speed Queen ATE50 washer Dryer combo for over a year now and all I can report is trouble free use, clean clothes and dependability.  I started having slight mold issues but Borax reduced it.  Using bleach to rinse out the washer once a month cut the mold issue way down.  Finally I have it set so only hot water goes into the machine so no matter what the waters settings say hot water is being used all the time.  Lucky for me I don't have dress clothes and delicates. My underwear are already gray in color because that's the only color I buy. I found using nothing but HOT WATER in all cycles really reduces the mold issue to almost zero when used with the other steps I outline.  Yes I know my solutions are not for most people.  Goodness knows I am for sure not most people.  But after just over a years use my Speed Queen still works like a champ.  No issues at all none nada.  Oh and by the way the dryer is still working like gang busters too!  I'll take my Speed Queen over the junk it replaced any day.

REVIEW: To start I had a stacked pure crap Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer that did not EVEN survive 2 full years of lite use.  Next I had a Whirlpool stacked laundry center that conserved water like a champ but did not get my clothes clean. The attached Whirlpool dryer never got things completely dry.  The ever pleasant Whirlpool technician explained how Whirlpool re-engineered the dryer to use a new heat sensor which prevented the dryer from completely drying my clothes. Another case of new sub-standard useless technology that does not work replacing old proven technology that worked well every time!

First let me say I brought my ATE50 Speed Queen washer \ dryer from an authorized dealer and it was properly installed by experts.  Proper installation might cost more but it often improves performance and service life in the long run.  Also yes this Speed Queen washer and dryer costs more than most washer dryer combinations.  The Speed Queen payoff is years of clean clothes without near constant problems, breakdowns and drama you risk suffering with most of these badly engineered high priced garbage front loading washing machines. Remember that the United States Congress COMMANDED these new Washers to save water at the expense of never properly cleaning anything. Like most things Congress "Requires" these new High Efficiency washers work only to save water for the environment at the expense of consumers and taxpayer!  Rich guys in the U. S. Congress could care less that regular people walk around in moldy rags thanks to their new Washing Machine regulations. They have people to clean for them so washing and other common chores are not their concern.  So ordinary consumers must buy Energy Star washer that works for you.  Beware that Congress has passed additional water saving standards that command washers to save more water at your expense so if you are thinking about buying a new washer dryer get it now while the more consumer friendly Energy Star Eco-Nazi washer water saving standards are in place.

I brought the Speed Queen Model ATE50 Washer Dryer Laundry Center combo and it is AWESOME!  First the washer is good size at 3.3 cubic feet.  The washer uses just 13.9 gallons of water per cycle but, it actually gets the clothes CLEAN! There is also a button that lets you add an extra Rinse and Spin to the standard cycle using more water to get rid of any left over detergent. Also if you want it is possible to add water to any load via the detergent drawer, the washer won't drain extra water out.

I don't mind a GREEN Washer so long as it gets the clothes CLEAN! Choosing the wash cycle is simple and easy.  All the basics are there regular, delicate, spin only, rinse and spin. The washer does not have all the timer do-dads and other bells and whistles but, the old style clock work timer mechanism dryer and very basic manual electronic hybrid washer controls are much less likely to break with everyday use.  Speed Queen means quality because this washer brand is often found in high traffic Laundromats where machines take lots of abuse. The washer is extremely quiet.  The spin cycle does have a very slight jet plane whistle but no where near as bad as most models.  I had to listen carefully to detect the washer was in spin mode. Best of all the washer rinses detergent out of washed articles completely.  I had no problems with unbalanced loads, excess wobble, shaking or walking. (A washing machine that moves or otherwise shifts in location as a result of clothes spinning, agitation or other normal functions is said to WALK!)

I had no issues with mold mildew or washer funk just leave the washer door ajar for a few hours after each load.  The controls are located low between the washer and dryer for easy access.  The washer and dryer controls are clearly marked with bold writing.  The washer dryer controls are logically and intelligently laid out so there use should be intuitive.  The Speed Queen ATE50 spin cycle was a real surprise. The washer when spinning did not seem loud at all.  I used to think if a washer made the devil's own noise while spinning your items would be more likely to come out with most of the water removed, ready for drying.  This Speed Queen made very little noise and when spinning did not appear to be going too fast.  I was prepared to have sopping wet clothes to dry when the washers final spin cycle completed.  I was shocked when I opened the door and the clothes were just barely damp.  The Speed Queen ATE50 spin cycle is both quiet and effective.

The upper Speed Queen ATE50 Electric dryer drum is positively cavernous and able to take a large load with ease.  The dryer heats up quickly making quick work of dryer loads.  The Speed Queen is much more quiet than both my prior  Frigidaire Affinity and stacked Whirlpool Laundry Center.  My only concern with the Speed Queen is the washer's almost paper thin flimsy rubber door gasket.  You can't afford to make a mistake leaving coins, keys or other things in this Speed Queen ATE50 washer.  Even the smallest item left in the Speed Queen ATE50 washer will rip its cheap thin rubber gasket to shreds. The ATE 50 washers door gasket is almost paper thin, with a cheap paper thin feel that makes it appear easy to tear or damage. My lame old Frigidaire Affinity washer was pure crap but it had a solid strong almost indestructible door gasket that never tore leaving no excuse for the worthless cheap paper thin door gasket used by this Speed Queen Washer.

It is a shame that an otherwise highest quality Speed Queen washer has a cheap dime store washer gasket.  Another bad thing about the Speed Queen ATE50 dryer is its cheap plastic window in the dryer door.  The dryers plastic window is not a deal breaker but for the huge amount of money being asked for this laundry center a REAL GLASS DRYER DOOR WINDOW IS BETTER! The washer door mechanism is all plastic but it at least looks strong enough to last. For shame Speed Queen for taking cheap stupid cost cutting measures but since the negatives do not ruin basic washer dryer quality I deduct only one STAR reducing my rating to Four Stars.  Also some people might not like the fact that there is NO LIGHT BULB in either the washer or dryer.  Frankly if this Speed Queen lasts for a good long time I can live well without the cute little light bulb and all the other creature comforts.

Even at my solid four star rating this SPEED QUEEN ATE50 Washer Dryer Combo is the ONLY Washer Dryer Laundry center to buy because; in both quality and wash \ dry results this machine beats anything else completely. This Speed Queen ATE50 a green High Efficiency washer \ dryer that actually gets your wash truly clean while still saving water. I live in a tiny little condo and this unit fits snugly hidden away in my tiny kitchen space laundry closet.  I am a single man living alone.  I have a white collar job so my clothes do not usually get heavily soiled.  I wash maybe three loads a week sometimes four.  Sometimes my big biker bear brothers take me on motorcycle rides to out of the way places and I get very dirty.  This washer cleans all my clothes the first time.  My younger (crazy) brother is a big old trucker and his clothes can get very dirty even grimy.  The Speed Queen ATE50 washer cleans his clothes completely the first time, every time.  I've washed and dried queen sized comforters and blankets in this Speed Queen ATE50 with no issues at all.

As a gay man its fun knowing my new washer dryer combination is a, "Speed Queen!" Just seeing the name "Speed Queen" on my new washer dryer combo gives me an added reason to smile whenever I do laundry!