17/06/2026
I would strongly caution anyone considering the purchase of a Speed Queen Commercial Washer to thoroughly research the product and, more importantly, the ongoing maintenance and warranty costs before making a decision.
We purchased this machine for our guesthouse at a cost of over R40,000, specifically because it was marketed as suitable for an industrial/commercial environment. Unfortunately, our experience has been extremely disappointing.
Within the first year, the bearings had to be replaced. Six months later, the same repair was required again. Each service call has cost over R1,300 just for the machine to be assessed, and despite the repairs being covered under warranty, we have still been charged approximately R4,000 per visit for travel and labour.
To date, I have spent in excess of R10,000 on repairs and associated costs for a machine that is less than two years old.
For a small guesthouse, a R40,000 investment is significant, and recurring repair costs every six months are simply unacceptable. In hindsight, I would have been better off purchasing a quality domestic machine at a fraction of the price. For example, an LG top-loader costing around R8,000 would likely have delivered better value and significantly lower maintenance costs.
I am extremely disappointed with both the reliability of the machine and the cost of maintaining it. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this product to other accommodation establishments or businesses requiring dependable commercial laundry equipment.
My intention in posting this review is not simply to complain, but to make other business owners aware of the potential ongoing costs associated with ownership. Reliability and after-sales support are just as important as the purchase price, and unfortunately my experience has fallen far short of expectations.
