At Mark’s, we get asked about the Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 all the time. Both washers appeal to the same kind of shopper: someone who wants a simple, heavy-duty top-load washer that uses an agitator and actually moves clothes through water.
I’ve reviewed both styles of machine, and I also made a full video on the Maytag MVWP586 and Speed Queen TC5 where I tested wash action, rollover, water level and everyday use. That hands-on test matters because these washers are not just different on paper. The way each washer moves clothes through the tub is one of the biggest reasons shoppers compare them.
The short answer: the Speed Queen TC5 is the durability-first choice. The Maytag MVWP586 is the value and wash-action choice.
Quick answer
- Choose the Speed Queen TC5 if you want the simpler washer in this comparison. The Speed Queen TC5 has no lid lock, simple controls, fast cycles and a strong long-term durability reputation. It is the better fit if you want an old-school washer feel and are willing to pay more for long-term confidence.
- Choose the Maytag MVWP586 if you want more water control, slightly more capacity and better upfront value. The Maytag MVWP586 has a 3.5 cu. ft. capacity, a dual-action agitator and selectable water levels, including deep water. In my Maytag video, the rollover action was the biggest thing that stood out.
For durability and simplicity, I would lean toward the Speed Queen TC5. For wash action, water control and value, the Maytag MVWP586 is a very strong choice.
What these washers have in common
The Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 are both top-load agitator washers for people who do not want a delicate, feature-heavy machine. Both models use a more traditional wash style, run faster than many modern high-efficiency washers and offer stronger warranty coverage than many standard residential machines.
These washers also make sense for people replacing an older top-load washer. If you are used to a machine from the 80s, 90s or early 2000s, the TC5 and MVWP586 will feel more familiar than many newer high-efficiency models with long cycles and lower water levels.
That is why this comparison works. The Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 are two of the main choices left for shoppers who want a no-nonsense washer for dirty clothes, towels, workwear and regular family laundry.
Where the Speed Queen TC5 wins
The Speed Queen TC5 wins on simplicity, lid behavior and long-term confidence. The no-lid-lock design is a major reason shoppers choose this washer. You can open the lid after the cycle starts, add a forgotten item and keep the wash moving.
The TC5 also has a straightforward control layout. It is not trying to offer every possible cycle or setting. The washer is built around Speed Queen’s Classic Clean wash action, fast cycles and a more traditional user experience.
Speed Queen’s durability reputation is the other major reason people pay more for the TC5. If you want the washer that feels like the safer long-term bet, the Speed Queen TC5 is usually the first model shoppers look at.
View the Speed Queen TC5 at Mark’s or watch this video where I test and review the TC5, along with other models.
Where the Maytag MVWP586 wins
The Maytag MVWP586 wins on water control, capacity and value. It has a 3.5 cu. ft. capacity, compared with 3.2 cu. ft. on the Speed Queen TC5. That difference is not massive, but it is noticeable when you compare the two washers in person.
The bigger difference is wash action. The Maytag MVWP586 uses a dual-action agitator. The top part helps push clothes down, while the lower section helps move them back up through the water. In my video test with towels and smaller rags, the rollover was excellent. The load moved through the water very well, and from a wash-action standpoint, the Maytag looked extremely strong.
The Maytag MVWP586 also gives you more water-level control. You can choose low, medium, high or deep water. That makes the Maytag a better fit for shoppers who want to decide how much water the washer uses instead of leaving every water-level decision to the machine.
View the Maytag MVWP586 at Mark’s or watch my video about the Maytag MVWP586 where I tested the wash action, rollover, water level and everyday use.
Wash action and cleaning performance
Wash action is one of the biggest differences between the Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586. The Speed Queen TC5 uses a more traditional aggressive wash style, while the Maytag MVWP586 uses a dual-action agitator with strong rollover.
Rollover matters because clothes need to move through the water to clean well. The washer has to pull items down, move water through the fabric and create enough friction between items to help remove soil from towels, work clothes and heavier everyday loads.
The Maytag MVWP586 impressed me most in this area. In the video, I placed a lighter towel on top of the load to see whether the washer would pull it down and move it through the water. The rollover was the best thing I noticed. Compared with the TC5, the Maytag had the edge in visible rollover.
That does not mean the Speed Queen TC5 cleans poorly. The TC5 is still a strong traditional washer. But if the question is pure water movement and rollover, I give the Maytag MVWP586 the advantage.
Capacity and usable space
The Maytag MVWP586 has the higher listed capacity at 3.5 cu. ft. The Speed Queen TC5 is listed at 3.2 cu. ft.
Both washers are smaller on paper than many modern 4.5 or 5.0 cu. ft. top-load washers. Bigger is not always better, though. Many large high-efficiency washers do not fill the tub the same way, and long cycle times can be frustrating for busy households.
The Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 are not trying to win on oversized capacity. These washers are built to move clothes through water and finish cycles quickly. For everyday laundry, towels, work clothes and normal family loads, that can matter more than raw cubic feet.
If you wash oversized comforters often, neither washer would be my first choice. If you mostly wash clothes, towels and normal household loads, the Maytag gives you a little more room while the Speed Queen keeps the simpler design.
Water levels and deep fill
The Maytag MVWP586 gives you more control over water levels. You can choose low, medium, high or deep water, which is one of the main reasons I like the Maytag for people with dirty laundry.
The Speed Queen TC5 is simpler. It has a deep fill option, but it does not give you the same level-by-level water control as the Maytag MVWP586. Some shoppers prefer that simplicity. Other shoppers want the control Maytag provides.
In the Maytag video, I used deep water wash. The tub did not fill completely to the very top, but it got very close. For a load of towels and smaller rags, the water level and rollover worked very well together.
This difference is straightforward: the Speed Queen TC5 wins on simplicity, and the Maytag MVWP586 wins on water-level control.
Cycle time and daily use
The Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 are both more direct than many modern high-efficiency washers. Shorter, more straightforward cycles are one of the main reasons shoppers compare these two models.
In my Maytag test, the washer was already well into the cycle after about 10 to 15 minutes, and the normal setup looked like it would finish around 29 to 30 minutes. Pre-soak and extra rinse can extend the cycle, but the basic wash experience is still fast.
The Speed Queen TC5 is also known for fast cycles. That is part of the Speed Queen appeal. The TC5 keeps the process simple and gets laundry moving without making every load feel like a long event.
For families doing laundry every day or every other day, both washers make sense. The Maytag gives you more control. The Speed Queen gives you the simpler experience.
Durability, warranty and service
The Speed Queen TC5 has the stronger long-term durability reputation. That reputation is the main reason the TC5 costs more and still sells well. People buy the TC5 because they want a washer that feels built for the long run.
The Maytag MVWP586 has a strong warranty story too. The Maytag includes 5-year parts and labor coverage, plus a 10-year limited parts warranty on the basket and motor. It is also part of the Whirlpool family, which can help with parts familiarity and service support.
Warranty and lifespan are not the same thing. A warranty tells you what is covered. A warranty does not guarantee how the whole washer will feel after years of use.
If you are buying purely for durability confidence, the Speed Queen TC5 has the advantage. If you want a strong washer with good warranty coverage at a lower price, the Maytag MVWP586 is easier to justify.
Price and value
At Mark’s, the Maytag MVWP586 is usually around $900–$1,100. The Speed Queen TC5 is usually around $1,500–$1,600.
The Maytag MVWP586 is several hundred dollars cheaper. For that lower price, you get more listed capacity, more water-level control and very strong rollover.
The Speed Queen TC5 costs more because of its simpler design, no lid lock and stronger long-term durability reputation.
Choose the Maytag MVWP586 if you want the better upfront value. Choose the Speed Queen TC5 if you are willing to pay more for simplicity and long-term confidence.
Customer feedback and market perception
Customer feedback on the Speed Queen TC5 and Maytag MVWP586 usually follows the same pattern. Speed Queen shoppers talk about durability, no lid lock, fast cycles and long-term confidence. Maytag shoppers talk about value, capacity, water control and cleaning performance.
That matches what we hear in the showroom. People who already know they want Speed Queen usually care most about owning the washer for a long time. People who are open to Maytag usually become interested once they see the capacity, water settings and price difference.
Reddit and online reviews are useful, but they should not be the whole decision. These washers feel different in person. The controls, lid behavior, tub size and wash action are easier to understand when you stand in front of both machines.
Which washer should you buy?
Buy the Speed Queen TC5 if you want the simpler, durability-first washer. The TC5 is the better choice if you want no lid lock, fast cycles, fewer decisions and Speed Queen’s long-term reputation.
Buy the Maytag MVWP586 if you want more water control, slightly more capacity, strong rollover and better upfront value. The MVWP586 is the better choice if you wash dirty clothes often, want deep water options and do not want to pay Speed Queen pricing.
For me, the Speed Queen TC5 is still the safer long-term pick. But the Maytag MVWP586 is not just a cheaper alternative. After testing it, I think the Maytag has a real advantage in rollover and water movement. If those things matter most to you, the Maytag may be the better washer.