What brand of washing machine should I buy?

Nowadays, people rarely wash clothes by hand, so a washing machine has long since become an essential household appliance. A washing machine is used frequently, so it must be reliable, functional, and meet other homeowner requirements. The market offers a wide variety of washing machines, so the question of which brand and model to buy comes to the forefront.

What should you consider when purchasing a washing machine?

When purchasing a washing machine, you need to decide in advance what you want from it. It's not enough to simply state that the machine should wash clothes well. You need to formulate your requirements in as much detail as possible, taking into account your preferences and those of your family members, as well as your previous experience with automatic washing machines. What are the most important factors for consumers when purchasing a washing machine?

• Price. Frequent economic crises and uncontrolled price increases on household appliances force the vast majority of consumers to focus primarily on price. Some openly state that they are willing to tolerate the drawbacks of cheaper appliances, but will still choose them because of their low price.
• Dimensions. Many people choose a washing machine to fit a specific niche, such as under a sink. This is especially true for those whose old washing machine has broken down and don't want to buy furniture to fit the new one, so these consumers purchase a new washing machine based on specific dimensions.

Please note! So-called narrow washing machines have become extremely popular. In fact, consumers, in some cases, are pursuing them not for practical reasons, but as a fashion statement.

• Wash quality and drum capacity. Consumers look at the actual volume, not the maximum load weight (to be able to wash bulky items).
• Reliability, safety, reviews. Consumers pay particular attention to warranty periods, the presence of a child lock, and noise and vibration levels when operating at maximum speed. Many potential buyers also read reviews from other consumers, which are published on websites selling home appliances.

Review of popular washing machine brands and companies

The selection of washing machines on the market today is colossal. Dozens of well-known manufacturers offer hundreds of models. Covering them all, even briefly, in a single article is impossible, but it's not necessary; it's enough to thoroughly explore the models recommended by experts, which we've described below.

Miele W1714, WDA 200

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1400 rpm, 15 programs.
• Maximum loading weight, noise: 6 kg; average noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: The machines are safe to operate. They are energy-efficient, with an A+ energy rating and 48 liters of water consumption per wash.
• Price category: high.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: positive, with the high price cited as the main drawback.

Bosch WLK 2426, WLK 24271

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1200 rpm, 16 programs.
• Maximum loading weight, noise: 7 kg. Low noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: The machines are safe to operate and leak-proof. They are energy-efficient, with an A+ energy rating and 50 liters of water consumption per wash.
• Price range: low and medium.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: positive, no significant shortcomings noted.

Siemens WM 12E444, WS 10K146

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1000 rpm, 15 programs.
• Maximum loading weight, noise: 5 kg. Low noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: The machines are safe to operate and leak-proof. They are very energy-efficient, with an A++ energy rating and 40 liters of water consumption per wash.
• Price range: low and medium.
• Wash quality: excellent, especially good programs for washing children's clothes.
• Consumer reviews: positive, but the short hoses included with the machine can be considered a drawback.

Beko WKB 51021, WKY 61031

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1000 rpm, 15 programs.
• Maximum load weight, noise: 6 kg. Quite noisy.
• Safety and energy efficiency: The machines are safe to operate. They are energy-efficient, with an energy efficiency rating of A and a water consumption of 49 liters per wash.
• Price category: low.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: generally positive. Some drawbacks include the small drum capacity and the lack of an extra rinse function.

Hotpoint-Ariston AQSOF 05

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1000 rpm, 16 programs.
• Maximum load weight, noise: 6 kg. Average noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: The machines are safe to operate. They are energy-efficient, with an energy efficiency rating of A and a water consumption of 52 liters per wash.
• Price category: average.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: positive, no significant shortcomings noted.

Electrolux EWS 1064

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1000 rpm, 14 programs.
• Maximum load weight, noise: 6 kg. Average noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: These machines are safe to operate, feature leak protection, and imbalance monitoring. They are highly energy-efficient, with an energy efficiency rating of A++ and a water consumption of 45 liters per wash.
• Price category: average.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: generally positive. Disadvantages include loud noise during spin cycles. Furthermore, the machine body gets very hot.

LG F10B8QD

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1000 rpm, 14 programs.
• Maximum load weight, noise: 7 kg. Average noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: These machines are safe to operate, featuring leak protection, imbalance monitoring, and foam control. They are energy-efficient, with an energy efficiency rating of A and a water consumption of 49 liters per wash.
• Price category: low.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: generally positive. Disadvantages include noise during filling and spin cycles, poor plastic quality, and large dimensions.

Samsung WF60F1R1F2W

• Maximum speed, number of washing programs: 1200 rpm, 8 programs.
• Maximum load weight, noise: 6 kg. Average noise level.
• Safety and energy efficiency: These machines are safe to operate and feature imbalance monitoring and foam control. They are energy-efficient, with an energy efficiency rating of A and a water consumption of 39 liters per wash.
• Price category: low.
• Wash quality: high.
• Consumer reviews: generally positive. A loud thumping sound during the spin cycle is cited as a drawback.

Please note! The low price category includes washing machines priced up to $400, the mid price category includes machines priced between $400 and $600, and the high price category includes machines priced from $600.

The best brand of washing machine is up to you. Choose a model based on your own preferences, but don't rely solely on your "wants." Remember, no washing machine is perfect, so you'll have to live with some drawbacks.

Special washing machines

We've listed and briefly described the most popular washing machine models, valued by both professionals and consumers. However, some people are willing to pay a little more for special washing machines that differ from standard models in certain ways. In particular, the following washing machines are highly valued:

• silent;
• compact;
• with additional features, elite.

Silent washing machines are of course a myth. Washing machines that produce no more than 50 dB of noise even when spinning at maximum speed are typically considered "silent." Some might argue that 50 dB is quite loud, and if a machine produces such a loud noise, it's definitely not silent.

In fact, everything is relative. While a conventional washing machine produces up to 90 dB of noise at its highest speed, allowing all the neighbors to hear it, a "silent" washing machine is practically inaudible in the next room. This is quite valuable, especially if you don't tolerate loud noises. As an example of such a machine, we recommend the Zanussi FCS825C. Its noise level at maximum speed is no more than 54 dB. You can read more about silent washing machines in the article. Silent washing machines.

Compact washing machines, as the name suggests, are smaller in size than conventional machines., allowing you to install this washing machine in spaces that wouldn't accommodate a conventional model. The Candy AQUA 2D840-07 is a good example of a high-quality compact washing machine. Its dimensions are 70 x 51 x 47 cm, compared to the Samsung WF6HF1R0W0W's 85 x 60 x 45 cm. In a small space, where every centimeter counts, this difference in size can be crucial.

Important! A compact washing machine has a very limited drum capacity and load capacity. This comes at a cost: bulky items are very difficult to wash in such a machine.

Consumers with significant financial resources often purchase so-called luxury washing machines, which, in addition to the standard features, offer numerous additional functions. What are these?

1. Intensive drying. Allows you to dry your laundry directly in the drum.
2. Touch and voice control unit. Allows you to start the washing program without pressing buttons.
3. Hand washing wool. Allows you to gently yet thoroughly wash woolen items. This is impossible in a regular washing machine.
4. Steam treatment. This feature makes ironing washed and dried items much easier.
5. Jeans. A special function that allows you to thoroughly wash any denim garment. The results will be even better than hand washing.

This is far from a complete list of the features that luxury washing machines boast. For example, the LG F1695RDH7, in addition to standard wash cycles, has as many as 17 additional functions. If you purchase this "helper," you'll experience all the delights of these features firsthand. The price of such a washing machine is approximately $1,100.

Tips for buying a washing machine

When wondering what brand of washing machine to buy, don’t get hung up on just the brand.Beyond the brand, there are a host of other nuances to consider. After all, you're not just choosing a household appliance you'll use occasionally; you're buying a "home assistant" that will last for at least five years. Experts and consumers have outlined a number of simple tips to consider when choosing a washing machine.

• Before purchasing a car, think about what features it should have, what bells and whistles you really need and what you don't, as this will determine the price of the equipment.
• Decide where you will park your future car; you may have to choose from compact models.
• Don't settle on just one model you like. Browse through a dozen options, then carefully review their specifications and customer reviews before making your decision.
• Don't rush to buy the washing machine you need at the first store you come across. Explore the offerings of all retailers selling household appliances and choose the best value for money.

Important! It makes sense to order a washing machine from a trusted online store. You can save a tidy sum, but there's a slight risk of receiving a low-quality product.

In conclusion, it's impossible to answer the question of which brand of washing machine to buy right away. While there are numerous objective factors that influence the choice of specific brands and models, there are also subjective factors. In particular, consumer opinions and stereotypes, which often fixate on a misconception, can be very difficult to convince. Happy shopping!

   

2 reader comments

1. January 5, 2019 at 8:25 AM

   Tatiana:

   Apparently this article is very old. Yesterday we bought an inexpensive Candy 27 tr. It has all those "elite features" and can be controlled from your phone.

   Answer
2. January 3, 2022 at 10:38 AM

   Karen:

   What about a semiautomatic?

   Answer