Top-loading washing machines with dryers

Washing machine manufacturers are striving to automate the laundry process as much as possible, creating not just washing machines, but washer-dryers. Now, instead of hanging laundry on a line, you can take it dry from the machine's drum. Some users are hesitant about machines with a drying function, especially top-loading ones, while others don't even know where to buy such machines or whether they are available in our market. We'll try to answer all these questions.

Strengths and weaknesses

Top-loading clothes dryers have their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional clothes dryers or front-loading clothes dryers. What are the advantages of these machines?

• Firstly, a top-loading machine can be placed anywhere, in any free corner, and in most cases, such a machine takes up only 40 cm in width.
• Secondly, it is convenient to load laundry without bending over.
• Thirdly, if you forget to put something in the wash, you can add the laundry once the machine has already started the program.

As for the disadvantages, they are as follows:

• The drum hatch doors may jam, which will require repair of the washing machine.
• The drying function in washing machines can be turned on only for half of the machine's maximum load. This means that some of the laundry will have to be taken out after washing, while the rest can be dried.
• The range of top-loading machines is much smaller than front-loading ones.
  And they are inferior in terms of load capacity, their maximum load is only 7 kg.
• Vertical washing machines, especially those with a drying function, are significantly more expensive, and they are not available on the Russian market.

Where to buy?

Now we'll address perhaps one of the most important questions: where to buy a top-loading washing machine with a dryer? While top-loading washing machines are widely available in Russia and the CIS, you'll rarely find a model with a dryer. We specifically set out to find washing machines with these features, scoured all the catalogs of leading Russian home appliance stores, scoured the internet, and ultimately found only a few models, and even then, at very high prices.

What is the reason? The reason is that it is technologically more difficult to produce washing machines with top loading, and it is even more difficult to make models equipped with an additional drying function. So, you get a top-loading washing machine with a drying function for the price of a used foreign car.

There's another option. Instead of a new top-loading washer and dryer, you could buy a used one, particularly in the US. Large top-loading and drying washing machines with a capacity of 10-15 kg or more are the most popular in the US. Theoretically, you could find an English-language website that sells used washing machines and order a used "home helper" at a reasonable price. Wait for it to arrive and enjoy!

Given the current US dollar exchange rate, buying used equipment from America will be quite expensive.

In theory, it's all easy, but in practice, you'll be throwing your money away on a pig in a poke. You'll get some rusty, four-times-made contraption that won't even last a year, and who will you complain to? So, let's recap! A new top-loading, top-drying washing machine, even online, is incredibly expensive, and buying an old one isn't exactly a good deal either. In short, if we were you, we'd avoid buying a top-loading, top-drying washer, but the final decision is, of course, yours.

Model overview

So, there are no vertical dryers on the Russian market, but they used to be. Let's review these machines; perhaps knowing the brand will help you find the right washing machine in another country.

Brandt WTD 1376 K is a top loading machine of the famous French company Brandt, its dimensions (WxDxH) are 45 x 60 x 85 cm. This model can wash 5 kg of laundry and dry only 2.5 kg. The machine spins laundry at 1300 rpm, but the spin class is only B.

This washer-dryer also has an energy efficiency rating of B. It's worth noting that the tank is made of stainless steel.

The Hitachi AJ-S65MXP is a top-loading washing machine that can wash up to 6.5 kg of laundry and dry even less than its predecessor, at just 2 kg. It doesn't offer a wide range of programs, with only six wash modes and a spin cycle of only 850 rpm. Overall, the machine is unremarkable, uses a lot of water, and its cleaning efficiency is questionable.

The Gorenje WTD 63110 is a top-loading washing machine with a drying capacity of up to 3 kg and a dry load capacity of up to 6 kg. The machine has 16 preset wash modes, including an anti-crease mode. Energy consumption corresponds to class B. Overall, it's a good machine that will both wash and dry.

The Mabe MWD1 T611 is a top-loading machine unknown in Russia, but well-known in Brazil and the United States. It has a 6 kg load capacity and a 4 kg drying capacity. It boasts not only a high washing rating but also an energy efficiency rating of Class A. It is protected against leaks and imbalances.

The Frigidaire MLCE10ZEMW is an unusual washing machine suitable for laundries. It has large dimensions (W x H x D) – 68 x 191 x 78 cm – and a 10 kg load capacity. With only four temperature settings, this machine doesn't offer a wide range of wash programs. It can be found for sale, but it costs around $1550.

The Blomberg WDT 6335 is a Turkish washing machine with German roots. It has a 6 kg wash and 4 kg dry capacity. It features a digital display and a variety of wash programs. It spins at a high speed of 1300 rpm.

Thus, top-loading washing machines with drying capabilities exist, but they are practically unavailable to Russian consumers. It's as if they didn't exist at all. Therefore, it's better to consider a front-loading machine; among these, you'll definitely find something that's both price- and quality-optimized.

   

1 reader comment

1. September 29, 2019 at 5:55 PM

   Anonymous:

   Thank you, the article was helpful.

   Answer