Overview of built-in washing machines

More and more attention is being paid to interior and furniture design. No kitchen is complete without appliances that must fit perfectly into this design. That's why manufacturers offer built-in appliances that are hidden from view behind beautiful kitchen cabinet fronts. One such example is the built-in washing machine, which we'll discuss, review, and offer several important selection criteria.

Features and varieties of such machines

The first question most people have when choosing a washing machine is: how does a built-in washing machine differ from a regular automatic machine? Functionally, they are no different. Its important feature is its low noise level. This is because a built-in washing machine is firmly attached to the furniture frame, which reduces vibration and noise. Another feature of these machines is the recess at the bottom of the frame for baseboards.

Built-in automatic machines are divided into two types:

machines with the possibility of integration;
fully integrated washing machines.

The first type involves removing the top panel of the machine and replacing it with a kitchen countertop. Some models have a metal cover between the countertop and the top of the machine, preventing moisture or grease from penetrating the panel. Foam rubber can be used as insulation instead of such a cover. The drum hatch and control panel are not covered and remain visible, allowing for partial integration. This type of machine can also be used as a regular washing machine.

Fully integrated washing machines are completely concealed behind cabinet doors. This is achieved by attaching hinges to the front of the machine to fit the cabinet door. The washing machine itself is installed on the floor, with its bottom panel concealed by the cabinet plinth. The height of the machine can be adjusted using feet; instructions for doing this are available in this article.

Pros and cons

Built-in washing machine Built-in appliances, including washing machines, have several advantages:

This type of technology does not interfere with the design of a room of any color scheme; even if the kitchen is blue or lilac, a white car will not spoil the interior, since it will be hidden behind the furniture facades;
Built-in appliances make it possible to assemble all the necessary devices within the kitchen, which makes the housewife’s work easier;
Built-in household appliances are typically equipped with additional safety systems; in washing machines, this includes protection against leaks, foaming, and drum imbalance.

This technique is not without its drawbacks:

This type of washing machine costs a little more than a regular one, but sometimes such household appliances are worth paying a little extra for;
The choice of models with different functionality is limited.

What to look for when choosing a machine

When choosing a built-in automatic washing machine, consumers are interested in many of its characteristics. These include, first and foremost, the characteristics that determine wash quality, the technical parameters that determine reliability, as well as the price and manufacturer.

Undoubtedly, the most important factors to consider when choosing a washing machine are the washing parameters, as this is what you're buying it for. These include:

The washing machine's maximum load capacity. This indicates how many kilograms of dry laundry can be loaded into the drum per cycle. This value depends on the size of your family. For a typical family of 3-4, a 5 kg load capacity is sufficient. For larger families, including small children, a 8 kg load capacity may be appropriate.

Important! Machines with large load capacities are larger. Therefore, if you need a narrow built-in machine, you'll likely have to sacrifice some weight in terms of load capacity.
The washing class, which is indicated in the machine's passport. Most machines have washing classA.
Equally important to consumers is the machine's spin efficiency. The spin efficiency rating indicates spin efficiency. A washing machine that spins laundry well has a spin rating of A. Classes B and C are reserved for machines that spin clothes well.
Washing modes (programs). This parameter is also important when choosing a washing machine. It's worth carefully considering which modes you really need. Modern models can have over two dozen programs, but do you really need them all, and is it worth the extra cost?

Pay attention to the machine's noise level to avoid disappointing noise after purchase. Narrow, built-in machines are the noisiest.

Some of the technical characteristics that people pay attention to are:

Dimensions are the most important characteristic, as a built-in washing machine must fit optimally into the kitchen's interior, and this depends on its size. That's why it's important to choose the right machine first, and then design the kitchen cabinets to fit it. Standard machine dimensions are approximately 80 x 60 x 60 cm. There are also compact models, which are narrower but also have a lighter load capacity. The depth of such a machine is approximately 40 cm.

Please note! A narrow washing machine with a depth of 40-45 cm can be hidden in a kitchen cabinet, even if the machine is freestanding and does not have special door fastenings.
Energy consumption is a parameter that determines the amount of energy used to wash 1 kg of laundry. Class A++ machines are considered the most energy-efficient. However, they are also more expensive. It's up to you to decide whether saving on this is worth it.
Control type. Machines are classified by this parameter as either mechanical or electronic. With mechanical machines, you turn the dial to the selected program. With electronic machines, the machine automatically determines the wash cycle for the type of laundry you select. Machines with electronic controls are slightly more expensive, but their energy consumption is lower.
Additional features – these include delayed wash, drying, refreshing, and other functions. The more features, the more expensive the built-in washing machine will be.

The brand of the washing machine is of no small importance when purchasing, which in turn affects its price. Household appliances assembled in Germany are considered to be of the highest quality. (Miele, Bosch, Hansa, Kaiser, Age) and Sweden (Electrolux). Looking at the washing machine rankings, you'll see that Italian-made machines (Ariston, Zanussi, Indesit, Ardo, Candy) rank third among high-quality washing machines.

Important! Washing machine ratings are based on consumer reviews.

Turkish washing machines from Beko only made it to fifth place, behind Italian machines from Siltal. The well-known American washing machines from Whirlpool also made the list, taking sixth place, delighting consumers with their low price. They are followed by machines from Japanese manufacturer Panasonic.

Built-in washing machines of Korean manufacture of such brands as LG, Samsung, Daewoo also got into rating, but only took eighth position.

Popular models and brands

After analyzing the ratings of similar washing machines, we selected the most attractive models, provided examples, and described their features and characteristics. Built-in washing machine Bosch

Bosch WIS 24140

Maximum loading volume: 55l (7kg);
Spin speed: up to 1200 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 82x60x55.5 cm;
Energy efficiency class: A;
Price: from 690 USD
Features: there is an additional “Easy Ironing” function, electronic control is carried out by lightly pressing the keys.

Please note: This washing machine was included in the Top 15 Most Reliable Washing Machines rating.

Hotpoint-Ariston AVSL 109

Maximum loading volume: 4.5 kg;
Spin speed: up to 1000 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 85x60x40 cm;
Energy efficiency class: A;
Price: from 507 USD
Features: narrow machine fits under the countertop, has automatic consumption optimization, and uses no powder residue.

Siemens XS 440

Maximum loading volume: 4kg;
Spin speed: up to 1000 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 85x60x40 cm;
Energy efficiency class: A;
Price: from 400 USD
Features: narrow machine with additional pumping and automatic water dosing.

Electrolux built-in washing machine ELECTROLUX EWF 1486

Drum capacity: 5kg;
Spin speed: up to 1000 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 85x60x58 cm;
Energy efficiency class: A;
Price: from 690 USD
Features: built-in under the countertop, leak protection, double hose "Aqua Control", stain removal program.

BEKO WMI 71241

Maximum loading volume: 7kg;
Spin speed: up to 1200 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 82x60x58 cm;
Energy efficiency class: A+;
Price: from 460 USD
Features: fully integrated machine.

Samsung WW70J3240LW D

Maximum loading volume: 7kg;
Spin speed: up to 1200 rpm;
Dimensions (HxWxD): 82x60x45cm;
Energy efficiency class: A+++;
Price: from 415 USD
Features: A relatively narrow washing machine that fits under a countertop, has protection against power surges, and a delayed end-of-wash function.

So, there are enough built-in automatic washing machine models to choose from. We hope our article helps you find the perfect machine.