Comparison of technical characteristics of washing machines

Studying the technical characteristics of the chosen washing machine is one of the most important, at the same time one of the most difficult stages, preceding the purchase of the “ideal home assistant”. To neglect comparing the technical characteristics of various washing machines means to ultimately acquire a technically backward model or vice versa a model stuffed with unnecessary advertised functions and worth the “space” money. As part of the article, we will make a comparison and review various models of cars and their technical characteristics in order to guide you and guide you on the path to the right choice.

Basic Features - Features

What do the basic characteristics of modern automatic washing machines include?

1. Type of download.
2. Washing and spin classes.
3. Maximum load and drum rotation speed.
4. Drum volume, diameter and opening angle of the hatch.
5. Washing programs.
6. Power usage.
7. Displays information to the user.
8. Sizes and weight.
9. Protection and security.

An overview of the basic characteristics of automatic washing machines is wiser to start with the type of load. Until some 5-7 years ago, people did not hesitate to buy machines with horizontal loading only, since it was believed that vertical loading was the lot of old Soviet semi-automatic machines. At present, the share of purchased automatic machines with horizontal loading is still several times larger, but, nevertheless, gradually the automatic vertical lines began to conquer the market.

Note! 90% of all automatic washing machines purchased in the world have a horizontal load.

So, machines with horizontal loading have a hatch on the front wall into which laundry is loaded, the drum of such machines is also located horizontally. For machines with vertical loading, the hatch for laying laundry is located on top, as is the control panel. Some machines with vertical loading do not have a drum at all, such machines are called activator.

The basic characteristics of washing machines include washing and spin classes. There are 7 classes of washing and spinning. Each class has a specific characteristic, which is encoded by a letter of the Latin alphabet, the decoding is presented in the table below.

Most of the best modern washing machines have a washing class of at least B, and a spin class of at least C.

One of the most important basic characteristics is the maximum load and the rotation speed of the drum of the washing machine. Currently, household automatic machines have the most diverse load from 2.5 to 18 kg. But there is a problem, the larger the load, the greater the volume of the drum, and hence the larger the dimensions of the washing machine. From here we can distinguish:

• Machines with a small load of 2.5 to 5 kg inclusive.
• Machines with an average load of 5.5 to 7 kg inclusive.
• Machines with a large load of 7.5 to 18 kg.

No wonder they say in everything you need to look for a "middle ground", automatic machines with an average load are considered the most stable, most reliable, in addition, optimal in price. They are the most popular, since for an average modern family of 3-4 people, the optimal machine is a load of 6 kg.

So it turns out that cars with a small load are smaller, but less stable and you can’t wash large things in them, and a machine with a large load is too expensive and designed for a large family, of which there are not many.

An important basic characteristic is the volume of the drum, the opening angle and the diameter of the hatch. At first glance it seems, why do we bother with the volume of the drum when we have already calculated the maximum load?

• The maximum load can be overestimated by the manufacturer, and measuring the volume of the drum gives a more or less complete picture of the real amount of laundry that can be washed at a time.
• It is by the volume of the drum, and not by the maximum load, that you can judge how overall the thing can be washed in the washing machine.
• It is by the volume of the drum that one can judge the efficiency of the washing machine.

In addition to the volume of the drum, it is important to take into account the diameter of the hatch, the wider it is, the more convenient it is to operate the washing machine, although this, of course, is a matter of taste. But the opening angle of the hatch is very important if the machine needs to be built into furniture or placed in a narrow space. You can calculate in advance how convenient it will be to open the hatch at the location of the washing machine.

The basis of basic technical characteristics is rightfully constituted by the list of washing programs, which is laid down in a specific model of the washing machine. Modern automatic machines must have in their arsenal the following main programs:

1. Quick wash - this program may have a different name, but the essence is the same - to qualitatively wash clothes in the shortest possible time (from 20 minutes).
2. Cotton - there may be options, such as "cotton fast", mixed underwear and the like.
3. Synthetics - designed for washing synthetic fabrics, there may be options in the name.
4. Hand Wash - A mechanical imitation of hand wash.
5. Delicate wash - designed for washing delicate, delicate fabrics, there may be variations in the name.
6. Volumetric things - designed for washing outerwear, blankets, pillows and other things, it can be called differently.
7. Intensive washing - designed for intensive exposure to linen in order to remove strong soiling.
8. Boiling - the goal is the same, while washing occurs at a temperature of 90-95 ⁰WITH.

In fact, these are all programs that the vast majority of people use constantly, the rest remain unused, although manufacturers are struggling to develop new programs just to offer more and outperform competitors in this component. Regarding such characteristics as energy consumption, we can say for sure - a modern machine without drying should not have energy class below "B", and with drying not lower than "D".

Visualization of the execution of washing programs for the user is also of great importance, although from a practical point of view it is completely unimportant. A machine that does not have a display at all can wash just like a machine with a touch panel and a large display. But to pay for the "miracle of technology" will have to approximately ¼ more.

Note! A washing machine stuffed with electronics is not only expensive, but also less durable because of the complexity. Whether you need to buy such a car is up to you.

The dimensions and weight of the washing machine must be taken into account if the “home assistant” needs to be placed in a narrow space or built into furniture. In this case, every centimeter is important, so these basic technical parameters come to the fore. The average dimensions of washing machines are 80x60x40, but there are models with dimensions of 90x65x55, 95x75x60 or 70x50x35. When choosing dimensions, one thing to remember is that a compact car does not mean a good car!

The last important basic characteristic should be considered the safety of the washing machine. Modern models have protection:

• from the intervention of children;
• leakage protection;
• protection against excessive foaming;
• from overloads of an electric network and other.

In our opinion, the larger this set is in the model of the machine you choose, the better, you should not save on safety.

Additional Features - Distinctive Features

Modern automatic washing machines have a huge number of additional features.To list everything does not make sense there are too many of them, so let's pay attention to really worthy characteristics, which are expressed in the list of specific additional functions.

1. Preliminary automatic weighing of linen. This function allows you to determine the exact weight of the laundry before starting the wash program. What does it give? This allows the on-board computer of the washing machine to calculate the exact amount of water and powder for a specific amount of laundry, and this in turn saves water, electricity and powder.
2. Delaying the start of the wash program. This function allows you to wash at a specific time, when the user needs it.
3. Adding laundry during washing. This function allows you to stop the washing process in the middle and add previously forgotten laundry. This is much better than starting re-washing and saves water, powder and energy.
4. Easy ironing. This function involves such a treatment of the laundry after washing that it becomes soft and has a minimum number of folds and wrinkles. To iron such linen is really very easy, no extra effort is needed.
5. Drying. Some modern automatic machines are equipped with additional heating elements, which allows not only washing, rinsing and wringing the laundry, but also drying it directly in the drum.

Some readers may ask why we do not consider such additional functions of washing machines as fuzzy logic or eco bubble, because they are known to all and give so many advantages when washing clothes. Truly commercials "scream" about the magical properties of advanced washing machines with the functions of fuzzy logic, eco bubble and other similar ones. Like, they wash clothes much better thanks to various technical “baubles”.

In fact, experts are very skeptical of such technical innovations. Real tests that checked the operation of such machines, so to speak in the field, and not as part of promotions, showed that they wash well, but no better than an ordinary good automatic washing machine. The question immediately arises whether it is necessary to overpay for a new-fashioned bubble wash, if it really does not give any advantages - only consumers can give an answer.

Overview of popular models of washing machines

The description and detailed analysis of the technical characteristics of automatic washing machines gives us the opportunity to make a rating of the best washing machines and make a brief comparison. We will not limit ourselves to a brand, model, or any brand designations, so as not to give the impression that, in preparing a review, we are engaged in the advertising of specific washing machines. We do not pursue such goals, but, on the contrary, try to be as objective as possible.

After weighing all the main technical indicators, the first place in our rating was given by independent experts to a horizontal-loading automatic washing machine Siemens Wd15H541OE. For clarity, we present its characteristics in the form of a table.

As you can see, this car has everything you need and nothing more. Attach impeccable German quality here, and you will get a high-quality washing machine that will perfectly wash your things for many years, maybe decades. True, such a technique has one big minus - the price. Impeccable specifications are expensive, but what to do, you have to pay for everything.

In second place in our rating is the LG F12U2HDM1N horizontal-loading automatic washing machine. We bring to your attention its technical characteristics.

A very decent model of a washing machine from a well-known manufacturer, it also has everything you need, but our experts lowered it and put it only in second place, because.

• In the presence of drying, there is only an intensive drying program, which is, in fact, suitable only for coarse fabrics; for more delicate fabrics, drying cannot be used.
• This brand belongs to expensive models of cars, however, it has surprisingly few protective functions, there is not even protection against leaks, which is a clear minus.
• The quality of the materials of which the case is made leaves much to be desired when, as the internal parts are very high quality.

In third place in our rating was a horizontal loading automatic washing machine from Italy, Electrolux EWW1686HDW. Here are its specifications.

The washing machine as a whole is very good, but experts put it in third place in the ranking for the following reasons.

1. Quite a low quality of the washing machine. This applies to both external and internal elements.
2. The manufacturer claimed false specifications regarding the maximum load of linen with the drying mode on. Download claimed 7 kg, in reality, not more than 4 kg.
3. In addition, the machine has a very limited number of drying programs. In fact, only one program is intensive drying, which is not very good.

Buyer Tips

In conclusion, I would like to give some advice to buyers who seek to choose a very good washing machine from a technical point of view. A washing machine that would serve “faithfully” for many years to the whole family. These are the tips.

Note! A good review from experts can answer the question, which model of washing machines of a particular manufacturer is less noisy, study the information on the topic.

• When choosing a washing machine, do not try to buy a model more expensive. Price is far from always a sign of good technology.
• When choosing a built-in technique, pay special attention to its dimensions.
• The machine you choose should be more or less economical, so pay attention to the class of energy consumption, water consumption and the availability of opportunities to save powder.
• If you decide to give preference to a specific model of automatic washing machines, study the review from authoritative authors, which indicate its full, including comparative characteristics and description.
• Pay attention to the noise level of a specific model of washing machines, although this characteristic is rarely indicated truthfully by the manufacturer.

Get a safe washing machine. It should have at least protection from children, a hatch lock and protection against leaks.