How to determine which washing machine is better

In the basins today, almost no one erases now - for this, fast and convenient typewriters have long been invented. They will help to get rid of stains, and rinse completely, and will wring out almost to dryness - beauty! But before buying a thing that is so necessary in the household, we often wonder which washing machine is better? After all, in their stores, apparently, invisible, and in appearance everything is very similar to each other, only the names are different. We will try to answer this question in our material.

Price categories of washing machines are the basis of the choice.

If you start reading all sorts of recommendations for choosing a typewriter, you will find yourself praising various convenient features. : for example, protection of equipment against leakage, and linen - from creasing. It will also list the advantages of a large drum, type of loading, the number of spin classes and washing. Well, and other pleasant things that make communication with the automatic "laundress" as comfortable as possible.

All this, of course, is good, but all these great functions should be discussed a little later. And we need to start not with this - first of all we will be determined with the price segment. And it depends on the amount that you managed to postpone for purchase. Because, having a limit of $ 300 or $ 400, there is no point in building castles in the air, glancing with enthusiasm at expensive premium models. After all, each of the additional functions, which are so beautifully and inspired to sing the praises in advertising, usually has a weighty equivalent in arbitrary units. Well, or in rubles, if you like it more. And what's the point of arguing about which firm washing machine is better if the funds allow you to look only in the direction of the lowest price niche.

After all, just imagine that a two-hundred-dollar machine released by Indesit or Samsung would be considered the best. Then everything would be bought only by these models, and well-to-do buyers would be no exception - and they do not want to overpay. However, this happens only in fairy tales - the above-mentioned devices are often criticized on the forums, and the reviews about them are not always with a plus sign. What to do - in the world of washing machines also have their own "kings", and there are simpler products, not always distinguished by their luxurious appearance and durability.

If we compare it with the world of real machines, then we can draw the following parallel. Mercedes and Lincolns, and small hunchbacked Cossacks peacefully ride around the city. And each car has its fans. So with washing machines - someone dearer is the simplest model, designed only to wash and wring out, but for someone the whole range of various functions is important. After all, people are different, and price requests from each have their own, often determined by their own income. Cars for washing, according to price categories, are budget, middle class and premium class.

Choosing the best manufacturer of the washing machine, depending on the price segment

# 1. Very cheap.

As a rule, manufacturers of the cheapest machines try to save on everything. However, they also care about convenience, beautiful design and simplicity. So there is no point in looking for the abundance of various gadgets and functions in such models. There are minimal washing and spinning programs, and parts are sometimes not made of the highest quality material. And this, in turn, greatly affects the life of the product. Basically, they serve for five years, and sometimes only four years stand. Well, yes, Indesit, originally from Italy, worked longer, and now a cheap machine will not last for ten years. The main brands that produce cars in this category are: Samsung, LG, Ariston, Beko, Siltal, Candy, Ardo, Indesit. Prices: up to 300-350 dollars.

# 2. A bit more expensive, but much more convenient.

The average price niche is a device that can work for much more than five years. Seven or even nine years old is reserved for them to please their masters. And not only a long life, but also a solid number of spin and wash programs, as well as various pleasant extra features. To use such a machine, of course, more convenient than the budget option. Plays a role and the fact that most colleagues, neighbors and relatives, too, something from this category. And in the conversation, you can casually drop a couple of laudatory phrases about his assistant for washing. For example, talk about how to comfortably use the function AquaStop.

If we call the specific manufacturers, it is Gorenje, Siemens, Zanussi, Bosch, Electrolux, Whirlpool, Kaiser. There are washing machines of an average price category from 400 to 600 dollars. As you can see, the difference with cheap options is not so great, but the functionality has been significantly increased. Therefore, those who are not very limited in their funds should not think for a long time about which company should they buy a washing machine. This level of aggregates is for this category of customers.

# 3. Very expensive, but extremely convenient.

The maximum of various functions, modes and programs of washing, the maximum care for the buyer - this is what premium products are. At the same time, they are distinguished by their striking durability, coupled with an accurate and careful attitude to linen. Here, for example, that creative advertisers invented for the presentation of high-end car brand Aeg. They took a bouquet of roses and washed them at 1600 rpm in a gentle wash. After pulling out of the drum, the roses only refreshed - not a single leaf, not a single petal, fell from them. Miracles, and only!

In this expensive price category (from $ 800 to $ 2,000), the choice of brands is very small. This is the already mentioned concern Aeg, as well as Miele. However, here you can also include laundry-complexes, made by the American type. These are brands GE, Amana, Frigidaire, Maytag. They are hardy and reliable - they work for a solid "top five" for ten, fifteen or more years. However, one owner of a typewriter Miele named Alexzz claims on the Net that she has been faithfully serving him for thirty years. And it erases everything as perfectly as it did when it was completely new.

It’s still worth mentioning not the cars, but the whole "laundries". Erase with them at least ten times a day - they will still serve for a long time. However, for such a delight it is necessary to “unfasten” a lot of euros - from 2,500 to 3,000. However, there are exceptions - for example, there are thousand-dollar machines from Samsung and $ 500 from Bosch. But still their main specialization is the middle segment for the Bosch brand and the lowest for Samsung and the like. Therefore, you should not chase for such exceptions - it is better to buy a machine from the class from which they were going.

Well, now let's rank all manufacturers by rating, first naming the best and at the end the lowest category.

Choosing the best and most convenient design of the washing machine

Structurally, all washing machines can be divided into machines with vertical and front loading.

In those models where the load is vertical, there is a handy "trick" - you can load laundry into the drum during washing. It is great rescues if you immediately forgot to put something. In addition, one of the sectors of the drum can be removed to pull, for example, a stuck small object.

A machine with a vertical load of laundry.

Although there is no such function in front-loading machines, they have their own advantages - a big drum. You can immediately wash a large batch of linen or very large items (blankets, outerwear). In addition, if the linen in such a drum is spacious, it will be less washed.

A machine with a horizontal load of laundry.

One can argue that top-loading machines wash laundry better than horizontal-loading machines, but in fact these are all marketing efforts and these machines have no advantage in terms of washing quality.

Another difference is that you can choose a stand-alone model, or embedded. In recent years, many are attracted by the latter option. This allows you to make the machine completely invisible - it will fit well into any interior. However, freestanding models can also be hidden under the tabletop - for this you have to remove the top cover. This is usually done in the kitchen, covering the overall long surface and the machine, and the adjacent floor cabinets.

The washing machine is built into the kitchen cabinets.

There are special sized machines that allow you to place them under the sink.

Drying may also be provided in washing units. This mechanism consists of a heating element and a fan supplying hot air to the linen. Fabrics are different, so some dry faster, others longer. To make things evenly warm on all sides, the drum at this time rotates gently — now in one direction, then in another. There are models where the drying mode can be set. Dry the thing completely possible at least half an hour. However, remember that a machine equipped with a drying mechanism will cost more, and electric power will “eat” more. Linen for drying should be put less than during washing. You can find out if it has dried out by using a parameter such as residual moisture.

What's better is a washing machine with a mechanical or electronically controlled

Mechanical control at a typewriter means that you have to set all the necessary modes with your own hands.Each of the mechanical switches is responsible for its own section: one for the choice of temperature, the other for the speed of push-ups, the third for the washing program. In addition, there are a number of control keys. When the wash program is selected, you can use the prompts - they are usually depicted next to the switch in the form of icons. And during washing you can visually determine which stage of the program is taking place at the moment. Mechanical control is easier for users (especially those who are not accustomed to sophisticated control systems), but less functional.

An example of a mechanical control system.

Electronic control for certain groups of users may be more difficult. But the clever machine will not ask for your help - she will do everything herself. Weigh the loaded laundry, pour water as much as necessary, dry it with powder, calculate the washing time. She will also analyze what fabric the things are made of and how dirty they are. Depending on this, it will make a verdict: how much water is needed (and what temperature it should be), how long your wash will last, how many times you have to rinse the laundry.

During the operation of such a device, you can see on the color display data on the water temperature, the speed of rotation of the drum during the spin cycle, as well as how much time is left to erase. If you put the laundry in not very neat and uneven, the electronic control will correct this mistake - it will not allow the drum to spin too fast. After all, there are a lot of sensory sensors installed in such a machine - they tell the central “brain” of hardness, temperature and transparency of water, rinse quality and other parameters. If suddenly too much foam is formed or suddenly the water is turned off, the machine will turn itself off. But, unfortunately, the electronic control has a disadvantage - it does not like voltage, which is different from the nominal 220 volts. In such networks, it may not work properly, and even deteriorate, burnt out.

Touch control of a washing machine.

Which tanks and drums of the washing machine are the most reliable

Now, more and more, you can see cars with polymer tanks in the stores. They are light and beautiful, well suppress noise and reduce vibration, do not corrode. You can also note their good thermal insulation properties. However, such a tank can be accidentally damaged if handled carelessly - unfortunately, plastic is a rather fragile material.

The plastic tank and stainless steel steel drum can often be found in low-price segment machines.

But the good old stainless steel in this respect overtook him. As for the shape, the drum may not always be round. For example, the oval shape is even better than the round one - in it more water will fit, not in contact with the laundry.

Now about the drums. They are not plastic - they are always made of stainless steel. Very comfortable and good in design drum, which has asymmetrical grippers. This allows him to work in three planes, so that the laundry is washed more qualitatively.

How to evaluate the operating efficiency of the washing machine

At the very beginning of 1995, Europe decided to standardize the comparison parameters of washing machines, calling them “EEC criteria”. With these criteria, it has become much easier to determine which washing machine washes the laundry better. Since then, a special leaflet with these estimates, put on the accepted scale, is placed inside each typewriter. These are the first seven letters of the Latin alphabet - from A to G. Compared to the school grading system, they mean the following:

And now let's go through specific parameters that are reflected in this insert:

Power level

To determine the power consumption of the device is taken power consumption with one wash of hard linen and a temperature of 60 degrees. Classes here 7 - all the same letters from A to G.

Efficiency of washing and spinning

Exactly the same letters denote the effectiveness of washing and the efficiency of spinning.It should be noted that according to the last parameter, it is better to choose models of classes C and D. By the way, during spinning, the number of revolutions is not always the most important thing. This is important, but no less important is how long the laundry is pressed. And the size of the drum also plays a role. Choose from two similar models with the same speed a device with a larger drum. If they have the same drums, then look at the spin time - the longer it is, the better.

And another thing: at maximum spinning speed, the machine exits only at its end. Cheap cars work on this maximum of 30 seconds, not more. Models with a higher price are able to squeeze a couple of minutes at maximum speed, and very expensive cars take about four minutes. So choose the device better not by the maximum spin speed, but by another indicator - the residual moisture level of the laundry.

Amount of water

Amount of water needed to perform one wash (otherwise, water consumption) is an important parameter. Both electricity consumption and the amount of laundry detergent depend on it.

Noise Level

The Noise Level will show how comfortable it will be for others during washing and spinning. However, not all manufacturers want to advertise this feature. But some figures can be cited as an example: in particular, 43 decibels of noise is one of the best indicators that some AEG models have. Slightly higher noise level at SIEMENS WM 71630 is 47 decibels.

Additional features are desirable for a good washing machine.

Your intelligent laundry assistant should be quick and economical, without spending too much powder, water and electricity. For this, manufacturers equip their products with convenient features. To decide for yourself which washing machine is better, remember some useful programs and modes, the presence of which is desirable in a good washing machine.

• The presence of the function “delayed start” will allow to save electricity.
• The "Easy to iron" function is very good, which includes a special phase of the mode with intervals.
• In some machines there is a function "Hand wash wool". This will not allow your favorite sweaters to pull out or sit down - the drum in this mode moves very smoothly, in a special rhythm.
• The "Expedited Wash" program allows the machine to clean your laundry in half an hour - with the entire cycle taking place fully.
• If your device has the "Additional load of laundry" function, you can interrupt washing by adding new things to the tank.
• On machines of the vertical type, a function called "Automatic drum fixing" is needed. Then the hatch is always opposite the loading window.
• Well, the "Aqua-Stop" system is very good for the lazy, who do not want to open and close each time the water tap connected to the washing machine.

Video: How to choose a washing machine