Finally!It has happened: you go to choose a washing machine. Oh, this miracle of modern technology! Now you don’t have to drag heavy wet sheets and duvet covers, now your hands won’t suffer from washing powders and bleaches, and in general… While your automatic assistant is chasing dirty laundry around in its womb, you can honestly do, for example, a manicure. And to any request from your husband (mom, dad, anyone!), gracefully running a nail file over your nails, innocently answer: “I’m busy – I’m washing!” A tempting prospect? There’s just one snag: choosing a suitable washing machine, it turns out, is not at all easy. After all, you have to consider not only its cost, but also the possibility of placing it in your home (and therefore, the dimensions). And how many different functions are in modern automatic machines! And the more sophisticated the machine, the more expensive it is. But do you really need all these functions? In general, what to pay attention to and how to choose the right automatic washing machine so as not to miscalculate and not overpay? Let's figure it out.
Installation location
Of course, you can, as they say, dance fromstove, and first buy the machine, and then think about where to put it. It is much more reasonable to determine the place for the washing machine in advance, and then choose the appropriate model (fortunately, there is plenty to choose from!). In the past, all washing machines were installed exclusively in the bathroom. After all, it was necessary to have a reservoir (the bath itself) for rinsing, as well as a source of water, which had to be poured either with buckets or from a shower hose. And the electrical wire was plugged into the nearest outlet, most often using an extension cord for this. Today, everything is simpler. You can put your washing machine anywhere: in the bathroom, and in the kitchen, and in the hallway, and in a spacious pantry. All you need is to bring communications for the supply and drain of water and for electricity. If such additional hassle does not suit you, then it will be most convenient to place an automatic washing machine in the kitchen or bathroom. All these communications are already there. So, having chosen a place to install the washing machine, measure its parameters: the dimensions of your future assistant will depend on this. By the way, not only the dimensions, but also the choice of the model by the type of loading. If you place the machine in the kitchen or, even more so, in kitchen furniture, then you need to choose a model with front (side) loading. Such a machine will also be appropriate in a spacious bathroom. If the room is very small, then there is not always enough space for free opening and closing of the hatch. Then it is reasonable to opt for a model with vertical loading, when the hatch for loading laundry is on the top panel of the washing machine. And the dimensions of the place for the washing machine itself will largely determine not only its dimensions, but also the brand, if you have to choose from two similar models from different manufacturers. And do not forget, in addition to the dimensions of the place for the washing machine, to measure the width of the doorways in the room where you are going to install the machine. Otherwise, you will buy an update, but will not bring it into the bathroom.
Manufacturers
Do you know that among the manufacturers of household appliancesThere are so-called generalists in the field of technology and electronics, and there are some kind of narrow-profile specialists. Giving unambiguous advice on choosing a brand is, at the very least, stupid. But if you believe the surveys and top lists, then branded models do not always meet the quality stated in the price. For example, here is what the rating looks like based on the results of a customer survey, which assessed the reliability, popularity and quality-to-price ratio of washing machines from different manufacturers:
- Bosch,
- Indesit,
- Hotpoint-Ariston,
- LG,
- Samsung,
- Candy Aquamatic,
- Zanussi,
- Electrolux,
- Gorenje,
- AEG.
By and large, all manufacturers of washing machinesMachines can be divided into geographical groups. Our shelves are mainly represented by European and Asian brands of washing machines. Each group of models has its pros and cons. For example, all "Asians" are multifunctional and relatively cheap. But washing machines from Europe are more reliable and practical, although they perform fewer functions. And perhaps this is why they are more reliable. German washing machines are considered the most practical and durable, but they are also the most expensive. Models of Swedish brands are ergonomic, equipped with antibacterial functions and work quietly and smoothly. Turkish and Italian machines are the golden mean: average quality and average price. Washing machines from Asia claim to be the first in electronic equipment and multifunctionality. These are, oddly enough, the "smartest" washing machines. Note that in order to choose the right washing machine, it is important to take into account not only the brand, but also the place of assembly of the automatic machine. Washing machines assembled in China are the least durable and will last no longer than five years. Washing machines assembled in Italy are designed for five to eight years. And the most durable are machines assembled in Germany and Sweden.
Dimensions and loading
You will have to choose a washing machine froma certain size range. You can buy a full-size version, a compact washing machine or a narrow model. Here, your choice will depend on the size of the room where you are going to install the machine and on the volume and frequency of washing. Narrow washing machines Height and width - 80x60 cm, and the depth does not exceed 45 cm. You can wash no more than four and a half kilograms of laundry in such a machine. Compact washing machines Height and width - 80x60 cm, and the depth does not exceed 35 cm. You can wash no more than three and a half kilograms of laundry in such a machine. Full-size washing machines Height and width - 80x60 cm, and the depth is 50 cm. You can wash up to five and a half kilograms of laundry in such a machine. As you can see, the main difference in the dimensions of washing machines is their depth and the maximum permissible weight of laundry for one load. Well, the type of loading does not affect the quality and volume of washing. Here everything depends only on the future location of the washing machine and your personal ideas about the convenience of washing.
Classes, Models and Functions
Automatic washing machines, like mosttypes of household appliances have their own class. They are classified by letters: from A to G. The class of the machine is determined by energy efficiency and the quality of the main functions: washing, spinning and drying. However, a low class of a washing machine does not mean its poor quality, but the price directly depends on the class. Therefore, the most expensive washing machines are class A machines. But all other classes can be represented by both expensive and relatively cheap models. The model of the machine is determined by its size, type of loading, class and set of functions. An additional distinctive feature is an electronic or mechanical control panel. Modern models of washing machines, as a rule, are equipped with electronic panels of push-button or touch control. The constant functions of all models are washing and spinning. But the modes of these functions in different washing machines may be different.
- Wash
Any modern model has modes of this function.a washing machine will definitely have several. As a rule, these are normal wash, delicate (gentle or hand) wash, and quick wash modes. In addition, different machines may offer wool, cotton, synthetic, and colored fabric wash modes. Some modes (hand wash, wool) automatically set both the water temperature and the spin speed. By choosing another mode (quick wash, for example), you can adjust both the temperature and the number of revolutions during spinning.
- Pressing
Spin mode in automatic washing machinesmulti-stage. Manufacturers offer several spin speeds (the number of revolutions of the drum per minute). High speed is more than 1200 revolutions, medium speed is from 800 to 1200, and low speed is from 400 to 600. As practice shows, the medium spin speed is quite sufficient for a home washing machine. So, spending money on models with high speeds may not be worth it.
- Drying
Many automatic machines are equipped with thisadditional function. However, it is not always in demand by housewives. Firstly, the high spin speed ensures that things are almost completely free of moisture. So it is even more convenient to iron them in this state than completely dry. Secondly, machine-dried laundry is often difficult to iron. And thirdly, low-end washing machines do not always dry clothes well, either overdrying them or underdrying them. Therefore, think carefully before choosing a machine with this additional function. If you decide that you need it, then buy only expensive models with drying.
- Additional functions
Additional functions of the washing machine sometimesare absolutely not superfluous. For example, a protection system that turns off the water when it leaks. Or a function to turn off the water supply to the machine when there is no water in the tap. A delayed start timer, an antibacterial protection system, and a function for soaking laundry, additional rinsing or pre-washing will also be useful. As a rule, almost all models of washing machines are equipped with some additional functions in addition to the main ones. True, almost all additional functions of a washing machine increase its cost (but not much). In a word, the choice is yours. To choose the right washing machine, you need to focus only on your own needs. Very often we overpay for the brand, although we can buy cheaper, but no less high-quality washing machines. The choice of this miracle of household appliances today is so wide that it will satisfy the needs of the most demanding buyers. But economy class equipment is no less in demand. By and large, the quality of expensive and cheap washing machines from the same manufacturer is the same. Therefore, you will definitely be able to choose what you need. The main thing is to buy household appliances only in specialized stores, do not hesitate to ask about the capabilities of the washing machine you like and make sure it has a quality certificate. Everything else is at your discretion. Have a successful purchase! We recommend reading:
