Which washing machine is better to buy: choose according to parameters

Choosing a washing machine, taking into account its capabilities and parameters, will allow you to buy effective household appliances and at the same time save money. Retail chains offer customers hundreds of types of washing machines from different brands. Getting to know the design features and studying the main parameters intended for washing clothes will help you choose a model that is suitable for a specific situation.

Main types of washing machines

Washing machines are divided into several types according to different parameters:

• Principle of operation – manual, semi-automatic, automatic, automatic drying machines.
• Installation method – free-standing, built-in, mounted under the sink.
• Load Type – vertical and frontal.

Manual and semi-automatic machines operate without a water connection, so they are suitable for use in summer cottages. They belong to the category of budget products, which are gradually being forced out of the market by more advanced automatic machines.

Advantages of automatic machines

Most people today buy automatic washing machines: they are efficient, multifunctional, and easy to use. Human participation in the washing process is minimal, because the device does everything itself.The housewife just needs to load laundry into the tank, pour detergent into a special compartment, set the desired mode and start the machine by pressing a button. There are automatic dryers that, in addition to washing and rinsing, blow a stream of warm air over the laundry. The housewife takes out clean and dry linen from the tank, which is ready for ironing or can be immediately put in the closet.

Basic selection options

To choose the most suitable household appliances for washing clothes, pay attention to the following parameters:

• Maximum load. The drum can load from 2 to 12 kg of laundry. The maximum load parameter shows how much weight of laundry can be washed per cycle without reducing the quality of processing. If the owner lives alone or with a family of 2-3 people, then a machine with a tank capacity of up to 5 kg is sufficient. If there are many people living in the house, then it is better to buy a device designed for 7–10 kg.
• Energy class. There are 9 categories depending on the efficiency of energy consumption by the appliance: the highest is A+++, the lowest is G. The more often you plan to turn on the machine, the higher the energy consumption class should be so that the cost of washing clothes does not hit your wallet.
• Control type. It can be mechanical, electronic, touch. Mechanical control involves setting the settings manually using rotary switches. Electronically, they are determined automatically by the built-in programmer based on the basic data entered by the owner: type of textile, desired washing intensity. The touch control is also electronic, but the sensitive display allows the housewife to enter basic data with a slight movement of the hand.

If household appliances are chosen correctly and the loads correspond to those recommended by the manufacturer, then they will last the stated period and even longer without breakdowns. On average, a washing machine is designed to last 5–7 years.

Number of programs

The operating principle of all automatic washing machines is similar, but brands, competing with each other, endow the units with many operating modes and useful features. Manufacturers have provided separate functions for washing delicate fabrics, wool, silk, children's clothing, down jackets, and denim. The more modes, the higher the capabilities of the machine, but at the same time it increases the cost of household appliances. Among the functions that increase ease of maintenance are delayed start, the ability to reload, door opening 180º, and internal drum lighting.

We take into account the washing class, safety level and quiet operation

According to the washing efficiency class, all models are divided into 7 categories from A to G. Class A and B machines wash better and do it faster than others. Although they are more expensive than medium (C, D, E) and low (F, G) washing class equipment, their costs pay for themselves during operation.

A washing machine can have several levels of protection:

• Availability of leakage protection. Such models are equipped with sensors that monitor the integrity of the water supply and drainage paths. If there is a leak, the moisture supply stops - the owner is protected from flooding.
• Child lock. By pressing the keys in a certain sequence, the control panel is locked. This will protect the set mode from the possibility of accidental reprogramming by a child.
• Protection against sudden changes in network voltage. During power surges, the unit automatically turns off.This prevents damage to the electronics and engine malfunctions.
• Foam control. A large amount of foam in the washing machine is an undesirable washing factor, since it can get on the engine and damage it.

Often the washing machine is turned on at night, so the noise level is an important indicator. For lovers of quiet technology, experts recommend choosing models whose noise level does not exceed 55 dB. In any case, it should be taken into account that in spin mode the machine operates louder (70 dB).

Dimensions

Washing machines come in several types depending on their size:

• Full size. The standard height of the body of a freestanding washing machine is 85 cm. The width and depth are the same - 60 cm each, and you can load 7-12 kg into it.
• Narrow models with the same width and height have a small depth - 35-40 cm. They contain a maximum of about 5 kg of linen.
• Ultra-narrow They have an even shallower depth of 30–32 cm. They are designed to wash 4–5 kg of clothes in one cycle.
• Compact The machines have non-standard sizes: height less than 70 cm, width - up to 50 cm, depth - up to 45 cm. The weight of things loaded into the drum is about 3 kg. They can be mounted under the sink or placed in small apartments.

Automatic washing machines have become a basic attribute of the modern home. Which equipment is best to buy in a particular case can be decided after analyzing the type of designs, technical characteristics, prices and correlating this information with the needs of the family.