Today's home appliances market offers its consumers a variety of types of washing machines: "automatic", "ultrasound", "semi-automatic", etc. Moreover, all of them, in turn, can differ from each other in the type of load, washing class, drum features and many other nuances that you should definitely pay attention to before buying.
To begin with, let's take a brief tour of what kind of washing machines (types, types) can be found on store shelves, and how they differ from each other. Then we will take a closer look at the main group of this segment - automatic devices.
Automatic
If automatic units have a full-featured software control, then such types of washing machines as a semi-automatic machine are deprived of it. All they have at their disposal is a timer to set the length of the washing time.
In addition, the degree of automation of a particular model may also differ. For example, some types of Bosch or Indesit washing machines can evaluate the amount of water, its temperature, the presence of detergent and the spin speed, while others simply perform washing according to a given program and nothingmore. Here we are talking about the price segment: more expensive models are able to control the entire process, as they say, from and to, and budget ones are equipped with only basic functionality.
Moreover, the types of "automatic" washing machines can be divided into types of working mechanism - activator and drum. Where the latter are distinguished by more gentle washing, significant savings in detergents and water, and also have a complex, but at the same time reliable design. Activator types of washing machines (you can see a photo of them in the article) are very rare, because this prerogative is mainly semi-automatic.
Semiautomatic
All models of the semi-automatic type can be designated with a simple and understandable expression: "a basin with a motor." The main component of such units is a shaft with a disk or blades that mixes the laundry. The technique of this plan is picky, so almost any powder can be used during washing.
Many people remember how popular in the 90s were the semi-automatic machines "Baby", which were in almost every home. You almost never see such rare types of washing machines, except perhaps in the ads "I'll give it away." But some especially lucky owners of such “retro” also manage to get money for them.
Today's types of semi-automatic washing machines have received some changes in terms of reliability, ergonomics and appearance, but the principle has remained unchanged - this is a "basin with a motor", no matter how you decorate it. The production of such units is mainly carried out by domestic manufacturers (models "Fairy", "Saturn", "Unit", "Lily", etc.). These types of top-loading washing machines are quite inexpensive compared to "automatic machines". The price tag can vary widely - from 1,000 to 6,000 rubles.
One of the main advantages of washing machines of this kind is mobility, that is, such a technique will come in handy for those people who often move from one place to another. Disadvantages also occur:
- washing programs, in view of their scarcity, we can say that they are absent;
- low speed;
- finicky about water temperature;
- binding to a bathroom or toilet to drain waste fluid.
In general, these types of washing machines will be appreciated by either young couples who are always moving, or summer residents.
Ultrasonic machines
In general, as such, the class of ultrasonic washing devices appeared thanks to massagers, or more precisely, after the retraining of the latter into the former. Such machines wash … no way. In order to dissolve the stain, that is, to carry out a regular haircut, it is necessary to soak the laundry in a special potent powder. Whether you do this whole process with or without this device - there is no difference, because for this procedure it is important to have only water, powder and that's it, and the accompanying ultrasonic poultices are just unnecessary props.
And now consider the most popular andthe most popular automatic washing machines (types, characteristics).
Wash class
Indicators of "classiness" for automatic units are only three:
- wash;
- spin;
- energy saving.
All of them, as well as the corresponding class range, are designated by letters from A to G. That is, the model marked "class A" is the most advanced in technical terms, while the "G" sign indicates ultra-economical and extremely budget version of the machine.
In addition, some types of washing machines ("Bosch", "Indesit", LG, etc.) have subclasses: A ++, A +++, etc., where the main evaluation criterion is gentle washing and energy savings (the more pluses, the better).
As for spinning, this system works in the same order: “A” - 1600 rpm. and dry laundry at the exit, and "G" - 400 rpm. and a lot of moisture on the sediment. The energy-saving class (from "A" to "G") is determined by the same principle.
Models, which are mostly presented on our market, are marked "A" or "B", and the average owner will not feel much difference, so sometimes it simply does not make sense to chase an expensive class and overpay solid money. For example, the Indesit washing machine (types of "semi-automatic" are not considered) from category "B" will easily plug a similar unit from "VEKO" marked "A" into the belt, so here you need to look not only at class affiliation, but also at product quality of a particular brand, in general.
Producers
As for this kind of choicefactory equipment, then everything is simple. Models from first-tier manufacturers can be selected by color and size, and the brand itself will take care of the rest (reliability and quality). Here we are talking about such venerable units as Bosch, Indesit, Zanussi, Candy, etc.
Regarding the second tier, not everything is so simple. Among these manufacturers, you can find worthy copies, and at a very affordable price, but many characteristics will have to be weighed and studied. This includes the models (“clones”) of Whirpool, Westel, Ariston, etc. assembled at domestic factories.
Types of machines
All types of automatic washing machines can be roughly divided into two types:
- top-loading;
- front loading.
Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which model to choose depends only on you, your living space and the number of family members.
Front type
There are the most frontal-type units on the home appliances market. Looking at sales statistics, one might think that people are simply unfamiliar or have never heard of other types of washing machines. The advantages of such models are obvious. Here and a good capacity (about 7-9 kg), and a hassle-free layout, as well as the ability to integrate them into kitchen furniture. Well, someone just likes to watch the ongoing process through the "window" in front.
But for everyonepluses hide their drawbacks. One of these, and for some critical, is the dimensions. And if the same “basin with a motor” can be installed in any more or less suitable place, and the “vertical” can be placed in a narrow passage or corner, then such a number will not work with the “front-end”. Of course, you can look for a less picky model with a narrow "waist", but then the volume of washing will be noticeably smaller, which is not an option for large families.
Vertical type
One of the main advantages of front-type models is the ability to take out and put things in directly during washing. It is very convenient if you accidentally put a pink sweater with white trousers, or, on the contrary, you just forgot to put something. In addition, you do not have to crouch and bend down.
The machines of this kind also have disadvantages. One of these is the frequent complaints of owners about the quality of washing. This also includes a very modest amount of things, in comparison with the "frontal" (no more than 5-6 kg), which is extremely small for large families.
Volume
If you look at the same sales statistics, you can see that models with a volume of 4-5 kg diverge more actively than other units. In fact, this is the best option, both for an average family of 3-4 people, and for a lonely person, with the only difference being that the family simply erases more often than a bachelor.
Some especially pedantic citizens are engaged in the process of stripping on strictly allotted days of the week / month, accumulating laundry in baskets. For these, more capaciousoptions for 8 or 10 kg, as they say, all at once. In addition, such models have proven themselves in large families, where fathers, children, and grandparents live in the same house / apartment.
As for the minimum volumes, on the domestic market you can find small specimens of one and a half to two kilograms. It is generally not advisable to use such models at home, but for a summer house or some free-standing sauna, they will do just fine.
Drum material
Be sure to check the quality of the material from which one of the most important elements in the washing machine is made - the drum. The basis for the cylinder can be composite materials, stainless or enameled steel. The latter is very common in units from second-tier manufacturers and has the lowest durability.
As for composite materials, this is the most optimal and far from cheap option inherent in more expensive and "noble" models from Europe, Korea or Turkey. In addition, the composite drum is less noisy, has good thermal insulation performance and is much more wear resistant than enameled drums.
Summing up
You need to choose household appliances of such a plan not only based on your personal preferences, but also taking into account such factors as the dimensions of the apartment, the number of family members, the availability of running water and other nuances.
If you huddle in a small apartment, then the frontal units will stillmore embarrassing, so you need to look at top-loading machines or devices that are built under the sink. The latter, although they are much more expensive than their unsightly counterparts, but save the lion's share of space.
When there are no problems with free space, you can consider all the options you like, and in addition, buy an additional dryer so as not to hang laundry on clotheslines throughout the bathroom or apartment. Moreover, this option will save you not only space, but also time, and you will only have to come to everything ready.
As for specific models that can be called not only high-quality in many respects, but also more or less universal, then try to look at the list below.
Widely demanded washing machines in the domestic market:
- LG F-1281TD5 (850x600x590 mm / 65 kg) - front loading 8 kg, tank volume - 58 liters, spinning - 1200 rpm.;
- Bosch WLM 20441 (850x600x450 mm / 64 kg) - front loading 6 kg, tank volume - 46 liters, spinning - 1000 rpm.;
- Indesit WIUN 105 CIS (850x595x323 mm / 53 kg) - front loading 4 kg, tank volume - 27 liters, spinning - 1000 rpm;
- Zanussi ZWP 582 (890x400x600 mm / 58 kg) - vertical loading 6 kg, spinning - 850 rpm;
- Hotpoint-Ariston ARTXD 109 (850x400x600 mm / 56 kg) - vertical loading 6 kg, spinning - 1000 rpm.
