1. Just a washing machine or a washer-dryer

Almost the first point to decide on when choosing a washing machine is the presence or absence of a dryer. Models with this function are also called washer-dryer units. In fact, this is a separate type of equipment from the "2 in 1" category.

Washing and drying machines are more expensive (usually by about 30-50%), consume more electricity and water, since after the stage of direct removal of dirt, they perform drying using condensation technology, which requires additional "portions of liquid" from the water supply. These machines work not for 3 hours at a time, but for all 5-6, that is, the load on their components is higher. But the customer will be able to take out of the drum not just clean, but already dry things. This is very convenient.

It should be taken into account that most often the maximum load for drying should be almost 2 times less than for washing. If in a model with parameters 7/4 kg all seven kilos are left to dry in the drum, then the quality of the results will not please (not to mention the risks of accelerated wear of the device) - due to the tight fit of things to each other, it will not be possible to achieve effective removal of residual moisture.

Models with a drying function are most relevant for apartments that do not have a balcony or loggia (or they are combined with the living room), there is a lack of free space, which makes it difficult to install conventional clothes dryers or specialized equipment.

In terms of the quality of residual moisture removal and ease of use, a separate washing machine and dryer are often a more preferable option. To save living space, they can be installed in a column - one on top the other. Such a tandem allows you to dry all the washed laundry at once (without dividing it into parts, as is the case with combined units). Plus, the problem of lint removal is effectively solved here - separate dryers are equipped with special filters. But the price of the set will always be higher, as will the energy consumption of two devices compared to one.

A separate washer and dryer don't necessarily take up a lot of space in your apartment.

For owners of apartments with balconies and for anyone who is satisfied with the traditional procedure of hanging things out, regular washing machines without drying are quite suitable.

Popular washing machines with drying function

2. Type of washing machine

Today, the most popular, functional and numerous are front models, in which the hatch is located on the front panel of the body, and the space on top the device remains free. They can be used both in the bathroom and in the kitchen. The main condition for normal operation is the availability of space in front of the washing machine - for opening the hatch and loading / unloading things.

Front loading washing machines are:

  • Full-size. They have a standard height of about 85 cm, and their depth varies in the range from 41 to 60+ cm;
  • Narrow. The main distinguishing feature is a depth of up to 40 cm. Such washing machines are suitable for cramped conditions, including installation in small bathrooms, kitchens or even hallways. A kind of "price" for the thin form factor is a smaller capacity, as well as a tendency to vibration and excessive noise during spinning;
  • Compact (low). Characterized by a height of less than 80 cm (usually about 70 cm) and can be placed under a countertop or even a sink. The current range of such "compacts" is small.
You can find a place for a vertical washing machine where a front-loading model would definitely not be appropriate.

Today, there is a fairly large selection among the main competitors of "frontal" machines - vertical washing machines. Their key feature is loading laundry from the top. These models are also distinguished by a small body width (usually 40 cm) with a depth of 60 cm, which allows them to fit well into kitchen units. In general, these models are more compact in size, but not always as convenient as frontal analogues, because the space on top them must be free, and access from one of the sides is also necessary, although not necessarily from the front.

Vertical washing machines are usually suitable for cramped conditions and small households, because most often these devices have a load of 5 and 6 kg. In terms of functionality, they are inferior to front-loading ones, although in recent years there have been exceptions to the rule. For example, Candy Smart CSTG 272 DVET / 1-S supports control from a smartphone, and Electrolux PerfectCare 700 EW7TN3372SP has acquired steam washing.

If you want your washing machine to be completely hidden from prying eyes in the kitchen or elsewhere, then you should consider built-in models. But keep in mind that their selection is small, and the price tags are higher than for the usual, freestanding ones.

If the washing machine does not fit into the interior, then you can consider built-in appliances.

Also in a separate category of washing machines are semi-automatic and models with a water tank. Both types do not require connection to a water supply, but, accordingly, do not provide full automation of the process of removing dirt. They are more suitable for a summer house than for permanent residence.

Popular narrow washing machines

3. Capacity of the laundry drum

Once you have decided on the optimal type of washing machine, the first thing you should do is choose the appropriate load. Today, in the household segment, there are solutions with a drum capacity from 3-4 to 10-12 kg. You need to consider two key aspects - existing needs and the availability of free space. So, if your home does not allow it, you will have to take a model with a smaller load and simply wash more often.

General recommendations regarding the capacity of the washing machine drum are as follows:

  • up to 5 kg – models with a small load capacity are suitable for single people;
  • 6 or 7 kg – for couples and small families;
  • by 8–9 kg – if you have two or more children;
  • 10+ kg – for large families and large households.
Washing machines should not only be overloaded, but also underloaded.

When choosing a device by load, it is worth considering the body type of the household, that is, the size of the clothes used. Thus, a 5 kg washing machine may be enough for a petite woman with two children, especially if she has two daughters who have inherited their mother's body type. But another family of three, where there is a large dad (let's say, with an XXL clothing size) and a tall teenage son, may not have enough even for a 7 kg model.

It is also worth remembering that the washing machine load is indicated for cotton linen, and for other textiles the capacity will be less. For example, for synthetics, the peak value usually needs to be divided by 2. Accordingly, it is better to choose a model with a reserve to avoid overloads and accelerated wear. More advice and information on this topic awaits you in our material "How much laundry can be loaded into a washing machine and how to determine the permissible load?" Among other things, you will find tips for washer-dryers there, because they are ready to "accept" fewer things for drying than for washing.

Popular washing machines with a drum capacity of up to 9 kg

4. Spin speed

All automatic washing machines perform spinning. It is thanks to this that after washing, users take out not completely wet, but damp items from the drum. The spin speed in modern models can vary significantly and even exceed 1400 rpm. At the same time, the quality of residual moisture removal does not always depend 100% on the speed. Washing machines with 1200 rpm can also correspond to the highest class A, while at 1400 rpm some models are awarded a B rating.

Spin speed is important, but it is not the main priority. It can be adjusted in any modern washing machine.

The spin speed directly affects the duration of the corresponding stage, as well as the level of noise and vibration during operation. Therefore, the optimal approach is to look at three indicators at once:

  • revolution value;
  • spin class;
  • noise level. Today, models that operate no louder than 70 – 72 dB are considered very quiet.

For washer-dryers, the spin parameters may seem completely unimportant. But this is not so. After washing, some items need to be removed from the drum and, provided that the spin is effective, this laundry will not need to be dried at all, but can be ironed right away, for example.

Popular washing machines with high-speed spin (> 1400 rpm)

5. Economy: water and electricity consumption

Not the main, but increasingly important point when choosing washing machines is their operating costs. If advanced models with an automatic dosing function are primarily capable of saving detergents and powder, then more and more modern units can consume little water and light.

Please note that the energy efficiency label has changed relatively recently, so instead of A with a different number of pluses, an updated scale with Latin letters up to E is now offered. Interestingly, even the latest models can hardly be called wasteful: they spend about 75 kWh of energy for 100 washes. The new class A washing machines do not even “go over” 50 kWh for the same “hundred”, so in a year of regular use they will “wound up” approximately 100 kWh.

More details on this topic await you in the article “Energy labeling reform: new gradations of energy efficiency classes for household appliances”.

With water, everything seems even simpler - manufacturers simply indicate the consumption per cycle, which in modern devices (without a dryer) is usually in the range of 35 to 55 liters. But in order to identify truly more economical models, it is advisable to make an adjustment for the load. Thus, a 10 kg washing machine with a consumption of 50 liters is actually less "gluttonous" than a 6 kg analog with 40 liters, because the first one needs only 5 liters per kilogram, and the second one - almost 7.

This is what the new washing machine energy label looks like.
Popular washing machines with automatic detergent dosing

6. Design features

Whether it is worth delving into the nuances of the "stuffing" of modern washing machines is still an open question for discussion. Just a few years ago, devices with an inverter motor were offered as a know-how. In 2023, such an engine is becoming more common and is considered the norm rather than an additional plus. Some brands do not even mention it in product presentations (but indirect confirmation of its presence is low noise and resource consumption indicators). Other manufacturers come up with more and more new marketing advantages, including organizing a warranty race for this very inverter. Previously, 10 years was "cool", and now it is 20.

In general, it is still worth paying attention to this and other design features of washing machines. It is better to have an inverter "on board". In addition, the following "filling" is also considered really useful:

  • Direct drive. A design in which rotation from the engine to the drum is transmitted without the mediation of conventional belts. This design is more reliable, but was previously rare - only in LG washing machines. Now some Whirlpool and Haier models have joined them;
  • Heating element with additional coating. Traditional metal heaters suffer from scale due to hard water and are prone to premature failure. Heating elements with ceramic or nickel-plated coating are considered more reliable and durable, but devices with it usually represent a more expensive price segment;
  • Stainless steel tank. This is the prerogative of premium washing machines, for example, from Miele. Here the drum is placed not in a traditional plastic inner tank, but in a metal one. Such a design is undoubtedly more reliable, and in recent years, it has also been quite quiet, since it also includes additional sound insulation. For example, for Asko W4086C.W/2, the noise level is declared at only 46 dB during spinning;
  • TFT display. Its presence primarily increases the convenience of interaction. Such a screen is often colored, and has not only text, but also graphic indication, which speeds up the first acquaintance with the equipment, makes everyday use more comfortable.

The color display is more convenient and beautiful, but it does not affect the quality of washing.

Other design features include a reload hatch in some Samsung washing machines (though more and more modern models support a pause function, which serves the same purpose), internal drum lighting, which helps you not to forget small items inside, and a wide 180-degree door opening, which is typical of some Bosch models (and not only). We can also recall the patented TWINWash technology from LG, but these are actually two washing machines in one - with an additional small tank.

Popular washing machines with direct drive

7. Programs

The modern pace of life requires technology not just to automate the usual routine processes, but to speed them up as much as possible. In this regard, a quick program has become almost mandatory in washing machines. It can vary in duration, but certainly not longer than an hour (and often up to 30 minutes). Some manufacturers, like Candy, emphasize offering users not one, but several quick cycles for different types of fabric, degree of soiling of things, etc.

Busy people will also appreciate such options as a delayed start or a wash end timer. With the latter, you can plan the end of the washing machine's working cycle. For example, the finish can easily be "adjusted" to the housewife's arrival home after a working day, and the clothes in the drum will not lie around and will immediately "go" to drying.

Many manufacturers also offer an acceleration function. It allows you to reduce the standard washing time by using more electricity and water, and the quality of dirt removal does not suffer. Bosch calls this option SpeedPerfect, Hotpoint-Ariston calls it Rapid Option, and Beko calls it Fast+.

General set of programs

The norm for modern washing machines is a set of 10-15 programs. In some cases, their number even exceeds 2 dozen. The more cycles, the easier it is to find the best option for your needs without having to "play" with other parameters, such as setting the water temperature, choosing additional rinses, reducing spin speed for a gentle effect on textiles, etc.

In general, it is not difficult to find the most suitable model for you in terms of the set of programs:

  • if you play sports, you need a washing machine with a cycle for sports clothes ;
  • there is a strict dress code at work - a device with a program for shirts will come in handy;
  • If you love jeans, choose a model with modes for this type of fabric ;
  • you have a lot of wool items - look for a model with a wool or delicate cycle, and ideally - with certification from the Woolmark company. It indicates careful handling of this fabric;
  • If you have children or allergy sufferers in the family, a washing machine with an Antiallergy, Hygiene, etc. cycle is practically a must-have.

An additional advantage may be a device with the ability to create a customer program with its saving and subsequent quick access.

The rotary program selection levers remain relevant because they are really convenient.

Additional functions

Probably the most popular auxiliary functions of modern washing machines include the following:

  • Steam treatment - adding steam at one of the working stages to remove bacteria and allergens, refresh and reduce the number of creases. Almost all manufacturers have it, but they call it differently, for example, True Steam at LG or Steam Care at Electrolux;
  • EcoBubble bubble wash is a patented Samsung technology with the addition of bubbles and improved stain removal quality at a lower water temperature;
  • Jet rinse. The function consists of supplying water under pressure from special nozzles in the drum. It is designed to speed up washing, reduce water and energy consumption. Bosch calls it 4D Wash System, Samsung calls it Speed Spray, LG calls it Jet Spray;
  • Remote control. Allows you to interact with the device from a smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Duplicates or expands the capabilities of the main controls. The overall functionality depends on the specific application. Bosch uses Home Connect, Candy uses simply-Fi, LG uses ThinQ;
  • Intelligent washing. This is a technology for optimizing operation by pre-determining not only the load, but also the type of fabric, soiling of items and/or customer habits. Samsung calls this washing AI Control, LG calls it Al DD, and Bosch offers the Automatic cycle in its top washing machines;
  • Stain removal(separate cycle or special function). The essence of the option is clear from the name - this is a targeted mode for combating typical stains, such as wine, grass, blood, etc. Miele calls this cycle Stain Removal, Beko - StainExpert, Bosch - AntiStain.

Most of these options can be really useful and in demand by certain categories of users. Read about whether it will be useful for you in the thematic material “Seven useful functions of modern washing machines”. It is important to remember that with each additional option the price of the device increases, and overpaying is justified only when you actually use the extra function.

Popular washing machines with steam wash

8. Protective capabilities

Before making a final decision on buying a washing machine, we also recommend considering features that are often unfairly overlooked. We are talking about protective functionality. The most popular options in this category today include:

  • Locking of controls(from playful children's hands);
  • Foam control. It allows you to pump out excess foam from the drum. This option is relevant for tech who experiment with detergents and may accidentally add household chemicals that are not suitable for automatic washing;
  • Leak protection. Can be implemented in different ways and control the tightness of both internal components and external hoses. The essence is that when a leak is detected, the automatic system shuts off the water supply, preventing flooding of the apartment and neighbors;
  • Imbalance control. The function prevents strong vibrations due to items bunching up in one part of the drum. If the imbalance cannot be eliminated by reverse rotation of the drum, the spin does not start at all or starts at minimum speed;
  • Protection against voltage surges. The system switches off the device or smooths out fluctuations in the network, preventing negative impact on electronics and other working components. You can simply buy a special stabilizer, but it is better to have the corresponding function.

A lot of foam does not mean a high-quality wash, but rather the opposite.

The pursuit of the most expensive and "tricked-out" units is not always justified. As a rule, in practice, only a couple of programs are regularly used, and useful extra functions from time to time. However, it is better not to refuse tech moments that directly affect the reliability and safety of operation. Therefore, when choosing a washing machine, you should pay attention to the protective functions and basic design features, and also take into account the brand name and its reputation, as well as the country of manufacture (if it is known, of course).