Washing machines have been around since the 17. Century. The modern fully automatic washing machine is now in 96,2% (as of 2021) of german households (source: federal statistical office) represent.
How much one technical support for washing you only notice when the appliance does not work properly. In such a case, a solution must be found quickly: repair or buy new?
Often the purchase of a new machine the better alternative, as the rapid technical progress the appliances to a new level in terms of energy efficiency within just a few years energy efficiency hebt.
our product guide will help you buy a new washing machine. You get u.A. Information about advantages and disadvantages of front- and top-loading washing machines, operation and washing programs, the technology/sensors used, and the care and cleaning of a washing machine.
in the section on the EU energy label, we go into detail about consumption values and key figures and explain the differences between the old and the new (valid from 03/2021) EU energy label. Under energy costs and saving tips you will find u.A. A model calculation for the electricity and water consumption of appliances with different energy efficiency classes.
Washing machines have been around since the 17th century. century. The modern fully automatic washing machine is now available in 96,2% (as of 2021) of german households (source: german federal statistical office).
How much to technical support for washing you only notice when the appliance is not working properly. In such a case, a solution must be found quickly: repair or new purchase?
Often the purchase of a new machine the better alternative, as the rapid technical progress the appliances to a new level in terms of energy efficiency within just a few years energy efficiency lifts.
our product guide will help you buy a new washing machine. You get u.A. Information on advantages and disadvantages of front- and top-loading washing machines, operation and washing programs, the technology/sensors used as well as care and cleaning of a washing machine.
In the section on the EU energy label, we discuss in detail consumption values and key figures and explain the differences between old and new (valid from 03/2021) EU energy label. Under energy costs and saving tips you will find u.A. A model calculation of the electricity and water consumption of appliances with different energy efficiency classes.
What are the different types of washing machines??
If you want to buy a washing machine nowadays, you first need a suitable place for it in your house/apartment or basement. An indispensable prerequisite is a water connection and an electric socketwithout it, traditional, electrically powered washing machines would not work at all.
But what about when you’re on the road with a tent or camping bus?? It’s simple: even for such environments, washing with a "washing machine" is needed not to do without, you only need a ca. 145 gram "heavy scrubba wash bag, and you have freshly washed shirts and pants again 🙂
This is, of course, rather a curiosity among washing machines, but you can see from it that you don’t have to do without washing with a machine in environments that are not perfectly equipped with water and electricity connections by any means.
But now let’s turn to the electric washing machines as they are used in private households today. We achieve a first, rough differentiation by dividing into drum- and vat washers.
The basic difference between drum and tub washing machines lies in the position of the rotary axis the washing drum: in drum washing machines this is horizontal (d.H. stored parallel to the ground surface).
In the case of tub washing machines (in which the container for the laundry "tub is called), the axis of rotation of the centrally arranged agitator arm is, on the other hand vertical, d.H. Arranged perpendicular to the earth’s surface.
In the following, however, we will deal exclusively with drum washing machines because tub washers are mainly used in the USA, asia and australia and play virtually no role on the german market.
Front loading washing machines have a bull’s eye in the middle of the front side, through which the laundry is loaded into the drum.
The machines have a standard width of 60 cm and, depending on the loading capacity (depending on the model: 5 kg up to 12 kg), are suitable for smaller households or also families with several members.
- Integration under worktop possible
- Often can also be used as an under-counter appliance
- Wide stand: better running smoothness during spinning
- cheaper in price than top loaders
- Wide range of models for small and large households: 5 to 12 kg of laundry
- Sufficient space required in front of the machine (open bull’s eye)
- fit poorly into niches or through narrow apartment doors
- More cumbersome filling while bending over or squatting down
Top loading washing machines have a flap on the top that provides access to the washing drum. The control panel and display are also located at the top.
The appliances are characterized by narrow design from (ca. 40 cm wide) and find space even in smaller niches. Due to the limited loading capacity (depending on the model: 5 up to 7 kg), this type of washing machine is especially suitable for smaller households (1-2 persons) suitable.
- Narrow design (about 40 cm wide)
- Space-saving, can also be used in niches
- Back-friendly: easy to fill from above
- Laundry can i.D.R. During the washing process, the load can be replenished
- Fewer manufacturers/models
- Price often higher compared to front loaders
- Limited load capacity: 5 to max. 7 kg
A comparison of the offerings of the four major manufacturers on the washing machine market clearly shows which design currently preferred by customers: it is the front loader. Bauknecht, bosch, miele and siemens mainly carry front loaders in their assortment. Top loader models can also be found, but the choice is far from being as rich as for front loaders.
So the trend today is clearly in the direction of "front loader. Top loaders are still often found in the basement, however, as they weigh considerably less than front loaders, making them easier to transport and allowing the lid of the washing drum to be opened unhindered in the basement.B. can be folded upwards from a kitchen counter, whereas the front loaders offer space on their top for a clothes dryer or for a work surface.
That is why front loaders are often installed completely (instead of a base cabinet) in a kitchen unit.
Installation and connection of the washing machine is often already done by the supplier, but can also be easily done by the end customer thanks to the very detailed descriptions in the operating instructions. Many tenants today, however, already find when moving into their apartment one of the landlord’s ready installed washing machine before: there is then nothing more to connect, only a proper handling of the machine is required.
What size should a washing machine have?
When choosing a suitable washing machine, not only the type – front loader or top loader – but above all the size (i.e. its loading capacity) play a decisive role. Here one can orient oneself at the number of persons in the household:
load capacity type number of persons target group remarks
| 4 up to 6 kg |
front loader/top loader |
1-2 person households |
singles, couples without children |
a drum capacity of about 4 to 6 kg of laundry is sufficient, especially for single people and couples without children. |
Operation and washing programs
What can be said about the operation of a washing machine??
The control panel of modern washing machines has many similarities to that of dishwashers. The central element is the standard program selection (usually in the form of a rotary switch), which can be used to specify the type of textiles and other parameters (example: cotton 60 degrees).
In addition, there is usually a switch to the selection of additional functions such as fast wash, additional rinse or prewash. Overall, the trend is toward an increasingly differentiated range of choices, so that even special wash cycles can be combined with special functions like the removal of pet hair can be combined.
Many of the standard programs are created by z.B. distinguishes textiles according to colors, types of fabric or the desired eco-wash cycle. In this way, machines such as the bauknecht WA plus 744 offer 14 standard programs, supplemented in this appliance by 6 additional functions.
With such a large number of choices, it is particularly important that the washing machine has the lowest possible energy consumption large display for displaying the parameters and the program sequence provides. The following values are shown by most displays:
The remaining time of the currently running washing program,
The start time in number of hours until the start of the wash cycle,
The selected standard program,
An information about the child lock, if this has been switched on,
The end of program, usually supported by an acoustic signal.
In addition to the rotary knob for selecting the standard programs, there are usually several more buttons. These include those
To determine the spin speed,
To set the temperature,
To enter the desired start time,
To select the additional function.
To measure the energy consumption for the sog. Standard cleaning cycle there are still particularly energy-efficient programs, which are described in detail in the manufacturers’ product data sheets. For siemens machines z.B. are the programs "cotton40°C+tasteecoperfect" and " cotton60°C+tasteecoperfect", at beko they are called very similarly: "cotton-ecoperfect 40 °C" and "cotton eco 60 °C" .
Modern washing machines are equipped with user-friendly control panels.
Rotary knob, selection switch as well as an LCD display can be found on almost all devices.
The information on the standard washing programs refers to the energy label and in the data sheet. Suitable for cleaning normally soiled cotton laundry and most efficient in terms of combined energy and water consumption. For more information on the energy label, see the energy efficiency section.
What are the washing programs?
The following is an overview of the washing programs modern washing machines:
This category includes all those washing programs that are particularly important in a normal household frequently used come. In the operating instructions, they are often also referred to as the "main programs" presented.
This includes boiled/colored laundry, easy-care laundry and wool, whereby with different temperatures (30°C, 40°C, 60°C, 90°C) wash temperature can be set.
- sheets, bed linen
- Towels
- Underwear
- synthetic textiles
- Delicates
- Mixed fabric
Special programs are programs that replace the standard programs in a specific way. They are applicable to different fabrics such as infant laundry, dark textiles or only lightly soiled cotton. Depending on the program, specific temperatures and movement sequences are selected.
For example, most machines today have an special "dark" program, which is used to wash dark textiles that tend to fade easily. To wash such textiles particularly gently, the special "dark" program works as follows with gentler movements and lower temperature.
In addition to the special "dark" program but there are other programs such as.B. Babyprotect (for baby laundry), hand wash (for particularly delicate cotton textiles), mix or mix40 (for washing cotton and synthetics together) or even color wash 20 (for lightly soiled cotton laundry).
- down
- curtains
- Dark textiles
- baby laundry
- Particularly sensitive cotton textiles
- Lightly soiled cotton laundry
- wool
- Silk
Such programs are also known as "express" or. "Super express u.a. indicated on the control panels.
They are suitable for quick wash of smaller quantities of lightly soiled cotton textiles.
- Lightly soiled clothes of all types
- Washing time max. 30 minutes
- Washing temperature max. 30 degrees
Washing machines nowadays always have special energy-saving programs. The designations are different: sometimes it is called "color wash eco" but, times "spar/eco or simply "eco.
In all cases, however, the same is meant: it is to be compared with other programs water and energy saved are. By the way, you can save the most energy by using the ECO wash cycle on a fully filled washing machine used.
- saving electricity and water
- Short program times
- omission of the prewash cycle
- Washing with lower loads
With most programs in modern washing machines, you can set the "dark" setting before starting the program temperature as well as spin speed set. In addition, there are special programs that are used only for rinsing or spinning (+ pumping out).
It is also possible to increase the amount of water used for washing and rinsing in different wash cycles. And who has a pet can be removed by means of the "pet hair removal" function sticking to clothing animal hair particularly easy to remove.
- Remove pet hair
- Set washing temperature
- Adjusting the spin speed
- Adjusting the water quantity
Note:
helpful tips – especially concerning the washing of baby clothes – can be found in our guide article one child becomes two: what about the laundry?? In summary.
Technology and sensors
In our comparison table you can find a lot of technical terms, which are special technical features describe the washing machines. Some of these terms appear z.B. This is also the case for dishwashers, because both types of appliance undeniably have a similar purpose: to clean something with water and suitable detergent.
The actual washing or. cleaning process differs considerably, however, so that the washing machines z.T. Also with completely different sensors work is done. In the following list we give a brief description of these sensors and also more generally of the technology of drum washing machines:
Usually, different types of textiles are washed in one cycle, and the machine is not always loaded with the same amount of laundry. This is what the automatic quantity control: depending on the type of textile and load, it optimally adapts the water consumption to the program.
In this way less water and also less energy are required for heating the water.
- Optimal adjustment of the amount of water
- Less water consumption
- Saving energy
This takes place in all commercially available washing machines through a automatic unbalance control system. usually you don’t notice much of this, unless the laundry is so unevenly distributed in the drum that the system either reduces the speed during the spin cycle for safety reasons or stops it altogether.
If you listen carefully, you will also notice that the spinning process does not start immediately, but is triggered by several small spin-on attempts for an optimal even distribution of laundry provides. In this way you avoid that the washing drum is set into natural vibrations and thereby possibly. The rotating axis resp. The housing is damaged.
- Uniform weight distribution
- Avoiding damage to the axle/drive
- Spinning stop (if necessary)
This detects the degree of loading of the washing machine when the loading window is open. A bar in the display field fills gradually while loading the machine.
In order for the load sensor to fully detect the amount of laundry, the washing drum must be empty before switching on the washing machine.
- Protection against overcharging
- Recommended dosage of detergent
- Partial loads are possible without any problems
Especially for washing machines that are placed in a kitchen, this automatic protection against water damage useful. In some cellars, yes, there is still a water drain in the floor, so you don’t have to worry about tipped over water buckets or burst washers.
In a kitchen or storeroom in 1.On the other hand, leaks in the washing machine or defective water hoses quickly lead to a medium catastrophe with unpleasant consequential damage. That’s why there’s aquastop: in the event of a leak in the inlet hose, a large safety valve the water supply and you can then replace the hose.
- Safety valve stops water supply
- Protection against hose leaks
- Prevent water damage
This sensor is a special feature of the siemens and bosch washing machines. Its task is to test the degree of turbidity of the suds. Depending on this, the duration and number of rinses are determined.
Please note: the amount of water required for the next rinse cycle is not determined on the basis of a measurement, but only the duration and number of rinse cycles. The automatic volume control is always responsible for the water volume.
Advantages and benefits
- Dynamic adjustment of the number of flushing cycles
- Dynamic adjustment of the duration of rinsing cycles
This is not is not a switch-on lock for the entire device, but a protection against an unwanted program change. The child safety lock of a washing machine prevents a washing program once selected from being interrupted by "wild pushing" on the keypad of the control panel transforms into another program.
So, if the child safety device is switched on, it cannot happen that sensitive wool textiles are damaged after a program "wool-cold" look like it was polished with the program "boil wash-90 degrees intensive" has been washed.
- No unintentional program change
- Protection of textiles
Care and cleaning
Here are a few tips for the care and cleaning of washing machines:
There is z.B. The problem of low washing temperature. We live in the age of energy saving, which is especially noticeable in private households. And you can save energy when washing with a modern washing machine, especially if you do not constantly wash at 60 °C and higher.
But if you wash at 20°C or 30°C all the time, you have to be prepared for the fact that inside your washing machine you will find a variety of bacteria and mushrooms spread. And this biofilm then causes it to eventually start inside the machine, unpleasant smell.
To avoid the unpleasant odor, however, there is in this case a simple ruleat least once a month, the washing machine should be run at 40 °C or, even better, 60 °C, which will eliminate the vast majority of bacteria and fungi to be killed. And if you want to be absolutely sure, you start a boiling wash cycle at 90 degrees.
The bull eye rubber the washing machine should be cleaned briefly after each wash cycle, as moisture and detergent residues collect in its folds during each wash cycle, creating the ideal breeding ground for germs and bacteria. The detergent drawer should also be cleaned from time to time, as fungi or bacteria can accumulate here over time.
The lint filter the detergent is usually located in the base of the washing machine and is also considered as a source of unpleasant odors. This sieve catches the textile fibers that come off the clothes during washing. If you don’t clean this screen regularly, you can expect mold and bacteria to thrive on the wet lint, which will then cause an unpleasant odor to rise up into the washing machine.
Notice:
your laundry should always be fresh and have a pleasant scent? Helpful tips on how to use a dryer and washing machine are summarized in our guide article to keep your laundry fresh.
That in our water regional much lime (much lime = high water hardness) is contained, many consumers know. But how do you descale a washing machine?? And which decalcifier should be used best how often?
First of all something about this "decalcifier, the already existing lime deposits should dissolve. If you do not use commercial descalers, you should use citric acid use, which has the advantage that it dissolves the lime, but the rubber or. Silicone in the washing machine does not attack.
On vinegar, vinegar essence or. Soda should be used as much as possible do without, since these substances in the washing machine will permanently damage the rubber or. damage the silicone of the plastic hoses.
For the normal commercial washing machines, it is assumed that such a descaling 2 times a year sufficient for the appliance. This does not mean, however, that for the individual washing cycles you can do without the addition of water softener the best thing to do is to get the water hardness level from your local water supplier and then decide how much water softener to add for each wash cycle.
It should be understood that the water softener merely prevent new limescale, but existing ones can not dissolve. This always requires a special descaler. Ultimately, it is therefore advisable to decalcify the to be repeated regularly, to completely exclude new calcifications in the machine.
EU energy label
The manufacturers of household appliances that have an relatively high power (and this includes not only washing machines but also dishwashers and refrigerators), are, thanks to the european union’s specifications on labeling of the appliance with the EU energy label obligates.
Although these energy labels are similar, they are nevertheless different in some points, not only because of different energy consumption, but also because of different functionalities and measuring methods.
Subsequently, the old up to and including. 02/2021 valid EU energy label for washing machines shown:
The illustration shows the up to. February 2021 valid old EU energy label.
Since the 01. March 2021 is now a new version of the energy label mandatory on the appliances. Because washing machines – like most other household appliances – have evolved enormously in recent years, especially in terms of energy consumption.
The new energy label (from 03/2021) now looks like this:
the mandatory from march 2021 new EU energy label has a changed classification of A to G with the energy efficiency classes. The A+(++) classes are now history.
New additions are the Quick-Response code as well as the airborne noise emission class.
What are the most important changes compared to the old EU energy label??
Here is the first abolition of the old energy classes A+, A++ and A+++ to name a few, which have been replaced by a new class division. This ranges in seven levels of the best possible class A up to the worst efficiency class G.
The colors for the individual energy classes have remained the same, so the best class ("A") will be in green color the worst class ("G") in red color.
How high the consumption values really are for the individual devices can be seen on the EU label and even more precisely on the product data sheet reading to be enclosed with each appliance. The new EU label provides the following information on the consumption values and key figures:
- Quick-Response code,
- Energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kwh) for 100 operating cycles in the reference program,
- Maximum filling quantity in kilograms in the reference program (unchanged, also called nominal capacity),
- Duration of the reference program ("eco-40-60") in hours and minutes,
- Water consumption in liters for one wash cycle in eco program,
- spin efficiency class from A (best) to G (worst),
- Noise level in db(A) in spin cycle,
- Airborne noise emission class on a scale from A to D.
The energy label omits the specification of the loudness during washing, since the decisive (and still existing) value is the noise during the spin cycle is.
Newly added is – besides program duration and airborne noise emission class – the Quick Response code – "QR code" for short. If you scan this code, you will be redirected to an EU database that has been in existence since march 2021 product data sheet download the washing machine.
Energy classes: a lot of movement after the reform
Whereas with the previous EU label, most washing machines were placed in the best possible "A" class, the majority of machines were placed in the best possible "C" class or. "A" example, there are significant shifts in the allocation of appliances to the new energy classes.
The majority of the machines that were previously classified with the best energy efficiency class "A" have been evaluated, reaches classes B, C and D only. Former "A+/A rated appliances even fall into the rear energy efficiency classes E and F back.
The washing machines have not really become worse because of this. However, the stricter classification of the energy classes gives you more room for maneuver technical development of appliances created in the coming years. Certainly, reaching the best energy efficiency class A also a important incentive for manufacturers with regard to the energy consumption of new models.
Energy costs and saving tips
Model calculation: water and electricity consumption
Before buying a washing machine, many visitors often ask themselves the following questions:
- How much liters of water consumed a washing machine?
- How much is the electricity consumption of a washing machine?
Below you will find our model calculation on water consumption and electricity costs (calculated on 1 year). For the 3 exemplarily selected washing machines of the energy efficiency classes A, C and E it is the type front loader with a nominal capacity of 8kg:
model/
energy class water consumption
per year water costs
per year electricity consumption
per year electricity costs
per year total cost (water+electricity)
per year
haier HW80-B14979 I-PRO series 7
A |
9680 liters |
38,72€ |
103,84 kwh |
31,15€ |
69,87€ |
siemens WM14G400 iq500
C |
10340 liters |
41,36€ |
135.52 kwh |
40,66€ |
82,02€
+12,14€ compared to class A |
AEG L6FBA484
E |
10340 liters |
41,36€ |
181.5 kwh |
54,45€ |
95,81€
+25,94€ compared to class A |
The example calculation 220 standard wash cycles (reference program) per year, an electricity price of 0,30€ per kilowatt hour (kwh) and a water price of 4,00€ per cubic meter (1000 liters).
What are the saving tips for washing?
Here are some suggestions to further reduce electricity and water consumption when washing:
Nowadays, all washing machines are marked with a maximum load volume. If you want to reduce the energy consumption of your washing machine, you should be careful to comply with this maximum load volume for every wash cycle, if possible. this rule is still valid today, where it is possible to reduce the energy consumption by some other measures.
More and more washing machines now have z.B. About one load sensor, which recognizes the degree of loading of the washing machine and derives a dosage recommendation for the detergent used (and of course also controls the amount of water used). However, this only marginally reduces the washing time and energy consumption of the machine: the best thing is still to fill the washing machine optimally and completely.
You can afford a prewash program usually save. Only in the case of very dirty items such as hospital bed linen, work clothes or baby bibs, and children’s or. sports clothes, a pre-wash program may be advisable. Nevertheless, in such a case, you can also soak the affected laundry first and pre-treat it with stain removers, thus saving yourself the pre-wash program.
This is a piece of advice that will definitely help to save costs. Because every degree more to which the washing machine has to heat the wash water costs more electricity. And electricity is expensive! But can we afford to choose a lower washing temperature at all?? This is indeed the case thanks to modern detergents: the laundry is i.D.R. Still as clean and hygienic as at higher temperatures.
Short programs have, the name says it already, short running times. In this runtime, they deliver a cleaning result for which other programs (e.g., the ECO program) would not be able to achieve.B. The sog eco programs) take considerably more time. And how do these short programs? The "temperature" factor plays a role here an important role: the higher the temperature, the faster the cleaning process.
As you can guess, the short programs simply increase the temperature during washing, so they wash a little "hotter", so that the laundry is cleaned faster. However, they also consume more electricity, so that the energy balance for these programs is definitely worse than for the ECO program.
When do you need boil wash? Quite safe in the hospital! But in a normal household? Here, the usual temperatures of 30 or. 40 degrees celsius for colored laundry, for white laundry maximum 60 degrees. all the usual dirt can be removed, and if someone in the household has been infected with a contagious disease, there is no reason why they should not wash their underwear at 90 degrees as an exception.
Did you know? The washing machine requires most of its energy for the heating the wash water. It would of course be practical if the hot water just came out of the tap. But we are still a long way from this state of affairs.
It will probably be some time before all households have direct access to hot water via a water pipe. However, those who already have a hot water connection in their household save heating energy and electricity for their washing machine!
In stand-by mode, most machines consume very little power, because they are only waiting for "the start". Nevertheless, a little electricity is still consumed, which may add up to a larger value at the end of the year. Especially the start time preselection function (usually up to 24 hours) can consume quite a bit of electricity.
But this function is either superfluous or more of a luxury: if you don’t know exactly when to start your wash program, you probably don’t have a particularly urgent need for fresh laundry! Stand-by times should therefore be avoided as far as possible.
First of all, it is important to emphasize the advantages of a spin-dry washing machine: it saves drying time and contributes to energy saving by the reduction of the spin speed at. If the machine is already equipped with a dryer, then the spin cycle should be reduced, because the dryer is responsible for drying the laundry.
Hint:
further tips on how to save energy in the household are summarized in our guide article 19 electricity saving tips for every household.
Detergent and fabric softener
For detergent and fabric softener modern washing machines have two small compartments in the detergent drawer, plus another compartment for the prewash detergent. What is put into these compartments is up to the user, who has a wide choice of detergent manufacturers on the market.
The detergent drawer consists of several compartments.
Here the user can store detergent, fabric softener and other additives (e.g., detergents).B. Fill in a hygienic rinse agent).
It is not so much the washing machine itself that is important, but rather the type of textiles, that one intends to wash. For this reason, the operating instructions always advise you to read the information on the detergent packaging and, above all, to note for which type of textiles the respective detergent is suitable:
Of course, the use of full detergents is particularly easy. As the name suggests, these are suitable for (almost) all types of laundry and can be used at all washing temperatures (20°C to 95°C). Only sensitive colored textiles should be treated with care due to the bleaching agents and optical brighteners contained in the heavy-duty detergent, as there is a risk of bleaching here.
Their use has increased considerably in recent years. Colored detergents can be used primarily in the temperature range from 20°C to 60°C. They usually avoid the mutual discoloration of textiles, although here too there is no 100% guarantee that the original colors will be preserved.
The trend towards color detergents is, like so much in the development of washing machines in the last decades, due to the increasing influence of the environmental protection attributed to. Washing at 90°C has almost become superfluous these days: color detergents have been optimized so that they can do at 60°C what a heavy-duty detergent at 90°C used to do.
In addition to these two main groups of detergents, there are also fine detergent (for delicate fabrics), special detergent (for sports textiles made of synthetic materials) and detergent for certain water hardnesses. These types of detergents are used in special cases only.
These include i.D.R. For every wash cycle nowadays, add. For the fabric softener, the washing drawers always have an extra compartment in which it is filled and then fed into the washing drum, depending on the selected program. The dry stiffness of the laundry prevented by the fabric softener is particularly pleasing when ironing freshly dried laundry: it is then no longer necessary to press so hard and the textiles feel pleasantly soft and fluffy when worn.
FAQ: further questions and answers
The following FAQ section contains a list of frequently asked questions on the subject of top-loading washing machines.
A front loader is the most widely used type of washing machine. The machines have at their front load a bull’s eye, which is used to fill and empty the washing drum.
The width of front-loading washing machines is as follows 60 centimeters. Their applications are varied from single households to large families – depending on the load capacity of the different models. The most common load categories include:
- 5-6 kg: well suited for single or 2-person households
- 7-8 kgsmall families up to about 4 persons
- 9 kg and more: large families with 5 or more family members
Due to their width, front-loading washing machines have i.D.R. A smoother running as top-loading machines and are often available at lower prices. However, if space is limited, a top-loading washing machine may be the better choice.
Top loader washing machines are not operated from the front like a front loader machine but load from the top. There is a filler flap on the top of the appliance for this purpose. Also the operation of the machine (selection of washing programs, time preselection, etc.).) is carried out from above via an operating panel on the top of the appliance.
The use of top-loading washing machines is particularly popular in confined spaces (the width of the machines is approx. 40cm) and in single or. Small households. Depending on the model, top loaders can be loaded with approx 5 to 7 kilograms dirty laundry can be filled with.
The reloading laundry with washing already started is supported by many models.
In terms of price, top-loading appliances often – compared with front-loading washing machines – dig a little deeper into your pocket. The choice of models does not come close to the variety of front loaders.
This depends on the energy efficiency class the used washing machine as well as the own electricity tariff from. Assuming 220 standard washing cycles a kilowatt-hour price of 30 cents expect the following costs to be approximately the same:
- Best energy efficiency class A+++: ca. 42 euro per year (calculated electricity consumption 140 kilowatt hours)
- Second-best energy efficiency class A++: 54 euro per year (calculated electricity consumption 180 kilowatt hours)
- Third best energy efficiency class A+: 66 euro per year (calculated electricity consumption 220 kilowatt hours)
These are only approximate values, but you can use them as a guide.
The water consumption depends on the energy efficiency class the used washing machine from. If one assumes – as in the case of electricity costs – that 220 standard washing cycles as well as a price of 4 euros per cubic meter of water, the following picture emerges:
- Best energy efficiency class A+++: ca. 40 euro per year (calculated water consumption 10.000 liters)
- Second best energy efficiency class A++: 42 euro per year (calculated water consumption 10.500 liters)
- Third-best energy efficiency class A+: 44 euro per year (calculated water consumption 11.000 liter)
Here are the differences not so strong as in the case of electricity costs, where the range is between 42 and 66 euros (A+++ to A+). It should be noted that this approximate values only are.
Washing machine test/comparison 2021
- 1st place – VERY GOOD (1.45): haier HW80-BP14636N – washing machine
- place 2 – VERY GOOD (1.48): beko WMY81466ST1 – washing machine
- 3rd place – GOOD (1.50): bosch WAN28K30 – washing machine
- Rank 4 – GOOD (1.50): AEG L8FE74485 – washing machine
- place 5 – GOOD (1.54): siemens WM14G400 iq500 – washing machine
- Seat 6 – GOOD (1.55): bosch WUU28T40 series 6 – washing machine
- Seat 7 – GOOD (1.55): miele WSD123 WCS – washing machine
Stiftung warentest/specialist magazines: washing machine test
Practical test winner
The following table provides information on the test winner of the trade press in chronological order:
