Washing Machine buying guide: Factors to consider before buying one

Top And Best Review

Washing Machine buying guide: Factors to consider before buying one

Washing machines have become an inevitable part of our household appliances and selecting the right one for yourself can be a task. Getting to select a washing machine in India will depend on your ability to analyze some factors and things to consider before a buying washing machine of your choice.

Basically, a good number of washing machines differ in terms of features, capacity and load and function. These also have unique features such as quick wash, wash programs, protective rat mesh, child lock, hot wash/temperature control, digital display and so on.

Washing Machine Loading Type – When you talk about the loading type, you have to choose between the front load washing machine and top-loading washing machine. Both of these have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Washing Machine Function types – Washing machine can be semi-automatic or fully-automatic, depending on the one that will suit your needs and budget.

Capacity – There are small and large capacity washing machines. Your choice may vary depending on the size of your family and washing frequency.

Types of Washing Machines:

 Depending on the amount of manual labor and number of functions, washing machines are categorized into two categories:

1. Semi-automatic washing machine

2. Fully automatic washing machine

Semi-Automatic Washing Machine

Semi-Automatic Washing Machines are considered to be entry-level washing machines. Normally, semi-automatic washing machines have two tubs, one for washing and another for drying.

For washing put clothes in washing-tub, after washing you have to manually move the clothes to the drying-tub. Overall, semi-automatic washing machine requires a lot of human intervention and manual work.

As compared to the other types, Semi-Automatic washing machines are only the thing that makes buying a semi-automatic washing machine is its inexpensive price. Semi-automatic washing machine price varies from 6,000 to 12,000 rupees in India.

Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Fully washing machines are categorized into two, depending on the form where clothes, laundry is loaded from the top side or front side.

   1. Top load washing machine

   2. Front-load washing machine

Fully automatic washing machines make the washing process fully automatic and human intervention nominal. It has only one tub for both washing and drying. Just you need to put clothes in the washing machine and start the machine, that’s it. No need to pouring water for wash or rinse and moves clothes from the washing tub to drying tub. Only you need to get to the machine after the wash cycle starts is to take out the clothes. You can refer our post on semi-automatic Vs fully automatic washing machine for more information.

Top Load Washing Machine

As the name suggests, clothes are loaded from the top side as it’s tub sits vertically in the machine. It has a single tube for both washing and drying, no need to move clothes in between the tubs. Top loading washing machine attached to water inlet tap, the machine controls the when to take or stop water to maintain the required level of water. It has fewer wash programs compared to its counterpart front load washing machine, but they are easy to use and most economical.

Front loading washing machine

As the name suggests, clothes in such a washing machine are loaded from the front side as its drum sits horizontally. The front-load washing machine is an advanced technology washing machine nowadays. Front-load washing machines are equipped with lots of advanced features like a timer for when to start and stop the machine, soak the clothes, hot water supply, more than 30 wash programs, and advanced child lock.

Top loading washing machine vs front-loading washing machine

Front loading washing machines give better wash quality, number wash program, but highly expensive, whereas top-loading washing machines give better wash quality, few advanced features within a small budget. You can refer our post top loading vs front loading washing machine for more information.

Washing machine capacity depends on the number of people are in your family. Washing machine capacity measured in kilograms, it's directly linked with the weight of the clothes that you are planning to wash. Some clothes are lightweight but take much space such as a blanket, whereas some other clothes, height weight but takes little space like jeans. It is advisable that, fill the drum one of the third only so that clothes can move easily and gives better wash quality. For more information on how to decide washing machine size, refer to our other popular post.

If you have a house full of people and wash the clothes once or twice in a week, then go for then go to the large capacity washing machine. Whereas, in case of frequently once in a day or once in two days go for the medium size washing machine. However, if you choose n small size washing machine, it’s not a big problem. You have to divide clothes in multiple wash cycles. Only the thing is it takes a long time to wash all the clothes.

Things to keep in mind before buying a washing machine

In this how-to select washing machine in India, it is also very important to examine some of the features you need to put into consideration before you eventually pick up a washing machine for use at Indian home:

The material of the drum/tub – The tub is made of stainless steel, porcelain enamel, or plastic. Plastic tubs last longer than enamel that can chip and rust. Nevertheless, the stainless steel tubs are the best, in view of the fact that they ca withstand high spin speeds and they are the most long-lasting.

Wash settings – Some of the available washing machines come with wash programs like water level alternatives and gentle wash for frail clothes. With any of these washing machines, it is possible for you to customize and save favorite settings, which can be adjusted through a touch screen, touchpad or rotary controls. Washing machines with wash settings are the cheapest.

Spin cycle – This feature is used for drying clothes and it is determined as revolutions per minute. Note the fact that the higher the revolutions per minute, the better it will dry your clothes, depending on the types of clothes you want to dry. The spin cycle for frail clothes is 300-500 rpm, while the spin cycle for thicker clothes like jeans is around 1,000 rpm.

Fuzzy logic – This is the feature that selects the best washing conditions automatically, depending on the quality of the clothes you are washing. In addition, fuzzy logic notices the weight of the laundry and subsequently establishes how much time, detergent and water needed to clean the load. Hence, there is no hassle for you concerning the settings of the washing machine.

Temperature control – This is the feature that will help you regulate the temperature of the water if the washing machine comes with an in-built heater. Temperature control is very useful during winter. Apart from that, hot water will clean your clothes better than cold water. There are also a number of machines with a steam setting that also help in fighting stains and dirt.

Time delay – Gives you the opportunity of loading your washing machine with the intention of starting it afterward. The time delay feature is beneficial if you want to shun noise at particular times. On the other hand, the pre-soak feature lets you soak your clothes for a certain period of time before the wash cycle begins automatically.

The bottom line - The bottom line of this how-to select washing machine in India is that the top or front loading washing machines are very easy to handle, less expensive with less maintenance, but front-loading types of washing machines are better in efficiency and performance.