Which is the best economical and heavy duty washing machine suitable for my home is a question that can easily stir up one’s mind, especially that of the ladies' because so many brands make these machines these days. Also, what makes the buying decision even more difficult is the availability of different types of washing machines among:- Fully automatic- Top loading, Front loading and Semi automatic in almost every price range.
You would be glad to know that my father works at a company that manufactures home appliances like geysers, washing machines, microwaves. So at home, we frequently have a conversation about commercial appliances, what goes into making them, how brands try to do cost cutting etc.
Today, I'll try my best to pass on the knowledge that I have acquired from my father over the years, to you so as to help you make a good decision.
So without further a do, let’s begin...
You would be glad to know that my father works at a company that manufactures home appliances like geysers, washing machines, microwaves. So at home, we frequently have a conversation about commercial appliances, what goes into making them, how brands try to do cost cutting etc.
Today, I'll try my best to pass on the knowledge that I have acquired from my father over the years, to you so as to help you make a good decision.
So without further a do, let’s begin...
- Physical form of the Washing Machine
As the name suggests, a fully-automatic washing machine automates the entire process of washing the clothes. Apart from loading and unloading the clothes and choosing the ‘wash-mode’, one does not generally need to perform any further manual inputs. This facet of fully-automatic washing machines is especially a boon for homes where the members find themselves occupied by their profession for the most part of their day. In addition to that, a fully automatic washing machine typically requires just about half the quantity of water to wash a certain volume of clothes in comparison to a semi-automatic one. Thus, in the homes where water supply is slightly at a premium, a fully-automatic washing machine is more advantageous.
In contrast, semi-automatic ones require manual inputs at several intervals during the wash cycle. Filling the water to the desired capacity based on the volume of the clothes to be washed, transferring the damp clothes from the ‘washer’ drum to the ‘spin’ drum, once the washer timer is complete, draining the water from the washer drum after the wash cycle, etc. The manual control one is able to have over the wash cycle in a semi-automatic washing machine is highly appreciated at homes where the ones who do the laundry generally are the elderly and/or the non tech savvy individuals.
On the flip side, due to the manual inputs a semi-automatic washing machine demands at certain intervals and absence of provision of cut-off mechanism to restrict the supply of water into the washer drum once it is filled to its fullest capacity might lead to immense water wastage if one gets engaged in another activity during the course of the wash cycle and forgets about turning off the water supply. However, one aspect where a semi-automatic washing machine beats a fully-automatic one hands-down is its initial price. Being a more economical choice, the users who are slightly conservative about finances would appreciate its lower price tag.
Thus, if one is considering to make a purchase in a limited budget, a semi-automatic washing machine makes for a better choice. However, if peace-of-mind and quality of wash are the priorities, one would find oneself gravitating towards a fully-automatic one.
There are Pros and Cons of each type of washing machine and I would try my best to help you in making an informed decision.
The Fully automatic washing machines contain a single motor which is capable of doing both spinning as well as washing activities. These machines do all the work by themselves with no manual intervention required. Fully automatic washing machines come in two configurations, namely, front loading and top loading.
Let us take a look at them one by one.
- Top Loading (Fully automatic)
Agitators are devices which puts objects into motion, here clothes. They have a pole with fins that protrudes from the bottom of the drum and moves the clothes around. (see the image above)
Impellers have propellers at the bottom, which churns the water to move the clothes. An impeller is a low-profile rotating hub. The vanes of the impeller create turbulent currents in the wash water as the impeller rotates, these currents move the clothes through the water and clean them without the impeller making physical contact with the clothes.
PROS: You can add clothes midway through the wash cycle. They have a shorter wash cycle. Top loaders are better for your back as the door is on the top of the machine, there’s less bending needed to get your clothes in and out.
CONS: They use a lot of water. Those with agitators are rougher on clothes, while impellers are good for delicate materials, but tend to tangle clothes.
- Front loading (Fully Automatic)
In these machines, the drum rotates, tumbling the clothes to clean them.
PROS: These are the most energy- and water efficient and also wash the cleanest. Most of them have a built-in heater to heat water. They have a large capacity — some front-loaders can fit as many as 15 bed sheets in one load.
CONS: These washing machines are more expensive than the others and require a permanent water connection and the pressure of the water has to be high. You cannot add clothes midway through a cycle. Front loaders are heavy and cannot be moved easily.
- Semi Automatic
These are the entry-level washing machines and have two tubs, one for washing and the other for drying. So you need to keep shifting the clothes. You have to add the water to the tub before washing your clothes, and then will have to drain it when the cycle is finished.
PROS: These don't need a permanent water connection and also use less water than the fully automatic ones. You can also closely regulate the wash cycle in this type of washing machine, which ensures that you don’t end up using more power than required. They are also the cheapest and usually cost Rs 7,000-12,000.
CONS: These machines require manual intervention. They are also bigger in size and need more space, though they have wheels for mobility. Only Top loading feature exists, no front loading.
Personally, I would rather suggest you to not go for the semi-automatic one, as the manual intervention and labor required in these machines outweigh their lesser cost. At my home I have a Top Loading washing machine and it has been doing its job perfectly fine since the past 4 years, I just once had to get its top door replaced as my younger sister had put a steel bucket full of dirty clothes soaked in water on the top door which lead the door to succumb to its injuries. Apart from that everything is good with the washing machine.
Now, having discussed the Pros and Cons of the two configurations of washing machines, let us proceed to learn the capacity of the washer drum one should purchase the washing machine with so as to accommodate one's cloth wash requirements -
- Washer Drum Capacity
There is a thumb rule to follow - take into consideration the number of members in one’s family. Depending upon that, below is mentioned the washer drum capacity one should opt for in a washing machine that would accommodate the wash requirements -
- For a family consisting 1–3 members, a washing machine with the washer drum capacity up to 6.5 kg would be adequate to cater to the wash requirements of the family.
- For 4–6 members, a washing machine with the washer drum capacity up to 7.5 kg would be adequate to cater to all the wash requirements.
- For more than 6 members, it would be wise to decide on a washing machine that comes fitted with at least 8 kg capacity washer drum, considering apart from daily wear clothes, some large cloth items like curtains, blanket covers would also be occasionally washed.
Now, having discussed about each category of washing machine in detail along with the washer drum capacity, let us zero down on some of the best products available in the market that not only provide potent cloth cleaning capabilities, but also rank high on the reliability factor, thereby offering great value for one’s money.
Note: In our constant endeavour to assist you in making an informed buying decision, we test the new launches of the products on multiple parameters, and if they stand tall in our analysis we periodically add them to the below mentioned list of our recommended products. So, if you plan to make the purchase at a later time, you may visit the links once again at the very time of buying to ensure that the purchase turns out to be a very fruitful one.
Front Loading Washing Machine
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11, Best Choice 12, Best Choice 13 and Best Choice 14
Top Loading Washing Machine
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11, Best Choice 12 and Best Choice 13
Semi Automatic Washing Machine
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11 and Best Choice 12
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