How to choose a dishwasher or washing machine in the sales
Washing machines and dishwashers are two big favourites on the showroom floors for the seasonal sales.
Let’s seize a great washing machine or dishwasher being rudely pushed aside by new spring stock that likely has little to no improvements, and a bigger spend. Ensure you get a meaningful sales discount (extended warranties don’t count).
Versatile, quiet and energy efficient. There’s no compromise on these three. The dB performance of your washing machine might only alert you if you have it parked out in a broken-plan space, but it’s a characteristic that’s getting a lot of attention from manufacturers and not just in the upper tiers of branding.
Whirlpool’s latest 9kg, W8W946WR and 10kg W8W046WR offer a hushed spin cycle close to a whispered conversation (and make a note of those SupremeSilence models, as earlier models will be noisier).
Its new Zen technology replaces the traditional belt drive with a traction motor that directly rotates the drum resulting in less vibration, lower spin speed, and more peace and quiet.
A-rated with a 1400 spin speed, Whirlpool’s Freshcare system tumbles and massages clothes on completion of the cycle ensuring they stay fresh until you fish them out — useful if you’re running at odd periods using time-of-use energy tariffs.
I’m impressed by the variety of features and the styling of this one, with a large black porthole for easy loading, reminiscent of more expensive German machines like the Samsung, Bosch, Miele and LG. 9kg €799.99 and €899.99 for the vast Whirpool 10kg model, various suppliers. Spending more money, with energy savings on better machines, the total life cost counts.
Check the dB (sound) rating. 70dB would be equivalent to human conversation. Anything over 77dB will be relatively loud on spin, not an issue in a dedicated laundry room.
Top of the laundry tree, LG has concentrated creeping improvements on quicker washes with app control and impressive clothes conditioning. If you regularly use fast washes, its 12kg V10 F4V1012WTSE Turbowash 360, offers multi-directional pressure jet sprays directly onto clothes, cutting the wash time to just 39 minutes, and blistering home with a 1400rpm spin when required.
LG machines are expensive largely due to their celebrated German-designed direct-drive motors, and tech’ goodies that include voice control, remote control, and app monitoring.
These are now twinned to AI to analyse load weight and softness to automatically adjust movement during a wash. Steam gets rid of 99.9% of dust, allergens, and mites, ideal for anyone with respiratory issues. €1,149.99, with a 10-year warranty on the motor.
In budget washers, you can still hit an A-efficiency rating, but you might have to dispense with the full dream of active steam. Logik delivers a wide choice of entry-level washers, and I was impressed by the Logik L914WM23 9 kg model. With sensor technology, it’s user-friendly with a My Cycle feature to allow you to tailor your favourite laundry program.
The 15-minute Quick Wash and handy Drum-Cleaner Reminder Light are nice extras, and to my surprise for this price point, it even has a steam function (only for a standard wet wash) to drive out grot and odours; €329.99, both at Currys.ie.
To save money on your machine, forget about stalking it with an app, and settle for 1200/1400rpm spin speeds; 1600rpm speeds are rarely useful and can stress garments.
AEG was voted number one with the Good Housekeeping Institute this year, and they deserve this accolade for addressing real-life problems including slow-dissolving detergent pods. The AEG LFR84146UC is a purring Porsche of 10kg machines in a softly cushioned drum, 1400rpm spin speed and A-rating for washing and spinning.
AEG's latest machines premix the detergent and softener before they enter the drum, dissolving pods in the drawer with jets of water. For short, cool loads this can speed up efficacy by 60%.
The PreciseWash function automatically adjusts the settings based on the load and can reduce energy, time, and water consumption by up to 40%.
This machine like just about all choices on the shop floor over the €700 mark, includes a steam cycle, Steam Refresh — a superb hygiene choice to sharpen shirts, when you don’t want to run a full wet load, or need extra help to drag bacteria out of the fibres of your favourite garments in 25 minutes.
Steam cycles can also be fragranced with dedicated additives. AEGs Power Care 59, I think, would be a favourite compromise for a fast wash of 5kg for frantic family days at an energy-saving 30C, with a standard Eco cycle demanding just 0.42kWh (half a typical electricity unit); €1,009, Harvey Norman.
To discover what you can save on a more efficient machine over a year and its entire lifetime, read the EU Energy Label for a typical year’s kWh use on a cotton cycle. Swipe your phone on the QR code to discover more features.
What’s new in your favourite dirty dish cupboard? I was surprised to find Candy, a budget brand had leapt into smart, connective, app control.
Not sure about how to wash that particular mug or cooking pan? No problem. Use the Candy App to get a complete washing guide, select the kind of kitchenware you need to wash, the dirt level, and load to get a suggestion for the perfect and most appropriate cycle to achieve perfect washing results.
The Candy hOn App keeps track of the right schedule for your dishwasher maintenance and allows you to directly launch the “Autocleaning" cycle to clean and sanitise the tub. This can be used with the Candy hON App (Apple Store and Google Play).
The Candy Rapido CF 3E9L0W is one of the fastest and largest dishwashers on the market with a versatile Maxitub that can be moved around to take even large, awkward pieces; €329.99. In terms of energy efficiency, most new machines are reasonably sustainable performers with a D rating, demanding just 85kWh over an entire year.
Don’t just accept the cavity in cubic litres and place settings. Wrestle with the showroom piece to see just how versatile it really is.
Top dishwashers, including Fischer Paykell, Miele, AEG and LG, will include automatic dosing from a monthly detergent fill, and 50% reductions in water use for smaller loads. The gains are otherwise slight.
The semi-integrated Miele G7200SCIWH boasts a rare A rating (54kWh), an improved cutlery drawer (ho-hum) and some fancy energy tickling, including SensorDry that adapts the programme for less spotting and faster drying results.
I really do like the Ecofeed, something that should be obligatory for all large appliances of every brand. This enables you to select the option which is best for the environment.
You can view the actual consumption values in the display at the end of the programme. €1,549, various suppliers. If you simply have to have tech toys and elite engineering, this and other super washers should be watched carefully for offers in December and January.
Ensure you know the brand number of the exact machine you're determined to snag. See what the outlet offers in a good value, professional install and plumb with your delivery, which can vary wildly from €40-€65 per appliance.
You could double or even triple your spending for a C rating in a 12-13 place setting and only manage 75kWh per year. Don’t rinse yourself into an overspend for energy efficiency alone.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
