Main Types of Washing Machines

Main Types of Washing Machines – Know What You Buy

All washers do the same thing: wash. But the way they do it, their technology, the space they occupy all differ. Today, we are lucky enough to have options, even among agitators. And there are also smart washers – often a part of a smart home. Naturally, there’s quite a long list of appliance brands and each brand makes washers with different features to meet the needs of the consumers. Some care more about the appliance’s energy efficiency, some focus mostly on the number of programs available, some really like features, like soft close, delay start, vibration control – just to name a few.

Right now, we care to explore the main advantages and disadvantages of the standard types of washers and thus, guide your way into buying the appliance that mostly meets your personal requirements. Let’s get down to it.

Top Load Washing Machines

Narrower than their front loading counterparts, top load washers are ideal for rooms where size matters. They are also excellent for those with back aches that cannot bend with ease. But due to their small size, such laundry machines don’t usually take an awful lot of load, while the programs are often limited. If you want to wash the quilt in the washer, it may not fit – not the king size. If you are thinking of getting a dryer on top of the washer, you cannot do it.

Front Load Washing Machines

The advantage of front load washers is their size. Due to that, manufacturers make appliances that can accommodate quite large loads of clothes. Also, they can become stackable – if you want to save space and have a dryer too. Apart from having several programs, front-loaders are also considered better than their top load counterparts in terms of performance. They clean better – perhaps, due to the variety of programs too. But they are usually more expensive than top-loading washing machines and vibrate more. In their defense, the design and color options are plenty.

Washers & Dryers All-In-One

With a dryer & washer combo, you have two appliances in one. That’s a great space-saving appliance and also, spare you from having to transfer the wet clothes from the washer to the dryer. Don’t worry about problems. At it is often the case, if there’s a problem with the washer, you can still use the dryer until you get washing machine repair – and vice versa. But this also depends on the model and the nature of the problem. For example, if the washing machine technician tells you that the problem is not worth fixing, you will still need to replace the appliance, although the dryer still works. And such appliances do not come cheap. But if you intend to get both a dryer and a washer, a combo would be cheaper than buying two separate appliances.

Stackable Dryers and Washers

Stackable units are great when you need both appliances but don’t have the room for them. You get the washer and put the dryer on top of it. Dryers do not drop easily, as long as they seat well on the washers. The main disadvantage of stackable washers and dryers is that you cannot easily clean behind and around the appliances since such units are extremely heavy. But they bring the convenience of large appliances.

Laundry Centers

Laundry centers resemble stackable appliances, minus the fear of having one slipping off the other. In the case of laundry centers, you actually get one unit with a dryer and a washer attached. So, no fear of having the dryer stacked over the washer or worrying about finding space for both appliances. Laundry centers are quite narrow appliances with the pros and cons that come with it – they occupy less space but also wash & dry limited clothing. Another downside is that this is still one unit – like combos. If one must go, both go.

How to choose your laundry machine?

Weigh your needs. For example, if you are a big family and want a heavy-duty washer that could take big loads, prefer a front-loader. If you have limited or not space in the laundry room or bathroom, get a stackable unit or a combo. It’s vital to pay attention to the features of the appliance, making sure it has what you want, check its energy efficiency so that you won’t pay much for energy consumption, and measure your space with precision.