Before you buy any washing machine it is important to assess the utility, functionality and budget so that your need is well defined. This page discusses in detail on various aspects of buying a washing machine online in India.
More specifically you need to consider – the size of your laundry, frequency of usage, type of clothes, the available space, noise the machine makes etc to narrow your search. Energy and water saving is another important factor that impacts the total cost of ownership of the appliance.
Lets check each of these aspects in detail
What are the Different Types of Washing Machines?
If you are buying a washing machine for home use, then note that they come in 3 different types:
- Semi automatic – Top Load
- Fully automatic – Top Load (Agitators and Impellers)
- Fully automatic – Front Load
1. Semi Automatic – Top Load
A semi-automatic washing machine contains two tubs, one for washing and the other for drying. Unlike a fully automatic washing machine, here after the washing cycle is complete you have to put the washed clothes in the drying tub for the drying cycle. This is more of an entry level washing machine.
Semi automatic machines require manual intervention in the controls. These are usually the twin tub machines. After the clothes are washed in one tub, they need to be transferred to the second tub for spinning. However, single tub semi-automatic machines are also available. They combine some of the features of automatic machines with the semi-automatic varieties.
2. Fully Automatic – Top Load
Fully automatic top loading washing machines come in two variants based on the underlying technology used – Agitators and Impellers.
- 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.
3. Fully Automatic – Front Load
Fully automatic front loading washing machine looks like a clothes dryer, with a clear door at the front for placing clothes inside. It moves clothes around by rotating the drum, tumbling them in the same way a dryer does.
Comparison – Semi Automatic vs Fully Automatic
Below table gives complete comparison of all different types of washing machines for a quick glance. With this, you can make a wise decision on buying a best washing machine online.
| Feature | Semi Automatic | Top Loading Agitator | Top Loading Impeller | Front Loading |
| Capacity | 4-8 Kg | 5.5-6 Kg | 5.5-10 Kg | 5-8 Kg |
| Wash Quality | Average | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Delicate Clothes | Ok | Rough | Good | Excellent |
| Wash Cycle | Fastest | Fast | Fast | Slow |
| Hot Wash | No | Some | Some | All |
| Space Required | More | Less | Less | Less |
| Easily Movable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Water Connection | Not required | Required | Required | Required with pressure |
Pros and Cons of Semi automatic and Fully Automatic:
| Semi Automatic Washing Machine | Fully Automatic Washing Machine |
|---|---|
| You need to manually fill water, rinse, dry clothes | Your intervention is not needed |
| Need to move clothes from washing compartment to drying. | Every thing is automatic including wash, rinse, dry. |
| One can see some stains left on the cloth after wash | No stains are left after the wash |
| Need to rub the clothes with scrub after wash | No need to do any scrubing |
How to Decide Washing Machine Capacity?
Washing machine capacity depends on the number of people are in your family. Washing machine capacity is measured in kilograms. Capacity is directly linked with weight of the clothes that you are planning to wash. Some clothes are lightweight but takes much space such as 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. So for buying a washing machine, if you need more details on the size, refer to below chart.
| Family size | Approximate capacity | Number of clothes |
|---|---|---|
| Single person or couples | 6kg | 2 shirts2 jeans1 bedsheet2 small towels2 pillowcases |
| Family of 3 members | 7kg | 3 shirts3 jeans1 bedsheet2 small towels2 pillowcases |
| Family of 4 members | 8kg | 4 shirts3 jeans1 bedsheet3 small towels3 pillowcases |
| Large family | 10+kg | 3 shirts3 jeans2 bedsheet6 small towels6 pillowcases |
What Should You Look for When Buying Washing Machine?
Below are some of the common considerations that each of you must make before deciding which washing machine type to chose.
1. Whether you have a small laundry room (or just a laundry corner)
Full-sized washers can be 24 to 30-plus inches wide (and some machines sport bulky, contoured fronts that add to the width), so start by grabbing your tape measure. Jot down the dimensions of your space, but also check that the washer will fit through the hallways and doorways on the way into the room. And consider other limiting factors, such as a washer door that will bang into the wall every time you open it.
If you’re faced with a super-narrow space, a front loader that stacks with the dryer may be your best bet.
2. Whether your laundry room isn’t in the basement
First, make sure the floor is properly reinforced for the weight of the machines. You may want a quieter model with features that reduce vibration and noise during the spin cycle so it’s not disruptive to your daily life. And think about splurging for a “fashion” color, since it’s likely your machine may be seen by guests more often than if it were hidden downstairs.
3. Whether you have a ton of wash to do
The tub dimensions are most important, and can range from about 2.45 cubic feet up to 5.6 cubic feet. You’ll find the largest capacity on a front loader or in a top loader without the central agitator. And consider bells and whistles like programmable settings (so older kids can help do their laundry with ease) or a pedestal that will save your back from endless stooping.
4. Whether you don’t want to spend a lot of money
A small budget doesn’t necessarily mean a sacrifice in performance, but you’ll likely get fewer fancy features. And don’t be swayed by trendy colors: You’ll save some more if you opt for a white model.
Traditional no-frill top loaders are the cheapest, but they use more energy to run. Use the Energy Guide estimates to factor in your energy costs over the 10-to-15-year life of the machine.
5. Whether you want to conserve water and electricity
Front loaders use way less water than traditional top loaders, which have to fill up entirely for the wash and rinse cycles. Opt for an Energy Star model, which reduces electricity and water use by 20% and 35%, respectively, over non-rated models. And check out those Energy Guide labels as a basis for comparison from model to model. However, remember that your actual costs will vary, based on your usage and the utility costs in your area.
6. Whether you’re always fighting tough stains
In our tests, front loaders provided better cleaning results than top loaders. Look for a machine with a special stain-remover or presoaking cycles, or one with a steam feature.
A “cool” temperature setting that mixes in a bit of hot water with the cold will help powdered detergent dissolve completely for better stain removal.
7. Whether you’re particular about clothing care
You’ll prefer a front-loader or a top-loader without the agitator, which can cause clothing to tangle and is harder on fabric. Some higher-end models have nifty special cycles designed to clean specific materials, from denim to towels to comforters to hand-washables, and more. Also look for custom features like steam for better stain removal, adjustable spin speeds to reduce tangling, and sanitizing cycles to kill germs.
8. Key Features to Watch out When Buying Washing Machine
- Material of the drum/tub: The tub can be made of plastic, porcelain-enamel or stainless steel. The first two are cheaper. Plastic tubs are more durable than enamel ones, which can chip and rust. Stainless steel tubs are the best as they are the most durable and can withstand high spin speeds.
- Temperature control: If the washer has an in-built heater, this feature will help adjust the temperature of the water. This can prove useful in winter. Besides, hot water cleans clothes better. Some of the machines have steam setting, which helps fight dirt and stains well.
- Time delay & pre-soak: Time delay allows you to load the washing machine and start it later. This is useful if you want to avoid the noise at certain times. The pre-soak facility allows you to soak the clothes for a specified period, after which the wash cycle starts automatically.
- Fuzzy logic: This feature automatically chooses the best washing conditions depending on the quantity of clothes. It detects the weight of the laundry and then determines how much water, detergent and time is required to clean the load. So, you don’t need to bother with any settings.
- Spin Cycle: The spin cycle for drying is measured as revolutions per minute (rpm). The higher the rpm, the better it will dry your clothes. However, this will depend on the types of clothes. For delicate clothes, the spin cycle is 300-500 rpm, while for thicker items, such as jeans, it is about 1,000 rpm.
FAQs When Buying Washing Machine Online
There are many popular brands – Whirlpool
, LG, Samsung, and Haier are all some of the very popular washing machine brands in India.All of them are of good quality, but as with any electronic goods, it depends. Therefore, we suggest you go with the features and top brands when buying washing machine online.
A semi automatic with dryer of 6.5 kgs capacity will cost you around INR 11000. Similarly, entry level fully automatic machine costs you around INR 13000.
In summary, there are many choices when it comes to buying a washing machine in India, but it really comes down to your laundry needs. Check the detailed criterias above and make a wise decision by yourself.
