Washing Machine Buying Guide

A washing machine is a wonderful device that eliminates the hassle of washing and drying your clothes so you can unwind or focus on your work. Which washing machine ought you to purchase in India, then? Let’s take a closer look at this washing machine buying guide to identifying your needs and the products that will satisfy them.

In India, there are numerous washing machine models available in semi- and fully-automatic configurations. It makes sense to select the option that best meets your needs, but there are many factors to take into account.

This washing machine buying guide can assist you in selecting the type, capacity, price range, and features that are crucial to consider.

Here we will discuss a few points you should keep in your mind before buying the perfect washing machine for your needs;

1. Decide on the Type of Washing Machine that best suits you

Regardless of size or cost, you can purchase a variety of washing machines in India. You will have to choose between the following two main machine types, along with a list of their advantages and disadvantages.

Semi-Automatic Washing Machines

The majority of homes have semi-automatic washing machines because they are more affordable and use less water than fully automatic ones. Two drums are included with these machines, one for washing and the other for drying.

Although a semi-automatic washing machine can complete some basic tasks on its own, it also needs manual labor.

Once the washing is finished, you must fill the tub with water and drain it using the drain settings. Moving the clothes from one tub to another for drying purposes is the next step, which is initially done manually before the appliance takes over.

A semi-automatic washer always loads from the top, uses less energy, and is simple to use. You don’t need to keep running the water through the tub after you fill it with water. There are predetermined settings that cause the washing drum to pause occasionally so that it can soak before restarting.

These are also much less expensive than their automatic counterpart, despite the fact that they use energy more slowly.

Fully-Automatic Washing Machines

In contrast to semi-automatic washing machines, fully automatic washing machines are truly automatic. All you need to do is load the machine with all of your clothing and take it out once the washing cycle is finished.

The machine handles everything, including pouring water, washing, and drying. It has a single tub that serves as both the drying and washing chamber. It’s interesting that after each cycle, it produces good results and is simple to use.

There are two different kinds of fully automatic washing machines, which are described below.

• Top-Load Washing Machines
• Front-Load Washing Machines

Which Type of Washing Machine is Best for me?

A semi-automatic washing machine is something that is meant for you if you are looking for affordable options, usually under Rs. 10,000; and have a limited water supply in your area.

Along with the low initial investment, the cost of detergent is typically lower as well because automatic washing machines typically require much more expensive detergent than semi-automatic ones.

2. Top Vs Front-Load Washing Machines

Even if your budget is flexible, it can be difficult to decide between a Top-Load and a Front-Load fully automatic washing machine.

It’s because each has advantages and disadvantages, some of which are already listed in the definition of the respective term. Let’s see how they both fare in the competition after that.

Both front-load and top-load washing machines require no human involvement when used in tandem because all you have to do is load and unload the clothes.

Although the top-load option is perfectly adequate, a front-load offers a higher wash quality. 

It appears that the majority of new features are first ported to front-loading machines, so if you purchase the most recent model, you will be practically at the top of your game.

Although top load and semi options also have access to these features, the front gets a head start. A top-load washer would only have 10 to 14 wash programs, whereas a front-load washer can have up to 100.

As previously stated, front-load washing machines are more expensive than other types because they use less water, make less noise, and use less energy while producing a higher-quality wash.

On the other hand, a top load will use a little bit more water, be a little bit noisier, and produce better-quality laundry (but not higher).

To put things in perspective, top-load semi-automatic options have medium water consumption, 3 to 6 wash programs, are less noisy and have medium wash quality, but they are significantly less expensive than any of the above-mentioned washing machines types.

3. Pick The Right Washing Machines Capacity

Before deciding on the ideal capacity to purchase when buying washing machines, there are a few factors to take into consideration. Here’s an estimate of the apartment’s capacity based on the number of family members.

It totally depends on the number of members you are, if the member is 1 or 2 then recommended load is 5-6 kgs, for 3-4 members the recommended load is 6-7 kgs, and for more than 6 members is 9 kgs. 

These are the suitable recommended capacities for the specified number of members and the estimated load, where both values are subject to significant variation.

Additionally, if your family does laundry frequently or has larger laundry needs, you would need a washing machine with a larger capacity to perform its tasks quickly.

4. Washing Machine Buying Guide in India

Depending on the type, capacity, and features a washing machine model offers, various appliance manufacturers may charge varying prices for it.

For instance, a semi-automatic washing machine can be purchased for between Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 15,000 on the market.

When in fully automatic mode, you can choose between two options: top-load and front-load, each with a different price range. The second most expensive washing machine is a top-load, fully-automatic model, with a price range of roughly Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,000.

On the other hand, a front load will cost your bank account between 25,000 and 50,000 rupees. Once more, these prices are representative of the general trend and could change depending on the models and features you select for your unit.

Bosch, IFB, Samsung, Siemens, Haier, and Samsung are some of the well-known washing machine brands that you can load out for. To find the best offers, you can also compare pricing between online and offline sources.

5. Features To Look Out For

Whether choosing a semi-automatic or fully automatic model, every washing machine manufacturer includes some features with the appliances. Let’s take a closer look at some of these features you can search for based on your requirements.

Fuzzy logic: Suitable for fully automatic machines, it chooses the wash cycle based on the load and dispenses the right volume of water and soap for washing.

LED display: Want to know the status of your wash programs? Check out the LED display. It does, however, come with an LED display that provides information on the program and the washing cycle among other things.

Time Delay: The wash cycle can be delayed using the time delay mode so that it is finished when you are ready to remove the clothes.

Temperature Control: A washing machine that operates partially automatically lacks this feature. However, a fully automatic washing machine might also have a feature called “Temperature Control” that allows you to change the temperature settings so that the water is hotter or cooler according to your needs.

For instance, the logic behind it is that washing cotton clothing in water that is hotter is best for cotton clothing.

Pre-soak settings: You may occasionally need to soak the clothes longer than necessary before starting a wash cycle. You can always put everything in the washer and wait a while before starting the wash cycle. As an alternative, pre-soak settings let users set a buffer time that will give the clothes enough time to soak before a chosen wash program is run.

6. Additional Information To Keep In Mind Before Buying A Washing Machine

The number of members, approximate load, and the appropriate capacity of the washing machine are listed under the “Capacity” table. It will help you determine the size of the washing machine you need based on your needs.

Always consider the drum’s construction quality when choosing a washing machine. Drums made of porcelain-enamel, plastic, or stainless steel are all available and each has advantages and disadvantages.

In this case, plastic will last longer and stainless steel will be more durable and able to withstand higher RPMs and more force than either of the alternatives.

Both fully-automatic and semi-automatic washing machine types have advantages and disadvantages that we have outlined in detail in the respected section above.

Frequently Asked Question