Top-loading washing machine - which one to choose, reviews

Let's consider an automatic washing machine with vertical or top loading of laundry. When choosing a washing machine, the dimensions of household appliances are not the last thing to consider.

In modern space conditions, saving space with maximum functionality is important. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly determine what capabilities the bathroom has to make the washing process optimally comfortable.

Design feature of “verticals”
Advantages and disadvantages
Dimensions and capacity
Review of popular models
Consumer Reviews
Tips for Choosing the Best Top Loading AGRs
How to care and video
Catalog of washing machines with characteristics

Design feature of “verticals”

In a top-loading SMA, access to the drum opens from the top - this is its main difference from most models with a front door. Thanks to this parameter, the manufacturer has the opportunity to make narrower external dimensions of the equipment.

Vertical in the interior

It is convenient to place such equipment against any wall or in combination with other devices nearby. Due to the more secure mounting of the drum, the vibration of models of this type is reduced. This not only makes it easier to find a place for installation, but also reduces the pressure on the bearings.

Frontal or vertical – which machine is better to choose?

The choice of a front-loading or vertical-loading machine is based solely on user preferences. To begin with, the location of its installation, the volume of washed items, the number of required revolutions, the availability of programs, the level of desired security, design, etc. are determined. After this, you can approach a detailed consideration of the features of these devices, their advantages and disadvantages.

Frontal		Vertical
pros	Minuses	pros	Minuses
Can be built into furniture, under countertops	You must constantly bend over to load/unload laundry.	Compact in size, so they take up little space	You can't put anything on top because there is a hatch there
Top surface can be used as a shelf	Requires a lot of space for comfortable use	No need to bend over to load things into the hatch	They are expensive
Loading door opens wide	Expensive to maintain	A child will not be able to open it, nor will he be able to disable programs, since the buttons are located on the top of the case	Due to the small hatch, they are not suitable for processing large items
Good capacity	Weak door fastening	You can add laundry during operation, without turning off the device	Not very roomy
Can be used for washing large items	In inexpensive equipment, the drum flaps are rarely at the top, so you need to scroll it until they appear on top
Come in all kinds of sizes	Identical design, identical appearance and dimensions
They have a variety of designs and colors	Cannot be built into or under furniture
The control panel is located on the front of the case	Cannot be used as additional space to place any items
Transparent hatch through which you can observe the entire washing process
The cost is within reasonable limits

Thus, based on the advantages and disadvantages of each model, their characteristic features, mainly design, follow.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of “verticals” it is also worth noting:

ease of use;
ease of installation;

minimal risk of breakdowns;
ease of care and loading of laundry into the drum.

The design provides a key and door locking function. This model is preferable for those who keep animals at home, and is also difficult to access for children.

There are minor drawbacks:

limited assortment;
high price;
There is no option to select increased loading volumes.

SMA Candy

There is one more drawback, but it is not important for everyone. The cost of parts when replacing bearings is several times higher than that of an SMA with front-loading laundry. This is due to the fact that they are pressed into the hub. And you need to buy them assembled.

Life time

The operating time depends not only on the quality of the parts and the accuracy of their installation. This parameter is directly influenced by the intensity of use of equipment, and, accordingly, by the wear rate of components and mechanisms. The service life is largely affected by the vibration that occurs during spinning. The reasons for this phenomenon are poor alignment and improper placement of linen. There are nuances that depend on the type of technology.

So, in vertical models all the parts are located extremely close. Even slight vibration spreads to the components, causing them to quickly wear out and break down. Another factor is the likelihood of the drum door opening during the wash cycle. The shaking weakens the lock and comes out of the grooves. If this happens during spinning, the drum becomes deformed and replacing it is an expensive undertaking. According to statistics, vertical equipment breaks down more often, and its repair costs more.

Equipment with a front hatch is more reliable and durable if the level is correctly set and the loading weight is observed.

When these rules are not followed, the machine begins to shake violently during the spin cycle. At best, the belt falls off, and at worst, the bearing breaks.

Dimensions and capacity

Often, when purchasing a washing machine, the determining parameter of choice is its size. And one of the main functions of interest to the consumer is the maximum permissible weight of laundry.

Of the entire wide range of equipment, models with vertical loading do not have much variety:

width 40-45 cm,

depth 60 cm,

height 85 cm.

Understanding the volume of daily use of the machine and weekly laundry in kilograms will help you make your choice. The statement that small-sized equipment cannot accommodate a lot of things is wrong. If you move through the offers within the same price category from different manufacturers, the set of functions will be similar.

Expert opinion

I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.

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Daewoo produces compact models of non-standard dimensions.

Design

This question is of no small importance for people who do not want household appliances to spoil the interior of the room. The industry produces washing units in several colors, among which any consumer will find the right option for themselves.

So, on sale are models finished in the following tones:

white;
black;
under the tree;
under steel;
turquoise;
creamy.

An interesting approach for horizontal-type products was the addition of a hinged door to the body, covering the entire front part. If necessary, you can cover the canvas with a film that matches the color of the objects surrounding the device.

Review of popular models

Electrolux EWT 1064 ERW is the best machine for this category of top-loading equipment. Suitable for families not exceeding 4 people. The interface is equipped with 14 washing programs. It has a spacious drum, with a reliable locking system and the ability to add things during the process. Fully complies with energy consumption class A++, which significantly saves energy and water.

Electrolux EWT 1064 ERW

Equipped with 8 types of drum rotation - this makes washing effective and gentle at the same time. It is protected from leaks, has foam quantity control, and a timer with the ability to set a specific wash delay time. The noise level in this Electrolux equipment is slightly above average. Easy to manage and easy to care for.

Do you wash by hand?

Oh yes! No

Zanussi ZWQ 61216 WA

The world leader in the field of household and professional laundry, Zanussi, occupies a leading position in the Russian market. The automatic parameters are configured so that at high power the machine does not consume much energy. Washing efficiency class is excellent.

You shouldn't expect a quiet buzz from the model, although vibration is minimal. It is possible to independently adjust the balance of the drum using simple instructions.

Following consumer reviews, it is not difficult to draw a conclusion about the reliability, careful handling of things, and cost-effectiveness of devices from this company. Owners note the simplicity of the design and ease of control.

Whirlpool AWE 6516

The price is lower than competitors' analogues. It is possible to configure programs manually and change parameters during the washing process. There is an economical rinse and delicate spin mode, as well as a separate cycle for silk, wool, and knitwear. The biowash function provides the optimal temperature to activate the properties of enzyme gels.

A multi-stage washing safety control system guarantees careful handling of laundry and the elimination of operational problems. The main disadvantage of this Whirlpool washing machine is its high noise level.

Indesit ITW A 5851 W

Not a bad choice of model, based on the price-quality principle.

With small dimensions it perfectly accommodates 6 kg of laundry.
Saves water and has a quick wash and extra rinse mode. E
There is a pre-soak function.
Indesit machines are easy to use.

Candy EVOGT 12072 D

If there is a need to wash a lot and regularly, this is the optimal choice of brand. Capacious drum, multifunctionality, high washing class, the ability to program and delay the process for up to 24 hours.

AEG L 56126 TL

It’s not a budget option, but it’s worth the cost. Powerful but economical; compact but roomy. Huge selection of washing programs, high maximum spin speed. Does not damage delicate tissues.

Consumer Reviews

Two years ago we were choosing a new automatic machine for our small apartment. We settled on a top-loading model. To save space, we built it into the kitchen set. Very comfortably.

Egor, 34 years old, Pskov

We recently moved, and when we needed to purchase household appliances, we again bought a top-loading machine model. A similar design has served us for 12 years without any problems.

Elena, 36 years old, Belgorod

The top-loading machine turned out to have a manufacturing defect. Vibrated very strongly during the spin cycle. I had to replace it with a new one and ask the service department to immediately check the balancing of the drum mounting bolts. I advise everyone to solve this problem immediately.

Igor, 30 years old, Ekaterinburg

I was suspicious about the idea of buying a top-loading model, but it turned out that it not only saves space in the bathroom, but is also very roomy inside. I got used to the design features quite quickly and did not find any shortcomings

Daria, 32 years old, Ufa

Prices

The price of good and high-quality equipment cannot be low. But this axiom does not entirely apply to vertical models. While inferior to their horizontal counterparts in terms of functionality, they are more expensive. This is largely due to the complexity of their design and assembly. Another reason is low demand and almost complete lack of competition, which has resulted in limited supply in the market. In this regard, the seller sets the price, and the buyer has no choice but to pay it.

The cost of middle-class frontal models varies between 15,000-25,000 rubles, vertical analogues cost 20-30% more.

Tips for Choosing the Best Top Loading AGRs

SMA electrolux

If the consumer has chosen the vertical option of loading things into the drum, then the next option will be economical use. Do not forget that delicate washing requires more water, so opt for high-power models, but with functions for controlling the level of foam and the ability to switch the mode to a quick rinse.

Not all companies produce such washers. For example, in the assortment of Samsung, Atlant, Hansa there are no models with vertical loading of laundry. This is important to understand if you have a favorite brand whose products you prefer.

The following companies not mentioned above manufacture such machines: Bosch, Haier, Gorenje, Hotpoint-Ariston, Kaiser, Korting, LG, Midea, Miele, Weissgauff.

Important operating tips:

The instructions indicate maximum load for cotton fabrics. This must be taken into account when washing wool, synthetics and natural silk. The weight of such products will vary.
Price does not always determine the level of quality of washing. Most of the additional functions of newfangled models may not be useful, and the simplest modification will provide a good result.
Calculate the approximate amount of laundry for the family, taking into account the degree of soiling of the items. After this, they judge the dimensions of the drum and the need for soaking and high-temperature functions.
If there is a night program for electricity consumption, and you plan to wash at night to save money, then the noise level from the machine becomes an important parameter. The more powerful the machine and the higher the spin speed, the louder the sound will be.
For uniforms and a large number of work clothes with difficult stains, the steam function will not be superfluous. It will eliminate unpleasant odors and deal with stubborn stains of various natures.

If you need a washer and dryer, then you need to understand that not all manufacturers produce these models. List of companies manufacturing such SMAs: Brandt, Siemens, Ardo, Blomberg, Zarget.

Are you unplugging your washing machine?

Oh yes! No

What should you not overpay for?

When choosing a washing machine, you should think carefully and decide which features are really important and which ones you can easily do without. After all, as a rule, the more options built into a machine, the higher its cost.

So, it’s hardly worth overpaying for a machine with a capacity of 7-8 kg if the family consists of 2-3 people. The wash volume will be smaller, but the tank will still use a lot of energy. Also, don’t waste your money on a machine with a high spin speed. Revolutions of 1400-1600 per minute can simply ruin things - stretch them and make them unsuitable for further use.

Another warning for buyers is not to waste money on a low-quality machine or an unknown manufacturer. In this case, it is better to pay a normal amount, but as a result get a durable and high-quality unit.

How to care and video

The top-loading machine should be installed so that it is possible to open the top cover and leave it in this position for ventilation.

The rules of care are similar to standard cases:

Wipe internal and external surfaces with an absorbent cloth.
Run the drum cleaning program approximately once a month.

Use bleach products once a week or wash more often at 60 degrees. This will prevent a musty smell and prevent mold from spreading.
Check the lower twist-out filter after each cleaning of the drum and remove any debris from it.

When the fungus has already appeared, you just need to remove its traces with a mixture of boric acid and hydrogen peroxide (1:1), and then run a washing cycle with powder, in the presence of bleach, at 60 degrees.

To avoid scale deposits from hard water, use liquid detergents more often and wash regularly (once every 2 weeks) with citric acid. Tulle, colored fabrics and snow-white cotton will only improve their appearance in an acidic environment.

If when buying a washing machine you are guided only by its dimensions, then the best option is vertical loading. The remaining advantages of the design are secondary.

Variety of modes

Any washing machine, whether horizontal or vertical loading, differs in the set of modes that it carries. Let's consider several standard programs:

Cotton. From the name it is clear what type of fabric to wash, also suitable for linen. To wash cotton and linen, the machine sets the maximum speed and water temperature to 90 degrees; there are various improvements to this mode, such as “cotton 60” or “cotton with soaking”.
Synthetics. It washes all main types of synthetic fabrics and combinations of natural and synthesized fabrics. Washing takes place at 60 degrees and maximum speed.
Intensive This is usually the longest wash, can reach 120 minutes. The water is heated to 60 or 90 degrees, maximum spin. This program should not be used to wash fragile or easily damaged fabrics.
Manual. For gentle washing of delicate fabrics, creates an imitation of hand washing. There is no spin here and the water is heated by 30 degrees. Good for washing tulle or light dresses.
Delicate. It differs from hand washing only in the presence of a weak spin cycle. Suitable for wool and silk.
Fast. The shortest cycle. Washing time no more than 35 minutes at a water temperature of 30 degrees, medium spin. It is better not to wash fragile fabrics. Cannot cope with complex stains.

A number of models are equipped with functions such as delayed start, eco-wash and adjustment of the washing mode to the drum load. The latter helps save light and water. There are also programs for extra rinsing, pre-wash and light ironing.

The highest spin speed in such a machine is 1400 rpm. It's not much, but it's enough for a good spin.