For the last seven years, advertisers have been actively promoting direct drive washing machines, vying with each other to praise the advantages of such equipment over classic belt drive machines. So much has been said on this topic that it is now impossible for the average consumer to figure out what is true and what is fiction in this array of information. To “separate the wheat from the chaff,” let's look at reviews from consumers who actually used such washing machines, what were their impressions?
Types of washing machines by rotation transmission method
Washing machines presented in the retail chain have different designs and technical characteristics, but each of them can use only one of two methods of transmitting rotation from the motor to the drum. A distinction is made between transmission by belt and pulleys and direct drive. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. To figure out which is better, it’s worth taking a closer look at them.
Belt transmission
This type of washing machine was the first to appear on the market and still enjoys stable popularity. Each manufacturer, without exception, has belt drive models in its product line. The main feature of units of this type is clear from the name itself - a pulley is mounted on the shaft of the commutator motor, which drives the machine through an elastic belt.
There are two types of belts:
- wedge-shaped (single-stranded);
- polywedge-shaped (multi-stranded).
The second type of belts is most common. They are large, their working surface is several identical “streams”, each of which moves in its own groove on the pulley. Due to their design, such belts are obviously more durable, provide better grip, and thus better transmission of torque.
The belt is made of high quality rubber, which is reinforced with strong threads. Due to its elasticity, the drum starts and stops smoothly, without jerking, which reduces the load on the engine. The tachogenerator is responsible for regulating the speed. Depending on the selected program, it increases or decreases the current in the windings.
Direct drive
Most modern washing machines in the upper price segment do not have a belt drive. In them, the drum is installed directly on the rotor shaft using a special bushing; this is the so-called direct drive. Such units use an inverter motor, the speed of which is regulated by changing the frequency of the supplied current.
You can often find models of this type that “know how” to weigh loaded laundry. Based on this indicator, the control module adjusts the rotation speed, providing ideal conditions for washing.
Popular Washing Machines With Inverter Motor: Characteristics and Reviews
pros
1. Maximum load 6 kg.
Believe me, this is exactly the case when the more, the better. Because if you look at the machine loading table, we will see that while cotton can be loaded with 6 kg, then synthetics can only be loaded with 4 kg. For machines with a smaller load volume, the numbers are reduced proportionally. 2. Balance. He's excellent. If at medium speeds during spinning there is still some vibration, then at maximum 1200 the machine sits like a glove. 3. Melody. High frequencies drill into the brain and hurt the ears. If you are in another room in a noisy environment, you can always hear. If it annoys someone, don't sit near the car. If you want music, buy a radio already. There is a melody to hear the end of the wash.
4. Silent. And all thanks to direct drive. Being next to the closed bathroom door, it is not clear whether the machine is working at all.
5. Availability of a wash end timer.
6. Drum cleaning mode.
7. 13 programs for every taste.
8. Clean powder flush from the tray.
9. Easy opening and closing of the loading hatch. The comparison is made with Siemens of a similar price, which was also a candidate for purchase.
10. Motor warranty is 10 years.
11. Design. This program selection knob... I could turn it forever, watching the LEDs flash alternately.
12. Spin class B. And it spins really well. Basically, the spin class of machines in this price category is C, lower.
13. Quick unlocking of the lock after finishing washing. You just need to turn off the machine from the network. Which is necessary for safety reasons, by the way.
14. An original method for diagnosing machine problems. She can communicate with the service center that your Terminatrix at the beginning of the third part of Terminator.
Minuses
1. The build quality of the case is not very good, but if you don’t look closely at the joints of the case and the top cover, overall the machine looks beautiful.
2. Very short power cord. In my opinion, this is the main and only significant drawback. I had to buy a 3 meter extension cord.
3. If you turn off the machine immediately after finishing the wash, it plays the turn-on melody and turns on the LEDs as if it were turned on. Not that this is a disadvantage, but it took some getting used to. If the machine turned off long before you pulled the plug from the socket, then this effect is not observed.
A comment
The car was purchased after the untimely death of the Ardo T80X, purchased in the mid-2000s. In comparison, these machines are like heaven and earth, despite the seemingly significant design flaw of the current machine compared to a top-loading machine. The washing quality is excellent, plus the machine allows you to control the washing time. The criticism of the machine by previous speakers is mostly far-fetched, and the one who said that the water cannot be drained from the machine using conventional methods should not be allowed near household appliances at all.
Advantages and disadvantages of both types of machines
The question of whether it is better to transmit rotation through a belt or direct connection is still open. Models of both designs continue to coexist peacefully on store shelves; manufacturers are in no hurry to adjust the model range, therefore, the choice remains with the buyer himself.
Pros and cons of belt drive
Machines in which the drum rotates thanks to a belt and pulleys are a time-tested design. Over the years, manufacturers have developed optimal assembly technologies, which ensure:
- significantly lower price of the device;
- fairly long service life (up to 15 years or more).
- low load on the engine, due to the absence of a rigid coupling between the motor and the drum.
It is also impossible not to note the main advantage of such a scheme - ease of repair. In the vast majority of cases, failure of the washing machine drive is caused by belt wear. Its price is extremely low, and the replacement can be done with your own hands in literally 20-30 minutes.
These are all advantages, and they are significant, but the belt also has disadvantages. Among other things:
- smaller tank volume with the same external dimensions of the body, which is caused by the need to place a belt and pulleys inside;
- high noise level, especially with uneven distribution of laundry;
- obviously higher load on bearings;
- the need to regularly replace the engine brushes and the belt itself.
These disadvantages are quite significant, but in most cases they are compensated by the low price of purchasing and operating the device.
Pros and cons of direct drive washing machines
Models with a new type of transmission mechanism are actively promoted on the market. Marketing specialists are full of compliments, describing all the advantages of direct drive, which eliminates belt drive. Some of their statements are controversial, but in general, such devices do have a number of advantages. Among other things, the following cannot be ignored:
- larger drum volume due to the absence of a belt and pulleys;
- high reliability due to the absence of an intermediate link between the engine and the drum;
- significant energy savings due to the use of inverter motors;
- low level of vibration and noise even at high speeds;
- load control, indication of exceeding the permissible weight of laundry;
- effective washing, simple diagnosis of problems with direct drive parts.
Most manufacturers of this kind of washing machines offer a ten-year warranty on the engine, which cannot but please buyers, but this does not exclude the possibility that some other part will fail during this period.
The advantages of direct drive washing machines look very significant, but before making a final decision, it is worth considering the obvious disadvantages; alas, they also exist. Those who are going to buy a washing machine of this type should take into account the following disadvantages:
- obviously higher price of purchase, operation, repair;
- sensitivity to power surges, such a washing machine should be turned on only through a stabilizer;
- quick erasing of the sealing gland.
It can be assumed that the above-mentioned disadvantages of direct drive are only a temporary phenomenon and over time, manufacturers will find a way to deal with them.
HAIER HW80-B14686
CHARACTERISTIC
A wonderful, functional direct drive washing machine. Modern, attractive design is combined with a large number of washing modes and additional, useful options. And the presence of innovative technologies makes the process of operating the machine enjoyable, without any difficulties.
+ Pros of HAIER HW80-B14686
- The machine washes effectively, cleaning any fabric even from heavy soiling.
- The large drum volume of 55 liters allows you to wash clothes weighing 8 kg at a time. There is a convenient drum light.
- Electronic type of machine control. The digital display has indicators of various parameters: the total washing time and the time until it ends, the load and the progress of the wash.
- Front loading of laundry. In this case, the hatch opens 180 degrees.
- A good spin rate for laundry is 1400 rpm.
- There are such convenient functions as automatic weighing of loaded laundry, adjusting the water level and temperature, turning on steam during washing, which makes cleaning even better, and a 24-hour delay start.
- If necessary, you can add laundry through a special hatch while the wash is already running.
- 16 different washing programs.
- A well-thought-out security system, which is achieved through child protection technologies, against leaks and water overflow. There is a drum imbalance control function.
- Economical consumption of water and electricity.
— Cons of HAIER HW80-B14686
- There is only one minus - a fairly high price - about 44,000 rubles.
Thematic materials
4 Best Front Load Washing Machines
4 best inexpensive washing machines
5 best Asko washing machines
6 best Hotpoint-Ariston washing machines
5 best Ardo washing machines
10 best semi-automatic washing machines
8 best Hansa washing machines
10 best washing machines
6 Best Haier Washing Machines
As a subtotal
All of the above allows us to conclude that an ideal washing machine does not exist. This is relevant for all its consumer characteristics, including the type of transmission of rotation to the drum shaft. Each of the existing types has its own positive and negative sides; you need to choose based on your own preferences and financial capabilities; in any case, you should buy only equipment from famous manufacturers. Products from a well-known brand are a guarantee of durability and quality, regardless of technical features.
Several common models with different transmission types
To get a complete picture and simplify the choice of a new washing machine, it is worth comparing two types of machines from the same manufacturer. This will give you the opportunity to navigate the parameters and evaluate the difference in cost.
Washing machines from the LG range
Models F-80B8LD0 and F-80B8MD have completely identical technical characteristics, the only difference is the type of drive. The first has a direct drive drum, the second has a belt drive. Both of these devices belong to the class of front-loading machines.
The machines are narrow, the dimensions of each of them are 60x44x85 cm. They have the same energy consumption at level A+, washing class A, maximum spin speed of the drum 800 rpm. Both machines offer the same set of programs and additional features. At the same time, a model with direct drive is sold for an average of 25 thousand rubles, the price of a machine with a belt fluctuates at the level of 21-23 thousand rubles.
Hotpoint-Ariston RST 702 X and VML 7023
These models are also almost identical. There are minor nuances in terms of design, but otherwise there are no significant differences, except for the type of drive. Both washing machines can load up to 7 kg of dry laundry, and both have low energy consumption. The maximum spin speed of the drum can reach 1000 rpm, and there are 16 programs to choose from.
With completely comparable technical characteristics, a model with direct drive is sold for 20 thousand rubles, a device with a belt drive for only 16 thousand rubles. The difference in cost is quite significant.
Bosch models with different drive types
As in previous cases, the WAT 28541 and WAW 28740 models have completely identical parameters, the difference lies in the type of transmission. Each of them, with energy consumption class A+++, can efficiently wash up to 9 kg of dry laundry. You can choose from a complete list of necessary programs and a number of additional functions, including delayed start, drum illumination, etc. At the same time, a model with a belt drive will cost the buyer about 50 thousand rubles, and a similar one with direct drive will cost almost 70 thousand rubles.
A variety of washing machines is always good; the buyer should have the opportunity to choose. Which model to take: with a time-tested belt drive or a modern innovative one with an inverter motor and direct drive is, of course, up to the buyer to decide. At the same time, it is important to take into account all the technical characteristics of the device; this is guaranteed to protect you from disappointment in the purchase.
LG F-1096SD3
Easy to use
Good washing machine with front loading and direct drive. The model is equipped with a removable cover, which allows you to embed the machine into furniture. Easy to operate, synchronizes with a smartphone, which allows you to control its operation remotely.
+ Pros of LG F-1096SD3
- Electronic control via digital display. It is possible to connect to a smartphone.
- Small dimensions: the depth of the machine is only 36 cm.
- It uses electricity and water very economically; only 39 liters of water are used per wash.
- Possibility to adjust the spin of the laundry.
- Maximum speed - 1000 rpm.
- You can reduce the spin speed or even make it zero.
- Modern technologies ensure safe operation of the machine. There is protection against children and against housing leaks, the ability to control the level of foam and drum imbalance.
- The washing machine has 13 different washing modes.
- You can set the washing time by scheduling the machine to turn on, for example, at night.
- Informs about the end of washing with pleasant music.
— Cons of LG F-1096SD3
- There is no way to dry laundry.
- The drum has a small volume; it can hold no more than 4 kg of laundry.
- The drum is made of plastic, so some metal items of clothing may scratch it.
