Expert advice on choosing narrow washing machines

Depending on the type of construction, compact models are divided, as usual, into vertical and frontal. Front-mounted cars, in addition to narrow ones, can also be ultra-narrow (33-35 cm). The main advantage is saving space in the room, but the disadvantage is the inability to wash large items. When choosing compact equipment, you should first of all rely on technical indicators. Families with children should buy an automatic locking device.

If it is impossible to install a regular washing machine in the kitchen, and the bathroom is usually small, then you should pay attention to the efficiency of the device in a reduced size. Narrow washing machines are no less interesting precisely because they can be built into furniture or placed where a standard unit will not fit.

Main types of narrow machines

Until recently, it was believed that a non-wide-angle drum could only be found in units with vertical loading of laundry. But for vehicles with a front hatch for storing things in the tank, everything turned out to be the opposite.

The pioneer of custom-sized washing machines was LG. His first piece was placed under a bathroom sink. Other manufacturers have picked up on the trend, and the market has become flooded with narrow models for homes where the kitchen or bathroom does not allow for a standard appliance.

Compact washing machines are divided into two categories: thin models and ultra-narrow. In the first case, the depth drops from 40 centimeters to 36. Techniques from 33 to 35 cm are considered super shallow.

Regardless of size, all small appliances have the same functions as standard models.

All main modes and capabilities are available. True, the load of things is reduced, but there are models that can withstand five or more kilograms of laundry. The main difference is the cost. You have to pay extra for compactness.

Choosing a washing machine

If you cannot choose which washing machine is best to buy, then make a small list of requirements that will help eliminate unsuitable options. If you need to place the washing machine in a table or cabinet, then the front-loading type is ideal. Thanks to this, the machine can be easily built in, but you need to take into account the distance to which the hatch opens. If you have free space in the bathroom or empty corners in the room, then vertical loading is more suitable.

Many people think that top-loading washing machines do not have the ability to spin clothes, but this is not true. This function is present in machines with a vertical loading type, but it works much worse than with front-loading ones.

Previously, narrow 35 cm washing machines were produced by Samsung, but over the last decade their equipment has no width or loading depth of less than 40 cm. Typical representatives of this brand have a height of more than 80 cm, a width of 55 cm and a loading depth of 40-45 cm and above.

Advantages and disadvantages of small-sized equipment

It is rarely possible to fit a classic appliance into a furniture set. But there are no problems with small equipment. Such devices fit well into any environmental design and do not spoil the interior.

You can hide a narrow washing machine under the sink. This saves a lot of space in the room and also utilizes space that was never available. If the sink or dishwasher were not blocked by decorative cabinetry, the space underneath would be wasted.

The compactness of the devices is achieved through the use of a smaller drum. A smaller tank requires less detergent per wash.

But this advantage can be a big disadvantage. Narrow drums of washing machines are designed for an average of 3–3.5 kg of laundry. Although there are reinforced 5 kg models on sale, they also cannot cope with large items. It is almost impossible to wash a duvet or winter jacket.

Because they try to do this despite the warnings that the manufacturer necessarily includes in the manual, this method quickly fails. When overloaded, an imbalance occurs, vibration increases, and the load on the engine is even greater. The washer motor does not operate for long in this operating mode. Usually it is not enough until the end of the warranty period. But, having understood the cause of the breakdown, the repair shop will refuse to repair it for free.

Therefore, compact washing machines are suitable for single people, newlyweds or, finally, for a family with one child.

Speaking of advantages, it is worth noting the wide selection of narrow slots. The wealth of design and color options is amazing.

At the same time, manufacturers do not forget to support the necessary functionality and take care of savings. All devices operate in an economical mode for managing energy and water resources. Well-known brands don’t even raise prices for their products. The compact multifunctional appliance costs the same as a regular washing machine.

But in any case, the options were reduced. Because the dryer was removed from the device at a shallow depth. But this is not always considered a minus. There are many people who like to iron clothes that are not completely dry.

Washing machines in the price category 18,000-21,000 rubles

1. Electrolux EWM 1042 EDU (average price 18,700) has a sleek design and simple controls. Classic functions are complemented by washing modes for wool and delicate fabrics. The machine's drum holds 4 kg of laundry, and the delay start function allows you to wash even when you are not at home. The manufacturer has provided a child protection option.
2. Candy Holiday 1040 (costs RUB 19,400) has a classic set of functions. To improve the quality of washing, a special program “bio-enzyme phase” is provided. This function regulates fluctuations in washing temperature to better remove stains and reduce wear on items.
3. Electrolux EWM 1044 SEU is the most expensive representative of narrow washing machines. Its average cost is 20,800 rubles. For this money, the manufacturer promises energy consumption class A+, washing quality class A and spin category C. The unit has all the necessary washing modes, as well as additional ones: washing wool, silk items, down items and jeans, preventing fabric from creasing and a stain removal program. Among the useful features, the machine has a compartment for liquid detergent and a child lock option.

Advice. The lower the spin speed, the longer your items will stay like new. A spin speed of more than 1000 rpm causes the fabric to wrinkle more, and a speed of 1200 rpm almost dries things out. After this treatment they are more difficult to iron.

Before searching for the installation location, you need to add 1 cm to the depth of the washing machine for the technical gap between the wall and the body, and 5 cm for the water supply hose. It turns out that even for a narrow machine with a depth of 33 cm you need 39 cm of free space.

The classic diameter of a machine door is about 35 cm. Before installing it in a narrow place, it is worth checking whether it will open wide enough.

Choose models from well-known manufacturers

Criteria for choosing narrow washing machines

If your household needs a machine with the ability to add dirty laundry immediately after turning on the washing mode, then you should choose a model with vertical loading of things. This design does not require draining water during an emergency stop to open the tank.

The depth of vertical equipment is 40 centimeters, and such machines are rightfully considered narrow. Front-loading units that should be considered narrow should have a depth of 36 to 40 cm. On the smaller side, these are super slim models. Typically, the height of all standard ones is 85 cm. The width can vary from 50 to 60 cm. All these numbers are needed in order to associate the model with the interior of the kitchen or bathroom.

The washing machine must not only fit into the environment, but also be practical.

Check in advance where you can open the door without hindrance. Based on these measurements, the vertical or horizontal load should be selected.

A small machine may have somewhat limited functionality. But, as a rule, the manufacturer refuses options that are used very rarely. Thus, the impossibility of drying can be ignored.

Otherwise, the technique has all the features of the classic version. But to do this, the manufacturer is forced to raise the price. Just because the thinnest machine is compact doesn't mean it weighs less than the standard model. If the machine is intended to load items weighing 5-6 pounds and spinning at more than 1200 rpm, it must be equipped with additional counterweights, otherwise the strong vibration will cause the machine to "dance" around the room.

Typically, specialized narrow machines save resources by default. However, if the manufacturer has taken care of increasing functionality, then it is worth paying attention to the energy efficiency class of the device.

Appearance is not the last factor when choosing household appliances. But nowadays this is not a problem. Every company that produces household appliances pays great attention to design. Therefore, the buyer always has a huge choice, both in a rich palette and in design.

In general, the selection of suitable devices is made according to five main parameters:

• to the depth of the drum;
• what class is spinning;
• energy saving figure;
• quality of washing;
• Spin speed.

The remaining parameters are individual. Most likely, they depend on the location of the machine.

An additional necessary parameter is safety in case of machine failure (sudden shutdown or breakdown), as well as from the intervention of small children.

How to choose

The washing machine market is quite conservative. There are clear leaders here, many of whom have been producing automatic washing devices for many years. Among them there are both players in the expensive segment (Bosch, Siemens) and companies whose products are moderately priced (Indesit, Beko). The quality of devices produced by trusted manufacturers is almost consistently high, and the choice of a washing machine should be made taking into account a number of parameters.

Maximum load weight of laundry

This characteristic is decisive for many buyers. A man living alone is unlikely to focus on a figure greater than 4.5 kg, but a family with children will have to look for a narrow option that allows them to load at least 6 kg of laundry.

The more voluminous the drum the machine contains, the denser the manufacturer arranges the units in order to fit everything needed into the space limited by standards. It is worth remembering that narrow machines have less weight compared to full-size ones, so they are less stable when spinning at high speeds.

Drum

All drums of modern washing machines are made of stainless steel. They rotate inside the tank, spinning the laundry inside. On the side of the door, the drum of a front-loading washing machine has a large hole, and on the opposite side there is a shaft with a pulley and a stiffening cross.

The drum also contains the necessary structural elements:

• holes in the form of perforations - through them the drum is filled with a solution of washing powder;
• strikers , that is, combs that help mix the laundry, and are also filled with solution in the lower position and release it to the upper position.

During washing, rinsing and spinning, fabrics are pressed quite hard into the holes, which leads to gradual wear and tear of clothes and bedding.

To minimize damage, manufacturers use various tricks:

1. The surface is made in the form of convex honeycombs. The honeycomb drum carefully takes on the pressure of the laundry and does not allow it to lose its performance characteristics.
2. The loopholes are bent, directing the flow of water in such a way that they better wash the laundry placed in the drum.
3. The inner area of ​​the drum sidewall is made in the form of convex and concave edges. For example, Siemens called this technology Diamond Drum.
4. They reduce the size of the perforations while simultaneously increasing their number, which allows the fabric not to wrinkle or be pulled into the holes even at a spin pressure of 1200 rpm.
5. A drum is made with a surface textured in the form of drops or hemispheres. This design allows you to protect the laundry from damage and at the same time promote better mixing and friction against each other.
6. The strikers are formed asymmetrically: on one side they are almost straight, on the other they are flat, which gives an intense effect when twisted in one direction, and a delicate effect in the other.

Control Features

Depending on the specific design solution, the washing machine can be equipped with different types of controls:

• Electromechanical . Presented in the form of a rotary wheel and buttons.
• Sensory . The touch panel contains corresponding icons, and programs can be activated by touch.

Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

Some washing machines with a depth of up to 40 cm have a display that displays current information about the selected program, spin speed, and the time that the user can set manually. After launch there is a countdown. Simpler devices only have a light indication - LEDs glow opposite the selected programs.

The variety of washing programs is very large, but almost all units have modes for cotton, synthetics, gentle and express wash. The user can also select the spin speed, additional rinse, water temperature and other parameters.

What controls are on your washing machine?

ElectromechanicalTouch

Rating of the best models and manufacturers of narrow washing machines

The table below presents a selection of the best models of narrow washing machines from leading manufacturers.

Table 1. The best narrow washing machines

The table shows that prices for narrow models are quite reasonable. With the exception of samples that support all the functions of expensive classic washing machines.

What problems may arise

When using front-loading washing machines with an automatic machine, quite serious problems can arise: the machine may stop in the middle of the wash due to overload, in which case you will have to unscrew the valve and bleed some air or water. If the drum stops, you will not be able to open the hatch; you will have to perform the manipulation described above. Also, if you wash just one item and then dry it, the drum will not be able to distribute it evenly, and after the process the item will remain wet.

Problems can also arise with top-loading washing machines; they are characterized by frequent breakdowns when overloaded. If you follow all the rules, then these washing machines behave more stably.

Important points when choosing a machine

Pay attention to the noise level that the washing machine makes; all this should be written down in the passport. During washing, the outgoing sound should not exceed 55 dB, and during spinning no more than 70 dB.

Washing machines with timer. This is quite an important feature, as it will help you do laundry at night without additional attention to the washing machine. All you need to do is set the timer for delayed washing and take out the laundry in the morning.

The presence of a protective system in the washing machine is necessary. Some washing machines may have safety valves, other special hoses; there is no point in listing the variety of technologies.

Foam control. If too much foam appears during washing, the washing machine may stop doing its job and you will have to start everything again. In modern models, this technology is present almost everywhere.

Tips for placement and operation

Non-standard narrow machines are suitable not only for those who do not have additional free space. The compact device is convenient for those who move a lot from place to place.

If the purchased device is built into a kit with a hinged door, then color and design are no longer important

List of useful tips:

• Choosing a model with a removable lid will greatly simplify its installation both under the sink and in a furniture set.
• For families with children, a lock on the control panel is required.
• If the narrow model is adapted to a capacious weight, for easier loading, choose a device with a large hatch.
• The counterweight of the device, the more stable it stays in place.
• This is important for embedded technology. If the device body touches the walls during vibration, the entire headset will suffer.
• Models without drive belts (direct drive) use an inverter motor. It is much more wear resistant than the manifold.

A compact free-standing washing machine saves space in the room and does not cause inconvenience.

It is quite difficult to get around a large standard unit in a small apartment without hitting it.

Hotpoint-Ariston

Hotpoint-Ariston is another very famous brand, consisting of the merger of two companies Ariston and Hotpoint. But in fact, it is still the same Indesit, only under a different name and leadership. In Russia, LLC Indesit RUS sells its products. However, this does not change the fact that the company claims that their products are designed to make everyday life easier.

Washing machine Hotpoint-Ariston ARUSL 105 CIS. Size 85x60x36 cm. Maximum load 4 kg. The inverter motor is quite a big advantage. Such engines last longer than conventional ones. The spin speed is standard, 1000 rpm. Washing class “A” and spin class “C”. It doesn’t have many functions, but it does wash children’s clothes, which is important for families with children. Incomplete protection against leakage. One of the biggest disadvantages is that it consumes 1850 W of power; for comparison, the second model consumes almost 30% less. Quite noisy.

Conclusion: This model undoubtedly has many advantages, but it is not quite economical in terms of electricity.

LG

LG is the largest home appliance manufacturing company. It has earned trust with its excellent, time-tested quality. As the company’s management says, their main goal is to keep up with advanced technologies and create “smart” equipment.

Washing machine LG F1296SD3.

Size 85x60x36 cm. Despite its small size, the LG washing machine is quite spacious and has a large drum. Thanks to the inverter motor, it operates almost silently. Speed ​​1200 rpm. Washing class “A” and spin class “B”, which significantly distinguishes it from other models. A large number of functions, plus there is a drum cleaning mode. However, only partial protection against leakage. Power consumption is 1700 W, not quite economical. There are practically no bad reviews, which is definitely a plus.

Conclusions: This model has practically no complaints, however, the price is quite high - about 25 thousand rubles. Although the price-quality ratio is ok, it is not the most budget model.

Decide which washing machine to choose based on your needs. If you want something durable, choose one with a good motor and a strong drum, or maybe you're more interested in saving energy. If you need a stylish and beautiful washing machine, look at the photos of various models.