Choose between 3 washing machines

[marka01]

Hello,

So I have finally decided to treat myself and get a new decent washing machine. Have narrowed down a search to these 3:

AEG Soft Water L9FEC966R
LG TrueSteam FH4G1BCS2
Bosch i-Dos 6 WAU28PH9GB  (Siemens IQ 500 is same alternative)

My understanding is that AEG is the best quality but also the most expensive. LG and Bosch are similar price and leaning towards Bosch. Ultimately I am going to make a decision based on which has best price online. Not quite sure about all those new features that new machines present and how much of a gimmic those might be. Any recommendations welcome. Any other washing machine I am missing to compare?

Thanks in advance

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. I would go for AEG, Bosch and LG in that order of preference. LG tend to rely too much on what I would call gimmicks. Siemens should be good too.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I should add I'm not keen on these autodosing washing machines. They are likely to be a lot more expensive to use regarding detergent, and as far as I know they use liquid detergent,  which I don't recommend. 

[andyr12345]

loving our Samsung Washing machine with AutoDose we have had since February - saving lots of money on detergent it seems to be, and clothes are coming out just as clean if not better. We used to use powder and get through a fair bit. the autodose Samsung weighs the clothes at the start of the wash cycle and measures out the correct amount of detergent for the wash, no underdosing and no overdosing and clothes are rinsing better because its liquid detergent and not powder. 
worth keeping in mind before choosing what to buy next.

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It's probably too early to be sure yet andy, but my concern is that the liquid detergent will lead to gunge and bacteria build up and cause problems later on. Especially if they aren't using much detergent. There's no doubt they are a lot more convenient though. 

[andyr12345]

16 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

It's probably too early to be sure yet andy, but my concern is that the liquid detergent will lead to gunge and bacteria build up and cause problems later on. Especially if they aren't using much detergent. There's no doubt they are a lot more convenient though. 

yes, I will continue to keep an eye on it. Glad in the design they have thought to put a 'conventional' compartment in the autodose drawer as well so you can turn off the autodose feature in the LED display menu and just use conventional washing powder instead if wanted ... but then that defeats the object of getting an autodose washing machine then I suppose LOL  
 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Put that video on a different topic andy so we can discuss it. 

[andyr12345]

13 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Put that video on a different topic andy so we can discuss it. 

what video Andy. the video of the auto dose yeah?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

14 minutes ago, andyr12345 said:

what video Andy. the video of the auto dose yeah?

Yes mate. It may prove useful for others to see. 

[marka01]

Thank you for all comments. I was wondering how would auto-dosing work if I use Amway liquid detergent (the one I like the most) and it is concentrated meaning you need a much less dose than typically. Can you adjust that in auto-dosing?

Do you have an opinion on Steam function on LG washing machines. Is it also a gimmic? I saw in Curries: LG Turbowash™360 F4V910BTSE 729£. Then there is also a more expensive option LG FH4G1BCS2 (TrueSteam) 999£. So does that mean the 729£ steam is not a true steam?

When comparing Bosh to LG to Samsung live in Curries, my wife did prefer Samsung and LG over Bosh.. we opened the doors and checked hinges and what not and quality wise they all look the same really. And she said instantly rather take the LG or Samsung AddWash over Bosh due to extra features and design. Especially interested in Steam feature. 

Andy, I did see Samsung AddWash and though it looked compeling. But somehow still leaning towards LG due to TrueSteam capability. Just not quite sure if it is really good. need to check more youtube videos:) 

Edited June 18, 2022 by marka01

[andyr12345]

hi @marka01- good point about the concentrated detergent , would setting it to minimum dose on the machine be sufficient or would diluting / watering it down before it goes into the autodose compartment be better. - I personally would say if on the label on the back of Amway liquid detergent says that you should dilute it before putting it in the soap drawer then I would do that with an autodose washing machine too . 

Our Samsung model 90T534DAW (cost us €550 from Currys) has some kind of steam cycle as well - haven't tried it out yet. I think though it works different in a Beko machine than in the samsung. i think the samsung does the steam in the middle of the cycle whereas BEKO do it at the end of the cycle which might be more sensible , but i think I would rather go Samsung over BEKO any day personally. I think when we priced up BOSCH with autodose feature it was another 100€ or more than the Samsung we got. - if you got around a thousand to spend on one and you do go Samsung the WW90T986DSH top range one has an extra sensor for measuring 'how dirty the wash is' by emptying some water from the drum at the start of the wash and adjusting the time accordingly I think and 1600rpm spin speed as well as other features over the 90T534DAW model

[andyr12345]

On 17/06/2022 at 21:45, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Yes mate. It may prove useful for others to see. 

I have done a review on the autodose feature of the Samsung ecobubble here today for people if they are interested about how it works  :
https://www.washerhelp.co.uk/forums/topic/4574-how-the-auto-dose-feature-works-on-samsung-front-loading-washing-machines/

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

On 18/06/2022 at 21:48, andyr12345 said:

, would setting it to minimum dose on the machine be sufficien

Hi Andy. I agree with you about diluting the Amway detergent before putting it in the machine if that's what the instructions on the bottle say. Regarding the setting for auto dosage that you described in detail on your review, does it say anything in the manual about exactly why and how you should set that setting properly? For example, is it related to water hardness, with high setting for hard water and low setting for soft water?

I feel if not explained properly in the manual, that many people will just automatically choose low because it will use a lot less detergent and therefore cost a lot less. But, it's very possible for people to not use enough detergent (whether liquid or powdered) and be perfectly happy with the wash results, but beneath the scenes so to speak their washing machine is slowly rotting away inside because they don't use enough detergent to be able to adequately fight limescale.

[andyr12345]

9 hours ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Hi Andy. I agree with you about diluting the Amway detergent before putting it in the machine if that's what the instructions on the bottle say. Regarding the setting for auto dosage that you described in detail on your review, does it say anything in the manual about exactly why and how you should set that setting properly? For example, is it related to water hardness, with high setting for hard water and low setting for soft water?

I feel if not explained properly in the manual, that many people will just automatically choose low because it will use a lot less detergent and therefore cost a lot less. But, it's very possible for people to not use enough detergent (whether liquid or powdered) and be perfectly happy with the wash results, but beneath the scenes so to speak their washing machine is slowly rotting away inside because they don't use enough detergent to be able to adequately fight limescale.

good point - i am not sure what it says in the manual at the moment ... but saying that it has got a setting for the hardness of the water as well in the settings of the washing machine regardless of the settings for the soap and fabric conditioner

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Aye it's very strange. If there's a setting for level of water hardness, and it adjusts automatically for level of dirt, I'm struggling to think of a point in letting people select the other setting for dosage. 

I thought a main point of creating an automatic detergent dosing system was to take dosage out of the hands of the user to ensure the correct dosage is used. 😀

[andyr12345]

6 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Aye it's very strange. If there's a setting for level of water hardness, and it adjusts automatically for level of dirt, I'm struggling to think of a point in letting people select the other setting for dosage. 

I thought a main point of creating an automatic detergent dosing system was to take dosage out of the hands of the user to ensure the correct dosage is used. 😀

Yes that does confuse it for me too .... I mean the clue is in the name 'autodose' LOL - the only thing I can think of is if they did not put a setting on it for 'low / med / high' would they then get calls to their customer supposrt team from customers saying " there is not enough soap going into the drum" or "there is too much soap going into the drum" - and so giving the customer a little bit of leeway to play around with. 

Other oddity is 'Water Hardness' setting ... I mean its not like its a dishwasher that uses dishwasher salt to make the water softer (but there is a great Idea if a manufacturer is looking at this and looking for another idea / gimmick maybe?) put in a regenerative softener system with a salt compartment in their washing machines like dishwashers have so for hard water areas the water that goes into the machine goes through it and softens the water before it goes into the washer drum and the clothes come out super soft, and the washer uses very little dtergent and it also stops limescale build up in the machine - any manufacturers listening i wonder? - should I go off and patent it tomorrow?   

 

[andyr12345]

10 hours ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

 Regarding the setting for auto dosage that you described in detail on your review, does it say anything in the manual about exactly why and how you should set that setting properly? For example, is it related to water hardness, with high setting for hard water and low setting for soft water?

I feel if not explained properly in the manual, that many people will just automatically choose low 

here is screen shot of manual - no indication really of why they give you the options of dose per wash and dose per rinse and just say normal is Medium to select .... thats what we have done with ours, left it on medium for all washes



Here is the other thing I have trouble getting my head around. OK so ours is Autodose OK but its not the dearer / dearest model of this version of washing machine. 
OK so it has a weight sensor at start of cycle ..... now , when it weigh's clothes is it sending the signal to the electronics to just figure out the amount of water for the drum and washing time and is it really working out the optimal dose of washing detergent and fabric softener there and then when its weighing the clothes at the start of the cycle because thats what I am trying to fathom out because get this , the Dearer model of this washing machine that looks exactly the same has one extra sensor in it that ours has not, and that is a turbidity sensor. Now I can understand that measuring out the proper dose needed because with a turbidity sensor down near the sump (or actually fitted in the sump) - then yes it can at some stage empty a bit of water out of the drum for a couple of seconds , past the sensor and then check how 'dirty' the water washing the clothes is . - So, if it starts emptying it and thinks "eye up lads this washing is filthy!" it can then send a signal back to the electronics and send a signal to pump on the autodose mechanism for the liquid soap and inject more into the drum - if you have not included the turbidity sensor on the cheaper models then how can that be a 'true' autodose machine because the laundry could be filthy in the drum and need more liquid than normal to get rid of the dirt. 

I looked up the price of a turbidity spare part sensor for a samsung washing machine (the dearer model at nearly a thousand quid) - do you know the part was only 30 quid or something pretty low like that , so to save 30 quid they did not include the sensor on the cheaper models? shame that!  - thats the way it goes, I suppose at the end of the day they want you to buy the premium top range model in their range I suppose?

[marka01]

Quote

 23 hours ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Hi Andy. I agree with you about diluting the Amway detergent before putting it in the machine if that's what the instructions on the bottle say. Regarding the setting for auto dosage that you described in detail on your review, does it say anything in the manual about exactly why and how you should set that setting properly? For example, is it related to water hardness, with high setting for hard water and low setting for soft water?

Diluting Amway is indeed the way to go, thanks Andy. I will see how auto-dosing works on AEG L8FEC966CA. We do have a water softener installed throughout the flat so water is soft. 

So in the end I went with AEG L8FEC966CA as there was a good deal on https://www.harrygarlick.co.uk/l8fec966ca-1600rpm-washing-machine-9kg-load-autodose-wi-fi.html, and also you can claim 100£ cashaback, so in total machine is 759£. It also use inverted motor just like Samsung for silent operation and has auto-dosing as well as manual. OKOMix seems to be a good feature to mix detergent with water in advance before it enters the drum. And has Steam function which in the end I thought is a useful feature to have to refresh clothes that have minor odour and don't want to run a full wash cycle on them. But my second choice was Samsung WW90T986DSH, just a bit more expensive. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

14 hours ago, andyr12345 said:

left it on medium for all washes

The most sensible option, I'd say.

Yes it doesn't make sense because the options to adjust the amounts of detergent are labelled, dose per wash, and dose per rinse. But of course there should never be any detergent added during rinse! I wonder if it is referring to fabric softener and is just a terrible translation.

As far as I'm aware Andy, The sensor at the beginning weighs the laundry by measuring the resistance of the drum through the motor. Potentially from this measurement they can adjust amounts of detergent in that a heavy load may need more than a light load. However, they cannot adjust detergent according to how dirty the laundry is because they couldn't possibly know at this stage.

The turbidity sensors have always been used to adjust the rinses. That is, how much water may be needed, or more likely how many actual rinses may be needed.

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

13 hours ago, andyr12345 said:

Other oddity is 'Water Hardness' setting ... I mean its not like its a dishwasher that uses dishwasher salt to make the water softer

Hi Andy. In washing machines, water hardness is dealt with by the amount of detergent needed because the detergent contains the water softener.

[andyr12345]

3 hours ago, marka01 said:

Diluting Amway is indeed the way to go, thanks Andy. I will see how auto-dosing works on AEG L8FEC966CA. We do have a water softener installed throughout the flat so water is soft. 

So in the end I went with AEG L8FEC966CA as there was a good deal on https://www.harrygarlick.co.uk/l8fec966ca-1600rpm-washing-machine-9kg-load-autodose-wi-fi.html, and also you can claim 100£ cashaback, so in total machine is 759£. It also use inverted motor just like Samsung for silent operation and has auto-dosing as well as manual. OKOMix seems to be a good feature to mix detergent with water in advance before it enters the drum. And has Steam function which in the end I thought is a useful feature to have to refresh clothes that have minor odour and don't want to run a full wash cycle on them. But my second choice was Samsung WW90T986DSH, just a bit more expensive. 

looks like a very nice machine and that weren't a bad price . AEG I think used to be good machines in the past , I think they were really well Made , Andy from Washerhelp here  might know what they are like - I wish you many years of trouble free washing from it anyway.

Yep our samsung 90T534DAW has the similar system where it mixes air water and detergent together but they call it ecobubble ours has steam too but havent used it yet and it has the inverter motor. So ours was €549 in Currys stores Ireland and its £479.00 in Currys UK store so you could have got your £759 with the same features on the AEG. inverter motor, Wifi, quick wash , AI cycles, Autodose etc  (plus possibly bubble soak the Samsung has, I dont know whether your AEG has?) but you still made the right decision most probably because maybe most people will agree that AEG is a better make with stronger parts than a Samusung (although in fairness I have had our Samsung apart and the parts that they have used is not looking too bad and even metal for the door hinge not plastic. 
I think Samsung for the price is a pretty good amount of features , bung in a 5 year warranty (or is it 10 years? - could be) and its a pretty good by for a 9kg washing machine all in all for under 500 quid.

Edited June 21, 2022 by andyr12345

[marka01]

So I received AEG L8FEC966CA and tried already. Auto dosing works perfect without any need to dilute. Just set a setting from 70ml to 30ml on AEG and it remembers this setting for all future washes (just like it says on the back of Amway detergent bottle to use 30ml for 5kg and more..).

You can actually clearly see during a wash through a drum glass when pre-mixed water with detergent comes out of a pipe  (Okko MIX technology). It comes out white thick. Which I think is amazing as you know this really works. Steam works well too. It has an extra rinse feature that you can set permanently for all future washes and it will auto adjust depending on how much rinse is required for each load or programme as I already tested. For example Okko MIX - only 20 minutes of rinse, since Okko Mix uses much more water in general, and almost 1 hr of rinse if you use Cotton programme with a big load of clothes.

Must say it is quite a big of an upgrade from a Zanussi and really happy with wash results. Clothes come out as new..