Washing machine for sinks: selection criteria, prices, testimonials and photos

Often the small size of modern apartments do not allow the installation of a front-mounted washing machine of standard dimensions. In this case, non-standard models come to the rescue, although they are not in great demand, but they firmly occupy their niche in the consumer market.

Types of machines

Washing machine under the sink can be activator or drum type. Activator, in turn, are divided into models with a centrifuge for spinning and without. Let us consider each of these options in more detail.

Activator without centrifuge

A bright representative of this class is the washing machine "Baby". It is familiar to Russians since Soviet times. The device is a plastic container with an activator (a disk with blades that alternately rotates clockwise and counterclockwise), a time timer and a drain hose. In the tank, water is poured in by hand, the powder is poured and the timer is turned on. After the end of washing, the soap solution must be drained and fresh water poured.

For rinsing in such models there is no separate program to start it, you must turn on the washing mode and pour fresh water. Such a machine will fit quietly under the sink due to its small dimensions, but a large number of manual operations make it unattractive for the consumer. Washing machine "Baby" is inexpensive, but it does not contain more than 2 kg of laundry. In general, it is bought by poor citizens or summer residents.

Activator with a centrifuge

The washing machine under the sink with a centrifuge is larger in size, since the compartment in which the washing is carried out is joined to the tank in which the squeezing is carried out. The disadvantage for the consumer is that the wet laundry has to be transferred to a centrifuge. Such models can wash up to 6 kg of things, as a rule, they have several modes, such as sparing, reinforced or ordinary washing. Water is also poured by hand.

Much greater interest in buyers is caused by small washing machines under the drum-type sink. They are no different from the standard front models by functions and indicators. Similarly, these devices differ in the class of washing, spin speed and energy consumption level.

Management type

Very often, the washing machine (automatic machine) under the sink has a mechanical type of control. This is confirmed by many models, for example, Candy Aquamatic 1D835-07. Mechanics are considered more reliable, but it does not differ in the variety of programs.

Washing modes are strictly regulated and fixed in time.

The washing machine under the sink with the electronic programmer is much more convenient to handle. You can set different washing modes depending on the type of fabric, delay the launch for several hours, on the electronic timer, see how much time is left before the end of the program. The model itself adjusts the required amount of water and selects the optimal mode of rotation of the drum.

The financial side of the issue

And how much do compact washing machines cost? Prices vary. Simple models such as "Baby" or modern "Fairies" will cost a couple of thousand rubles. On units with spinning, the price increases two times, but still remains quite low. Drum washers have a completely different price. Prices for such models are twice as high as standard units with the same functions.

Characteristics of drum-type machines

First of all, buyers are interested in how much space is occupied by a washing machine under the sink. Photos that can be found on the web give only a distant idea of the dimensions of different models. Usually the shells are located at a height of 85 cm, the capacity itself in depth will be 20 centimeters, and even take the place of draining into the sewer. It turns out that the washing machine under the sink should ideally not be above 50-60 cm.

Unfortunately, such models are not available for sale. Those options that manufacturers offer, 60-70 cm in height. And this means that the washing machine of the specified dimensions under the sink will not enter at all or will partially act - this should also be taken into account. As an option - first buy the model you like, and only then set the sink over it, raising it slightly relative to the standard height.

A small height is not the only advantage of compact machines. They are also smaller than the standard frontal models in height and depth. And this means that they can be installed in a small niche, in the space between the sink and the bathroom or the wall and toilet. In situations where only a few centimeters are short enough to install a standard automatic machine, compact models will help out.

Loading

The maximum possible load of the machine is closely related to its dimensions. If in conventional frontal models the capacity of the drum can be increased by increasing its diameter, then in compact models you can not do so already. All components there are located so tightly to each other that there is practically no place for maneuver manufacturers. Increase the load by increasing the depth is also not an option - then the washing machine will cease to be compact, and it will no longer fit under the sink.

Depending on the model, compact units can accommodate from 3 to 4 kg of laundry. In principle, this is not so little. Approximate weight of quilt cover - 1 kg, sheets - 800 grams, pillow cases - gram 400. Accordingly, in such a machine-machine without problems will enter one set of bed linen. Of course, the drum can no longer fit some big thing - blanket, pillow, winter down jacket or jacket, but T-shirts, dresses, underwear in such devices can be washed without problems.

Class of washing

The effectiveness of washing depends on three factors: mechanical, chemical and time. Simply put, the longer the laundry is washed, the more effective the powder used in the work, the more often things are turned over, the more intensive the solution passes through the layers of tissue, the better the result. In small devices it is difficult to ensure the movement of the laundry and the circulation of the solution, especially at maximum load. Therefore, compact washing machines often have a lower class of washing. Of course, not all, but among them the percentage of models of Class B is much higher than that of standard front units.

Number of revolutions and spin class

Compact activator models with a centrifuge are not strongly wrung out. Spin class for them is not defined, often manufacturers do not write in the characteristics of the number of revolutions. As for automatic machines, the situation is somewhat different. They are required to assign a spin class, in technical specifications the number of revolutions is indicated. As a rule, this figure is from 800 to 1300 (it is enough to get out of the car semi-dry clothes). The class of pressing ranges between B and D. By these parameters, compact devices differ little from standard automatic machines.

Electricity class

If we are talking about machines of activator type, then the class of electricity for them is not defined. As practice shows, these models are consumed a little, because the main consumption is for heating water, and in such units it is pumped manually from the tap already at a temperature that is required by the owner.

Compact models of the drum type are no different from standard counterparts. Similarly, among them, machine-automata of class A and A + predominate. In addition, since their load is low, then they take a little water. So, there is not enough electricity for heating it.

Functions

Since the model range of compact models is not very large, in the store the buyer has to choose between 2-3 cars. You should pay attention to the number of programs, the ability to adjust spin speed and temperature.

It will not be superfluous to have additional washing or soaking, which will help to cope with heavily soiled laundry. Recently, buyers are in demand option called "delayed start." It allows you to delay the start of the washing machine for several hours. Due to this function, owners do not have to wait for a grace period of energy consumption. You can put off the launch for a couple of hours and calmly go to bed at 10 pm.

Reviews

Certainly buyers are worried about the question of how the washing machine behaves in this work. The testimonies indicate that most owners are satisfied with their purchase. If we are talking about models of the drum type, then they are no worse than their standard counterparts. Some complaints concern a high level of noise and vibration, which is due to the low weight and low stability of such models.