The 5 Best Steam Washing Machines Affordable: Steam Washing and Refreshing

What is a steam washing machine? Probably, the principle of operation of such an SMA is easy to explain even on the fingers. We will briefly talk about the differences between such equipment and help you choose the right model with this interesting addition, if you decide that you need it.

How does a steam washer work?

It’s simple: with this treatment, things are not immersed in water, but are saturated with steam. The effect is achieved due to the operation of the heater, which easily transforms water into high-temperature steam that can penetrate deep into the fibers of the fabric. What is he doing there? Elementary: fights most dangerous bacteria, fungus and unpleasant odors. Perhaps this technology will be a godsend for processing things for allergy sufferers, young children, or just people with sensitive skin. Another significant plus is that steam treatment allows you to abandon detergents and save on water.

Steam treatment: pros and cons

A steam cycle machine (according to manufacturers) has a lot of advantages compared to models without this tricky solution. So the pros:

• Easy care items. You can keep things in order without washing – refresh them with steam! After “steaming” clothes dry quickly even in room conditions. You can also move the iron away and hide the ironing board: the steam will smooth out even deep wrinkles. Of course, you can’t do without ironing, especially in the case of office clothes, but you don’t have to spend a lot of effort. And one more “yes” in favor of steam – it is not terrible for things that are completely forbidden to wash. Consider that you will have your own mini-dry-cleaner at home, only without chemicals.

• Resource Saving. You don’t even need a calculator to figure out how much water and household chemicals you can save using the CMA’s steam capabilities. You need much less water to get a steam cloud than for a full cycle of washing with rinsing. Yes, and electricity is spent almost 2 times less than heating water during classic washing.
• Are you sad to walk around silk and woolen items in stores because of care problems? Forgetting to take your down jacket to the dry cleaners? Do not reach the cotton curtains at all? Are you afraid to trust a typewriter with delicate lace bras? The designers claim that any delicate fabrics and things can be safely steamed.
• All for children. As we have already said, the rids tissues of allergens and bacteria. But the developers also promise that steam flows perfectly disinfect the washing drum itself.
• Quiet work. This has little to do with the function under consideration. But the pattern is that steam generation is often present in expensive SMAs, and such machines are usually equipped with direct drive motor, which runs many times quieter than a conventional collector engine. In addition, direct drive means reduced vibration and low wear on many parts.

Important! The presence of a direct drive does not mean the presence of a steam generator – check this when buying.

• 1+1. There are models that able to combine the washing cycle with steaming. The point is that under the action of steam, the tension of the fibers decreases, so detergent components penetrate them better, which means that stains are removed better. And at the end of washing, control disinfection takes place with the same steam.

Our task is not to advertise steam generators in CMA, but to talk about their real benefits (or lack thereof). Therefore, the cons are not a secret at all:

• The steam generator in the SMA design is a relative innovation, which Not every brand has. Offers are mainly from such giants of household appliances as LG, Electrolux, AEG, Hotpoint-ariston etc.

• Cost bites. Budget models rarely cost less than 30 rubles, and in the middle price segment, prices start at 000–45 rubles. In the end, either you buy a cheap machine that does steam washing, or a great mid-range CMA without this feature – you choose.
• Refuse to wash will not work. Steam processing cannot fully replace washingespecially when it comes to serious stains and dirt. Refresh things – please, but wash off – this is unlikely. Although in advertising campaigns of companies such as Whirlpool, they promise a steam fight even with old stains – here it is already worth focusing on user reviews.

On a note! When buying, specify what the machine can do – WASH with steam or REFRESH. These are two types of treatment that are different in intensity, while SMA can cost the same.

Rating of washing machines with steam: top 5

The review includes the best SMA models with steam supply, with the highest customer rating from 4 to 5 points on a 5-point scale of the Yandex.Market version. Contrary to the belief that such machines are expensive, we have selected 4 of the most budgetary front-loading SMAs and 1 vertical machine from the middle price segment. Choose any option based on your budget.

Let’s go!

Important! Models with drying are obviously not included in the rating, the emphasis is only on steam.

Samsung WW65K42E00S – 6,5 kg and with child protection

Users of the Yandex.Market marketplace rated this silver model at 4,5 points, noting good wash quality и low noise level. Of course, the Korean development, even with its budget cost, is equipped with the latest technology. The heart of the model is modern inverter motor, which, with the help of three powerful magnets, works quietly and without strong vibrations, and most importantly, it is designed for durable operation. The proprietary EcoBubble Generator delivers a “trendy” type of laundry treatment – bubble wash to combat the oldest stains. This model provides for “steam washing”, and not “refreshment”, so the Samsung WW65K42E00S machine took the first step in our rating. By the way, thanks to the AddWash technology and a small additional hole, the user will always have time to load forgotten things into the drum, even after the start of the wash.

Smart Check troubleshooting technology notifies the user about breakdowns, and the Drum Clean technology eco-function monitors the cleanliness of the drum.

Other parameters:

• Loading volume: up to 6,5 kg.
• Control type: electronic with display.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 60x45x85 cm.
• Washing/spinning energy efficiency classes: A/A/B.
• Water consumption for 1 cycle: 39 liters.
• Spin speed: up to 1200 rpm.
• Spin functions: speed selection, cancel.
• Types of safety: partial protection against leakage, blocking from children, control of foaming and unbalance of the drum.
• Number of programs: 12, including Delicate, Economic, Child, Quick, etc.
• Other features: setting the end of the wash, the choice of t ° washing, notification of the end of the program.
• Tank: plastic.
• Washing / spinning noise: 54/73 dB.
• Warranty: 1 year from the manufacturer.

After analyzing the reviews for this washer, we have identified a number of unconditional advantages:

• There are short modes.
• With the help of a small door it is convenient to ventilate the drum.
• Doesn’t make noise or jump.
• Most buyers noted the successful and stylish design.
• Just install and connect.
• Alerts are displayed to let you know when to wash the drum or clean the filter.
• The drum does not make hooks on delicate things.

And cons:

• Complaints about a poorly thought-out seal in which water accumulates require special care. Delicate gum can also deteriorate prematurely. Small things can clog into the folds – socks, stockings.
• Cyclic water supply to the powder receiver, due to which it is not completely washed off.

Whirlpool FWSG 61053 W – refreshed

This capacious family washing machine from the American concern (Slovenian assembly) also scored 4,5 points. Unlike “Samsungov“,” Whirlpools “provide exactly” steam refreshment “, but perhaps such processing will be enough for you.

In terms of parameters, given the cost of 14 rubles, there is nothing particularly surprising – it’s just a good workhorse with sufficient functionality:

• Loading volume: up to 6 kg.
• Control type: electronic with display.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 60x43x84 cm.
• Energy efficiency classes for washing/spinning: A++/A/C.
• Water consumption for 1 cycle: 38–49 liters.
• Spin speed: up to 1000 rpm.
• Spin functions: speed selection, cancel.
• Types of safety: protection against leakage, blocking from children, control of foaming and unbalance of the drum.
• Number of programs: 12 pieces. Among them: Delicate, Economical, Children’s, Jeans, Downy things, etc.
• Other features: delayed start, wash temperature selection, FreshCare + technology.
• Tank: plastic.
• Warranty: 1 year from the manufacturer.

О FreshCare+

This is an innovative technology and Whirlpool’s own development, which protects clothes from unpleasant odors and excessive wrinkling – up to 6 hours after the end of the program. The option will be useful if you forgot to get the laundry out of the drum or urgently ran away from home, leaving the working SMA. The laundry after the main cycle during the activation of FreshCare + slowly rotates in the drum in two directions and is periodically steamed moderately. You can activate the option when you set the parameters before washing or directly during the program. You can cancel FreshCare+ at any time. The option is available for all modes except Delicate and Down.

Pros:

• Stylish design.
• High-quality assembly.
• Good display.
• Economic consumption of electricity.
• Lots of features and programs.
• Quiet work. There are also reviews about noisy work, but do not forget about the correct installation – only under this condition the equipment will make minimal noise.

Cons:

• Long programs for 3-4 hours.
• Sometimes it doesn’t rinse well.
• Washing time and spin speed can not be selected for all modes.
• User’s opinion about “refreshing”: “I have never used the FreshCare function, because I can’t imagine a situation for me to put the wash before leaving home for a long time».
• The hatch handle is in an unusual place, you need to get used to it.

Hotpoint-Ariston RST 702 ST S – with large hatch

The first thing that catches the eye in this model from Hotpoint-Ariston is the black absolutely flat hatch. as much as 34 cm in diameter! Also it’s enough narrow MCA, only 44 cm wide. Among the programs, steam is provided. Motor – inverter with direct drive.

Other parameters:

• Loading volume: up to 7 kg.
• Control type: electronic with display.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 60x44x85 cm.
• Energy efficiency classes for washing/spinning: A++/A/C.
• Water consumption for 1 cycle: 50 liters.
• Spin speed: up to 1000 rpm.
• Spin functions: speed selection, cancel.
• Types of safety: partial protection against leakage, blocking from children, control of foaming and unbalance of the drum.
• Number of programs: 16 pieces. Among them: Delicate, Economical, Children’s, Black items, Downy items, Stain removal, etc.
• Other features: delayed start, wash temperature selection, liquid detergent compartment, Super Silent mode, anti-allergy function.
• Noise: 64 dB.
• Tank: plastic.

Yandex.Market statistics: model rating – 4,5 points out of 5; 103 reviews; 84% of users recommend the product to others; 85 reviews with a score of 5 points; only 10 reviews with a score of 1-3 points.

Pros:

• Spacious drum.
• Mass of programs.
• Suitable for night washing.
• Tank for 48 liters.
• Correction of most programs.
• Design.

Cons:

• Does not always correctly display the time of work.
• Requires meticulously correct installation for quiet and adequate operation – the drain hose must be hung on a service hook.
• Short power cord.

Haier HW60-BP12758 – quiet and stylish

The machine on a solid “pyaterochka” according to “Yandex.Market”. And on the site of the M-Video online store, this model has as many as 242 reviews with good statistics.

Features:

• Loading volume: up to 6 kg.
• Control type: touch.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 60x45x85 cm.
• Washing/spinning energy efficiency classes: A+++/A/B.
• Water consumption for 1 cycle: 40 liters.
• Spin speed: up to 1200 rpm.
• Spin functions: speed selection, cancel.
• Types of security: full leakage protection, child lock, foam control and drum imbalance.
• Number of programs: 16 pieces. Among them: Delicate, Sports, Steam supply.
• Other features: delayed start up to 24 hours, wash temperature selection, end signal, liquid detergent compartment, 32 cm hatch, hypoallergenic function, self-cleaning.
• Noise: 58/74 dB.
• Tank: plastic.
• Production: PRC.

Pros:

• Aquastop included.
• Program settings.
• You can put up to 5 rinses.
• She calculates the time of work, based on the weight of things.
• The warranty for the inverter motor is 12 years, for the entire SMA – 1 year.
• Antifungal sealant.
• High-quality hatch lock, like Bosch.

Cons:

• Melodies.
• Smell of plastic.
• The drum is smaller than the declared volume.
• Wrinkles clothes at a high spin speed.

Electrolux EWT 1567 VDW – Top Loading

Vertical SMA from “Electrolux” with inverter motor — “buyers’ choice”, score 4,5.

Options:

• Loading volume: up to 6 kg.
• Control type: touch.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 40x60x85 cm.
• Energy efficiency classes of washing / spinning: A +++ / A / A.
• Water consumption for 1 cycle: 39 liters.
• Spin speed: up to 1500 rpm.
• Spin functions: speed selection, cancel.
• Types of safety: partial protection against leakage, blocking from children, control of foaming and unbalance of the drum.
• Number of programs: 14 pieces. Among them: Delicate, Economical, Sports, Downy things, Stain removal, Steam supply.
• Additionally: delayed start, liquid detergent compartment, drum auto-parking, washing temperature selection, Time Manager.
• Warranty: 1 year.
• Noise: 47/77 dB.
• Tank: plastic.

Buyers rated flexible configuration, convenient use, excellent spin. Among the shortcomings: it requires proper installation, anti-vibration stands are needed on a slippery floor, the drain hose must be placed at a height of at least 70 cm from the floor.

About steam function:

• «Steaming is great for smoothing out wrinkled items.».

Conclusion: a machine with steam will be appreciated by those who really need such a function. If you have extra time to freshen up things or you often forget to take clean laundry out of the drum, steam is what you need. Considering the low cost of the considered SMAs, you will not overpay anything extra for useful functionality. Good luck choosing!