Help Me to Make a Sound Purchase on a Front Loader Washing Machine in 2018! Budget $1,500

HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 10:50
Last edited 25/05/2018 - 11:09

Hi All,

I am in need of a new washing machine. My old trusty Eletrolux EWF1074 have decided to bite the dust after a good 7 years+. Partly my fault as I tend to overload it (being overly frugal at times).

My other half and I is adamant on wanting a combo washer and our household consist of 4 people. Upon doing some research, I have narrow down my option to the brands and models listed below:

Option 1: Electrolux EWW14013, 10kg/6kg washer dryer combo (https://www.electrolux.com.au/laundry/washer-dryer/eww14013/)

Option 2: Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 8.5kg/5kg washer dryer combo (https://www.fisherpaykel.com/au/laundry/washing-machines/was…)

  1. Anyone have either of these models and care to share your experience?
  2. Anyone with subscription to CHOICE mag able to share their research on washer/dryer combo for either 2017/2018?

UPDATE 25 May 2018

I have managed to negotiate with Appliances Online to sell me this unit (https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/lg-wd1411sbw-11kg-front-…) for $1150 + Free Delivery, Installation & Removal of Redundant Unit.

I've used this (https://www.appliancecentral.com.au/wd1411sbw-lg-11kg-front-…) to get appliances online to price match, applied MAY2018 for $20 discount and quoted cashreward 1.4% to get the final figure of $1150. Hope it helps for those looking for a new washing machine as well.

Poll Options

  • 1
    Option 1: Electrolux EWW14013, 10kg/6kg washer dryer combo
  • 4
    Option 2: Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 8.5kg/5kg washer dryer combo
Home & Garden Bosch Fisher & Paykel LG Samsung Washing Machine

Comments

  • one man clan on 21/05/2018 - 11:01
    +5

    Are you committed to having a washer/drier combo? I've used a few in holiday rentals and they are terrible. They do a worse job on both, are slow as hell, and are pretty harsh on your clothes.

    • HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 11:11

      We will use the washing most of the time. Typically put on the wash before going to bed and wake up in the morning to hang it if weather permits. The dryer maybe the case of now and then particularly during rainy days. Unfortunately my laundry room does not have sufficient space to accommodate a separate dryer hence forth a combo may be a viable option.

      Which brand you used in the holiday rental place? I would imagine holiday rental homes typically have cheaper range of appliances hence reflect the experience you have?

  • steff on 21/05/2018 - 11:14
    +2

    Why not split your budget and get 1 washer and 1 dryer (separate, not combo). There's many benefits:

    1. If a unit fails, you're down only 1 not both.
    2. Wash/dry a load of clothes while another load is being washed/dried.
    3. Combo units are more often than not rubbish at both (as person above said).
    4. Can be stacked if space is an issue.
    • HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 11:20

      Can you elaborate on point 3?

      I have read on https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/laundry-and-cleani… and acknowledge the pros and cons.

      I note this remark really sticks out for me - 'They're also a good option if you line dry your clothes but want the security of a dryer in case of emergencies (but remember you'll be paying a premium for that peace of mind)."

      Suppose if i don't opt for combo, my other question will be on brand reliability between F&P and Electrolux?

      • steff on 21/05/2018 - 11:35

        Brand reliability is over rated to be honest - You'll get a standard warranty and backed by ACL. F&P and Electrolux are both the same brand anyway.

        Combo units aren't that reliable - there are many reports of premature failing, and since its a 2 in one, you lose both until you get it fixed or get a new one.

        They are also slow and noisy for what they are. And because they are not dedicated washers/dryers, the performance and efficiency isnt as good as dedicated units. You would get better bang for your money if you buy separate units and stack them in your restricted space.

        If drying is not that important, spend 2/3 of your budget on a good washer and a relatively inexpensive dryer.

        • HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 11:38

          Shall check in with the lady boss! Wrong purchase is lethal and i may end up sleeping on the couch for some time.

          A washer only may likely be LG WD1411SBW 11kg (http://www.lg.com/au/washing-machines/lg-WD1411SBW), spotted it a costco ringwood for $1179.99.

        • steff on 21/05/2018 - 11:58

          @HL2: That is a good choice for washer, and good price too if you have a Costco membership.

          Does your laundry have a vent? If yes, you could get a vented dryer like this. This configuration could also be stacked to reduce space further

        • HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 12:01

          @steff: No vent at the moment, only a window. The review for LG https://www.productreview.com.au/p/lg-wd1410sbw.html doesnt quite give me the confidence.

        • steff on 21/05/2018 - 12:06

          @HL2: That's not the same model. Also, take productreview.com.au with a grain of salt.

          You can vent a dryer through a window, if you want to go down that path; here's some ideas

  • Enoch29 on 21/05/2018 - 11:19

    We used to have one.

    Great for space but more things to go wrong - which they did.
    While good for smaller households you obviously can’t be washing while the previous load is drying.

    If you do go ahead our issues largely related to poor/no lint filter in the drying air path. They have probably worked that one out in the last 10 year’s!

    • HL2 on 21/05/2018 - 11:23

      Thanks for sharing your experience, shall check if both of the models listed have lint filter and how good they are. Shall head to TGG and have a look in store.

      What went wrong for yours?

      As per my above response, the drying benefit serves more as a piece of mind during emergencies use only.

  • altomic on 21/05/2018 - 11:43

    I have a LG 10kg washer/combo. Its about 13 years old. Was given it(score). The dryer function has been used a handfull of times. Usually in sheer desperation. But its quite useless. And I end up drying the item with a hairdryer.
    Maybe its the age of the tech of the machine that the dryer is crap.

    But based on that I wouldnt bother with a combo.

  • TheOtherLeft on 21/05/2018 - 11:57

    My sister has an old LG combo. She says the dryer is useless and line dries all of the time.

    Note that the capacity of the dryer is usually smaller then the washer so you can't have the same size load in the dryer as in the washer.

  • bobbified on 21/05/2018 - 12:07

    The wash/dry combos are pretty bad! They're expensive and nowhere near as effective as standalone units. Im not the only with that opinion.

    The minimum time for a wash and dry is 4.5 hours. The wash time being 1.5 hours, so 3 out of the 4.5 hours is for drying and it still isn't always completely dry.

    If I'm home, I do the washing for 1.5 hours, then take it everything out and chuck it into the standalone dryer for 1 hour. The dryer I use is nothing expensive (it was a cheap Simpson that cost about $300). My clothes are completely dry after that hour!

  • Jemz on 21/05/2018 - 14:00
    +1

    Get both, I do a 18 min quick wash, followed by a 12 min spin cycle. This is for all clothes apart from gym or bed linen.

    Everything comes out 'almost' touch dry with the extra spin cycle.

    Into the dryer for an hour on sensor dry with an exhaust fan on and you're done in 1.5 hours.

    When it's colder it takes 1.5 hours to dry. I take the towels and heavier garments which hold water and dry them separately on some dining chairs in the house or outside.

    Front loader with a dryer stacked on top. Can't recall how much I paid but it was around $600 for a Samsung washer and $400 odd for an Electrolux vented dryer.

    Been going strong for 5 years.

  • websterp on 21/05/2018 - 14:33

    Don't get a combo unless that is the only option available to you(i.e. no space for separate washer & dryer). First hand experience - I've had a top of the range LG combo and sold it on Gumtree in less than a year. It was terrible, never did a proper job in washing or drying and drying was the worst of the two.

  • Youfah Mizzum on 21/05/2018 - 15:04
    +1

    As just about every other comment mentions, forget the combos.
    Front loading washers - just plonk a separate dryer on top.
    Top loading washers - hang the dryer from a plank of wood screwed into the studs. Most new dryers come with a wall mounting bracket.

    I've had a Hoover dryer, reasonably cheap at the time and it would easily be over 12 years old.

    Go to your local library and check out the latest Choice article for washing machines and dryers. And check out Product Review dot com dot au. With budget of $1500 you can get a pretty good washing machine and dryer.
    You seem stuck on F&P or Electolux. Why?

  • Cheeper on 21/05/2018 - 15:16

    Go seperate wahser dryer. Mount the dryer on the wall.
    Washer… can recommend LG toploader… https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/9kg-top-load-lg-washing-…

    Tip. Don't be too frugal with the water level used. Not enough water will result in damaged clothes and more stress on the machine.

  • aussieplip on 22/05/2018 - 06:25

    I brought the Bosch WVH28490AU washer/drier a month ago for around $1600 and it works really well. One bonus is that it doesn’t use any water while drying like most of the others do (some even use more water dying than washing!!!).

    You just need to be aware that you can only dry 4kg at a time, but it seems to do it pretty quickly (given this is the first drier I’ve ever had so I don’t have much to compare it too though).

    • bobbified on 22/05/2018 - 11:34

      One bonus is that it doesn’t use any water while drying like most of the others do (some even use more water dying than washing!!!).

      Machines use water to dry??

      Are you sure its not the condensation and the water from the clothes that are being dried?

  • casho on 23/05/2018 - 13:09

    I've had a miele washing machine for about 15 years. Never used a dryer in my life. Just use a clothes horse and electric fan

  • hongas on 23/08/2018 - 12:54

    WAS this purchased in WA? at the moment LG is having $300 money back and TGG having 10% off tonight.

    even with all the discounts it seems you got pretty good price for this.

    • hongas on 23/08/2018 - 19:57

      Was this purchased in WA? at the moment LG is having $300 money back and TGG having 10% off tonight.

      even with all the discounts it seems you got pretty good price for this.

      I only manage to get LG 11kg WD1411SBW $1178 + 6kg OMO detergent + free delivery.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join