Comparison test
Washing machines and washer-dryers at Warentest: luxury brand Miele disappoints
A washer-dryer washes and dries in one operation.
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Almost all machines can wash well, but the expensive Miele appliances failed in the long-term test. You have to dig deep into your pockets for a washer-dryer
In the current edition, Stiftung Warentest is taking two varieties of Washing machines under the microscope. Devices that can only wash and spin and those that can also dry laundry.
Almost all of the solo washing machines scored good in the partial rating for washing. Only the Sharp device lagged behind. Otherwise, the testers praised: “The laundry that we took out of the machines after the wash cycles was clean without exception, and all machines spun the laundry well or even very well.” They check the spin effect by meticulously weighing the laundry; the increase in weight after washing shows how much water is still in the fabric.
Washing usually works
In the end, only six machines achieved the overall grade of good, the others fell short in other disciplines. Either the other candidates lacked leakage protection, they spun very loudly or they failed the endurance test. The test winners come from AEG, Bosch and Siemens. The luxury brand Miele did less well: the heating element failed in all three Miele models, in two of them even in the first half of the test. And the Miele was the most expensive device in the test.
The rod can be easily changed, but in addition to the cost of the replacement part (150 euros), you still have to pay the fitter, who will probably have to come twice. Then around half the new price is due for the repair.
Three models shared first place, all of which achieved a grade of good or 1.8. They are the AEG L6FBG51470 (695 euros), the Siemens WM14N2G3 (550 euros) and the Bosch WAN282H34 (510 euros). You can currently get all three models a little cheaper, they are around 50 euros cheaper.
The testers recommend paying attention to the length of the washing programs. They vary significantly. The importance of time can only be assessed individually. Under no circumstances should you buy a device without an emergency shutdown via a float in the base pan, as a leak in the device could cause major water damage.
Washer dryers use a lot of electricity
In addition to the solo devices, washer-dryers were also examined. In terms of energy efficiency, they are always worse than two separate devices. But they only need half the space. They are an alternative for anyone who needs to store the washing machine in the bathroom or kitchen. Or for households that only use the dryer occasionally.
In dry operation, the running times add up; in eco mode, a machine can run for eight hours. The advantage is that the laundry does not have to be repacked. If you start the combination device in the morning, you can remove the dried laundry in the evening.
Anyone who can live with the high electricity costs will not be disappointed. “Three of the four models tested are good. AEG, Bosch and Siemens wash-dry very well: They clean laundry as best as possible and dry it either cupboard dry or iron-damp in the same cycle.” The AEG washer-dryer L9WEF8069 is the test winner (grade 2.0), costs an impressive 1,460 euros and clearly stands out in the partial grade for the long-term test (1.6). The Bosch WNG24440 device is significantly cheaper at 950 euros and has a grade of 2. You can currently also get it for 810 euros including shipping. In the long-term test, however, it is only enough for a satisfactory rating: 2.6.
The washer-dryer from Siemens (WN44G240) also received an overall grade of 2.1 and, according to the product test, costs 1000 euros. In the price comparison you can discover it for 833 euros including shipping. In the long-term test it is only enough for 2.6 – so satisfactory. In the long term, the device from AEG recoups the high price through lower power consumption; over ten years, it is the cheapest alternative. The AEG washer dryer has the lowest water and electricity consumption because of its heat pump.
For a fee you can test washing machines here and the washer-dryer test here see.