Washing Machine- Capacity or Speed?

[Ali1612]

So my washing machine has broken today and im looking into my options for replacing it. The two machines Ive narrowed it down to are either a 10kg capacity, 1400rpm model or a 9kg capacity,1600 rpm model.

Its been a while since ive had to buy a new one and I can see the benefit of doing a larger load, but also it would be nice if drying time was reduced from the higher spin cycle. Both are the same brand and other features very similar, both can be next day delivered and theres £20 difference in price so one of these features will be the deciding factor.

Any advice on what is better, a bigger capacity or higher spin speed?

We're a four adult household and there are two king-sized beds in the house, so I'd prefer the larger capacity. I only wash full loads, so I'd end up doing fewer loads which would also be good. If you are a two adult family with or without small children, you might find it more convenient to have the 9kg model because you'd find it easier to make up full loads.

The higher spin speed would be good for towels and jeans, but I wouldn't be that fussed about it - 1400 would be fine for me.

I have a 9kg and can fit a kingsize bed or two singles in. I've never wished for more capacity. It's 1400rpm and I really notice when I run one of the cycles that uses a slower spin, so I'd say 1600rpm would be great.

I would never buy a washing machine with a spin less than 1600, the cloths are so much less wet coming out.

Its not so difficult to find 1600 and 10kg, I bought for my tenant a Kenwood K1016WM17 for £379 at Currys about 9 months ago. I recently bought for myself a Hotpoint/Ariston Aqualtis which is 1600 and 11kg but I don't live in the UK so not sure of its availability.

I researched this a great deal before deciding on our bosch. I cant find the link, but an article said there is actually little difference between say 1400rpm and 1600rpm and would amount to only a small amount of extra drying time. Also, many settings when its completely full wont spin at its max spin speed anyways.

Is there an option for a 1/2 wash? Our old machine did this, and it was handy for a small wash when I didnt have enough to fill it. If you'd fill it most of the time, I'd get the larger size. Its great to be able to fit duvets in our new one, but I do need to wait longer to fill it up.

I have 11kg and love it. It means I can get all our bedding (king bed and two singles) in at once. Or all our towels. And for clothes I can quite often get by with one dark wash and one light wash a week.

I vote capacity.

My next purchase will probably be 1600. The one I have is 1400 and I often end up spinning loads twice.

I almost always do an extra spin after a wash anyway to reduce drying time. Could you just do that?

If you use a tumble dryer, get a washing machine with similar capacity - I got a large capacity washing machine and knackered the tumble dryer because it’s capacity was less.,

I've got a Miele that has a top speed 1400 but often the cycle (especially for synthetics) selects a 1200. 8kg load .
No issues with excess water unless its an uneven load that it decides not to spin for safety .
Used to have a Bosch 9kg and there's a noticeable difference in the 2 machines

I've got a 10kg Hoover TD . I can wash all my duvets and heavy cotton bedding at the laundrette ( their cycles are 35 minutes ) then dry at home .

If I was buying I'd go bigger drum, lower spin speed .

Just purchased the grand o vita 1600 spin speed 9kg drum amazing clothes come out almost dry, our last one was same make but only 1400 spin speed and 8kg certainly notice the difference, loads of dif functions fast wash 14 mins. Win win