02.Samsung washing machine
The Shonky for
Wash not, waste not goes to... Samsung SW70SP
After testing 170 washing machines over the last six years, the 7kg Samsung SW70SP top-loading machine takes the prize for water consumption. The Shonky prize, that is, and that’s nothing to cheer about.
Using 224L of water on its auto-sensing mode to wash a 3.5kg load of clothes earned the machine a score of 0% for water efficiency. With a 4-star official water rating, the Samsung sits mid pack among its mates, but this is calculated using a standard test, not the autosensor program we tested – and we believe consumers would use. Meanwhile, the top-scoring machines overall used only one-quarter of that amount of water, while the most water-frugal machine, the 10kg LG WD14060D6 front loader, used only 37L!
We know what you’re thinking: more water means a better wash, right? Wrong. In fact at 62%, its score for dirt removal is one of the lowest on test. Its rinse score, however, is another story at 99%. Yep, it ranks numero uno for rinsing, absolutely trouncing the opposition with the runner-up scoring a mere 98% with a few equal-thirds lagging way behind on 97%. All right, so it’s not that much better than the rest, but a win’s a win, eh Black Caviar? Meanwhile, our desert dwellers’ delight, the LG, scored 78% for dirt removal and a not-too-shabby 82% for rinsing.
The good news is that Samsung can shake off its reputation as The Great Imitator – it’s out on its own with this one!
Update
NSW Fair Trading has written to Samsung to explain the findings by CHOICE.