Comparison Siemens WS 12T540 white vs Siemens WS 12T440 white

When selecting a washing machine based on the number of programs, it's important to keep in mind that having 12 to 16 modes is typically sufficient. More programs, such as 25 or more, may simply offer variations of the same standard programs with different settings for duration, temperature, spin speed, etc. This may not necessarily provide a wider variety of programs. Additionally, machines with the same number of modes may have different specific sets of programs. While more modes increase the possibilities for selecting an optimal mode, it also significantly increases the cost.

It is worth noting that the cotton, synthetics, wool, rinse, drain and spin programmes are mandatory for almost any washing machine, and there is no need to specifically specify their presence. Therefore, only more rare and specific modes are indicated here: custom programme, quick wash, delicate, hygiene (baby care), sportswear, dark garmentjeans, shirts, outerwear, down clothes, bedding, blankets, refresh (no washing), night wash and self clean, etc. Here is a description of these and some other popular modes:

— Custom programme. A programme, all the parameters of which can be configured manually: set the temperature, duration, spin speed, additional processing features, etc. at your discretion. It significantly expands the possibilities for working with the machine and allows you to select the optimal modes for special cases when the list of ready programmes is not enough. In the simplest models, a "custom programme" is created based on one of the standard modes, in which the...user makes his changes. For the next use of such a programme, it is enough to select it on the control panel without setting the settings again. In more advanced units, it is possible to store several unique programmes in memory at once.

— Quick wash. The quick wash programme is especially useful for lightly soiled items that do not require thorough treatment (for example, casual clothes after a hot day). In addition to time, such a programme also allows you to significantly save water and electricity. Well, of course, it can be real salvation if the time for washing is limited, but you can’t do without it. Often, the design provides more than one quick wash mode — for example, for 15 and 30 minutes. It allows you to choose the option that is optimal in terms of speed/economy and thoroughness.

— Delicate wash. A programme designed for sensitive materials — fine silk, cambric, lace fabrics, some types of nylon and polyester, etc. Usually, washing in this mode occurs with an increased amount of water and the permissible load does not exceed 2 kg — all this reduces the friction of items among themselves, and large volumes of water also allow you to effectively rinse the fabric. Spinning is usually carried out at low speeds or skipped altogether. And in some models, other options for delicate washing may be provided; they should be specified separately. However, if you plan to wash things that require especially careful handling, you cannot do without this programme.

— Hygiene (baby care). The mode implies increased thoroughness of processing. It is designed to remove dirt, pathogenic bacteria, etc. from the processed items as much as possible. Such effective processing is especially important for clothes intended for young children Therefore, most often this programme is just called “baby care”. This mode has two main features. Firstly, by default, washing is carried out at an elevated temperature — this ensures the effective removal of contaminants and the destruction of germs. Secondly, rinsing after washing is done with great care — so that even in the most hard-to-reach folds there are no traces of detergent left. In some machines, other nuances are also provided; they should be specified separately.

— Sportswear. Special programme for processing sportswear between workouts. Such clothes are usually soaked with sweat but there are not so many other contaminants on them. It is sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress but does not always allow high temperatures. Workouts can take place daily, so spending a lot of time on washing can be a luxury — after all, things must also dry. This is taken into account in this mode: “sportswear” washing usually involves a small load and low temperature, and reduced spin speeds may also be provided. However, the specific features of this programme, again, do not hurt to clarify separately.

— Dark garment. A key feature of dark fabrics is that even minimal detergent residues are clearly visible on them. Therefore, a mandatory feature of the programme for dark clothes is thorough rinsing. In addition, this mode often provides gentle processing in general — so that things retain their original colour longer and do not form wrinkles on them.

- Denim clothes. Despite the overall strength and reliability, denim is quite sensitive to intensive washing. Therefore, in washing machines for such things, a special gentle mode with a lower temperature and a reduced speed of rotation of the drum can be provided. This mode is also well suited for thin shirts, which is why in some models it is called accordingly - for example, "shirts / jeans".

- Shirts. Special program for delicate washing of shirts and other business style clothes. The key feature of this mode can be called a small load at low speeds and a short spin time, in order to avoid the formation of wrinkles on the fabric.

- Down jackets (down things). Natural fluff easily accumulates water and is very reluctant to "return" it. Therefore, one of the features of this program is usually long pauses in the rotation of the drum - so that the water that has accumulated in the product has time to drain effectively.

- Outerwear. A special program for washing demi-season and winter jackets with an emphasis on respect for the filler of the upper wardrobe. The mode involves the use of low temperature, low rotational speed of the drum and gentle spin. This program also helps outerwear fabrics retain their waterproof properties.

- Bed sheets. Program adapted for the gentle washing of sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases. For best results, it is suggested to load the same type of bed linen into the washer drum. The program is usually aimed at work with a small load (2-4 kg).

— Blankets. Care mode for duvets and bedspreads of various types. As a rule, this program is designed for washing voluminous bed linen in the manner of duvets. One of its features is usually long pauses in the rotation of the drum - so that the water that has accumulated in the product has time to drain effectively. This program is also suitable for washing lined and downy items.

— Refresh (no washing). A special mode for processing things that do not require a full wash but need cleaning. A typical example of such things is clothes that have been “idle” for a long time, accumulating dust and unpleasant odours, or things that have been worn once and not for long. In the refresh mode, the machine does not use water but other methods of processing fabrics. One of the most popular options is an intense stream of hot steam: it removes or destroys substances responsible for an unpleasant smell, blows out dust from fabrics that could accumulate there, and also facilitates the removal of wrinkles on fabrics, which are smoothed out when dry. bad. Another option for refresh is blowing with active oxygen. This method does not remove dust as effectively, but it perfectly eliminates unpleasant odours. Anyway, when refreshing, detergents are not used, and clothes are not wetted with water, and in extreme cases, slightly moistened. Often things can be used almost immediately after being removed from the drum.

— Self clean. A utility programme for cleaning the insides of the machine from various contaminants that may accumulate during operation. In this mode, things are not loaded, and the drum is intensively washed with hot water, which allows you to effectively clean it and destroy pathogenic bacteria. However, it is worth noting that in many models this programme practically does not differ from ordinary washing at a high temperature (about 90 °C). So even in the absence of a special self-cleaning mode, similar results can be achieved by running a high-temperature wash with an empty drum without spinning.

- Night wash. Low noise program designed for washing machine at night and similar conditions. In this mode, the machine works as silently as possible: with smooth movements of the drum, low spin speed and turning off the sound signals of the equipment. The rest of the washing parameters are usually set manually.

Power surge protection automatically turns off the washing machine in case of power surges. It protects the device's electronic circuits from hazardous loads and prolongs their service life. In this case, the programme running at the time of shutdown is remembered. And when the power is restored washing cycle continues from the point at which it stopped.

This parameter characterizes the efficiency of electricity consumption by the washing machine. Classes are designated in Latin letters from A to G, in ascending order of energy consumption. At the same time, in class A there are subclasses "A+", " A++ " and "A+++"; more pluses means less energy consumption, and the most economical option to date — A +++ — outperforms class A by almost a third.

Machines of classes A + and above are today considered economical, class A — medium, lower classes — high consumption. However, indicators below A are typical for semiautomatic low-cost models. As well as for units with dryers (see above) in which high energy consumption is simply inevitable.

The type of controls provided in the washing machine.

— Rotary knobs. Operation through one or more rotary knobs only, without buttons or other additional elements. This option is found exclusively in semi-automatic (activator) washing machines with minimal functionality. In the simplest of these models, there is only one knob (it sets the duration of the wash) in more advanced ones — two or three (wash timer, spin timer, programme selection). At the same time, the timer knob simultaneously works as a switch, turning on the unit when turning.

— Rotary knob + buttons. Type of control used in most automatic washing machines. The main rotary knob in such models is responsible for selecting the programme. It can be supplemented by auxiliary knobs for setting individual parameters: for example, water temperature and spin speed. And other parameters and additional functions are controlled by buttons. Such controls are quite functional and inexpensive, which led to their popularity.

— Rotary knob + touch controls. Controls, providing a combination of a rotary knob with touch controls. The first is responsible for choosing the main programme; the second is for additional functions and parameters. Such control is somewhat more expensive than the "rotary knob + buttons" combination (see above), but this moment is not fundamental. At the same time, the touch panel gives the device a sty...lish and technological appearance, and on the practical side, it is more convenient for some users since it does not require effort to press. In addition, it is much easier to clean the touch controls from dirt than the buttons.

— Touch controls. Control, carried out only through the touch panel, is much more expensive than the “rotary knob + touch controls” combination and therefore is used mainly in advanced level machines. Units with such controls do not have unnecessary protruding parts on the front panel, which provides not only a neat and pleasant appearance but also ease of cleaning from dirt. And in some models, the touch panel can be placed on the lid of the drum, which allows you to increase its diameter and capacity without increasing the height of the machine itself. At the same time, in some cases (for example, when choosing a programme), the touch controls are less visual and intuitive than the rotary knob, so this option is used relatively rarely.

— Buttons. Button-only controls are fully functional but generally less user-friendly and visual than a combination of buttons with a rotary knob. Therefore, this option is not popular in modern washing machines.

The presence in the washing machine of a lamp or a set of LEDs to illuminate the contents of the drum. Even in bright ambient light, drum content often remains in the shade, which increases the risk of not noticing a small item (socks, handkerchief) and forgetting it in the machine. Drum lighting improves visibility inside the drum and significantly reduces this risk. In addition, it can also play a decorative role.

The maximum noise level produced by the machine during operation. Most often indicated for spinning — this is the noisiest mode of operation; for units without spinning (such as semiautomatic devices), this paragraph indicates the overall volume or the volume in the noisiest mode.

The quieter the machine works, the more comfortable it is for others. This moment is especially critical if there are small children in the house. However, the decibel used to measure loudness is a non-linear unit, and the actual noise level is best estimated from comparative tables in special sources.

General dimensions of the washing machine in height, width and depth.

The size of the unit determines not only the size of the space required for installation but also the ability to bring it into a particular room. At the same time, even a relatively small protruding part (like a door latch) can create problems with passing through a doorway. Therefore, in our catalogue, we try, if possible, to indicate exactly the maximum size of the machine — taking into account all the protruding parts. On the other hand, not all manufacturers provide such data. So if there is any doubt, it is worth evaluating the product by size with a certain margin. And specific information on how the dimensions were measured can usually be found in the manufacturer's documentation.

Finally, let's touch on the specifics of individual dimensions. So, in the case of front loaded machines, note that additional space in front inevitably will be required to open the door. Machines whose depth does not exceed 40 cm are considered narrow. They can be a lifesaver in cramped conditions, especially if the design provides top loading. And a height of 120 cm or more is an almost unmistakable sign of a machine with 2 drums which are located one above the other. It does not only increase capacity but also allows you to simultaneously wash two sets of things in different modes. The reverse side of these advantages is traditional...— high cost.