How about this model from Panasonic?
Looks pretty good with a clear window. Just as configurable as the Sammy but also has a heater AND the favourite function so you can program it. Here is a
review of the
7kg variant. He goes on about how powerful the motor is but didn't put clothes in there to get an idea of wash action. Still, credit is due for being the first Indian reviewer I found who shows wash action. THAT is how you review a top loader.
Panasonic 6.7 KG (NA-F67BH8MRB) Fully Automatic Top Load Washing Machine comes with water reuse course, ActiveFoam system, intensive stain removal and more.
www.panasonic.com
Steep discount by amazon compared to list price. It's a good deal if service is available in your city. What is the drum size though? Amazed at the size fiddling here between 6.2 - 7.5kg
It looks like 52 L which means your max load is 25 litres tops for the best wash. The manual shows you can load it more but that will reduce the wash action. Best to see this model in a showroom so you can decide whether the size is big enough. There are bigger variants available though the space increase seems small for the price increase. The Koreans do bigger tubs at 62L. That's the tradeoff.
While I agree that running costs will be high, then there will be compromises with any of the functionality provided by the manufacturer. For most of the functions to be really effective, you will need hot water for the detergent to do its job the best.
So long as it is at least 40 that is good enough. Hot means 60, you need warm at 40 as a minimum. You can see their images are what I told you about enzymes earlier
Some people will mix detergent with warm water to activate it. But this is a small quantity that will get chilled when it's put into the main wash. I doubt this way is effective.
Did you know in a top loader you have to dose detergent based on water level? Front loaders are much easier in comparison.
I don't see a figure for temperature. Just this 'hot' and 'warm'. I looked for manuals for similar and discovered that 'hot' means 40 degrees and 'warm' means 30 degrees. The IFB models had specific figures. That American reviewer mentioned that the higher the energy rating the lower that hot and warm really is. The video review above confirms these temperatures with a thermometer. So you can see the same with this Panasonic.
About running costs, I've yet to see any real-world measurements when the heater is on. Looking at an earlier IFB model the manual says half a unit at max. Now my front loader consumes a quarter of a unit at 40 degrees with 5L. If hot for this machine is 40 around half a unit or little more looks realistic.
eg. That 8kg LG with 6 motion and steam I linked a page back has the steam option for two cycles. Normal and allergen cycle where it uses hot water but the rating is only for 2.5kg and not the 8kg rating for the Allergen cycle. So if that is the case then a half unit consumption at real 60 degrees is credible. Note the LG does not mention temperatures anywhere just steam so they're being coy as well though I expect steam above 50 degrees. Since I can access the user manual we get some idea of the functionality. The thing is I can't find any explanation of whether steam with the normal cycle allows rated load. It should but the manual isn't clear about that. If not then this is not replacing a front loader that can wash at 40, or 60 at full weight rating.
Looking at the Panasonic 7kg Econavi
NA-F70V9LRB, one reviewer
posted the program cycle. It can handle 40 degrees at the rated load but 60 degrees can only take a 2.5kg load. See attached. There is something interesting happening here in the definition of 'hot'. If you run the normal cycle then 'hot' means 40. But if you run any of the stainmaster programs then hot translates into either 50 or 60 degrees C. This guy also says the 27k Panasonic he bought washes no better than a 14k top loader. Well, if his water quality is hard then that will be true. But if it's normal or not too hard then the difference between low and high-end will be more apparent. That is why water quality is so important
So, if you can get a copy of the page where the programs are described in the manual you will know whether this machine can do a 40-degree wash at the rated load. I suspect you will have to use the 'hot' setting for 40 degrees C and the 'warm' will be 30. For a rated load. Which is good enough.
And at my location, temps dip to single digits in winters so washing clothes in cold water wont't be that good. So I am willing to sacrifice on those features in place of hot water.
Where is that location?
Why not check out their latest model? it pushes the console to the back so that will mean fewer problems with the controls over the long run and it's got wifi too with Alexa or google integration. If you use the phone then you won't be pressing any buttons on the machine either so that works too. It can track water and power consumption.
Can't wait for your review
I am curious as to why there is lint issue faced on a TL machine than a FL. This machine at my native has linting issue and I have to scrape it off using a brush type scrubber. Never had this in FL.
Has the washing style has anything to do with it?
Reasons according to the top loader manuals.
- mixing lint producers (towels, flannel) with lint collectors (synthetic or mixed fabrics)
- Overloading or the detergent used isn't foaming enough. You want a light foam on top but not too much to carry away the lint and dirt for that matter. With overloading, there will be not enough foam or using too little detergent or one that does not foam enough will cause this problem. To check you are using the correct amount of Detergent, lift the lid of your machine about halfway through the wash.
There should be a thin layer of foam over the surface of the water. Lots of foam may look good, but it does not contribute to cleaning your clothes. No foam means not enough detergent has been used so soil and lint can settle back on the clothes or the washing machine. If excess Detergent is used, the rinse will not be efficient. Also, it could cause environmental pollution, so use it accordingly.
- the water level chosen by the machine might not be enough so set a higher water level. This can happen if the load is bulky but lightweight so the machine gets confused and sets a lower water level than necessary. I think this might fix the bulk of problems people have. Our clothes are thinner due to the weather so the machine does not use enough water. Top loaders with 8-10 water level settings offer finer grain control than just 4 water level settings and are more economical in the long run in terms of water and detergent. A mix of light and heavier items where you put the lighter items in first and then the heavier might help weight things down than if all the clothes were thin and light and just float no matter the water level. So you need a mix of clothes.
- Water not warm enough will not activate the detergent. No foam. Temperature below 18°C... will not activate laundry additives and may cause lint, residue, poor cleaning etc. In addition, Detergent manufacturers and care labels define COLD water as 26-29°C... If the temperature of the water in the tub is too cold for your hands, the Detergent will not activate and clean effectively.
You can be more adventurous with detergent in a TL than a FL. There is no spider that can break. If it cleans and does the job use it. Use too much liquids you will have to do regular tub clean cycles in hot water. Powders are low maintenance that way.
All about the look, you will have to recognise or adjust to get the water level enough, the right 'mix' of clothes and the right look of foam
Yeah, a little more fine art is required here than with FL's.
@tech.addict can you confirm?