Is it worth paying extra to spin faster?

Life takes many turns, but not as many as a washing machine. If you start looking at a washing machine, it’s normal that your eyes will focus on the capacity or the price. But, what are those RPMs that they put on their technical sheet? It is not just another number, but it has its importance. Because a washing machine with a higher RPM has, in most cases, an even higher price.

Is it worth spending more to have more RPM in your new washing machine? Since there is no simple answer, I am going to explain to you what it means for a washing machine to have more or less RPM. And if it’s worth spending that extra.

Faster is not always better. The same thing happens inside your washing machine.

When a washing machine finishes the wash cycle, everything in the drum is dripping with water. At that moment it is the turn of the centrifuge, that thing that makes a washing machine look like it’s going to fly away. Basically, the drum begins to rotate at a very high speed, causing the clothes, sheets or whatever we have put in the washing machine to stick to the walls of the drum. So that? So that the water comes out through the holes in the drum due to centrifugal force.

Now that we know what the spin of a washing machine does, it’s time to talk about the RPM or revolutions per minute. There is not much mystery here: it is a unit of measurement that is used to know, in this case, how many revolutions does the drum make per minute. These are impressive figures, since if the cycle we use in the washing machine spins at 1,200 RPM, it means that the drum makes 20 revolutions per second.

Numbers aside, what does more or less RPM mean when spinning? The higher the number of revolutions per minute of the drum, the greater the centrifugal force that is generated and, therefore, the greater the amount of water that is extracted from the clothes. So, in short, choosing a very high RPM number in our wash cycle will make the clothes come out with much less water. This is ideal if you put in a load of laundry and want it to be dry as soon as possible. Or even if you are going to use the dryer later, because if the clothes come out with less water, you will be able to use the dryer for less time.

If we stop there, logic will tell us that it is better to use 1,400 or 1,600 RPM to remove dry or almost dry clothes from the washing machine. Spoiler: it is not like that. These types of spins make a lot more noise, so you don’t want to run them at night. Besides, they make clothes come out very wrinkledso it’s time to have a good time with iron in hand.

It’s not that you have to worry about using it a few times, but in the long run, 1,400 or 1,600 RPM causes the fibers of the clothing to wear out much faster, so your clothes will be damaged. And what remains is what affects our pocket: Using these RPMs causes the washing machine’s consumption to increase a little. It’s not a drama, especially since then you will have to use the dryer less time (which uses a lot more) or use the clothesline less time. However, it is something to keep in mind because it adds to the higher price of the washing machine.

The good and the bad of both options, face to face

We do the math to see which one can compensate you more.

As you can see, Both have advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the spin speed will almost always depend on the type of clothing or fabric that we put in the washing machinebut here the question is whether it is worth having that extra that 1,400 or 1,600 RPM gives you. Above all, because a washing machine is an appliance with a very long useful life. You are going to live with her for many years, so it is better to choose well.

If at home you tend to blow dry and don’t use the dryer too much, With a 1,200 RPM washing machine you will have plenty. Because?

• Actual use: You don’t have the highest spin power, but you do have a balanced and sufficient one for most people.
• So?: You spend less on your new washing machine and you still have enough spin to remove clothes with little water. And, in the long run, you will take better care of your clothes.

However, in a humid area such as northern Spain, you will know what an ordeal it is to dry your clothes outdoors. If we add to this intensive use of the dryer and you put so many loads in a week that you don’t have room to hang everything, then You may be interested in opting for a washing machine with 1,400 or 1,600 RPM. Because?

• Actual use: You live in an area where it is (almost) impossible to dry clothes because of the humidity and you want to use the dryer as little as possible.
• So?: You spend a little more, but you will take the clothes out of the washing machine practically dry. A blow of the dryer and you will have it ready, although you will need more iron.

Does that mean it’s only worth it if you’re going to use these RPMs almost all the time? On the contrary. You’re paying more to have the option to do this when the weather is a disaster or when you need something heavy to come out almost dry (like sheets, for example). But also to be able to lower the revolutions to the maximum and thus ‘pamper’ your clothes. In that sense, It is better to have more than to lackas they would say in my town.

In summary:

👉 Choose a washing machine with 1,200 RPM if: You tend to hang it in the air, you use a dryer not at all or very little and you are looking for a cheaper washing machine.

👉 Choose a washing machine with 1,400 or 1,600 RPM if: You live in an area where it is very difficult to air dry your clothes and you don’t care about the extra ironing it will give you.

Recommended models

Washing machine with 1,200 RPM: LG F2X50S8TLB

If you have decided to stay at 1,200 RPM, this LG washing machine may fit you perfectly. It has 9 kg capacity, an average capacity which works well in families of 3 or 4 people. Has energy efficiency Aideal if you are worried about your electricity bill not skyrocketing. It also has artificial intelligence that will help you with laundry, controlling the cycle time depending on the load (this way you spend less time, electricity and water).

To all of the above we have to add that it has automatic detergent dispenser. This way, you load it and forget about having to add it every time you put the washing machine on, which can be quite heavy. Its price right now is close to 500 euros, although it is common to see it around 420 euros.

Washing machine with 1,400 RPM: Samsung WW90DG6U85LKU3

With similar characteristics, but raising the RPM to 1,400, we have this Samsung washing machine. It has three points in common with the previous one: same capacity (9 kg), same energy efficiency and also has an automatic detergent dispenser. Of course: if you have more Samsung appliances or devices at home, you may appreciate how well they integrate with each other.

Let’s talk about the price. If we take offers out of the equation, the difference between the LG washing machine and this one is 300 euros. Now, neither the LG nor the Samsung one costs its RRP now, since right now we have it reduced to close to 500 euros. But, if we also use Delivery and Premiere and the discount code ‘CINE10’, the price remains the same. So, if you live in Galicia or Asturias, this Samsung at the price of the LG is a real treat.

Do you want to see more models?

If none of the above convinces you or you want an alternative, you can consult our purchasing guide for washing machines depending on their capacity and this other to know if it suits you better a separate washer and dryer combo or a washer dryer.

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Image | Cecotec, Samsung, LG, Hisense, PXHere

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