Home appliances don’t come cheap, so it’s best to take your time getting to know as much as you can about an appliance before opening your wallets.
In line with that, looking for a reasonably-priced and durable washing machine in Singapore requires you to consider a number of factors: one of those is the type of engine you should get.
Most washing machines either come with a direct drive or belted engine. Thus, your choice will generally be between those two.
If you’re unsure about the difference between these two types of washing machine engines, worry no more because we have you covered. Today, we’re going to elaborate on the difference between the two to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget!
Direct Drive Washing Machine
First of all, a direct drive washing machine is the more complex type. It comes with various gears and features that aren’t present in the other type (which is the older version).
One of the things we love about direct drive washing machines is that they produce only minimal noise in operation, making them an option if you get easily irritated by loud machine noises. The only noise one can hear from direct drives is the spin of linen and minimal vibrations.
Keep in mind that every washing machine creates noise, of course. Don’t be fooled by false advertisement saying that a certain model creates no noise… just expect less noise from a direct drive option than a belted one.
In terms of size, direct drive washing machines are often designed to be smaller than their belted cousins. As you can see, there are pros and cons to that:
1. The pro: you can fit them in smaller spaces.
2. The con: you can’t fit a lot of clothes in them.
So, we can only recommend them if you’re washing small volumes of clothes every week. Most direct drive models are designed small — although there are a very few that can handle a huge volume of clothes in one washing.
If you’re looking for the more durable option, direct drives are also engineered to last for a long time. However, if yours is broken due to carelessness and improper use, the cost of repair may be fairly high… again, because this is the more complex engine.
Belt Drive Washing Machine
If you’re planning on using the washing machine to wash a huge volume of clothes every week, going for one with a belt drive engine will be beneficial in the long run. Most of them come with small engines attached to the axis of the tank: that allows more space for clothes in the drum.
One of the best benefits of going for a belt drive washing machine is that having it repaired doesn’t cost as much as repairing a direct drive because it has fewer parts and gears — it’s simpler.
According to the technicians at Washing Machine Singapore, less complex engines are also less expensive to repair. It makes sense: they require less specialised knowledge and less finicky work.
However, belt drives have their downsides too. They apply more pressure to the main shaft of the machine, which can affect the bearings and shaft alignments in the long run.
A belt drive machine is also more likely to wear down easily, especially if used almost every day. Note that such usage isn’t advisable for any type of washing machine, by the way, so even direct drives would suffer if you did that with them.
Direct Drive or Belted Drive: Which Is Perfect for You?
So, have you already decided which one to get? If you’re willing to spend extra on a more advanced washing machine, you might want to consider getting one with a direct drive engine.
It could also be the ideal option if you tend to wash small loads. That’s why smaller households and individuals prefer direct drive washers.
If you have limited funds and need to do big loads at once, though, you may still consider a belted washing machine. It uses older tech, sure, but in case something happens, you won’t be forced to spend a lot of money on repairs.