Semi Automatic Vs Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Buying a washing machine is a big investment that will serve you for at least a decade. Choosing the right type of washing machine is very important. Otherwise, you will end up regretting it later.

There are basically two types of washing machine available in the market. One is the Semi Automatic and other one is the Fully Automatic washing machine.

Many people buy a semi automatic washing machine as it is cheap to buy without knowing the difference between Semi Automatic Vs Fully Automatic Washing Machine.

So this article will be all about discussing the pros and cons of both types of washing machines and finding out the differences between them.

Semi Automatic Washing Machine

We all know that a washing machine can do washing as well as drying. Right? In the case of semi-automatic washing machines, it has a separate tub for drying.

Once the wash cycle is completed, you need to take out the clothes from the washtub and put them into the dryer tub to run the dryer cycle.

In many semi-automatic washing machines, you need you to fill the water manually, which is again a big problem. However, new machines come with automatic water filling.

These machines are simple in design and relatively cheaper too. They consume less water and electricity. You also have the option to skip drying so that you can save some energy.

Semi-automatic washing machines are usually top-loading machines, so you can always add clothes in between the cycles.

Advantages Of Semi Automatic Washing Machine

• Very cheap to own
• A separate drying tub is available
• Very low maintenance cost
• Consume less water and electricity

Disadvantages Of Semi Automatic Washing Machine

• You need to take out clothes from the washer and put them into the dryer
• You may need to pour water manually into the washtub
• Sometimes comes with a plastic tub which is not durable.

Fully Automatic Washing Machine

As the name suggests, these machines are fully automatic. That means that once you put clothes into the washing machine, forget about it, and you can take out your cloth once they dried up.

After putting your clothes in the machine, you need to select the desired wash cycle, and the machine will do the job automatically. Since there is no manual effort involved, it is called a fully automatic machine.

Fully automatic washing machines are available in top-loading and front-loading configurations. The design is a bit complex, and there are many electronic components involved to make the machine automatic.

These machines are a bit heavy and consume more electricity compare to semi-automatic washing machines. They also consume more water. Usually, these machines are very costly but come with a wide range of features and technologies.

Advantages Of Fully Automatic Washing Machines

• No manual effort is required
• A wide range of features and technologies are available
• Better wash performance
• Better drying performance

Disadvantages Of Fully Automatic Washing Machine

• Very costly
• Maintenance cost is very high
• Consume more water and electricity

Semi Automatic Vs Fully Automatic Washing Machine: Which One Is Better?

We will differentiate the Semi Automatic and Fully Automatic Washing Machines based on the following parameters.

Wash Performace

Wash performance is always better in fully automatic washing machines as these machines are smart enough to decide the best setting automatically to give you the best possible wash.

On the other hand, in the semi-automatic washing machine, wash performance largely depends on the setting you choose manually, the kind and amount of detergent you choose, and the quality of water you use. A fully automatic washing machine decides everything by itself.

Winner: Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Water Consumption

Water consumption is less in semi automatic washing machines as you can always control the water consumption based on the number of cycle that you choose in the washing cycle.

In the fully automatic washing machine, everything is decided by the washing machine itself. Few fully automatic washing machines like the top load washers consume less water whereas front load washers consume a lot of water.

Winner: Semi Automatic Washing Machine

Power Consumption

Power consumption is very high in fully automatic washing machines, especially the top load washers. So many features, so many cycles, and so much of technologies, All these combined, consume a lot of energy.

However, inverter washing machines seems to save around 40% of power. But the price of inverter washing machines are really high which may not justify if you want to keep the washing machine for less than 5 years.

Winner: Semi Automatic Washing Machine

Configuration

Semi automatic washing machines are only available in the top load configuration. This is due to the limitation that you have to transfer clothes from washer to dryer every time and in front loading configuration it is impossible.

This is one of the issues that restrict many consumers from buying a semi-automatic washing machine.

Fully automatic washing machines are available in both top loading and front loading configuration. That makes it a ideal choice for consumer to choose the one based on their requirement.

Winner: Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Noise And Vibration

Since semi-automatic washing machines are only available in the top load configuration, the noise and vibration are relatively high compared to the fully automatic ones.

After the introduction of direct drive technology, fully automatic washing machines are almost silent. Due to less moving parts, the vibration level is also very low. So if you are someone who is bothered about the noise and vibration, fully automatic washing machines are the way to go.

Winner: Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Convenience

Without a doubt, fully automatic washing machines offer the best convenience. Just press the power button and everything else will be taken care by the machine.

In the semi-automatic washing machine, you always need to keep an eye on when the washing cycle is completed and then you need to transfer the clothes to the dryer. This creates a messy situation as water may drip onto the floor. This issue restricts semi-automatic washing machines from being used inside apartments.

Winner: Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Latest Technologies

Most latest technologies are meant for fully automatic washing machines as these are preferred by consumers. Be it inverter technology, direct drive technology, or drum technologies, fully automatic washing machines always get the preference.

The profit margin in semi automatic washing machines is very less. That is why, no manufactures find it suitable to invest in new technologies for semi automatic washing machines.

Winner: Fully Automatic Washing Machine

Cost

The initial investment and the ownership cost is low for semi automatic washing machines but you need to sacrifice on many other aspect as already mentioned in this article.

Fully automatic washing machines, especially the ones that come with inverter technology cost almost twice the cost of semi-automatic washing machines. So depending on your budget, you can choose the one.

Winner: Semi Automatic Washing Machine

Semi Automatic Washing Machine Vs Fully Automatic Washing Machine [ Summary ]

Verdict: Semi Vs Fully Automatic Washing Machine

As you can see from the above table there are bunch of differences between semi-automatic and fully automatic washing machine and it is evident that fully automatic washing machines has an edge.

Unless your budget does not permit to buy a fully automatic washing machine, I don’t see any reason to choose semi automatic washing machines.

Please remember that the price difference between semi automatic and fully automatic washing machine is already very narrow. So take a wise decision.