ryner1988
Well-known member
Hi all,
So, I've seen several threads on here over the years in the archives about what people consider to be the best-sounding washer. I have my personal favorite (Whirlpool/Kenmore belt drive machines from the 80's and before), but just for fun, what is the washer that grinds y'all's gears the very most in terms of noise? I was thinking about this earlier this morning while running a load of laundry and my wife was sleeping in. The laundry closet is right outside the bedroom and she slept right through the washer running.
I've had three machines in this apartment since we moved here: the 2016 VMW Whirlpool, the 1984 Maytag helical drive, and the 2005 Whirlpool direct drive, which is what I have now. As far as least irritating in a small space, I'd have to say that goes to the Maytag. It just hummed along in the background with no startling, sudden sounds or fuss. One could watch TV or even sleep without any disturbance from that washer. It just did its thing. In second place would be my current DD washer. Yeah the thumping agitation sound can sometimes be a bit much, but it's still just a more background noise than not. I think it's the lack of electronic sounds that keeps it in that category, which leads me to...
Jeez oh Pete the VMW washer was sooo annoying to me especially in a one bedroom apartment. I don't think it would bother someone in a large house or even a larger apartment than mine, where you can get away from it, but with it being in such close proximity, it drove me crazy. I don't know how anyone can deal with that whomp...whomp...whomp! agitation sound of the motor reversing, or that horrible coughing pump, or the loud clacks it sometimes makes while checking for spin balance. Even my wife noticed and she doesn't really pay attention to such things. When we first got it she said something like "holy crap that washer sounds different. It sounds like a walking robot." Some people say these machines are loud, and I wouldn't necessarily say that. They just sound so drastically different, like tinny electronic metal, that they just don't blend into the background. They're extremely noticeable when running. I don't think it's that I feel like all modern washers sound horrible. My dad has a Maytag Bravos washer from 2011 that doesn't sound that way. It's still more electronic-sounding, but it's a heck of a lot quieter. Different drive design maybe? I also don't mind the sounds of most front loaders, in fact they are mostly extremely quiet and I would probably have one if I didn't have concerns about it fitting in my space.
So, what do you guys think? What washer, in terms of noise, do you hate the most? This can be either vintage or modern.
Ryne
So, I've seen several threads on here over the years in the archives about what people consider to be the best-sounding washer. I have my personal favorite (Whirlpool/Kenmore belt drive machines from the 80's and before), but just for fun, what is the washer that grinds y'all's gears the very most in terms of noise? I was thinking about this earlier this morning while running a load of laundry and my wife was sleeping in. The laundry closet is right outside the bedroom and she slept right through the washer running.
I've had three machines in this apartment since we moved here: the 2016 VMW Whirlpool, the 1984 Maytag helical drive, and the 2005 Whirlpool direct drive, which is what I have now. As far as least irritating in a small space, I'd have to say that goes to the Maytag. It just hummed along in the background with no startling, sudden sounds or fuss. One could watch TV or even sleep without any disturbance from that washer. It just did its thing. In second place would be my current DD washer. Yeah the thumping agitation sound can sometimes be a bit much, but it's still just a more background noise than not. I think it's the lack of electronic sounds that keeps it in that category, which leads me to...
Jeez oh Pete the VMW washer was sooo annoying to me especially in a one bedroom apartment. I don't think it would bother someone in a large house or even a larger apartment than mine, where you can get away from it, but with it being in such close proximity, it drove me crazy. I don't know how anyone can deal with that whomp...whomp...whomp! agitation sound of the motor reversing, or that horrible coughing pump, or the loud clacks it sometimes makes while checking for spin balance. Even my wife noticed and she doesn't really pay attention to such things. When we first got it she said something like "holy crap that washer sounds different. It sounds like a walking robot." Some people say these machines are loud, and I wouldn't necessarily say that. They just sound so drastically different, like tinny electronic metal, that they just don't blend into the background. They're extremely noticeable when running. I don't think it's that I feel like all modern washers sound horrible. My dad has a Maytag Bravos washer from 2011 that doesn't sound that way. It's still more electronic-sounding, but it's a heck of a lot quieter. Different drive design maybe? I also don't mind the sounds of most front loaders, in fact they are mostly extremely quiet and I would probably have one if I didn't have concerns about it fitting in my space.
So, what do you guys think? What washer, in terms of noise, do you hate the most? This can be either vintage or modern.
Ryne
