Core Insights - The performance of washing machines significantly impacts consumer experience, with a recent comparative study revealing that top brands vary widely in cleaning efficiency and energy consumption [1][2][4]. Group 1: Washing Machine Performance - A comparative test conducted by the China Consumers Association and Hangzhou Consumer Council evaluated 25 mainstream washing machines, revealing that only 1 out of 7 top-loading machines achieved a drum cleaning performance of 80% or higher [1][4]. - The average effective volume of front-loading washing machines was measured at 62.9L, while top-loading machines averaged 68.13L, indicating that top-loading machines generally offer more internal space [5][7]. - The cleaning performance of front-loading machines was superior, with an average cleaning value of 1.06 compared to 0.93 for top-loading machines [15][17]. Group 2: Energy Consumption - Many front-loading washing machines, including brands like Casarte and Samsung, approached the critical threshold of the first-level energy efficiency standard in terms of power consumption [1][4]. - The average measured power consumption for 16 front-loading machines was approximately 0.0927 kWh/(kg·cycle), while for 9 top-loading machines, it was about 0.0096 kWh/(kg·cycle) [9][11]. - Notably, LG's front-loading machine exhibited the lowest power consumption, significantly below the group average, indicating superior energy efficiency [9][11]. Group 3: Cleaning Agents and Oil Stain Removal - The study highlighted that front-loading machines generally performed better in removing oil stains, with most achieving cleaning values above 1.01, while only one top-loading machine exceeded this threshold [18][20]. - The cleaning performance of liquid detergents was also tested, with front-loading machines showing a higher average cleaning value compared to top-loading machines [15][17]. Group 4: Consumer Guidance - The study cautioned consumers against relying solely on advertised cleaning ratios, as these often reflect special testing conditions rather than typical usage scenarios [25]. - Recommendations included checking the effective washing capacity and energy efficiency ratings, as well as being aware of noise levels during the spin cycle [25].