top 10’s

Feb

2014

Top 10 Quiet Fridges

It’s enough to drive you crazy if you’re already feeling a bit on the sensitive side thanks to a headache or just a desperate need for peace and quiet. A noisy fridge may just seem annoying at first but the more that humming and vibration persists the more irritating it becomes until it seems to have amplified everything out of proportion and you’re almost ready to unplug the darned fridge and throw it out the window.

If you suffer from ‘noisy fridge syndrome’ then you’ll be glad you’ve found this post because on it we’ve researched and found what we believe are 10 of the quietest fridges out there. All received a top 5/5 score by Which for the noise and vibration category.

But first, why are certain fridges noisy in the first place?

Possible reasons your fridge is noisy

The compressor (i.e., motor) makes a noise while it circulates the gas necessary to keep the fridge cool. This runs for more than half the time that the fridge is switched on. Newer, and more expensive, fridges contain linear compressors which operate in the same manner as a dimmer switch ie they only use as much power as is necessary which means the fridge runs at a quieter level.

Some frost-free fridge freezers can make a whirring noise which is the result of a build-up of ice around a fan and means the fridge isn’t cooling properly so should be looked at.

Certainly though, one of the first things you should try if your fridge noise levels are at a higher decibel than you’d like, is to defrost it and see if that makes a difference. If not, if may be time to call in a fridge repair man or buy a new one depending on your current financial position.

Our top 10 quiet fridges:

Beko CHILL53W. Costs around £130.
Liebherr T1404. Costs from £230.
Hotpoint RLA36P. Retails from £190.
Beko TLD673APS. Costs around £280.
AEG S71700TSW0. Retails from £270.
Siemens KU15RA51GB. Costs from £380.
Smeg FAB10RR. Retails from £650.
Neff K5604X7GB. Costs from £420
Miele K12820SD. Retails around £720.
John Lewis JLUCLFS6007. Retails at £320.

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Feb

2014

Top 10 High Capacity Dryers

The Top 10 High Capacity Dryers

If you’re a big family then you absolutely want to be buying a high capacity tumble dryer. That’s one that can take at least 8kg in one load.

In reality your dryer should actually have twice the capacity as your washing machine so that there’s enough room in the dryer for your laundry to come out fresh and ready to wear (it makes sense!). A larger dryer, provided you have the laundry to fill it, is much more economical since it means you can dry more at the one time and have the machine on less

Best big tumble dryers

Hoover’s Dynamic (9kg). Energy efficient with a delay start mechanism and four levels of sensor drying, the Dynamic has easy empty drawers and an LED display. Costs around £300.
LG RC9011 (8kg). Quiet and reliable this LG machine has an energy saving mode and a choice of programmes with options. Comes with sensor drying to cut down on electricity costs. Costs from £500.
Hotpoint TCM580P (8kg). This condenser dryer has a fast drying cycle and is quiet too. Energy efficiency isn’t great but it’s not bad either. Very easy to use. Costs £250.
Bosch WTE84309 (8kg). Has a decent energy efficiency rating and some nice functions such as ‘sportswear’ and ‘reduced ironing.’ Has sensor and LED display screen showing how much of the cycle is left. Costs £400.
Whirlpool AZB97801 (9kg). Machine has ‘6^th sense colour technology’ which the company says preserves fabric colours. Decent energy efficiency and has an LED display screen. Four drying levels. Costs £500
Indesit IDCA8350BH (8kg). Fast and even drying of laundry and very easy to use. Door lies flat against body of machine giving good access. Costs around £230.
LG RC8015C (8kg). Very efficient drying sensor which gets all fabrics dried evenly. A sturdy machine that is easy to operate with a light inside the drum and large type on the LED display screen. Retails from £500.
Candy GOV580C-80 (8kg). A vented dryer which is very energy efficient and different heat settings for delicate clothes. Effective drying sensors. Price £160 upwards.
Hotpoint TCEM80C6G (8kg). Fast and even drying of laundry with this condenser dryer; especially when it comes to cottons. Light indicates when the water tank is full. Costs around £250.
Candy GCC 590NB (9kg). Has a very effective iron-dry programme which makes clothes damp and easier to iron. Senor drying but can override it to a manual setting. Costs from £300.

What’s your experience with large capacity tumble dryers? Is there one we haven’t included on our list that you think should be there? Please let us know.