The short answer is that some models seem to be, but according to Which? at least one is not. Samsung have created a new technology for washing machines called EcoBubble, which they claim, “improves wash performance, reduces energy consumption and saves money”.
How does it work and what are the main claims? In plain language, they mix air bubbles in with the water and detergent which they say gets detergent into the fabric 40% faster allowing lower temperatures to achieve good results using 70% less energy (at 40 degrees).
It sounds impressive, and clearly any figures quoted will be provable in some way, but I’m always sceptical of percentages without context. So when I see percentages quoted like this I immediately think, 70% less energy than what? And what does the 70% equate to in actual money? We all know 70% is very impressive, but 70% of a pound is nothing to get giddy about. Potentially, the implication most people may take is that it uses 70% less energy than all other washing machines, but does it?
Let’s compare a Samsung 7kg ecobubble with a normal Bosh 7Kg washing machine
The Bosh 7Kg washing machines claims to cost only £21 a year in energy to run. So if the Ecobubble was 70% cheaper than that it makes it £6.30 a year. This doesn’t seem right, surely no washing machine costs as little as £6 a year to run. According to the specs on the Ecobubble 7Kg washing machine, it costs £25 a year to run – which is more!
So 70% less energy consumption doesn’t look so impressive when I can already see a rival washing machine without the ecobubble that costs even less to run. And it was just the first one I looked at. It clearly doesn’t equate to being 70% cheaper to run per se.
Also, what does 40% faster mean in real terms? 40% faster could mean just over half a second instead of 1 second for example, which isn’t remotely significant. The point is, percentage figures are meaningless without context but they are always used to impress in adverts, so be careful what you assume from impressive looking percentages.
The ecobubble washing machine I’m currently looking at does wash 10 minutes faster than the same Bosh WAE24490GB washing machine, which is quicker, but not significantly quicker to me. However, the ecobubble takes 20 minutes longer to wash on the Time Easy Care cycle than the Bosh, so it’s only faster under specific circumstances, or maybe on just a few programmes.
Putting aside the percentage claims
Out of the 5 ecobubble washing machines reviewed by Which? so far some of them are reportedly very good at cleaning but one model was found to be so poor at cleaning that they gave it a Don’t Buy icon. To be fair it’s probably an older model, possibly one of the first.
Ultimately most of the reviews say they wash well and relatively quickly, how much of that is down to the bubbles is unclear because many washing machines without ecobubble also have fantastic cleaning results and are Best Buys, so the bubbles aren’t necessarily some new discovery set to revolutionise washing machines.
It does seem that there may be something in the bubble system. The best advice is to check out Which? reviews on any model you are interested in. I suspect the Ecobubble may mainly be useful at reducing wash times on low temperature washes. So if you are into washing at really cool temperatures it is worth looking into, but choose your model carefully. (continued below..)
In my experience and opinion, the washing machine manufactures who also make brown goods tend to rely too much on fancy “innovations” to sell washing machines. Possibly because brown goods always sell on fancy features. I’ve yet to see one that I genuinely think improves washing machines…
Samsung EcoBubble reviews
Which? have so far reviewed the following EcoBubble models –
- WF80F5E5U4W Ecobubble
- WF0704W7W Ecobubble
- WF1124XAC Ecobubble
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I had my Samsung Eco bubble 12 kg machine for just over 2 years. In that time it broke down three times, first time after one year, then after 6 months and then again last week. The problem was the circuit board (?) I really liked the washer when it did work, as it was big and efficient, but the amount of weeks I waited for the repair ruined it all. I live in Norway, and by law appliances can only be repaired twice for the same fault, so today I changed it in for a new Miele. I got a full refund for it, and I am pleased with the shop I bought it in.
I will not recommend getting a Samsung washing machine …….
My Eco bubble 7 kg has broke I called up to be told it’s just over 2 years and no warranty I said I registered online for the 5 year one and it doesn’t apply as I registered it in a different country I said I purchased it in UK so I said well the bolts have snapped off the motter which attached to drum and this just doesn’t happen so must be fault with machin I am now having to pay 120 for there engeneir to fix will never buy from them again very disappointed in this as I paid a lot of money for machin
Hello Michelle. If you believe the fault is one that should not have happened – especially after only 2 years you don’t even need it to be under any guarantee to try and get redress. But if you are no longer in the UK it may be very different. In the UK we can claim compensation (usually a free repair) for up to 5 or 6 years after purchase if we can show that an appliance hasn’t lasted a reasonable time or had an inherent fault. If something like the support brackets for the motor have come off and you have only used it normally you might have a case. Read the following Out of guarantee even by a long time doesn’t always mean you should pay
I had just bought a brand new Samsung WF80F5E0w4w and it failed from the start with water not draining and coming with Error code 5E.
I never bought Samsung WM before but seeing their 5-year guarantee persuaded me to buy on-line. However dealing with Samsung customer service which is based in Manila and through Currys was a pain. I won’t buy one again after this experience and would go back to Bosch.
Hello Ahad, to be fair, if a brand new washing machine won’t empty the water the odds are more likely that it’s an installation fault or something in a pocket has got stuck in the pump than it being faulty. However, it is of course possible for it to be genuinely faulty, which would be annoying. Funnily enough I’ve just published a new article on how many faults on brand new washing machines turn out to be installation or user faults so it might be worth reading through it Is the washing machine actually faulty?
If it is the washing machine is at fault then within the first 30 days you are definitely entitled to a full refund.
16 months old eco bubble rust has appeared in corner behind laundry drawer. Given total run around by customer care … Basically they don’t. I’ll have to risk paying for an engineer to look at it and as they told me its not a manufacting fault guess who pays? Forget the 5yr guarantee not worth the email it took to register. Totally disgusted
I have had my Ecobubble for six months. I am having problems with the auto detergent dispenser. Samsung came out last week and replaced full unit stating that the problem was that the softer and detergent were too thick! Now the detergent won’t go through the machine, but collates in a pool under the dispenser. Rang call centre. Could hardly understand what was being said. Explained that I was only in on certain days as I work. Low and behold, they did not have those dates available. After requesting to speak to manager, they said they would ring me tomorrow to offer me an appointment for the day I have requested next week. I advised that the machine was not fit for purpose. Machine cost £1,300 +. Am I annoyed? Too right I am. Will see what happens next.
Wow I didn’t know some were that expensive. For that price you could have got a Miele washing machine which is the best you can get.
We have had a Samsung Ecobubble 8kg 1400 RPM washer for about 4 years now, and I really do not recommend it. I rarely see the bubbles and really do not see their results. The washing machine really struggles with stains and does not clean outstandingly. it is efficient with water, but cannot say anything about power savings since I am not happy with the results of washing (max 7/10 rating). I brought this washer based on claims of thorough cleaning with lower temperatures, but always find myself using high conventional washing temperatures. The only outstanding thing really is its reliability. It never had any serious issues except that the door handle broke once. If time goes back, I would have brought a German washer brand like Miele or AEG. If you want a washer that’s reliable, but doesn’t clean stains, then this is the washer for you.
First of all Hello.. i just found this site by google.. i just read all the comments for this..
so i have my Samsung washing machine WF60… something 6 kg. And i bought it November 2014 for just 320 euros (245 pounds), 1,5 yrs have passed, so far is an excellent one, i cant’ complain at all, is cleaning pretty well, even on ”daily wash” program which last just hour, as i work in factory, i get dirty pretty often. Previously we had Gorenje a Slovenian brand.. which was old 30 yrs! i don’t think or believe that some brand can produce that quality again. So i’m just concerned after i read all those comments.. hope i won’t get the same pains.. because as for now.. i love the washing machine a lot, and i’m so much satisfied with it.. and i noticed the expensive models got problems which is so weird, i think they screwed that series.. or have no clue.. as my cheaper one, it’s amazing so far