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 have a Samsung Washing machine WF431ABP/XEU at the cost of £1500. I had it for nearly 2 years when the bearings went on it, it had numerous parts replaced under warranty and 8 months later the machine has the same fault. Ive contacted Samsung and they are not bothered as its now out of warranty. So I’ve wasted £1500 on a washing machine that have latest me 2.5 years
IS there anyone I can report them to as im really annoyed
Hello Alison. I had problems with the door of my Samsung eco bubble washing machine. I got no joy whatsoever from customer services. In fact I was insulted by one agent who told me I must not clean it regularly? I eventually hunted down and emailed the right guy. I soon received a new door. The guy who came out to change it said it was a common fault in my model? Good luck.
Hello Alison. You need to complain to the retailer you bought it from under the sale of goods act if you think it hasn’t been fit for purpose or lasted a reasonable time – (Is it the manufacturer or retailer responsible for faulty appliances?)
Our experience has left me with a resounding ‘NO!’.
I can’t complain about the cleanliness of the clothes as the machine has consistently produced clean clothes (which you expect from any washing machine, I suppose) but we bought our 8kg ecobubble about 2 and half years ago. The one thing that swayed our decision to go with Samsung and not Bosch was the 5 year warranty that Samsung were offering. Within a month the machine got louder and louder, making a banging noise on every cycle. Then a squeaking/grinding noise. They sent a couple of repair men out and they replaced a faulty drum. The grinding noise went but the banging didn’t. It got a bit quieter and we put up with it. Recently it have become very loud again.
We now have a 5E code so when I went to empty and clean the filter I noticed 2 screws say inside the cover and the whole filter housing moves freely ( which I think is the reason for some of the problems.
For unknown reasons it appears we didn’t register the washing within 28 days of purchase so they have informed us that the 5 year warranty is null and void and its out of the 2 year warranty.
I feel frustrated because we have always had Bosch appliances in the past and they have always lasted at least 5 years. It was the warranty that swayed us not the reputation of build quality.
I’ll not be buying Samsung again and I’ll also be making sure I register my warranties in the future.
Moral of the story is don’t buy Samsung if they don’t have a 5 year warranty offer, and make sure you register it
Hello Andy. It sounds like you could have a claim against the retailer under the sale of goods act if you’ve only used the machine normaly and looked after it and it has only lasted 2 and a half years (Even if out of guarantee you may not have to pay for repair)
Regarding the extended warranty, to be fair that’s not brand specific as the same would have happened whatever brand or even product you bought. If you didn’t register the extra warranty you don’t get it. However, this has always struck me as disingenuous because the extra warranties are clearly built into the price of the product. They seem to rely on a certain percentage of people forgetting to register and are usually very happy when people find themselves without the cover simply on a technicality – which is a very poor customer attitude.
Samsung Ecobubble 12kg. Bought in June 2012. Needed new motor in March 2014. UK based helpline were good. Now broken down again in June 2016. Needs a new motor, plus I suspect a new PCB. Customer care Useless. Now in Manilla and giving them English names does not mean they can speak or understand us. Found a UK number and told by complaints there is nothing they can do. Manilla are fully trained engineers!!! Manilla told me it is a call centre!! Have no idea when my machine will be looked at or repaired. Worst machine I have ever bought. Wash quality is terrible as well.
Samsung 9k Ecobubble washing machine- Pile of junk, now 2 years old, engineer been requested now on two previous occasions. This time the machine actually switches itself off in mid cycle, plays its little tune and then switches back on repeatedly.
I even have a Samsung Heat pump tumble dryer, only 16 months old, new PCB fitted, then fan went….another pile of junk….their after sales service is extremely poor…..contact centre 5000 miles away, poor line quality, unable to pick up on UK dialect…..buy something else….last point, neither the dryer or the washing machine serve their purpose well, just poor quality. Samsung should stick to making TV’s!
Tonight the bolts (that hold the motor) sheared off my Samsung EcoBubble Washing machine (Model WF80F5E2W4X) leaving the motor on the floor of the washer, and me without a washing machine – it is just 4 years old!!! Totally disgusted, especially when I have done an internet search and seen just how many people this has happend to. If you had asked me yesterday I’d have said it was the best machine I’ve had…what a difference a day makes!
We bought an Eco bubble from John Lewis. WW90H7600E. Looks good but that is it. Worst machine we have ever had. Often fails to clean properly, leaving dark marks, and dirt builds up around the rubber frame (even using the self clean function). Looks dirty and smells. We are getting rid of it after two years. Back to Miele..
We purchased a Samsung Eco Bubble which suffered the (what appears to be) standard problem of stopping in mid program at bout 3 years. Samsung have been no help. What upsets me with the likes of Which is they wax lyrical about all these items but no back up with if they actually carry on working. We have just received an estimate for £273 which is rubbish for a 3 year old machine.
Look up customer reviews on these machines and not from the likes of Which or currys or AO etc
as they are all from new items.
Hello Russ. A washing machine should last longer than 3 years. Depending on how much it cost and how it’s been used you may be able to get some compensation from the retailer under the Consumer Rights Act (Out of guarantee – even by a long time doesn’t always mean you should pay)