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COPYRIGHT 2004 Australian Consumers' Association
IN A NUTSHELL
* Four out of the five new models tested worked well enough to get into our What to buy list, with WESTINGHOUSE and ELECTROLUX models entering the field as the overall top performers.
* Two of the new models tested have an auto-sense function, which adjusts the wash intensity to how dirty it senses the load to be--but one of them used more water and energy to do it.
Our technical staff have been hard at work again, testing five new dishwashers to add to our ongoing series of dishwasher reports.
The first instalment was in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of CHOICE.
Two of the models in this test have an auto-sense function, which in theory means the machine will sense how dirty the load is and adjust the wash intensity accordingly. When a machine has this feature we test if on that cycle, as we think that's what most people would do--for all other machines we test on their 'normal' cycle.
The two machines with auto-sense, the AEG Favorit 60820 and the WESTINGHOUSE Virtuoso SB925, worked well in different areas. The WESTINGHOUSE Virtuoso washed the dishes well using auto-sense, but it used more water and energy to do it than most other machines. This brought its overall score down enough for us not to include it in the What to buy list. (If you bought one and used the 'normal' wash rather than auto-sense, you might well get similar results to the other WESTINGHOUSE models on test.)
The AEG washed nearly as well but used a lot less water and energy in doing it, comparing favourably with many other machines on their 'normal' wash. So if you like the sound of auto-sense and environmental concerns are important to you, the AEG would be the model to choose.
WHAT TO BUY
A Best Buy is a good performer whose purchase and running costs combined are among the lowest in the test.
The LG and BLANCO models in the Jan/Feb 2004 What to buy list are still good dishwashers, but we've dropped them from the list now because so many of the newly tested models are a little better.
Similar models listed (linked by a square bracket) are technically the same and will get the same scores in our tests, but may have different features or finishes (such as stainless steel vs white).
New ELECTROLUX Gallery ESI6110X $1499 New WESTINGHOUSE SB915WJ (white) $999 New WESTINGHOUSE SB915KJ (black) $999 New WESTINGHOUSE SB915SJ (stainless steel) $1099 MAYTAG Jetclean MJD2000AAW $1099 MAYTAG Jetclean MJD3000AAW $1299 New AEG Favorit 60820 $1899 New WESTINGHOUSE SB907WJ(white) (BEST BUY) $899 New WESTINGHOUSE SB907SJ (stainless steel) $999 WHIRLPOOL 6ADP5656WHM $1399 WHIRLPOOL 6ADG7554WHM $1695
PROFILES OF NEW MODELS
The new models added to the What to buy list since our Jan/Feb 2004 article are profiled here; see that issue for profiles of the other models in the list (or go to www.choiceextra.com.au and click on Jan/Feb 04 under 'dishwashers' in the index). Prices are those provided by manufacturers in January 2004.
ELECTROLUX GALLERY ESI6110X Price: $1499
GOOD POINTS
* Equal top score overall; excellent drying performance and very easy to use.
* Fast wash option.
* Program progress indicator.
* Salt dispenser for water softening in hard-water areas.
BAD POINTS
* Comparatively expensive.
* Relatively noisy.
* Basket design lacks versatility.
AEG FAVORIT 60820 Price: $1899
GOOD POINTS
* Excellent drying performance.
* Top score for ease of use, with easy-to-use controls.
*...
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