Bosch WKD28351GB review

Review: March 2016

Rating:

In a nutshell: The Bosch WKD28351GB built-in washer-dryer is one of the best of its types, combining a compact and neat finish with a full-size wash/dry capacity. But like all built-in models, it's quite expensive, has a low B-rating for energy efficiency, and can be quite noisy in use.

Design

The Bosch WKD28351GB integrated washer and condenser dryer is ideal if you want to hide your laundry away discreetly beneath a kitchen counter-top. With a compact and flush form, it's designed to be built-in, and yet offer the full functionality of a normal washer-dryer.

The build quality of this machine is good, with a strong and solid feel, and being built-in, it ought to vibrate less, although there's a risk that vibrations will be transmitted to the surrounding structure, causing extra noise.

The control panel is flush with the rest of the machine, and so it isn't the most ergonomic model we've encountered, but that's one of the downsides of an integrated design. It's a fairly straightforward machine to control, with an electronic rotary dial to set the wash/dry programme. There are buttons to start and stop the programme, and to select the spin speed, and set a time delay of up to 24 hours. A tiny LED display shows the time delay, or the time remaining.

Overall the design is solid, but rather uninspired.

Washing and performance

Despite the size constraints on this machine, and the relatively small drum size, it's capable of handling full size loads. The maximum wash capacity is a decent 7kg, and drying capacity is 4kg. That makes it a better option than the Bosch WKD28350GB that we reviewed last year.

The range of washing programmes includes everything you'd expect - from Cottons (from 30° to 90°), to Delicates & Wool. The drying programme incorporates a sensor to adjust drying times automatically.

This machine isn't as energy-efficient or as quiet as Bosch's freestanding range of washer dryers however. It's rated B for energy, and can be rather noisy when washing, probably because of the small and inefficient drum size.

Reliability

Bosch has a good reputation for reliability, although with a washer-dryer there's twice as much to go wrong, and even more so in an integrated model.

Conclusion - an expensive choice

Opting for an integrated washer-dryer is an expensive choice. You pay more than for a freestanding model, and you get less. This model is selling for a very pricey £900 - a premium of around £100 compared with similar freestanding models. The size constraints on a built-in washer-dryer lead to reduced energy efficiency and more noise too, so it's really not an option that we recommend.

However, if you need a built-in washer-dryer, this is probably one of the best models you could choose.

Bosch WKD28351GB features include:

Washing capacity: 7 kg
Drying capacity: 4 kg
Maximum spin speed: 1400 rpm
Energy efficiency class: B
Spin class: B
Fully electronic control dial for all wash and special programmes
Special programmes: Mixed load, Drain/Spin Wool Programme, delicates 30°, fluff removal cycle
Display for programme progress indication, temperature, spin speed, time remaining and 24 hours time delay, and indication of drying level
AquaSpa wash system
Reload facility
Foam detection system
Buzzer to indicate the end of cycle
Child lock
Drum capacity: 52 litres
Noise level (washing): 57dB
Noise level (spinning): 74dB
Dimensions (H X W X D): 82 x 59.5 x 58.4 cm
Fully built-in

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Bosch WKD28351GB user reviews

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