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  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Controls

  • Drawer

  • Interior

  • Sides

  • Back

  • Electricity Use

  • Cost Per Wash

  • Yearly Running Cost

  • Washing Cycles

  • Customization

  • Additional Wash Options

  • Conclusion

  • Specs

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Controls
  • Drawer
  • Interior
  • Sides
  • Back
  • Electricity Use
  • Cost Per Wash
  • Yearly Running Cost
  • Washing Cycles
  • Customization
  • Additional Wash Options
  • Conclusion
  • Specs

Introduction

Front

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The Bosch WAY32841 is a carefully crafted piece of machinery, from a design standpoint. Just look at the front. The door is series of concentric circles made from glass and plastic of various finishes. To the upper-right, another circle, this one badge signifying the 10-year guarantee on the motor. At the very top of the circular mode dial. To the bottom-right, yet another circle covering the lint trap and drain. And if you scroll down to the photos of the sides, you can see a modified continuation of the theme there in a swirl pattern. This is clearly a washing machine that wants to be seen, not hidden away languishing in a basement.

Controls

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As front of the washing machine rises up to meet you, it's face it all aglow in shiny lights and a bright full-color LCD screen. The buttons have a glass-like finish that gives them a glamor not traditionally known to plastic. The mode dial, surprisingly, felt a little cheap to the touch, but it had a smooth, crisp action as it clicked into each mode.

The LCD screen is bright and sharp, and something about its layout had us convinced that it was a touchscreen. It's not, though. Rather, those buttons immediately below the screen function as hot keys, called into use for whatever need arises. There's absolutely no haptic feedback when you touch the buttons, though, which is a little disconcerting, There's no click, no movement of any kind.

Drawer

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Interior

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This is the same VarioSoft Drum as last year's Bosch washing machines. The metal walls have tear-shaped bumps in the walls and the paddles are asymmetrical. In this configuration, they can spin the drum in one direction or another to get different effects, and thus have wash cycles more appropriate for certain fabrics. Here's a video that Bosch made that explains it in more detail.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

There are some other features that you'll never see even if you do buy Bosch WAY32841, unless you're very handy. That's because they're under the hood. But the great thing about a trade show like IFA is that they love to show those parts off, especially the EcoSilence Drive motor. As the name implies, Bosch has increased the power efficiency to get it in line with the EU's A+++ energy rating, as well as reduce machine vibration. They're also standing behind this motor with 10-year guarantee.

Sides

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The sides of the Bosch are metal with a swirl pattern on the outside. The interesting thing, however, is behind the walls. Bosch has created some vibration reduction. We go into more detail later in this review, including a video of a demo we saw on the IFA show floor.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

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Electricity Use

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Cost Per Wash

Yearly Running Cost

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Washing Cycles

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Customization

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Additional Wash Options

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The Bosch WAY32841 features the new EcoSilent Drive motor, backed by a 10-year guarantee. The motor's efficiency has been increased to boost it up to an A+++ rating, which is regulated by the EU. It's similar to our EPA ratings. The motor also operates more quietly and more smoothly. That, in conjunction with some new dampening technology on the walls, has significantly reduced the amount of shaking and shimmying that the machine does once it's installed. Take a look at the video we put together from some of the demo materials on the show floor.

Conclusion

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We have not tested many Bosch washing machines yet, so we're not sure about their actual performance track record. Therefore, we're certainly not going to stand behind this product with nothing but some PR brochures in our fist. Bosch is one of the largest players in European appliances, but they just haven't had much impact on American homes yet. The design community loves them, but that's based more on looks than performance.

We can't deny that this is one good looking washing machine. The Bosch WAY32841 looks great up close and feels well built. The pictures do not lie, at least not based on our time with the machine. We're excited to get one into the labs and shake them down.

Specs

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Meet the tester

David Kender

David Kender

Editor in Chief

@davekender

David Kender oversees content at Reviewed as the Editor in Chief. He served as managing editor and editor in chief of Reviewed's ancestor, CamcorderInfo.com, helping to grow the company from a tiny staff to one of the most influential online review resources. In his time at Reviewed, David has helped to launch over 100 product categories and written too many articles to count.

See all of David Kender's reviews

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