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  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Controls

  • Drawer

  • Interior

  • Sides

  • Back

  • Electricity Use

  • Water Use

  • Cost Per Wash

  • Yearly Running Cost

  • Washing Speed

  • Washing Performance

  • Normal/Permanent Press Cycle

  • Cotton/Whites Cycle

  • Delicate Cycle

  • Heavy Duty Cycle

  • Quick Wash Cycle

  • Dirt Removal

  • Clothes Wear

  • Water Retention

  • Washing Cycles

  • Customization

  • Additional Wash Options

  • Washing Options

  • Detergent Dispenser

  • Washer Door

  • Ease of Use

  • Controls

  • Efficiency

  • Performance

  • Features

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Controls
  • Drawer
  • Interior
  • Sides
  • Back
  • Electricity Use
  • Water Use
  • Cost Per Wash
  • Yearly Running Cost
  • Washing Speed
  • Washing Performance
  • Normal/Permanent Press Cycle
  • Cotton/Whites Cycle
  • Delicate Cycle
  • Heavy Duty Cycle
  • Quick Wash Cycle
  • Dirt Removal
  • Clothes Wear
  • Water Retention
  • Washing Cycles
  • Customization
  • Additional Wash Options
  • Washing Options
  • Detergent Dispenser
  • Washer Door
  • Ease of Use
  • Controls
  • Efficiency
  • Performance
  • Features

Introduction

In our scientific tests, the Axxis impressed with good stain and dirt removal -- plus one of the lowest costs of operation we've ever witnessed. Despite a plethora of cycles and an impressive build quality, though, the little Bosch still can't compete with full-sized units that cost significantly less. If space dictates that you're in the market for a compact washer, though, the Axxis is about the best you can buy.

Front

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Controls

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Drawer

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Interior

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The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Sides

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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

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Electricity Use

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Despite on-board water heating, the {{product.name}} uses very little electricity — under a dollar's worth a year.

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Water Use

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The {{product.name}} is a small front loader, so it's not surprising how little water it uses. With an on-board water heater, it can also take advantage of cold water instead of draining your hot water heater for warm washes.

Cost Per Wash

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Unlike most washers, there isn't a single energy-hogging cycle on the {{product.name}}. Like a 1930s Woolworth's, most washes on offer will cost between a nickel and a dime.

Yearly Running Cost

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The {{product.name}} may cost a lot to purchase upfront, but its cost of ownership is remarkably low. Running a variety of cycles, a year with the Axxis would set you back only $30.30 in water and electricity costs. That's between $20 and $30 less than similar units, which could represent a $200-$300 savings over ten years.

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Washing Speed

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Washing Performance

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Normal/Permanent Press Cycle

While it didn’t do very well on oil-based stains like sweat and grease, the Bosch Axxis WAS24460US had no problems with blood, chocolate and wine. If your lifestyle involves violent cocktail parties and very little hard work, this may be the perfect washer for you.

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Cotton/Whites Cycle

The cotton cycle inexplicably ran cooler than the permanent press cycle, and it did a worse job to boot. As cotton cycles tend to run warm in order to get white clothes clean, this really hurt the Axxis’ overall performance.

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Delicate Cycle

At just over 79 degrees, the Bosch Axxis WAS24460US did a better job coddling delicates than washing them. It might be worth it to give any dirty delicates a spot cleaning before throwing them in the Bosch for a wash.

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Heavy Duty Cycle

There’s no dedicated “heavy duty” cycle on the Bosch Axxis WAS24460US, so we ran a cotton cycle on extra hot with the Heavy Duty wash option selected. The results were exceptional stain removal, proving that the Bosch has the power to remove tough spots if properly programmed.

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Quick Wash Cycle

When we tested the Quick Wash cycle, we were amazed when the Bosch announced that clothes were ready after just 20 minutes. That said, we weren’t surprised to find our test stain strips still pretty

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Dirt Removal

The Bosch did a decent job getting out the dirt and debris we added to a wash cycle.

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Clothes Wear

We test how harsh a washer is using special sheets of delicate fabric, counting the number of loose threads after a wash. The Bosch was average at protecting fragile fabrics.

Water Retention

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Washing Cycles

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Counting rinse, spin and drain options, there are a whopping sixteen cycles on offer. Those include one of the most thorough sanitizing cycles we've ever tested, which broke the all-important 155 degree barrier for true germ-killing power.

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Customization

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While cycle can have additional rinse or heavy duty wash options added, there's no way to create a single customized cycle. That's a glaring omission on a washer in this price range.

Additional Wash Options

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The delay option on this washer is pretty cool: It lets you set time the washer will finish rather than when it will start.

Washing Options

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Detergent Dispenser

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Detergent sits in a slide-out drawer on the top corner of the machine.

Washer Door

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The door requires that a hinged handle be pulled back to reveal a very small opening. Loading a standard eight-pound bundle of laundry is a struggle.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Ease of Use

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European laundry culture is different from the US, and this Bosch proudly displays its German heritage. On the continent, washers tend to sit in kitchens and are used for smaller loads. Hence, the Axxis can't handle a large load but has a very attractive exterior. When a spin cycle is active, it whirs like a jet engine on takeoff.

Controls

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If you've spent your life using hearty midwestern Maytags and Whirlpools, the cycle names on the {{product.name}} will seem as foreign as wine with lunch and a four-week vacation. "Permanent Press" means "normal," for example. They're all on the central dial, which also determines whether the washer is on or off.

Efficiency

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Though you pay a lot up front, the Bosch Axxis won't cost a lot to run. A small drum and an on-board water heater mean the average wash is between a nickel and a dime to run.

Performance

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Though stain and dirt removal performance was on-par with average full-size washers we've tested, the Axxis had some trouble with grease and oil stains. Despite its loud spin cycle, the Bosch also had difficulty in getting out excess water. That will lead to longer drying cycles and potentially musty clothes.

Features

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This washer was designed for Europe, where customers tend to have smaller houses and do their laundry in the kitchen. As such, it's difficult to fit bulky loads inside, but the exterior is impeccably crafted. All the usual cycles are on offer, but they're named differently than on most US-designed washers. There aren't any options to create a custom wash cycle.

Meet the tester

Keith Barry

Keith Barry

Former Editor in Chief, Reviewed Home

@itskeithbarry

Keith was the Editor in Chief of Reviewed's appliance and automotive sites. His work has appeared in publications such as Wired, Car & Driver, and CityLab.

See all of Keith Barry's reviews

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Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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