Welding 101: Yes, You Can Learn How to Weld. Nothing beats a gas-engine pressure washer for tackling tough cleaning jobs. We tested four models by blasting grime and paint off wood test panels. Homelite UT80432Homelite UT80432Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Best Overall)Price: $400PSI/GPM: 3100/2.5Cleaning Units: 7750Engine: 187 ccLikes: The Homelite scooped up Best Overall for its cleaning power (cleaning units indicate a pressure washer's capability. To determine the number, multiply a machine's gallons per minute (GPM) by its pressure (pounds per square inch, or PSI). Machines with high cleaning units usually have a large engine and a rugged pump.); robust design, including rugged wheels; and front-mounted cleaner jug with a big opening. It has the most flexible spray hose of the four. And if you can't find this machine, the Ryobi model RY80940 is nearly identical.Dislikes: You have to tip the machine well forward to reach the water-hose inlet. Briggs & Stratton 20501Briggs & Stratton 20501Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ½Price: $360PSI/GPM: 2700/2.3Cleaning Units: 6210Engine: 175 CCLikes: The Briggs is a good workaday machine that starts readily, cleans well, and breaks down for storage or transport in minutes, due to a two-part folding handle.

We also like its large plastic detergent bottle.Dislikes: Its spray hose is too stiff. How To Build a Stand-Up Desk DeWalt Made a Rugged Angle Grinder That Won't Die Cordless Drill Reviews: We Work 10 Drills to the Limit 8 Best Chop Saw Reviews 7 Top Cordless Nail Guns, Tested Tool Test: 12-Volt Impact Drivers 6 Tough Power Planes, Tested The Top 20-Volt Drill/Drivers, Tested What You'll Need For Your Wire-Feed Welder 5 Reciprocating Saw Accessories You Should OwnHow To Make A Funky Mirror Frame Our Test to Find the Best Drill PressPrimitive Curtains CheapHomeMailFlickrTumblrNewsSportsFinanceCelebrityAnswersGroupsMobileYahooSearchSkip to NavigationSkip to Main ContentSkip to Related Content0MailMay 10, 2016Compact washing machines and dryers are an appealing option when space is tight, and having these appliances at home eliminates trips to the Laundromat or your building's laundry room. Vinyl Flooring Buy Now Pay Later

Despite their reduced size, their price isn’t—you'll spend $900 to $2,000 on each appliance.Consumer Reports tested compact front-loading washers from Asko, Blomberg, Bosch, Electrolux, GE, Miele (shown above), and Samsung. These machines measure 24 inches wide and 34 inches high; depth varies from 24 to 28 inches. All of the models we tested are stackable. pact laundry appliances are expensive, in part, because expensive design solutions are needed to maximize capacity, unique tooling is required to manufacture the machines, and demand is low, says Danielle Whah, product director of front-load laundry at Whirlpool.How We TestedUsing the normal cycle, or its equivalent, and 6 pounds of laundry, we tested each washer’s ability to clean and remove common stains, noting the time it took and how gentle it was on fabrics. We determined the amount of water used and the energy needed to run the washing machine, heat water, and then dry the laundry using an electric dryer.No one, especially someone living in a smaller space, wants a laundry appliance that makes a racket, so we rated each washer’s noise level.

Washer vibration matters, especially if the washer is installed on a second floor of a home, so we rated that too. And while a big capacity isn’t why you buy a compact washer, we scored capacity to help you compare models.Test ResultsThe best compact washer we tested is the Bosch 800 Series WAT28402UC, $1,250. Wash time was a brisk 60 minutes. And this Bosch compact washer was impressive at cleaning and excellent in our tests for gentleness, water efficiency, and noise. Claimed capacity is 2.2 cubic feet—that's about 10 full-sized bath towels. Vibration, however, was only good.None of the compact front-loaders did very well in our vibration tests. These machines spin fast to extract more water, cutting dryer time, and that high spin speed causes vibration. (Most full-size front-loaders we’ve tested do not have this problem.) So make sure your compact washer is properly balanced when installed, and if vibration becomes an issue, choose a slightly lower spin speed to see whether that helps.

Check our washing machine Ratings to find out how the other compact washer models did in our tests.By the NumbersHere’s what our tests of compact washers reveal: Overall scores: Good to high Very Good scores Cleaning: Good to Excellent scores Wash times: 60 to 145 minutes Water efficiency: Good to Excellent scores. Water usage ranged from 8 to 15 gallons per load. Energy efficiency: Very Good to Excellent scores. To wash a load in one of these machines then dry it in an electric dryer used 2 to 2.5 kWh of electricity. Gentleness: Good to Excellent scores Noise: Very Good to Excellent scores. They’re all pretty quiet through most of the cycle, but the washers scoring a Very Good in our noise tests had faster spin speeds and sometimes made annoying sounds in the final spins. It might last only for a few minutes, but you'll hear it. Vibration: Fair to Good scores Capacity: Poor to Fair scores. These washers fit about nine to 11 full-sized bath towels.What You Need to KnowInstallation isn’t that different from regular-sized washers, and the compact washers can be stacked with their matching dryer.

The Asko, Blomberg, and Bosch washers we tested require a 240V connection. The others use a standard 120V outlet.Several washers lack a bleach dispenser, and the manual recommends against using bleach. The Features & Specs box on each washer’s model page highlights useful features.Warranties are for one year; Asko washers come with a two-year warranty.Washing machines are more complicated machines than dryers, so our advice continues to be choose your washer, then your dryer. See this story for a look at results from our tests of compact electric dryers. .More from Consumer Reports:The best matching washers and dryersGenerator Buying Guide8 ways to boost your home valueConsumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.What to Read Next on June 11, 2015 at 3:30 PM, updated CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio-built appliances figured prominently in Consumer Reports' recently released list of the best top-performing American-made appliances, including KitchenAid dishwashers and stand mixers, Whirlpool and Amana clothes washers, and Vitamix blenders.

Of the more than 50 household appliances named in the July issue of Consumer Reports, a dozen brands are assembled at factories here in Ohio. Moreover, many household appliances made in U.S. factories use gaskets and other components manufactured in Middlefield, Geauga County, said Bob Bloom, president of Bloom Brothers Supply in Chesterland. Consumer Reports' Top U.S.-Made Appliances from Ohio: Vitamix Professional Series 750 high-performance blenders, made in Strongsville. KitchenAid KDTM354DSS and KitchenAid KDFE454CSS dishwashers, made in Findlay. Maytag Maxima MHW8100DC and Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW front-loading washers, made in Clyde. Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8500DW top-loading washer, made in Clyde. Whirlpool WTW4850BW top-loading washer, made in Clyde. Maytag MZF34X16DW upright freezer, made in Ottawa. Amana AZC31T15DW chest freezer, made in Ottawa. KitchenAid Professional 6500 Design Series, KitchenAid Classic (250 watt) K45SS(WH), and KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS(WW), made in Findlay.

"Every country has winners and losers when it comes to quality and performance," Consumer Reports explains in its story. "Here, we focus on the best American-made large and small appliances available now. Especially with so much reshoring, the U.S. is competitive in these categories, so you have plenty of choices. "You may have to spend a bit more, however, since in many cases, appliance manufacturers have brought production of premium lines home, while continuing to outsource lower-priced models." Marc Blumenthal, vice president of B&B Appliance Co. in Euclid and Middleburg Heights, said "Most of the Whirlpool family of dishwashers are made in Findlay, Ohio. This includes KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, and Jenn-Air. "There is an ADA-compliant Whirlpool dishwasher that's made overseas, and one Jenn-Air dishwasher that's not made in Ohio," he added. Among clothes washers, "the Maytag, Whirlpool, and Amana washers are made in Clyde, Ohio; and the Maytag, Whirlpool, and Amana dryers are made in Marion, Ohio," Blumenthal said.