05 Jul
Blog

LG Gram 17 (2021) Review: Large and Light On Its Feet

LG Gram 17 2021 laptop

"The LG Gram 17 is one of the best 17-inch laptops you can buy."

  • Exceptionally light

  • Fast in performance mode

  • Excellent advertisement

  • Very good keyboard and touchpad

  • Excellent battery life

  • Feels a little thin

  • Too expensive

Sometimes you want a larger display than a typical 15.6-inch (or 16-inch) laptop. Perhaps you are a strong multitasker and want to put more windows on your display without feeling cramped. This is where 17-inch laptops come in, and while there aren't that many to choose from outside of gaming laptops, there are a few good options to consider.

One such option was LG's Gram 17, which, like all Gram laptops, aims to pack as much of the machine as possible into the lightest possible case. The 2021 version increases the display usage with an aspect ratio of 16:10, which offers even more vertical space for your work.

I looked at the LG Gram 17, which comes with a Core i71165G7, 16 GB of RAM, a 1 TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) and a 17-inch 16:10 display with a WQXGA resolution (2.560 x 1,600) is configured. This configuration costs $ 1,800, which means it is solidly in premium territory and can rival a potent competitor, the excellent Dell XPS 17.

design

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The LG Gram 17 does what it promises to pack a large display in a lightweight housing. It weighs just 2.98 pounds, which is remarkably light for such a large laptop. In comparison, the Dell XPS 17 with Touch and its 97 watt hour battery option weighs 5.53 pounds (the Gram 17 has an 80 watt hour battery). Even the non-contact XPS 17 with the 56 watt hour battery weighs 4.65 pounds.

In overall dimensions, the Gram 17 is 14.97 inches wide, 10.24 inches deep and 0.70 inches thick, compared to the XPS 17 at 14.74 inches x 9.76 inches x 0.77 inches. As another comparison, the HP Envy 17 is 15.71 x 10.2 x 0.76 inches and weighs 6.02 pounds (note that the Envy 17 has a 17.3 inch display). LG has clearly achieved something special here.

The LG Gram 17 doesn't have the solidity feel that other laptops enjoy.

How did you manage to make the LG Gram 17 so light? The key is the magnesium alloy used in the case of the laptop. It's a light metal to start with and LG doesn't use much of it. This affects the perceived build quality, with an extremely pliable lid and keyboard deck and case base that are fairly pliable. Magnesium is a strong metal, and so it's not that the LG Gram 17 isn't rugged, but it doesn't have the same solidity that you get from the XPS 17 or even the mid-range Envy 17.

The aluminum used in the other laptops weighs more and feels more robust. LG put the Gram 17 through military-grade MIL-STD-810G testing, so there is some objective data it can take. I also have to note that while the bottom is exceptionally light, the lid opens with one hand and only wobbles a tiny bit when in use.

LG Gram 17 closed in 2021, sitting on a brick sidewalk. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Aesthetically, the Gram 17 is designed as conservatively as it gets. It's all black with just a simple chrome “gram” logo on the lid. Otherwise there are no embellishments and the lines of the laptop are simple. It's by no means a bad looking laptop, but it also lacks character. The Dell XPS 17 and HP Envy 17 are more eye-catching and, I think, a lot more attractive. The Gram 17 enjoys small bezels, so it looks modern in that regard – and these small bezels naturally help keep the case size manageable.

Despite its thin frame, the Gram 17 offers a nice mix of connections. On the left is a full-size HDMI port and two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support (one of which is needed to power the laptop), as well as a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right side there is a Kensington lock connector, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports and a microSD card reader. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 offer wireless connectivity.

performance

A close-up of the keyboard and the logo of the LG Gram 17 in the middle under the display. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

My test unit was equipped with an 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7, which is common on premium laptops and tends to offer solid productivity performance. I've noticed that laptops with the same chip can vary in performance, so I was curious to see how the LG Gram 17 would fare in a larger case that should have plenty of room for cooling. LG offers a utility to adjust the performance for heat and fan noise, and it has a noticeable effect. Most manufacturers offer such a utility today, and not all of them have a significant impact on performance – I only mention them when they affect our benchmark results. HP is another vendor whose "Performance" mode makes a significant difference in some (but not all) of its Envy and Specter laptops.

In its "optimal" mode, the Gram 17 corresponds to a large part of its Tiger Lake competition. In Geekbench 5, it did well in the single-core test and fell behind some competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Pro 360, in the multi-core test. However, switch to Performance mode, and the Gram 17's score jumped to 1563 and 5,473. In our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265, it was behind the pack, but again did a little better in performance mode with 197 seconds. When switching to Cinebench R23, the Gram 17 was again at the lower end in optimal mode, but was the fastest Tiger Lake laptop in our comparison group in performance mode (.375 in single-core and 4604 in multi-core).

The LG Gram 17 was a competent performer.

After all, it wasn't a leader in PCMark 10 in optimal mode and its performance mode made no difference in score – something I've seen with other vendors' performance optimization utilities. One example is the HP Specter x360 14, which also showed no improvement in PCMark 10 performance mode, although it was significantly faster in all other benchmarks in this mode. The Gram 17 did well on the Essentials parts (web browsing, video conferencing, etc) but fell behind in the areas of productivity and content creation.

Overall, the Gram 17 was a competent performer that handled all of your productivity tasks with ease. Switch to Performance mode and you will hear the fans spinning more often (they are not particularly loud), but you will get a noticeable increase in performance. However, I do find that you get much better performance with the Dell XPS 17, on par with its larger display with a much more powerful CPU and GPU combo. The Gram 17 is best suited for productivity users who want a bigger display, as opposed to the XPS 17, which is designed to give creative professionals a bigger canvas.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) Cinbench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
LG Gram 17 2021
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1503/4606 222 1323/3912 4880 1480
Dell XPS 17 (Core i7-10875H) 1315/7959 109 N / A N / A 5801
LG gram 16 (Core i7-1165G7) 1394/4137 213 1394/4137 4827 1390
Samsung Galaxy Pro 360
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1554/5603 N / A 1308/4062 5159 1800
HP Envy x360 15
(Ryzen7 5700U)		 1198/6790 116 1258/8131 5419 1471
HP Envy 15 (Core i7-10750H) 1274/5542 139 N / A N / A 5123

The Gram 17 isn't a gaming laptop given its built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. In the 3DMark Time Spy test, it achieved an average score in optimal mode and a significantly higher score of 1802 in performance mode. In Fortnite, the influence of the utility was even more pronounced. It managed a meager 12 frames per second (fps) in 1080p and high graphics and 13 fps in epic graphics in optimal mode. That is way behind the rest of the Tiger Lake competition.

However, switch to performance mode and it jumped to 29 fps and 19 fps, which is much more competitive. Of course, these aren't impressive results either, and so you'll be limited to older titles or run newer titles with low resolutions and graphical detail.

Display and audio

A close-up of the open plan LG Gram 17 2021 laptop placed on a brick walkway. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

A large, expansive display is of little use if it suffers from poor quality. Fortunately, LG chose a high-quality panel for the Gram 17, starting with its 16:10 aspect ratio that offers plenty of space in a 17-inch display.

According to my colorimeter, the display exceeds our 300 nit limit at 343 nits, making it bright enough for most indoor lighting conditions. The contrast of 930: 1 was close to our preferred 1000: 1 ratio. The 4K display of the Dell XPS 17 is superior with 491 nits and 1,530: 1, while the Gram 17's smaller brother, the Gram 16, was just below it with 313 nits and 830: 1. The results from the Gram 17 are in line with what is expected from a premium laptop today.

In terms of colors, the display on the Gram 17 scored 88% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB, which is better than the 75% and 95% average of the premium laptop and close to what creatives go for photo and video Want video editing. The XPS 17 does significantly better with 98% and 100%, respectively, while the Gram 16 is on par with the 17-inch model. The color accuracy of the Gram 17 was good with a Delta E of 1.3 (less than 1.0 is considered excellent), while the XPS 17 was inferior with 0.37 and the Gram 16 with 2.67.

Overall, this was a delightful display for whatever most users throw at it. Productivity was increased by the aspect ratio, good contrast and above-average brightness, while viewing photos and videos became a pleasant experience thanks to the wide and accurate colors. If you want to do photo and video editing occasionally – consider the performance deficit compared to a laptop like the XPS 17 – this display will be fine with this display if necessary.

The sound is nice and clear, with pleasant highs and mids and just a hint of bass. At the same time, the two downward facing speakers don't get very loud, and there is only a hint of distortion at maximum volume. You'll be content with the occasional YouTube video, but you will likely need a pair of headphones or bluetooth speakers for Netflix binging and music.

Keyboard and touchpad

A LG Gram 17 2021 keyboard.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The keyboard is comfortably spaced with large keycaps and has a number pad with a light touch and sufficient travel. The typing experience is only tarnished by a slightly abrupt floor movement – I usually appreciate a certain bounce at the end of a keystroke, but it's just a little too much here. I was able to type on the keyboard at full speed, but I felt that I might get tired after long typing sessions. The keyboard on the Dell XPS 17 has a more comfortable action, as does HP's keyboard on its Specter and newer Envy laptops.

The touchpad is large, but could be bigger given the many palm rests available. It's a Microsoft Precision model that is universal at this point and makes Windows 10's multi-touch gestures accurate and precise. The keyboard layout, especially the integrated number pad, pushes the touchpad out of the middle, which takes some getting used to. If you're using the touchpad as a guide to finding the starting line on the keyboard, you'll need to adjust your exercise or type the wrong letters. The display doesn't support touch, which I always miss on a laptop.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader built into the power button which is the best place. You can turn on the Gram 17 and sign in with a touch, and that's so much more convenient than looking for a fingerprint reader that sits somewhere on the keyboard deck or, worse, embedded in the touchpad. The reader was quick and accurate during my tests.

Battery life

A LG Gram 17 2021 open, placed on a brick walkway. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Somehow, LG managed to pack 80 watt hours of battery capacity while still maintaining the low weight of the Gram 17. That's a decent amount of power, so I was hoping LG's usual excellent battery life would hold up.

And that's exactly what I found. Starting with our web browser test that ran through a number of popular websites, the Gram 17 lasted for 13.25 hours, which is a very strong result. The Dell XPS 17 managed less than half as long with almost 6.5 hours, while the Gram 16 was a bit stronger with 13.8 hours. In our video test, which plays a Full HD Avengers trailer until the battery is empty, the Gram 17 managed a spectacular 21 hours, compared with the XPS 17 only 9.3 hours and the Gram 16 with an even better 24.4 hours .

With a single charge, the LG Gram 17 will get you through a whole working day and well into the evening.

I also ran the PCMark 10 gaming test, which put a strain on the CPU and GPU, and the Gram 17 made it to almost five hours. It's one of the longest results in our database and just seven seconds less than another top runner, the Gram 16. We didn't test the XPS 17 in PCMark 10. The result was probably a combination of the large battery capacity and the optimal setting that neither the CPU nor the GPU ran at full speed.

Finally, the Gram 17 achieved just under 14 hours in the PCMark 10 Applications test, which is the best indicator of the battery life in productivity. That's a strong score, in the top of the range of the laptops we tested, but not as strong as I expected. For example, the Gram 16 reached 17.8 hours.

Overall, the Gram 17 is a long-lasting laptop despite its large, high-resolution display. It will get you through a full day of work and well into the evening, and you will likely have a few hours left the next morning.

Our opinion

LG achieved its goal of creating a large screen laptop with good performance and great battery life that doesn't weigh a ton. You want to switch to performance mode for the highest speed and you will endure a little fan noise, but it's worth it. For the most part, this is a laptop that delivers on its promise and a lot more besides.

However, whether it is for you depends on whether you are okay with a metal case that shows some degree of flexibility. LG tested the Gram 17 for durability at a military level, and it survived, which means the laptop is likely very sturdy. Even so, you won't get that warm and fuzzy feeling of durability when handling the Gram 17.

Are there alternatives?

The Dell XPS 17 has the same 16:10 aspect ratio that is better quality, and you get a faster laptop with a more powerful GPU. It's also much heavier and doesn't even match the battery life of the Gram 17. To get the most out of the XPS 17's performance, you'll also be spending hundreds more.

Next, consider the slightly smaller LG Gram 16 if you don't need quite that much screen real estate. It also offers great battery life and suffers from the same flimsy feel, but it's another lightweight offering that offers plenty of performance and durability without the weight.

The XPS 15 and MacBook Pro 16 are also faster laptops with smaller displays and could be good options. If you don't need the largest display, these two machines should be on your list.

How long it will take?

The Gram 17 doesn't feel as rugged as the premium laptops it competes with, but if you trust the MIL-STD-810G rating, you can be comfortable with the longevity of the laptop. It is definitely equipped with the latest components. However, you will not like the one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The LG Gram 17 puts a big and beautiful display in your hand without weighing you down, and you will love the spectacular battery life.

Editor's recommendations



20 Jun
Blog

Garmin Vector 3: Spinning Your Head and Feet with Data

Garmin vector 3 test pedals 8

"The Vector 3 pedals offer drivers an amazing amount of accurate information in a clear and user-friendly package."

  • Simply switch between bicycles

  • Bicycle dynamics

  • Slim and light

  • Exactly

  • Permanent

  • Batteries are not rechargeable

  • Garmin computer needed to maintain bike dynamics

Why would anyone want to spend a lot of money on smart bike pedals? It should be easy to tell whether you are pedaling harder or softer because you are the one kicking, right?

After 200 miles on Garmin's Vector 3 pedals, I can say they can do so much more than tell you if you smash the pedals. From tracking my average performance and left / right balance during long journeys, to easing the pace, to finding that I am pushing the outside of my right pedal (which justifies adjusting the studs). I've learned more about how to pedal with the Vector 3 pedals in my last five rides than in the previous 20 without them.

Unzip, install and set up

The components of the Garmin Vector 3 are immediately ready for use. Two pedals, two Look Keo studs, some washers, replacement seals and manuals. Gone are the ridiculous pods of the previous Vector 2 pedals. The Vector 3 pedals only require a 15 mm pedal wrench. The installation is then completed.

Connecting the devices you may be using with the pedals is not that easy. Through some trial and error, I found the best way to sort this process by:

  1. Start the firmware update via the Garmin Connect app on your iOS or Android.
  2. Adjust the crank length to match the cranks of your bike.
  3. After updating the firmware, turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
  4. Connect your pedals to your bike computer using the ANT + connection. If you use the Bluetooth connection, you will not get all the information about the bike dynamics.

It was a bit of a headache to connect everything while the Bluetooth on my phone was still active because the pedals wanted to stay connected to this Bluetooth signal instead of switching to ANT +. One of the pedals could not be connected properly and the calibration was never completed. After I found out and forced my computer to connect via ANT +, it went smoothly.

Once you're done, there's a simple calibration process where all you have to do is loosen the clip and the pedals do the rest. You should calibrate every few trips, especially after the first trip, to make sure everything is read correctly.

design

The Vector 3 pedals have been completely redesigned from the previous model and are clean, elegant and are among the lightest options available. Weight Weenies should be happy, because the Vector 3 pedals have a total of 316 grams. In comparison, my Shimano Ultegra pedals weigh 260 grams. This additional weight comes from the force measurement technology, which is neatly stowed in the pedal spindle.

The battery compartment for the Vector 3 pedals is also located in the spindle. The Vector 3 is a design option that can be a problem for some. He uses four LR44 batteries (two for each pedal). If almost every other Garmin product I've used in recent years uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Vector 3 pedals won't work. I'm not sure why Garmin chose this route, but the advantage is that the battery life is up to 120 hours and that's a lot of bike rides. The downside is that you may not find the LR44 you need when you are dead while traveling or at a vaguely distant location.

Garmin stuck to the Look Keo studs of the previous Vector 2 pedals. These fit on all normal road bike shoes with 3-hole fastening. However, be aware that SPD / mountain bike shoes do not work.

Bicycle dynamics

As soon as I started pedaling, the amount of incoming data was breathtaking. In first place was the power displayed in watts, of which Garmin claims an accuracy of +/- 1%. For the uninitiated, watts are essentially the measured force your legs can put on the pedals.

Why is that important? Unlike training at your heart rate or average speed, watts are not affected by external factors. With Watt, you always get consistent feedback no matter how sluggish or strong you feel right now. This makes it the most accurate measure of your fitness on the bike. Knowing how many watts you average over a workout is a great help to speed up longer trips or to understand how much power you can deliver in a sprint.

Seeing how much electricity you generate is just the tip of the iceberg. If you show exactly how to generate electricity, the Vector 3 pedals light up. In addition to the more standard left and right cadence and cadence that most other double-sided power meters capture, the Vector 3 pedals compile additional metrics to the so-called bike dynamics.

Bicycle dynamics include:

  • PCO (Platform Center Offset), which shows where you put more pressure on the pedal during the entire pedal stroke.
  • Sitting / standing position to show how much time you spend inside or outside the saddle.
  • Power phase to tell you at what degrees you are producing power throughout the pedal stroke and where your peak power is in that phase.

These metrics are sure to be weeds for data nerds, but PCO can help you dial your lug position. Your sitting and standing time can help you compare yourself to previous efforts to determine where you were more effective, while the performance phase can help you determine whether or not you are getting the most out of each pedal stroke. In addition, all of these statistics can be broken down into averages at any point in your journey, e.g. B. for inclines or sprints to get more information.

Hidden statistics

After my first ride, I realized that the standard setting for the torque effectiveness and pedal smoothness functions was deactivated. Oddly enough, there's no way to turn it on unless you have a Garmin Edge-compatible computer like the Edge 520 plus. This means that if you're rocking a Wahoo Element like I did on my first ride, you can only activate it if you can borrow a friend's Garmin to activate it.

This is a ridiculous problem, and in practice, I found that torque effectiveness and smoothness were measures that I could hardly understand, let alone make useful changes. I guess if you are not a top athlete you will not miss her.

If you don't have a Garmin Edge device, you'll miss the previously mentioned features of Cycling Dynamics. However, there is some hope in this regard as Garmin has released its Cycling Dynamics protocols for third-party devices. At the time of this writing, only Trainer Road and Favero Electronics have adopted it. This is a strange problem that vaguely points to the somewhat turbulent release of the Vector 3 pedals.

The data you get with a Wahoo computer isn't quite as extensive as with a Garmin, but there is still a lot to do.The data collected on a Garmin Edge computer spans the entire suite of Cycling Dynamics.

Rough start fixed

When the Vector 3 pedals first hit the market, it was firmware and product support issues that gave the Vector 3 a bad first impression. Then users had problems with intermittent blackouts due to faulty battery doors.

Fortunately, some important firmware updates have been made, including a Bluetooth smart feature that lets you use the Vector 3 pedals for Zwift. You fixed the battery door issue and shipped new doors to previous Vector 3 owners.

While the release of the Vector 3 pedals may have been a bit rocky, my experience was smooth. After my initial setup, the daily use of the Vector 3 pedals proved to be easy and reliable. After 200 miles and counting, I had no force or pedal reading interruptions.

Warranty information

The Garmin Vector 3 pedals come with a two-year warranty.

Our opinion

The Vector 3 pedals offer drivers an amazing amount of accurate information in a clear and user-friendly package. The initial problems with the Vector 3 pedals have been resolved, and with the discounts currently available, they are among the most affordable double-sided power meters on the market.

Is there a better alternative?

The main competitor is the Assioma Duo Favero. They weigh a little less for the couple at around 300 grams, are cheaper at $ 644, have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a battery life of 50 hours, and have Garmins Cycling Dynamics built in, so you get all the information. The main difference is in the design, as the Favero houses all of its technology in a pod mounted on the spindle for a much more voluminous overall look. The PowerTap P2 pedals are even more bulky – they look ridiculous.

Another promising option is an emerging company called iQ. They promise most of the same functionality at a fraction of the price, but are still extremely new to the market.

While the Vector 3 pedals struggled, the amount of support and investment that comes with a Garmin product is difficult to favor. While the other companies may shake the electricity meter industry, there is confidence in buying from a name like Garmin that should not be overlooked.

How long it will take?

A big advantage of the Garmin is its repairability. The Assiomas inject resin into their meter housing to make it water and shock resistant. That is, if something goes wrong, you have to replace the entire device. With the Vector 3 everything is stowed in the spindle, which makes it much easier to repair and replace defective parts. This is an important reason why reconditioned Garmin units are available so quickly. In addition to the physical design, Garmin's software engineering and subsequent firmware updates are reliably among the best in the industry.

Should you buy it

If I had done this check at launch when the Vector 3 pedals were only available for the MSRP of $ 1,000, I would have hesitated. Now that you can find sales of new units for $ 750 and can be refurbished for $ 650, the Vector 3 pedals are a breeze.

Editor's recommendations




28 Feb
Blog

Electrolux EFLS627UIW 4.4 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Washer Review

electrolux efls627uiw press render

Electrolux EFLS627UIW 4.4 cubic feet 600 series front loading washing machine

"When used correctly, the stain-fighting power of this Electrolux machine is impressive."

  • Reversible door washing

  • Fit a lot in the machine

  • Better performance when using a POD

  • Steam option for deep cleaning

  • Long wash cycles overall

  • Bad stain remover if only detergent is used

  • No hand washing option

The Electrolux Perfect Steam ™ washing machine with front loader and LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost was developed to combat stains. When used correctly with the right stain control agents, it does a good job. However, these functions are a waste for people who only want to use detergent in their laundry and nothing else.

Big and brave

The white (also available in gray) washing machine is full of frills, and most of them have one goal: stain removal. In true Electrolux fashion, the front loader model is attractive – the type of machine that you would expect in a custom home. Perhaps our favorite design feature is the reversible door of the washing machine, so it can be used in almost any large room with installation restrictions.

In true Electrolux fashion, the front-loading washing machine is attractive – the type of machine that you would expect in a custom home.

The 4.4 cubic foot washer measures 38 x 27 x 32 inches (H x W x D) and is therefore not ideal for more compact washrooms. These dimensions are not far from the slightly larger 4.8 cubic foot Maytag MHW6630HC0. The Elektrolux accompanying dryer Electrolux EFME627UTT is similar in size. Like most washing machines these days, you can purchase an optional 15-inch pedestal on which you can place it so you don't have to bend down to use the machine.

Simple panel

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect Steam washing machine has a lot of settings and we found that navigating was a breeze. The cycle selector offers options for heavy duty, whitest whites, normal, active wear, color, 15-minute quick wash, delicate wash, rinse and spin and clean washing machine. Once you have selected a setting, you can adjust the temperature (disinfect, hot, warm, cold and tap color), the type of floor (solid floor, max, heavy, normal and light) and the spin speed (max, high), medium , low and no spin).

For additional stain control, you can also choose between StainSoak and Perfect Steam. When using the StainSoak feature, you can also choose the type of stain you want to remove (chocolate, blood, or a stain). There are also options for Extra Rinse, Wrinkle Release, Extended Refresh, Delay Rinse and Control Lock. As with most washing machines, there are restrictions on what options you can add to a wash.

On the far right of the control panel you will find the Start / Pause, Cancel and PODS buttons. On the far left of the machine is a pull-out drawer into which you can fill detergent, fabric softener, bleach and even the pods. If you choose to use a pod for your washing needs, also press the PODS button on the control panel. There is also a stain treatment liquid compartment that you want to fill when using the StainSoak function. This option extends a cycle by approximately 10 minutes.

The LED display also has a variety of instructions. In addition to the large digital timer (you can see how much time is left from a distance), you can choose the type of stain you want to treat, mute the sound, and check if your wash combination is environmentally friendly. The letters "close door" light up when the door is not locked.

Once you have loaded items into the device, press the power button to select your settings. The digital display shows relevant symbols and an estimated time how long the charging process will take. We should note that many of the cycles on this machine take well over an hour. However, if you're in a hurry and have a small load, you can use the 15-minute cycle to clean clothes that aren't stained.

A stain on performance

With all of the stain removal options available, we were keen to love the Electrolux 600 series washing machine. Unfortunately not so much. We can say that using a POD instead of a standard detergent made a significant difference. This is probably because a POD usually contains more than just laundry detergent. In our tests, however, as in our practice, we only used basic HE detergent and did not add any additional stain control or detergent.

Using a POD instead of a standard detergent makes a significant difference in performance.

We ran different loads over a few months and were satisfied with the results. When it was time to test the stain removal functions, the results were a bit mixed. We washed a basic load of minimal stain clothing on Delicates and selected Normal Soil, Cold, and Low Spin to remove almost all of the stains. To be fair: an item had a stain that we have been trying to remove for months.

To really put it to the test, we sprayed cooking oil, red wine and hot sauce over T-shirts, heavy cotton shorts, polos, khaki pants and a buttoned shirt. We leave these stains on for a few hours. We did not use a stain remover and washed these items with the "Normal" setting with warm temperature, normal bottom, medium spin and perfect steam. While these settings may not be optimal to combat stains in this machine, we usually test all washing machines. Sixty-eight minutes later, when the cycle was complete, we still saw the residue of some stains. When washing the items again in a longer cycle using some of the stain control settings specific to this model, the results were much better and almost all of the stains were gone.

warranty information

The Electrolux washing machine comes with a one-year guarantee that covers parts and labor. During the second year of operation, Electrolux pays for the replacement of defective parts. In addition, the manufacturer will cover the inner wash tub for the life of the product and the wash tub drive motor for ten years. Workers are no longer included after the first year.

Our opinion

In the end, the Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam scrubber with LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost can do a good job of fighting stains, but you need to make sure that you are using the right stain remover and settings. If you are someone who likes to use PODs, you will appreciate the space available in the dispenser and will likely get more stain control power from them. However, if you don't want to add extra detergents to your laundry load, this may not be the best solution.

Is there a better alternative?

We were more impressed with the Electrolux EFLS537UIW front loading washing machine with LuxCare washing system, which costs less and removes stains better when only detergent is used. However, the model is a bit smaller. That said, Electrolux models generally have deceptively large tubs, so you should be able to easily fit king-size duvets into them. It really depends on what you want, and our washer and dryer shopping guide can help you decide which features are most important to you.

How long it will take?

Front load washers typically do not last as long as top load machines. usually have a longer lifespan than front loading washing machines. The experts say a washing machine should last between 10 and 14 years, and is probably closer to 10 than 14.

Should you buy it

We weren't so impressed with the machine's stain-fighting abilities – although there were plenty of them. For a washing machine that costs over $ 1,200, it really should have been better to clean clothes. If you need a reversible door washing machine, we recommend that you check out other Electrolux models with some basic stain control features.

Editor's recommendations




28 Feb
Blog

Electrolux EFME627UTT 8.0 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Dryer Review

Electrolux washer and dryer side by side

Electrolux EFME627UTT 8.0 cubic feet 600 front loader electric dryer

"This top-of-the-range model offers a variety of functions that are ideal for a busy family or a household."

  • wrinkle control

  • Spacious

  • steam option

  • Fast drying cycle

  • Cycles can run longer than the assigned time

  • Short cycle works best with smaller loads

The electric Elektrolux front-loading steam dryer with PredictiveDry and immediate update is very spacious and can process several blankets. The best thing is that the internal LED lighting of this model can help you find the missing sock in the columns of the dryer.

Built for bulky items

The white dryer (also available in gray) offers all first-class functions, including steam with wrinkle removal. This Electrolux model in combination with the washing machine of the Electrolux 600 series gives even the most boring washrooms in the basement style. Like most dryers, the Electrolux has a reversible door. Perhaps our preferred design feature is the basket style lint filter, as it is easy to clean and has twice as much space to collect dryer waste.

The 8.0 cubic foot dryer measures 38 x 27 x 31.5 inches (H x W x D). Although you can get an accessory to stack it on the washing machine, you will probably enjoy it more if you place it side by side. Page. The accompanying disk of the Electrolux is similar in size. If you're looking for a more ergonomic setup, an optional 15-inch base is available, so you can use the machine without stooping.

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect Steam 600 dryer is equipped with user-friendly settings. You can select cycles for heavy / hand towels, allergen, normal, active wear, mixed load, 15-minute quick drying, delicates, time drying and instant updating. Once you have selected a cycle, you can adjust the temperature (disinfect, high, normal, low and air drying), the degree of dryness (max, high, normal, less and moist) and the drying time (auto, 75 minutes) 60 min, 45 min and 30 min). Additional options include Perfect Steam, Anti-Static, Eco, Wrinkle Release, Extended Tumble, Delay Time and Control Lock. The options you choose depend on which drying cycle you originally selected.

On the far right of the control panel are buttons for start / pause and cancel. The LED display has a large digital timer (you can see the remaining time some distance away) and information about the sound of the machine, the lock and whether it is an environmentally friendly charge. You do not have to ask yourself whether it is time to clean the fluff filter, because if so, the letters "Clean fluff" light up on the display. Once you've loaded items into the device, press the power button to select your settings and press Start. The timer on the digital display tells you how long the cycle should last.

drying Dynamo

We used the Electrolux dryer for a few months and were happy with the results. In general, the cycles ran slightly longer than indicated on the digital display. However, it usually didn't take more than ten minutes. You can also change the settings during a cycle by pressing the Start / Pause button, making the new selection, and then pressing Start.

The 15-minute drying cycle works excellently for small loads in an emergency.

During our tests, we made two loads of different items, including delicates, tablecloths and shirt blouses. We dried the clothes with Activewear, Normal Temperature and Normal Dry as well as the automatic time setting. After 35 minutes the rather heavy load came out dry. In addition, we put a dry, wrinkled shirt in the dryer and activated the instant update cycle with the "perfect steam" option. Although the top did not come out perfectly, most of the wrinkles were removed. We appreciated the 15-minute drying cycle, which works great with small loads.

warranty information

The Electrolux dryer has a one-year warranty on parts and labor. During the second year of operation, Electrolux pays to replace defective parts, but after the first year there are no more workers.

Our opinion

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam dryer is a solid machine. This top-of-the-range model offers a variety of functions that are ideal for a busy family or a household. However, if you only need a simple dryer, this model is more than you want.

Is there a better alternative?

We were impressed with this dryer and are comparable to other high-end models available. If you're looking for a solid, less frills model that costs less, check out the LG DLE7100W. The dryer is a bit smaller at 7.3 cubic feet and costs about half the price. When you buy a dryer, you should make a list of the main features. Read our washer and dryer shopping guide for an idea of ​​what's available.

How long it will take?

According to experts, this Electrolux front-loading dryer should have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

Should you buy it

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam dryer of the 600 series is impressive and equipped with functions that are extensive. You'll pay for it though – this dryer costs over $ 1,300. While this is expensive, you are unlikely to replace it until ten years from now.

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