Asko W6221 Front Load Washer

Pros: They fit in tight spaces.
Cons: They take forever.  They break.  Asko doesn't back up its promises.

I am a real estate developer, and about five years ago Asko had a niche in the market for 24" wide X 24" deep stackable W/D.  We have now phased out buying Askos as Bosch is far better in field performance, and much better about backing up their ...

Pros: Water conserving,energy efficient, various settings for various needs, wonderful machines
Cons: Slightly bigger to handle larger blankets would be the only change.

I purchased both W6221 and the T701 Dryer from Asko. Both units work wonderfully well. For the person who can't seem to figure it out (or is illiterate and can't read the owners manual) putting the dial straight up at F will allow for cold (straight ...

Pros: Appearance, solid, Quattro, SmartSeal, compact, high spin speed, good looks
Cons: Expensive, design faults, service slow to rectify

This all began in March 05, when I got fed up of hearing a worsening metal scraping noise inside the machine* on each washing revolution. *Sold as a 6231, 1300 RPM spin in Australia. The two Asko repair men just left, having done nothing, with hands ...

Pros: Uses less water
Cons: Expensive, Small loads, No cold temp setting, Lots of wrinkles

I purchased the Asko 6221 washer and Asko 701 dryer primarily because I was sold on the concept of using less energy, less water and less detergent. I also liked Asko because it was one of the few companies with a front loading washer (now most companies ...

Pros: Honestly can't think of a single pro - this machine just doesn't work.
Cons: Long wash cycles
Frequent break-downs
Wash cycles are cryptic

Our ASKO W6221 washer was only two years old when the problems started (note "plural" form).  We've had at least 6 service calls in 4 years, at more than $100 per call, to service a machine that can't seem to go more than about 6 months without a breakdown.  When working "correctly", this machine takes between 1 hour 45 min to 2 hours 15 min to complete a wash cycle - the shorter time is actually the "quick wash" setting if you can believe it. 

If having a reliable washer is important to you, you should consider any brand except for ASKO.   Oh, we also have the ASKO T721 Dryer, and have had problems with it, too.  We would never, ever consider another ASKO product - please heed this warning.

Pros: Uses little water and electricity, more gentle on clothes.
Cons: Reliability.

We've owned this washing machine for 5 years. Despite always following directions the spring legs broke last year ($500 to repair) and today we found out the rear bearings are shot, which would cost an additional $500+ to repair. No way! Unfortunately because of size restrictions we're stuck with buying another Asko; this time, however, we're getting an extended warranty.

Pros: Worked OK when it worked.
Cons: Breaks down and is expensive to repair.

Our ASKO front loading washer's motor burned out three months past the warranty date. ASKO's cost to repair the washer was $400 and the repair would only be warranted for 30 days. This repair cost seems to me to be a policy to profit from the repair of a poor product. As appears to be the experience of other reviewers, the ASKO service center in Texas proved to be very unpleasant to deal with.

We paid top dollar for a product with the expectation it would last for many years. We mistakenly equated premium price with premium product quality and service. In hindsight we should have saved our money and purchased a less expensive, more reliable brand.

Pros: 3 year warranty, 7 rinses, 205 wash temp
Cons: Seems this model might be phasing out?

After careful research between Bosch and Asko, I decided to purchase the Asko W6221 and T701 dryer.

Asko offers more features than Bosch. The Asko washer has easy controls to use. It features a 5 hour delay, and up to 7 rinse cycles. It can wash clothes from cold to 205 degrees. Spin cycles range from no spin up to 1200 rpm.

I enjoy the fact that there is an external gasket seal, versus the Bosch internal seal that could be a mold problem. It has a metal inner and outer body. The suspension is perfect, at 1200 rpms, it doesn't move, and the sound is minimal.

Nobody can match it's 3 year warranty.