Panda Compact Washer 1.60cu.ft, High-End Fully Automatic Portable Washing Machine, white

Let me start off by saying for the last 16b months or so, my wife and I have been using the Panda Compact Washer & Spin Dryer available here from Amazon: Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine(10lbs Capacity)XPB45 -Larger Size We loved and used the s*** out of it, and it has held up absolutely great - it still completely works, but we decided it was time for an upgrade... so we measured our closet, cleaned out a bunch of other junk to make room, and pulled the trigger on this 11lbs fully automatic washer!If you're interested in the Panda Washer/Spinner, please take a moment to read through my review. That one's cheaper and easier to fit in a small closet due to its lower height and shorter depth from back-to-front. But it's not automatic:http://www.amazon.com/review/RGGD44UPNO2PL/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00KY5V4M4&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=2619525011&store=appliancesIf you have the Washer/Spinner, I'll state this upfront: DEFINITELY UPGRADE. The fact that you never have to deal with the rinse and spin cycles ever again is FREAKIN AMAZING. This washing machine works exactly like you'd expect a 'normal' washer to work.FIRST IMPRESSIONS:For those of you in apartment buildings -- This washer ships in a box that doesn't hide the fact that it's a washing machine. It's not exactly obvious, but if you have a landlord who really cares, you may have to find a way to be more sneaky. We spoke to our super, and explained that we wanted to get a "portable washer that hooks up to the sink, no installation necessary" and he said it was fine. So no sneaking around here.Compared to the Washer/Spinner combo machine, it's immediately apparent that this Fully Automatic Panda is an upgrade in quality. We never had an issue before, but while the Washer/Spinner is plastic, this seems designed to last. Even the buttons on the top seem like pretty high quality compared to some other relatively inexpensive electronics we've bought in the last year or so (i.e. our cheap microwave and a/c have plastic which after lots of 'presses' seems to separate away from the button).When it comes to measurements of the Fully Automatic washer, the dimensions listed here on Amazon are spot on. The height of the machine is fine for myself and my wife, and the two wheels on the back of the machine make it a LITTLE bit easier to move around than lifting (the wheels only help you go back and forth, not side to side). Unfortunately the machine's a bit too heavy to really be portable, so we parked it in it's spot in the closet, and likely won't be moving it for a long while.BASIC SETUP:The initial setup is VERY intuitive, and only took us a few minutes to get started for our first load.There is a standard three prong outlet plug, the included hose & sink adapter which perfectly fit our sink to add water, and a drain hose which hooked over the side of our bathtub.Just like our older Panda Washer/Spinner, I wanted to take this to the next level... I never want to move this from the closet (our "laundry room"), and since we don't have water hookups or drains in our apartment, we have to use the sink faucet, bathroom power outlet, and the bathtub. Most critically, the included plug and hoses won't reach any of these from our closet. So all of the parts I'm listing are here to help making it reach further.WATER HOSE:The box comes with a few excellent parts, but I didn't end up using most of them. It CAME WITH two (2) four-feet-long hoses (one for hot and one for cold, both are identical to each other), along with a Quick Connect Hose Adapter & a Sink Adapter, and a simple 'cap' for the hot water inlet if you're like us and hook up to the sink. Since we're hooking up to the sink, we really only need one hose, but the problem with the hoses for us is they're much too short. We did try our "expanding" garden hose the first time we tried it, but it's definitely not capable of holding the water pressure from the sink while the machine is running, and on disconnecting the built up pressure exploded water all over. So instead you'll definitely want to use a more solid hose, like the one included or a longer one.We ordered this one: "Washing Machine Hose Black Rubber, 12 Foot, Made in the USA " ~$17 Washing Machine Hose Black Rubber, 12 Foot, Made in the USA It's 12 feet long, and basically like a simple garden hose that's a little bit stronger and capable of holding up the extra water pressure. A regular standard "green" garden hose would probably be fine, but since we're in an apartment building I didn't want to risk it if something were to go wrong and flood our downstairs neighbors.Since we are pretty tight on space, and the hose connects to the back of the washing machine, I found that I had to pull the machine away from the wall a bit, and even then I had a problem with "kinks" in the hose. So I also got this hose elbow bend, which I connected to the back of the washing machine and it immediately let me back the washer up to the wall and eliminated the "kink" problems (cold water inlet... the hot is 'capped' with the included cover): "Camco 22505 90 Degree Hose Elbow" ~$4 Camco 22505 90 Degree Hose Elbow - Lead Free I just measured, and now the back of the machine is 2.5" to 3" away from the wall. Without the 90 degree elbow, it was 5"-6" minimum away from the wall to prevent hose kinks.We also already had a "DANCO" quick-connect hose adapter & sink adapter (which we bought last year at Home Depot), so I kept the older one set up because it matched our sink pretty well (... why fix what ain't broke, right?)All in all, the setup for water input was incredibly simple... and now we have an extra-long water input hose to the sink, and it takes only about 5 seconds to set up when we're ready to do the wash.WATER DRAINING:The water drain hose is longer on this machine than the Panda Washer/Spinner, which is nice... but still not long enough to reach our tub without us having to worry about it popping out. Also, when facing towards this Fully Automatic Panda Washer, the drain hose comes out of the LEFT of the machine, rather than the right side... which meant the hose had to reach even further to get to the tub. Fortunately, the diameter of the drain hose was exactly the same as our previous setup... so I literally just untightened the ring clamp off the older washer drain hose, and removed the barb adapter (hose connected and all), put it into the new washer's drain hose and tightened it up with the same ring clamp. Here's what I used:The adapter: Watts Nylon Hose Barb (A-591) Adapter 3/4" ID x 3/4" MH ~$3Basically, this is two sided, where one side gets shoved into the drain hose of the washing machine. It's not perfectly snug, but it's close. With the plastic tape and clamp below, it's completely water tight. The other side screws onto a normal hose, and makes the setup extremely simple.Unfortunately this product isn't available on Amazon, but I found it at Home Depot, and Lowe's has it in their online store. It's plastic and only ~$2-$3. The closest thing I found to it on Amazon are these similar metal versions: Anderson Metals Brass Garden Hose Swivel Fitting, Connector, Barb x GHT Female Hose Orbit Underground 27180 Green Thumb Brass Male Hose Mender, 3/4-Inch Waterproof tape: TFE Pipe Joint Tape 1/2" x 520" ~$9 (and you have lots left over)This is very thin plastic non-sticky tape, which wraps over the ridges on the side of the "barb" adapter that goes into the Panda drain hose. I wrapped it over the ridges on the smaller side about 10 times, then forced it I to the drain hose. With this plastic wrap on the adapter, it's a very snug water tight fit. The home depot guy who helped us suggested we use this tape for any other parts that screw together that leak too. Oatey 15164 Hercules TFE Pipe Joint Tape Garden Hose: Apex 6' Leader Hose ~$11This was simply the cheapest hose they sold at Home Depot. Any normal garden hose will do, but this one was our perfect length, and has a wide enough inner diameter to allow the water to drain quickly without issue. This screws onto the barb adapter attached to the built-in drain hose, and drains into our bathtub. It's small and light enough to store without an issue. Apex 887-6 5/8-Inch x 6-Feet Hose Reel Leader Hose The Ring Clamp: SS CLAMP 1/2"x1-1/14" Diameter ~$1 eachThis clamp fits over the built in drain hose at the end, over the plastic wrapped side of the adapter, to hold it in place tightly. It's not strictly necessary but it was less than a dollar at Home Depot. A simple plastic wire-tie (zip-tie?) could work well too. Here on Amazon they sell them in a 10-pack... and I'll be honest, these may be one of the most incredibly useful things I've bought. Breeze Power-Seal Stainless Steel Hose Clamp, Worm-Drive, SAE Size 12, 11/16" to 1-1/4" Diameter Range, 1/2" Bandwidth (Pack of 10) All of the new parts took about 3 minutes to put together... It's really not difficult at all.Now when we do laundry, I just grab the longer garden hose & feed it straight into the tub without moving the 'portable' washing machine at all!POWER:This is pretty simple, and what works for us may not be exactly what works for you. I set this up last year for our Panda Washer/Spinner, and it's still working for us with the new Fully Automatic washer today.A simple flat white extension cord to reach from our bathroom's outlet, along the floor edges, to our closet. The cable is flat so it fits underneath both doors at all times. I covered it with a cable cover that has a sticky back which keeps it all in place all the time. I went with white versions of each so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in our white bathroom.Notes: I was able to use a simple wire cutter / scissors to cut the cable cover down to size to fit our space. The hardest part of the whole setup was getting the extension cable into the cable cover, and laying the extension cable down carefully in our bathroom so it stays in place. I bought the 15' extension cable, and it JUST reaches. I'd recommend a 20' to 25' one, but I couldn't find a FLAT white one, and the one I bought supports THREE outlets... which is perfect since I also just bought the Panda dryer for the same closet!Extension Cable: 15 ft. 16/3 Indoor Extension Cord for Tight Spaces. 15 ft. 16 guage/3 prong White Indoor/Extension Cord for Tight Spaces 3 outlets [Cable Cover: (I'm not sure if this was the exact one, but any should do) Legrand/Wiremold CordMate Channel- White Wiremold CMK50 Cord Mate II Kit THE DRYER:We paired our previous Panda 10lb Washer/Spinner, with the Panda 8.8lb Dryer. And it continues to work perfectly fine today.Even with this new 11lb Fully Automatic Panda Washer, I'll stuff the washing machine full, and everything that fits into the washer fits into the dryer without any problem. I can't stress this enough... this is an incredible dryer, highly recommended: Panda Small Mini Stainless Steel Tumble Dryer8.8lbs Compact Apartment Dryer Pan745sf You can read my review of the dryer here, and the accessories I used because it's an indoor dryer (with no external exhaust):http://www.amazon.com/review/R3EI30C99BSWIO/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00PIYEUHW&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=2619525011&store=appliancesSUMMARY:So we're about a two weeks in with the new washing machine, and very much loving the fact that we never have to go downstairs to the apartment building's laundry room.I'd say my only MINOR complaint is that you cannot open the lid once it starts or it buzzes and gives you an error (E2). This means that if you use a washing detergent 'lid' to measure how much you're putting in, you can't rinse the lid in the washing machine because it stops the water from filling. So we may consider switching over the the detergent packs and just never worry about that again :-)THE BOTTOM LINE:Highly rated, highly recommended!

This is not my first compact washer nor is it my first Panda.The first one was a non automatic Panda which I literally wore out and used right up until the pump failed.Next, bought a competitor's non automatic and used it for two years. Discarded, even tho it was still working, for two reasons, one, could not get the filter off to clean it out and it was totally full and stinking; two, have acute arithritis in both hands and the knobs were too large and hurt to turn.So, I decided to move on and to get an automatic. ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAVE EVER MADE.Absolutely, love this Panda.First, will go into the three cons: one, as a 76 yr old handicapped senior with acute arithritis, removing the machine from the bottom portion of the packing box was extremely difficult for me. The second, was the removal of the washers, screws, and quick adapter from the plastic bag that was so too securely wrapped around one of the hoses and taped down...had to take a scarp knife to remove and again very difficult for old hands. Now, these two cons are no longer an issue as now have the machine up and running and will not have to deal with these again. But the third con remains, every time I used the washer and that is the drain. Unlike the water intake hoses that are solid and sturdy, this hose is lightweight plastic and I do not foresee it lasting as long as the machine does. Additionally, as I use the quick adapter to my kitchen sink, the drain is set to empty into the kitchen sink and while that is not a problem, having to tie the drain down to the faucet to keep it in place and secure every time I wash, is a problem. I would have preferred a total inlet/outlet quick adapter all one piece as on my countertop dishwasher, which works effortlessly and with no additonal hookup. This third con is my only remaining one with this Panda.Now, to the good parts, the intake water hoses, as mentioned before, are not the cheap, thin plastic that most compact washers come with; they are nice strong and sturdy and I suspect will still be in great condition when the washer passes on. The quick adapter and the other couplings are brass.....not plastic.The controls are exceptionally great to me after dealing with oversized large knobs...the digital control buttons are right up on the front of the washer and are so easy to read and understand. NO LEARNING CURVE NECESSARY HERE.The tub and outside cabinet of the washer are not plastic,,,,was so great to look down inside the machine for the first time and see a stainless steel tub.For those of us that live in hard water areas, there is an extra rinse cycle built in that can be chosen. And while not quite, it is quitter than my previous two. And the washer filter is easy to remove and of all things, there is an easy to remove and clean pump filter.Has two rollers to assist in moving it around, but I have tile floors and have found it moves nice and easy on the tiles without the need of the rollers.Almost forgot to add, that while getting the washer out of the bottom of the packing box was difficult for me, should not be that bad for two people, And the removal of the top portion of the box was not connected to the bottom, so could just be lifted off after cutting the straps.The tub itself is larger than I expected and larger than the other two compacts I previously owned.All in all, I would not only recommend this automatic washer for seniors or single people or couples, but I am going to work on buying another soon into my budget and have it on hand for the future. Often I find items I use and really like are not longer available later when needing replacement, so I have a pantry for those items.Forgot to add, the quick adapter that came with the machine is the same one that I already had on my faucet for my countertop dishwasher so no having to change them around, just hook up the one machine that's needed.For a normal cycle with the extra rinse, the washer takes a little less than a hour; there is a timer that will let you know how long the cycle you have chosen will take and it does count down.

To the seller : PLEASE DO NOT USE PUROLATOR. We bought the machine and it took 6 days after it arrived in Montreal before we finally got someone to deliver it. We had to contact Purolator 7 times and finally ask to talk to a supervisor, because our delivery was constantly delayed (too heavy); we were told someone would contact us to schedule a delivery and they never did... It was awful and I had to stay home for 4 days, waiting for them, because they kept telling me they would deliver. We almost decided to give up and return the machine.Upon receiving it : Very good quality, sturdy and slightly bigger than we expected (which was a great surprise for us). After spending the last 2.5 years without an automatic machine, this one is a blessing. For now, it works well, it was very easy to take out of the box and install. I would still recommend getting a dolly with wheels, which we did. The machine is a bit difficult to move around even though it has two wheels at the back.

Very good. I am satisfied with it, except it is leaving some fur or lint behind. But overall, a great machine.

We are so glad we purchased this machine while I was pregnant. This machine has been perfect for doing small loads of laundry on a day to day basis, as we dirty baby clothes super fast and are not able to get to the laundromat all the time because we have a newborn. The machine is super quick and convenient to use. We still go to the laundromat to get our heavy loads of towels done, or if we have a lot of laundry to do at once (as the machine is limited in how much it can hold). Overall, this machine functions so well and has been a lifesaver! We bought the moveable base as recommended by other reviewers, and it has made it even easier to use. I bought Nellie's High Efficiency Laundry Soda to use with the machine - also a great pairing (the machine requires HE powder detergent only).

The washer was very easy to assemble and get it hooked to the water facet in the kitchen. It's relatively easy to operate and it works well.A few things I didn't like. There was no air dry cycle on the machine that I ordered, even though the description said it was there. Also, sometimes the entire initial setting changes if you change one of the settings (e.i. you decide to want a medium size wash, you change it from the "small", and then the water temperature setting changes by itself). So you need to watch out for that. I will have to buy something to move the machine to and from the sink, otherwise it's difficult despite it having wheels on one side.

The washer cleans good and isn’t too loud. I do like it.The washer has weird programming, If the washer goes off balance it will start the previous cycle. As an example it will finish rinse cycle and start spin cycle and as it goes off balance it will pause and restart it’s last rinse increasing the time to completion. This will happen twice, on 3rd time it will error. You will have to shift everything to try to balance it better and when you start it back up it will do its third repeat rinse cycle.Also It arrived with a bulge on the front face.