Washer capacities vary in cubic feet, making one washer more efficient than the other. However, there’s this debate on what makes 4.5 and 5.0 cubic feet washers different.
Thus, the need to know what washer capacity is best and what differentiates between the 4.5 and 5.0 washers.
The difference between a 4.5 and 5.0 cubic foot washer is in the drum capacity and price. A 5.0 Cu ft washer is more extensive and can carry up to 25lbs of load, which is more than a 4.5 washer. However, they are both highly efficient washers, capable of doing large-size laundry fast and clean.
What Is the Difference Between a 4.5 and 5 Cubic Feet Washer?
The difference between the 4.5 and 5.0 cubic feet washer is the capacity; the 5.0 Cu ft is more extensive.
With the more significant capacity volume of the 5.0 washer, it will be capable of handling more load weight than the 4.5 washers.
However, the capacity difference between the washers is not that big but still noticeable.
But comparing the prices is another difference, and the 5.0 Cu ft washer will cost more than the 4.5 washers.
They say being big is better, so when manufacturing an advanced product model, manufacturers tend to modify them.
So although these two washers aren’t necessarily different models, their sizes make them two different washers. And as such, the 5.0 washer has features you won’t find in the 4.5 washers.
When you are out there to purchase a new washer or going for an upgrade, buying the best is the goal.
That’s a washer that takes less of your time on laundry and keeps the repair away. Nevertheless, both washers are the best option for a satisfying washing cycle with ease and less stress.
Another criterion for selecting a washer is considering the weight of the load, which will determine the vast for you.
However, purchasing a more oversized washer than 4.5 would be better and will handle more load weight.
Nevertheless, There’s this trend that you identify a good quality washer from its color. The trend is now old; when you find a white-colored washer signifies a standard model, and so on.
Things are different now, and the colors are not different; besides, we have washers of many colors to suit our taste.
Is There a Big Difference Between a 4.5 and 5 Cubic Feet Washer?
There isn’t any significant difference; the only difference between a 4.5 and 5.0 cubic feet washer would be the load size they can carry.
The 4.5 Cu.ft washers can wash up to 20 pounds of laundry, while a 5.0 Cu.ft will wash up to 25 pounds at max.
In other words, the 0.5 cubic feet of a 5.0 Cu.ft washer over a 4.5 Cu.ft washer gives a big difference.
However, aside from the capacity, another big difference you should note here is the price. The price is also a big difference here, up to or over $300 between the 4.5 and 5.0 washers.
However, the two washers barely differ because they are both large-capacity washers and mostly front-load washers.
These front loader washers use molded vanes that move the laundry around. Unlike the agitators, the working mechanism of the front load gives a safer wash.
Also, being a front loader makes them suitable washers, and their difference is not visible enough.
With all the comparisons, the 5.0 Cu.ft still beats the latter in capacity and price. It solely depends on your needs and choice; that’s where the big difference comes from.
The fact remains that a 5.0 Cu ft washer is more significant and can take more load than 4.5 Cu.ft washers.
But bigger isn’t necessarily better, because it all depends on your needs, so the size is not a big difference.
Furthermore, when comparing the two washers, they are both highly efficient washers, giving a good wash with adequate water and detergent.
If you are to compare the performance of both washers, you won’t notice any difference.
But on the other hand, a friend runs a laundry shop; for a year, he’s been using both washers simultaneously.
And sometimes It’s hard to differentiate which is which because the efficiency hasn’t differed since then.
With efficiency out of the question, If the purchase cost isn’t an issue, then go for a 5.0 washer.
Equally important, consider your laundry room space where you want to install your washer. However, if you have room to contain a larger washer, it’s an idea to get one.
Finally, with all the differences and similarities between the 4.5 and 5.0 washing machines, it’s OK to say there is no significant difference.
Instead, there is more similarity, which we should note when in doubt. It’s also essential to consider the differences to help you choose a fitting washer.
So let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of these two large-sized washers in the table below.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| They Save energy, time, and money. | They consume more water and electricity. |
| You can easily wash any size load. | Requires bending to load and unload except with pedestal support. |
| They are water efficient because it requires less water to operate. | They are expensive to buy and maintain. |
| They wash the laundry with less tear and wear. | The gasket seal of most front load washers can fail quickly. |
How Many Clothes Can You Put in a 4.5 Cubic Foot Washer?
A 4.5 cubic foot washer can handle up to 20 pounds of clothes/laundry in one cycle.
Therefore, one major factor to consider to have a good wash with your washer is not overloading it beyond its capacity.
Moreover, overloading your washer will waste your time and probably result badly in washing the clothes below standard.
According to the rule of thumb, a lesser cubic feet washer 4.0 Cu.ft is enough for a standard family.
However, the size 4.0 is still more significant, and the rule says that a king-sized comforter can fit in a 3.8 Cu ft machine.
So if your washer is for family use, then a 4.5 cubic feet washer is more significant and capable of handling your laundry.
However, a 4.5 cubic foot washer can take the clothes of a small size family with enough space to move around.
For example, an adult’s complete laundry will weigh five pounds at most, and a child’s three.
Consequently, a washer capable of handling 20 pounds is big enough and capable of making laundry less strenuous in a standard family.
However, your needs and conditions will determine if a 4.5 cubic foot washer is suitable for your laundry load.
There are conditions like how often you make use of your washing machine. If you don’t regularly do laundry and you mostly have a less load of laundry, then a 4.5 washer or a smaller capacity is OK.
However, for a more prominent family, with a large quantity of laundry, your laundry time might take longer, which is not the goal.
However, a 4.5 cubic foot washing machine is a medium-sized washer, enough to contain a lot.
How Many Clothes Can You Put in a 5.0 Cubic Foot Washer?
A 5.0 cubic foot washer can contain a laundry load of 25 pounds in a cycle. This washer size is more useful when most clothes are thick in cold weather.
Also, the washer is the best fit for a more prominent family of more than three or four, with an efficient result.
When loading a washer, the goal should not be to get all the clothes to fit, regardless of the quantity.
The washer needs space, and so do your clothes too, so overloading is a terrible practice. However, clothes need space to spin freely in the water and detergent to get a good wash.
Nonetheless, you should not load your washer with laundry almost the same size as the washer’s capacity.
Besides, a 5.0 cubic foot washer is big enough to wash a lot (25 pounds is a lot) efficiently without straining the washer.
A 20 pounds load should be a limit to maintain the washer’s health. You should know that overworking your washer can reduce its efficiency and durability.
So if you run a more oversized laundry with your washer, you should reduce how much you wash.
Not washing at the max capacity of a washer will help maintain its efficiency, except you are aiming for a bad result.
For example, you might have lightweight laundry, but the weight will surely increase when it gets wet.
And putting too much weight on a washer can make the machine unbalanced, which affects efficiency and causes damage.
You should also note that being able to do more laundry in a cycle doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be fast.
You will have to start the cycle and leave the laundry for some time to do the washing. But a 5.0 cubic foot washer is still better with a washer with a smaller load.
Conclusion
An oversized washer’s capacity isn’t always the priority when looking to compare a washer; what fits your need is the best.
Nevertheless, it would help if you envisaged how your family would increase later because it might affect your decision.
And always have a blueprint of the laundry load size in memory to help you decide on a washer.
