Siemens have always been leading the way in manufacturing reliable, cleverly designed and efficient washing machines for more than hundred years. Their latest range of washing machines has aesthetically pleasing looks and ground breaking innovation, making them worthy heirs. From the sophisticated sensor technology and cutting edge engineering that goes into their machines, to the range of programmes and options; the Siemens laundry appliance is designed from the ground up to help you manage the range and complexity of modern textiles. They call this Total Textile Management and let us see if the same is in the case of Siemen’s latest IQ-700 WM16S796GB front loading Washing Machine.
Design:
Like most of the other front loading washing machines from Siemens, the WM16S796GB too looks very high tech and gorgeous. The control panel has been well designed with the rotary control for programmes and nice feeling buttons for other operations. The LED display gives you all the necessary information that you would want to know.
The large 65 litres drum is just perfect for handling larger wash loads. The stainless steel inner drum is securely encased in an outer drum made of polynox, a material used extensively in the aerospace and automobile industry, where strength and longevity are essential. This special material does not rust and helps to maintain heat within the drum for efficient energy usage. And, the large 32cm door allows easy loading and unloading even the larger laundry like duvets and bedspreads.
Wash Programmes:
The Siemens WM16S796GB IQ700 washing machine has 15 wash programmes including cotton, easy care, mixed fabrics, delicates, wool, rinse, spin, empty, low spin, rapid 15, textile guard, shirts, lingerie, curtains and easy care dark.
Wool Handwash: This programme removes the need for hand washing your favourite woollen items, the programme uses a gentle cradle motion that treats delicate wools and cashmere with utmost care throughout the wash and rinse cycles, and a special spin drying process that protects your woollens from felting.
Shirts and Blouses: The Shirts and Blouses is a dedicated programme that is designed to wash 7 shirts at a time. It has been specifically created to wash with care, and uses less wash agitation and lower spin speeds to ensure that creasing is kept to a minimum, and so ironing is easier.
Rapid 15: Rapid 15 is the world’s first 15 minute wash cycle. This programme washes, rinses and spins your lightly soiled clothes in an unbelievable 15 minutes – ideal for families, who tend to produce larger amounts of laundry, or for athletes, who have to wash their sports clothes frequently even when they are not very dirty. Or in fact for anyone who does not relish waiting around long for their laundry.
Easy Care Dark: The Easy Care Dark programme designed for lightly soiled dark laundry. The gentle wash action protects the colours, so there is no “bleeding”, and the specially optimised spin cycle reduces creasing. An extra rinse cycle ensures thorough removal of the detergent residues that can cause fading.
Textile Guard: This specialist programme works with Nikwax, adding a re-proofing treatment to breathable fabrics. Giving renewed water repellance and extending the life cycle of your favourite outdoor clothes.
Mixed Fabric 50: The Mixed Fabric 50 programme washes a large load of assorted clothing in just 35 mins. The best part about this option is that, there is No pre-sorting required.
IQDrive:
If you expect your washing machine to offer years of satisfactory service, then, all of its parts must be especially wear-free. Hence, Siemens has developed a totally new motor concept for the iQdrive: a brushless magnetic drive. This revolutionary design has resulted in an extremely reliable high-output motor whose innovative magnet technology activates the iQdrive in a frictionless way. Whether you use the machine once a week or several times a day, you can rest assured that this Siemens WM16S796GB will be there for you for years.
OptiWave wash system:
OptiWave wash system is a system of unique innovations that make the wash highly efficient, gentle and time saving. The extra large stainless steel drum sits in a machine that will slide comfortably into a standard under-the-counter gap without sticking out even a centimetre. The 65 litre capacity lets you wash bigger loads less frequently, and even wash big items like blankets, bedspreads, duvets, curtains and those unwieldy down-filled ski jackets.
The groundbreaking paddles have been designed to be asymmetric – the steep edges creating powerful forces for heavy duty work while the shallow edges allow your clothes to glide gently around the drum. The drum surface has been sculpted into a raindrop pattern that emulates the shape of the paddles to offer even more potent yet gentle treatment. Despite the huge drum, the optiWave system is so efficient that the washing machines are some of the most water efficient on the market.
Hydro Sensor:
Hydro Sensor checks how dirty the water is after the pre-wash cycle and sets an appropriate temperature for the main wash. It will also decided if the water can be used again for the main wash saving as much as 4 litres.
HydroSafe:
The hydroSafe safety system guarantees 100% lifelong protection against water damage. If a leak does occur, hydroSafe immediately cuts off the water supply from the tap.
Auto Stain Removal System:
Getting rid of awkward stains with Siemens fantastic autoStain Removal System (ASR) is simplicity itself. You do not need any pre-wash treatments, proprietary stain removers or harsh chemicals, just load the clothes, choose the appropriate setting and the machine does the rest.
VarioPerfect:
Sometimes we have ample time to wait for every load of the laundry and sometimes we just cannot wait and in a real hurry. Siemens has employed the IQ700 WM16S796GB free standing washing machine with the VarioPerfect technology that lets you decide without compromising the washing results. Whether you want to get your wash done up to 60% faster or cut energy use up to 30% with ecoPerfect, just press the desired opting along with your standard or special wash cycle. The machine automatically shortens the wash cycle or adjusts it to be economical with energy. But you will always get a perfectly clean laundry. The only concern this feature is that, it can take only a maximum 4Kgs. You can activate either function for any standard or special wash cycle except for wool/hand wash and super15.
AntiVibration Design:
The anti-vibration Design of the new sidewall helps stabilise the washing machine for a noticeable reduction in vibrations. And this was certainly noticeable in the working of the washing machine.
Performance:
Performance wise, the Siemens WM16S796GB 1600 rpm spin washing machine was just A class. Its cotton performance, though long was pretty neat. The fifteen minute wash does what it says on the tin. The energy rating of A, wash rating A and spin class A is very much evident in the performance of the machine. Overall, the IQ700 WM16S796GB’s performance is very much appreciable.
Environment friendly:
With all the global warming stuff going around, everybody wants to do something on their part to save our mother earth and Siemens is doing its part. The WM16S796GB front loading washing machine is extremely energy efficient. In fact, it uses as little as 0.17 kWh/kg and it is a great feature that the machine automatically adapts the wash time and energy consumption to the amount of laundry that is involved. Siemens even claims that if every household in the UK switched their current washing machine to an A-rated Siemens appliance, we would have saved, enough CO2 to fill more than half a million Olympic sized swimming pools.
Warranty:
The Siemens IQ700 WM16S796GB washing machine comes with 5 years warranty for parts and labour. Now, that is generous!
Verdict:
The Siemens IQ700 WM16S796GB washing machine’s design, wash programmes, heaps of features and performance, every aspect is satisfactory. Price wise too, Siemens has out in a tag that is very much reasonable. Have a big family? Siemens IQ700 WM16S796GB one is the right choice for you.
Siemens WM16S796GB Washing Machine – Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Siemens |
| Model Name | IQ700 WM16S796GB Washing Machine |
| Model Number | WM16S796GB |
| Washer Type | Freestanding |
| Load Type | Front loading |
| Exterior colour | White |
| Tub Material | Plastic |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 842 x 600 x 590 mm |
| Volume Capacity | 8.0 Kg |
| Wide Door Opening, Angle | 90° |
| Wash Programmes | Cotton, Easy Care, Mixed Fabrics, Delicates, Wool, Rinse, Spin, Empty, Low Spin, Rapid 15, Textile guard, Shirts, Lingerie, Curtains and Easy Care Dark |
| Extra Settings | Rinse, Spin, Empty, Low Spin |
| Spin speed options | Variable |
| Spin speeds | 1600 rpm |
| Water Levels | Automatic |
| Washing Method | Stainless steel Drum |
| Temperatures | 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, 90°C, Cold |
| Digital display | Yes |
| End-of Cycle Signal | Yes |
| Delay Start Timer | Yes |
| Count down display | Yes |
| Drying progress indicator | Yes |
| Easy Iron | Yes |
| Hand Wash Program | Yes |
| Anti-crease | Yes |
| Baby & Toddler Clothing Programme | No |
| Extra rinse | Yes |
| Child safe | Yes |
| Anti-Flooding device | Yes |
| Approval certificates | CE, VDE |
| Additional features | varioPerfect iQ Drive antiVibration Design autoStain Removal System (ASR) optiWave wash system with cascade Time delay 24 hours autoLoadReload facility hydroSensor Detergent over dosage display Foam detection system hydroSafe 100% anti-leak protection guarantee Drum interior light Child lock |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 190 |
| Noise level washing (dB(A) re 1 pW) | 52 dB (A) |
| Energy Consumption | 1.00 kWh |
| Water Consumption | 56 l |
| Energy Efficiency | A |
| Water Efficiency | A |
| Spin Drying Efficiency | A |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Mike Nikko is a blogger with over 15 years of experience. I will bring you the best product reviews and other useful life experiences, tips to increase height, tips to improve health… If you have any questions, feel free to ask Mike Nikko!