Asko CW Washer Review

The Asko CW covers the short list of things a compact washer has to get right: it fits, it stays quiet, and it is built to last in the parts that usually wear out first.

It fits where a full-size washer will not

At 24 inches wide, 23 inches deep and 33.5 inches high, the Asko CW slides into a closet, a kitchen run or an under-counter slot that a 27-inch machine cannot fit into. The 23-inch depth is the figure that decides whether the front sits flush under a standard counter.

Quiet operation

The wash cycle runs at 51 dBA, which is quiet enough to run while people are in the next room, in an open-plan kitchen or in an apartment with thin walls. The spin is louder at 71 dBA, but the long wash phase, the part that runs for most of the cycle, stays quiet.

Fast spin for shorter drying

A maximum spin speed of 1400 rpm pulls more water out of the load before the door opens. That matters most when you dry in a compact dryer or hang clothes on a rack, because less water left in the fabric means less time to dry.

Steel Seal door with no rubber gasket

On most front-loaders the rubber door gasket is the grubby part: it folds over itself, traps lint and detergent residue, and degrades over time. The Asko CW replaces it with a Steel Seal. There is no rubber to break down or hold dirt, so the wash stays more hygienic, and loading and unloading are easier because nothing catches on the fold.

Fifteen cycles, including three that earn their place

The Asko CW offers 15 washing cycles. Three of them cover most of what a compact machine gets asked to do:

• Quick Wash handles a small, lightly soiled load in a short period, for the shirt you need tonight.
• Quick Pro is a high-efficiency quick program that washes with gentle tumbling and lower spin speeds and takes just under an hour.
• Dark Wash adds extra rinses with low mechanical action and low spin speeds, so dark fabrics are washed gently and rinsed thoroughly with no risk of detergent spots.

Build details and efficiency

The drum is stainless steel, the machine uses Quattro Construction and ActiveDrum Technology, and detergent and softener go in a single-compartment dispenser. The Asko CW is ENERGY STAR qualified.

Every trade-off below follows from the machine's size and design, and each one is worth weighing before you order.

Capacity is the headline trade-off

2.1 cu ft is a compact load. It suits everyday laundry for one or two people well. It gets tight once bedding and a stack of towels join the mix, so plan those loads on their own rather than stuffing them in with the rest.

A compact machine gives you less drum for the space

If your space allows a full-size washer, a compact one hands you a smaller drum for the footprint you are giving up. That is the single most useful thing to know here: the Asko CW is the right answer only when the space itself is the problem.

Single-compartment dispenser

There is no multi-compartment dosing drawer. Detergent and softener share one compartment, so you add them per load as directed.

Spin noise rises to 71 dBA

The spin is noticeably louder than the wash. If the machine sits against a wall shared with a bedroom or opens onto a living space, the spin phase is the one you will hear.

The 24-inch width is the figure to check against the opening the machine has to pass through. The 23-inch depth is the figure to check against the space under a counter, and the 33.5-inch height is the figure to check against the underside of that counter and against any cabinet above.