An Independent Review of the ASKO Washing Machine: Is It All Steel and No Spiel?

A couple of weeks back, I made a bit of a stir with a video on Miele washing machines, expressing my disappointment about them using plastic drums. A comment on that video pointed me towards ASKO, claiming they were sticking to their guns with stainless steel outer drums.

Now, I don’t usually splash out on high-end machines for reviews—it’s my own cash on the line, after all, and the big brands aren’t exactly queuing up to support my honest opinions! But after some digging, I found an incredible promotion. I managed to snag an ASKO machine with a retail price of $£1,599 for just $£449 (plus delivery). Too good to pass up right?

So, is the ASKO W4096R.W.UK/1 washing machine the real deal? Let’s tear it down and find out.

Before we start, just a quick remember; We haven’t listed the spare parts for this washing machine yet. So, if you need any parts, you can use our affiliate link for the spares. On the other hand, you can find the salvaged parts for your other appliances on our shop page.

 

First Impressions: Quality You Can Feel

Right out of the box, this machine feels substantial. It’s heavy, and everything from the paneling to the controls has a feel of real quality. But it’s not without its quirks.

The Good:

• The Door System: This is a standout feature. It uses an old-school commercial design with no large, perishable rubber door seal. The seal is on the glass itself, which is a robust system that also cleverly prevents coins or socks from slipping into the drum and causing damage down the line.
• The Soap Drawer: A well-built drawer with options for powder and a mechanical auto-dosing system.

The Could-be-Better:

• Pump Access Flap: This is surprisingly difficult to open. You need to pry it with a plastic tool, which isn’t ideal, especially for those with less finger strength.
• Fill Pipe: The machine comes with a rigid plastic fill pipe. I’m not a fan of these as they can easily kink when you push the machine into place. I’d have much preferred a flexible, stainless steel braided hose, though the heavy-duty brass fittings they’ve used are excellent.

A Look Inside: The Teardown

I couldn’t wait, so I took the back and lid off for a sneak peek. I’m pleased to report that the quality on the outside is matched on the inside. A colleague in the trade even managed to source an exploded diagram for me, so we can get into the nitty-gritty of the components.

• Drum and Supports: This is where ASKO shines. The outer drum is stainless steel, and the counterweights and rear bearing support are all solid cast iron. No plastic or concrete blocks here. This is exactly what you want to see for longevity and stability.
• The Motor: It’s a NIDEC brushless motor. The surprising part? The price. A genuine replacement is only around $£120. Compare that to a Bosch motor which can be $£250-£300, or a Miele motor which can be even more, and you can see the value.
• The Pump System: A very clever design. It uses a single drain pump motor paired with a diverter valve (~£45). When the machine is washing, this valve redirects water back up to the top of the drum to be sprayed over the clothes (recirculation), making for a more efficient wash without needing a second pump.
• Suspension: The drum sits on four robust shock absorbers (~£30 each), which is more than the two or three you find in many machines. This, combined with the cast iron weights, is why it’s so stable, even with a difficult load like a duvet.
• The Brains (Circuit Board): Here’s my main gripe. The main PCB is priced at around $£250. While this is comparable to other high-end brands, the build cost of these boards is a fraction of that. Building such a mechanically sound machine and then fitting an expensive, non-repairable board builds in obsolescence. A cheaper board would mean this machine could easily be kept running for 20 years.

 

Performance and Living With It

After running several different cycles, from heavily soiled workshop rags to a bulky duvet, I can easily say that I’m very impressed!

• Wash Quality: The wash performance is excellent. The recirculation system gets clothes saturated quickly, and everything comes out remarkably clean and well-spun.
• Noise Level: Let’s be frank, it is slightly noisier on the final spin than a typical machine. This is a direct trade-off for the door design. Because the door is attached to the moving drum, there’s no fixed front panel with sound insulation. In my opinion, it’s a perfectly acceptable noise level, and a small price to pay for the robust door system.
• Vibration: Almost non-existent. I balanced my iPhone on the side of the machine during a 1600rpm spin with a heavy load, and it didn’t budge. The balancing system and heavy-duty suspension do a fantastic job.

 

My Final Verdict

Faults I Found with ASKO W4096R.W.UK/1 Washing Machine

1. Improvements are needed for the sealing system around the soapbox.
2. Difficulty for the elderly in accessing the pump filter.
3. The fill pipe (a very minor point).
4. Concerns about young children putting their fingers in the door area while the machine is running.
5. Built-in obsolescence regarding the cost of the main Printed Circuit Board (PCB) if it becomes faulty outside the warranty period.

What I Did Over a Week of Filming?

Over a week, I tested the wash performance, the balancing system when going into a spin, and the general construction of the machine. More than 20 loads were tested in total.

Three different types of washes and loads were recorded for you. You will see three different types of loads being washed, including a heavy duvet, an overloaded drum with towels and rags, and a blanket.

Positive Things About ASKO W4096R.W.UK/1 Washer

1. Door System: It has no conventional door seal, making it very difficult for small items to get into the drum.
2. Some of the programming is brilliant.
3. The bearing assembly and the outer drum are stainless steel.
4. The suspension system and its balancing of very awkward loads, like duvets and sleeping bags.
5. The prices of certain spares.
6. Good accessibility for performing maintenance.

 

So, after all, is the ASKO washing machine as good as it’s made out to be? Yes, absolutely!

I love this machine. The build quality is in a different league from most of the competition, championing their slogan of “more steel, less plastic.” The cast iron components and stainless steel drum are signs of a machine built to last.

The only real downsides are the high cost of the circuit board and the slightly increased noise on spin. I’m also not a huge fan of the auto-dosing system, as it just adds another layer of complexity and potential failure points. I’d love to see them offer a model with this same build quality but with simpler electronics.

At the promotional price of $£450, it’s the biggest bargain I’ve seen in years. I would happily pay up to $£1,000 for it. If you’re looking for a top-quality machine that prioritises mechanical engineering over flashy gimmicks, the ASKO is a fantastic choice. It’s a proper workhorse.

If you need any spare parts for your ASKO appliance, remember to check our shop page to help support the channel.

 

Thanks for reading, and happy repairing! For a full visual walkthrough, be sure to check out the video on our YouTube channel.

 

If you have any questions about your washing machine, please provide your brand, full model number which is written on the identification label, and a detailed description of the issue. Please visit our Contact Us page and make sure you fill out the request for what your problem is. A video shoot of the problem would be perfect as well.

 

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ASKO W6098X.S/UK1 Washing Machine Exploded View of Parts

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