Three garment care appliances available on the market showed similar core performances in wrinkle removal, deodorization, and sterilization, but differed in detailed performance metrics such as operating time, noise, and dehumidification, according to a test.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced today (September 16) that it evaluated the quality, safety, and other aspects of three garment care products from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Coway.

When evaluating the degree of wrinkle reduction in shirts using the standard styling course frequently used by consumers, all three products scored Level 2.5 to 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher levels indicating fewer wrinkles), showing an average level of performance.

However, operating times varied, with LG Electronics' product being the shortest at 31 minutes and Coway's product being the longest at 45 minutes, resulting in a difference of up to 14 minutes.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics also featured separate specialized wrinkle-removal functions.

Samsung Electronics' intensive wrinkle course and LG Electronics' handheld steamer function achieved wrinkle-removal performance of Level 4 or higher, outperforming the standard styling course.

Deodorization and sterilization performances were over 99% for all three products.

Tests on odor-causing substances for cigarette smoke and sweat under the standard styling course showed that all products removed over 99%, and four test strains including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also reduced by over 99%.

Drying performance was also at a satisfactory level for all products, requiring no additional drying, but there was a difference of up to 23 minutes in drying time.

Based on maximum capacity, Samsung Electronics' product was the shortest at 1 hour and 7 minutes, followed by LG Electronics at 1 hour and 10 minutes, and Coway at 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Dehumidification performance varied by product, with Samsung Electronics extracting the most moisture at 937 mL over 2 hours, followed by LG Electronics at 626 mL, and Coway at 567 mL.

However, the operation methods differed: Samsung Electronics' product operated its dehumidification function with the door open, while LG Electronics' and Coway's products operated with the door closed.

Noise levels were relatively superior for Coway's product, which was the lowest at an average of 44 dB or less, while Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics products were at an average level of 48 dB or less each.

Power consumption based on the standard styling course was lowest for Coway's product at 332 Wh, followed by LG Electronics at 342 Wh, and Samsung Electronics at 397 Wh.

Converted into annual electricity bills, this amounts to 7,600 won for Coway, 7,900 won for LG Electronics, and 9,100 won for Samsung Electronics.

All three products complied with relevant safety standards.

However, the Consumer Agency recommended improvements, noting that LG Electronics' product could have an operating time variation of over 1 hour under the same conditions in the AI drying course, and Samsung Electronics' product could potentially operate even when the door was not fully closed.

Coway's product also showed that differences in clothing volume and moisture content were not sufficiently reflected in the drying time.

Each company responded with improvement plans, including upgrading AI algorithms, improving hinge strength and adding notification displays, and changing future designs.

The Consumer Agency advised consumers to consider the number of household members and other factors when purchasing a garment care appliance to select the appropriate capacity, and to check whether the appliance features courses and additional functions suited to their usage environment.

(Photo provided by Yonhap NewsTV, Korea Consumer Agency, and Yonhap News)