Electronics maker TCL has launched its C5 laundry range in South Africa. The company said the machines are on sale at Incredible and HiFi Corp stores.
The range comes in two forms. One is a washer and dryer combo in a single machine. The other is a separate washer and dryer set.
TCL said the two options let families choose based on their space, how much laundry they do and how their home is set up. The company said the range will reach more stores soon.
“The launch of the C5 Laundry Series marks an exciting step in TCL’s growing presence in the South African home appliance market,” said Alvin Wang, general manager of TCL South Africa.
“South African households are looking for appliances that can keep up with busy lifestyles,” Wang said. He said the company was confident the range would give buyers a smarter way to do laundry.
The main feature is what TCL calls a Super Drum. It is 540mm wide but fits inside a standard 600mm machine body.
According to TCL, the wider drum gives clothes more room to move. The company said this cuts down on tangling and uneven washing, and helps water and soap spread through the load.
Inside the drum are six paddles, three large and three small. TCL said their design was inspired by the movement of fish tails and fins. The paddles move clothes in different directions during a wash.
The machines also have a feature called AI Auto Dose. Users fill built-in containers with detergent and softener. The machine then measures out the amount it needs based on the size of each load.
TCL said too much detergent can leave marks on dark clothes, while too little may not clean properly. The company said automatic dosing aims to avoid both problems.
For hygiene, the C5 uses hot water and steam. TCL said this removes up to 99.99 percent of the most common bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The machines run on a direct drive motor that connects straight to the drum, with no belts or pulleys. TCL said this makes the machine quieter and reduces shaking. The company gives the motor a 20 year warranty.
The C5 has built-in Wi-Fi. Owners can use the TCL Home app to check how far a cycle has gone and control some functions from their phone.
There is also a quick start option. Holding down the Start and Pause button starts a mixed wash program without choosing other settings.
TCL is known mainly for its televisions. The company ranked fourth in the world for washing machine shipments in 2025, according to Industry Online.
The company said the C5 marks its entry into the upper end of the South African laundry market. TCL did not give prices for the new machines.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Technology. Image: IOL Technology. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.