FOLDORA vs FoldiMate

FOLDORA vs FoldiMate at a glance

FoldiMate information comes from public reports listed in the sources below. FOLDORA performance figures are catalog values and have not been independently tested.

Availability: the difference that decides everything

FoldiMate was one of the best-known laundry folding concepts of the late 2010s. Founded in 2012, the company showed prototypes at CES and collected $85 deposits for a machine expected to cost around $980. It was aimed at a market launch by the end of 2019.

That launch never reached the mass market. On August 30, 2021, FoldiMate emailed deposit holders a “Cessation of Business” notice, explaining that the company had ceased its business operations and inviting customers to claim their deposit back.

FOLDORA is a different story: both models are in stock, can be ordered online today, and ship with tracking. If you want a folding machine in your home this year, FOLDORA is the option you can actually buy.

What each machine folds

According to its own announcements, FoldiMate was designed for shirts, blouses and pants from children's size 5 to adult XXL, plus standard towels and pillowcases. It did not fold very small items such as baby clothes, socks and underwear, nor large or bulky items such as sheets or hoodies.

FOLDORA folds everyday adult clothing: T-shirts, polo shirts, casual shirts, lightweight tops and selected shorts and trousers. FOLDORA Mini is made for the clothes FoldiMate left out: baby T-shirts, children's T-shirts, lightweight pyjamas, small cotton tops, children's shorts and selected baby bodysuits.

Loading and garment care

FoldiMate: clip-in loading with steam

FoldiMate's design asked you to clip each garment onto slots at the front of the machine. The robot pulled the item inside, steamed it and folded it, with a drawer for the finished stack. Reports described an average load of 20–40 items taking a few minutes.

FOLDORA: one chamber, five controls

FOLDORA uses an upper chamber where you place one clean, dry garment, and a stainless steel tray that collects 8–12 folded pieces. A vertical panel offers five controls: Refresh, Sanitize, Fold, Perfume and Start. Each garment takes 15–30 seconds on FOLDORA and 10–20 seconds on FOLDORA Mini. See how it works.

Built for families, including the youngest

Families with babies wash the most clothes and the smallest ones. FoldiMate excluded baby clothes entirely. FOLDORA Mini is a compact 75 cm (29.5 in) cabinet with child-safety and anti-tip guidance, in White, Black, Blue and Pink, so it fits a laundry room or a nursery.

Buying, delivery and support

• Payment: bank transfer or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, USDC, USDT), with instructions by email after you order.
• Shipping: Free US shipping (7–10 business days), Standard $79 (5–7), Express $129 (2 business days), free international shipping on FOLDORA machines (7–12, $99 for accessory-only orders), after 1–3 business days of processing (except Express).
• Versions: USA (120 V / 60 Hz) and Europe (230 V / 50 Hz, EU plug with UK and Swiss adapters, CE marked), same price.
• Tracking: live status on Track your order.
• Returns: 30 days from delivery, unused and in original packaging.
• Warranty: 2-year limited warranty, with product registration.

FoldiMate deposit holders were asked to file a claim to recover their $85. With FOLDORA, you buy a product that exists, from a company that answers its emails.

Our verdict

FoldiMate deserves credit for popularizing the idea of a home folding machine. But a machine you cannot buy, from a company that no longer operates, is not an option. FOLDORA is available now, covers adult clothing and, with FOLDORA Mini, the baby and kids' clothes FoldiMate never handled, and comes with a 2-year warranty, free US shipping and real support.

Choose your FOLDORA FOLDORA vs FOLDORA Mini

FOLDORA vs FoldiMate: FAQ

Is FoldiMate still available?

No. FoldiMate informed its deposit holders on August 30, 2021 that it had ceased its business operations.

What is the best FoldiMate alternative?

FOLDORA is a laundry folding machine you can order today, with two models, nine finishes, a 2-year limited warranty and free US shipping.

Can FOLDORA fold baby clothes?

Yes. FOLDORA Mini is made for compatible baby and children's clothing, which FoldiMate's announced machine excluded.

How much does FOLDORA cost compared with FoldiMate?

FOLDORA starts at $1,299 and FOLDORA Mini at $649. FoldiMate announced a price of around $980 but was never broadly sold.

Does FOLDORA fold faster than FoldiMate?

FOLDORA folds a garment in 15–30 seconds (10–20 seconds on Mini). FoldiMate announced about 10 seconds per item, but its machine never reached the mass market, so its speed cannot be compared in real homes.

Does FOLDORA wash or dry clothes?

No. Like FoldiMate, FOLDORA folds clean, dry garments. It also offers Refresh, Sanitize and Perfume functions.

Sources

• FoldiMate, Wikipedia
• This robot will fold your laundry in 2 to 4 minutes, CNBC (2018)
• FoldiMate readies its laundry folding robot, VentureBeat
• Laundry-folding machine, Wikipedia

FoldiMate is a trademark of its respective owner. FOLDORA is not affiliated with FoldiMate. Information on FoldiMate is based on public sources at the time of writing.

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