Had enough of dragging your dirty washing to the launderette? It's probably time to get a new washing machine! Perhaps you're looking to replace an old model that's broken down, or maybe it's your first time buying a washer for your home. Either way, scouring the reviews to search for white, grey or black machines online can be pretty time-consuming.
Read on to find our ranking of the top 10 best washing machines, including integrated, freestanding, and washer/dryer combinations from leading brands like Bosch, Samsung and Hoover. With thanks to online retailers such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis, we've ranked the most energy-efficient 7, 8, 9 kg and 10 kg options, including the best bargain buys!
Quick List - Top Washing Machines
Miele
A Luxuriously Classic Freestanding Washing Machine With WI-FI Connectivity and a 9 kg Capacity
Samsung
An All-Round Washer With a 7 kg Capacity, a 15 Minute Quick Was and an Excellent Energy Rating
Hoover
An Affordable, Eco-Friendly Washing Machine With WI-FI Compatibility and an Integrated App
Candy
A Large Capacity Washing Machine With an Adjustable Spin Speed in a Cool Retro Design
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Table of Contents
Freestanding washing machines are the most common and popular type to buy online. They are more likely to come in a wide assortment of sizes, as well as with extra features and functions such as timed or pre-wash options (ideal for households with babies or kids) or specialist fabric cycles.
The benefit of a freestanding washing machine is that it can be placed pretty much anywhere, so long as it can be connected to a drain and plug socket. This makes them easier to install, move and replace – which can be very handy for renters.
Need an extension lead so you can put your machine in the right place?
Sometimes you need something slightly subtler than a freestanding washing machine, and when that time comes, it makes sense to invest in something you can hide away. With an integrated washing machine that is built into other objects, such as kitchen counters, any room can be kept more minimal and aesthetically pleasing.
While perfect for some, integrated washing machines cannot be used freestanding and must be built into a unit. For this reason, professional installation is typically more expensive than for most freestanding washing machines.
If you live in a highly polluted area or somewhere with a lack of space to dry clothes, a washer/dryer combination machine can provide an excellent alternative to buying two bulky machines or ending up with polluted clothes that have been hung outside. If you like to make your life as easy as possible, these machines, which also dry, are perfect!
While a great option for many people, if you're an environmentally conscious person, these do have a worse energy rating than typical washer-only machines and repairs tend to be much more costly.
If, however, you'd prefer two separate machines, take a look at the best tumble dryers available.
Drum sizes typically range between 5 kg - 12 kg, a number that refers to the amount of dry clothing that can fit inside the machine at once. Washing machines work more effectively when the drum is full but not overfilled. If you pick one too small, you'll be wasting electricity and water with multiple washes, but too big, and you'll be wasting water full stop!
Therefore, for larger households or those who like to do all their laundry at once, a 9 kg or 10 kg drum will be sufficient. For smaller households, or if your work or lifestyle requires you to wash your clothes in small batches, a drum under 7 kg will be more suitable.
The main job of a spin cycle is to remove excess water from your clothes – and the less saturated with water they are, the quicker they will dry. Faster spin speeds will generally do a better job at flinging away the drips.
However, faster isn’t always better. Some machines with particularly high speeds, spin for a shorter amount of time, making them about as effective as a slower machine that spins for longer. For the best results, aim for a machine with a spin speed of around 1400 rpm (revolutions per minute).
Speed up drying time even more with a heated clothes rack.
Large home appliances such as washing machines can be expensive! To ease this pain somewhat, you should factor in the energy rating when comparing prices. Whether you opt for a cheaper model or a high-end splurge, an energy-efficient washing machine will save you money in the long run.
Energy ratings are given a letter grade, with A+++ being the most efficient and D being the least. It's recommended to avoid models with anything lower than an A rating to keep both your bills and your energy consumption down. Environmentally, you'll also be doing your bit to conserve water, reduce pollution and emissions.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Miele Freestanding Washing Machine|WEG365 | ![]() | A Luxuriously Classic Freestanding Washing Machine With WI-FI Connectivity and a 9 kg Capacity | |
2 | Samsung Freestanding Washing Machine With ecobubble™ and Hygiene Steam|WW70TA046TE/EU | ![]() | An All-Round Washer With a 7 kg Capacity, a 15 Minute Quick Was and an Excellent Energy Rating | |
3 | Hoover H-Wash 500|HWD69AMBCR | ![]() | An Affordable, Eco-Friendly Washing Machine With WI-FI Compatibility and an Integrated App | |
4 | Candy Smart Pro Freestanding Washing Machine|CSO14103TWCBE | ![]() | A Large Capacity Washing Machine With an Adjustable Spin Speed in a Cool Retro Design | |
5 | Samsung Freestanding Washer Dryer with Addwash™ and ecobubble™|WD90T654DBN/S1 | ![]() | A Modern, Stylish and Sleek Design With Plenty of High-Tech Features | |
6 | Zanussi Freestanding Washing Machine|ZWF943A2PW | ![]() | Simple, Stylish Freestanding Design With a 9 kg Capacity and a 1400 RPM Spin | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners Freestanding Washing Machine|JLWM1307 | ![]() | A Simple to Use, Freestanding Machine With 14 Wash Programmes and a 15-Minute Rapid Cycle | |
8 | Whirlpool Integrated Washing Machine|BIWMWG81484UK | ![]() | A Quiet, Integrated Machine With a High Spin Speed and a Great Energy Rating | |
9 | Bosch Freestanding Washing Machine|WAN28281GB | ![]() | A Super Quiet Washing Machine With Reduced Vibrations and Improved Stability | |
10 | Beko Freestanding Washing Machine|WTK62051W | ![]() | A Minimalist Washing Machine With a 5 Star Energy Rating |
If you're after an all-essential, freestanding washing machine, you're in the right place! Equipped with an inverter motor to keep it as quiet as possible, Wi-Fi connectivity and a load capacity of 9 kg, it's the perfect appliance for any home.
Designed with ease of use in mind and 17 programs to choose from, this washing machine helps you make sure that every wash is cost-effective and protective of the items inside. With so many features and a modern design, we are happy to name this our number 1 product!
You can never go wrong with a Samsung washing machine! With a fair price for the package, you can fill up to 7 kg of items and reap the rewards of a premium clean. Thanks to 'Hygiene Steam' technology, the machine eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and inactivates allergens through bursts of hot air.
Additionally, with a 15-minute quick wash, you can live on the go and have your clothes, bedding, and towels keep up with you. As far as price and quality go, this washing machine is hard to beat. Add in the A+++ energy rating, and you have a clear winner.
Yes, this washing machine is brought to you by no other than the renowned Hoover brand - and no, it does not vacuum, but it works fantastically well as a washer! Equipped with an eco-power inverter motor, you can rest assured that this machine is built to work faultlessly.
Additionally, you can connect this washing machine to the Wi-Fi and program it through an app! With auto-care, this model will never waste any energy as it calculates the detergent, water and time according to fibres and load, which improves efficiency and removes excess waste.
Candy's CSO14103TWCBE is excellent for people with big families. With a 10 kg load limit, you can squeeze an extra 3kg of items on average over other machines on our list. A perfect way to lower the costs of washes by doing more for less.
Thanks to an intelligent wash system, the machine allows you to adjust the temperature and spin speed to suit any load, enabling you to get precisely the right kind of wash you need.
Samsung never fails to deliver high-quality products, which is why we are happy to put this half way up the list. This futuristic-looking washing/dryer is the ultimate home appliance equipped with its trademark specialities, ecobubble and addwash.
What's more, this washing machine dryer combination is the perfect space saver, meaning it's ideal for small apartments or areas where you cannot do typical drying—all in all, an excellent choice for a great price.
With a simple and sheen white design, Zanussi's freestanding washing machine is minimal enough to go anywhere yet still carries a hint of elegance. With a 9 kg and 1400 rpm spin load, it's perfect for anyone looking for a well-rounded machine.
At 51dB, this is one of the quietest washing machines on our list, making it great for those who need to wash during the early morning or evening. The only issue is the energy rating.
This freestanding washing machine from John Lewis & Partners is a great go-to for anyone looking for a simple and easy-to-use machine. It features 14 different wash programmes (including a 15-minute rapid wash cycle), all with nice straightforward names such as ‘denim’ or ‘cotton’ to help you pick the right one at a glance.
If you're concerned about wasting water washing smaller loads, worry not! The 'Auto Sensing' feature adapts your selected programme to the size of the load, however, the energy rating is not the best.
Loaded with a 9 kg drum, this integrated Whirlpool washing machine is great for any household. With a spin speed of 1400 rpm, it ticks nearly every box, keeping your items refreshingly cleansed.
With a perfect energy rating of A+++, it is a good choice if you are cautious about keeping your energy bills down and doing your bit to help the environment. While a good option, you may think that it looks slightly outdated in its design.
The latest freestanding washing machine in Bosch's line is an updated version of their earlier best-selling model, the WAN28201GB. Its main USP is the noise level – if you’re looking for a quiet washing machine, this may well be the right one for you.
The outer casing is also designed to provide stability and reduce distracting vibrations, while internally, a brushless motor allows for speed, power and durability with less rumble. The only flaw is that several users found it has a somewhat limited set of washing functions.
Beko's washing machine made our list because its design works anywhere. So many washing machines can be hideous or fail to look modern, but Beko's design wins the style points. It also has an energy rating of A+++, making it the perfect choice for anyone environmentally conscious.
For the price, you get a lot of settings to use and a great overall experience, but it fails to reach 1400 rpm and lacks a lot of premium features that other machines on our list include. Nevertheless, it is a great price-conscious choice and looks fantastic.
Once you've decided on a washing machine, you'll need to get it installed properly. Unless you know what you're doing, consider calling a professional, especially for integrated models. Incorrect installation can result in leaks and damage to both your machine and your home.
Installation prices vary depending on your location, and some may even remove your old machine for recycling free of charge. John Lewis offer washing machine installation and removal with your purchase, so take a look to see what's available before you buy!
Written and researched by Wrenn Man
No. 1: Miele|Freestanding Washing Machine|WEG365
No. 2: Samsung|Freestanding Washing Machine With ecobubble™ and Hygiene Steam|WW70TA046TE/EU
No. 3: Hoover|H-Wash 500|HWD69AMBCR
No. 4: Candy|Smart Pro Freestanding Washing Machine|CSO14103TWCBE
No. 5: Samsung|Freestanding Washer Dryer with Addwash™ and ecobubble™|WD90T654DBN/S1
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