Compare the Best Washing MachinesJanuary 2019

Washing machines come in 2 different forms - top loading or front loading. While these two forms largely do the same thing, there are some small advantages and differences between them:

Top Loading

These washing machines tend to be older, and don’t have quite as much power, but because of this they are quieter and cheaper. Clothes are loaded into a hatch in the top of the machine - because of this they require less bending to load, which may be a boon for elderly people or those with back problems. The top-loading means that it can’t be stacked under other white goods, since you’ll need access to the top of the machine.

Front Loading

These comprise of the majority of washing machines. Clothes are loaded into a hole in the front of the machine. These machines generally are newer and have more power than top loading machines, though are also more expensive. This extra power comes with increased noise and vibration, which may be detrimental depending on where you’re going to be installing the machine. Finally, some brands of front loading machines can be stacked on top of each other, saving valuable space in flats and smaller utility rooms.

Additionally, some washing machines come as integrated - meaning they are altered to look like a cupboard or part of the work surface. These types of machines generally cost more than a standalone model, but may be worth the expense to gain a more streamlined and design-focussed kitchen.

Spin Speed, Noise & Vibration

Most modern washing machines will have a spin cycle that can run at the end of the wash, to remove excess water and mean the clothes dry faster. Higher spin speeds mean the clothes dry faster and more efficiently, but there is a tradeoff: higher spin speeds mean more noise and vibration from the machine while it is running.

Noise levels for washing machines are measures in Db - most washing machines fall between 60-70Db, which is generally equivalent to the noise of a vacuum cleaner running.

Vibration is harder to measure, but generally speaking the faster the spin speed, the more the machine will move around when you use it. Newer models have special technology to reduce the amount of vibration given off by the spin cycle - look for these machines if you want quieter washing cycles.

Capacity & Size Of Machine

The capacity of the drum in your washing machine will determine how many clothes you can fit in a single wash. Drum capacity is measured in Kg, with a single Kg being equivalent to a single outfit. Bigger washing machines have bigger capacities, which may be necessary for families - single people and couples may find it far cheaper and more energy efficient to buy a smaller machine.

Programs

Modern washing machines come with a variety of different programs to handle different types of clothing, levels of dirt, etc. Most machines will include programs for white and coloured washing, as well as delicates and quick cycles. More advanced machines may also have more specialist programs, with cycles catering specifically to the safe washing of woollen jumpers, pillows, jeans and even shoes. While not all of these programs may be necessary, more programs is generally a good sign of a higher-end and more capable washing machine.

Washing Machine Prices

In total we found 852 washing machines ranging from £120 to £2,199. The average price of a new washing machine is £406 and 80% of washing machines are priced between £200 and £724. The cheapest washing machine that we found is the Electra W1042CF1W at only £120, and the most expensive is the Miele WWV980 WPS Passion at £2,199.

Washing Machine Brands - Price Range

Miele washing machines start at £450 and their most expensive washing machine costs £2,199. The average price of Miele washing machines is £1,053 which is the highest average price of all washing machine brands.

Maytag washing machines range in price from £795 to £795, and the average price of Maytag washing machines is £795 which is the second highest average price of all washing machine brands.

The third highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Siemens washing machines with an average price of £650. Siemens washing machines range in price from £299 to £1,148.

Washing Machine Brands - Average Ratings

We have checked 94 expert reviews and 26,158 user reviews for washing machines and used these reviews to calculate the average rating for each brand of washing machine. The top rated washing machine brand is Samsung with an average rating of 92%. The second best brand is Hotpoint with 89% and the third best brand is Indesit with 84%.

Biggest Washing Machine Retailers

The biggest washing machine retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 719 current washing machine offers from eBay. The second biggest retailer is Currys with 247 offers. That means eBay is more than twice as big as Currys when it comes to washing machines. Appliances Direct is the third biggest retailer with 239 current offers.

When Are Most New Washing Machines Released?

We couldn't see any evident pattern in the release dates for new washing machines over the last 3 years. The biggest month last year for new washing machine releases was March, with 95 new washing machines released that month. In October 2017, 174 new washing machines were released making it the biggest month that year for new washing machine releases. August was the biggest month in 2016 for new washing machines, with 305 new washing machines released that month.

How Fast Do Washing Machine Prices Drop After Release?

On average, in the first 6 months after release, washing machines drop in price by 3%. That means that on a typical washing machine costing £406 you could save on average £13 by waiting 6 months before buying.

Drum Capacities

The drum capacity refers to the amount of clothes that the washing machine drum can hold, measured in kilograms.

The drum capacities of washing machines range from 1.5kg to 45kg. The drum capacities of most washing machines range from 8kg to 9kg. The Magic Chef MCSTCW16S4, which sells for £237.80, has the biggest drum capacity and is a 45kg capacity washing machine. The washing machine with the smallest drum capacity is the LG F8K5XN3, which is a 2kg capacity washing machine and is available at £399.90.

Noise Levels

How much noise the washing machine makes when it's in use, measures in decibels (dB).

Comparing all washing machines, the noise levels range from 39dB to 86dB. The noise levels of most washing machines range from 48dB to 54dB. The Hotpoint WMFUG963P, which sells for £259.00, has the loudest noise level and is an 86dB noise level washing machine. The washing machine with the quietest noise level is the Sharp ES-HFH814QA3, which is a 39dB noise level washing machine and currently retails for £499.00.

Maximum Spin Speeds

The maximum spin speed in the quickest that the washing machine can spin, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

The maximum spin speeds of washing machines range from 100 RPM to 2,800 RPM. The maximum spin speeds of most washing machines range from 1,400 RPM to 1,500 RPM. The washing machine with the fastest maximum spin speed is the Candy CBWM916, which is a 1,600 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and can be purchased for £259.99. The washing machine with the slowest maximum spin speed is the Siemens WP10R156, which is a 100 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and is priced at £374.88.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Washing Machines?

The chart below helps you decide which retailer is normally cheapest for buying washing machines. For each retailer it shows the total number of washing machines where they currently have a market leading price. The chart below helps you decide which retailer is normally cheapest for buying washing machines. For each retailer we took all of their prices and looked at what proportion of those prices where the cheapest on the market. The cheapest retailer that we found was eBay. 453 of their washing machine prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.

Proportion of Washing Machines for Which Each Retailer is Cheapest?

Assessing how cheap each retailer is for washing machines by counting the number of cheapest prices for that retailer, makes the retailers that offer the greatest number of washing machine prices more likely to offer the greatest number of cheapest prices. The chart below considers the proportion of each retailer's washing machine prices that are the cheapest compared to other retailers. The cheapest retailer that we found using this approach was eBay. 63% of their washing machine prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.