Compare the Best Washing MachinesMarch 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

The price range of washing machines is from £100 to £2,199 and in total we found prices for 826 washing machines. A new washing machine costs on average £411 and 80% of washing machines are priced between £206 and £717. The Miele WWV980 WPS Passion is the most expensive washing machine that we found at £2,199, and the Montpellier MW5101 is the cheapest at only £100.

Washing Machine Brands - Price Range

Miele washing machines start at £420 and their most expensive washing machine costs £2,199. The highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Miele washing machines with an average price of £1,081.

The second highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Maytag washing machines with an average price of £795. Maytag washing machines range in price from £795 to £795.

Siemens washing machines range in price from £299 to £1,148, and the third highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Siemens washing machines with an average price of £651.

Washing Machine Brands - Average Ratings

We have evaluated 100 expert reviews and 26,476 user reviews for washing machines and used this data to calculate the average rating for each brand of washing machine. The top three washing machine brands are Bush, Hisense and Candy. Bush has an average rating of 93%, Hisense has an average rating of 93% and Candy has an average rating of 92%.

Biggest Washing Machine Retailers

The biggest washing machine retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 655 current washing machine offers from eBay. The second biggest retailer is Currys with 245 offers. That means eBay is more than twice as big as Currys when it comes to washing machines. AO is the third biggest retailer with 228 current offers.

When Are Most New Washing Machines Released?

Over the last 3 years we couldn't see any obvious trend in the release month for new washing machines. March was the biggest month last year for new washing machines, with 94 new washing machines released that month. 174 new washing machines were released in October 2017 making it the biggest month that year for new washing machine releases. The biggest month in 2016 for new washing machine releases was August, with 298 new washing machines released that month.

How Fast Do Washing Machine Prices Drop After Release?

On average washing machines drop in price by 3% in the first 6 months after release. That means that on a typical washing machine costing £411 you could save on average £11 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.

Across the range of washing machines, the drum capacities range from 1.5kg to 45kg. The drum capacities of most washing machines range from 8kg to 9kg. The LG F1K2CS2W, which sells for £1,531.34, has the biggest drum capacity and is a 17kg capacity washing machine. The Zanussi ZWC1301, which is available at £379.00, has the smallest drum capacity and is a 3kg capacity washing machine.

Noise Levels

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

The noise levels of washing machines range from 39dB to 86dB. The noise levels of the majority of washing machines range from 48dB to 54dB. The washing machine with the loudest noise level is the Hotpoint RSG964, which is an 86dB noise level washing machine and can be purchased for £400.00. The washing machine with the quietest noise level is the Bosch WAW287H0GB, which is a 39dB noise level washing machine and is priced at £793.28.

Maximum Spin Speeds

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

Across the range of washing machines, the maximum spin speeds range from 100 RPM to 2,800 RPM. The maximum spin speeds of the majority of washing machines range from 1,400 RPM to 1,500 RPM. The Candy GVS167T3, which is available at £179.99, has the fastest maximum spin speed and is a 1,600 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine. The washing machine with the slowest maximum spin speed is the Smeg LBW508CIT, which is an 800 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and is on sale for £233.60.

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. 405 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. 61.8% of their washing machine prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.