Compare the Best Washing MachinesSeptember 2018

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 £130 to £2,149 and in total we found prices for 904 washing machines. On average, a new washing machine costs £447 and 80% of washing machines are priced between £208 and £770. The most expensive washing machine that we found is the Miele WKR771 at £2,149, and the cheapest is the Logik L612WM16 at only £130.

Washing Machine Brands - Price Range

The average price of Brandt washing machines is £1,150 which is the highest average price of all washing machine brands. Brandt washing machines range in price from £1,150 to £1,150.

The second highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Miele washing machines with an average price of £1,063. Miele washing machines range in price from £510 to £2,149.

The third highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Maytag washing machines with an average price of £899. Maytag washing machines range in price from £899 to £899.

Washing Machine Brands - Average Ratings

We have evaluated 84 expert reviews and 25,197 user reviews for washing machines written online and used this data to determine the average rating for each brand of washing machine. LG is the top rated washing machine brand with an average rating of 93%. Beko is the second best brand with 91% and Indesit is the third best brand with 90%.

Biggest Washing Machine Retailers

We found 603 current offers for washing machines from eBay making it the biggest washing machine retailer. That is significantly bigger than the second biggest retailer, Amazon UK for whom we found 490 current offers for washing machines. The third biggest retailer is Currys with 256 current washing machine offers.

When Are Most New Washing Machines Released?

Most new washing machines tend to be released between August and October. That means that most of the latest washing machine technology was released in within the last 3 months, and now is good time to buy. Last year most new washing machines were released in October, with 174 new washing machines released that month. August was the biggest month in 2016 for new washing machines, with 315 new washing machines released that month. In July 2015 241 new washing machines were released making it the biggest month that year for new washing machine releases.

How Fast Do Washing Machine Prices Drop After Release?

On average, in the first 6 months after release, washing machines drop in price by 4%. On a typical new washing machine costing £447, by waiting 6 months before buying you could save on average £19.

Drum Capacities

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 18kg. The drum capacities of most washing machines range from 8kg to 9kg. The Brandt BWF618DS, which is available at £1,150.41, has the biggest drum capacity and is an 18kg capacity washing machine. The LG F8K5XN3, which is available at £419.90, has the smallest drum capacity and is a 2kg capacity washing machine.

Noise Levels

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

Across the range of washing machines, the noise levels range from 39dB to 86dB. The noise levels of the majority of washing machines range from 58dB to 64dB. The Hotpoint RSG964, which is available at £295.00, 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-HFH814QW3, which is a 39dB noise level washing machine and is priced at £399.00.

Maximum Spin Speeds

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

The maximum spin speeds of washing machines range from 140 RPM to 1,600 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 Hoover DXOC68C3B, which is a 1,600 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and currently retails for £226.00. The washing machine with the slowest maximum spin speed is the LG F8K5XN3, which is a 700 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and is available at £419.90.

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. 366 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. 60.7% of their washing machine prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.