Compare the Best Washing MachinesApril 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

In total we found 936 washing machines ranging from £69 to £3,486. A new washing machine costs on average £446 and 80% of washing machines are priced between £209 and £799. The OneConcept Sg003 is the cheapest washing machine at only £70, and Miele WKD130 WPS W1 Edition is the most expensive at £3,485.

Washing Machine Brands - Price Range

Miele washing machines start at £580 and their most expensive washing machine costs £3,485. The highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Miele washing machines with an average price of £1,109.

The second highest average washing machine price out of all brands is Bauknecht washing machines with an average price of £1,097. Bauknecht washing machines start at £393 and their most expensive washing machine costs £1,621.

The average price of Maytag washing machines is £939 which is the third highest average price of all washing machine brands. Maytag washing machines start at £939 and their most expensive washing machine costs £939.

Washing Machine Brands - Average Ratings

We have analysed 72 expert reviews and 10,682 user reviews for washing machines from across the internet and used this information to evaluate the average rating for each brand of washing machine. The top rated washing machine brand is Candy with an average rating of 92%. The second best brand is Hotpoint with 91% and the third best brand is Beko with 91%.

Biggest Washing Machine Retailers

We found 569 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 472 current offers for washing machines. The third biggest retailer is Currys with 242 current washing machine offers.

When Are Most New Washing Machines Released?

Most new washing machines tend to be released between August and October. If you want the latest washing machine technology you may want to consider waiting until August 2018. It's also worth keeping in mind that the price of the current washing machines tend to drop off when the next models are released. Last year most new washing machines were released in October, with 176 new washing machines released that month. 328 new washing machines were released in August 2016 making it the biggest month that year for new washing machine releases. The biggest month in 2015 for new washing machine releases was July, with 243 new washing machines released that month.

How Fast Do Washing Machine Prices Drop After Release?

In the first 6 months after release, washing machines drop in price by 4% on average. That means a saving of £16 on a typical £446 new washing machine if you wait 6 months before buying.

Drum Capacities

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

Comparing all washing machines, the drum capacities range from 1.5kg to 18kg. The drum capacities of most washing machines range from 7.9kg to 8.7kg. The washing machine with the biggest drum capacity is the SamsungWF16J6500EW, which is a 16kg capacity washing machine and is available at £1,730.00. The SamsungWF16J6500EW, which is available at £599.00, has the smallest drum capacity and is a 2kg capacity washing machine.

Noise Levels

This denotes 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 41dB to 86dB. The noise levels of most washing machines range from 50dB to 55dB. The HotpointWMFUG 963, which can be purchased for £379.99, has the loudest noise level and is an 86dB noise level washing machine. The HotpointWMFUG 963 has the quietest noise level. This washing machine is a 41dB noise level washing machine and is on sale for £815.00.

Maximum Spin Speeds

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

Comparing all washing machines, the maximum spin speeds range from 700 RPM to 2,800 RPM. The maximum spin speeds of most washing machines range from 1,350 RPM to 1,440 RPM. The BoschWAW325H0GB, which is available at £748.99, has the fastest maximum spin speed and is a 1,600 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine. The BoschWAW325H0GB has the slowest maximum spin speed. This washing machine is a 700 RPM maximum spin speed washing machine and is on sale for £599.00.

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. 354 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. 62.2% of their washing machine prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.