If there’s one home appliance we can’t live without, it’s the washing machine. Not only do they make a dull job easier, a washing machine can also get your clothes cleaner than by doing the job by hand, as well as making it cheaper and more efficient.
Although we all need a washing machine, most of us won’t upgrade until there’s a reason to do so: the old model breaks, we move house or have a kitchen redone. In all likelihood, it means that most of us will keep the same washing machine for at least five years, if not longer. Buying a new machine may be a bit more complex than you first imagined, then, as new technology will have come along since you last bought a machine.
That’s where we come in. At Trusted Reviews we actually get washing machines in and test them for stain removal, ease of use and energy and water consumption. This means that you can rely on us to help you find the best product for your needs. We’ve reviewed hundreds of washing machines and have a dedicated lab used to test more, constantly updating this list with the current best buys.
High-end washing machines can cost upwards of £1000, which sounds like a lot of money. With these kinds of machines, you’ll typically find the best stain removal, smart features and the lowest running costs. While reduced running costs will take a long time to pay-off compared to buying a cheaper machine, you’re doing your bit for the environment. You’ll usually get a greater range of programmes, designed specifically for certain loads.
Mid-range washing machines are around £500 to £700. Here, you’ll still get decent results and good running costs, but you may find that these machines are a little noisier and don’t have the same range of programmes as their more expensive competition.
Budget washing machines are much more basic, and typically have smaller drums than their higher-end counterparts. Expect fewer wash programmes, higher running costs and more noise. However, if you need something basic and don’t want to spend a fortune, these are a good choice. We’ve reviewed a wide range of products at different prices to help you find the right choices.
Best washing machine at a glance
How we test
Every washing machine that we review goes through a series of uniform tests, designed to help us spot the quality products from the not so good. We examine build quality, ease of use, wash quality and running costs.
We use a series of real-world tests, using a set of dedicated washing per machine, so that we can accurately compare results between products. All of our tests take place at our dedicated home appliance test lab.
We install and level each washing machine in much the same way that you would at home, so that we’ll get similar results to you. You can see a more detailed breakdown of our testing methodology in our how we test washing machines guide.
AEG L9FEB969C
With excellent cleaning performance, low running costs and built-in water softener, the AEG L9FEB969C is a fantastic washing machine for most households, although it is quite a pricey investment.
If you live in a hard water area then you’ll especially benefit from the AEG L9FEB969C as it has a built-in salt compartment for softening water, akin to a dishwasher.
Simply set your area’s water hardness level (which can be determined online) and the softener will automatically adjust the appropriate level of salt that’s required for each wash, preventing any limescale build-up in your machine.
The only downside is that the salt compartment takes the place of the pre-wash compartment in the detergent drawer. If you have particularly soiled clothes then you’ll need to add your pre-wash treatment directly to the 9kg drum via a detergent ball.
The AEG L9FEB969C includes the expected washing machine cycles, all clearly displayed on the main control panel, alongside the addition of welcome extra programs such as Down Jackets, Wool and a speedy 20 minute wash too.
As a smart machine the AEG L9FEB969C connects to Wi-Fi and the My AEG Care smartphone app, allowing you to select your desired program and any add-on options remotely.
You can also use the app to check the time remaining on the cycle, receive a notification once the wash has finished and see handy tips for removing stains.
Performance-wise, we found the AEG L9FEB969C not only removes stains and cleans clothes to an impressive standard but as an A-rated appliance, it’s incredibly energy efficient and costs just 19p on average per cycle.
While the regular Cotton 30°C cycle removed tough stains with relative ease, although we would recommend a pre-treatment for particularly dried in messes, the Eco 40-60 program resulted in good but not impressive results, so this should be used for just lightly soiled items.
For a smart washing machine that prevents limescale build up, keeps clothes looking their best and has inexpensive running costs, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better appliance than the AEG L9FEB969C.
Full review: AEG L9FEB969C review
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Hisense WF5S1045BW
Not only is the Hisense WF5S1045BW packed with clever features and extra mode cycles but it is also impressively cheap to run and boasts a large 10.5kg drum.
In fact the 10.5kg drum is one of the largest we’ve seen on a washing machine, only slightly beaten by the 11kg drum on the Samsung WW11BGA046AE, which means the WF5S1045BW can handle pretty much anything from large loads to thick duvets.
As a smart washing machine, the Hisense WF5S1045BW can be controlled either by the main cycle dial on the front or via the ConnectLife iOS and Android smartphone apps. Although fiddly to set up, the app offers remote control access over the WF5S1045BW’s wash cycle and settings.
ConnectLife gives you additional special-purpose cycles too including Timing which shows users the cheapest time to run their washing machine.
You can even pair your WF5S1045BW to a compatible Hisense smart tumble dryer via the app and receive recommended drying cycles based on what you’ve just washed.
Otherwise the main cycle dial is clear and intuitive to understand. You’ll find all the standard wash cycles you’d expect plus extras including a rapid 49-minute wash, a wool cycle so you’ll never shrink a beloved jumper again, and a baby care cycle that uses steam to gently refresh items.
We found that running the machine was inexpensive too, making it an ideal investment for busy households. Firstly we tested the standard Cotton wash at 30°C which cost just 44p to run and added just over 44% of water weight.
We then tested the Eco 40-60 cycle which dropped the price significantly to just 25p and added just shy of 43% in water weight.
Finally we tried the 49-minute quick wash which cost just 26p to run. Although the load did come out substantially heavier, with 66.8% weight added through water retention, this is perhaps unsurprising from a quick wash.
Overall we found the Hisense WF5S1045BW to be an impressively smart and feature-packed washing machine that can handle anything busy family life can throw at it. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to properly set up the app.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Hisense WF5S1045BW
Indesit BWE101685XWUKN
With a 10kg capacity that’s more than enough for larger items plus impeccable cleaning power to boot, the Indesit BWE101685XWUKN is perfect for busy households with lots of laundry to get through.
The control panel at the front of the machine is intuitive and easy to use, with a numbered selector dial and corresponding programs displayed clearly on the detergent drawer.
You’ll find all the regular washing cycles you would expect, alongside a few special features such as a 20°C wash, a wool cycle and a cycle for duvets. However, compared to other washing machines, this Indesit doesn’t have as many extra features.
For each wash setting, you can adjust both the spin speed and temperature accordingly, depending on the load.
We found that a cotton 30°C wash costs around 36p to run, which is a reasonable price, however what really impressed us was the cleaning ability. We found most of our notoriously difficult to remove stains, such as red wine and oil, nearly disappeared on this cycle. On the special 20°C program, we found the running cost dropped to just 29p per cycle.
If you want a competitively priced, large capacity washing machine, the Indesit BWE101685XWUKN is a great option. Although it’s not the cheapest to run, it’s still a reliable washing machine that produces incredible cleaning results.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Indesit BWE101685XWUKN
Hotpoint NM11946WCAUKN
If you aren’t fussed about smart features or compatible apps and just want a reliable and efficient washing machine then this Hotpoint is one for you. We found this machine to be fairly cheap to run, with a 20°C wash costing just 28p for a 5kg load of washing and an Eco 40-60 wash costing just 30p.
It’s worth noting the standard 30°C Cotton wash was a bit more costly than we’d have liked at 54p.
There’s also a clear LCD screen at the front that shows the estimated time for the cycle to complete. There are adjustable settings for each wash too which is particularly useful if you want to decrease the cycle time to save resources, or if your washing isn’t too dirty.
Speaking of settings, you’ll find all the usual trappings plus additional programs for wool, delicates and an impressive steam option too. The steam option is a useful addition to the machine, and one we rarely see at this price point, for either refreshing clothes or including in an existing setting.
With a 9kg sized drum, which is large enough to accommodate a big washing load from a large family and an initial cost of under £400, the Hotpoint NM11946WCAUKN is a great investment for those who don’t want to pay too much for a washing machine but still want it to get the job done.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Hotpoint NM11946WCAUKN
Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N
Although it isn’t the cheapest washing machine to run, its mid-range price point and simplicity makes the Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N an ideal choice for most households. What it lacks in extra features it more than makes up for in performance, capacity and stain removal.
Unlike some more fancy washing machines, the Indesit BWE goes back to basics with its design and sports a white plastic exterior with all its washing programmes clearly labelled on the front.
It’s not just the front of the machine that packs clear instructions – open the detergent drawer and you’ll find each compartment is labelled too, negating any potential doubt over where to put your washing powder and fabric conditioner.
There aren’t any smart features accompanying this machine, such as a smartphone app, however most programmes allow you to override the preset temperature and spin cycle.
To begin our testing, we started with the standard Cotton 30°C cycle and found most tough stains were removed, with just the notoriously difficult red wine spill remaining. We then worked out that the water usage was fairly high at 68.4-litres, although power consumption was just 0.176kWh.
We then moved on to the Eco 40-60 cycle and found stain removal was “among the best” we’ve seen from a washing machine, with the stains all basically gone. It’s still worth noting that power consumption with this cycle did rise up to 0.795kWh although the water consumption dropped to 55.6-litres.
If you’re looking for a simple washing machine that includes all the programmes you need with no extra frills then the Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N is the perfect choice. Although it may look unassuming and doesn’t have any smart compatibility, it is a perfectly capable cleaner that boasts some of the best stain removal we’ve seen.
Full review: Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N review
Reviewer: David Ludlow
FAQs
Washing machines have different drum sizes. These are measured in kg, and tell you the maximum weight of dry washing that you can put in. The bigger the number, the larger the drum and the more washing that you can do in one load. Larger drum sizes are also useful if you want to wash more generously sized items, such as duvets. Typically, most households will find that a minimum of a 6kg drum will do for weekly washing; go for 8kg or larger if you have a lot of washing.
Spin speeds, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm), tell you how fast the drum spins. The faster a drum spins, the more water can be expelled from your clothes, leaving them drier when the cycle is complete. This cuts down the time that your clothes have to be hung up for, and can reduce the time needed in a tumble drier. Budget machines tend to spin slower. If you want the best performance, look for a machine rated at 1400rpm or 1600rpm.
All electrical appliances have an energy certificate that tells you how efficient they are, with A+++ at the top and A at the bottom. The more efficient the machine, the lower the running costs. We work out the running costs of each machine, based on typical usage, so you can compare total running costs.
All washing machines have a variety of temperature settings from which to choose. Our reviews demonstrate how well each mode performs, but there are some general tips:
Washing at the cold setting (20ºC or below) is great for lightly soiled items and reduces running costs.
Most normal clothing can be cleaned at 30ºC or 40ºC. A higher 60ºC wash is useful for very soiled items or to reduce bacteria, such as on towels or underwear.
Some machines even have a 90ºC wash, which you shouldn’t need very often, but could be handy to run as an empty cycle to keep the inside of your machine in tip-top, bacteria-free condition.
All washing machines will give you basic wash modes for cottons and synthetics, plus half load or eco options. If you want to clean a wider variety of clothes, look for the wash modes to match.
Woolmark certification is essential if you want to wash woollen items; a silk wash is useful; and a handwash mode can save the drudgery of washing delicate items.
Comparison Specifications
Trusted Reviews test data
Energy consumption 30C wash
Water consumption 30C wash
Percentage water remaining 30C wash
Energy consumption 40C wash
Water consumption 40C wash
Percentage water remaining 40C wash
Yearly running cost low use (washing machine)
Yearly running cost med use (washing machine)
Yearly running cost high use (washing machine)
Sound (spin)
Sound (normal)
