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In this article
Discover what you need to know to get the best washing machine with our expert advice and Best Buy recommendations.
Our in-depth lab tests have discovered washing machines that fail to remove any kind of tough stains from your clothes, whereas our Best Buys ensure your favourite outfits look as good as the you bought them – no matter what you put them through.
Read on to find out which washing machines performed well in our tests, along with some handy hints and tips to help you decide which one is the best fit for your home.
Head to our washing machine reviews to compare all of the models we have tested
Here’s our pick of the top Best Buys and Eco Buys, including large-capacity and integrated models, plus the cheapest machine to ace our tests.
Every year we put a wide range of washing machines through their paces to find the best models you can buy, testing everything from quietness and energy efficiency to effectiveness of stain removal. Only logged-in members can see our full list of the best washing machines in our table below. Join Which? to get instant access to our Best Buys and expert reviews.
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We buy every single washing machine we test and refuse to accept any 'free' samples, so you can be sure our reviews are 100% unbiased.
Our in-depth tests simulate the washing needs of an average UK household so you can be sure our top-rated models won't struggle remove stubborn spaghetti stains from white shirts or baked-in mud from football kits.
We put each washing machine through its paces in several areas including cottons and synthetics washing, rinsing, spinning to find the washing machines that are best at cleaning, most economical to run and have the least impact on the environment.
Head to our washing machine reviews and look out for our Best Buy and Eco Buy labels.
Discover the difference between freestanding (the standard type), integrated (built in behind cupboard doors), top-loading washing machines and washer-dryers.
These are the most common type. They can be placed anywhere as long as they’re connected to a drain and a plug socket. They come in a range of sizes – from 3kg to 12kg capacities – and some models are available in different colours.
These designed to sit behind a cupboard, so you don't see it when the door is closed. The bottom plinth panel is recessed to allow for the fitting of a wooden kitchen plinth along the bottom of the machine.
Don't try to use an integrated (built-in) washing machine as a freestanding model. They're generally not as stable, as they're designed to be held in place by your kitchen unit.
See popular models AEG L8FC8432BI (£939) and Zanussi Z814W85BI (£649), or head to our integrated washing machine buying guide for more.
These machines are like integrated models, but the furniture panel doesn't cover the controls at the top, so you don’t have to open the door to change the settings or read any displays. There are very few models of this type available.
These are quite rare in the UK. Clothes are added through a lid on the top of the machine. They're narrower than normal machines (about two thirds of the width) and the way they open means they can't be kept under a work surface – unless you want to pull them out each time you use them.
The spring-loaded inner doors tend to be awkward. The force of the spring makes them hard to open and the doors don't automatically line up with the outer door when the wash finishes, so you have to turn the drum to get the washing out.
When we last tested top-loading models, none were good enough to be Best Buys as they were noisy, awkward to use and vibrated too much.
You might consider a washer-dryer combo if you're short on space. But it's hard to find one that does a great job of both washing and drying. And it's worth knowing that the drying capacity is always smaller than the washing capacity. See our washer-dryer reviews.
Washer-dryer or washing machine and tumble dryer: find out which is most cost-effective combination
We've found that several of the best machines were in the £250 to £400 price bracket. But we've also found plenty in the same price range that are so bad at the basics we've made them Don't Buys, so it pays to do your research.
A machine with fancy features, such as the Miele AutoDose (which will measure out just the right amount of detergent for your wash from a large tank), will cost at least £800.
Explore our Great Value washing machines to find a model that performs almost as well as Best Buy, but represents great value for money.
Our experts explain how you can potentially cut your laundry costs by £159 this year.
Our Best Buy options include those for less than £500, and cheaper washing machines sometimes score better in our tests than machines that cost around twice the price.
When shopping, pay attention to the returns policy. If you're replacing an ageing machine, note that some retailers will recycle the old model for you.
Popular online retailers include:
Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our guide on the best home and DIY shops.
Working out which is the best-value machine involves more than just looking at the initial cost.
A washing machine can cost anything from under £24 a year to run to more than £88, under the energy price cap that will be in place from April 2024.
Running costs are largely influenced by drum size. And some of the most energy-efficient machines we’ve tested are terrible at cleaning.
The energy label ratings are meant to help you choose a more efficient model. They go from A to G on new models. But the energy rating is calculated mostly on the 60°C cottons program. Our energy ratings and costs are based on washes you actually use most often, which are the 40°C programs.
Use our running cost tool below to find the models that will cost the most and least over its lifespan. And use the search bar to find a specific model or brand.
For more information, see our guide on energy-efficient washing machines.
Find out how to cut your appliance running costs and which use the most energy in your home in our guide to how much your appliances cost to run.
A lot of a washing machine's environmental impact will come down to how often you use it. When replacing a faulty model, buying one that is efficient is a great way of reducing your environmental impact, as well as saving money along the way.
Unfortunately, our testing shows those that use the least energy and water often fail to clean well.
That's why we've started recommending Eco Buy machines. These are models we've carefully chosen because they clean well and are energy and water efficient.
To find the most sustainable models, read our washing machine reviews and filter for Eco Buys.
All may not be lost just because your washing machine isn't draining or turning on. Many common problems can be fixed by yourself or with the help of a professional.
Read our repair guides to see if you can keep your current machine for longer.
Any repairs that require dismantling or fiddling with the electrics should be carried out by a professional. Choose a Which? Trusted Trader to ensure you'll be dealing with a qualified repairer you can trust.
Repairing will not only save you money but will also save your machine from the scrapheap, reducing the environmental cost of recycling and producing a new one.
Common washing machine faults – find out the fixes you can do yourself, the ones best left to professionals and when it's time for a new machine
When buying a new machine, you may also need to sort out what to do with your old one. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. Every item that has either a plug, a charger, batteries or carries a crossed-out wheelie bin logo can be recycled, and that includes washing machines.
If yours is still in working condition and you want or need a new one, you can sell it second-hand (more on that below).
Many retailers, including AO, Currys and John Lewis, offer to remove your current machine when installing a new one, although you will have to pay extra for this, typically at least £20.
Another option (which may not cost anything) is council pick-up of large items. Many councils let you dispose of one large item a year for free, charging for any more in that year. Search your local council's website for large item collection.
If you've already disposed of a large item this year and want to avoid being charged for another item, you can take your machine to a local recycling centre yourself. Most of these will have an area especially for waste electronics.
In some cases, you may need to get a permit before dropping off broken items, so check this on your local council's website before you travel anywhere. Find your nearest recycling location (including stores and council sites) using Recycle Now’s electrical recycling locator.
See all our sustainable living advice.
When buying second-hand it's worth knowing the difference between key terms.
In general, we recommend buying a new model rather than second-hand as there is less risk of safety problems.
That's why when buying second-hand you need to ask whether a PAT test (Portable Appliance Test) has been carried out to ensure the appliance is safe for your home. Equally, if you are going to sell second-hand, make sure you get the washing machine PAT tested before selling.
Also check whether the seller offers a guarantee, particularly useful for third-party sellers and marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay. This will give you more security in case the washing machine goes wrong quickly, or in case there's a safety concern.
Buyers should also check if a product has been recalled. You can use the Electrical Safety First website for this.
Washing machine drum sizes range from 5kg to 12kg. The most popular drum sizes are 9kg and 10kg.
Drum size is based on the number of kilos of dry clothing you can fit into the drum.
However, the number quoted usually only refers to the main cottons program. Other programs have smaller capacities – sometimes less than half of the drum size.
You'll find details of the difference in capacities between the cottons and synthetics programs in the tech specs section in each of our reviews.
Most medium-sized households in the UK will find a 7kg capacity machine perfectly adequate.
The standard dimensions of a front-loading washing machine are 85cm tall and 59.5cm to 60cm wide. They're designed to fit into a space 60cm wide.
But there can be exceptions, so check the specifications before choosing a model.
The depth of a washing machine can vary quite a bit, ranging from 40cm to 70cm. Don't forget to leave 7cm between the washing machine and the back wall for the pipes.
Make sure you don't end up with a machine that sticks out very far from underneath the work surface or takes up valuable space in a smaller kitchen.
Use our washing machine measurements table below as a guide, but always measure before you buy.
Drum size | Average depth | Minimum depth | Maximum depth |
---|---|---|---|
7kg | 54cm | 40cm | 63.6cm |
8kg | 57cm | 50cm | 64.3cm |
9kg | 58cm | 52cm | 64.5cm |
10kg | 58cm | 50.5cm | 66cm |
11kg | 62cm | 60cm | 67cm |
12kg | 64cm | 60cm | 70cm |
Table notes: Source GFK washing machine data 2016-2018
If you're thinking of moving your washing machine, tumble dryer or washer-dryer into its own space, read out top tips on designing a utility room before you get started.
The spin cycle removes water from your clothes at the end of the wash program.
A machine with a good spin should remove most water from your laundry, reducing how long your clothes will need to spend tumbling in a dryer or hanging on a washing line.
Our tests have found you can’t always trust that a machine advertised with a high spin speed will actually be any better than a slower one.
And some fast machines don’t spin at their top speeds for as long as slower models.
We survey thousands of washing machine owners every year to find out how satisfied they are with the brand they've bought and whether they'd recommend it.
They should last beyond seven years without any problems, but we've found that for some brands as much as one third need to be repaired or replaced within that time.
There’s a big difference between how reliable the best and the worst brands are. The least reliable are six times more fault-prone than the most reliable.
Browse the top washing machine brands to see which models are your best bet for a long lifespan.