Best Washing Machine 2024: Clean up with our best picks
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
- Best overall: AEG L9FEB969C – check price
- Best smart washing machine: Hisense WF5S1045BW – check price
- Best large washing machine: Indesit BWE101685XWUKN – check price
- Best for efficiency: Hotpoint NM11946WCAUKN – check price
- Best standard washing machine: Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N – check price
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.
- Low running costs
- Useful smartphone app
- Cleans well at low tempertures
- Could have better stain removal in Eco mode
- Low running costs
- Large drum
- Good stain removal on the Eco 40-60 wash
- Fiddly to set up app
- Excellent stain removal
- Simple controls
- Great value
- Not the cheapest to run
- Low cost
- Good running costs
- Quality stain removal
- Cotton 30°C cycle slightly expensive
- Simple to use
- Good selection of programmes
- Excellent stain removal on Eco programme
- Not the cheapest to run
AEG L9FEB969C
The best overall washing machine
Pros
- Low running costs
- Useful smartphone app
- Cleans well at low tempertures
Cons
- Could have better stain removal in Eco mode
A smart washing machine controllable via the app, the AEG L9FEB969C also comes with a water softener, which makes it well suited to hard water areas. Pull open the detergent drawer, and you’ll see a salt compartment, which can be filled with dishwasher salt for AEG’s SoftWater technology.
Hard water contains minerals, such as limescale, which can be harsh on clothing and make detergents less effective. With the AEG L9FEB969C, once you’ve set the water hardness level, the softener is tuned to your area – and, aside from having to refill the salt, you can forget about it.
That’s not the only thing this washing machine has going for it, however. The large 9kg drum provides plenty of room for washing, and contains a light so you can see what you’re doing. It can be controlled via the My AEG Care app, which enables you to select your desired programme and check on the wash time remaining. It sends a notification once the wash has finished and, if you have an AEG smart tumble dryer, it can be automatically linked via the app.
On the regular Cotton 30ºC wash, the AEG L9FEB969C removed most tough stains, though its performance wasn’t quite as impressive on the Eco 40-60 programme. That’s good news, though, as the Eco wash is the most efficient. Efficiency is excellent, and we calculated that this machine will cost £65.91 a year to run.
The AEG L9FEB969C is a reliable and powerful washing machine, cleaning difficult stains well at low temperatures. It’s cheap to run on the Eco settings and, especially for those who live in hard water areas, it’s a great choice.
Full review: AEG L9FEB969C review
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Hisense WF5S1045BW
Best smart washing machine
Pros
- Low running costs
- Large drum
- Good stain removal on the Eco 40-60 wash
Cons
- Fiddly to set up app
If you’re looking for a smart washing machine that offers remote access, the Hisense WF5S1045BW is a great choice. The compatible ConnectLife app gives you remote control over the machine’s cycle and settings, plus there are additional cycles found here too.
The auto-dispensing drawer is a great accompaniment to the ConnectLife app, as it can hold enough liquid detergent and fabric softener to cater for up to 24 washes. This means you just need to load your washing machine, pick your settings and use the app to start the cycle.
You can also use the machine manually, with the easy to navigate main dial where you’ll find all the standard wash cycles, plus extras including a 49-minute wash, wool cycle and a baby care mode that uses steam to refresh.
Boasting an A+ energy rating, the Hisense is also cheap to run, making it a good investment. We found in our tests that a cotton wash at 30°C cost 44p to run and this dropped to 25p with the Eco 40-60 cycle.
Not only is the Hisense WF5S1045BW a smart washing machine, but it also features a large 10.5kg drum. Whether you have a larger family and frequently have bigger loads to deal with, or just want to wash larger items such as duvets, this is a great smart washing machine.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Hisense WF5S1045BW
Indesit BWE101685XWUKN
The best large washing machine
Pros
- Excellent stain removal
- Simple controls
- Great value
Cons
- Not the cheapest to run
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
The best for efficiency
Pros
- Low cost
- Good running costs
- Quality stain removal
Cons
- Cotton 30°C cycle slightly expensive
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
The best standard washing machine
Pros
- Simple to use
- Good selection of programmes
- Excellent stain removal on Eco programme
Cons
- Not the cheapest to run
If you want a washing machine capable of tackling a lot of washing at once for a decent price, then this model gets a lot of things right.
While much of the competition has introduced fancy features such as smart apps, the Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N is a refreshingly simple machine to use, with all its features clearly labelled on its front panel.
To test the Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N, we put it through our standard tests with clothing that’s been soiled with red wine, orange juice, ketchup, oil and gravy. The results on the 30ºC wash were pretty good, with just the tough red wine stain remaining. On the Eco 40-60 wash, stain removal was among the best we’ve seen, with the stains all pretty much gone.
Under the new grading system, the Indesit BWE 101638X W UK N is classed as a D-rated appliance, so it isn’t the most efficient or cheapest of washing machines to run – we calculated running costs of £75.20 per year. But if you want great stain removal and simplicity, this model makes a lot of sense.
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.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
