Compare the 10 Best Washing MachinesOctober 2017

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.

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.

Energy Efficiency

All washing machines are graded on their energy efficiency. The higher the grade, the less energy will be used per wash, and the cheaper the washing machine will be to run. Look for a machine graded at A++ or above for the best efficiency in daily use.

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.

Washing Machine Prices

In total we found 51 washing machines ranging from $349 to $1,796. A new washer costs on average $790 and 80% of washing machines are priced between $480 and $1,102. The LG WM9500HKA is the most expensive washer that we found at $1,795, and the LG WD100CW is the cheapest at only $349.

Washer Brands - Price Range

The highest average washing machine price out of all brands is AEG washers with an average price of $912. AEG washers range in price from $552 to $1,256.

LG washing machines range in price from $349 to $1,795, and the average price of LG washing machines is $898 which is the second highest average price of all washing machine brands.

The average price of Bosch washers is $815 which is the third highest average price of all washing machine brands. Bosch washers start at $666 and the most expensive Bosch washing machine costs $1,140.

Washing Machine Brands - Average Ratings

We have analysed 36 expert reviews and 2,243 user reviews for washers written online and used this data to determine the average rating for each brand of washing machine. The top rated washer brand is Miele with an average rating of 95%. The second best brand is LG with 93% and the third best brand is Beko with 92%.

Biggest Washer Retailers

The biggest washing machine retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 43 current washing machine offers from eBay. The second biggest washing machine retailer is Appliances Connection with 11 offers. That means eBay is over 3 times bigger than Appliances Connection when it comes to washing machines. A J Madison is the third biggest retailer with 7 current offers.

When Are Most New Washers Released?

September to November is the most common period for new washing machines to be released in. That means that most of the latest washer technology was released in within the last 3 months, and now is good time to buy. November was the biggest month in 2016 for new washing machines, with 173 new washing machines released that month. 272 new washers were released in July 2015 making it the biggest month that year for new washing machine releases. In 2014 most new washing machines were released in September, with 424 new washing machines released that month.

How Fast Do Washing Machine Prices Drop After Release?

On average washing machines drop in price by 14% in the first 6 months after release. On a typical new washer costing $790, by waiting 6 months before buying you could save on average $114.

Drum Capacities

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

The drum capacities of washing machines range from 1.5kg to 18kg. The drum capacities of the majority of washing machines range from 7.9kg to 8.7kg. The SamsungWA50M7450, which is on sale for $599.00, has the biggest drum capacity and is a 16kg capacity washing machine. The washing machine with the smallest drum capacity is the SamsungWA50M7450, which is a 3kg capacity washer and is on sale for $349.00.

Noise Levels

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

Comparing all washers, the noise levels range from 41dB to 86dB. The noise levels of the majority of washers range from 50dB to 55dB. The AEGL7FE76695, which currently retails for $1,050.15, has the loudest noise level and is a 77dB noise level washing machine. The AEGL7FE76695 has the quietest noise level. This washing machine is a 47dB noise level washer and sells for $1,084.12.

Maximum Spin Speeds

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

Across the range of washing machines, the maximum spin speeds range from 140 RPM to 1,600 RPM. The maximum spin speeds of the majority of washers range from 1,380 RPM to 1,440 RPM. The GorenjeWA 7960, which currently retails for $446.68, has the fastest maximum spin speed and is a 1,600 RPM maximum spin speed washer. The washer with the slowest maximum spin speed is the GorenjeWA 7960, which is a 700 RPM maximum spin speed washer and is priced at $349.00.

Colours

White is the most popular colour amongst new washers. We found 777 washers that are washing machines that have a White coloured. We found 55 washing machines that are washing machines that have a Black coloured, making this the second most frequently found colour amongst new washing machines.

Loading Types

The way in which the device is loaded e.g. front load, top load.

The most popular loading type amongst new washers is front. We found 805 washers that are washing machines that have a front loading. Top is the second most common loading type amongst new washers. We found 58 washers that are washers that have a top loading.

Biggest Washing Machine Retailers

The biggest washing machine retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 43 current washing machine offers from eBay. The second biggest washing machine retailer is Appliances Connection with 11 offers. That means eBay is over 3 times bigger than Appliances Connection when it comes to washing machines. A J Madison is the third biggest retailer with 7 current offers.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Washing Machines?

eBay most frequently has the cheapest washing machine prices (found to be cheapest for 41 washing machines).

Proportion of Washers for Which Each Retailer is Cheapest?

With the cheapest price on 95.3% of its washers, eBay is most frequently the cheapest washer retailer.