Best washing machines to buy 2024 UK – tested by experts

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Laundry is a doddle with our expert-tested best buys

Washing machines are real household essentials – and when they break down or aren't working as they should, they can certainly make their absence felt.

Whether you regularly find yourself scrubbing away at grass and mud stains that haven't vanished in the wash, or you’ve decided it’s time to invest in a more energy efficient model, there’s a lot to consider when buying a replacement appliance.

But, if washing machine shopping puts your head in a spin, you’ve come the right place. The Good Housekeeping Institute has tried and tested the latest models on the market to find the best washing machines to add to your kitchen or laundry room.

We've also tested tumble dryers, washer dryers and detergent too, covering all your laundry needs.

Ready to invest in your next washing machine? Here are our experts' top picks in a handy list, but keep scrolling for our detailed reviews.

If you’re replacing an existing washing machine, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.

During testing, our experts use each washing machine just like you would at home – we load them with a combination of clothes, bedding and towels. We try out a quick wash, along with 40-degree cotton and synthetic programs, and score the results.

For each machine, we consider the weight of the laundry before and after washing, as well as spin efficiency, cycle durations, and water and energy usage (any prices below are based on the cost of electricity at the time of testing: £0.30kWh). We also check whether clothes are creased.

We know stain removal is important too, so we add stain strips to both the cotton and synthetic cycles to see exactly how well they handle common household dirt and spills. Finally, we assess the design, ease of use and instructions of each model.

Over the years, the GHI has tested 67 different washing machines. These are our top picks for 2024.

Score: 87/100

AI hasn’t taken over the world just yet, but with this machine, it will transform laundry days. The clever appliance can detect what’s in your load and how dirty it is and adjust the settings accordingly – with impressive results.

Our laundry was pristine after washing, and it used less energy and water in the process, especially for cotton loads (the synthetic one was greedier). In fact, we found that the machine was most effective when it used the AI settings, so we recommend turning to them for every load.

Stain removal was good across the board, thanks to its Bubble Soak function, which helps loosen dirt from within the fibres and removed 88 per cent of the blood on our stain sheet – no mean feat!

There's no compromising on the basics either; it has responsive controls, a user-friendly LCD display, child lock and detergent auto-dosing (although the drawer has a slightly fiddly set-up). The manual is also clear, which is handy if you’re daunted by the smart features.

The machine is compatible with Samsung’s intuitive SmartThings app, so you can control it from your phone. It even reports on energy and water consumption for you – and we found that it was a near-exact match to our own meters. The wash times were also notably accurate. If anything will make laundry feel like less of a chore, it’s this machine.

Score: 87/100

Thanks to its intuitive design, featuring a wide door for easy loading and a clearly readable digital display and programme dial, this washing machine makes doing the laundry simple. It comes with clear instructions and has a child lock, should you need one.

It did an outstanding job at cleaning our clothes, banishing over 80% of all stains on every cycle we tested, including stubborn marks such as grass, blood and curry sauce. Testers also found it had a good spin efficiency and excellent water usage. It was fairly energy efficient too, with its quick cycle using just five pence of electricity. It’s a total box-ticker.

Score: 87/100

This premium washing machine impressed testers from the off with its sleek design. It has a clear LCD display, which makes it easy to select the right cycle without needing to turn to the manual (although this is also helpful, especially for more complicated processes such as the child lock). You can customise programmes and even save your favourite settings, so it’s easy to access them again.

When in use, it proved very sturdy and quiet. It washed well too, removing stains effectively, although you would need extra stain removal products for the likes of foundation, grass and mud. It scored full marks for its energy efficiency, while its water consumption was also economical.

In fact, this washing machine was hard to fault – if we were being very picky, we’d say that an auto-dosing feature would be nice, given the price. But that’s not a deal-breaker. It’s a reliable machine.

Score: 86/100

This machine is more affordable than many of our top scorers, but despite this, it still boasts an impressive A energy rating. That’s not the only reason our testers praised it; they found it intuitive to use, with a wide door for easy access. Its control panel is tidy to look at (although you may need to consult the manual to decipher the symbols in the detergent drawer), and you can add or remove items mid-cycle.

It fared well in our stain removal tests, with baby food and curry sauce vanishing completely, while tea stains lingered a little more. It scored highly for energy, water and spin efficiency too. Thanks to its large drum, it’s a good bet for bigger households. Not to mention, it’s ideal for ironing-phobes – testers praised the way shirts emerged with minimal creasing, so you can cross two chores off in one go!

Score: 85/100

Producing some of the freshest results on test, this Miele is a worthy investment. It excelled at removing stains, banishing 86.5% of stains from cotton – not even dreaded foundation posed a problem. On polycotton, wine also washed out well.

While it's definitely an investment, we found its low energy and water consumption made it economical to run – its quick wash, for example, cost about 4p per cycle on test and the longer cycles we tried cost around 30p.

A sturdy design, it boasts a responsive touch screen and has WiFi capabilities. The instruction manual is clear, which is helpful as setting up the auto-dosing system is lengthy, and there are a few steps required to start a quick cycle. Our testers liked the guidance on washing different fabrics and garments, too.

Score: 84/100

If you want to wash your backpack, your dog bed, or even a diving suit, this washing machine has a setting for it via the easy-to-navigate app. The on-machine controls are simple to use too, with our testers saying there's no need to refer to the manual if you don't want to. It also has an auto dose function, a spacious drum and accessible filters for cleaning.

As for its cleaning abilities, both our cotton and polycotton tests demonstrated effective stain removal, lifting most blood and coffee. Sebum was more of a challenge but the machine still removed over 75 per cent on both cycles.

The advertised wash lengths weren’t always accurate, proving longer than stated and while the ‘Keep Fresh’ function is useful, you can only turn it off via the app, not on the machine. But overall, it’s a good one for busy households and its versatility is sure to come in handy (for all those diving suit emergencies).

Score: 84/100

From a 15-minute quick wash and automatic detergent dosing to an option to add and remove items, this is a great machine for busy households. The drum door opens wide, there’s a child lock if needed, and its detergent tray is clearly labelled. And while it’s intuitive to use, its instructions are comprehensive, too.

It was reliable when it came to stain removal (although you may need extra laundry products for more stubborn marks) and it boasts economical energy and water consumption, although its spin efficiency varied. The latter cycles also proved quite loud. That said, it has all the features needed to make washing a breeze.

Score: 84/100

This machine’s A energy rating was reflected in the low electricity cost of its cycles on test. Its quick cycle cost six pence, while both the 40-degree cotton and 40-degree synthetic cycles we tested cost 16 pence. Costs will of course vary based on the weight of your load, but this was enough to earn it a near-perfect score.

Its thoughtful design also makes doing laundry a breeze. Testers declared it straightforward to use, found its wide door made loading simple and you can add forgotten garments mid-wash. The display is easy to read, if a little cluttered, and the accompanying instructions are helpful, too. Its stellar stain removal also deserves a mention – it eliminated at least 80% of every stain it tackled.

Score: 83/100

This is one of those washing machines that has it all. There’s an auto-dosing function (with room for a month’s worth of detergent), steam cleaning, ‘Pause&Add’, and ‘AI Super Wash’, which senses what’s in your load and adjusts all the settings accordingly. All of this resulted in good stain removal results in our lab, banishing an average of 90% across our testing.

Water and energy consumption were decent, coming in lower than advertised when we used the AI functionalities. The machine is WiFi connected, and testers praised the intuitive app where you can track energy and water usage, access extra programmes and even control it from afar. And don't worry if this all sounds like it offers an overwhelming amount of choice – the instructions are comprehensive.

Note though, the wash times were consistently inaccurate, so allow for longer than the machine says when planning.

Score: 81/100

If you’re on a budget, this affordable washing machine should serve you well; testers found it simple to use with clear instructions and an intuitive control panel. It also boasts some nifty features, including a child lock.

Testers noted that the door is smaller than some, so you may need to add your load in a few goes. It wasn’t the most efficient when it came to water consumption and spinning either. But this isn’t surprising given its price, and it more than made up for this with its notably good stain removal – especially from cotton clothing.

Score: 80/100

If you don’t like waiting for washing, this is your machine – its cycles were some of the shortest on test. Our cotton cycle was complete in under two hours, while the synthetics programme came in at just over.

It removed most stains well, but struggled to lift blood, so we recommend turning to a stain remover for extra help there. Its energy and water efficiency varied notably on a cycle-by-cycle basis, too. But its fascia is clean and easy to follow, which meant our testers found doing laundry effortless from start to finish.

Score: 77/100

Everything about this washing machine is a pleasure to use. It’s well built with dials that turn smoothly and a door that opens wide. What’s more, our expert found both the drum and the detergent drawer easy to clean.

The instructions are detailed and its claimed programme times proved mostly accurate. It removed over 80% of stains from both polycotton and cotton and on the cycle dedicated to the latter, it spun our load effectively too.

The quick wash was cheap to run but it left our clothes wet, so you may need to run a separate spin cycle afterwards. The washing machine’s overall water consumption was relatively high, too.

Our expert liked its accompanying app, which allows you to schedule a wash – ideal if your electricity tariff is cheaper at certain times of the day.

Score: 77/100

On test, we found this machine could happily fit between 5 and 6 kilograms of washing, making it a great buy if your laundry is often piled high. It’s easy to use too – in fact, our expert found it so intuitive they barely had to consult the instructions.

The cycle selection dial is responsive, and the detergent drawer opened seamlessly. The latter’s dark grey markings were hard to see at times, though, and we noticed some sludge left after washes. But, its filter was easy to access and clean.

We noticed some inconsistencies in the advertised wash times – the actual durations were longer. While its quick cycle was notably energy efficient, water consumption was substantial across all three cycles on test. It’s a trusty stain remover though, doing a particularly good job of removing tomato puree from cotton and red wine from polycotton.

Score: 75/100

Here’s a good looking machine that also comes with a large drum capacity. It has a user-friendly interface and smart function capabilities – you can start the machine remotely and see how your wash is progressing from your phone. There’s even a steam function. It removes most stains well and the detergent drawer is easy to fill.

Despite claims the maximum capacity is 12kg, we could only fit in 8kg, and it consumed quite a lot of water in our tests. The porthole is also not big enough for easy loading and unloading, but the option to add items mid-cycle makes this an appealing contender if you’re looking to splurge.

Score: 75/100

If you like to wash as much as you can on a quick cycle, this machine’s the one for you. It scored full marks for its water and energy consumption and spun our clothes well.

Our testers liked its design, with sturdy and responsive drawers and dials. Some buttons lagged a little but it’s simple to use overall – you just turn the cycle dial to turn the machine on, for example. And its door opens wide, so loading and emptying should prove a doddle.

Note, you’ll need a screwdriver to access the filter, and, on test, wash times exceeded their claims by anything from 12 to 57 minutes. We found 6.5kg was the maximum weight we could comfortably fit into the machine, but it was roomy in comparison to a lot of models we trialled. It was also a top-notch stain remover, especially on cotton, making it another good machine if you’re dealing with a family’s worth of washing.

Score: 73/100

With Braille markings on its buttons and 23 programmes (including baby care, bedding and 15-minute cycles), this is a washing machine designed to work for everyone. It has automatic dosing technology and you can add forgotten items mid-way through a cycle, while WiFi connectivity means you can manage it all from your phone.

Our experts were impressed with its spin efficiency on longer cycles and its very economical quick wash. It removed most stains on the cotton and synthetic cycles, but lots of water was used in the process. We also found inconsistencies in the reported and actual duration of cycles on test (they were longer).

The smart-looking machine is neatly designed with clear and responsive controls. Its instructions provide a thorough breakdown of what to use each cycle for and a musical dial will also sound when the wash is finished.

This shows a before and after of the stain sheets we use to test how effectively each machine cleans common messes, from makeup to blood and mud.

One of these sheets goes in every cycle we run during testing and is analysed using specialist tech that precisely calculates how much of each stain the wash removed.

First up, you need to decide what sort of washing machine you’d like. There are four main types for you to choose from, and your choice will mainly come down to the space you have. Here are the different models available.

Freestanding washing machines

This is the most popular type. A freestanding machine isn’t built into your cupboards, so can be used in different locations. The standard dimensions are built to fit under most kitchen worktops.

Integrated washing machines

These machines are designed to be installed within a kitchen unit and hidden behind a door that matches your other cupboards. Integrated options can be pricier and slightly smaller than freestanding machines, but they are usually quieter, as the cupboard door can muffle the noise.

Semi-integrated washing machines

These can also cost more than freestanding models. The control panel is visible, while the drum is hidden behind a door. You’ll need a door panel from your kitchen supplier to match your kitchen units.

Washer-dryers

Buying both a washing machine and a tumble dryer can be pricey and take up a lot of space. This is where washer-dryers come in handy. These two-in-one models can be a great solution if you’re looking for one multi-tasking machine.

The “washer” part works like any standard washing machine, while the “dryer” part works like a heat-pump tumble dryer.

On test, we’ve found that washer-dryers usually don’t perform as well as a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. Furthermore, washer-dryers can have drying capacities that are nowhere near their washing capacity. This means that while you may be able to wash 10kg, you might only be able to dry 4kg in the same machine.

Energy ratings changed in March 2021 to account for the fact that modern machines are inherently more energy efficient than they were when the scale was first introduced. The A+++ to G scale has been simplified and now goes from A to G.

Even with the revised scale, many models are still very energy efficient, with many on our list rated A.

As well as looking at a machine’s rating, look to see if it has an economy mode, as this should use less water and electricity. Quick cycles also tend to be more economical.

Like most appliances, it all comes down to how you use your washing machine. Here’s what our experts recommend considering.

Drum sizes

Washing machines are more effective and energy efficient when full, so it's worth thinking about how much washing you'll be doing at one time. Drum capacities range from 3kg up to 12kg, with the weight referring to the dry clothes that can fit inside the drum.

Many machines offer 8kg to 10kg of space. This is a great size for large families or those who like to do all their washing at once. How much you can fit inside will also depend on the programme you've selected.

Spin speed

The faster the spin, the more water is removed, meaning clothes won’t have to spend as long in a tumble dryer or out on a washing line. While speeds are worth considering, any machine with a range between 400 to 1,400rpm will do the job well.

Some top-of-the-range models can spin up to 1,800rpm on a cotton program, but faster spin speeds can be costlier and are usually noisier too.

Additional functionalities

As well as the essentials, modern machines come with a range of helpful bonus functionalities. These are the ones worth knowing about.

Delay start: Choose the most convenient time to start your load.

Stain removal: As the name suggests, this helps banish those more stubborn marks.

Rinse hold/crease guard: This feature means that if you aren't around at the end of the programme, the laundry won't be left to crease for too long. The machine holds the laundry in the final rinse water and the spin must be manually selected to progress to the end of the program.

Smart control: This allows your machine to connect to your household wifi, meaning you can remotely set your washing machine settings and start time via an app.

Automatic dosing: This feature works out how much detergent you need for each wash. Simply fill the reservoir and the machine will release the right dose each time.

Sensor technology: The latest and most advanced washing machines have intelligent sensors that work out the weight and fabric type in your wash load and adjust the time and water usage for the best results.

Add item or ‘AddWash': Brands call it different things and the specifics may vary per model, but this clever feature allows you to add forgotten items to your wash.

Steam: This function uses steam to reduce odour and creasing, making ironing easier and your clothes even fresher.

All washing machines should offer the same standard programmes, but some brands will include extra cycles for specific washes. When choosing a programme, keep in mind the recommended temperatures and spin speeds for your different fabrics. Here are what some of the most common washes do.

Quick wash: This can be as short as 15 minutes for a complete wash cycle. It's only really designed to freshen up the load – don't expect it to remove stains.

Economy: To save on energy, these programmes tend to reduce the wash temperature but extend the cycle length to compensate.

Hand wash: This is great for machine washing delicate fibres and knitwear that you would normally wash by hand. It reduces the drum agitation during the wash and spin cycle and uses a lower temperature.

Extra rinse: This setting allows you to increase the number of rinses. It can be very useful, especially if you have allergy sufferers or people with sensitive skin in the family.

Hot wash: This usually runs at 60C or higher and it’s the best setting for removing tough stains and sterilising clothes.

There are three washing machines sharing our coveted top spot, and they sit on different ends of the price spectrum. Given the AEG 7000 LFR71864B Freestanding Washing Machine’s £579 tag, this is our overall pick for most people. You’re investing in a quality machine you can trust to care for your clothes.

Then there's the ASKO W2086C.W 8kg 1600prm Washing Machine. This retails at £1299, with a sleek design and lots of handy extras, so will suit if you’re looking for a premium appliance.

Finally, if you want a super smart washing machine (this one detects your laundry and changes the settings to suit), opt for the Samsung Series 8 AI Energy WW11DB8B95GHU1 11kg. It sits in the middle price wise, costing over £800.

If you want a machine under £500, we suggest Russell Hobbs’ Freestanding Washing Machine RH914W116W, which put in a respectable performance on test and retails for between £300 and £400 – depending on offers.

We’ve been testing household appliances for 100 years, this means you can trust us to take care of your laundry. Our expert testers, overseen by homes testing manager Blossom Boothroyd, carefully assess every aspect of a washing machine’s performance and use the latest tech to see which cycles are the most reliable too.

Hannah Mendelsohn, our homes editor, is a textiles specialist and looks after our washing machine and laundry buying guides. She specialises in interpreting our test results to make them clear and helpful for you.

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

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