10 best washing machines to buy in 2024 as tested by families

If you're looking for a reliable washing machine for family life, you can't go wrong with the Samsung Series 5+ WW90T554DAN/S1 with AddWash™. Mumsnet users who have tested the brand's machines particularly rate the ecobubble™ range - an efficient feature that combines the perfect amount of water with your best laundry detergent for effective cleaning - and we love its comprehensive five-year warranty, quiet wash cycles and time-saving choice of programmes.

Alongside these standout features, we've chosen this model for our top spot thanks to its impressive 'A' energy efficiency rating. As well as being one of the cheaper and more affordable options in the ecobubble range, this machine is cost-effective to run and a great eco buy, saving you money on your energy bill whilst also being better for the environment than machines with a lower rating.

Tech lovers will also be thrilled to discover the easy-to-use smart controls via Samsung’s SmartThings app, making it an ideal choice if you're looking to schedule washes on the go, although some may find that this function is more of a gimmick rather than a dealbreaker.

Our tester Laura says, "The SmartThings app uses AI to conveniently monitor energy consumption and cost so that I can see exactly what I’m spending. As an example, a 26-minute Quick Wash at 30°C with three rinses and a spin speed of 1,200 rpm used 0.20 kWh of energy and cost me 7p to run. It also emitted 54g of carbon emissions, which is at the lower end of the scale compared to most washing machines."

Families will appreciate the ultra-quiet Digital Inverter Motor that won’t disturb you in an open-plan kitchen and its convenient 15-minute quick wash programme – perfect for when your kids remind you it’s PE tomorrow just as they crawl into bed. There's also a handy 'Hygiene Steam' cycle that removes up to 99.9% of bacteria and other invisible nasties from clothing, perfect to pair with the best laundry detergent for babies for those inevitable messes.

The major highlight though is the handy AddWash™ drawer that allows you to add forgotten items like underwear and socks after a cycle has started.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Samsung Series 5+ washing machine review

Tested in a four-person household, the Miele W1 WSG363 and its large 9kg drum suits families very well. With 12 different programmes, including an Express 20 cycle that washes your clothes in as little as 20 minutes, this washing machine is both versatile and effective.

It cleans, rinses and spins well, getting rid of stains after only one wash cycle. Our tester Maaike praised the machine's QuickPowerWash function, which performs a very short, high energy-efficient wash on small loads at either 40 or 60 degrees and left her laundry exceptionally clean.

With an 'A' energy rating, the Miele W1 WSG363 is one of the most energy-efficient washing machines on the market, using just 0.49kWh of energy per cycle. Maaike says, "Energy efficiency was one of the top priorities for me when it came to buying a washing machine, and the Miele does not disappoint."

It's also very quiet thanks to the ProfiEco motor, with a 48dB noise reading for a typical wash cycle - great news if you work from home.

The downsides? The drawer can be tricky to clean due to Miele's CapDosing system, so there can be some detergent build-up. The machine is also expensive, so won't suit you if you're on a budget. However we think the performance alone is worth the hefty price tag.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Miele W1 WSG363 washing machine review

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Despite what some people believe, cheap doesn’t always mean low quality; the Beko WTL94151W washing machine is proof of that. A brand loved by Mumsnet users (they also feature as a pick on our best washer-dryer page) and product review sites for their affordable prices, reliability and a decent range of features, Beko has excelled with this appliance.

Thanks to the practical settings and 15 different programmes, we think it's the best washing machine under £300. We're impressed with the quick wash that cleans a large load in just 28 minutes, ideal for last-minute school uniform washes on a Sunday night or quick-thinking stain removal.

However, by far, our favourite design feature is that up to 10% of the drum is made from recycled plastic bottles so that you can feel a little smug about your eco-friendly purchase.

That said, it isn’t as energy efficient as some models with a B rating, which you’ll need to factor into your energy bill, although we think it's a pretty decent energy rating for the price. All in all, it is a great low-budget all-rounder with a big thumbs up from previous customers.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full BEKO RecycledTub WTK104121 10kg Washing Machine review

Miele is a German brand known for manufacturing high-quality products rated by experts and customers alike. Although their washing machines aren’t cheap, with many costing well over a thousand, the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ certainly rings true.

We love the Miele WEG665 for its innovative hi-tech features, fantastic programmes, and quality build that's designed to last. It is worth noting, however, that the standard guarantee period for Miele is shorter than it used to be – it's now just two years in duration, although John Lewis do offer additional five-year breakdown and accidental damage cover for £210.

With a 9kg wash capacity ideal for medium to large-sized families, the Miele WEG665’s honeycomb drum and wide opening are big enough to accommodate a king-sized duvet without causing any damage. Also, if you struggle to decide how much laundry detergent or fabric softener to use, this washing machine has Twindos for automatic dispensing and auto dose sensors to guarantee you use the perfect amount every time.

For tech lovers, you can connect your washing machine to your phone using the Miele@Home smart app for complete control over every wash cycle.

Our tester Zoe says, "Our household consists of four people, and this 9kg machine has proven to be more than capable of meeting our laundry needs. It handles various load sizes with ease, ensuring that our clothes come out clean and fresh every time. The spin rating sits at a B, so the clothes don’t come out as dry as they could but, day in and day out, the Miele WEG665 performs admirably without any hiccups or issues."

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Miele WEG665 washing machine review

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Affordable and energy-efficient, with a large enough drum capacity for a medium-sized family, the Hoover H-Wash 500 is the best mid-range washing machine to buy right now.

Its Eco setting helps to reduce energy consumption and costs, and it uses less water per cycle than most washing machines on the market. 

The 1600rpm spin speed successfully cuts down drying times if you don't have heated clothes airer or tumble dryer, however it's louder on this setting than we'd like. Our tester Izzy says, "You wouldn’t be able to have a phone call in the same room while it's spinning at 1600rpm. If the sound could be reduced that would be a great improvement."

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Hoover H-Wash 500 washing machine review

The Bosch brand has an excellent reputation for creating white goods that are reliable and easy to use, and Mumsnet users who have tested their washing machines agree. We think the Bosch Series 6 is a great all-rounder that is perfect for families.

Available to buy at a fairly reasonable price, it is quiet, efficient, and has an excellent range of programmes and settings. In particular, many reviewers specifically love the anti-vibration and EcoSilence drive which keeps the volume so low, perfect if you have an open-plan living space or don't want to wake your little one snuggled up in his baby sleeping bag.

Built to withstand the laundry demands of most families, it has a large 9kg VarioDrum that’ll give your clothes a gentle but thorough wash and an anti-stain option which promises to remove even the most stubborn stains from your fabrics. We love the handy reload function too - it lets you add missed clothes during a wash cycle, perfect for things like socks that always seem to escape en route to the machine.

With an 'A' energy rating, the Bosch Series 6 also claims to save the planet and your purse simultaneously, and could save you up to £610 over its lifetime. However, just be aware that this model is touch-sensitive, so selecting the right cycle or programme can be tricky.

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This feature-rich LG TurboWash™ 360 washing machine has a spacious 9kg drum, an 'A' energy rating and Wi-Fi connectivity for keeping on top of even the largest household’s laundry pile.

Packed with innovative functionality that makes your life easier, it's also pleasingly quiet and, with access to the LG Smart ThinQ app, you can start the washing machine remotely, set a delayed start time, and troubleshoot via your phone.

We love that the British Allergy Foundation-approved LG Steam™ technology can revitalise your family’s wardrobe, cleansing clothes of allergens while reducing the need for the best steam iron or clothes steamer.

Its TurboWash™ technology is also a highlight. It promises to tackle stains using a jet spray in the drum for an extra quality clean. Think sparkling whites, soft jumpers and de-wrinkled delicates.

Parent tester, Sally, says, “The clothes come out very clean on TurboWash™ - it’s excellent and quick. For very stained clothes like football kit, there’s an intensive button on the Sportswear cycle which is very good. It also has an Allergy Care setting, which is great as some of my children have allergies."

As such, we think the LG a great option for time-strapped families with large loads of washing to get through.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full LG TurboWash™ 360 review

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Specialising in the design and manufacturing of white goods, Bosch are known for creating high-quality products that families can rely on, which is why their washing machines are so popular with Mumsnet users.

At less than £500, this Bosch Series 4 washing machine is one of their most popular current models, with customers rating it highly. Expert review sites also note that it is an excellent all-rounder that does its job well.

An upgrade to the previous model, it has a good range of programmes and an 8kg drum built to withstand and make quick work of any medium-sized family's overwhelmed laundry basket. Parents will particularly appreciate the anti-vibration and EcoSilence features that come with many Bosch machines - they're ideal for running washes at off-peak hours without disturbing any sleeping children.

We also like that it has a 'SuperQuick 15' wash option for those last-minute panics - your clothes will be out on your rotary washing line before you know it! - as well as a Reload feature for adding any forgotten items midway through your wash cycle.

Our tester Gerard says, "The performance of the Bosch Series 4 WAN28201GB is exceptional. It boasts 14 wash programmes to suit different laundry needs. We love the Quick Wash option for when we are in a hurry, and the EcoPerfect feature helps us save energy without compromising on cleanliness."

The only grumble we have about this machine is that the pump can be noisy at times, especially if you work from home, but it's generally very quiet for most of the wash cycle and has been Quiet Mark certified as a result.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Bosch Series 4 washing machine review

While it may lack a hand wash cycle, the Haier I-Pro Series 7 washing machine excels at clothes care, and has been designed to consider everything from wrinkles to wear and tear.

It's also easy to take care of. There's an automatic anti-bacterial treatment wash after every cycle for tackling germs and mould growth, and an interior spray that'll clear loose threads and fluff. Its pillow drum allows the most delicate of fabrics to glide its surface to prevent snags too.

Ultra quiet, energy-efficient and boasting a 8kg drum capacity, this washing machine is an excellent first line of defence against stains, with the power to lift red wine from white shirts and clear tomato sauce from baby grows.

However, reviewers warn that reading the instructions is a crucial step because two steel bars on the back must be removed before use (unless you like the sound of rattling metal!). It also has a 15-minute quick wash cycle for when you need to get clothes washed rapidly - dry them using a heated clothes airer for another time-saving hack.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Haier HW80-B14979S Freestanding Washing Machine review

If you haven't already invested in the best water softener, the AEG 9000 Series L9FEB969C is the top washing machine for anyone who lives in a hard water area and is sick of limescale reducing the life span of their appliances. Designed with its own in-built ion exchanging filtering system, it prevents damage to the machine and your clothes, optimising the effectiveness of your detergent for maximum cleaning power.

As if that isn't enough, this feature-rich washing machine boasts smart wireless connectivity via the AEG Care app and ProSteam technology to refresh and de-crease your laundry. Powerful and energy efficient, the AEG 9000 is branded the 'little black dress' guardian and appears to be the high-performance washing machine of all of our dreams. The downside? At just under £800, it doesn't come cheap and will likely be out of budget for a lot of families.