Choosing an affordable washing machine isn’t easy. There are 100s to choose from and finding the right model for you & your family can feel overwhelming.
With specifications to scrutinise, manufacture claims to check and hundreds of owner reviews to read, doing your own research can take days. And with laundry piling up, you may need a new washing machine sooner rather than later!
Worry not, Verum has evaluated independent test data and compared real-world insight to save you time & money. Below you will find the best washing machines, matched to your budget, ranging from under £300 to around £500.
Best Washing Machines UK
Every machine recommended below has the top ‘A’ rating for getting your laundry clean. Beyond this ‘A’ cleaning standard, there are five specifics to consider. At the top of the list, think about drum size.
When comparing drum size, generally big is better. For a couple or someone living alone, 7kg is a good place to start. But for a bigger family, choose a 9kg. Few people complain that the drum is too big.
Next up, look at noise & spin ratings. Clearly, quieter is better (a few Decibels make a significant difference).
For spin efficiency, each machine below is rated ‘A’ or ‘B’ as a measure of how dry your laundry will be at the end of a cycle. There are also details of how efficient each machine is.
A good energy rating means it’s kinder to the environment and cheaper to run. New energy labels were introduced back in 2021 – They grade machines from A to G (more information below).
Finally, warranty & brand reputation should steer you. Premium brands often cost a little more but are often worth the investment. Clearly, a quality machine that lasts for 10 years is better than an average model that only works for 5 years.
Read on to see the best model matched to your budget…
Best Cheap Washing Machine
Indesit My Time EWD71453W [7kg]
OVERALL RATING: 78%
The Indesit My Time is the best budget washing machine for small households on a tight budget. It doesn’t have a huge drum & it won’t connect to your phone, but this model will get your laundry clean and save you a few quid.
For around £200, the Indesit My Time EWD71453W truly stands out. The controls make it easy to use – A large dial selects the right cycle and two small knobs control temperature and spin speed. Many budget models have low spin cycles, but the Indesit is rated up to 1400rpm. This means it does a good job of getting the water out of your washing. Another feature that’s unusual at this price is the digital display telling you how long your wash has to run.
Owners have lots of good things to say about the Indesit, including that it’s quiet. It may indeed be quieter than your old washer, but if less noise is important to you, there are even quieter options for a few quid more, detailed below.
Read our Indesit My Time Review for more details
Budget Small Washing Machine
Size is an important consideration. This Indesit has a comparatively small load capacity. The 7kg drum size is perfect for a smaller household, but anyone with kids may want to opt for a larger drum size.
Bigger, quieter and more efficient machines, all cost more. If you want an affordable washing machine and the 7kg load capacity works for you, the Indesit My Time is a great option.
SPECIFICATION: DRUM SIZE: 7kg | DEPTH: 52cm | ENERGY RATING: D | SPIN: 1400 | SPIN RATING: B | NOISE WASH/SPIN: C 57db/77db | QUICK WASH: 20 mins | WARRANTY: 1 Year
Indesit My Time | Verdict Price £259
See Best Price on AO.com
Best Washing Machine under £300
Beko WTL92151W [9kg]
OVERALL RATING: 78%
This Beko washing machine has a decent specification, does well in tests and it’s highly rated by owners. The 9kg capacity drum makes it the top choice for families on a budget.
With 15 programmes you have everything covered with this model. The wash cycles will get your laundry clean and the spin is good too. Don’t be put off by the 1200 spin cycle. In comparative tests, there are numerous models costing much more that offer little or no spin improvement in terms of laundry dryness.
This specification also means that this Beko is noticeably quieter than most comparable models in the same class. Also of note, is the energy rating. For a 9kg machine costing under £300, the Beko has standout credentials, scoring A+++ on the old labels and an impressive B on the new.
The Beko is a great 9kg capacity washing machine – perfect for families.
SPECIFICATION: DRUM SIZE: 9kg | DEPTH: 64cm | ENERGY RATING: B | SPIN: 1200 | SPIN RATING: B | NOISE WASH/SPIN: 53db/72db | QUICK WASH: 28 mins | WARRANTY: 1 Year
Beko WTK92151W | Verdict price £289
See Best Price on AO.com
Energy Efficient Washing Machine
Series 2 WAJ28001GB [7kg]
OVERALL RATING: 77%
Bosch has built a reputation for building quality appliances. And this model ticks the boxes and is great value for money.
Owner reviews & data clearly show that lots of us replace old Bosch washing machines with the latest model. This 7Kg machine is great for couples or single households. As you may expect at this price, it doesn’t come with the latest features associated with expensive premium machines, but it does do the basics well and has a 2-year Bosch warranty.
The 15 programmes cover all the essentials including both wool and hand wash options. At first glance there’s no quick wash, however, a ‘speed perfect’ button accelerates the programmes should you need your laundry cleaned in under an hour. The 1400 spin cycle works well and is reasonably quiet.
Under the old energy rating labels, this model achieved an excellent A+++ rating. The equivalent, under the new system, marks this as a ‘B’.
If you’re looking for a Bosch washing machine for smaller households, this is the model for you.
SPECIFICATION: DRUM SIZE: 7kg | DEPTH: 55cm | ENERGY RATING: B | SPIN: 1400 | SPIN RATING: B | NOISE WASH/SPIN: B 52db/75db | QUICK WASH: 50 mins | WARRANTY: 2 Year
Bosch Series 2 | Verdict price £420
See Best Price on AO.com
Best Washing Machine under £500
Samsung Ecobubble WW90TA046AX [9kg]
OVERALL RATING: 88%
This Samsung washing machine is a class leader. Loved by owners, it’s quieter than cheaper models and it will get your laundry clean – not just on the first wash, but for years to come.
5 Year Warranty
Nobody wants to buy a new washing machine every few years. And while most models come with an array of promises surrounding build quality, the majority are sold with a one-year guarantee. This Samsung comes with a five-year warranty (10 years on the motor). Manufacturers know their product life expectancy. And with this, they only offer longer warranties on products they know will last.
Quiet Washing Machine under £500
Compared to many cheaper models, this Samsung is significantly quieter – washing and spinning. If you live in your kitchen, having a washing machine that doesn’t interrupt a conversation or drown out the radio, is a wonderful thing.
The 9kg drum capacity is perfect for most families. And, the top-spin speed is 1400. Tests show that it leaves clothes with a similar or lower remaining moisture content to higher speed (& noisier) washing machines. In short, it gets your laundry dry.
With 14 programmes this machine covers all the essentials and more, such as an easy iron function. It’s available in graphite & white (click the link below to see both options).
With top washing & drying credentials, a 9kg capacity, quiet operation and a long warranty, this Samsung ecobubble is an excellent choice for most households.
SPECIFICATION | DRUM SIZE: 9kg | DEPTH: 55cm | ENERGY RATING: A | SPIN 1400 | SPIN RATING B | NOISE WASH/SPIN 53db/74db | QUICK WASH 15 mins | WARRANTY 5 Year
Samsung Ecobubble | Verdict price £499
See Best Price on AO.com
Best Bosch under £500
Bosch Serie 4 WAN28281GB [8kg]
OVERALL RATING: 88%
Has your old Bosch washing machine finally given up? The Bosch Serie 6 may be the right replacement. It’s clear from numerous owners that Bosch washing machines are built to last. Justifying this, owners replace old Bosch machines with new Bosch machines. This reputation has taken time to earn and is perhaps the best recommendation anyone can give.
Read our Bosch Serie 6 Review for more details
This Bosch Series 6 does everything well. It’s quiet, comes with all the right programmes and incorporates clever technology to use precisely the right amount of detergent for each & every wash.
How much washing powder do you really need?
Use too much washing powder & you’re pouring money down the drain. Too little & your laundry won’t come out clean. What’s also clear is that few of us have time to worry about the quantity of detergent we add. Bosch has the answer. The i-Dos system automatically measures the precise amount of detergent and water needed for each load. You simply fill the machine with liquid detergent and the machine will do the rest. Getting the detergent level right for every wash means no wasted detergent & therefore lower running costs. Plus, no more boxes of powder sitting by the washing machine. However, should you prefer to use traditional powder, it’ll do that too.
Compared to cheaper machines it’s approaching silent. This is one of the quietest, sub £500, washing machines on the market. Plus, it achieves this with a high-speed spin (1400).
Why do washing machines take so long to wash?
Whether it’s the kid’s PE kit or a smelly shirt, sooner or later we all need to get something clean, quick. This Bosch Serie 4 has a couple of options for such emergencies. There’s a super quick 15-minute wash. Ideal & essential, if you need to freshen up a sports kit, shirt or anything else, in minutes rather than hours. Plus, there’s a 30-minute wash for occasions when you have a little extra time!
This Bosch washing machine delivers by every measure. The clothes come out super clean. It’s very quiet and it’s built to last. It can’t be described as a budget machine, but it will last longer than your average washer, making the Bosch Serie 4 WAN28281GB a great investment.
SPECIFICATION: DRUM SIZE: 8kg | DEPTH: 59cm | ENERGY RATING: D | SPIN: 1400 | SPIN RATING B | NOISE WASH/SPIN: 52db/74db | QUICK WASH: 15 mins | WARRANTY: 2 Year
Bosch Series 4 | Verdict price £499
See Best Price on AO.com
Looking for a Premium Model?
Choose from our premium washing machine recommendations starting from £600
Choosing a New Washing Machine
You may be reading this because your old machine has stopped working & laundry is piling up. Clearly, you need a new washing machine – fast! Simply click on the link of your preferred machine – the majority are available for immediate delivery. Plus, in most cases, they’ll take your old machine away too.
Alternatively, if you’re pushed for space take a look at the Verum recommended all-in-one washer dryers. However, do be aware that a decent dedicated washing machine will always outperform a washer-dryer.
There are 100s of washing machines to choose from and clearly, you want to buy the right machine for your budget. The Verum recommended models are ordered by price making it easier to see which machine is right for you. Generally, spending more affords you a quieter washing machine with a longer warranty.
All the recommended washing machines here get the top ‘A’ rating for getting laundry clean. Beyond this, here are six key checks to make…
Checklist
- SIZE IS IMPORTANT – It’s better to buy big – a 9kg capacity will get the job done quicker and tend to wash better as the clothes are freer to move around the drum. However, while all machines are the same height and width, models with bigger drums are deeper. It’s normal for a washing machine to protrude in front of the worktop, but it’s worth double-checking your measurements before opting for a large drum (all the Verum recommended machines have the depth detailed on the specifications).
- PROGRAMMES – A garments washing label is the best guide on which cycle to use. Most wash cycles are defined by temperature, but other factors including spin speed are important too. Programmes for wool, delicates & handwash are useful. All the recommendations here have a quick wash – essential for emergencies!
- WARRANTY – While it’s possible to compare a new washing machine’s ability to get laundry clean, it’s near impossible to gauge how well a machine will perform after five years or longer. Therefore brand reputation and owner analysis are key. If your old washing machine was great and lasted a long time, there’s every reason to choose the same brand.
- TOO NOISY – Look out for the dB rating. Decibels (dB) measure the intensity of sound on a logarithmic scale. An easy gauge is that a washing machine spinning at 80db will sound twice as loud as one spinning at 70dB. Assuming you stick to the Verum verdicts, spending more will afford you a quieter machine. This is especially important with open-plan living.
- ENVIRONMENT – Saving money and helping the environment can go together – if you choose the right washing machine. Energy labelling has changed – see below.
- SPIN SPEED – However you dry your clothes, a decent spin cycle will mean that they spend less time wet. All the Verum verdicts have an A or B rating for remaining moisture content. Saving money on running the tumble dryer or time on the line.
New Energy Labels
Energy labels have changed. The outgoing grading was established 25 years ago and with lots of appliances now getting the top A+++ grade, this system offered little to differentiate the good from the ok. Looking forward, we now have a new system that raises the bar.
The new energy label resets and rates washing machines and other appliances from A to G. It’s important to recognise that the new scale, rates numerous best-in-class appliances with Cs. And many washing machines that were previously rated as A+++ machines are now rated at C or below.
Clearly, these machines have not suddenly gotten less efficient, there’s just a new scoring system in place. What’s good is that we have robust comparative information for consumers and it puts additional pressure on manufacturers to keep improving our appliances.
How We Assess & Compare Washing Machines
Verum washing machine recommendations are built on three pillars – Independent comparative testing data, real-world insight and technical assessment.
Independent Comparative Testing Data
All washing machines sold in the UK are tested independently. This extensive and consistent testing gives excellent comparative data. We believe this information is the best available in terms of breadth and depth for independent performance measurement and consumer guidance.
Real-World Insight
What matters is how each model performs over time, in the real world. We all use our washing machines differently, in terms of laundry, powder and frequency. This makes a single lab test an interesting snapshot, but not enough to justify a purchase. There’s little to be learnt by running a few quick washes on a brand-new washing machine.
We gain real-world insight by checking owner opinions and looking for consistencies (good & bad) – this is very time-consuming but helps us give you a balanced view.
Technical Assessment
By defining and scoring the key decision-making factors, we’re able to offer independent advice to help you choose the right washing machine for you.
Best Buys 2022
BEST BUDGET BUY
Beko | Verdict Price £289
See price on AO.com
BEST BUY
Samsung ecobubble | Verdict Price £499
See price on AO.com
ALSO CONSIDER
Bosch Serie 4 | Verdict Price £499
See price at AO.com
UK Verdict
The 9kg Beko available for under £300, is great the washing machine of choice for families on a budget. It’ll get your laundry clean and won’t break the bank. For a few quid more, the Samsung offers great performance and comes with the security of a 5-year warranty. Then there’s the Bosch Serie 4. Quiet, great performance and a great quick wash make this model the stand-out choice, especially for open-plan kitchens or for anyone who’d rather not hear their washing machine.
All five recommended models excel within their price category. Spending more will get you a more efficient, quieter machine, larger drum size and depending on the model, a longer warranty.
S H A R E
