What size washing machine do I need?

Drums range from 5kg to 12kg. An 8kg drum suits most medium households; 9-10kg suits families, and 10kg+ helps with duvets and daily loads.

How much does a washing machine cost to run in the UK?

Which? estimates roughly £27 to almost £120 a year under the October 2026 energy price cap, depending mostly on drum size and efficiency.

Is an A-rated washing machine always better?

Not always. The rating only measures the Eco 40-60 programme, so also check cleaning results, noise, capacity and the programmes you actually use.

Freestanding or integrated?

Freestanding machines are cheaper and offer more choice. Integrated models hide behind a kitchen door but usually cost more and come with smaller drums.

Should I buy a washer dryer?

A washer dryer saves space, but it dries a smaller load than it washes and costs more to run than washing alone.

How long will a washing machine last?

Lifespan depends on use and care. A long manufacturer warranty is a useful signal: several brands offer 5 or even 10 years on selected registered models.

Modern British utility room at dusk featuring a white front-loading washing machine under a light oak worktop, deep navy wall

Best Washing Machines UK 2026

We compare capacity, spin speed, energy labels, noise and real-world test results so you can pick the right washing machine for your home and budget.

Independent comparisons · updated November 2026

See our top picks

Our quick verdict

The best washing machine for most UK homes is a 9-10kg, 1400rpm, A-rated freestanding model from a reliable brand. It handles a family’s weekly washing, costs little to run and fits the standard 60cm space under a worktop. Our current favourites are the Bosch Series 6 WGG24400GB for all-round reliability and quiet running, and the Samsung Series 8 WW11DB8B95GBU1 if you want a large 11kg drum with smart features.

On a tighter budget, 9kg models from Beko, Hotpoint and Indesit cover the basics well for £230-£400. If you need to dry indoors, see our best washer dryers; if the machine has to hide behind a kitchen door, go to best integrated washing machines.

Pick	Best for	Drum	Spin	Energy	Guide price
Bosch Series 6 WGG24400GB	Best overall	9kg	1400rpm	A	around £599
Samsung Series 8 WW11DB8B95GBU1	Large families, smart	11kg	1400rpm	A	£799-£919
LG F4Y510WBLN1	Quiet running	10kg	1400rpm	check label	£399-£549
Beko BM3WT4941IW	Best budget	9kg	check label	check label	£349-£399
Miele WWD380 WCS	Premium build	9kg	check label	check label	around £1,099

Guide prices were seen at UK retailers during 2026 and change often. Always check the current price and energy label before you buy.

Top washing machines right now

9kg · 1400rpm · A-rated

Quiet Mark certified
Strong reliability reputation
Best for most households

11kg · 1400rpm · A-rated

32 kWh per 100 cycles, 54 litres per cycle
AutoDose and AI Energy mode
Only 60cm deep despite the 11kg drum

10kg · 1400rpm

Quiet direct-drive motor
Pause-and-add door
Four cycles under one hour

9kg · budget pick

Often around £349
Good cleaning for the price
Simple controls

Find the right type of machine

Compact UK rental flat kitchen at evening with white front-loading washing machine under laminate worktop, small pot plant an

Under £400

Best budget washing machines

Modern graphite washer dryer in a British hallway laundry cupboard with louvred doors, fluffy towels stacked on top, dark nav

Wash and dry

Best washer dryers

Sleek modern handleless navy kitchen with stone worktop and open cabinet door revealing a hidden integrated washing machine

Built-in models

Best integrated washing machines

Wide editorial photo of a white front-loading washing machine beside an overflowing laundry basket in a navy and teal utility

Big family loads

Best large capacity (10kg+)

Dark navy flat-lay with tape measure, notebook, pencil, mini washing machine model and folded white towels arranged as a buye

How to choose

Washing machine buying guide

How to choose in five minutes

Measure the space. Most freestanding machines are about 85cm high, 60cm wide and 55-60cm deep. Allow a few centimetres behind for hoses.
Pick the drum size. Drums range from 5kg to 12kg. An 8kg drum suits most medium households; 9-10kg is ideal for families; 10kg+ makes duvets and bedding easier.
Check the energy label. Since March 2021 labels run from A to G and show energy use per 100 cycles of the Eco 40-60 programme. Read our energy labels explained guide.
Listen for noise. If the machine is in an open-plan kitchen, look for the spin noise class (A is quietest) or a Quiet Mark certification.
Choose features you will use. Quick washes, a pause-and-add door, steam and auto-dosing are genuinely useful; dozens of niche programmes rarely are.

Our full washing machine buying guide goes deeper on spin speed, warranties and installation.

What it costs to run

Under the October 2026 energy price cap, Which? estimates a washing machine costs from around £27 to almost £120 a year to run. Drum size has the biggest effect, and some of the most efficient machines are not the best cleaners, so balance efficiency against cleaning results.

Close-up of a white front-loading washing machine glass door with laundry tumbling in soapy water, soft aqua light on navy ba

Already own a machine that is misbehaving?

Before you replace it, check the simple fixes. A blocked filter, a kinked drain hose or an overloaded drum causes many of the faults people call an engineer for. Our troubleshooting guide covers draining, leaks, smells, noise and error codes.

Fix common problems

Washing machine FAQ

What size washing machine do I need?
Drums range from 5kg to 12kg. An 8kg drum suits most medium households; 9-10kg suits families, and 10kg+ helps with duvets and daily loads. See large capacity machines.
How much does a washing machine cost to run in the UK?
Which? estimates roughly £27 to almost £120 a year under the October 2026 energy price cap, depending mostly on drum size and efficiency.
Is an A-rated washing machine always better?
Not always. The rating only measures the Eco 40-60 programme, so also check cleaning results, noise, capacity and the programmes you actually use.
Freestanding or integrated?
Freestanding machines are cheaper and offer more choice. Integrated models hide behind a kitchen door but usually cost more and come with smaller drums.
Should I buy a washer dryer?
A washer dryer saves space, but it dries a smaller load than it washes and costs more to run than washing alone. Compare models in our washer dryer guide.
How long will a washing machine last?
Lifespan depends on use and care. A long manufacturer warranty is a useful signal: several brands offer 5 or even 10 years on selected registered models.