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Best Budget Washing Machines Under £400

Cheaper machines sometimes outscore models costing twice as much. These are the budget picks worth your money in 2026.

Good cleaning without the premium price

The short answer

For under £400 you can get a 9-10kg, 1400rpm machine from a well-known brand. Which? notes that its Best Buys include models under £500, and that cheaper machines sometimes score better in tests than ones costing twice the price. Our pick is the Beko BM3WT4941IW, which Mumsnet named its best budget washing machine for 2026.

ModelDrumSpinEnergyGuide priceBest for
Beko BM3WT4941IW9kgcheck labelcheck label£349-£399Best budget overall
LG F4Y510WBLN110kg1400rpmcheck labelfrom about £399 on offerQuiet running
Beko B5W51041AW10kg1400rpmAaround £379Bigger drum on a budget
Hotpoint H8 W046WB UK10kg1400rpmBaround £349Simple, familiar controls
Indesit BWE 91496X W UK N9kg1400rpmBaround £229Lowest price

Guide prices seen at UK retailers in 2026; deals change often.

Budget picks

#1
Best budget · 9kg
  • Strong energy efficiency and cleaning for the price
  • Beko is Mumsnet users’ go-to affordable brand
  • Often discounted to around £349
#2
Quiet budget-plus · 10kg · 1400rpm
  • Regularly on offer close to £400
  • Pause-and-add door
  • Four effective cycles under an hour
#3
10kg · 1400rpm · A
  • A-rated with a 10kg drum
  • Good value for bigger households
  • Guide price around £379
#4
Lowest price · 9kg · 1400rpm · B
  • Around £229
  • Covers everyday washing well
  • Fewer features, B energy class

Where budget machines save money, and where they do not

  • Purchase price: you save £200-£600 versus premium brands.
  • Running costs: many cheap machines are now A or B rated, so the gap is small. A difference of one energy class on a 9kg machine is usually a few pounds a year. Check the kWh per 100 cycles figure explained in our energy labels guide.
  • Noise: cheaper models are often louder on spin. If the machine is in the kitchen, check the noise class.
  • Warranty: compare the manufacturer guarantee: some budget brands offer longer cover on registered machines.

Tips to pay less

  1. Look for last year’s model: specs often change very little.
  2. Check whether delivery, installation and removal of your old machine are included. Retailers often charge separately for installation and recycling.
  3. Compare the same model code across retailers; colour variants often have slightly different codes.

Want more choice? Our main best washing machines list includes mid-range picks, and the buying guide explains which features are worth paying for.