If you’re shopping for a new washing machine, you want to get the best deal that you can.
Finding a quality machine for a great price will be at the top of your priorities, but how do you know if you’ve found the right one?
We are going to be going through exactly what you should be looking for when shopping for a new washing machine.
How big is it?
It might seem obvious, but if the washing machine you’re going to buy is too big to fit in the space you want it to, it’s no good.
This is something that you should consider if you’re replacing your existing machine. If you’re buying online, the pictures can be deceiving, and all washing machines are sized differently.
Luckily, most of the big online retailers display the specific dimensions of the products so you can measure them up.
Something that we have seen a lot is when a washing machine fits width ways but doesn’t fit depth ways. This can be a real eyesore and is something that you should try to avoid.
If you force a washing machine into a spot that’s too tight, you could damage the machine and may get the pipes kinked, which can cause a washing machine to stop draining.
Try to avoid washer and dryer combinations
We get it, it’s a great space saver to have both your washer and your dryer in the same appliance.
The big downfall is the build quality. We have found that a large majority of washer dryer combos lack the capability to really dry your clothes properly.
You’ll experience extremely long drying times (sometimes over 4 hours) and they are more prone to breaking down.
Unblocking washer dryer vents is one of the most common repair faults that are carried out and there’s nothing you can really do to prevent it. Lint from the clothes gets trapped in the vent and blocks up the fan and heating element.
Generally speaking, washer dryers are also much more expensive to both buy and operate. The long drying cycles use much more electricity than a traditional tumble dryer.
If you’re living in a flat and don’t have the space it’s of course a great alternative, but before you dive right into buying a washer dryer, you should really look at your options.
Energy rating
As consumers, were lucky enough to be able to check the energy rating of an appliance before we buy it.
Choosing a washing machine with a good energy rating is both great for the environment and cheaper to run.
You would be surprised at how much of a difference in your electricity bill a washing machine with a good energy rating can make.
Energy ratings are put into 7 categories ranging from D to A+++. D is the lowest rating and should be avoided at all costs.
If you can, try and get a machine that has an energy rating of at least an A standard.
Drum capacity
If you’re running a family home, you want to do as much washing in as little time as possible. With a bigger drum capacity, you can fit more clothes into the drum whilst saving money on each wash cycle.
Overloading a washing machine with clothes is something that repairers see a lot and accounts for one of the most common reasons a washing machine won’t spin.
By buying a machine with enough space in the drum for the large washes that you want to run, you mitigate the risk of overloading the machine and shortening its life.
We actually talked about this in our ways to extend the life of a washing machine tutorial and we think one of the most important features that you can look out for when buying a washer is drum capacity.
Maximum spin speed
As a rule of thumb, the faster the final spin on your machine, the dryer the clothes will come out of the wash.
Most washing machines are equipped with spin speeds between 1200 – 1600 rpm. When you’re shopping for a new machine, spin speed is one of the things retailers like to promote.
It’s actually much harder to find a washing machine with a spin speed of 1600+ than it is to find one with a lower spin speed. This is because they cost more to manufacture.
If you’re comparing two machines and one has a faster spin speed than the other, it’s definitely something that you should consider when shopping.
The only downfall to having a machine with a faster spin speed is that it can be slightly noisier, although most people wouldn’t notice.
Some washing machines even come with a handy display to let you know how fast the motor is turning at every point in the wash.
Noise level
Nobody likes to listen to a noisy washing machine, so why would you buy one?
Manufacturers have realised this and gone out of their way to try and make the quietest washing machine they can. You’ll often see terms such as ‘super silent’ and ‘super quiet’ models when shopping for a washer.
It’s important to understand what makes a washing machine noisy. Sometimes it can be a user error and other times it’s a manufacturing problem.
The motor is usually to the loudest part of the washing machine. Traditionally you will find carbon brush powered motors on washers but nowadays, you will find super silent motors that use magnets to turn the drum.
Having a washing machine that is powered by a magnetic motor is much quieter than other types of washing machines.
Samsung is well known for producing very quiet washing machines, so they’re definitely worth checking out.
Choice of settings and cycles
Washing machines don’t just spin you know. Nowadays there capable of carrying out all kinds of functions and delivering even better results than ever.
This is mostly due to the clever manufacturing of some of the top appliance designers in the world.
When you’re in the market for a new washer, you should really look into what your machine can do for you.
Some great features to look out for that we think you’ll love:
- Quick wash – having a quick wash setting can really make your life easier. Being able to throw a few items in for a refresh can be a life saver.
- Automatic detergent dispensing – You might not know this but washing machines now can actually decide how much detergent to use, meaning no more spilling the powder everywhere.
- Super silent – If you’re sick of hearing the washer go nuts whilst you’re trying to watch the TV, you might want to look for a machine labelled as quiet.
- Allergy care – having sensitive skin can make washing difficult, but modern wash cycles can take care of all the hard work for you. By having extra rinses at the end, they can remove pollens and dust which would otherwise make life difficult.
- Stain removal – Oh no, the toddler has spilt spaghetti sauce down their shirt for the third time this week. Well with a stain removal setting, you don’t have to worry as the machine can use special movements and temperatures to get stains right out.
- Steam clean – Don’t like ironing? Well, you’d better make sure that your next washing machine comes with a steam cleaning function.
It’s important to make sure you’re getting the most for your money, and if your new washing machine seems like it’s from the dark ages, what’s the point?
Try and find a washing machine that has settings that will make your life easier, instead of just giving you something to look at as it spins around.
Getting a good price
Who doesn’t love a good bargain? Well, with the power of online shopping, deals are everywhere.
Before purchasing your next washing machine, you should look around for deals and discount codes that could save you a few quid on your next purchase.
It’s not uncommon for retailers to drop the price of appliances for special occasions like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So, if you think a sale is around the corner, try and hold off on your purchase.
If you’re just shopping on a normal Tuesday, then a deal is still to be had. Sometimes you can find a machine with all the bells and whistles, without the hefty price tag.
It’s important to consider that whilst a machine might not be the cheapest on the market, it might actually be underpriced in terms of features and quality.
Bosch is actually a brand that we think is regularly undervalued and their machines usually come with great features for the money.
How long the warranty lasts
It might look the part, but will it last? Making sure you plan ahead and avoid all those nasty repair costs is an important consideration.
Think about it, if a manufacturer only puts a 12-month warranty on a machine, do they really stand by it? We think it’s a good indication of what they think of their quality.
As a rule of thumb, you should never buy a washing machine without at least 2 years on the warranty and if you can, aim for at least 5 years.
Some retailers will offer you an extended warranty when you’re buying a machine. Sometimes it’s a good idea, especially if you have paid a lot of money for your appliance.
Just remember, you can take out a warranty on a washing machine at any time, meaning you should probably wait until the standard warranty has run out before you start paying for one.
You can often get a good deal on an extended warranty if the machine is quite new, but you also have to consider the cost of a repair. Would it be cheaper to repair the machine once a year or pay for a warranty?
In summary, the longer the warranty is provided, the longer the manufacturer thinks the machine will last.
Listen to the reviews
You’re a savvy shopper, so why would you ignore the reviews of people that already own the machine? We think customer reviews are the best indication of whether you should buy a product or not.
If a washing machine is listed online and looks great but has poor reviews, we would recommend that you steer clear. The voice of people in the know is stronger than great pictures and cool features.
When you’re looking to buy a new appliance, considering customer reviews should be a part of your buying process and can help you get the best deal on a washing machine, regardless of price.
If the washing machine you’re looking at has 5-star reviews across the board, there’s a good chance that it’s a great product and worth the money.
Delivery and installation costs
It might be the cheapest on the market, but does it come with free delivery and installation?
Sometimes you’ll find that once the delivery costs have been added on, it’s no longer as good of a deal as another retailer.
You should be expecting to pay around £40 – £80 for the delivery, installation, and removal of your old appliance. Anything more than that then it’s getting a bit much.
Some retailers offer free delivery and sometimes even offer free installation. This is something that you might find at a local company rather than a big national chain.
Make sure that you don’t make the mistake of forgetting to deal with your old appliance, especially if you live in an area where it’s hard to dispose of.
Just remember, fitting a washing machine isn’t the hardest task in the world and you can often save yourself some money by following a guide.
Choosing a manufacturer
There are a lot of great appliance manufacturers out there, but which one do you choose?
We think it’s best to go for a manufacturer that has a history of providing excellent appliances at a great price. We have narrowed down our top picks for appliance manufacturers.
Our top 5 appliance manufacturers:
Let’s take a look at why we like each of the manufacturers we picked.
Miele
Miele has been providing some of the highest quality washing machines to the world for over 100 years. They stand behind their quality with their more than average warranty times and have excellent customer support.
Miele also likes to be ahead of the game when it comes to innovation, which we talked about in our Miele TwinDos dispensing system explanation.
The only drawback to buying a Miele appliance, is they are generally quite expensive.
Although you’re going to be paying upwards of £700 for a Miele washing machine, we think the price is justified.
Bosch
Germany has been known for quality engineering for some time now and Bosch is a great example of that.
Bosch washing machines generally start at around £399 and can go all the way up to over £1000.
We love Bosch because they offer quality washing machines that just make sense. They look great in your home and usually come with a classy digital display.
Beko
Over the past 10 years, Beko has really stepped up their game in the laundry department. Not so long ago they were known for supplying cheap throwaway appliances.
Recently, they have been producing some of the best budget washing machines on the market. If you’re looking for a Beko washer, they start at around £249 and are both reliable and repairable.
The only downfall is that they are generally not suitable for large families as the drum capacities are usually quite small.
Samsung
Known for designing ahead of the curve technology, Samsung also manufactures some of the best washing machines on the market.
If you are someone who likes your washing machine to sign to you, then Samsung have you covered. They make great family sized washers that come with all the bells and whistles.
The ecobubble range usually starts at around £400 and is equipped with large drums and a quiet motor. They also look great in a kitchen, which is always a bonus.
Zanussi
Zanussi is an Italian appliance manufacturer that started exporting home laundry equipment in the 1940s.
You can expect keen price points, strong build quality and very repairable machines from Zanussi. We looked and found that Zanussi washing machines start at around £349 with a 9kg drum capacity.
Consider the repairability
So, you’ve found a machine with a good warranty, but what about when it’s out of warranty? Well, you can predict repair costs by looking at the price of common parts that need replacing.
Common parts your machine might need swapping in the future:
- The door seal
- Carbon brushes
- Drain pump
- Door handle
These are just to name a few. Looking up the average price of these parts cost for the brand you intend to buy can help you figure out if a repair would be expensive in the future.
Although you might not be someone who’s going to carry out a repair on your washing machine, it’s good to have an indication of what the parts cost because most of the time, that’s the largest part of a repair bill from a repair company.
Another point to consider is if the washing machine is supplied with a sealed drum. If the machine has a drum that can’t be split in half, this also means that the bearings can’t be replaced without replacing the entire drum.
Replacing the drum in your washing machine is an eye watering repair bill and can often lead to you just replacing the entire machine.
We actually wrote an article about if it’s worth replacing the bearings in a washing machine, which you can go and check out if you’re interested.
Manufacturers like Beko are great because they supply the spare parts for their appliances at a great rate and are often much easier to repair than some other brands.
I bet you’re thinking that extended warranty isn’t looking so bad after all.
Handy features to look for
Who doesn’t love a cool gadget? Washing machines are now being built with this in mind and we have even seen machines that will play you a song when they’re finished.
Some other cool features to look out for:
- End of cycle buzzer – this is great for people that forget about the wash cycle they put on an hour ago.
- Add clothes – If you’re likely to forget to put the odd sock in, then you might want to consider getting a washer that allows you to add clothes in mid-wash without interruption.
- Remote controlled washing – Ever wanted to control your appliances from your phone? Well, now you can.
- Self-clean setting – You might be wondering why a washing machine would need cleaning. Well, washers can harbour bacteria and mould, which need to be cleaned away. Getting a self-cleaning machine can take care of that burden.
Another great tip is to look for a washing machine that has metal paddles built into the drum design. Plastic drum paddles can break which then rip and tear your clothes and leave you with a repair bill.
Conclusion
Well, that’s about it – everything you should look out for when buying a new washing machine.
Just to recap on all the points mentioned:
- Consider the manufacturer and their track record in the industry
- Make sure it fits in your kitchen or laundry room
- Try and avoid washer dryer combinations where possible
- Pick an efficient energy rating
- Make sure the drum capacity is big enough for the amount of washing you do
- Get a machine with a good spin speed
- Consider how noisy the washer is while in operation
- Try and find a machine with a good selection of cycles and settings
- Shop around for a bargain – consider holding off for special discount periods
- Consider how long the warranty will last
- Pay special attention to what others are saying – read the reviews.
- Consider the delivery, installation, and removal costs
- Plan ahead by making sure the machine is repairable in case of a breakdown
We hope that you learned a few things from this article and you now have the confidence to make an informed decision when shopping for a new washing machine.
