It’s one of the most common questions that repairers get asked, unsurprisingly, is what we’d recommend, and that’s more true of the independent repairers than any others because they’ve no real skin in the gam,e as it were, as they often don’t sell them or make anything from what people buy.
Here we’re replicating that to some degree and giving you what the troops tell us they’d recommend.
For simplicity, as this could go on and on, we’re breaking it into three basic sections: budget, mid-range and premium.
And, there are no affiliate links; we make zero from doing this, so what people choose to buy is not a concern or has any value to us. We’re just trying to help people buy better machines that last longer.
Therefore, these are opinions of the guys who repair machines and know them well and what they recommend.
Budget Washing Machines
For this we regard “budget” as anything under £400, and it’s important to note that in this price range, most are sealed inner tanks that are plastic so, there are downsides to spending little on a new machine.
Beko
The default budget choice for many, they’re okay for the most part but don’t expect too much from them as performance is okay, build is okay, and durability is okay. Generally just “okay” for the money but, it’s important to understand that phrase, “for the money”.
Beko is a reasonable choice for a budget washing machine. Just don’t expect anything outstanding.
Blomberg
Essentially, Blomberg is a Beko machine with a better warranty and is usually only available through independent retailers.
Indesit
Now, as Whirlpool have abandoned Europe, this is also now a Beko machine or, will be soon enough.
Mid-Range Washing Machines
This encompasses machines from about £400 through to around £700, and here you do get into better quality all around.
Bosch
On our tests, much better wash quality than most, but Bosch has moved to using sealed plastic tanks, and they are not the quality of Bosch’s of old, but a step up from the cheaper machines.
It’s also worth noting that Bosch is quite restrictive when it comes to service.
AEG
AEG is now Electrolux’s main focus and, like Bosch, uses sealed plastic tanks, but they are certainly better than the cheaper machines in almost all aspects.
Service is much more “open” than others.
Hisense
Another decent choice, reasonable performance and durability with sensibly priced spare parts in general. Certainly worth a look and consideration.
LG
Decent performance, splittable tanks (though most plastic) so bearings can be replaced and generally pretty decent durability.
Service can be restrictive, though and some parts are not cheap.
Premium Washing Machines
These machines will generally be over £700, and you do get a lot for the money as these machines tend to perform better, be better built and last much longer.
If you need a machine to be of the highest performance for sanitary reasons, these are the only machines we’d suggest you look at, as they will (mostly if not all) have stainless steel or metal tanks, meaning you don’t get the problems with biofilm buildup leading to a smelly washing machine and all the issues that brings with it. And they will hit the target temperatures on the wash cycles, unlike a number of others on the market, because these machines are set up to deliver the best performance you’ll get this side of a commercial washing machine.
Whilst, from looking a specifications on a website or whatever, these machines may appear to struggle with justifying the much higher prices, there are very good reasons that they are worth the extra cost to a lot of people.
Asko
We’ve not tested recent models, we’d love to as Asko has been our default choice for a premium brand for decades.
Stainless steel tanks, outstanding durability (it’s not uncommon to see 20-year-old machines), superlative performance and extremely easy to use.
Many repairers and virtually all owners swear by these machines.
There has been very little not to like with Asko, but new machines from their new production facilities, we’d really need to check more fully.
Miele
Like Asko, superlative performance, build and longevity but we have issues with Miele as regular readers will know. Servicing and spare parts are extremely restricted and extremely expensive so, while they might not break often, when they do it’s gonna cost you.
Some trade members also report that the build on the lower ranges is not the same as Miele’s of old and we’ve been told they have used plastic tanks to reduce costs but, we can’t confirm that.
All that said, you still get a machine that’s heaps better than anything below it price-wise.
Where This Info Comes From & More
It all comes from the repairers, through conversations and the forums where there are dedicated threads for this stuff. If you want to take part please have a look in the General Trade Forum.
For the public, if you need specific advice or recommendations please just ask in the forums and the guys there will help if they can,