Buyers Guide: Washing Machines

Written by Choice.

Last updated 5 months ago.

Looking for a new washing machine? Here are some things to consider.

Front loader or top loader?

Front Loaders

Pros

Mostly use less water and energy
Cheaper to run
Gentler on clothes
More program options
Often wash better and use less detergent
Higher spin speed - when combined with a dryer clothes will dry faster.

Cons

Longer wash cycles - up to 2 hrs
Generally more expensive
Higher spin speed can mean more creases - and more ironing
Heavy to move

Top Loaders

Pros

Slightly more reliable than front loaders
Most have a larger capacity
Quicker wash cycle
Generally cheaper to buy
Lighter and easier to move
Easy to top up with clothes once a cycle has started.

Cons

Generally harsher on clothes
Use up to three times as much water
Cost more to run

Tips and traps

Tip

Top loaders have shorter wash cycles than front loaders. If you prefer a front loader, look for one with a ‘fast-wash' cycle - but even so there's considerable variation. It's worth also factoring in drying times: because front loaders tend to have higher spin speeds and thus extract more water, drying times can be shorter. This is money-saving as well as convenient if you use a clothes dryer.

Trap

Top loaders with an impeller and/or air bubbles get the washing clean, but use more water than those with an agitator or front loaders. And this makes them more expensive to run. They also have a tendency to tangle your clothes.

Features to look out for in both top loaders and front loaders

Anti-crease: either special cycles for easily creased or pleated fabrics or features for not spinning after final rinse.
Out of balance correction: automatically detects and redistributes an out-of-balance load.
Selectable spin speed: higher spin for dryer load, slower speed for delicates.