New washing machine and fridge freezer - recommendations?

hanb · 21 September 2016 at 1:59PM

Hi all,

Having finally completed on our first house we're now looking to replace the (gross!) washing machine that was left behind and to get a new fridge freezer.

Having looked on the usual sites I'm getting a bit blurry eyed with all the choice!

Does anyone have any recommendations for brands, models or even where to buy them from? Currys have a sale and we can get 10% employee discount from Tesco so have mostly been looking at those sites.

We're very lucky in that family are buying them as house warming presents so although they've said 'get the best you can so they last for years' I don't want to take the p*ss and ask for something stupidly expensive if it won't actually be that much better than a more mid-range one.

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!

sillygoose · 21 September 2016 at 2:38PM

I would say for the fridge freezer shop more on price or even a budget brand. There isn't a lot to go wrong comparatively with just a compressor (and a fan or two if its frost free) to go wrong so not a lot of 'moving parts' I would buy on the size and interior you like, always go for frost-free models, the fan air circulation gives a much more even cooling inside and frozen food that is easy to separate as its dry. LG make some well designed and put together models.

I would spend bigger on the washing machine, more moving parts, mixed with water means lots more to go wrong. Don't get hung up on spin speeds, some brands push to higher spin speeds to put impressive numbers on the box but it just means more wear and tear on the mechanics and each 200rpm increase often means clothes are a mere 4% drier.
A Bosch is worth the cost for a long life and great performance, in my opinion buying less is false economy. Look for model with EcoSilence drives, fantastically quiet and efficient machines, my one even has a self cleaning detergent drawer using jets of waster so no more clumps of dried detergent or musky compartments.

Some of the big name online sellers are not as cheap as they would like you to think, keep an eye on John Lewis who often bulk buy a special Bosch model and sell it at a good price. You also get more warranty.

Chanes · 21 September 2016 at 3:53PM

We bought a Miele washing machine and a Bosch fridge freezer. 22 years ago. They are both working fine.

John Lewis have some own badge goods and I think AEG make them for them and they give a long guarantee if I remember correctly.

ryder72 · 21 September 2016 at 3:57PM

Miele for Laundry and Liebherr for refrigeration.

They will last a long time, The washing machine will save you money in water/detergent and look after your clothes. The fridge will save you electricity, keep your food fresher for longer and all of this goes towards becoming more cost effective in the long term.

Dont forget you get what you pay for and in 15 years time you will thank yourself for spending your money wisely.

Cheap never equates to value.

sillygoose · 21 September 2016 at 4:25PM

ryder72 wrote: »

Cheap never equates to value.

Although more expensive doesn't always equate to quality.

Huskyrunner · 21 September 2016 at 4:27PM

re washing machines get a samsung one we have had ours 5 year not a pick of bother with it

getmore4less · 21 September 2016 at 6:34PM

DO a matrix of spec features to narrow down your choices
Look carefully at things like spin efficiency not speed.

The prices change all the time with the various sales discounts and cashbacks can be £100s on the same machine so can be a waiting game.
if not on sale today it will be soon.

look on somewhere like pricespy(but check it gets the prices wrong sometimes) Currys can often be the cheapest and AO often come out OK and have good delivery.

We ended up with a Bosch
Some of the Beko models are very well featured for the money.
Curry only there is Grundig(beko clones) with 5year warrenty
http://www.grundig.co.uk/laundry-appliances/washing-machines
we went for their heatpump tumble dryer and had to wait a couple of weeks for stock and the sale to kick in.

Models are changing all the time and some are custom for a shop so when you narrow down you will find that a few machines are very similar or even the same just different numbers.