choosing a washing machine

cisko65

Hello, I am not sure how to choose a new washing machine.

Where could I find a list of what to consider, and a comparing guide for the main types of models?
Something is easy for me to check: 

- size:

Width, height, and depth (pipes included) must fit in the available space. The one I have now is free standing but there are only a few mm gaps between it and the built-in appliances and work surface.

- price:

Below £400, hoping for discounted good models.

- Not sure how to choose the loads and what a decent energy rating is.

- And whatever else which is vital to check! Often shop assistants are not very helpful, as of course they need to sell what's available and more expensive.

Thanks!

grumbler

My advice - direct drive. These machines are very silent and make noise only when spinning.

housebuyer143

I honestly just picked up the cheapest in the right size. Beko and it was about £180 a decade ago, and it's still going. 
They all have so much fancy stuff now which I doubt anyone ever uses. I use maybe 3 settings out of the 20 it came with. 

Jolaaled

I'm also looking for one! I want it to be able to do a cold water wash and also, adapt for a small load at times. 

jusferbrowsing

Beko for me too, MIL has had hers for well over a decade with just a replacement door latch (youtube fix) and mine has been hassle free for last 7 years. Has a short wash cycle at 30 degrees with a separate extra spin available if required which I discovered my mums BOSCH doesn't do.

Bigphil1474

Most have cold water washes these days, as they don't have a hot feed (just a cold feed into the machine). It's usually the max load that is limited. Our BEKO has a light load option.

Best bet is to go onto a website like AO or Currys, and do an online comparison of a few models that are the right size. Find the features you want/need, check reviews, then find the cheapest place (usually elsewhere) to buy it. Might take a couple of days of research.

As well as the BEKO we have now which is fine, prior to that we had an LG machine which was also fine, albeit a bit more expensive.

cisko65

Bigphil1474 said:

Most have cold water washes these days, as they don't have a hot feed (just a cold feed into the machine). It's usually the max load that is limited. Our BEKO has a light load option.

Best bet is to go onto a website like AO or Currys, and do an online comparison of a few models that are the right size. Find the features you want/need, check reviews, then find the cheapest place (usually elsewhere) to buy it. Might take a couple of days of research.

As well as the BEKO we have now which is fine, prior to that we had an LG machine which was also fine, albeit a bit more expensive.

Thanks! I started that process yesterday and I hope I will learn what are the most important things to check and how (in my case size). 

badger09

Which? best buy budget washing machine is Bosch WAJ28008GB  target price £373
no idea if it fits your requirements 

casper_gutman

Look around for offer codes etc. Last time I needed a new machine, I found a code to get a new Beko machine from John Lewis for £119 (!!) with a trade-in deal which meant they also took away the old machine for no extra fee.

The machine itself has been great - we've run it most days for six years now, and it hasn't missed a beat.* The Beko dishwasher and fridge-freezer have been fab too, so although they're pretty cheap I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

*Touch wood. Hope I haven't jinxed it now!

JohnJ76

don't buy one for functions (marketing gimmicks) you will never use. Like someone else posted, we run probably 3 cycles  out of 16 on our machine, 95% of the time.  pretty much any cycle on ours can be forced to run at pretty much any temp, spin speed etc, its just that having them on a dial is a bit more 'convenient'.  Lots of machines cannot be repaired (you either get one that fails just outside of 2yr warranty, or it will keep going for years and years) but its good to see some companies like Ebac (UK made -shock horror!) gving 7yrs parts adn labour on their products, though you'll pay more than £400 for them. 

Alderbank

Important information you have not shared with us is the size of your household and how much washing you need to do.

If you live on your own your needs are very much different from a family of six.
Also circumstances such as a new baby, very dirty jobs or hobbies (think rugby!) or people with special health needs all matter when choosing the 'best' machine, not just for capacity but for energy efficiency and special programmes.