The best washing machines for modern homes

You might expect to get less for a mid-range price, but Bosch calls the Bosch Series 4 its “all-rounder”. Which means it does the basics very well. And it can still put you in a spin with its sheer number of features.

Put this machine on and the first thing to notice is that you won’t notice it at all. It’s quiet, thanks to an EcoSilence Drive, a brushless, energy-efficient motor so quiet (according to Bosch) that you’ll forget its even on.

There are plenty of features, too, including a SpeedPerfect option that cuts back washing times by up to 65%. It has numerous programmes — including programmes for delicates, cottons, and sportswear — plus a reload feature that allows you to pause the wash and add items that you missed.

An ActiveWater Plus feature uses the exact amount of water for every load, saving up to 50% water on smaller washes.

The LG FH4G1BCS2 is the washing machine of the future. Built for smart homes, it syncs to LG’s ThinQ system. That allows you to set washing times remotely from your phone and download additional wash programs.

In fact, this washing machine is user-friendly in all ways. We absolutely love the control panel — an LCD touch panel that sits right above the washing machine door. It's very different to what most people are used to.

This machine is also geared towards quality care for your clothes. TrueStream technology supports Allergy Care, Steam Softener, and Steam Refresh programs — these eliminate allergens, reducing wrinkles, and soften fabrics.

A TurboWash option reduces wash time to just 49 minutes, which saves water and, well, time. Though it’s worth noting that its regular wash times can go up to four hours-plus. It’s a thorough wash, of course. The oversized drum also makes this an ideal machine for busy or large households.

In this day and age, environmental impact is at the top of many people’s concerns when buying appliances. Eco-friendly shoppers want to find that sweet spot that saves both money and energy. Does that appliance predicament sound familiar? If yes, then say hello to the Miele WWG 360.

Sensors inside the machine detect the weight of the load and adjust the water and power consumption. It’s always got an eye on saving energy and keeping bills down. It has plenty more features, including 12 washing programmes, an AddLoad feature for pausing the cycle and throwing in left-behind items, and QuickPowerWash, which cuts down wash times to just 49 minutes.

Like other washing machines at this price point, the Miele WWG 360 boasts smart connectivity. Powered by the Miele@home system, it networks with other Miele smart appliances, all controlled via your smartphone.

If you want a washing machine with all the bells and whistles, the Samsung WW90T986DSX is highly rated. It has a very impressive 23 washing programmes, catering for all kinds of fabrics, family sizes, and cleaning needs.

It has an Auto Optimal Wash feature which uses four sensors — these weigh each washing load and automatically adjust the washing time and water consumption accordingly — while you control the schedule via Samsung’s excellent SmartThings app. Even better than that, this machine remembers your laundry habits and suggests your favourite cycle programs.

And while other machines here have their own version of a quick wash feature, this beats most high-end smart models with its 39-minute Super Speed cycle (that’s for a 5kg load), making it among the fastest on this list.

We also like the Hygiene Steam feature, which uses steam cleaning to kill bacteria, pollen, dust mites, and other unwelcome nasties.

The Candy Ultra HCU1482DE has fewer features, but not everyone needs the flashiest washing machine on the market. Though even at this price it has an impressive 16 cycles, and beats the pace of more expensive machines with a fastest quick wash time of 14 minutes. A full load takes just 49 minutes.

You might expect the machine to skimp on smart features, but this model connects to the Candy Simply Fi app, which allows you to download bonus wash programmes and run diagnostic checks. It also weighs your load and uses the correct amount of water — a feature you'd expect on fancier machines.

At 8 kg, the maximum load is a touch under most other machines in this roundup. There are 9 kg and 10 kg versions available, though you’ll pay a bit more for the extra space. All-in-all, it’s very impressive for the price.

The Beko WTIK84111F integrates into your kitchen, so you’ll sacrifice the kind of smart features you get with pricier freestanding models. That doesn’t mean it won’t deliver a great, reliable performance when it comes to what’s most important i.e. actually washing your clothes.

In terms of features, it has 15 programmes and seven cleaning functions (from pre-wash to drum clean and anti-crease) plus a delay timer and several high-speed options. It’s the joint fastest machine on this list in fact, with a wash time of just 14 minutes for the smallest loads. A Fast+ feature also shortens programme durations by up to 55% by adjusting drum movements and temperature.

And while the energy rating isn’t quite an "A", the drum is partly made from recycled plastic bottles, so it’s still doing its bit for the environment.

The AEG 8000 L8FC8432BI is one of the few washing machines on this list that doesn’t connect to an app for WiFi-powered smart features. But smart features seem to be much rarer in integrated washing machines.

The big sell of this machine is a different kind of tech — AEG’s ÖKOMix technology. This blends the detergent and softener with water before it enters the drum, which ensures every trace of detergent and softener is dissolved and activated before reaching your clothes — that means taking things nice and easy on your fibres. AEG calls this machine a “delicate shirt defender”.

It also comes equipped with an ÖKOPower wash option, which gets your laundry done in just 59 minutes. A ProSteam feature reduces creases (not to mention ironing time) while ProSense Technology weighs each load and creates a tailored cycle. That means every item of clothing gets the very best treatment during a wash. If you do want an AEG washing machine with smart WiFi connected features, try the freestanding AEG 8000 LFR84946UC.