Best washing machines 2026: reliable brands, trusted by families

When asked for washing machine recommendations, Mumsnet users consistently name Miele as the best of the best. Thanks to the brand’s appliances’ incredible longevity, performance and quality, Miele is seen as the gold standard for washing machines. With a superior build quality, innovation and excellent customer service, Miele deserves its reputation as the creme de la creme of appliance brands. 

I spoke to Data Officer and mother of two, Maaike, about why she chose a Miele washing machine: "My husband and I went for a cheaper make and model when we bought our first washing machine together, but we regretted because our laundry was never really clean. Since upgrading to the Miele, we are so much happier with the results of the washing process."

AO's washing machine expert Katy Roberts agrees. "Spending a little more on your washing machine can be a wise idea simply for the fact that you’ll get more in the long term. The more premium an appliance, the greater the luxuries or settings this may afford."

At £1,249, this model definitely pricey, but you can expect a much longer life from a Miele washing machine. Some Mumsnet users have Mieles that are 20 years old, and Miele appliances are tested for the equivalent of 20 years’ use. What’s more, thanks to its honeycomb drum, it’s gentler on your clothes so they’ll last longer too. 

With an ‘A’ rating for energy-efficiency, the WEE385 washing machine has ultra-low running costs, at 40% more energy-efficient than the threshold for an A rating. Thanks to its Profi-Eco motor, it’s also very quiet, and the Miele@home app allows you to select programmes and set schedules from your phone. 

Let’s take a look at the WEE385’s best features: not only does it boast a speedy 20 minute express wash, and also a Quick Power Wash that delivers exceptional cleaning in under an hour. There’s the TwinDos system which allows you to pre-load laundry detergent, then the machine measures out the perfect amount - there's 6 months' supply of TwinDos detergent included with the washing machine, too. While not all Mumsnetters are sold on the system, it's straightforward to use detergent in the normal way too.

If you have allergies or sensitive skin to consider, this washing machine's SteamCare system is second to none, blasting away impurities. It's true that there are both cheaper and more expensive Miele washing machines available, but we think the WEE385 represents the best balance of outstanding quality, useful features and price - making it our pick for the very best washing machine to buy in 2026.  

Related: Best steam generator irons

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Beko EnergySpin™ BM3WT4941IW 9kg Washing Machine review

Retailing at just under £400, the Beko EnergySpin™ BM3WT4941IW makes a great choice, with an A rating for energy efficiency. With a generous 9kg drum and large porthole door, this easy-load washing machine is well suited to families, with plenty of space for even more substantial laundry piles.

Our tester Laura was impressed with how clean and fresh it gets her laundry, even on a quick half-hour full-load wash. Beko's Aquatech technology means this washing machine can get great results in less time, plus it's gentler on your clothes because it uses powerful jets of water in place of vigorous drum movements.

Beko's innovative EnergySpin design saves up to 35% on energy use for the majority of cycles. However, the machine achieves these big savings by reducing spin speed, which has a knock-on effect on how dry Laura's laundry is when it comes out of the machine. Slower spin = damper clothes, so what you gain in energy efficiency, you make up for in drying time.

I asked Katy Roberts for her advice on choosing a great budget washing machine. "Even at a cheaper price you should expect to find a good load capacity along with multiple wash programs," she says. "Next time you’re hunting down a bargain, why not pay a look in to customer reviews to help paint a picture of your purchase?"

Beko is Mumsnet users' go-to brand for affordable, reliable washing machines, and we think this model punches above its weight in terms of energy-efficiency and cleaning power - that's why we've named it the best budget washing machine to buy.

Related: The best budget dehumidifiers under £100

Coming just after Miele as one of Mumsnet users’ most highly-recommended brands, Bosch make reasonably priced, reliable, energy efficient washing machines. A-rated for energy savings, the Bosch WGG24400GB uses cutting-edge technology to achieve amazing results in up to 65% less time and using up to 50% less water. 

This model is Quiet Mark certified, thanks to its brushless Eco Silence Drive motor, so if you like your washing machines to be seen and not heard, this is a great option.

"If you’re looking for a quieter washing machine then look out for features like a brushless motor or inverter technology," says Katy Roberts. "These two nifty bits of tech are ideal for a quiet operation by reducing vibration and able to keep noise levels below 70dB even on faster spin cycles."

While many Mumsnet users swear by Bosch washing machines, they do say the quality of the brand has declined in recent years, since manufacturing has moved from Germany to China. Bosch are still making brilliant appliances, they just don’t seem to last quite as long as they used to.

Related: The best steam generator irons Mumsnet users swear by

Mumsnet users recommend LG’s Direct Drive models in particular, as they last longer, take up less space and are very energy-efficient. This washing machine is exceptional for its 39-minute TurboWash cycle, with four jets of water working on stains simultaneously to delivery incredible results in record time. 

I asked Katy Roberts if quick washes can really get your clothes clean. "You’re able to get good results from this quick wash due to a higher spin speed and clever water usage," she says. "Which helps achieve effective cleaning within a shorter space of time. Be mindful that if you’re looking to clean heavily mucky items then you might need a longer wash cycle."

That’s not all - if you need your washing even faster, there are 30- and 14-minute cycles too. For those looking for speedy results without compromise, you’ll be spoilt for choice. It's the 30-minute wash that our users mention most, which is a truly impressive amount of time to effectively clean a load of laundry.

Not just a one-trick pony, the LG TurboWash360 has plenty more to recommend it. There’s a pause and add feature, AI to weigh, analyse and optimise your wash, plus an allergen-busting steam setting. 

Read next: The best budget tumble dryers, according to Mumsnet users

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Samsung Series 8 AI Energy WW11DB8B95GBU1 11kg Smart Washing Machine review

Opting for a larger drum means you can tackle a towering laundry pile in less time, and our tester Mairi found it really made a difference to her family's laundry routine. The Samsung Series 8 AI Energy WW11DB8B95GBU1 has a whopping 11kg drum, a dedicated Bedding cycle, and even another called ‘Cloudy Day’ for optimal spin drying when the weather’s less than perfect. 

While a large 11kg drum will allow you to get your washing clean in fewer cycles, Katy Roberts does have one word of caution. "It’s important to note they may require more space, so make sure you’re measure your area first!"

Mumsnet users who have tested Samsung machines particularly rate the ecobubble™ range - an efficient feature that combines the perfect amount of water with your laundry detergent for effective cleaning - and we love its five-year parts and labour warranty, quiet wash cycles and time-saving choice of programmes.

Alongside these standout features, we've chosen this model as our best large-capacity washing machine thanks to its impressive 'A' energy efficiency rating. As well as being firmly in the middle of the washing machine market, price-wise, this machine is cost-effective to run and a great eco buy, saving you money on your energy bill whilst also being better for the environment than machines with a lower rating.

While the washing machine boasts smart controls accessible via Samsung’s SmartThings app, Mairi found this to be more of a gimmick than a genuinely useful feature. She also found the touchscreen a little too easy to accidentally brush against, resulting in washes needing to be restarted. The AI technology does come in handy for weighing and analysing loads of laundry, though - meaning less fiddling with wash cycles.

Families will appreciate the ultra-quiet Digital Inverter Motor that won’t disturb you in an open-plan kitchen and its convenient 15-minute quick wash programme – perfect for when your kids remind you it’s PE tomorrow just as they crawl into bed. There's also a handy 'Hygiene Steam' cycle that removes up to 99.9% of bacteria and other invisible nasties from clothing, perfect to pair with a laundry detergent for babies for those inevitable messes.

Read next: Skip the iron with our pick of the best clothes steamers

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O’Neill: Read our in-depth Hisense 3S Series WF3S8043BW review

Offering amazing value for money both when you buy it and on your energy bills, the Hisense 3S Series WF3S8043BW retails for just under £400, and will cost you just an estimated £38 to use every day for a year. 

With Jet Wash technology for powerful cleaning, and a brushless motor for quiet operation, this washing machine delivers impressive results. Our tester Anna loved the super speedy 15-minute quick wash cycle, which cleans her clothes well enough to make it her go-to programme. For a more intensive clean on dirtier items, the Eco 40-60 is a thorough and energy-efficient option, though it does take quite a long time. She also loves the Auto cycle, which weighs your washing and adjusts settings accordingly, completing a wash in around an hour.

With an 8kg drum, it's well suited to a medium-sized household. Besides the energy efficiency of this machine, the thing Mumsnet users love most about it is how quiet it is. At just 72dB at the loudest part of its spin cycle, for the majority of the time it's on, the machine is remarkably quiet.

The Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW has app connectivity, so you can perform basic tasks like scheduling a wash remotely. It's also self-diagnosing, so if there's ever something wrong with your washing machine, it'll be able to tell you exactly what the issue is.

We took points off for lack of a handwash or delicates cycle, though there is a wool cycle that'll do the job for all but the most delicate items. At less than £400, it's clear there will be trade-offs, and we think Hisense have concentrated on what's important to families - noise levels, cleaning quality and user-friendliness - while dispensing with some of the nice-to-haves like extra wash cycles.

Related: The best heated clothes airers, as recommended by Mumsnet users

With an 'A' energy rating (the best we've found for an integrated model), aside from being kind to your wallet, there's plenty to love about Hoover’s integrated washing machine. We love its large capacity 9kg drum, easy-to-read LED display, and long list of practical features and programmes.

"Integrated appliances are certainly pleasing on the eye," says Katy Roberts. "One con with integrated appliances is that they can be a little more expensive than freestanding models. Because of their design, this may also limit your ability to relocate this appliance, and maintenance can also be more complex due to built-in installation."

From its Quick 14 wash cycle (which has shaved one minute off previous Hoover models) to its pause button, this washing machine makes it easy to speed through your laundry pile. We think this machine is excellent value for money, offering many additional features other brands would charge a lot more for.