Most of us already begrudge the amount of time we spend doing the laundry – so who wants to waste even more time researching which washing machine to buy?
Fortunately for us, CHOICE experts do the homework for you: they put each machine through rigorous tests in our labs to assess how well they clean, how gentle they are on clothes, and how much time, money, water and energy they take to run.
And in the process they often uncover some surprising results that could change the way you shop for a new washer.
Here are some insights from our latest review of more than 60 top- and front-loader washing machines.
1. The best is hard to get
CHOICE experts aren't easily impressed: they've seen hundreds of machines pass through our in-house labs over the years and not many of them live up to their exacting standards.
In order to be recommended by our experts, washing machines need to achieve a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 70%, as well as scoring above certain thresholds for specific tests.
Only 17 out of 61 machines in our current review made the cut to be recommended by our experts
Think that doesn't sound like too high a bar to achieve? Think again.
Only 17 out of 61 machines in our current review made the cut – two top loaders and 15 front loaders.
So if you're in the market for a new washer and you decide to just wing it without checking our reviews first, there's a high chance you'll end up with a mediocre machine, or even a total dud.
Our experts put every machine through rigorous lab testing to find the best performers.
2. You don't need to spend more for a better wash
Sometimes it's worth spending a bit extra (treating yourself to the fancy ice cream, for instance), but in the case of washing machines, less can sometimes be more.
The most expensive front loader in our current review – the Asko W6088XW – costs an eye-watering $2999, but it was no match for one of the cheapest machines we tested: a $599 Hisense machine.
Despite costing five times less than the Asko, the cheaper washer performed better in almost every single test our experts put it through: dirt removal, rinse performance, gentleness, spin efficiency and noise level.
The cheaper washer performed better in almost every single test our experts put it through
The European-made Asko did beat its cheaper rival in one area, however, completing a cycle in 92 minutes, while the Hisense takes 110.
But that's a pretty reasonable trade-off – and you could spend that extra 18 minutes counting the $2400 you saved by buying the Hisense rather than the Asko!
3. Some machines really take their time
Laundry already eats up too much leisure time, so why would you want it to take any longer than it absolutely has to?
Unfortunately some machines really drag the chain: we've tested some that take more than three hours to wash your clothes.
The worst offender takes a huge 278 minutes – that's 4.5 hours!
In comparison, the fastest front loader gets the job done in a record 54 minutes, while the speediest top loader on the block (the appropriately named Speed Queen) takes just 41 minutes.
4. Brand isn't everything
Ford vs Holden; Vegemite vs Promite; Apple vs Android – Australians can be pretty loyal to their preferred brand.
But it's not always a good idea to buy whitegoods based on brand alone: not all of the big brands live up to their reputations.
Not all of the big brands live up to their reputations
Some household names have a good hit rate: for some brands, at least half of the machines we test are recommended by our experts.
But others don't live up to the hype, with only one or two models recommended – or sometimes none at all.
Whether you're team Ford or team Holden, we suggest that you take a more open-minded approach to brands when you're buying a new washing machine.
Expert tester Sean Lim in our laundry lab.
5. Laundry is dirty business
To assess washing machines, our experts run each machine on a normal cold-water cycle to see how they shift tough stains from specially-prepared cloths.
They don't just eyeball it, either – they use a special machine called a spectrophotometer to measure just how clean they really are. You won't get this level of nerdy detail from user reviews!
And the difference between machines can be surprising: for top loaders, dirt removal scores range from 44% all the way up to 80%; for front loaders, they run from 66% to 87%.
As we've mentioned above, you can't rely on price or brand alone: some affordable machines delivered the best cleans, and some of the worst were from big-name brands or more expensive models.
6. You might get stung twice
Every dollar counts in this economy, and there are far more fun ways to spend your money than on doing your laundry.
While you might be counting the cost when you buy a new washing machine, it's important to think ahead, too: some machines cost a lot more to run than others.
Say you have a big family and need a large front loader. Choosing the right machine can save you hundreds of dollars over its lifetime.
We compared the running costs of two 12-kg front loaders, both priced at $1499. Over 10 years, one will cost you $1263 to run, while the other will only cost $541 – a difference of $722.
And that's only for one load of washing a day; you'll pay even more if you use your machine more often.
CHOICE tip: Some laundry detergents can cost more than $1 per wash, which will really add up over time. Keep an eye out for our upcoming laundry detergent review to find the best detergent for the lowest price.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. And our recent sunscreens test showed just how important it is to keep business claims in check.
So you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
