Best washing machines 2023: our expert's top washers

A good washing machine is a household essential.  It’s important to have a reliable machine when you're removing stains and refreshing sheets and shirts. LG, Miele, and Samsung are just a few of the brands making great quality washers. However, with model names that look like encrypted codes, working out of the best washing machines requires a little assistance.

Our team of experts has thoroughly researched the market, reading up on the bold claims made by market-leading brands. After running through hundreds of washers, I’ve assembled this roundup of the very best washing machines. 

Whether you need quick and quiet machines, large washers, or are looking for the best top-loading appliance, there’s a washer to suit your needs. 

Best Washing Machines 2023

The Quick List

If you need a washing machine in a hurry, these are our top picks. We go into more detail below.

Best Top Load Washer

There’s a lot to love about the Samsung washer. It has a large capacity and a good range of bespoke settings. These are easy to understand and  tailored to your washing needs: there’s everything from quiet and quick, to baby and outdoor care.

The SmartThings app is popular amongst users. It lets you control your washes remotely and can help to troubleshoot any issues. People also love the built-in faucet for pre-treating stains.

Before choosing which washer you'd like, it's worth noting that some top-load washers are more difficult to empty than front-load washers, especially for shorter people. Also, the cycles on this machine tend to take longer than an hour. If you have lots of washing to get through, it’ll take time. It does have a 28 minute speed setting though.

Best Front Load Washer

This stylish and space efficient washer features smart technology which varies the amount of detergent and runtime depending on the weight of your clothes. It’s easy to access and has a range of settings to cover keeping allergies, babies, and the FreshCare stops clothes from smelling stale. I particularly like the SideKick Pedestal washer which is a drawer for mini washes, so you can have two loads going at once. This is an additional extra, but worth it if you are a big household.

However, as happens often with smart technology, this is almost too clever. The features are great, but it’s not always clear how to get the best out of them, and sometimes unclear how to even use them. This has led some users to feel that the LG is higher-maintenance.  If you’re not tech-savvy, make sure you have someone who is handy with you when you’re learning how to use this.

Best Value Washer

GE is great for offering premium features at a reasonable price. This top-loader more than delivers on capacity, making it perfect for families. Reviewers say that it cleans well and that the automatic detergent dispenser isn’t a gimmick. It’s a really useful smart device that cuts down on guessing how many capsules you need to add. 

A general grievance users have with top-loading washers is their instability and this is no exception. Some users noticed that this would become unstable, stopping until you re-distribute the load.

Best Stackable Washer-Dryer Duo

This is such a simple concept that I’m surprised it hasn’t been done before. A tower laundry center with both a washer and dryer, the controls for both appliances meet in the middle: it sounds obvious, but many stackable appliances end up with buttons close to the roof, making them difficult to use.

This looks good as a unit, but can easily be built into a closet in a basement or laundry room and hidden away. The dryer is ventless, so you can install this duo almost anywhere in your house, as long as there’s access to water and electricity.

Although this might be narrower than a laundry center, it's hardly a space-saver.  Make sure you check dimensions, especially if you have small closets. The biggest drawback is that you’ll need to replace both units if one goes wrong, so it can be wasteful. 

Best Compact Washer

Praised by users for its fabric care qualities, the Miele aims to extract moisture in the spin, making less work for the dryer (and your bills). It has a TwinDos automatic dispenser, meaning that you can fill up with laundry liquid and not need to the machine will add it for you; couples and small families will find that they don't need to fill their machine with laundry liquid for up to three months. The SoftSteam feature (better used with smaller cycles) gives a much lighter feel to your finished clothes, As with many premium machines, this can detect your clothing weight and adjust the wash accordingly.

Although this has some of the best offerings for a compact washer, that comes at a price. These can cost over $2,000, so make sure to shop around. Other users have also commented that the app isn’t intuitive, as is the case with many others, but that doesn’t hinder getting the job done.

Best Washer For Sustainability

Caring about the planet can also mean caring about your wallet and the Beko washer does both. The drum is made from 60 recycled plastic bottles, helping to reduce plastic consumption. It has an energy star rating, making it efficient at cleaning without taking its toll on your utilities. Users liked using higher spin speeds, especially the 1400 rpm max, but did say that it can get a little noisy. The steam setting was one of the most popular amongst customers, who assured others that it is no gimmick.

Even though the app is useful, there were a number of people who found it a little overcomplicated and preferred using the manual controls. The capacity is smaller than others on our list, but I didn't find many customers who felt that it was limiting. It's good to keep in mind if you're a big household.

Best Basic Washer

The Speed Queen might be basic, but it does an excellent job of simple tasks. The compact, top-load design is a favorite amongst small-space dwellers. The flat, lockable top is useful for folding clothes on, as well as securing your washer before it starts a cycle. 

It's fast and powerful, but does struggle a little with thicker detergents and fabric softener. Lots of people compared it to a laundromat dryer: not pretty, but thorough. In line with the namesake, lots of customers said that it was fast, if not a little noisy too. Some customers were a little disappointed with the simple settings and unusual load names, but you adjust to them quickly.

How We Researched

We have a page dedicated to the details of how we test our appliances. We like to have in-person, ongoing experience with the products, so that we can personally vouch for them. However, in the case of washing machines, this is tricky. 

We spend all our time testing out small appliances and homewares like bedding. However, we don’t yet have the capacity to test large appliances. I therefore dedicated my time into thorough research, so that we can offer you the very best washing machines on the market, saving your the hassle of looking for yourself. We have looked at the brand website, customer reviews, reviews from US professionals, and retail reviews to get to know these products almost as if we had tested them ourselves.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

All of these washing machines are top-of-the-market appliances. They’re household names for a reason. For me, super-smart technology is exciting, but not essential. The LG Front Load Washer is my personal favorite, because I like the SideKick drawer extra. I’m all about efficiency and time when it comes to washes, but that doesn’t mean that the same will apply for you. As we have said, work out what you want and the rest is simple.