Need to know
- Our laundry experts have tested more than 70 current models to find the best and worst washers
- CHOICE experts evaluate key factors in our laundry labs, like how well they rinse and remove dirt, how gentle they are, how noisy they are, and running costs, including energy and water use
- Become a CHOICE member to access our full reviews and ratings.
Why make doing the laundry harder than it needs to be? Life's too short for a lousy washing machine and, unfortunately, our experts have seen plenty in our lab tests.
"A poorly performing machine can be a double blow for your washing and your wallet," warns our resident laundry expert Ashley Iredale.
"Not only do they do a bad job of cleaning your clothes, they often use more water and power to do it, which means even bigger costs in the long run."
A poorly performing machine can be a double blow for your washing and your wallet
Ashley Iredale, CHOICE laundry expert
To help you avoid these lose-lose situations, Ashley and our experienced team of laundry experts meticulously test machines from popular brands including Fisher & Paykel, LG, Bosch, Miele, Samsung, Simpson and plenty more.
Our laundry expert Ashley Iredale does a LOT of washing.
For every washing machine we test, our expert testers run cycles using identically stained fabric swatches and special swatches that fray in the wash.
They assess them after the wash to evaluate key criteria such as dirt removal, gentleness, rinsing, water and spin efficiency. (Learn more about how we test.)
"We've reviewed machines ranging from around $500 to $4000 or more and we've found that a bigger price tag doesn't always mean better performance – sometimes, far from it!" warns Ashley.
We don't want you to end up with a dud buy, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests. Consider becoming a CHOICE member to see the best performers.
On this page:
Lowest scoring top loaders
Westinghouse WWT8084J7WA
The Westinghouse WWT8084J7WA: All style, no substance.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 59%
- Dirt removal score: 44%
- Capacity: 8kg
- RRP: $1149
This Westinghouse washer may look stylish in your laundry with its modern, sleek black lid and control panel, but unfortunately its good looks don't match its performance.
In fact, it tops our worst performer list, with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 59% and a dismal dirt removal score of 44%.
It tops our worst performer list, with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 59% and a dismal dirt removal score of 44%
Considering the main purpose of your washing machine is to get your clothes clean, this doesn't reflect well on this washer.
Read our full review of the Westinghouse WWT8084J7WA.
Speed Queen AWNA62
The Speed Queen AWNA62 uses a staggering 171 litres of water per cycle.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 59%
- Dirt removal score: 54%
- Capacity: 7kg
- RRP: $3295
Not only does the Speed Queen have a relatively high ticket price of $3295, it'll also end up costing you a lot more over time, with a 10-year running cost of approximately $1708 (more than twice that of many of our recommended models).
It was the second-lowest rated for dirt removal, scoring just 54%, and it also performs poorly for spin efficiency, meaning your clothes will take longer to dry after a wash. This machine also uses a lot of water: 171 litres per cycle.
Not only does it have a relatively high ticket price, it'll also end up costing you a lot more over time
In return for your hard-earned cash, you'll get a good rinse cycle, but very poor water efficiency and a notable lack of wash options and features, with no fast wash or woollens wash setting and no auto-sense water level, delay timer or time-remaining display.
Read our full review of the Speed Queen AWNA62.
Samsung WA90T6250BW
Even at $849, this Samsung washing machine isn't good value.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 61%
- Dirt removal score: 61%
- Capacity: 9kg
- Price: $849
It might be at the lower end of the price spectrum for top loaders, but with one of the lowest scores overall, this Samsung sits firmly at the bottom of the heap in terms of performance.
While it costs $250 more than the Haier machine below, it delivers virtually the same performance, except for better water efficiency (not that that's anything to shout about – the Haier machine only rates as 'OK' on this metric).
With one of the lowest scores overall, it sits firmly at the bottom of the heap in terms of performance
Unfortunately most of the washers at this price point didn't perform especially well in our testing, but if you're on a budget you wouldn't be any worse off with the Haier in terms of performance, but at least you'll save yourself $250.
Read our full review of the Samsung WA90T6250BW.
Haier HWT60AA1
The Haier HWT60AA1: low price, low performance.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 61%
- Dirt removal score: 58%
- Capacity: 6kg
- Price: $609
Low price, low performance: that's the best way to sum up this Haier. It's the cheapest top loader in our test, but a bargain it isn't.
In previous tests, it was outclassed by a $419 Kmart machine in terms of dirt removal, and really only had the edge over the Kmart model in water efficiency and spin efficiency.
(Thankfully Kmart abandoned its foray into whitegoods and has discontinued its washing machines and fridges.)
Low price, low performance: that's the best way to sum up this Haier
It's also relatively expensive to run, with our experts calculating it'll cost you $1241 over 10 years. If you're short on cash, this isn't a terrible option, but don't expect to be wowed.
Read our full review of the Haier HWT60AA1.
Lowest scoring front loaders
First things first: front loaders perform a lot better than top loaders, which you'll see reflected in the higher scores below. To be fair, these models all rated well enough.
That said, our experts found better-performing front loaders for a similar price or cheaper so doing some research before you buy will get you better value for your money.
Solt GGSFLW60
This Solt is cheap, but it won't leave you cheerful.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
- Dirt removal score: 80%
- Capacity: 6kg
- RRP: $499
First up, the Solt's good points: it's the cheapest front loader in our review – by several hundred dollars – so if you're on a tight budget, it's an appealing option.
It's also pretty decent at getting your clothes clean efficiently: our experts rated it as 'Very good' for dirt removal, rinse performance and water efficiency.
It has a frustratingly long cycle time of 226 minutes, but it might be a compromise you're willing to make for the price
But it failed to impress in terms of its gentleness and spin efficiency, both of which dragged down its overall score, despite the Solt delivering good performance otherwise.
It has a frustratingly long cycle time of 226 minutes, but if you're short on cash but have plenty of time on your hands that might not be an issue for you – or it might be a compromise you're willing to make for the price.
None of the other front loaders in our review can compete with the Solt on price, but if you keep an eye out in the sales you may be able to pick up a better machine for similar money.
Read the full Solt GGSFLW60 review.
LG WV6-1409W
The WV6-1409W isn't LG's best work.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
- Dirt removal score: 81%
- Capacity: 9kg
- RRP: $1300
LG actually makes quite good washing machines: the average CHOICE Expert Rating for the LG machines in our review is 80%.
The company's washers have a good reputation: LG was in the top four of our 2023 Best Brand survey for front-loading washing machines, just a point or two short of second and third place.
And LG washing machines seem to last the distance, with the brand coming in just a whisker behind Bosch for reliability in the survey.
Unfortunately this machine isn't a great example of LG washing machines. It's the second-lowest scoring front loader in our test, and despite costing more than twice as much as the Solt above, its scores weren't much better.
If your budget for a front loader is $1300, we suggest you look elsewhere
To its credit, we rated it as 'Excellent' for its rinse performance, and 'Very good' for dirt removal, but those alone weren't enough to bump up its overall CHOICE Expert Rating.
Not only will it cost you a lot in electricity, you'll also be coughing up for new clothes sooner: it scored just 49% for gentleness. That's one of the lowest scores of all the front loaders we tested, and it's even lower than some top loaders, which are notoriously rough on clothes.
If your budget for a front loader is $1300, we suggest you look elsewhere. In fact, three of the front loaders our experts recommend cost less than this machine.
Signing up to be a CHOICE member will give you access to all our washing machine test results (plus reviews for hundreds more products), so you can spend your money more wisely.
Read the full LG WV6-1409W review.
Beko BFLB904ADW
The Beko BFLB904ADW: not bad, but not great either.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 70%
- Dirt removal score: 83%
- Capacity: 9kg
- RRP: $1249
Another machine that isn't bad but also isn't great, this Beko will do a pretty good job of getting your clothes clean, but it'll also wear them out faster in the process.
Our experts rated it as 'Poor' for gentleness – the lowest score for this assessment of all the washing machines we tested.
This Beko will do a pretty good job of getting your clothes clean, but it'll also wear them out faster in the process
To test how rough a machine is on laundry, we use fabric swatches that are designed to fray. We measure the swatches before and after the wash, then give them a score based on how much the fabric frays.
In washing machines that are gentle on clothes, the fabric will fray less; but machines like this Beko will cause far more fraying, so they'll be given a low score.
If you're willing to roll the dice with your clothes, they'll certainly be clean with this machine, but you could end up having to replace them sooner than you'd like.
Read the full Beko BFLB904ADW review.
Haier HWF10AN1
This Haier front loader was let down by its gentleness and spin efficiency scores.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 71%
- Dirt removal score: 66%
- Capacity: 10kg
- Price: $1099
As we've said, a 71% CHOICE Expert Rating is a pretty solid score.
But (and it's a big but), this machine has the lowest dirt removal score of all the front loaders we tested: 66%.
This machine has the lowest dirt removal score of all the front loaders we tested
All the other machines in this list of low scorers delivered great dirt removal, scoring in the 80s, but fell down in other tests.
So even if they're not the gentlest or most water efficient machines, at least they'll do the one job you need them to.
Unfortunately we can't say the same for this Haier.
If you have $1000 to spend on a washing machine, we don't recommend wasting it on this one.
Read our full review of the Haier HWF10AN1.
Bosch WAN24124AU
Like the LG above, this front loader isn't a great example of Bosch machines.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 71%
- Dirt removal score: 83%
- Capacity: 8kg
- Price: $1099
A score of 71% isn't terribly bad in and of itself – it's still classed as 'Good' by our experts. And this machine does do well in some areas, such as its rinse performance and dirt removal.
It's just that when you compare this Bosch with the washers recommended by our experts, it's clear that you can definitely find a better machine for your money.
When you compare it with washers recommended by our experts, it's clear that you can definitely find a better machine for your money
As with the LG above, this machine comes from a well-regarded brand that performed well in our Best Brand washing machine survey. Bosch was actually slightly ahead of LG in a number of aspects, and was rated as the most reliable front-loader brand overall.
And just like the LG, this washer isn't Bosch's finest work – so don't write the brand off entirely. Just check all the details in our review to find the best front-loading washing machine from Bosch and other big brands.
Read the full Bosch WAN24124AU review.
Tips for buying a washing machine
Our expert's main piece of advice? Take your time making a decision on which model to buy.
Ashley says you should avoid making impulse buys on an important appliance such as a washing machine, no matter how charming a salesperson is or how tempting an advertised price may seem.
"Don't be tempted by discounts on more expensive, feature-rich machines if you're not going to use those features," he says.
He also advises looking for deals with free delivery (or asking the salesperson if they will throw in free delivery) and avoiding poor-quality extended warranties:
"They can eat up any sales savings and often don't offer you much beyond the consumer guarantees you're already entitled to under consumer law."
For more top tips, visit our washing machine buying guide.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
