Washing machines can be a bit of a grudge purchase. There are definitely far more enjoyable ways to spend hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars.
But spending more money won't necessarily buy you a better washing machine: there are plenty of more affordable models on the market that performed well in our lab tests, matching or even beating more expensive machines.
There are plenty of affordable models on the market that performed well in our lab tests
In fact, of the 18 front loaders our experts recommend, 12 of them cost less than $1500 – so if you check our detailed washing machine reviews before you buy you can save yourself hundreds on a new front loader.
"It's important to consider both price and performance when buying a new front loader," says CHOICE whitegoods expert Denis Gallagher.
"While there are some great performers at the cheaper end of the scale, there are also some duds – this is why it's vital to do your research before handing over your credit card."
Are front loader washing machines worth the extra money?
Front loaders are generally a bit more expensive than top loaders, due to how they're built.
But although you'll pay more upfront for a front loader, you'll generally pay less in water and electricity bills over the entire life of the appliance, so it could end up costing about the same or even less in the long run.
While you'll pay more upfront for a front loader, you'll generally pay less in water and electricity bills
Not to mention that front loaders are more gentle on your clothes than top loaders, so you won't have to replace your favourite t-shirts as quickly if you use a front loader – that's more savings!
But that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune for a great-performing front-loading washing machine.
Exclusively for CHOICE members, we'll reveal five machines that deliver great performance on a budget.
If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
The front loader washing machines not to buy
Knowing what not to buy can be just as useful as knowing what to buy. Here are the washing machines our experts rated the lowest.
You'll notice that they're all priced under $1500 – but even at these low prices, our experts don't recommend them.
Even at $449, the Solt GGSFLW60 isn't a good buy.
Solt GGSFLW60
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
- Price: $449
LG WV6-1409W
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
- Price: $1099
Beko BFLB904ADW
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 70%
- Price: $1099
The best washing machine brands in Australia
Each year, we rank washing machine brands, assessing them on their average test scores, reliability, customer satisfaction and how many of their products score the coveted CHOICE expert seal of approval.
The best front loader washing machine brand for 2024 is: Miele.
Here are the best brands for 2024, along with their CHOICE Best Brand scores:
- Miele – 82%
- LG – 79%
- Bosch – 79%
- Samsung – 75%
Miele has taken out the Best Brand washing machine prize for six years in a row, sharing the top spot with LG in 2019.
To find out which specific models we recommend based on our test results, and to make sure you buy the best, click on the 'Recommended' box in the filters section of our washing machine reviews.
Our detailed test results are exclusively available to our members. Become a CHOICE member to access our full reviews and see the best performers.
…but don't buy on brand alone
While the four brands above have well-founded reputations, here at CHOICE we know that buying based on brand alone is sometimes a recipe for disappointment. Even the best brand sometimes delivers duds.
And focusing solely on one brand in your search for the perfect appliance can mean you overlook other products offering comparable performance for a much smaller price tag.
Even the best brand sometimes delivers duds
Machines from the same brand can vary widely in terms of performance, features, capacity, energy efficiency and more, so don't assume that all products from a reputable manufacturer will give you what you want.
The best thing to do is to focus on individual models by checking CHOICE reviews to find the best washing machines before you buy.
The most reliable washing machine brands
We sent out a survey to 1452 CHOICE members who own a washing machine to find out which washer brands are the most reliable.
We asked members about whether they've run into any problems with their washing machine in the previous 12 months. We also take into account the age of the products so we can compare fairly between brands.
The most reliable washing machine brand for 2023 is Bosch, followed by LG, Samsung and Miele.
(Note that the survey doesn't distinguish between top and front loaders; these results are based on washing machines more generally rather than specific machine types.)
What are the best front loader washing machines under $1500?
We independently test and review dozens of new washing machines each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
Our detailed washing machine testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. If you're not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
