Best washing machine brands for 2023

We've been testing washing machines since the 1950s, helping us to develop an unrivalled understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each brand. Find out which one comes top.
Alec Evans
Inside washing machine

In this article

Ineffective washing, drum problems and loud thumping noises while running are some of the most common washing machine faults, according to our annual survey of owners.

Knowing which brands develop more faults is vital when you're buying a new washing machine. That’s why this year, in our unique longevity and customer satisfaction survey, we've asked more than 12,000 Which? members and 5,000 members of the public to tell us whether they're happy with their washing machine and if they've experienced problems.

Our survey data takes into account which washing machines had faults reported and whether they needed to be repaired or replaced as a result.

We've crunched the numbers for the biggest washing machine manufacturers – including Miele, LG and Bosch – and have calculated a customer score for each, so you know which brands are recommended by owners.

Take a look at our washing machine reviews to see which sailed through our tough tests

Washing machine brands rated

The table below summarises this year’s results, based on washing machines bought in the past seven years. Brands are ranked by their customer score, which reflects customers' level of satisfaction and whether they would recommend each brand.

The 'proportion faulty' is the percentage that experienced a fault and the 'proportion repaired or replaced' is the percentage of washing machines that were fixed or thrown away due to the fault. The fewer replaced, the better.

Only logged-in Which? members can view which brands are the most and least reliable, and which ones members are most satisfied with, in the table below.

If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

BrandCustomer scoreProportion faulty in the first seven yearsProportion repaired or replaced due to a fault
89%10%7%
84%13%8%
83%12%6%
82%9%6%
82%14%9%
82%11%7% 
80%13%8%


  • Table notes:  The customer score and proportion faulty are based on a September 2022 survey of 11,304 people (proportion repaired or replaced based on 11,037) who bought washing machines in the past seven years.
  • The proportion faulty and proportion repaired or replaced are based on washing machines bought in the past seven years.

Decided on the brand? Find out the best washing machines for you.

Best vs worst washing machine brands

There's a fair amount of difference between the best and worst washing machines and in the satisfaction score reported by customers.


BestWorst
Customer score89%72%
Proportion faulty in first seven years9%26%
Proportion repaired or replaced due to a fault6%13%

Which washing machine brand is the most reliable?

Washing machines should last beyond seven years without any problems, but we've found that, for some brands, more than one in 10 need to be repaired or replaced in that time.

As you can see in the table below, there’s a big difference between how reliable the best and the worst brands are. The least reliable brands are over twice as fault-prone as the most reliable. 

To become an Eco Buy, a washing machine must be both energy and water efficient and come from a reliable brand. If more than 10% of a brand's washing machines are repaired or replaced, its machines can't be awarded an Eco Buy.

Which? members can log in to view which washing machine brands last the longest before they need to be replaced. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.


Proportion repaired or replaced due to a fault in the first seven years
Best brand6%
Average for all washing machines8%
Worst brand13%

Verdict: washing machine brands in-depth

We've pulled together our reliability data, customer insight and results of our independent washing machine tests to give you an in-depth look at each brand. Read on for our verdict on whether a brand is worth buying.

Only Which? members can log in to view our verdicts on the brands listed below and whether they are worth buying. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access to the following washing machine brand verdicts: AEG, Beko, Bosch, LG, John Lewis, Miele, Neff, Samsung, Siemens, Zanussi and more.

Already know which washing machine brand you want? Use these links to go straight to our reviews and find your ideal model for each brand.

The three most common washing machine faults

More than 11,000 owners told us about the reliability track record of the washing machines in their homes. And you've let us in on the problems and niggles that yours have caused over the years, from blocked filters to electrical faults.

The most common washing machine problems are: 

  1. Makes a loud thumping noise when running - 12% of all faults 
  2. Drum or drum bearing problem - 11% of all faults 
  3. Not washing properly/at all - 7% of all faults 

Watch our video guides on how to deal with some common washing machine problems: 

Washing machine repairs – do it yourself or call a professional?

In the past, we have surveyed 106 appliance repairers and asked them what advice they would give for fixing common faults with washing machines: 

Fault 1: Coins or other objects causing a blockage, so that the machine isn’t draining  

  • Repairers’ advice: More than half the repairers we surveyed would recommend getting a machine with this problem repaired professionally. ‘A professional will be able to find the root cause of the problem,’ said one repairer.
  • Our advice: If you can drain the water out yourself, you should be able to get to the pump filter and remove the object. If you can’t, call a repairer.  

Fault 2: A leak in the drum-bearing seal causing the machine to make a lot of noise while in use  

  • Repairers’ advice: Get it repaired professionally. Repairers described this as a larger and more involved job that requires skill and know-how. One said: ‘There’s no chance somebody without knowledge could do this.’  
  • Our advice: You’ll need to call in the professional repairers for this.

If you do need a professional, use our Trusted Trader search tool below to find an appliance repairer.

To find more repair advice, plus how to save energy and make greener choices, read all the latest sustainable living advice.

How we calculate the best and worst brands

Which? has a wealth of information on the UK's favourite brands. Every year we ask Which? members to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how likely they would be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the products are once they get them home.

This year 12,115 Which? Connect panel members and 5,430 members of the public told us about more than 55,000 individual products. We calculate a brand's customer score, fault rate and proportion replaced or repaired based on the results of our annual survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best washing machine to buy.

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, head to how we test washing machines.

This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved

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