The best washing machines

Front loaders usually use less water and power, spin clothes drier and are gentler on fabrics. Top loaders are often cheaper and easier on your back to load, and many wash faster. In CHOICE's 2026 testing, the cheapest top loaders it tested were all on its list of models to avoid, so check reviews carefully if you buy one.

In Australia, the Energy Rating Label shows how much power a machine uses per year, and the WELS label shows how much water it uses per wash. More stars means lower running costs. Compare the kWh and litre figures too, because a larger machine can use more in total even with the same stars.

As a rough guide, 7 to 8 kg suits one to three people, 8 to 9 kg suits a family of four, and 10 kg or more suits bigger families or anyone who washes bedding often. A bigger machine run half-full wastes water and power, so do not oversize.

A freestanding machine usually just plugs into a normal power point and screws onto your existing laundry taps, so many people do it themselves. If you need new taps, pipes, a drain or a new power point, that work must be done by a licensed plumber or electrician in Australia.