Should you spend £229 or £2,149 on a washing machine?

The first electric washing machine for the home was launched nearly 100 years ago by Bendix Home Appliances, and they are getting more sophisticated every year.

Shoppers are now faced with hundreds of options, some nearly five times more expensive than others.

We’re all familiar with the saying ‘you get what you pay for’, but when it comes to washing machines, is a £2,149 model really better at cleaning clothes than a £229 model?

And can you save money by buying an expensive machine that uses less energy? Here we investigate…

The hidden costs of buying cheaper

To calculate the true cost of a new washing machine, you need to consider two things: the upfront price and how much it costs to run.

In general, the higher the energy efficiency class, the less energy a washing machine consumes, and therefore the cheaper it is to run per cycle.

All appliances are labeled from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient.

Leon Doyle, of home appliance maker Haier, says: ‘A washing machine costing just £100 may seem like a bargain at first, but if it has the lowest energy rating of E, it will end up costing you a lot more in energy consumption. compared to a £500 device that is rated A.”

He adds that when purchasing an older pre-owned model or a refurbished unit, the age-old adage “you get what you pay for” largely rings true.

The savings on an efficient machine can amount to hundreds of euros. For example, the £439 Candy 9kg 1400 spin integrated washing machine has a D energy rating.

Its poor efficiency means it will cost £1,156 in utility bills over an 11-year lifespan, according to rating agency Youreko.

Meanwhile, the more expensive £599 Bosch Series 4, with the same drum size and spin speed, is rated A and costs just £706 to run.

So while the Candy machine is £160 cheaper to buy upfront, the Bosch would save you £290 in the long run.

The more you spend, the more efficient your model is likely to be, but not always.

For example, the smart £519 Samsung Series 4 AddWash washing machine, with a 9kg drum and 1400 spin speed, has a D energy rating.

Lifespan: Washing machines last more than 11 years on average, according to the Energy Saving Trust

Still, the cheaper Indesit BWE 91496X machine, which has the same drum size and spin speed, priced at £329, is rated A.

Washing machines last more than 11 years on average and the number of washes per household is about 284 per year, according to data from the Energy Saving Trust.

The more expensive Samsung will cost £1,158 in energy bills over its lifetime, according to Youreko calculations. Meanwhile, the Indesit washing machine is said to cost just £995 to run.

While the Samsung only costs £190 more than the Indesit to buy, the overall cost gap widens to £353 when you factor in the cost of utility bills.

Some households may feel they don’t need one of the most energy efficient models to keep costs down. If you don’t use your machine often, a cheaper, less efficient model may be cheaper overall.

Matthew Glynn, who is a product marketing manager for appliance manufacturer Hisense UK, says: ‘Sometimes you might think you need an A rated machine, but based on everything in your household, a B rated can be as good as it gets about costs at the time of purchase versus costs to run the machine for life.’

Is a smart model worth the price?

More expensive machines usually have extra features. For example, some can connect to your home Wi-Fi network so you can program cycles remotely.

Others have features that can reduce the amount of water and detergent you use in each load.

If something goes wrong with the machine, many high-end models can be diagnosed remotely without the need for a technician visit.

“Premium products are built to last and contain significantly more expensive components,” adds Mr. Doyle please.

‘These machines are carefully assembled with carefully selected precious metal components, resulting in a lower failure rate, less vibration, quieter operation, better after-sales support and a longer service life.’

Good grades: Most household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are rated from A to G, with A being the most efficient

But an advantage of buying cheaper machines is that they are often produced in large quantities. So while they are more likely to break, their parts are easier to get your hands on and usually cheaper to replace.

We’ve compared the most expensive and cheapest washing machines available from popular appliance retailer Currys.

The most expensive is a 9kg Miele WWR 860 Wi-Fi enabled washing machine for £2,149. The least is the Logik 7kg at £229.

While the Miele model is £1,920 more expensive to buy, it’s cheaper to run.

So when ongoing charges are included, the price difference decreases. Yet the Miele model is £1,620 more expensive overall.

The Miele washing machine has other benefits that justify the higher price tag, such as a lower noise level when washing (46 dB versus 58 dB for the Logik model) and 25 wash cycles versus 15.

Plus, Miele claims the machine will last 20 years – and it can also be controlled remotely using your smartphone.

There is no one size fits all

When it comes to which machine cleans your clothes best, price isn’t everything, according to Mr Glynn.

There are several qualities to look out for.

“The design of the drum and how much the machine moves the clothes to remove stains determine how well the machine performs,” ​​he says.

“The effectiveness of the detergent you use and whether there is even coverage also affects how clean your clothes are.”

Alec Evans, washing machine expert at consumer group Which?, adds that ultimately which machine is best for you depends on your personal taste and household habits.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation when buying a washing machine,” he says.

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