How To Choose The Best Washing Machine Under £300?

Washing machines have gotten a lot cheaper in recent years. Highly efficient and large capacity front load washers are more affordable than ever.

In this buying guide, we recommend the best washing machines you can buy in the UK for under £300. They are all front load washing machines and they all have an energy class rating of A++ or A+++.

What to Consider When Buying a Washing Machine for Under £300

A. Type: Front Load vs. Top Load

There’s no longer a front load vs. top load debate. Front load washing machines are the best. They use less water and electricity. Furthermore, they are gentler on your laundry.

If you really want to get a top load washing machine, you’ll have a hard time finding one in the UK. While top load washers are popular in the US, Canada and Australia, they are rare in the UK.

Considering the affordability of front loading washers, there’s no reason to even consider a top loader.

B. Capacity

If your budget is under £300, you have to be realistic about the washing machine capacity you can get. Most washing machines in this range top out at 7kg.

But that’s big enough for most families. For small families, couples and individuals, it’s easy to find an even smaller (and cheaper) washing machine.

If you don’t think 7kg is enough for your laundry needs, there are a few 8kg and 9kg washers with a price tag under £300. For a bit over £300, you can even get a 10kg washing machine.

C. Size

Before you order, check the exact dimensions of the washing machine to make sure to you have adequate space for it in your home.

Measure the area where you plan to set it up and check that the washing machine can fit. This is especially important for integrated washing machines as a few inches can result in a bad fit.

D. Programs

Check the number and types of washing programs the washing machine offers. Take a quick look at the images posted on the Amazon page and look for one that shows the control panel.

Most programs are based on the fabric type. You should see programs for cottons and synthetics. Some washing machines also have a special program for wool and silk.

You should also see programs for different types of clothes including shorts, sports or gym wear, knitwear and delicates. Some washers have special programs for bulky bedding and babywear.

Other programs cover dark or coloured clothes, whites and mixed colours.

Depending on the price of the washing machine, you may get extra controls and options such as a spin cycle, a rapid clean cycle or a steam cycle.

Basically, the more programs a washing machine has, the more versatile it is. It also makes doing laundry easier and protects your clothes.

You can wash certain clothes even if they are not covered by a specific program, but you’d have to guess the right temperature, spin speed and time. You risk damaging the clothes or not washing them properly.

E. Controls

As you look at the wash programs, also check what kind of controls are on the control panel. Here are the basic controls found on most washing machines.

• Program selector – on most machines, this is usually a dial that you turn to select a number representing a specific program.
• Spin speed settings – useful for increasing or lowering drum spin speed.
• Delay timer – useful for timing the washing machine to automatically start a cycle at a specific time such as at night or when you are at work (handy if you find the washing machine noisy).
• Temperature settings – most washing machines nowadays are cold fill with a built-in water heater. On the control panel you can select your preferred cycle temperature.

Depending on the price of the washing machine, you may get additional controls.

F. Energy Class

Finally, check the energy class of the washing machine. Do not get a washing machine rated lower than A.

Energy efficient washing machines are not expensive and there’s no reason to buy a cheaper model with lower energy (and water) efficiency. It’ll cost you more to run.

Most modern washing machines have an Energy Class rating of at least A++ with the most efficient once having a rating of A+++.

The higher the rating, the more energy savings you enjoy.

If you want more details beyond the Energy Class, check the energy label. It’ll show the number of kilowatt hours the washing machine is likely to consume in one year as well as the water usage.

Washing machine energy labels also show the noise level produced by the washer when it’s operating.

Best Washing Machines Under £300: Reviews

1. Indesit My Time EWD71452W 7Kg Washing Machine 1400 rpm

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The 7kg drum in the Indesit My Time washing machine is large enough for most families.

The Indesit washer comes with 16 programs that cover various fabrics and types of clothes. The first six programs are meant for everyday fast cleaning. They all last less than an hour.

There are special cycles for gym wear, sports shoes and baby clothes as well as dedicated cycles for duvets, wool, silks & curtains and cotton fabrics.

An easy to use dial makes it easy to select your preferred program. You can also select your preferred temperature and spin speed.

Each program has a built-in max speed and temperature that you cannot go beyond. This protects your laundry from damage.

If you don’t want the cycle to start immediately, set the delay timer and the display will show a countdown to the beginning of the cycle.

The Indesit My Time washing machine has a high energy efficiency rating of A++. One way it saves energy and water is using a sensor.

The sensor determines the amount of clothes you’ve put in and uses only the required amount of water. Indesit calls this Water Balance Technology. It saves water and energy, especially when you wash less than a full load. So don’t feel too guilty about washing only a few clothes.

The Indesit My Time washing machine measures 85cm high, 59.5cm wide and 53.5cm deep. The noise level when washing is 57 decibels, but rises to a noisy 77 decibels when spinning.

What we like about it:

• Large capacity – ideal for most families.
• Versatile programs and controls.
• Saves water and energy.
• Good value for money.

2. Hotpoint NSWF743UGG Graphite 7kg Washing Machine

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The Hotpoint NSWF743UGG is another good choice for average sized families. It’s more expensive than the Indesit My Time washing machine but that’s because it’s more efficient.

The Hotpoint NSWF743UGG is in the A+++ energy class, the highest there is.

The Hotpoint and Indesit washers have fairly similar specs: 1400 rpm, 7kg drum and 16 washing programs. But there are a few extras the Hotpoint washing machine offers.

One of them is the anti-stain program. There’s no need to pre-treat clothes to remove stains; the Hotpoint NSWF743UGG can get the out for you. This program is handy for soiled clothes.

The washing machine selects the ideal temperature, water amount and spin speed to eliminate common stains.

Another feature we love is Steam hygiene. When you select this option, the washing machine will treat your laundry with steam at the end of the cycle. The steam kills bacteria in the fibers of your clothes. The laundry comes out cleaner and fresher.

Other controls and options are the usual ones. They include temperature and spin speed settings, extra rinse and spin & drain.

Programs include baby, shirts, duvet, anti-allergy, delicates, cotton, synthetics and others.

The Hotpoint NSWF743UGG washing machine measures 85cm high, 59.5cm wide and 54cm deep. It produces about 59 decibels of noise when washing (very quiet) but can get pretty loud during a spin cycle (79 decibels).

What we like about it:

• Large capacity, enough for most families.
• Versatile programs and settings.
• High energy efficiency.

3. Beko WTG620M1W 6kg 1200rpm Freestanding Washing Machine

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For couples and small families, the Beko WTG620M1W 6kg washing machine is perfect. It has a lower spin speed (1200 rpm) than the 7kg washers, but that’s adequate for the smaller loads you’ll be putting in.

One of the best features of the Beko WTG620M1W is its super-fast wash cycles. If you hate waiting for hours for your laundry to get clean, the Beko washing machine washes a full load in a quick 28 minutes.

There are 15 wash programs to choose from including several for cottons, synthetics and shirts. There are two interesting programs worth highlighting.

The first is the Down Wear program common in many Beko washing machines. This program is for any machine washable clothes that contain feathers including jackets and coats. The drum spins in such a way that water reaches the gaps between feathers.

Another interesting program is hand wash. This one is for clothes labelled as hand-wash only. Technically, you’ll be going against the instructions on the care label. But the Beko WTG620M1W treats the delicate fabrics just as gently as if you were handwashing them.

The hand wash setting is ideal for wool, silk and other delicate fabrics.

The Beko WTG620M1W has the highest energy efficiency rating – A+++. One of the ways it reduces water and energy consumption is by adjusting the water level to the load size.

So if you wash a half load, the washing machine uses less water.   

The Beko WTG620M1W measures 84cm high, 60cm wide and 44cm deep. The slim design makes it ideal for tight spaces such as apartments.

It’s a bit noisier than other washers with a washing noise level of 62 decibels and a spinning noise level of 77 decibels.

What we like about it:

• Perfect for smaller families and couples.
• Versatile programs.
• Energy efficient.
• Space-saving design.

4. Indesit EWE91482W A++ Rated Freestanding Washing Machine

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If you need an extra-large capacity washing machine at an affordbale price, we recommend the Indesit EWE91482W. It has a 9kg drum, ideal for larger families as well as bulky items like pillows and duvets.

Note that because of the large capacity, the Indesit EWE91482W takes up more space. It is the same height and width as other washers, but it’s deeper. It measures 85cm high, 59.5cm wide and 60cm deep.

The Indesit EWE91482W is essentially a bigger version of the 7kg Indesit EWD71452W we reviewed above and they share most features and specs.

You get 16 wash programs, a max spin speed of 1400 rpms and an A++ energy class.

Programs in the Indesit EWE91482W include cottons, synthetics, sports shoes, baby, duvet and extra wash (handy for soiled or stained clothes).

The Indesit EWE91482W also comes with Water Balance Technology, where the washing machine automatically adjust amount of water in the drum based on the size of the load.

For its size, the Indesit EWE91482W is surprisingly quiet, at least when it’s washing. The wash noise level is a very silent 49 decibels. The spin cycle is a racket however, with a noise level of 78 decibels.

What we like about it:

• Extra-large capacity – ideal for large families and bulky items.
• Multiple programs and options.
• Energy and water-saving features.
• Good value for money (costs less than some 7kg washers).

5. Hoover DXOA 49C3B Freestanding Washing Machine

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The Hoover DXOA 49C3B is another good choice if you are looking for an extra-large capacity washing machine. It has a 9kg drum, perfect for large families and bulky items like pillows and comforters.

We love the black finish of the Hoover washing machine. If you want something different from the traditional white washers, this is a good choice.

We also love the control panel. It combines an easy to use dial, intuitive touch buttons and a large display.

In keeping with the whole modern and high-end look, the Hoover DXOA 49C3B comes with NFC technology. This allows you to connect the washing machine to your smartphone. The companion app provides access to additional features and settings.

The Hoover DXOA 49C3B has 17 programs customized for different wash needs and types of fabrics. These include 3 rapid programs that run a full cycle in under an hour.

Other notable programs include wool, baby, delicates and ActivEco (allows washing of mixed fabrics and colours at 20c).

The Hoover DXOA 49C3B also has a steam program that reduces creasing and makes for easier ironing.

Other features include delay timer, spin and temperature settings and intelligent wash (adjust water level depending on load).

The Hoover DXOA 49C3B measures 85cm high, 60cm wide and 52cm deep. The noise level during the wash cycles is 61 decibels (a bit noisier than other washing machines) and the spin cycle noise level is 79 decibels.

What we like about it:

• Extra-large capacity.
• Energy and water efficient.
• Versatile programs and options.
• Large display and easy to use controls.