What to look for in a quiet washing machine
As well as the decibel rating, here are some things to consider when choosing the right quiet washing machine for your home.
Drum size - How big is your household? For couples and smaller families, an 8kg capacity should be ample for your needs. For bigger households and families with multiple children, a larger washing machine allows you to wash more clothes at once, saving you time and money. They can also accommodate larger items such as duvets, which saves you a trip to the local laundrette.
Energy efficiency - Most modern washing machines now feature the new energy-efficient scale (which was revised in March 2021). For freestanding washing machines, you can look for A-rated appliances which will keep your energy bills down while minimising water consumption. For integrated designs, the energy efficiency rating is more likely to have a B or C rating.
Maximum spin speed - How fast is the spin speed of the appliance? The higher the spin speed (measured in rotations per minute or RPM), the less moisture will remain in your clothing at the end of the cycle. This can help them dry faster on your heated clothes airer, or require less time in your tumble dryer after a wash.
Freestanding or integrated? - A freestanding washing machine is one you just plug in and use, as long as it's connected to a drain. An integrated washing machine that connects to your kitchen unit can be trickier to install and remove. Freestanding machines are the most common, so when you're looking for a new one, you'll have more choices.
Number of programmes - Consider the overall number of programmes available on the appliance - including quick wash cycles and options for delicate clothing such as wool or silk. Review the length of the cycles you’re likely to use most frequently as well as options to speed up the programmes on days you’re pressed for time.
What makes a washing machine quiet?
The volume of the washing machine’s wash and spin cycles are measured in decibels (dB), and during the spin (the loudest part of the programme), you can expect quiet volumes to be around 70dB. Most quiet washing machines use technology such as brushless or inverter motors and anti-vibration systems to lower noise distribution.
How we chose the best quiet washing machine
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
To begin our search for the best quiet washing machine, we turned to the Mumsnet forums to draw on the wealth of experience from our 10 million Mumsnetters. We know that laundry is a popular topic, so we wanted to know which washing machines parents really loved and were built to last. We also looked for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, overpriced or failed to bring clothes out looking their best. That way, we could exclude these from our list.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We always want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning or well-regarded products, including any recommended by consumer champions such as Which?.
Verified customer reviews
Finally, we thoroughly investigated genuine customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, AO.com and Currys to get a comprehensive picture of consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
Celebrated washing machines
Using our triple-check vetting process has allowed us to guarantee that every tumble dryer on this list has earned its right to be there, creating a guide to the best quiet washing machines that is honest, balanced and up-to-date.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families. Her articles include guides to the best steam generator irons and the best portable air conditioners.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.