I want a washing machine that isn't a twat

[Medlady]

Current machine is unreliable, chiefly because it is over-engineered: instead of simple clockwork knobs, it has touchscreen buttons, that break. It takes forever to turn on or off, or switch programmes, because it thinks for itself. I wish it didn't - I can think much faster than it can and I just want it to do as it's told without fuss, or trying to contact the wifi, or 'sensing' the load.

I want a simple, no frills, washing machine. Probably only obtainable in the 1990s, or the USA, where they still make indestructible, amber-coloured workhorses.

I'm probably doomed to disappointment, but please hit me with your top recs

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If you're short on time, here's a summary of the washing machines Mumsnetters are recommending on this thread:

• Best reliable washing machine: Bosch Series 4 WAN28250GB Freestanding Washing Machine, £479
• Best hot fill washing machines: Ebac Hot Fill Washing Machines, from £699
• Best budget washing machine: Beko WTL104121W 10kg Washing Machine, £299
• Best quiet washing machine: Haier HW80-B1439N 8Kg Washing Machine, £429
• Best premium washing machine: Miele WWD164 9KG 1400 Spin Washing Machine, £899
• Cheapest no-frills washing machine: Indesit EcoTime IWC71252W 7KG 1200 Washing Machine, £250

For a deeper dive into the top washing machines for all budgets, take a look at our round-up of the best washing machines, according to experts and Mumsnet users.

MNHQ

I’ve got a Hoover H- Wash 300 Lite which is simple to operate. It has a dial and you can choose water temp, spin speed and a few extras on the small touch screen display.
It’s at the lower end of the price range but does what it’s meant to do without being overly complicated. It’s the second Hoover machine I’ve had and the first one (which admittedly had a few teething problems when it was still under guarantee) lasted well over 10 years doing the laundry of a family that increased in numbers from 2 to 6.

Miele. Ours has lasted 15 years already

We have a DVD recorder that thinks for itself....a real pain.

No advice but good job OP, def thread title of the year, it's really made me chuckle 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I recently had these exact requirements when buying a new washing machine! I’ve ended up with a “HOTPOINT - NSWR 945C WK UK N 9 kg 1400 Spin Washing Machine”. It was only £369, has an old fashioned dial and doesn’t weigh/“sense” the washing which I really didn’t want (had read too many reviews from people saying they’d spent hours sitting in front of them taking out one sock at a time to get the wash time down from four hours). So far I’m v happy with it.

Zanussi lindo. I was fed up with my fancy all singing and dancing expensive LG machine that always broke and no one wanted to come out and fix so decided I'd buy something cheap and essentially disposable.

12 years on the cheapo zanussi machine is still going strong. Love it.

This is great. Please keep them coming , and thank you. Between you, you may save my sanity.

Basic Bosch, hard water, bought in 2007 from John Lewis's and never had any trouble with it!

A basic Miele. Had mine 16 years- never put a foot wrong. I got a new kitchen and en-suite- everything stripped back to plaster board- replaced everything- alert from my washing machine. Love it. 🤣

Once when I had a washing machine engineer at the house he said get the bottom of the range of a good make. Knobs rather than digital and the minimum of options.
I also wanted a hot fill machine which I used to have but they were banned by the EU for not being green enough. (It so happens that I have a back boiler and occasionally a surplus of hot water).

My current machine isnt bad and has about 12 options. I use only number 9 which is one hour, and adjust the temperature to 30, 40, or 60C. It's 7 years old so a record for me but probably not made any more.

Watching for the holy grail of washing machines.

Same. Mine lasted 15 years of daily use.

Bosch has been our choice for a long time. This one is about 6yo. It occasionally gets itself in a tizz but husband can persuade it to work. Only problem is you have to shut the door in a particular way for it to be convinced it is shut- Ds can do it but DH apparently can't

Is you’re washing machine related to my dishwasher.

All I want is an ‘on’ and ‘off’ button. It is a daily occurrence that I swear at that machine.

I have a boring old John Lewis one. Has a mixture of knobs and digital. So far, so good, I've had it for about 7 years.

I think the problem is that the ones that have lasted people 15 years just aren't the same anymore. All reverse engineered to break in 5 years or so.

Oh what I wouldn't give for a big top loading ancient US one that just works. And a big American fryer that dries but is mild enough to not shrink clothes.

My current washing machine plays a fucking song when it finishes. A long tinkly awful song. There is no option to change it to a simple beep. It's godawful song or no alert at all. Rage.

Bosch WVH28360GB_WH Washer Dryer
8 years later, daily use, going strong…no independent thinking, follows instructions.

old fashioned dial to select your programme, digital selection of temperature and spin but never had any issues.

American washing machines.

"Top Loading American Style Washing Machines & Tumble Dryers" https://www.alexanders-direct.co.uk/laundry-warewashing/top-loading-american-washers-dryers

My Mum had a top loading washer in the 70s unusual then in the U.K.
The make was 'Thor' and it had 3 pedals start, spin and stop, and by The God of Thunder the spin cycle was phenomenal!

@UncomfortableSofa I see you too have a Samsung. Absolute torture, I stupidly bought the dryer, microwave, dishwasher combo when renovating my kitchen as i wanted it all to match. Why must everything bloody sing? Luckily the microwave and dishwasher have died so had to replace with less annoying brands.

£300 Hoover. Or just disconnect the wifi.

You need an Ebac op. I had a fancy auto dose/singing/sensing load of crap and replaced it with an Ebac and I'm so happy I did. It's the best washing machine I've ever owned and the customer service is fab too. No waiting on hold, just two options and then a human answering the phone.

our miele just conked out after 10 years. 2 house moves & very hard water (well, still washing but the heating element is gone)

soo looking for a new machine. with a good eco wash that doesn't take too long. the 3 hours ours did was ok and we didn't mind.

and apart from delay start I don't need/want fancy features.

I have a Beko, cost about £300 ish from AO. Was all I could afford when it's predecessor died but it doesn't take hours and does the job without you needing a degree in IT or electrical engineering to operate!