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

My Miele one is always beeping at me. Would buy another brand next time as this one gets on my nerves.

My washing machine beeps at me when the washing is finished and doesn't stop beeping til I take the washing out. It thinks I am its servant, Twat,

I bought a hisesense one about 6 months ago and its been a little dream.

I had a brilliant Hotpoint that was only about 3 years old when we changed the kitchen and had to get an integrated. Post lockdown shortages meant very limited choice and the equivalent Hotpoint was out of stock everywhere so I reluctantly accepted a Hoover.
The Hotpoint was sold to the fitters apprentice and is still going at 5 years old. This It was the best I’d ever had. Good functions, big load, quick wash, quiet spin and didn’t die bang on two years old like the previous Indesit/Bekos we had.

We've had our Bosch Series 8 for maybe 6 or 7 years now, it has behaved impeccably! It cost us an arm and a leg to buy at the time, but its very frugal with electricity and water. One big chunky dial.

Yes, Miele machine is a proper twat!

I can assure you that marketing groups very much mirror what everyone is saying here. I am very closely involved in them as part of my job.

The problem is that all manufacturers are constantly trying to differentiate themselves, and retailers are constantly demanding new and interesting 'stuff' from manufacturers, so more features will always be developed in the constant battle for greater share.

If the manufacturers don't have anything new to say, the retailers give them less space. It's the same in every category, but I think more noticable in white goods, as we only interact with the wider category when we're buying a new one, and we scrutinise closely because it's a high ticket item.

I've partly disabled mine now to shut it up

Samsung Series 5 with the turny knob, not the touchscreen buttons (ie the cheapest Samsung)

The John Lewis engineer who fitted it said it's one of the few machines where he can guarantee he won't be back in 2 years to fix it. This was 8 years ago. Never a problem.

I'm a bit dissapointed that my machine doesn't make any noise when finished.

Oh trust me, silence is golden.

Love the bosch units phrase, like TfL minutes, a whole other level of time aren't they?! We must have the same machine.

Actually, I do recommend bosch had one for 10 years that survived 2 kids in washable nappies and almost all primary school, the current one is a bosch and does 4 rugby kit washes a week along with everything else 2 teens and I generate no problems.

I am so surprised to see recommendations for Hoover. I HATE my hoover machine so much.
Like the OP, it pisses me off by adjusting the wash when it thinks it knows better. I'm the one who can see and smell how dirty my washing is. What's the point of different options otherwise?
A 3h wash can be done in an hour and a half, while a 10min spin can take 25. This is extra annoying because you have to spin to open the door (even if the wash is set on a timer and hasn't started yet).
The 'delicates' option ruined all my merino wool (which had been through the old machine without problem).
My last machine was an AEG, I had for 15 years before it broke.
The stupid Hoover has already had a repair after 2 years, and I was actually disappointed that it was fixable.

There must be Hoovers and Hoovers GreyDuck - mine is obviously less intelligent than yours because it doesn’t have the capability to adjust any wash. It’s timekeeping is impeccable and as well as a delicates programme it does have a wool/handwash which hasn’t managed to shrink any of my jumpers yet.

It's Schubert!

IGNORE THOSE SAYING BUY A MIELE unless you can time travel and buy one from 16 years ago.

Budget beko is what you are after. Or any other cheap machine. You’ll be able to buy 4 machines for the price of a basic Miele anyway, so as long as you can make one last at least 3.5 years you’ll be quids in.

Is it a Samsung by any chance? I have his tumble drying bastard brother. Can’t get the tune out my head for hours after 😂

Sorry that was for @UncomfortableSofa

I have owned an LG since last December however for the last 6 weeks it's decided not to work unless you open and close the door at a specific angle and force at least 57 times.
The only other time it decided to work first time was when the engineer finally came to fix it (after 1 month of it not working)......engineer then leaves having not fixed anything as "the appliance is in full working order". The next day it reverted back to its door game playing sorcery and I want to kick it.
LG customer service is appalling, Pacifica who they send out are also dreadful. I'm sad.

Drives me crazy too. Most are do complicated, like the krypton factor these days! I just want basic settings:

30 degrees
40 degrees
60 degrees.

Too much to ask apparently.

I’ve had a basic Miele that’s lasted a few years.

My DM has a years old Hotpoint Aquarius that never ever breaks! I think before she did have a flashy one which broke (Bosch?) so she got a basic model which has never let her down.

I like my Miele. It’s 10 years old, a basic one, wasn’t cheap but has worked for me. NDN recommended it.

That was approx when DM got her Hotpoint Aquarius which never died and still going!

Miele - they go on forever!

Beko here. Still going strong after around 20 years

That's what I'm worried about.

I'm sick of mine beeping at every whisper of fluff. Then it keeps beeeping to tell me the cycle is finished, like it's urgent I empty it.

My old one was placid and put up with a bit of fluff or not being emptied immediately.