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Housekeeping

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Miele or Bosch washing machine for sound sensitive family

98 replies

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 12:36

Hi,

I am trying to work out whether to buy a new bosch series 6 or 8 washing machine or a new miele for about a max £1500 budget.

My husband finds the noise of appliances very difficult to live with because of sensory sensitivity to white noise. We spend all our time sitting in the kitchen/dining room where we have the oven, dishwasher and washing machine bashing away all the time.

ChatGPT says the noise of a miele is "more refined" and I wondered if you might have any idea if that is right? They are roughly similar in decibels.

I have a 12 year old miele and it is definitely more quiet than my old series 2 bosch, but I know the current generation may be very different, and the bosch was not very high end.

I'd be glad to know what you think is the easiest to live with noise-wise. We're not think of buying a £3k miele but could stretch to £1500.

Thanks!

OP posts:
auserna · 26/05/2026 12:40

My husband finds the noise of appliances very difficult to live with because of sensory sensitivity to white noise. We spend all our time sitting in the kitchen/dining room where we have the oven, dishwasher and washing machine bashing away all the time.

Given your husband's sensitivity to noise, is there a reason you can't sit in another room?

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 13:10

I'm really only interested to hear feedback on washing machines, but thanks for posting.

OP posts:
Tortephant · 26/05/2026 13:18

The quality of Miele machines has seriously deteriorated. I think you will be disappointed buying one now compared to your current one.
I have no experience of Bosch. Lookinto Samsung and LG

Tortephant · 26/05/2026 13:21

auserna · 26/05/2026 12:40

My husband finds the noise of appliances very difficult to live with because of sensory sensitivity to white noise. We spend all our time sitting in the kitchen/dining room where we have the oven, dishwasher and washing machine bashing away all the time.

Given your husband's sensitivity to noise, is there a reason you can't sit in another room?

OP, could you move the washing machine to the bathroom or garage?

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 13:32

@Tortephant We already thought that all through thanks. I really do just want to hear people's thoughts on washing machines. Thanks.

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 26/05/2026 13:34

We have a Samsung which is meant to be quiet but in all honesty I dont think it is that quiet so would avoid one of those if thats any help

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 13:39

Thanks @Dartmoorcheffy that is really helpful. Thank you very much.

OP posts:
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 26/05/2026 13:41

Hi OP

Based on your specific criterion I would avoid Miele.

We have had Boschs since forever. About a year ago, our trusty old one gave up the ghost. We have 3 kids/ constant laundry scenario, so DH said, let's invest in the next machine. We bought a 10kg Miele.

The sound drives me CRACKERS. So the actual running noise of the machine is generally smoother and quieter than most machines. But at the end of the cycle there is an incredibly shrill chime and it seems it cannot be turned off or disabled. It is a proper nails on blackboard sound. It starts off irritating enough but recurs every few seconds at increasing volume till the machine is switched off.

It genuinely limits how we use the machine because we cannot have a wash cycle end during any period that we need quiet, such as taking an important call or meeting, my nightly yoga practice, someone napping downstairs etc.

I don't have sensory issues and frequently want to punch the damn thing!

MagpiePi · 26/05/2026 13:49

I recently got a new Bosch series 6 washing machine and honestly, when I first got it I had to go and check I'd switched it on as it was so quiet. It does have an alarm for when it finishes, a kind of apologetic 'bing' sound, which I think it only does a couple of times, but if I'm not in the kitchen I don't hear it.

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 14:10

Blimey! I'm glad I asked.

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff and @MagpiePi this exactly the sort of thing I wanted to know. Thank you very much.

OP posts:
Crojo · 26/05/2026 15:01

I have a Bosch washing machine and whilst it runs very quietly, the beeping at the end drives me insane. It beeps two irritating notes repeatedly, every few seconds until you open it (my Bosch tumble dryer also does it with a slightly different tune.)
It’s surprisingly annoying if you can’t immediately drop everything to get to the machine, so something to consider with this brand.

DeltaVariant · 26/05/2026 15:06

I honestly just bought a £250 beko because I’m skint. It’s so so so so so much quieter than the Bosch it just replaced!

Erin1975 · 26/05/2026 15:08

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff We have a Miele and while you cannot turn the end of cycle beeps off you can turn the volume down to zero so it makes no noise. I don't know which model you have but maybe you can do the same on your machine?

Erin1975 · 26/05/2026 15:10

We bought a Miele about a year ago. It is a lot quieter than any machine we have had in the past particularly during the spin cycle. But that is only comparing it to AEG and Hotpoint machines we had in the past. We have never owned a Bosch so not sure how it compares to that.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 26/05/2026 15:11

Erin1975 · 26/05/2026 15:08

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff We have a Miele and while you cannot turn the end of cycle beeps off you can turn the volume down to zero so it makes no noise. I don't know which model you have but maybe you can do the same on your machine?

Erin, really??? We looked online and could not see anything but admittedly we were looking to turn it off not down.

You have inspired me to have another go!

Erin1975 · 26/05/2026 15:15

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 26/05/2026 15:11

Erin, really??? We looked online and could not see anything but admittedly we were looking to turn it off not down.

You have inspired me to have another go!

Definitely give it a go. Google the model number and someting like "turn off beeps".

On ours we had to put the machine in "service mode" to access some of the settings but it worked.

climbintheback · 26/05/2026 15:18

Build on a utility room - first thing I look for in a home!

NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 15:18

Thank you very much, this is really extremely helpful.

OP posts:
NotReallyNotOftenAnyway · 26/05/2026 15:19

@climbintheback I'm really not looking for that kind of advice, but thanks for stopping into read my question.

OP posts:
JustaDream · 26/05/2026 15:20

Bosch broke for us and Miele has a bad reputation for being overpriced for no reason. I would consider Samsung.

PeonyBulb · 26/05/2026 15:21

I have a Bosch and my mum has a Miele and neither seem particularly noisy to me

sillyrubberduck · 26/05/2026 15:24

Bosch , we have a series 6 and it is very quiet. I highly rate Bosch.

HopefulYankee · 26/05/2026 15:30

I am watching this thread with interest! We are due a new washing machine because our old Bosch is on its last legs. It beeps a lot, as does our Miele dryer, the hob, the microwave, the dishwasher, the fridge. I am constantly getting beeped at. Honestly I think if I’ve had to sit there and wait an hour and a half for it to finish washing it can damn well wait 5 minutes before losing it’s shit.

notnorman · 26/05/2026 15:31

My Miele is much quieter than my old Bosch washer

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