7 Best Washing Machines: Top, Front And Combos

It’s a question every adult finds themselves asking at some point in their life: to go with a front loader, top loader or combo washer-dryer?

While a laundromat is a noble public space of homemaking, nothing beats the convenience of having a quality washing machine in the comfort of your own home.

But choosing the perfect one for your space isn’t as easy as picking the first one you see. The first factor is deciding whether you want a front loader, top loader or combo washer dryer. Then, the second factor you must consider is your washing machine’s size. (If you live in a larger household, you’ll ideally want to look towards a 10kg plus washing machine due to its capacity to handle larger loads of laundry, potentially reducing the number of loads needed each week. Generally speaking, a 10kg washing machine can hold up to 50 items, or about 10 bath towels, depending on their size and thickness.) You then also have to think about other features like energy efficiency, spin speed, noise and wash settings, just to name a few.

So, with too many choices available on the market, which one do you choose? Well, we’ve done the research for you and curated a select list of the very best washing machines available in Australia. We’ve also included valuable information on the benefits of front, top and combo washer-dryer models, so you make the most well-informed decision when investing your hard-earned money in a washing machine.

The best washing machines to shop in Australia in 2024

The best front loader washing machines

Haier 7.5kg front load washer, $477 at The Good Guys

Affordable as it is efficient, this Haier front loader features 15 different wash programs that cater to all fabric types. We especially love the ‘Hygiene wash’ cycle function, which washes at a higher temperature to sanitise fabrics. Plus, the door seal even has an anti-bacterial treatment to keep your laundry environment hygienic. The washer is spacious enough for families of three or four and the powerful 1200rpm spin speed helps remove more water from your clothes, reducing drying time.

“This machine is easy to use even for a novice, the quick cycle is great and cleans it well even on that cycle,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “Very good value for money and good features!”

Energy rating: 4.5 star

Water rating: 4.5 star

Key features:

15 specialised wash programs
1200rpm maximum spin speed
‘Hygiene wash’ function to sanitise fabrics
Can add in garments
15-minute fast wash for last-minute items
Delay start function to time your laundry cycle
Child lock
Two-year warranty

Also available at:

$580 at Appliances Online
$548 at Betta Home Living

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Kogan 8.5kg front load BLDC inverter washing machine (white), $449 (normally $819.99) at Kogan

Efficiently tackle laundry day with this top-rated front-load washing machine from Kogan. Featuring 16 diverse wash programs and intelligent fuzzy logic that adapts to load sizes, this appliance guarantees spotless results every cycle. With a spacious 8.5kg capacity, delay start functionality and a whisper-quiet brushless DC motor, it’s the perfect blend of convenience and performance.

“I love the functions this washing machine gives, the size, power and water efficiency are great,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “It is very quiet, I usually forget I even put it on until it sings out when it is finished. It looks really stylish too. I love it.”

Energy rating: 4.5 star

Water rating: 4.5 star

Key features:

Delay start functionality
16 wash programs
Quiet and energy-efficient brushless DC motor
14-day change of mind policy
One-year warranty

Also available at:

$449 at Dick Smith

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Electrolux 10kg front load washing machine with SensorWash, $1045 at Appliances Online

This smart front loader is packed with all the best features you’ll need. For starters, it’s built with an extra-large door opening to make loading and unloading a breeze and it has a genius ‘Add Clothes’ function, which allows you to add forgotten items to your wash during the cycle. Other notable features include the 15 wash programs, high-performance 1400rpm spin cycle and UltraMix function, which ensures your detergent is fully dissolved before it reaches your fabrics.

“My clothes, blankets and woollen underlays feel professionally laundered,” said a reviewer. “Not loud and no leaks either. Looks great too!”

Energy rating: 5 star

Water rating: 4.5 star

Key features:

15 wash programs
Powerful1400rpm maximum spin cycle
‘Add Clothes’ function if you forget items at the beginning of the wash
UltraMix feature ensures detergent is fully dissolved to protect your garments
A gentle drum to reduce pulling of your clothes when on high-speed spinning
Extra-large door opening
Quiet operation
Child lock
Two-year warranty

Also available at:

$1099 at The Good Guys
$1295 at Betta Home Living

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The best top loader washing machines

Haier 10kg top loader washer, $899 at The Good Guys

Powered by Direct Motion motor technology for an efficient and quiet cycle, this Haier top-load washing machine is a sleek addition to the laundry. On top of having 12 programs to choose from, you can further customise each wash by selecting from the four water levels, three temperatures and four spin speeds. Because everyone wants to spend the least amount of time washing, various smart functions like Auto Load Sensing, Favourite Mode and Soiled Plus will save you time and hassle so you can get on with more important tasks.

“Excellent quality,” wrote a satisfied customer. “Good value for money and whisper quiet. The 10kg washer fits blankets and doonas well. Highly recommended.”

Energy rating: 4.5 star

Water rating: 4 star

Key features:

12 specialised wash cycles including Wool, Synthetic and Delicate
720rpm maximum spin speed
Quiet and reliable motor
Durable toughened-glass lid with a soft-close mechanism
No interruptions with auto-balancing
Two-year manufacturer’s warranty

Also available at:

$899 at Betta Home Living
$880 at Appliances Online

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Fisher & Paykel 10kg WashSmart top load washer

Fisher & Paykel 12kg top load washer with UV sanitise, $1325 (usually 1599) at Appliances Online

If you’re looking for a convenient and efficient top loader washing machine fit for a larger family, you can’t look past this one from Fisher and Paykel. The high-capacity 12kg washer is built with 14 wash programs to clean everything from bulky loads and delicate fabrics to quick washes and eco cycles. We especially love the UV sanitise cycle, which eliminates up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria as well as the Auto Dose feature, which dispenses the exact amount of liquid detergent required based on load size (meaning less waste and detergent residue).

“Huge capacity, lots of wash selections, no tangling of garments,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “Washed my super king mattress protector with ease. Super quiet and very stable when spinning, no knocking or thumping like my old unbalanced machine! Countdown timer of wash very useful. I love it!”

Energy rating: 4.5 star

Water rating: 4 star

Key features:

14 wash programs
800rpm maximum spin speed
UV sanitise cycle eliminates up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria
Soft-close lid for hands-free operation
Auto Dose dispenses the exact amount of liquid detergent required based on load size
SmartTouch control panel
Two-year warranty

Also available at:

$1499 at The Good Guys
$1499 at Betta Home Living

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The best combo washer-dryers

Fisher & Paykel 8.5kg/5kg combo washer dryer, $1299 at The Good Guys

Ideal for families of three to four people, this Fisher & Paykel combo washer-dryer (8.5kg washing capacity and 5kg drying capacity) washes and dries a load in under three hours to epitomise ‘two-in-one’ in the best of ways. It’s built with 10 washing programs, a 1400rpm maximum spin speed and an ‘Add a Garment’ feature, which allows you to pause your wash cycle to add or remove an item – then resume the wash.

“We were reluctant to buy a washer/dryer combo as we were not sure how the dryer would perform,” said a reviewer. “Well our fears were baseless as this F & P washer/dryer is spectacular. I mean how handy is a washer/dryer that works? Pop the clothes in dirty, pull them out clean and dry.”

Energy rating: 4 star

Water rating: 5 star

Key features:

10 continuous wash and dry cycles
1400rpm maximum spin speed
10 wash-only cycles
9 dry-only cycles
‘Add a Garment’ feature
Easy installation — no venting required
Two-year warranty

Also available at:

$1399 at Appliances Online

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https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/lg-washtower-17kg-10kg-combo-washer-dryer-wwt-1710b

LG WashTower 17kg/10kg combo washer dryer, $4999 at LG

Save on time and money with fewer loads of washing thanks to this tower’s 17kg capacity washer. Plus, with a 10kg capacity above, this smart combo washer-dryer truly has all the bells and whistles. But probably the most innovative feature of this solid machine is the built-in Wi-Fi, which allows you to download cycles, monitor energy consumption and plenty more via your smartphone. Additionally, when the Cotton cycle is in action, the washer uses AI technology to assess the load weight and fabric softness, automatically selecting the optimal washing pattern for intelligent fabric care. Genius, right?

“Love this washer dryer! Great features,” wrote a satisfied reviewer. “Super fast and quiet. Eco friendly dryer that cuts drying time in half! Super happy with this purchase! 10/10.”

Energy rating: 4 star (washer) and 10 star (dryer)

Water rating: 4 star

Key features:

Six wash cycles (including anti-crease)
Six dry cycles
1000rpm maximum spin speed
Built-in Wi-Fi
Smart pairing
TurboClean 360 for quick cleaning
Autocleaning condenser
Remote start
Two-year warranty

Also available at:

$4499 at The Good Guys
$4499 at Designer Appliances

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Which one is better: a front loader, top loader or combo washer-dryer?

Ultimately, the right washing machine will depend on your needs and living situation. No type of washing machine is necessarily better than the other and each comes with its own set of advantages (and disadvantages). Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of front loaders, top loaders and combo washer-dryers:

The benefits of a front loader:

Generally more water-efficient, energy-efficient and detergent-efficient
Can reach higher spin speeds for faster drying times
Can usually adjust the temperature, spin and wash cycle time
Provides a more gentle wash
Ideal for people who need to stack a dryer on top or have a compact laundry space

You can check out our front loader washing machine guide here.

The benefits of a top loader:

Easy to load and unload as you don’t have to bend down
Can add items during the wash cycle
Generally faster wash cycles
Generally less expensive
Better for washing bulky items as more space in the drum

You can check out our top loader washing machine guide here.

The benefits of a combo washer-dryer:

Easier to install than two separate appliances
More compact, making them easier to move around
Often quieter than separate appliances
Typically more affordable than two separate appliances
Time and effort-saving, and versatile in settings

How do I choose the best washing machine?

Purchasing a washing machine is no small investment, which is why you should do plenty of research before making your purchase. Here are the most important factors to consider during your decision-making process:

Type: Do you want a top loader, front loader or combo washer-dryer?
Size: Check the dimensions of the machine and make sure it will fit your space.
Wash load: The drum capacity tells you the maximum amount of clothes it can hold. If you’re washing for one or two people, a machine with a wash load of up to 6kg will be sufficient. Any machine with a load size over 10kg is perfect for larger families of five or six.
Energy rating: The more energy efficient your washing machine is, the more you save on energy bills.
Water rating: The better the water rating, the more you save on water bills.
Warranty: Washing machines are built to last but if something goes wrong, the warranty will have you and your machine covered. During your warranty period, the manufacturer will repair or replace your machine for free.
Noise level: This is measured in decibels (dB) and the higher the number, the louder it is. Washing machines usually sit between 60dB and 80dB, so if you want to avoid the background buzz, opt for one with a lower number.
Spin speed: This refers to how many times your washing machine’s drum spins per minute and is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Most washing machines on the market today have spin speeds between 1000rpm-16000rpm.
Additional features: Do you need bonus features like Wi-Fi connectivity? What about functions like steaming, ‘Add a Garment’, Sensor control, automatic detergent dosing or allergy care?