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? When you’re researching the best washing machines, it’s easy to get confused by the options.
While laundromats serve their purpose, nothing beats the convenience of having a reliable washing machine at home. But unfortunately, picking the right one for your space isn’t as simple as grabbing the first model you see.
First, you need to decide between a front loader, top loader, or combo washer-dryer. Then, consider size — if you live in a larger household, a 10kg+ machine will handle bigger loads, potentially reducing the number of cycles needed each week. A 10kg machine can typically hold up to 50 items or about 10 bath towels, depending on size and thickness.
You’ll also want to factor in energy efficiency, spin speed, noise and wash settings, just to name a few.
With so many choices, which one should you pick? We’ve done the research and curated a list of the best washing machines available in Australia, complete with insights on the benefits of each type to help you make an informed decision.
The best washing machines to shop in Australia 2025
These washing machines offer a variety of options to suit every lifestyle and household, whether you’re looking for efficiency, capacity or a combination of both.
The best front loader washing machines
01
Haier 7.5kg front load washer
$545, The Good Guys
Best for: affordable efficiency
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,” wrote one reviewer on The Good Guys website, where the machine has a 4.6 star rating from almost 180 reviews. “The quick cycle is great and cleans it well even on that cycle. Very good value for money and good features.”
Energy rating: 4.5 star
Water rating: 4.5 star
Colour: White
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:
- $549 (usually $599) at Betta Home Living
- $598 (usually $749) at Appliances Online
- $599 at Bing Lee
02
Kogan 8.5kg front load BLDC inverter washing machine
$499 (usually $799.99), Kogan
Best for: feature-packed value
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,” wrote a five-star reviewer at Kogan. “The size, power and water efficiency are great. 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
Colour: White
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:
- $499 (usually $799.99) at Dick Smith
03
Electrolux 10kg front load washing machine with SensorWash
$1122 (usually $1499), Appliances Online
Best for: big loads with smart cleaning
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 super easy 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.
The machine has over 355 five-star reviews at Appliances Online, with shoppers raving about how easy it is to use, its quiet operation and variety of wash options. Many first-time front loader users were impressed, with one reviewer calling it “an amazing purchase” and another saying they “love the large door and range of washing options.”
The SensorWash feature also received positive feedback for consistently clean results. One buyer noted that clothes come out “smelling and looking cleaner” than with their previous machine. Several reviewers also appreciated the smart app for tracking cycles and the ability to handle large loads efficiently.
Energy rating: 5 star
Water rating: 4.5 star
Colour: White
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:
- $1242 (usually $1499) at Winning Appliances
- $1399 at Betta Home Living
The best top loader washing machines
04
Haier 10kg top load washer
$899, The Good Guys
Best for: large families
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 at The Good Guys. “Good value for money and whisper quiet. The 10kg washer fits blankets and doonas well. Highly recommended.”
Another added: “Looks sleek, quiet operation and washed items come out lint free! The twin lint collectors are easy to empty and guarantee a spotless result. The dispenser has a max level which means I no longer use too much washing liquid/powder. It’s big enough to wash multiple bath sheets, blankets etc. No agitator means less damage to items, no tangling and a more thorough wash.”
Energy rating: 4.5 star
Water rating: 4 star
Colour: Black
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:
- $852 (usually $1199) at Appliances Online
- $854 (usually $899) at Stan Cash
- $854 (usually $899) at Billy Guayatts
- $899 at Betta Home Living
- $899 at Bing Lee
05
Fisher & Paykel Series 7 12kg top load washing machine with UV Sanitise
$1393, The Good Guys
Best for: heavy-duty washing
If you’re looking for a convenient 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).
“So easy to use in our motel laundry,” said a five-star reviewers at The Good Guys. “Love the auto dose, auto weight, auto water height and the available settings. Nice big tub takes a lot of laundry and it’s lovely and quiet. 10/10. I ordered it on a public holiday and it was delivered and installed the very next day. Can’t fault that kind of prompt service.”
Energy rating: 4.5 star
Water rating: 4 star
Colour: White
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:
- $1323 (usually $1499) at Billy Guyatts
- $1393 (usually $1499) at Betta Home Living
- $1415 (usually $1599) at Appliances Online
- $1440 (usually $1599) at Winning Appliances
- $1499 at Bing Lee
The best combo washer-dryers
06
Fisher & Paykel 8.5kg-5kg combo washer dryer
$1299, Bing Lee
Best for: set-and-forget convenience
Perfect 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 at The Good Guys, where it currently boasts an impressive 18o five-star reviews. “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.”
Another reviewer said it’s easy to use and efficient, noting that while the washer-dryer mode takes longer than separate units, it still delivers great results and is convenient for running overnight or while at work.
Energy rating: 4 star
Water rating: 5 star
Colour: White
Key features:
- 10 continuous wash and dry cycles
- 1400rpm maximum spin speed
- 10 wash-only cycles
- Nine dry-only cycles
- ‘Add a Garment’ feature
- Easy installation — no venting required
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $1254 (usually $1399) at Winning Appliances
- $1299 at The Good Guys
- $1399 at Appliances Online
07
LG WashTower 17kg/10kg combo washer dryer
$1000 (usually $4999), LG
Best for: high-tech, high-capacity laundry
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 is the built-in Wi-Fi, which allows you to download cycles, monitor energy consumption and plenty more via your smartphone.
When the Cotton cycle is in action, the washer also 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 on the LG site. “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
Colour: Black
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:
- $3999 (usually $4499) at Designer Appliances
Which one is better: 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:
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.
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.
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?
Looking to save money on your laundry makeover? Check out our coupon codes for The Good Guys, Adairs and more.
Related articles:
- Our picks for the best dryers to take for a gentle spin
- These are 10 of our favourite top-rated front loader washing machines
- Why a heat pump dryer can be a more energy-efficient choice for your laundry
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