Our review compares front loader washing machines on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which front loader washing machine they think is best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 1,273 Australians for their feedback on the front loader washing machine(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last five years.
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Not sure which front loader washing machine to buy? Check out our buying guide below.
Miele was rated five stars across all categories, including performance, design, value for money, ease of use, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
Miele is known as a high-end appliance brand, with many of its washing machines featuring the TwinDos automatic detergent dispensing system, said to help save up to 30% of detergent compared to manual dispensing, and improve wash results. Miele’s washers also come with SingleWash, allowing households to clean lighter loads of 1kg, plus a PowerWash program to wash small loads with less water and energy. The range additionally uses a honeycomb drum to ensure gentle garment care, according to the brand.
Miele has various front loader models on offer, with its range sitting between 7kg, 8kg and 9kg capacities, with a select number also compatible with Miele’s range of dryers to be stacked atop of each other, allowing for more space-saving options for those with a cramped laundry area.
Westinghouse was rated four stars across all categories, including features & functionality, ease of use, value for money, design, performance and overall satisfaction.
While its range may not be as extensive as some other brands, Westinghouse offers a number of capacities within its EasyCare front loader range to help families get the laundry done, with models ranging from 7.5kg to 10kg capacities. With multiple washing speeds and functions, Westinghouse front loader washing machines also include delay-end options to help you time your washing around your life, along with auto water level sensing to ensure the machine washes to the fabric type and level.
Other features on select models include the PreMix+ technology, which blends the detergent with the water and pressure sprays it onto the fabrics insides, reducing detergent residue and ensuring that your clothes get the full benefits of the wash.
Samsung was rated four stars for performance, design, value for money, ease of use, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
South Korean tech and appliance giant Samsung offers various front loader washing machines with sleek appearances and different finish types to suit any laundry room. Perhaps you’re into the black appliance trend – well, Samsung has you covered in that department. Capacities are on the large side, offering between 7.5kg and 12kg, making the Samsung range potentially more suitable to larger households.
Samsung is one of the few brands to boast pause-cycle functions to add in more clothes – Samsung calls it ‘AddWash’. With large capacities and AddWash features, some models also include cycle times of as short as 15 minutes, a steam wash cycle to help clean the machine and your fabrics, along with BubbleWash and BubbleSoak features to help remove stubborn stains.
LG was rated five stars for value for money, with four stars for performance, design, ease of use, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
South Korean electronics giant, LG boasts a fairly large range of front load washing machines. Models range between 7kg and 17kg in load capacity, so you’re likely to find one for every household size. Some standout functions include TurboClean, which apparently cuts rinse cycles by up to 30 minutes, TrueSteam to remove tough stains by using ultra-high temperatures to convert water into steam, and AI DD, which measures the weight of each load and softness of the fabrics to determine what it believes would be the best fitting ‘washing motions’ to ensure a thorough and gentle clean.
If you’re in the market for a clothes dryer as well, the LG WashTower may be an option to consider, with the package featuring a front loader and dryer stacked on top of each other, ideal for those lacking on space, or prefer the convenience of not having to go to far to finish the laundry.
Haier was rated five stars for value for money, with four stars for all remaining categories, including features & functionality, ease of use, design, performance and overall satisfaction.
Haier is one of the most popular appliance brands around the globe, partly thanks to its extensive range spanning across dishwashers, microwaves, fridges, freezers and more. In the laundry space, however, Haier offers a solid selection of front loader washing machines, with load capacities ranging from 7.5kg to 10kg.
The brand offers Direct Motion washers that use direct drive motor technology, eliminating the drive belt in traditional washing machines to allow the motor to directly drive the drum. This is said to effectively reduce the vibration from the machine and help reduce energy consumption. Haier also peddles a ‘TwinTasker’ machine with independent wash cycles, to wash each load separately or at the same time!
Fisher & Paykel was rated four stars across all categories, including features & functionality, ease of use, value for money, design, performance and overall satisfaction.
Fisher & Paykel is one of the leading appliance manufacturers across the globe and has come a long way since first setting up shop in New Zealand in the 1930s. It sells several front loaders in capacities typically ranging from 8kg to 11kg, making them some of the larger machines readily available.
The range can generally be broken into multiple collections – Series 3, Series 5, Series 7, Series 9 and Series 11. One of the standout features includes the ActiveIntelligence function, which automatically adjusts the wash time and amount of detergent dispensed to match the level of soiling in each load. There’s also the 20-minute Steam Refresh Cycle, which is designed to minimise creasing as well as remove odours from lightly worn clothes (or garments that smell a little musty from being stored in the closet for a long time) without having to run a full wash cycle.
Bosch was rated four stars across all categories, including performance, design, value for money, ease of use, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
Bosch is another high-end German manufacturer, well-known for making feature-rich front loaders and numerous other household appliances. Some of its front loaders are still made in Germany, with many models boasting WELS water efficiency ratings of four stars or higher. Some are claimed to use as little as around 60L of water per cycle, which is around half the consumption of some other top loaders.
The Bosch range includes the brand’s ‘iDOS’ water and detergent saver, which automatically senses the exact amount of detergent and water the machine needs for each load. The drum detects the load weight, fabric type, and degree of soiling, and adjusts the levels accordingly, taking some of the guesswork out of your laundry loads.
Electrolux was rated four stars for design and features & functionality, with three stars for ease of use, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.
Electrolux is a Swedish brand, with a number of front loader washing machines available to purchase, although it may not have the range of some other brands. With capacities ranging from 7.5kg to 10kg, Electrolux models also feature an Add Clothes function, Vapour Refresh to minimise wrinkling, and an EcoInverter claimed to help you use less electricity. Certain Electrolux washing machines also come with a Woolmark Certified Woollen cycle, specifically created for handwash-only items, although these functions vary between models.
Many models feature more than 10 washing programs – including quick washes – and with the ability to save your favourite program, while some models also include an extra-large door opening to ensure those larger capacities can fit in more easily, and save you from bending too far down.
Hisense was rated three stars for performance, design, value for money, features & functionality and overall satisfaction, with four stars for ease of use.
A Chinese manufacturer known primarily for its range of TVs and fridges, Hisense offers a number of front loader washing machines, although may not offer the range of some other brands available on the market. With capacities ranging from 8.5kg to 10kg, the Series 5 and Series 7 washing machines from Hisense feature a 4.5 star or higher energy rating, along with steam function, quick wash modes and auto dosing.
Some Hisense models also feature ConnectLife compatibility, which allows you to access smart features like energy monitoring via the app and your washing machine. It also includes Smart Wizard, allowing you to specify the load type and dirt level, allowing the machine to select the temperature and water load to help clean your fabrics.
Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.
Canstar Blue’s buying guide gives you all the intel on what to consider when buying a front loader washing machine, with plenty of helpful articles to answer additional questions.
A front load washing machine works by tumbling your clothes – it picks clothes up and drops them into the water in a circular motion. It doesn’t use an agitator or impeller as a top load washing machine would. Instead, it relies on gravity for its tumble action in the drum. This helps to reduce the amount of water used per load as you don’t need clothes to be completely submerged in water. You can still expect a gentle wash despite its tumble action.
Determining whether a front loader washing machine or top loader washing machine is better will ultimately come down to the washing needs of your household, the space your laundry has, and how much money you have on you to spend on a new washing machine. Front loaders generally have a larger capacity and can be more energy efficient, but are also larger in size and cost more, meaning those with smaller laundries or smaller washing needs may find top loaders better suited to their needs.
Front loader washing machines can cost anywhere between $600 and $5,000 depending on the brand and model, along with how many features and how much capacity each model comes equipped with.
According to Canstar Blue’s latest research, shoppers were spending $757 on average for their front loader washing machine.
Cleaning your washing machine can seem somewhat ironic, but can be crucial if you want to get the most out of your machine (and ensure your clothes actually come out clean). There’s a number of ways to clean your washing machine, including using home-remedies such as vinegar, along with proper cleaning products, each with its pros and cons for you to consider.
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to buying a front loader washing machine, with the main points outlined below:
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Here are the past winners from Canstar Blue’s front loader washing machine ratings:
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