Miele washing machines review & guide
On the market for a new washing machine? Going for a model from reputable brands is always a safe bet. Sure, it may cost you more upfront, but when it comes to major household appliances, you’ll generally get what you pay for. Not many brands are held in higher regard than Miele – the name is synonymous with quality, whether you’re buying a washing machine, dishwasher, or oven. Miele frequently tops Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings, so find out what all the fuss is about with this review of Miele washing machines.
Miele front load washing machines review
Miele’s reputation as a high-end brand is down to the quality and longevity of its appliances. Many are made in the company’s home country of Germany, while others are made in the Czech Republic. Either way, you’re likely to get a high-quality product at a high-end price. Prices start from $1,349 and go up to $4,999, for its standalone front loaders, while its washer-dryer range starts at $2,799 and finishes at $4,499.
Miele washing machines are among some of the highest-priced front loaders you’ll find. But like we said, you generally get what you pay for. It’s also worth noting that Miele deals exclusively in front loader washing machines, so if you’re in the market for a top loader, you’ll need to look elsewhere. We take a look at some of Miele’s front loader models below.
Miele 7kg Front Load Washing Machine − $1,349 RRP*
Miele’s most budget-friendly washing machine is this 7kg front loader (WCA020). It provides 12 wash programs and comes with a 4-star water efficiency rating and 4.5 stars for energy. Some features include:
- CapDosing: automatically dispenses Miele Caps, the brand’s range of portioned fabric conditioner capsules at the optimum time. This can be used on specific fabrics, such as silk, wool, and sportswear.
- Delayed start: can be set for up to 24 hours, with the display also indicating when the program will finish, ideal to make use of nighttime electricity tariffs.
- ProfiEco motor: maintenance-free motor which helps the washing machine consume less electricity and run with minimal noise.
Similar to other Miele washing machines, this 7kg washer boasts a patented Miele honeycomb drum that contains a hexagonal sculptured surface for gentle laundry care. Other handy pieces of tech include AddLoad, a function that lets you add extra items mid-wash cycle, plus Pre-ironing to flatten creases and reduce the amount of ironing later on. Miele offers two washing machines priced under $2,000. The capacities are generally small to mid-size and come in either 7kg or 8kg units, making them suitable for single to three-person households.
Miele 9kg Front Load Washing Machine − $2,599 RRP*
Miele has several high-end models that retail for under $3,000, including this Miele (WWG 360) 9kg front loader. You can expect quick and efficient washing performance with programs like SingleWash and QuickPowerWash designed to wash your clothes faster and with less strain on the environment. The 4.5-star rating for both water and energy efficiency also places this Miele washing machine among the more economical options on the market.
This 9kg Miele front load washing machine offers 17 wash programs and includes features such as:
- Pre-ironing: reduces the need to iron by up to 50%.
- WaterControl System: monitors water intake and detects leakages.
- Compatible with Miele@home, MobileControl and Wi-Fi Conn@ct for appliance networking.
This front loader also contains the same honeycomb drum used across the rest of Miele’s range to ensure gentle garment care and provides a top spin speed of 1,400RPM.
Miele 9kg Front Load Washing Machine − $4,999 RRP*
As we step up into the high-end range that Miele has to offer, expect advanced features and even bigger capacities. This Miele 9kg model (WWV 980 WPS) is currently the most expensive washing machine in the range, packing a 9kg load capacity and $4,999 retail price tag.
With that said, you’ll likely save a bunch on running costs as this Miele washing machine has a five-star rating for both energy efficiency and water efficiency. Plus, it allows for hot and cold water connections. It additionally provides a 1,600RPM maximum spin speed and 28 wash programs, with some key features including:
- QuickPowerWash: can wash up to 5kg of laundry in 59 minutes.
- SteamCare: reduces the need to iron by 50%.
- TwinDos: automatically dispenses liquid detergent at the push of a button.
With this latest model, Miele has replaced the traditional turn dial with an intuitive touch display that lets you control the appliance with a tap or swipe. It also works with Miele@home and WiFiConn@ct, so you can manage your washing remotely.
Miele washer dryers review
Miele additionally offers a washer-dryer range for households that need an all-around laundry appliance. Since these types of units come with the functionalities of both a washing machine and dryer, you can expect a higher price tag compared to Miele single-function front loaders. But if you’re already in the market for a high-end washer and dryer, opting for a hybrid model could end up costing less than if you were to buy two machines separately.
There’s currently three models available, at the time of writing – the WTD 160, the WTR 870 and the WTW 870.
Miele 8kg Washer 4kg Dryer Machine – $2,799 RRP*
This Miele front load washer dryer (WTD 160) is described as perfect for daily laundry needs, offering an 8kg washing drum and a 4kg dryer. It boasts 4.5 stars for washer energy and water ratings, and 4 stars for the dryer energy rating. Several features include:
- Smart laundry care with Wifi connect
- PerfectCare technology for enhanced drying results
- Smart Assistant features
This model sits on the smaller end of the Miele Washer Dryer scale, and has fewer features than the other two.
Miele 8kg Washer 4kg Dryer Machine – $3,999 RRP*
The Miele 8kg washer and 4kg dryer (WTR 870) has a 4.5 star rating for the energy used in both the washer and dryer, as well as the water rating. While the same size as the previous washer dryer model, this machine features a few extra abilities to earn its price tag:
- TwinDos: automatically dispenses liquid detergent at the push of a button.
- QuickPower: is able to wash and dry in the shortest amount of time possible – your items can be ready in under an hour.
- M Touch: the machine panel can be controlled by swiping and touching.
This machine also uses the SteamCare system to freshen up and smooth clothes in the wash, as well as an Add Load function, allowing you to chuck in last minute items even after the program has started.
Miele 9kg Washer 5kg Dryer Machine – $4,499 RRP*
The most expensive option of the Miele washer dryer range, the 9kg washer and 5kg dryer machine (WTW 870) is also the largest, and is described as an XXL option. It has a 5-star energy rating for its washing cycle, and a 4.5 star rating for its water consumption and dryer cycle. Standout features include:
- SteamCare: smooths clothes and can reduce ironing time by up to 50%
- Gold Standard for hygiene: the combination of TwinDo and PowerWash removes 99.9% of germs
- CapDosing: automatically dispenses Miele Caps, the brand’s range of portioned fabric conditioner capsules at the optimum time. This can be used on specific fabrics, such as silk, wool, and sportswear.
Like other Miele models, this machine can be used with Miele smart appliances, which allow you to access the machine remotely.
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Is it worth buying a Miele washing machine?
Miele front loaders are a good buy if quality and brand name are particularly important to you. The brand is seen as one of the leading washing machine manufacturers in Australia and globally, with its German engineering and tech features prompting many customers (and even other competitor brands) to view it as a good benchmark for other household appliances. This reputation makes Miele especially attractive for those willing to spend extra for the sake of getting premium-level garment care, appliance quality, and durability. Miele is also worth checking out if you have the cash to splash and want to invest in a reasonably efficient washing machine, which can help keep your water and electricity bills down in the long term.
However, Miele front loaders are expensive. There are several other major appliance brands that offer washing machines with similar capacities and water and energy efficiency ratings for cheaper.
If you’d rather save a few bucks, keep looking around. And check out our latest customer ratings for further inspiration.
Compare Front Load Washing Machines
*Prices are taken from Miele, correct as of September 2022.
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Lead, Megan Birot. She’s an expert on household appliances, health & beauty products, as well as all things grocery and shopping. When she’s not writing up our research-based ratings reports, Megan spends her time helping consumers make better purchase decisions, whether it’s at the supermarket, other retailers, or online, highlighting the best deals and flagging anything you need to be aware of.
What do customers think about Miele washing machines?
In 2022, Australian customers gave Miele 5 out of 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction for front loader washing machines.