Ready to update your washing machine? Here's all you need to know

At a glance

• Types of washers

• 6 things to look for in a washer

• The latest tech in washers

• Energy saving tips

If you haven’t upgraded your washing machine in the last six years or more, advances in technology geared for better ease of use, performance, and energy efficiency will surprise you.

An essential item for every home, a washer is a long-term investment, so if your budget allows, a mid-range to high-end model from a reputable brand will give you many years of continuous use. But what type of washer will serve you best? Let's break down the options.

Front loader

Front-loading washing machines superficially resemble a tumble dryer and work in a similar way, using gravity to gently wash your clothes. They're cost effective to run and come in a range of different drum capacities to suit all household sizes.

If you’re short on space, a front loader can easily slot into a cavity beneath a laundry or kitchen benchtop, or a dryer can be stacked on top, making them ideal for small laundries and apartment living.

Front loaders generally connect to a cold tap only, because they have an internal water heater, and can therefore reach hotter wash temperatures than a top-loading machine.

They also use less detergent and water than a top loader, but have longer wash cycles. However, many models also feature a quick wash program and can have faster spin cycles to extract more water and reduce drying time.

Finally, finding a stray sock after the door has closed and the wash cycle begins has long been the bane of front loader users, but the good news is that some modern machines now have an inbuilt slot for adding any forgotten items.

Top loader

Top loaders are bigger and taller than front-loading machines, more affordable, and a good option for big families as they have a large drum capacity.

The horizontal drum has a paddled agitator in the centre to slosh the water about, although some models can use directed jets of water and an impeller to tumble the clothes for a gentler wash.

Top loaders connect to both hot and cold taps for a warm or hot wash, and have a faster wash cycle than front loaders, but use more water as the load remains fully immersed during the wash cycle.

And, best of all, the hinged lid on top allows you to throw in that stray sock or pull tissues from pockets after washing commences.

Washer dryer combo

The best of both worlds, you get a front-loading washer and a condenser dryer in the one appliance.

Perfect for small laundries and apartments, a combo is a time and space saver with all the general programs and settings you’d find on an individual washer and dryer – and similar energy consumption to using two separate appliances.

Plus, there’s no unloading to move damp clothes to a separate dryer. Available in a variety of drum capacities, a combo machine can wash and dry independently, or be set to start drying once a wash cycle is complete.

6 things to look for in a washer

Once you’ve decided on the type of washer you want, consider and check off the following pointers to ensure that it has the features you need for an effective wash, and is the right size for your household and laundry.

1. Wash and where

Size matters! Measure up laundry space before you buy – washers and dryers will differ slightly in size. If space is limited, a front loader, washer dryer combo or laundry tower/stack is the ideal solution. And always make sure your washer is positioned in close proximity to taps, drainage, and a power point.

2. Drum capacity

This depends on the amount of washing you do regularly and for how many people. Generally, a 6kg drum capacity will suit 1-2 people, 8kg for a family of four, or 9-10kg for larger households.

Also factor in the size of large items like bedding; a king size mattress means a bigger drum for your washer – and dryer.

3. Cycle time

A top loader will give you a faster wash, however front loaders can also have a quick wash setting. Different fabrics require different care when laundered, so look for a washer with variable spin cycle speeds. Plus, a fast spin cycle means less drying time.

4. Get with the program

Choose a machine with programs that suit your laundry needs. Want a quick wash? A fast-cycle option is the way to go. If you have kids, a pre-wash option could be advantageous. Do you have clothes requiring extra care in the drum? A delicates setting will treat them right.

Washers with touchscreen interfaces and program customisation will give you more options and ease of use, lightening the laundry load, so to speak.

5. Direct drive

A washer with a direct drive motor is quieter than a belt-driven machine, as well as being more energy efficient, and has a longer lifespan.

6. Energy efficiency

Look for a washer – and dryer – with a good energy star rating to save in the long run. It may cost more initially, but the benefits and savings will add up. The same applies to water usage; machines that only use the volume of water required to effectively wash the load are better for both the environment and your hip pocket.

Scheduling a washer to start its cycle during off-peak electricity times will also help the household budget – smart washers can be programmed to take advantage of the cheapest available rate.

Hot tip

Front and top loaders wash in different ways, so it’s best to use detergent designed for use with the respective machines.

Detergent for top loaders creates more suds and if used in a front loader will result in a flood of foam, possible detergent residue on clothes, and an overall less effective wash.

However, you can use front loader detergent in a top loader because the load is continually immersed in water.

New tech check

The humble washing machine has come a long way from the ancient appliance that used to shudder like a space shuttle on re-entry, tangle clothes, and devour power. From smart features to detergent auto dosing, here's what to look out for in modern washers.

Smart stuff

Smart washers can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, or integrated into a smart home ecosystem via your Wi-Fi network, with support for voice assistants. Left home and forgotten to start the wash cycle? No problem, simply activate it using the app.

Some can have sensors that weigh the load, scan the type of clothing, level of soiling and detergent dose, and then activate the optimal cycle – and there can be customised cycles for different fabrics and loads. You’ll receive a notification when the cycle is complete, as well as maintenance alerts when it’s cleaning time.

The connected clean

Big brands like Samsung and LG make it easy to save time, energy and water with proprietary apps that offer home automation, and that extends to the laundry.

Supported Samsung washers can be connected to the SmartThings app on a phone for remote control, notifications about cycles or errors, and checking on cycles in progress.

There's also a Laundry Recipe function that lets you select the type of garments you’re washing and offers tips for getting the best wash, while the Laundry Planner will schedule start and stop times for cycles – just don’t forget to preload the machine and close the door.

Similarly, LG’s ThinQ smart home platform lets you connect and control the brand’s smart laundry appliances from almost anywhere, as well as offering an option to download new cycles over Wi-Fi.

The app also gives you voice control for your supported LG washer and dryer, as well as energy use monitoring, smart diagnosis to detect any problems, and can even alert you when detergent is low and order more automatically.

Auto dosing

This handy feature on supported washers takes the guesswork out of adding the correct amount of detergent and fabric softener – and let’s face it, we often use more than is required. You simply fill up the dispensers and the machine will subsequently weigh the load to determine the dose required.

It’s super convenient and you’ll get better wash performance, too. Some machines can accommodate a month’s worth of liquid, so just fill and forget. It’s little things like this that help make laundering easier.

Steam cycles

High-end machines from some brands can include a steam cycle to help eliminate bacteria and nasties, break up stubborn dirt and stains, dissolve detergent faster, and reduce wrinkles for easier ironing afterwards.

Star power

Rising electricity costs have made us all more conscious of appliances around the home that eat power like Pac-Man. To determine the energy efficiency of your washer and dryer, simply look to the stars.

This distinctive Energy Rating sticker gives you the info you need – the more stars at the top of the badge, the more energy efficient the appliance is. And if a product rates more than six stars, you’ll see a Super Efficiency star rating above the energy rating.

Star ratings can vary between appliances: for example, a heat pump dryer can have a nine-star rating, while the most energy efficient washer has a five-star rating. Plus, washers with a high star energy rating can also have a high water rating.

The off-peak advantage

Using electricity during off-peak times – when demand is low – is a key way to avoid bill shock. In Australia, off-peak times can vary depending on the location, but is generally at night and on weekends. Energy providers can offer off-peak pricing, but a smart meter may be required.

Get smart

Smart washers - and dryers - are designed to be more energy efficient, optimising water and power to suit the weight and type of load. Companion apps can monitor power consumption, or you can connect a washer and dryer to a smart plug with appliance energy monitoring to keep tabs.