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£1,000
WT 2670 by Miele
What's so great about it? It may seem like madness in these hard times to pay double the going rate for a washer dryer, but crazy as it sounds, this is almost certainly worth it. First up it is made by the masters of appliance planet, so it should serve you uncomplainingly for years. Secondly, while most of these machines barely scrape a B for energy efficiency, this scores an impressive A+, saving you money in running costs, and giving you an indication of the quality of this model. Throw in an A rating for wash performance and a raft of exciting programmes (including denim, curtains and express) and it starts to look like a good deal, doesn’t it?
The science: H85cm x W59.5cm x D58cm; A+ energy rating; A wash performance; 5kg/2.5kg wash/dry capacity; 1600rpm spin; 16 wash programmes.
In a word: You get what you pay for.
£550
Lavamat Turbo 14850 by AEG
What's so great about it? One problem with washer dryers is the dryer is often woefully inadequate. With this model, the dryer capacity is still less than the wash capacity, but as the former is a respectable 5kg, you could do a standard 5kg load wash and dry in one hit. Should you require a bigger wash load, the full 7kg will allow you to do the entire football team’s kit, with room to spare for your cheerleading outfit. Plus this features electronic dryness controls, an easy-iron setting (phew), fuzzy-logic load adjustment and super-quiet operation so it won’t drown out Kitchen Nightmares (yours or Gordon’s).
The science: H85cm x W60cm x D64cm; C energy rating; A wash performance; 7kg/5kg wash/dry capacity; 1400rpm spin; 4 wash programmes.
In a word: In a large household it’s good to have one thing that doesn’t make a racket.
£500
WD12D520GB by Siemens
What's so good about it? If you like a lot of options on your appliances, this has your name written all over it, for it is a machine packed with features and gizmos and clever little extras. Such as 15 wash programmes, taking in every laundry need from ‘hand-wash wool’ to ‘easy-care dark’, such as useful options like time delay and programme progress indicators, and such as just 500 quid for a top-notch piece of German engineering. Shame about the energy efficiency, though…
The science: H85cm x W60cm x D56cm; C energy rating; A wash performance; 5kg/2.5kg wash/dry capacity; 1200rpm spin; 15 wash programmes.
In a word: More tricks up its sleeve than Inspector Gadget.
£410
AWZ 512E by Whirlpool
What's so good about it? Amongst the programmes on offer here is a quick 30 minute option – ideal for last minute 'I have nothing to wear' Christmas-party traumas, and a daily-wash setting, which is the kind of 40-degree mixed wash you use 90 per cent of the time anyway. This also features a hot, cotton wash designed for sanitizing washing and eliminating bacteria – equally useful for health-conscious types or the mothers of teenage boys.
The science: H85cm x W59.5cm x D56.5cm; C energy rating; A wash performance; 5kg/2.5kg wash/dry capacity; 1200rpm spin; 19 wash programmes.
In a word: No frills but a price that thrills.
£350
Nextra 6 HNWL7146 by Hoover
What's so good about it? It’s a nice, big machine, with a fast spin speed and lots of programmes, but all for a teeny-tiny recession-beating price. And it’s brainy, too, with an intelligent wash system that uses electronic controls to get the perfect water temperature and quantity, drum speed and spin for your smalls, plus sensor drying which figures out when they are at the required level of dryness. Programmes include a 29 minute quick wash and sports option.
The science: H85cm x W60cm x D54cm; B energy rating; A wash performance; 6kg/4kg wash/dry capacity; 1400rpm spin; 14 wash programmes.
In a word: It’s big, brainy and does your laundry – so what if it’s not especially good looking?
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