Jargon Busting Ratings: are for energy-efficiency, wash and spin performance, with A being the best. The really smart machines can excel with A+ or even A++ for energy. Child lock: prevents little fingers from meddling with your wash settings. Fuzzy logic technology: senses what’s going on inside the machine and adjusts water, temperature, detergent and spin speeds for the best and most efficient wash. Spin speeds: vary, but if you tumble-dry, then opt for a washer with a high spin speed to lessen the drying load. Flashy washers have a long spin cycle for cottons and an interval spin to reduce creasing for synthetics.
Best For Looks £800
WMFAB16 by Smeg
What's so great about it? Another appliance, another cute retro take on it. You’d have thought we’d have had enough, but as ever we find the baby-pastels-and- 50s-curves look dreamy as Angel Delight, and these machines are much more than a pretty face.
This proves it’s perfectly at home in the 21st century with its triple A rating, a cunning storage compartment inside the door for your Ecover, electronic display panel, and an extra-large porthole, plus more programmes than you can shake a pogo stick at, including rapid wash and easy iron. The science: AAA rated; 5kg load; 1600 top spin; 15 programmes; pink or cream finish. In other words: Team this with the matching dishwasher and fridge and you’ll feel like you’re in Happy Days.
Best For A Long Life £778
MAF9801AES by Maytag
What's so great about it? This is a model that makes all other washing machines look soft. First, it is built like a brick outhouse, with stainless steel drums, cast-iron counterbalance and four shock absorbers for commercial-standard suspension.
Then there is the rigorous testing, making it designed to last at least 3,000 wash cycles (15 years on average). And not forgetting the stainless steel, take-no-prisoners exterior. Nevertheless, it is no knuckle head, with a slew of features, including up to five rinses for sensitive types, electronic controls, child lock, four pre-set programmes, a memory function, quiet operation and so much more. The science: AAA rated; 6kg load; 1800 top spin; 12 programmes; stainless steel finish. In other words: An unlikely – yet beautiful – pairing of masculine toughness and laundry.
