Energy-saving appliances Eco-friendly washing machines
Washing a full load in your machine saves energy
Which? has tested more than 200 washing machines, and each one is rated for its energy and water use during a normal washing cycle.
You can find out how each model performs in our main washing machines review. Use the 'Compare features' tool and select the option for models with an energy or water use rating of four stars or higher to find the cheapest-to-run models.
Top energy-saving washing machines
Our top energy-saving washing machines combine low energy consumption with below average water use per kilogram of washing during a standard 40°C cotton cycle. We name our top energy-saving washing machines in the table below.
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Washing machine running costs
At Which? our in-depth testing shows different washing machines can cost between £9 and £35 a year to run.
You can find out how much each washing machine we've tested will cost you in electricity each year - and over its lifetime - using our washing machine energy costs calculator tool.
The tool makes it easy to compare different machines and shows that in some cases a more expensive model - that's more energy efficient - will cost less to own in the long run than a cheaper energy guzzler.
Energy labels
The efficiency of washing machines has improved rapidly in recent years.
To make it easier for consumers to compare different models and see which are the most energy efficient, EU energy labels now include A+++, A++ and A+ ratings, on top of the traditional A-G rating scale.
These new ratings are for machines that are even more efficient than A-rated models, which used to be the most efficient on sale.
Find out more about washing machine energy labels in our in-depth energy labels guide.
Washing machine capacity
If you have a big family you'll need a washing machine that can tackle lots of washing at once. You can now get machines claiming to hold as much as 11kg. Most washing machines hold between 7kg and 8kg.
It’s not always true that a machine with a large capacity will use more energy than a smaller capacity machine – it varies according to the model. In our washing machine reviews we rate machines on their energy and water use per kg of laundry. This makes it easier to compare the efficiency of small and large models.
For top tips on how to use your washing machine in the most efficient way, check out our eco washing machine video.
- Go straight to our reviews and find the best washing machine for you
- Watch our eco-friendly tumble dryer video tips
- Learn how to fix a broken washer with our washing machine repair tool
