Washing Machine buying guide
Last updated: 29 September 2026
This Washing Machine buying guide helps you choose the right washer for your household, laundry space and budget. Discover all the latest features from wash programs, drum material and smart features like Wi-Fi control and steam refresh. Start with your space and lifestyle to decide between a Front Loader, Top Loader, Auto Dosing Washer or Washer Dryer Combo, then narrow down by capacity, water rating and energy rating based on your household size.
This guide is perfect for growing families, small laundry spaces and anyone upgrading to Auto Dosing or Smart Laundry technology.
In this guide
Learn which Washing Machine suits your home, from space-saving Front Loaders and Top Loaders to Auto-Dosing Washers and Washer Dryer Combos. Jump to >
Discover key Washing Machine features, from capacity and energy ratings to wash programs like Steam Refresh and Sports Wash, plus Wi-Fi control. Jump to >
Check out the glossary and top frequently asked questions. Jump to >
Which Washing Machine is right for you?
Picking the right type of Washing Machine is the first step, since it shapes everything else about how your laundry runs day to day. Each Washing Machine type handles water, detergent and your time differently, so the best choice comes down to your laundry space, how your household actually does washing, and how much you want the machine to think for you.
Choose a Front Loader if you want lower water use and better energy efficiency, and don't mind a slightly longer cycle. Choose a Top Loader if you want a faster wash and the flexibility to add a forgotten item mid-cycle. Choose an Auto Dosing Washer if you want a front loader that measures out detergent automatically, so you never have to guess. Choose a Washer Dryer Combo if you want to wash and dry in the one machine and have a smaller laundry to work with.
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Uses less water, runs cold-tap only, and spins faster for quicker drying.
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A quicker wash cycle that can let you add a forgotten item.
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Measures out the perfect amount of detergent, so you never have to guess.
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Washes and dries in the one machine, perfect for smaller laundries.
Quick decision guide
Want lower water and energy use → Front Loader
Want a faster wash and mid-cycle flexibility → Top Loader
Tired of measuring out detergent → Auto Dosing Washer
Small laundry, want wash and dry in one → Washer Dryer Combo
Washing Machine types compared
Washing Machine type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Front Loader | Uses less water and is more energy-efficient. Gentler on clothes and fits more in the drum. Only needs a cold tap connection. Higher spin speeds mean faster drying. | Generally takes longer than a top loader, though quick-wash options are available. | Under-bench installs. Households wanting efficiency and gentler fabric care. |
Top Loader | Faster wash cycle. Most models let you add a forgotten item, or one that's been soaking, mid-cycle. Works well with solar hot water via its hot and cold tap connection. | Clothes can tangle around the agitator or impeller. | Households who want speed and the flexibility to add items part-way through. |
Auto Dosing Washer | Dispenses the precise amount of detergent automatically. Saves effort and prevents overdosing that can damage your machine. | Still a front loader, so shares its longer cycle time. | Households wanting to save time and cut down on detergent waste. |
Washer Dryer Combo | Washes and dries in the one machine. Genuinely space-saving. | Drying capacity is always lower than washing capacity, so a full wash load often needs to be split before drying. | Smaller laundries, or households that only need the dryer function occasionally. |
Which Washing Machine type suits your home?
Getting the capacity right matters more than people expect. Too small, and you're running extra loads or squeezing in one more towel than the drum can really handle. Too big, and you're paying for water and energy on cycles that are barely half full. The simplest way to land on the right size is to start with how many people you're washing for, then fine-tune from there.
1-2 People
A 6kg Washing Machine or smaller comfortably handles around 5 outfits or 5 towels per load, making it the right fit for singles, couples and share houses with lighter laundry needs.
3-4 People
A 7-8kg Washing Machine suits most family households, fitting around 7 outfits or 7 towels per load without needing constant top-ups.
5+ People
Bigger families are better off with a 9kg or larger Washing Machine, handling 8 or more outfits or towels per load, plus the school uniforms and sports gear that come with a full house.
The top 6 asked questions
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Small Laundry, Small Space: Choosing the Right Appliances for Apartments
Updated 12 October 2026 · 3 mins readDo you have a small laundry? Well, when it comes to the laundry, bigger is not necessarily better. choosing the right appliance for a tight space comes down to more than just what physically fits, it's about which type actually suits how your household washes and dries. Let's go through your options.
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Washing machines maintenance 101: essential tips 2026
Updated 29 September 2026 · 5 mins readA well-maintained washing machine can last well over a decade, while a neglected one can start playing up within a few years. The good news is that keeping yours in top shape takes only a few simple habits: a quick wipe after each wash, a monthly cleaning cycle and knowing what to check if something goes wrong. Here is everything you need for 2026, whether you have a front loader or a top loader.
Quick links: Shop Front Load Washers | Shop Top Load Washers | Shop Washer Dryer Combos | Shop Auto Dosing Washing Machines | Shop Large Washing Machines | Shop Medium Washers | Shop Small Washing Machines | Shop Washing Machine Deals
Key features to look for
Once you've settled on type and size, these are the features that make the biggest difference to your everyday wash.
Feature | Why you should look for it |
|---|---|
Water and energy ratings | Tells you how efficiently a Washing Machine runs - more stars means less water or power used per wash. Compare machines of a similar size when checking ratings, since smaller machines naturally use less than larger ones regardless of efficiency. |
Wash programs | Removes the guesswork from temperature, time and spin speed, and helps protect different fabric types. Look for Auto (senses the load and sets the time), Sports Wash (a quick, high-spin cycle for activewear), Quick Wash (fast turnaround for lightly soiled items), Wool and Delicates (gentle, cooler cycles for soft or sensitive fabrics), Eco Wash (lower temperature for everyday savings), Steam Refresh (for stored or lightly worn clothing) and Add Item (pause a Front Loader mid-cycle to add a forgotten piece). Availability varies by model, so check the Technical Specifications tab. |
Smart features | A Wi-Fi enabled Washing Machine connects to an app so you can start or monitor a wash from anywhere, and get alerts when a load finishes, when clothes have been left sitting too long, or when the machine needs a service. |
Drum material | Drum material affects how long your Washing Machine lasts. Plastic and porcelain drums cost less upfront, while a stainless-steel drum is more durable over time. Adjustable feet are also worth checking for, since they help balance the machine on uneven laundry floors. |
Installation
Getting your new Washing Machine installed safely matters as much as choosing the right model. The Good Guys Home Services can arrange a professional installation for you. If you're stacking a washer and dryer, you'll generally need a stacking kit to secure them safely, or you can look for a pre-assembled washer-dryer tower instead.
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The Washing Machine feature everyone is talking about
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Washing Machine glossary
We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.
Tech talk | Definition |
|---|---|
Agitator | A finned post in the centre of a Top Loader's drum that rotates clockwise and anti-clockwise to move clothes through the wash water. Agitators clean effectively but are harsher on fabric than an impeller, and are gradually being replaced by impeller technology in newer machines. |
Auto dosing technology | The system inside an Auto Dosing Washer that measures and dispenses the correct amount of detergent for each load automatically. Brands use their own names for this technology, including iDOS (Bosch), ActiveIntelligence (Fisher & Paykel) and TwinDos (Miele). |
Impeller | A low-profile disc at the base of a Top Loader's drum that spins to move clothes around the outer rim using a small amount of water. Impellers use less water and are gentler on clothes than an agitator, and are now standard in most Top Loaders. |
Inverter motor | Also known as a brushless motor, an inverter motor uses magnets to reduce friction, resulting in quieter, more durable operation. Common in Auto Dosing Washers, inverter motors suit apartments and homes where noise is a concern. |
Stacking Kit | A hardware accessory that safely secures a Dryer on top of a Front Loader when the two are stacked in a laundry space. Check compatibility with your specific washer and dryer models before purchasing, as stacking kits are not universal. |
Ultramix | An Electrolux Auto Dosing Washer feature that blends water, detergent and softener together before it reaches the wash load, helping prevent detergent staining on darker fabrics. |
UltraPhase | A detergent cartridge system used in Miele Auto-Dosing Washers. One cartridge lasts up to 47 washes and sits in the detergent dispenser to power the auto-dosing function. |
WashTower | LG's stacked, all-in-one Washer Dryer design, featuring a Washer and Dryer built into a single vertical unit with a shared centre control panel. It offers a similar space-saving benefit to a Washer Dryer Combo, but keeps washing and drying as two separate drums rather than one, so a full wash load can be dried without needing to split it. |
Water rating and Energy rating | Star rating labels (WELS for water, and the Australian energy rating scheme for power) that show how efficiently a Washing Machine performs. More stars means less water or electricity used per wash. Ratings are only directly comparable between machines of a similar size and capacity. |
FAQs
Run an empty cycle on the largest load setting with hot water and replace the detergent with two cups of white vinegar. This will kill bacterial growth and act as a deodorizer for any unpleasant smells that may have built up. Once this cycle has finished, spray and wipe the drum and the outside of your washing machine with a damp cloth and vinegar. Make sure to clean the rubber seal as well as the detergent dispenser.
You can wash some shoes in the washing machine, but it depends on the shoe. Before doing anything, make sure to check your shoes' washing instructions. Typically, cotton, canvas, polyester and nylon shoes can be washed in some capacity, but leather, suede and satin shoes usually require other cleaning methods. If your shoes can be washed make sure to remove the laces and insoles. Place them in a closed mesh bag and run your washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water using a liquid detergent.
How long your washing machine lasts depends on a variety of factors. Generally, you can expect your washing machine to last 5-12 years, depending on how well you've kept up with maintenance. Entry level washing machines tend to have a shorter lifespan than their premium counterparts. Make sure to also check the warranty on your machine as you can expect your washer to last at least that long.
Each washing machine works a little differently so remember to read the manual that your washing machine came with. If you don't have the manual you can always search for your machine's brand and model number + manual in your internet browser to find a digital version. However, a general checklist to remember:
Sort your laundry into darks, whites, and colours
Check the tags on the garments you want to wash
Select your wash cycle based on the garment tags
Add detergent and any other fabric softeners or boosters
Load your washer and press start