ARTICLE
Discover the best Washing Machines to buy
Published Mar 12, 2026 • Updated Sep 16, 2026 - 5 min read
The right washing machine depends on your household size, laundry space and priorities, from front loaders that save water and energy to top loaders built for speed. This guide compares drum sizes, features and leading brands including LG, Samsung, Bosch and Miele to help you choose with confidence.
Key takeaways from this article
Front loaders use less water and energy, ideal for families needing 8kg or more capacity.
Top loaders run shorter cycles, great for quick washes and easy DIY installation.
Auto-dosing washers suit families doing frequent loads.
Slimline front loaders fit tight laundries and can stack under a bench or dryer.
Looking for a new washing machine but not sure where to start? The right choice comes down to three things: how many people you are washing for, how much space you have and what matters most to you, whether that is speed, water efficiency or a longer cycle for heavily soiled loads. This guide walks through front loaders, top loaders and the brands worth knowing, so you can shop the range with confidence.
Our top washing machine picks by category
Here is how to match a washing machine to your household at a glance:
Best for families: a front loader with a large drum (8kg or more) handles bulky loads like bedding and school uniforms without needing multiple washes.
Best for first-time buyers: an entry-level front loader keeps upfront costs down while still delivering solid energy and water efficiency, a smart place to start when you are setting up a laundry for the first time.
Best for eco-conscious households: front loaders with a high water efficiency rating use less water and less energy per cycle, which helps with running costs over time.
Best for tight laundries: slimline front loaders are designed to sit under a bench or stack with a dryer, making them a better fit for apartments and smaller homes.
Best for a quick wash: top loaders generally run shorter cycles than front loaders, making them the better fit if getting a load done fast matters more than water and energy savings.
Keep reading for a closer look at each type, plus how the leading brands compare.
Front loader vs top loader washing machines: which is right for you?
Front loaders generally use less water and energy per wash and are gentler on fabric, while top loaders tend to have faster cycles and let you add a forgotten item mid-wash without bending down. Neither type is better across the board, it depends on what you are washing and how you like to do it.
Front loaders suit households that wash regularly and want to keep water and energy costs down over the life of the machine. They also stack with a dryer, which is a genuine space-saver in a smaller laundry. Top loaders suit households that prioritise a quick turnaround, want a simpler control panel or find loading from the top more comfortable.
Capacity, noise level and installation are worth checking too. Front loaders are usually quieter and better suited to open-plan living areas, while top loaders are often easier to install without a plumber if you are moving into a new place.
Best front load washing machines in Australia
Front loaders are the pick for households that want strong energy and water ratings alongside a large capacity. Browse the full front loader range and look for a drum size that matches your household, generally 7 to 8kg for one to two people and 9kg or more for a family, along with a high star rating on both the energy and water efficiency labels.
Many front loaders now include features like steam cycles for allergy sufferers, quick-wash options for smaller loads, auto-dosing that leaves out the guesswork when adding detergent and quiet inverter motors that suit open-plan homes. If bedding and towels are a regular load, look for a machine with a dedicated bulky-items cycle so you are not running the same wash twice.
Because front loaders use a door seal, giving it a wipe after each wash and leaving the door ajar between cycles helps keep it fresh. It is a small habit that keeps the machine performing well for years.
What is an auto-dosing washing machine?
An auto-dosing washing machine measures out the right amount of detergent for you, based on the size of the load and how soiled it is, rather than you scooping or pouring by eye. Fill the dosing compartment when it runs low and the machine takes care of the rest, cycle after cycle.
The main benefit is consistency. Getting the dose right protects fabrics from residue build-up, helps clothes come out properly rinsed and can mean using less detergent overall, since the machine only adds what the wash actually needs rather than a generous guess. It also takes one more decision off the laundry list, which matters if you are doing several loads a week.
For households doing frequent loads and wanting one less thing to think about, it is a feature worth prioritising when comparing models.
Best top loader washing machines for a quick, flexible wash
Top loaders are the pick for households that want speed and flexibility over the wash. They generally run shorter cycles than front loaders, and because the drum loads from the top, you can lift the lid mid-wash to add a forgotten item without pausing a locked door or waiting for water to drain. Explore the top loader range to compare entry-level, mid-range and premium options, each adding larger drums, more wash programs or quieter operation as you move up.
If getting laundry done quickly matters most, focus on cycle length alongside drum size, since a shorter wash paired with a decent spin speed gets clothes onto the line or into the dryer sooner. Larger households after a top loader should look for 10kg or more capacity to avoid running back-to-back loads.
Top loaders are also worth considering if you want a machine that is simple to install yourself, since they typically do not need the same levelling and door-seal care as a front loader.
Need a new dryer to go with your washing machine? Check out our Dryer Buying Guide for all the tips and our best picks.
FAQs
Front loaders generally use less water and energy per wash and are gentler on fabric, while top loaders tend to have faster cycles and let you add a forgotten item mid-wash without pausing a locked door. Front loaders also stack with a dryer, which saves space in smaller laundries.
A drum size of 7 to 8kg suits one to two people, while 9kg or more is recommended for a family. Larger households using a top loader should look for 10kg or more capacity to avoid running back-to-back loads.
Slimline front loaders are designed to sit under a bench or stack with a dryer, making them a better fit for apartments and smaller homes. Front loaders are also usually quieter, which suits open-plan living areas.
An auto-dosing washing machine measures out the right amount of detergent for each load based on size and soil level, rather than you pouring by eye. It protects fabrics from residue build-up, helps clothes rinse properly and can reduce overall detergent use, making it a feature worth prioritising for households doing frequent loads.
Front loaders with a high star rating on both the energy and water efficiency labels use less water and energy per cycle, which helps with running costs over time. Top loaders generally run shorter cycles but use more water per wash.
Because front loaders use a door seal, wiping it after each wash and leaving the door ajar between cycles helps keep the machine fresh and performing well for years.
Find your perfect washing machine at The Good Guys
Whether you are replacing a tired machine or setting up your first laundry, the right washing machine comes down to matching capacity, features and budget to how your household actually does the washing. Explore the full range online, browse washing machine accessories to complete your laundry, or pop into your nearest store to see the leading front loaders and top loaders side by side, with our team on hand to help you compare.
