Lighten your load with these top-rated front loader washing machines

Best for: time-saving performance

The Electrolux UltimateCare range delivers powerful, time-saving performance, washing a full load in just 45 minutes. Plus, with smart sensors for deep cleaning, gentle fabric care and energy-efficient convenience, there’s a mode to suit all your clothing care needs. We love the Woolmark Blue programme that treats your woolens with the care they deserve – handling your favourite items with the gentleness of a hand wash, without getting your hands dirty.

Key features:

• 5 star energy rating
• 4.5 star water rating
• 10kg capacity
• Model EWF1043R7WCS
• 13 wash programs

Best for: innovative care

The Bosch Series 8 washing machine is one of the most innovative on the market, with advanced programs to suit your laundry needs. They have invented a program called Easy Iron, a wash option to keeps your clothes free from creases and damage by reducing wrinkles in laundry by up to 50%, which is perfect for those far too busy to iron manually. And for those who suffer from allergies, there is an AllergyPlus programme that keeps the temperature during the wash process constant in order to keep the fabrics hygienically clean. The front loaders AntiStain Removal system is designed to tackle four stubborn types of stains with ease, so you can wash your clothes knowing you’re in the best possible hands.

“The Series 8 is well worth every dollar. It’s efficient, cleans the clothes perfectly and has the right number of settings and options to choose from. Choosing settings is super easy, as well. It’s also really quiet and gentle on the clothes, too,” says one five-star review.

Key features:

• Five-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• 15 programs
• AntiStain removal system automatically adjusts temperature for stubborn stains
• Advanced sensors to optimise water usage
• AllergyPlus program helps to protect sensitive skin
• Model: WGG24403AU
• Two-year warranty

Also available at:

• $1449 at Bing Lee
• $1449 at Designer Appliances
• $1849 $1503 at Winning Appliances

Best for: families

Designed for families, the LG 10kg Series 5 front load washer is able to hold bulky laundry loads, and uses AI to provide the appropriate drum rotation for your load and optimising performance with every cycle. It can even detect the weight and fabric softness of your load and optimise the wash motions for better care. This specific LG model also harnesses the power of steam to help remove common allergens for a more hygenic wash.

“Great all-rounder washing machine,” said one five-star review, adding: “It easily handles big family loads, from bath towels to bedding, yet fits well in a standard laundry space thanks to its clever design.”

Key features:

• 4.5-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• 15 programs
• ThinQ app compatibility
• Uses steam to remove common allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and bacteria
• A.I. Direct Drive motor optimises your load
• Two-year warranty
• Model: WV5-1410W

Also available at:

• $794 at The Good Guys
• $899 $799 at Bing Lee
• $1319 $892 at Appliances Online

Best for: garment care

The AEG 8000 Series 8kg front load washer is designed to intimately care for your clothes, using innovative technology to care for wool, steam your clothing, and provide an all-round gentle laundry experience. It also has a hygiene cycle to remove 99.99% of common bacteria and viruses, while the UniversalDose laundry capsules react with extra power for quick and cold washes.

One five-star review notes: “I love how the light comes on when you are done washing a load. It has an automatic shut-off to save money. The machine washes well, is quiet, and drains well. It also displays a lot of information on the load that you are doing.”

Key features:

• Five-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• 12 programs
• ProSteam technology
• Woolmark Green Certification ensures safe, gentle wool care
• UniversalDose laundry capsules
• Model: LF8584M8O

Also available at:

• $2199 $1599 at Designer Appliances

Best for: simple laundry for large families

The Westinghouse EasyCare 700 front load washing machine has everything you need to look after your clothing. With its generous 10kg capacity and 15 programs, including a 15-minute fast wash, this machine can handle multiple daily loads with ease. The machine is also designed to prioritise hygiene, with one program using water vapour to help neutralise common household allergens and bacteria. Plus, the higher spin speed of this machine helps extract moisture and deliver clean clothes faster.

“Clothes come out consistently clean and well-rinsed, and the machine operates surprisingly quietly and smoothly, even on higher spin cycles. We regularly use the Quick Wash for everyday clothing and the EasyCare and Cotton cycles for larger loads, all of which deliver dependable results without complicated settings,” says one five-star review on the machine, which has a 4.8 average-star rating.

Key features:

• Five-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• 15 programs
• Hygiene-focused care uses water vapour to neutralise allergens
• PreMix+ technology reduces detergent residue on clothes
• Fast 15, Daily 39 and Full Load 60 cycles
• Model: WWF1044M7WAS

Also available at:

• $1249 $1092 at Winning Appliances
• $1249 $1163 at Appliances Online

Best for: fast laundry loads

With a large 9kg capacity it means you can load more clothes with confidence – perfect for a five or more person household. It features 15 diverse wash programs for all your laundry needs, plus a quick 15-minute Fast cycle that lets you wash smaller or more urgent loads efficiently.

“The biggest selling point, hands down, is the 1 hour wash cycle,” says one five-star review. “It’s absolutely perfect for everyday loads, getting clothes thoroughly clean without locking up the machine for half the afternoon. Beyond the quick turnaround, the 9kg drum easily handles full bedding loads, and the machine runs smoothly and quietly in the background.”

Key features:

• Four-star Energy Rating
• Four-star Water Rating
• 15 washing programs
• Inverter motor
• Time adjust function to reduce or increase wash times to suit schedule
• Auto water level sensing technology
• Model: WWF9024M5WA

Also available at:

• $1099 $733 at Appliances Online

Best for: space-saving design

Sleek, stylish and decked out with all the bells and whistles is this 8kg front loader washing machine by LG. In a classic white finish, it will look right at home in any contemporary laundry room. Plus, this machine uses AI technology to assess each load and optimises the wash, to provide a more precise and thorough clean, every time.

One five-star review on the machine described the front loader as “built large but its slimline design makes it the perfect choice for a smaller space or laundry. It fits snugly beside my laundry basin with enough space on the sides and at the back. I love the different wash modes and the app allows you to download extra options. It’s quiet and has an overall amazing design.”

Key features:

• 4.5-star Energy Rating
• 4-star Water Rating
• 11 washing programs
• 8kg capacity
• Six-motion direct drive technology that mimics hand washing
• Allergy care available with steam
• Narrow depth for a perfect fit
• Model: WV5-1208W

Best for: energy efficiency for small homes

The Haier 7.5kg front load washing machine is a great option for singles or couples who prioritise energy efficiency in their home. With programs such as eco wash and express wash cycles, cleaning your clothes is easy and convenient. This machine also comes with a program that uses steam to smooth and refresh your clothes.

Customers have described the front load washer as quiet and efficient, offering great care to their clothes. “Very easy to operate, very quiet & what I love best is that it weighs the clothes & measures out water & power usage making this machine very efficient,” added one five-star review.

Key features:

• 4.5-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• 15 washing programs
• Refresh steam cycle uses steam to restore clothes
• Eco wash option
• Anti-Bacterial Treatment on door
• Model: HWF75AW3

Best for: an affordable option

Equipped with nine different washing programs to choose from, you’ll find just the right setting for each load. Plus, if you’re short on time, there is a 30-minute Vortex Wash cycle that doesn’t compromise on fabric care.

The Fisher & Paykel 8kg front load washer has an average 4.7/5-star rating, with around 850 five-star reviews. “I find this model easy to use and enough features for two people. It’s a good size and can easily fit queen size sheets and pillow cases in a single wash with still room to spare,” notes one review.

Key features:

• Four-star Energy Rating
• 4.5-star Water Rating
• Nine washing programs
• 8kg capacity
• SmartDrive technology that senses the load to deliver better fabric care
• Quick cycle available
• Model: WH8060J3

Also available at:

• $1099 $675 at Appliances Online