About Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Washing Machines Award
Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Washing Machines Award reveals the washing machine brand that delivers the best consumer satisfaction to its customers.
We ask Kiwi washing machine owners to rate their satisfaction with their choice of washing machine brand by Overall Satisfaction, as well as important criteria such as Ease of Use, Performance and Value for Money.
Numbers crunched by Canstar's researchers:
- 726 Customers Surveyed
- 12 Brands Assessed
- 5 Brands Shortlisted
- 1 Award Winner
The best washing machine brands in NZ
The brands rated are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
1. Fisher & Paykel
This is the third time across the past six awards that homegrown brand Fisher & Paykel has taken home our top award, and it does so with a great set of ratings from its very satisfied customers.
Fisher & Paykel scores top 5-Star ratings across all categories except one, Quietness, for which it earns a great 4-Star rating.
Fisher & Paykel retails a wide choice of washing machines and washer-dryers. It has five top loaders, that range in loads from 8kg to 12kg, with prices from $1500-$2000.
The brands range of front-loaders starts with the 8kg Series 3 Front Loader Washer ($1300) and ends with the luxury 12kg Series 11 Front Loader Washer ($5300).
Fisher & Paykel also has three washer-dryer models.
2. LG
LG produces seven top-loader models, ranging from a 7.5kg washer, which retails for around $1000, up to a large 14kg machine, featuring TurboClean, for powerful and fast washing, an allergy-care cycle and wi-fi connectivity, for approx $2200.
LG's front-loader range is more expansive, covering 17 washing machines. These start with a Series 5 7.5kg model with steam cycle, for approx $900, and top out with LG's 12kg Series 10 front-loader with ezDispense, TurboClean and wi-fi connectivity for around $2200.
3. Bosch
Bosch is a brand that is synonymous with quality and design. It has three washing machine series covering 11 front-loaders. Bosch's cheapest washing machine is its 8kg Series 4 front-loader, which retails for around $1500. Its Series 6 and Series 8 machines range from a 10kg machine, for around $1600, to a state-of-the-art 10kg washing machine with smart connectivity and advanced 4D Wash System, which retails for approx $3000.
4. Samsung
Samsung has a range of seven top-loader washing machines in New Zealand. It starts with a small 6kg model, which retails for around $800, and moves up through sizes and features to a 14kg top-loader with BubbleWash and steam settings for approx $2200.
Samsung's 10 front-loader machines start around $1000 its 8kg model, which boast features such as steam clean. Samsung's most expensive machine is its 18kg Bespoke model, which offers intelligent clean settings and wi-fi connectivity for approx $3900.
5. Haier
Haier sells an extensive range of washing machines: seven top-loaders and 15 front-loaders. Its cheapest top-loader is a 6kg model that retails for $700, and its most expensive model is a 10kg unit that features 12+ wash cycles, which sells for $1649.
Its front-loader range spans machines with capacities of between 7.5kg-10kg, featuring price tags from $900 to $1550.
Other washing machine brands not rated by Canstar
Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn't mean they're not worth considering. Here are more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.
- Beko
- Electrolux
- Miele
- Panasonic
- Westinghouse
Beko
Beko is a Turkish company that is one of Europe's biggest appliance manufacturers. It has six front-loading washing machines in its range, featuring models from 7.5kg to 10kg. Each has a 4.5-star water rating and a 4-star energy rating. Prices range from around $800 to $1500 for top-of-the range 9kg and 10kg models with steam clean and wi-fi.
Electrolux
Electrolux is a Swedish appliance company known for its high-end home appliances. It retails six front-loader washing machines in New Zealand: 7.5kg and 8kg models, two 9kg machines and two 10kg units. All feature steam-cleaning, while top-end models boast multiple wash settings, vapour refresh options and wi-fi connectivity. Electrolux's smallest model retails for around $1100, while its premium machines cost up to $2500.
Miele
Miele is a German premium brand that sells a wide range of home appliances, including eight washing machines in 7kg-9kg sizes. Prices start at $1899, for Miele's cheapest unit, featuring 4-Star ratings for power and water. More expensive models feature steam cleaning and wi-fi connectivity. Miele's most expensive washing machine is its 9kg Steam Front-loading Washing Machine. It has numerous washing settings, 5-Star water and energy ratings and retails for $5699.
Panasonic
Panasonic has a great range of washing machines that have rated highly in our previous awards. However, this year Panasonic narrowly missed on qualification for our ratings.
Panasonic's range of washing machines comprises three CARE+ Edition front-loaders and five top-loaders. The CARE+ front-loaders come in sizes ranging from 8.5kg to 10kg, and cost between approx $1300 and $1100. Panasonic's cheapest top-loader is its 6kg unit, which sells for around $600, and its most expensive 10kg machine is priced at approx $1400.
Westinghouse
Westinghouse is part of the Electrolux group, but as a brand has been producing quality appliances in Australia since the 1930s. Its range of 16 washing machines includes ten top-loaders and six front-door models, ranging from small 6kg units, 10kg front-loaders with steam-clean technology, to large 11kg top-loaders. Prices across the range start from around $850, climbing to approx $1700 for premium front-loaders.
Choosing the right washing machine for you
Much like a fridge has one job, to keep food cold. Ultimately, a washing machine has one job, too: washing clothes. So it's no surprise that the biggest factor driving satisfaction for consumers in our latest awards research is Performance and Reliability. Over a third of respondents (38%) cite it as the most important factor when rating their satisfaction with their choice of washing machine. Just under a quarter (23%) cite value for money.
It's interesting to note that this is the second year in our research that the number of people buying front-loaders has surpassed the number buying top-loaders. This year the split is 50%/39% compared to 47%/44% in 2024. The other 11% bought combination washer-dryers, which are all front-loaders.
Also this year, energy- and water-saving considerations when purchasing a new machine are again to the fore, with 45% of respondents citing them as important, up from 40% a year earlier.
Here’s the full rundown of what the washing machine buyers in our survey say are the main things they consider when rating their purchases.
- Performance and Reliability: 38%
- Value for Money: 23%
- Ease of Use: 16%
- Quietness: 13%
- Design: 11%
Different types of washing machines
Top-loaders and front-loaders are the two main types of washing machines. Your other option is a combination dryer and washing machine, but these are less common.
Top-loader washing machines
Top-loaders wash clothes in two ways:
An agitator: clothes are moved around by a central pole (agitator) in the middle of the drum. You can read more about the pros and cons of agitators below.
An impeller: this whips up the water to move clothes using a propeller-like device at the bottom of the machine.
Top-loader pros
- Lower buying price
- Faster wash cycles
- Larger capacity
- Can generally open the washer mid-cycle to add clothes
Top-loader cons
- Agitators can be tougher on your clothes
- Use more water
- Usually consume more energy on a warm/hot wash
Front-loader washing machines
A front-loader washing machine works by tumbling your clothes: it picks clothes up and drops them into water in a circular motion. It doesn't use an agitator or impeller, like a top load washing machine. Instead, it relies on gravity for its tumble action in the drum. This helps to reduce the amount of water used per load, as you don't need clothes to be completely submerged in water.
Front-loader pros
- More energy efficient
- Larger range of cycle options, like spin speeds and temp settings
- Quieter noise levels
- Minimal lint washing clothes
- Can put a dryer above and save space
Front-loader cons
- You typically can't stop a front-loader when mid-cycle to add clothes
- Generally longer wash times and smaller capacity levels than top-loaders
- Expect to pay higher prices compared to top-loaders
What size/capacity should I get?
There are plenty of options when it comes to picking a washing machine. A key starting point is to match the size of a machine to the size of your family. Typically, a larger capacity machine costs more upfront. But it is more suited towards larger families, so will save time, energy and money in the long run.
The capacity of washing machines is measured in kilograms (i.e. the kg weight of your clothes). Front-loader washing machines come in a wide range of sizes, so it's easy to find the perfect fit for your laundry. Front-loaders can be quite small, around 5-6kg in capacity. But you'll also find plenty of larger washers, around 10-11kg in capacity. For average families, 7kg machines are regarded as an accommodating size.
As a general rule:
- 1-2 people = <6kgs
- 3-4 people = 6-8kgs
- 5+ people = >8.5kgs
What additional features can I look for?
- Wool or delicate cycles, which mean your machine will automatically adjust temperature and spin cycles to perfectly wash your clothes
- Spin speeds between 400 to 1800. These give you more customised options for different materials. A quicker spin speed means more water is drained, so drying times are faster
- Steam functions use hot water vapour to refresh, revive and dewrinkle garments
- Smart sensors that adjust detergent and water levels to match the cleanliness of each load
- Sanitise cycles use extra-hot water to kill bacteria during the wash cycle
- Delay functions allow you to wash clothes in time for you to get home
- Auto-balancing, which automatically adjusts the load to consistently wash and spin
- Self-cleaning cycles that wash the drum at an extremely high temperature to kill bugs and mould
- Wi-fi or apps. This gives you the freedom to start and stop your washing when it suits you
- Cold-only washing machines. These are more energy efficient as they heat the cold water as it comes into the washing machine, meaning you don't have to use your own hot water supply. This saves power in the long run!
Washing machine cycles
Regular
The regular or normal cycle is the most commonly used on most washing machines. It uses a fast agitation speed and high spin speed, which makes it ideal for washing cotton, linen, towels and jeans.
Delicates/hand wash
This cycle uses a slow agitation and spin speed, making it perfect for handling delicate fabrics like silk, lace and wool. The hand wash cycle mimics the gentle action of washing clothes by hand, reducing the risk of damage. Some washing machines feature cycles specifically for silk or wool clothes.
Heavy-duty
The heavy-duty cycle is designed for sturdy fabrics and heavily soiled items. It features a longer wash time, fast agitation speed, and a high-spin speed to effectively remove stubborn dirt and stains.
Quick wash
This is a time-saving cycle for lightly soiled garments or small loads. Despite its shorter duration, the quick wash cycle provides a thorough cleaning.
Eco/energy saver
This cycle uses less energy and water but takes a longer time to complete. It's ideal for less soiled items and for those who are conscious about their environmental impact.
Bulky
The bulky cycle is designed for larger items such as blankets, comforters and rugs. It uses a slow agitation speed and lower spin speed to clean these items without causing damage.
Does water temperature matter when washing clothes?
Yes, water temperature matters when washing clothes, especially delicates. In general, using cold water is recommended for washing delicate items, because:
- Prevents shrinkage: delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and certain synthetics are prone to shrinking when exposed to heat. Washing them in cold water helps to prevent this shrinkage, preserving the size and shape of the garments.
- Preserves colours: hot water can cause colours to bleed or fade, especially in delicate fabrics. Cold water washing helps to preserve the vibrancy of colours and prevent them from running onto other garments.
- Gentler on fabrics: cold water is gentler on delicate fabrics compared to hot water, which can weaken fibres and lead to damage or wear over time. Using cold water helps to maintain the integrity and quality of delicate items.
- Universal safe option: cold water is a safe option for most delicate fabrics, as it minimises the risk of damage associated with hot water washing. It’s a universally recommended temperature for washing delicates, providing peace of mind when caring for your garments.
While cold water is generally recommended for washing delicates, always check the care label on your garments for specific instructions. In some cases, lukewarm water may be suitable, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and opt for cold water to ensure the safety and longevity of your delicate items.
What is a washing machine agitator?
Generally speaking, an agitator is designed to minimise tangling and help distribute garments evenly throughout the washer. They're typically built into the washer as a central post in the drum that twists back and forth, rubbing against clothes to help remove stains. They usually have fins attached and are only found in top loader washing machines.
Agitator vs. no agitator
Is there actually a difference between top loaders with and without an agitator? The short answer is − not anymore. Despite copping criticism for its rough treatment of clothes, the agitator has traditionally been a popular feature in washing machines, rubbing against clothes to help break apart stains. However, many new top loaders now come with smart features designed to offer better cleaning results and protect your clothes from damage, removing the need for an agitator.
Washing machine with agitator pros and cons
As with any feature, there can be pros and cons. Below are some of the pros and cons associated with washing machines with agitators:
Pros:
- Cheaper than top loaders without agitators
- Thoroughly clean dirt and stains with friction
- Typically have higher water-efficiency ratings
Cons:
- Limited space available in the drum
- Garments can get caught on the agitator and become damaged
- Can be more expensive to run due to poor energy-efficiency
Washing machine without agitator pros and cons
If you're not sure if an agitator is essential, below are some pros and cons to washing machines that come without an agitator:
Pros:
- Typically gentler on clothes and garments
- Increased drum capacity
- Larger variety of models available
Cons:
- May not clean or remove stains as efficiently
- Can tangle garments, potentially causing damage
- What is a washing machine agitator?
Water & energy ratings
In addition to various fancy features and size, the price of a washing machine is largely dictated by its water and energy efficient ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient the washer will be, and the more you'll stand to save in ongoing energy costs. However, the most energy-efficient washing machines come with higher price tags, so you'll need to consider whether or not the extra upfront cost is worth it.
