Doing laundry can be tedious and time-consuming. But with an efficient washing machine, you can revolutionise your laundry game and free up time for other important tasks. But choosing a washing machine means learning about all the little details to decide which best suits you or your family's needs.
To help with that, we've researched the washing washings in New Zealand and curated a list of the six best options to help you decide. Whether you're looking for top-of-the-line features or an affordable option, you will find the perfect model for your needs here. Let's deep dive.
Our Top Picks
Out of the six options evaluated below, here are our top three washing machines for Kiwis:
Fisher & Paykel WH7560P2 WashSmart
Best front-loader washing machine with a 7.5 kg washing capacity, 6 wash programs, and energy and water ratings of 4.0 and 3.5.
Samsung WA14A8377GW Washer
Best heavy-duty top loader washer with a 14 kg washing capacity, 11 wash programs, and energy and water ratings of 4.0 each.
Electrolux EWF9024Q5WB Washer
Best energy-efficient washing machine with energy and water ratings of 5.0 and 4.5, 9 kg washing capacity, and 15 wash programs.
Top 6 Washing Machines for New Zealanders — Reviews and Comparisons
After reviewing, researching, and evaluating tons of washing machines in New Zealand, here are the best of the lot. Learn about each product's ideal use cases, pros, and cons to make a more informed decision.
1. Fisher & Paykel WH7560P2 WashSmart
Best Front Loader Washing Machine
Max Washing Capacity: 7.5 kg
Wash Programs: 6
Energy & Water Rating: 4.0, 3.5
Warranty: 2 years
The Fisher & Paykel WashSmart 7.5 kg WH7560P2 front loader washing machine offers plenty of features and customisability. It boasts a range of smart technologies such as Auto Dose, which dispenses the correct amount of detergent for each load, an LCD touchscreen display with cycle selection, and an LED light to indicate when the cycle is complete. It also includes six wash programs; regular, delicate, wool, quick, allergy, and heavy, which, compared to others in this price range, is less.
For customisation, WashSmart offers different cycle lengths, temperatures, spin speeds, rinse options, and more. With its Smart Drive technology, you can create customised cycles and alert beeps that are tailored to suit your laundry needs. The frontloader also includes advanced features such as a delayed start, an automatic water level that shuts on and off the motor at automated water levels, and auto out-of-balance correction.
One of the biggest advantages of a front-loader washing machine is its greater energy efficiency compared to top-loader washing machines. The WashSmart uses up to 40% less electricity than a top-loader washing machine while also reducing water usage by up to 30%. Combined with its 4.0-star energy efficiency rating, it's perfect for anyone looking to save on utility bills.
Pros
- Easy to install
- SmartDrive technology
- Quiet in operation
- SmartTouch controls
- Child-lock option
- Energy saving
Cons
- Expensive
- Fewer wash programs
2. Samsung WA14A8377GW Washing Machine
Best Heavy-Duty Top Loader Washer
Max Washing Capacity: 14 kg
Wash Programs: 11
Energy & Water Rating: 4.0, 4.0
Warranty: 2 years
The Samsung 14kg WA14A8377GW top loader washing machine is ideal for heavy-duty washing, offering plenty of power and reliability. It has a 14 kg capacity, ideal for large families, and 11 wash programs that include cotton, heavy duty+, towels, bedding, water saving, baby care, quick wash, delicates, 40° C stain wash, rinse+ spin, and steam.
For improved performance and durability, Samsung's top loader has advanced features, such as auto water levels, delay end, bubble storm technology, and a digital inverter motor. It's equipped with a fabric softener dispenser to help reduce fabric damage and extend the life of your clothes. You also get a large door for easy loading and unloading and a display to monitor your wash cycles.
The 4.0 stars energy and water-rated efficient Samsung WA14A8377GW Washing Machine will improve your laundry with reliable performance while offering great value for money.
Pros
- Child-lock function
- Ideal for family use
- Smartphone app connectivity
- VRT technology
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Can be difficult to install
- 700 rpm is disappointing
3. Bosch WAN24121AU Washing Machine
Best Value Washing Machine
Max Washing Capacity: 8 kg
Wash Programs: 15
Energy & Water Rating: 4.0, 4.0
Warranty: 2 years
The Bosch’s 8kg WAN24121AU Washer has all the features you would expect from a quality washing machine, including a gentle drum, a low noise level, a wide door, and adjustable spin speed and temperature at a moderate price. Its 8 kg capacity means you can do multiple loads of laundry at once. And it's energy-efficient enough not to use too much electricity for each wash.
Bosch's top-of-the-line front loader washing machine also features a range of customisable settings, including extra rinses, different temperatures, start/pause with reload ability, intensive and pre-wash options, touch control buttons, and a delay timer to tailor your washing cycles to the type of fabric. Its excellent performance and value for money make it a great choice for most households.
You get 15 wash programs on Bosch's washer, i.e., pre-wash, easy care, wool hand wash, drum clean, sportswear, delicates/silk, shirts, kids wear, cotton program, dark wash, mixed, rinse, quilt/duvet, single spin, and super 15/30 min.
Pros
- 15 wash options
- Quieter washing operation
- Child-lock option
- Ecosilence drive motor
- 1200 rpm maximum spin speed
Cons
- No smart app connectivity
- Manual is complicated
4. Electrolux EWF9024Q5WB Washing Machine
Best Energy-Efficient Washing Machine
Max Washing Capacity: 9 kg
Wash Programs: 15
Energy & Water Rating: 5.0, 4.5
Warranty: 2 years
The Electrolux EWF9024Q5WB front loader washing machine is an energy-efficient model that has all the basic features to get your laundry done. It has a 9 kg capacity, a quick-wash program, a delay timer, a temperature control system, and a 1,400 rpm spin cycle. Its wash programs include cotton, mixed, energy saver, baby care, bedding, tub clean, vapour refresh, rinse+spin, sports, spin, wool, daily 60, quick 15, delicates, and favourite.
The 5-star energy-efficient washing machine also uses much less water per cycle, making it more cost-effective in the long run—no surprise it's 4.5-star rated for water efficiency. Plus, it's gentler on clothes, ensuring they last longer. Apart from a commercial 2-year warranty, Electrolux also covers an outstanding 10-year warranty for its inverter motor.
Pros
- Child safety lock
- UltraMix detergent system
- 6 temperature settings
- SensorWash technology
- Can add clothes after the wash program starts
- 10-year inverter motor warranty
Cons
- No smart app connectivity
- Not ideal for cold washing
- Can be a little noisy
5. Haier HWF75AW2 Washing Machine
Best Cheap Front Loading Washer
Max Washing Capacity: 7.5 kg
Wash Programs: 16
Energy & Water Rating: 3.5, 4.5
Warranty: 2 years
The affordable Haier 7.5 kg HWF75AW2 comes with a 7.5 kg capacity drum capable of handling enough laundry. Its intuitive display panel gives you access to a range of programmable functions, including 16 washing programs; delicate, duvet, daily wash, cotton, babycare, hand wash, fast, express 15, mixed, jeans, spin, synthetics, wool, sports, underwear, and hygienic for different garments.
The front loader has smart features such as auto weight detection, which automatically adjusts the cycle time and water levels based on the load size. A handy delayed start function lets the machine start at a time that suits you. And in terms of performance, the HWF75AW2 has good spin performance at 1,200 rpm, reducing drying time and increasing efficiency.
While it comes with a 4.5-star water rating, the front loader's 3.5-star energy rating is one of the lowest on our list, only ahead of the Midea DMWM70G2 2.0-star energy rating. Thus, it is not as energy efficient as many other options on the New Zealand market.
Pros
- Affordable
- Child-lock system
- LED display
- Adjustable temperature control
- 1200 rpm maximum spin speed
Cons
- Heavy unit
- Can be a bit noisy
6. Midea DMWM70G2 Washing Machine
Best Cheap Top Loading Washer
Max Washing Capacity: 7 kg
Wash Programs: 8
Energy & Water Rating: 2.0, 3.0
Warranty: 1 year
The Midea 7 kg DMWM70G2 is a budget-friendly top-loader washing machine with a capacity of 7 kg, making it perfect for small families. It has a 750 rpm spin cycle and an adjustable temperature range (0-40o C). The washer offers an automatic self-cleaning function, helping you keep your machine clean and free from residue, an alarm to remind you when the load is finished, and a magic filter to catch any lint left in the clothes after washing.
The cheap top loader washing machine comes with eight wash programs; soft, normal, mix, quick 15, jeans, heavy, strong, and fast clean system. We recommend the budget-friendly Haier front-loader, which has double the number of wash programs and spin speed. Plus, it’s more energy and water-efficient than Midea. The latter also only comes with a one-year warranty compared to the standard 2-year warranty offered by all washing machines on our list.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to operate
- Child safety lock
- Magic filter
- Delay Start
- Soft-close glass lid
Cons
- Low spin speed
- Low energy and water efficiency
- No smart app connectivity
- Only 1-year warranty
Types of Washing Machines Available
When shopping for a washing machine, you have the choice of two main types: top loaders and front loaders. Both types of washing machines come with different features that can help to customise your laundry experience.
#1 - Top-Loading
Top loader washing machines are more affordable than their front loader counterparts and feature a lid at the top of the machine where clothes are added. This type of washing machine can also spin clothes faster, and they tend to use more water than front-loader machines.
Reasons to buy
- More affordable
- Easier to load and unload
- Faster than front-loading washing machines
- Can add extra items mid-cycle
- Large load capacity
- Short cycle duration
- Best suited for cold water washings
Reasons to avoid
- Noisy
- Less energy efficient
- May not clean clothes as well as front-loading machines
- Preferred for non-delicate fabrics
- Use more water and detergent for the washing operation
#2 - Front-Loading
Front loader washing machines have evolved from conventional washing machines. These are more expensive but offer a larger capacity and generally use less energy and water. The lid on a front loader washing machine is located at the front of the machine, and clothes are loaded through this opening. They tend to be gentler on fabrics, making them better suited for delicate items.
Reasons to buy
- More energy efficient
- Better cleaning performance
- Less water is required for the washing operation
- Best suited for delicate clothes
- Quiet operation
- Fast spin duration
- Stackable
- Designed for both warm and cold water
Reasons to Avoid
- More expensive
- Can be harder to load and unload
- Longer cycle duration
- Not all front loaders allow adding of extra items mid-cycle
How to Choose the Best Washing Machine
When it comes to purchasing the best washing machine for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Capacity, energy efficiency, water efficiency, spin efficiency, price, brand reputation, customer reviews, and advanced features are all important considerations when buying a washing machine.
#1 - Capacity
The capacity of a washing machine refers to the amount of laundry it can hold at once. Consider the size of your household and the amount of laundry you typically do when choosing the right capacity washing machine for you. A small capacity means you can't do bulk laundry at a go.
#2 - Energy efficiency
Consider the energy efficiency rating of the washing machine. To save on energy costs and minimize your environmental impact, look for a rating of at least 3 stars. However, it's important to mention that even a one-star rating can save you money down the line. The more stars your washing machine, the more efficient it will be; it will cost less to run.
#3 - Water efficiency
Washing machines that have been certified by WaterSense use less water than other models. Look for one with a WaterSense certification to save money on your water bill. Similar to the energy efficiency rating on your washing machine, the more stars, the more water-efficient your washing machine will be.
#4 - Spin efficiency
The spin efficiency of a washing machine determines how quickly the laundry is dried. The faster the spin, the quicker your washing machine removes water from your clothes or reduces the amount of residual water left on thicker garments at the end of a wash cycle. A washing machine with 1,200 to 1,400 rpm is ideal for most of your drying needs.
#5 - Features
Many modern washing machines come with advanced features like steam cycles, sensor wash cycles, quick cycles, auto-dosing, out-of-balance, smart connectivity, delay start/stop options, etc. Consider what type of features you would like in a washing machine before making your purchase. The ideal features should be those that improve your laundry experience.
#6 - Brand
It’s important to research the brand reputation and customer reviews of any washing machine you’re considering. Look for machines with good customer feedback to ensure that you’re getting a quality product. Trusted brands also offer good warranties on their products. So you don't have to worry about breaking it shortly after your purchase.
#7 - Price
The price of a washing machine can vary greatly depending on its features and brand. Be sure to research different models and compare prices before making your purchase. Determine your budget and find the best value for your money. We recommend factoring your washing machine's energy and water efficiency into your pricing. A good water and energy rating helps you save down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions on the use and maintenance of washing machines in New Zealand.
How much is a washing machine in New Zealand?
When buying a washing machine, expect to pay anywhere from NZD 500 to 3,000. Front-loader washing machines are typically more expensive than top-loader washing machines, as they provide more efficient cleaning, better spin cycles, and additional features. If you’re looking for an economical option, top-loader washing machines are a great choice, as they tend to be cheaper.
What is the right temperature for washing clothes in a washing machine?
Generally, it is best to use cold water (20° C/68° F) for delicate and wool items, while warm water (30° C/86° F) can be used for normal washes. Hot water (40° C/104° F) is best reserved for heavily soiled items. Still, pay attention to the temperature settings of your washing machine to ensure that your clothes are washed properly.
What is the difference between a top-loader washing machine and a front-loader washing machine?
The main difference between them is the way they load laundry; top loaders use an agitator to move the laundry around, while front loaders use a tumbling action that’s gentler on fabrics. Front loaders, while expensive, are generally also more energy efficient and use less water.
What is the difference between a top-loading detergent and a front-loading detergent?
Top-loader detergents are designed for traditional top-loader washing machines and are formulated to work with the agitator motion. Front-loader detergents are designed for the tumbling motion of front-loader machines and are formulated to produce fewer suds to prevent over-foaming. Use the right type of detergent in your washing machine to avoid excessive bubbling, buildup, and odour.
How to maintain a front-loader washing machine for a long?
Remove the washed loads immediately for front-loader washing machines and keep the door open after each wash so that the drum and door can dry out. Use highly efficient detergents as they produce fewer suds, and clean the door's rubber seal regularly to prevent mould and mildew build-up.
How to maintain a top-loader washing machine for a long?
Periodically check for any leakages or damage, address them promptly, and always place them on a levelled surface. We recommend not overloading the washer as it can lead to excessive wear and tear and emptying the machine before going to sleep. To save energy, opt for a cold water wash and use a top-loading detergent designed specifically for top-loaders.
What to consider if buying a second-hand washing machine?
When buying a second-hand washing machine, it's important to inspect it thoroughly to ensure that there are no signs of wear or tear and that all the components are working properly. Check for any rusty parts that indicate a water leak, and inquire on how long they've had the machine, how often they used it, and any issues they had with it. Also, check if the item is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Revolutionise Your Laundry
When it comes to buying a washing machine in New Zealand, there are a lot of options to choose from. By considering the capacity, ratings, features, price, and brand, you can narrow your options and find the best washing machine for you and your family's needs.
The washing machines mentioned above are excellent options with unique features and benefits. Remember to use the buying guide to shortlist and narrow down your options to choose the right washer.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}