Which washing machine suits my family
A washing machine for a family is not a luxury but a necessity nowadays. To keep the household running, a washing machine full of laundry has to be started and unloaded several times a week. To make this household chore as easy as possible, washing machines on the market today have several features.
The washing machines are becoming more and more user friendly. For example, a number of washing machines can be controlled remotely and you can use an app to check how far the washing machine has progressed in its programme. And with the AddWash washing machine, you can add that one pair of trousers that was dirty when the washing machine was turned on. This is very convenient for busy families!
Best washing machines for a family in 2024
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
With a beautiful white exterior that would look good in many rooms, the LG WM3400CW front load washer fits right in your home. A large maximum capacity of 4.5 cu. ft. allows you to put in more laundry at one time, reducing the need to do more loads. It’s stackable, so you can pair it with your favorite LG dryer, sold separately or put it on top of the LG SideKick Pedestal Washer, also sold separately. Measuring 30.25 inches deep, 39 inches high and 27 inches wide at only 187.4 lbs., this washer can be placed in smaller laundry spaces or second floor closets. It has a left swing glass door that allows you to see inside.
The LG WM3400CW washing machine has an Energy Efficiency Rating of Tier II and consumes only 100kWH per year of energy with a maximum spin speed of 1300 revolutions per hour (RPM). The 8 wash cycle options give you enough choices without making things complicated. Choose from Bedding, Cold, Delicates, Extra Rinse, Heavy Duty, Normal, Permanent Press, Prewash, Rinse & Spin, Speed Wash, Towels and Sheets, and Tub Clean.
It doesn’t come with a steam function, but instead offers a trove of other amazing features. The special LG 6Motion technology uses 6 different wash motions, from scrubbing power to a gentle swing ensuring your clothes are cleaned effectively but gently. The LG TrueBalance anti-vibration system is designed to reduce the noise made by your washing machine, so you could enjoy a quiet time before the cycle finishes. Because this washer is made to be compatible with the LG Smart Diagnosis app, if you ever have a problem with your machine, you can avoid a call to the customer service center by troubleshooting yourself. The SenseClean system sets the water level automatically based on the weight of your laundry. What’s more, you also get standard features like adjustable legs, control lock, delay start, end of cycle signal, and spin speed option.
The LG washer dryer stacking kit (model # KSTK1) is not included.
The MHW5630HW front load washer from the Maytag Corporation holds up to 4.5 cu. ft. of laundry. It’s space saving because it is stackable, so you can pair it with a dryer of your choice. The measurements are 31.31 inches deep, 38.63 inches high and 27 inches wide with a total weight of 210 lbs. The exterior is covered with either a white or metallic slate finish. The square left swing glass door is fashionable and allows you to peer inside the machine with interior light. With a stainless-steel drum, your washer is low-maintenance and prevents your clothes from getting caught.
Save money and electricity. This machine is Energy Star Rated and just consumes 86kWH of power per year. Dry your clothes faster with a maximum spin speed of 1160 revolutions per minute (RPM), allowing the laundry to come out with less moisture. The Steam function sanitizes your laundry while dissolving dirt and grime gently. You have an abundance of choice with 10 wash cycle options. If you’re in a hurry, the Quick Wash Cycle can clean a small load within 15 minutes. Throw that load in a Maytag dryer with the Quick Dry Cycle (sold separately) and your clothes will be ready in no time. If you can’t remove the load from the washer after a cycle right away, the 12-Hour Fresh Spin option keeps your laundry soft and free from wrinkles until you’re back. If you found additional laundry you need to wash, Late Add allows you to stop the machine mid-cycle and throw in additional articles of clothing. Keep your washing machine clean and hygienic by running the AFFRESH cycle every 30 washes using the AFFRESH Washer Cleaner tablet or simply a liquid chlorine bleach. The Heavy Duty Cycle provides effective dirt and stain removal. Give it an extra oomph with the Extra Power Button which provides the most powerful cleaning in the industry. In addition to the special Maytag features, other functions include control lock, cycle status indicator
and front control.
The Maytag MHW5630HW front load washer comes with hoses and a power cord.
Your search for your next washing machine ends with the Electrolux EFLS627UIW front load washer. Generously sized with a total maximum capacity of 4.4 cu. ft., it allows you to wash more clothes with less loads. The exterior is coated in chic colors of either Titanium or a classic White. Even with a large capacity, this washing machine only measures 32 inches deep, 38 inches high and 27 inches wide and weighs 237 lbs. allowing you the luxury of placing it in smaller laundry spaces. Put in on top of the optional Electrolux pedestal storage drawer (Model # EPWD257UTT) to raise the height and provide you more laundry storage space. Save even more space in the laundry room by pairing it with your preferred Electrolux Dryer, because it is also stackable. The reversible round door gives you the flexibility to place it in different room configurations.
This washer is Energy Star and CEE certified with an Energy Efficiency Tier II rating. It’s impressively economical, only consuming 85kWH per year. The maximum spin speed runs at 1300 RPM. With the Perfect Steam feature, your clothes get extra thorough cleaning by gently lifting dirt from the bottom up. Finding missing articles of clothing is solved with the Luxury-Design interior lighting. This machine also gives you the option of 10 different wash cycles, including the 15-minute Fast Wash, and 5 Soil and Spin cycles. Enjoy exciting Electrolux features such as the SmartBoost technology which premixes your detergent and water before the cycle to enhance its cleaning power and Stain Soak which premixes the detergent, water and stain remover to create a potent cleaning solution. The world’s first Adaptive Dispenser accepts any type of detergent: powder, liquid and even pods. This washer has Automatic Water Level Adjustment, so it reduces water waste. The Delay Start feature allows you to start a cycle when it’s the most convenient for you. More features await when you buy this amazing washing machine.
The Electrolux EFLS627UIW comes with a power cord.
The GE GFW550SPNDG front load washer comes in the gorgeous color of Diamond Gray. The large 4.8 cu. ft. capacity is perfect to wash more clothes at once, saving you lots of time. Weighing just 246 lbs., with measurements of 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide, this beautiful machine will fit in many laundry spaces and closets. Place it wherever you please because the glass door is reversible, giving you a lot of flexibility in placement. Stack it with your favorite GE dryer and save even more space.
This machine is energy efficient, with an EER of Tier I, consuming only 158kWh per year. Dry your clothes faster because it comes with a maximum spin speed of 1300 RPM. A variety of choice is available to you with 10 wash cycles, from your delicates to heavy, bulky bedding. When you’re in a hurry, the 20-minute Quick Wash cycle will be there to save you. Sanitize with Oxi is a dedicated cycle designed to remove 99% of common bacteria by mixing an Oxi additive with your detergent, boosting its cleaning power.
It doesn’t come with a steam function but makes up for it with a trove of awesome GE exclusive features. Let’s start with the UltraFresh vent system with OdorBlock. This function eliminates excess moisture in your machine to help prevent odors and bacterial growth, so your washer stays fresh and clean. Moreover, the Microban antibacterial technology is build into the parts like the gasket, dispenser and draining system, further protecting you and your family from harmful germs. Dynamic Balancing Technology (dBT™) is GE’s patented, time saving technology that senses and rebalances uneven loads during a spin cycle, providing a quieter wash. The GE GFW550SPNDG is perfect for a modern, smart-home and can be controlled with an app in your phone because it is Wi-Fi ready. This machine is also ADA-compliant, allowing more people to use it freely.
No additional items included.
The GE GFW550SPNDG front load washer comes in the gorgeous color of Diamond Gray. The large 5.0 cu. ft. capacity is perfect to wash more clothes at once, saving you lots of time. Weighing just 246 lbs., with measurements of 34 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide, this beautiful machine will fit in many laundry spaces and closets. Place it wherever you please because the glass door is reversible, giving you a lot of flexibility in placement. Stack it with your favorite GE dryer and save even more space.
This machine is energy efficient, with an EER of Tier I, consuming only 158kWh per year. Dry your clothes faster because it comes with a maximum spin speed of 1300 RPM. A variety of choices is available to you with 12 wash cycles, from your delicates to heavy, bulky bedding. When you’re in a hurry, the 20-minute Quick Wash cycle will be there to save you. Wash a full load in just 37 minutes with Time Saver. A small load can be washed and dried with the 1 Step Wash + Dry cycle. Sanitize + Allergen is a dedicated cycle designed to remove 99% of common bacteria and allergens such as dust mites. For clothes that need the extra cleaning power, there is the Power Clean cycle.
This machine comes with the PowerSteam function that safely penetrates fabric fibers to loosen stains. The UltraFresh vent system with OdorBlock function eliminates excess moisture in your machine to help prevent odors and bacterial growth, so your washer stays fresh and clean. Moreover, the Microban antibacterial technology is built into the parts like the gasket, dispenser and draining system, further protecting you and your family from harmful germs. Dynamic Balancing Technology (dBT™) is GE’s patented, time saving technology that senses and rebalances uneven loads during a spin cycle, providing a quieter wash. The SmartDispense technology allows your washer to hold up to 32 loads of detergent that automatically dispenses when you start a wash cycle. The GE GFW550SPNDG is perfect for a modern, smart-home and can be controlled with an app in your phone because it is Wi-Fi ready.
The GE GFW550SPNDG comes with a power cord.
Washing machine payload against persons
The number of people in a family determines the desired fill weight, also known as the load capacity. This is the amount of laundry in kilograms that can fit into the drum, washing it to a good quality. For a family of 3, we recommend a load weight of 7kg. For a family of 4-5, we recommend a load weight of 8-9 kilograms. For a family of more than 5 persons, we recommend a fill weight of 10-12 kilos. It is not always the right choice to go higher than recommended. A half-full washing machine will consume unnecessary energy per wash. If a washing machine has a load sensor, and the wash programs are adjusted to the fill weight, this is less important. However, it is advisable to buy a washing machine that is suitable for the number of people in your household, because then you will wash the most energy-efficiently.
| 1 – 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people |
| 6 kilogram | 7 kilogram | 8 kilogram | 10 kilogram | 12 kilogram |
What to look out for when buying a washing machine
Washing machines come in many shapes and sizes. If you are not an expert in this area, it can be difficult to know what to look for. Because you are buying a washing machine for a number of years (preferably as long as possible), you want to make sure you choose a suitable and user-friendly model. Features of the washing machine that you should look for are: fill weight, energy consumption, ease of use, washing preferences, wash quality, build quality, wash programmes and possibly the noise level and even brand specific extra features. We take a closer look at the different parts and what you can look for.
- Energy class: The energy class of a washing machine varies from A+ to A+++. The higher the percentage, the more economical. This can make a considerable difference in energy costs. A more expensive but environmentally friendly model can therefore pay for itself by saving energy, especially if you look at the savings over the life years of the washing machine.
- Filling weight: If you choose a washing machine for a family, then you are assuming 3 or more people. For 3 to 4 people, 8 kilograms is enough, but for 5 or more people, 9 kilograms is more appropriate. Taking the right number of people into account is useful to avoid using unnecessary energy. Too high a load results in unnecessarily empty washing drums, which can lead to wasted energy and water if there is no load sensor. A too small fill weight leads to unnecessarily many washes, which can also lead to wasted water and energy, and to user dissatisfaction. These guidelines are there to help you choose the right size, you can of course always deviate from them.
- Ease of use: The ease of use is determined by various specifications, such as a residual timer, delayed start, adding wash in between, load sensor, operation via an app, automatic detergent dosing, steam function, self-cleaning detergent drawer, clothes protector, drum lighting and automatic switch-off. Which specifications a washing machine has depends on the model. Depending on your own preference you can choose for these conveniences or not. Of course, the more conveniences, the more expensive the washing machine.
- Washing preferences: A washing machine can have features that allow it to satisfy certain washing preferences, such as delicate fabrics, sensitive skin, sports clothes, extra fast (<60 minutes), water and energy efficient, reduced wear. If you are interested in any of these preferences, select them in the search.
- Washing quality: The washing quality of a family washing machine is divided into basic, medium and top classes. Laundry quality is determined by the following features: wash result A, automatic detergent dosage, load sensor, steam function, extra rinse function, clothes protector, self-cleaning detergent drawer and drum cleaning. A washing machine is considered top-of-the-range if it has at least 75% of these features. If the washing machine has between 50 and 70% of the features, it is a middle-range model. A basic class model has less than half of the features mentioned. A washing machine is available in every class. We recommend that you choose a middle or top-of-the-range washing machine.
- Build quality: The build quality can also be divided into three classes: basic class, middle class and top class. Build quality is determined by the presence of: metal housing with enamel, stainless steel drum, stainless steel tub, brushless motor, balance system, self-cleaning detergent drawer, 3 types of water protection and drum cleaning. If a washing machine has more than 70% of the above features, then it is a top class model. A 1400 rpm washing machine with 50 to 70% of the features is in the middle class. If it has less than 50% of the features, it is a basic class machine. We recommend buying a top of the range washing machine, this promises to be a more durable model. These washing machines are often a bit more expensive to buy because of their features, but they often pay for themselves because of their durability.
- Noise Level: The noise level of the washing machine varies and is on average 74 to 76 dB. A quiet washing machine has 73 dB or less and can be ideal if you run laundry mainly at night or near a child’s room. A normal washing machine has a noise level of 74 to 77 dB and a loud washing machine has a noise level of 78 dB or higher. Almost every 1400 rpm washing machine has a noise level within the ‘normal’ or ‘quiet’ category.
- Washing programmes: There are several different wash programs. As well as a short and ecological programme, there are also programmes for specific purposes, garments, types of clothing or fabrics: allergies, jeans, sportswear, outdoor clothes, sports shoes, silk, down, shirts, baby clothes, dark wash, mixed wash, bedding, curtains, impregnation and stains.
- Brand-specific additional features: Washing machines also have brand-specific features, which are linked to the brand of the washing machine itself. These features often have a distinctive name and generally make using the washing machine even easier. For example, you can add extra laundry in between washes, use the steam function or automatically dose the amount of detergent.
- Price: The price of a washing machine for the family ranges from €400 to €1500. The more expensive the washing machine, the more options it has and the greater the ease of use. In addition, a more expensive washing machine is often more durable, resulting in a longer lifespan, less wear and tear and fewer breakdowns or repairs. However, this depends on many factors and is certainly not a linear relationship. It’s worth checking whether you’re really getting more for the extra money, as this can more than pay for itself over the years, especially in the case of a more environmentally friendly model.