Quiet Washing Machine: A Low-Noise Appliance For Your Home

Consider a quiet washing machine for your laundry needs. After all, a washing machine awarded with the Quiet Mark can revolutionise your washing loads. Many brands – such as Miele, Bosch and Samsung – are making strides to keep our wash cycles as quiet as possible. Especially, when you live in a larger household, your mucky clothes will be spinning all hours of the day, throughout the week. An appliance that disturbs and distracts you from your day is not what we like to hear.

When determining the type of washing machine you need, you should begin by asking yourself: “What do I need from this appliance?” Do I need to find a washing machine under £350? How big is my household? Is my kitchen or utility space integrated? As Curry’s aptly points out, "With a ton of different features, types and cycles, buying a washing machine can put you in... well, a bit of a spin". If a quiet appliance is your priority, we recommend a washing machine with a quiet spin cycle. Though washing machines may look similar, they can differ in many ways…

Best Quiet Washing Machine At A Glance

• Budget quiet washing machine: LG F4V310WSE – view on Amazon UK
• Quiet Bosch model: BOSCH Series 4 WAN28250GB – view on Currys
• Quiet washer dryer: HAIER i-Pro Series 7 HWD80-B14979S – view on Amazon UK

Not only have we looked at integrated washing machines and freestanding, but we’ve also looked at drum capacity with our round-up. A quiet washing machine with 12kg capacity is made for the larger households out there, but may not suit others. Plus, energy efficiency is a great feature when we’re all feeling the pinch. A higher rating on the Energy Scale (rated A to G) means you’ll save money on spins in the long run. Washing machines with straight A’s tend to be pricier, though.

On the other hand, you may want something user-friendly, as opposed to teeming with the latest programmes and features. For example, some Bosch washing machines have programmes specially for night-time – guaranteed so silent, that you’ll sleep right through the cycle. How cool is that? Catering to all budgets and lifestyles, we’ve handpicked some super silent washing machine deals for your dreaded laundry day. If you’re a little clueless about which washing machine is best, our editor – Ellie – has written a great guide.

Best Silent or Quiet Washing Machine For Your Home

VERDICT: Which Is The Best Quiet Washing Machine?

Our top pick is the HAIER I-Pro Series 7 HW80-B14979S, available on Amazon UK.

First and foremost, this model has been certified by Quiet Mark, which was a very important factor in our decision, especially if you’re looking for an extra quiet appliance. Not only that, but it’s mid-range, has a pillow drum for delicate fabrics, automatic weight detection to reduce detergent and water use and an adjustable cycle duration – for accessibility and flexible washing. Impressive.

Alternatively, if you’re wondering which washing machine is quietest, we think it could be the Bosch S4 WAN28250GB washer. It has an A energy class and is fitted with a Quiet-Mark-certified EcoSilence Drive™, which ensures an energy-efficient operation and a very quiet washing cycle. Overall, it makes a reliable, cost-effective appliance if you require an 8kg washing machine.

FAQs

What Is Quiet Mark?

Quiet Mark is a certification organisation, which conducts expert acoustic testing and verification of products. Quiet Mark has “over the past 10 years driven change in manufacturing worldwide to prioritise noise reduction within the design of everyday machines, appliances, technologies and house build materials, creating the first one-stop platform for third-party approved noise reduction solutions for every living space to health and well-being”, says the organisation.

Why a Quiet Mark? Well, Quiet Mark aims to help consumers make more informed choices about the products they buy – with regard to sound levels. Quiet Mark adds that the scheme: “drives designers and manufacturers to reduce sound levels of their products enabling households and workplaces to rebalance the soundscape reducing stressful unwanted noise”.

After all, excessive noise can have a damaging effect on “health, productivity and social cohesion.” Even the World Health Organisation has conducted research into pollution as it can affect “mental and physical health and is now second only to air pollution as the world’s largest killer pollutant”. Don’t believe us? You can read more on how serious noise pollution is at the WHO.

So, the Quiet Mark reassures us that this appliance or machine has undergone some testing and has been marked as one of the quietest models in their appliance category. We’ve made sure to include some Quiet Mark washers in our round-up of washing machines that are quiet.

There is even a Quiet Mark Podcast, intent on exploring our relationship to sound.

How Many Decibels Is A Quiet Washing Machine?

Perhaps, you’re wondering: what is a quiet washing machine – and what does it sound like? Well, sound measurement is complex and will likely be perceived differently. Quiet Mark calls this “content driven”, which can be influenced by place, times and individuals. Plus, the tone and frequencies of sound can throw a spanner in the works, too.

This is just a thought to take for a spin before we talk about quiet washing machine decibels…

Between 50 and 75db is considered a quiet washing machine, claims appliance manufacturer Ebac. To contextualise this measure of sound, “75 dB is the equivalent of a toilet flushing, 70 dB is equivalent to a shower, and 60 dB is the noise level of a normal conversation”. Therefore, anything under 50db is considered to be very quiet and any appliance over 75db is considered to be very loud.

When considering a washer from our top picks, it’s important to consider the sound levels of every feature. Ebac reminds us that the “‘spin’ section of your wash cycle will be significantly louder than the ‘wash’ section”. Understandably, it is trickier to find a washing machine with a quiet spin cycle.

Can I Make A Washing Machine Quiet?

If you think your beloved washer is a little too loud, and you’re not keen on forking out for a new model, we have written a small guide on how to make the washing machine quiet, thanks to Which? Hopefully, this advice will help reduce noise pollution in your home and keep things peaceful…

Which? recommends turning off your washing machine and unplugging it before any maintenance.

How To Quiet A Noisy Washing Machine

First, balance the feet – as both should be “in firm contact with the floor.” For this, you’ll need to harness your inner DIY-er to adjust the feet by undoing the locking nuts and unscrewing the feet. Which? says to use a spirit level to help even the feet out – and to screw the nuts back when happy.

Or, it could be an unbalance with your washing loads. This can be remedied by keeping heavy items (such as towels and dressing gowns) away from lighter garments. Hopefully, this will prevent any unwanted noise and shakiness. Keep heavy items together and balance out the load in the drum.

Consider checking the drum for rogue items, such as coins and even bra wires. Items such as these could be the reason behind the strange sound and problems you’ve been having with your appliance. We’ve all done it. Make sure you inspect the drum and clean the seal to avoid any issues.

Next, clean the filter on the front – as some items are very keen to work their way down the filter. Often found at the front of the machine, the filter can be emptied easily. Which? recommends following “the instructions in your instructions manual to check and clean the filter.”

Though less likely, but something could be making a racket in the outer drum. Which? says: “Items that don’t get washed down into the filter will end up in the outer plastic tub that surrounds the metal washing drum,” so chances are, an item could be stuck here. This will require replacing.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in cookware. When she’s not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Piper is re-watching a TV show or listening to a podcast.