Best Washing Machine Under £500 For A Mid-Range Cleaner

If you’re looking for a budget appliance, we recommend taking a look at our list of the best washing machines for under £500. After all, tackling laundry takes up a lot of our time. So, we recommended spending a little more on your washing machine – something mid-range will help you find something budget-friendly and decked out with great features, as well as a longer life. Don’t throw the towel in just yet. We’ve found some great washing machines for under £500 to take for a spin.

On this list, we’ve not left anything out. A Modern Kitchen aims to find the perfect washing machine for your home, whether you're a large household or home to a small kitchen. We’ve got the (white) goods. For example, we’ve listed a few budget Bosch washing machines, famed for their reliable appliances. Though often known for a heftier price tag, their Serie 2 and 4 models sit under the £500 mark.

Best Washing Machines Under £500 At A Glance

• Best 8kg washing machine under £500: Hotpoint NSWR 845C GK UK N 8kg Washing Machine – View on Currys
• Best energy-efficient washing machine under £500: Samsung, S5 Freestanding Washing Machine, 9kg - View on John Lewis
• Best washing machine under £500 with large capacity: Bush, Freestanding Washing Machine, 12kg - View on Argos
• Best 9kg washing machine under £500: SAMSUNG Series 5 ecobubble WW90TA046AE/EU Washing Machine – View on Currys

If you’re cutting back and determined to spend as little as possible, our piece on washing machines for under £300 may be worth a look. However, with such cheap models, may arise issues regarding performance, longevity and overall adequacy. An extra £100 or so can really make a difference to those dreaded laundry days. Finding you a great deal on your washing machine is our priority.

Looking for a seamless looking to your appliances? We’ve handpicked some integrated washing machines at bargain prices, too. You won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure. With energy-efficient and virtually silent picks readily available on the market, we couldn’t resist including them. Now – onto the round-up, where we’ve found some flashy appliances at a mid-range price. And – if you’re a little clueless about which washing machine is best, our deputy editor – Ellie – has written a great guide.

Best Washing Machine Under £500

Our Verdict: Best Washing Machine Under £500

When choosing the best washing machine under £500, we looked at performance, value and customer reviews. With that, we recommend the SAMSUNG Series 5 ecobubble WW90TA046AE/EU Washing Machine. It has 14 impressive washing programmes including Bedding, 15 min Quick Wash, Eco 40-60, Hygiene Steam, Delicates and more. and more.

When ensuring that every family member's clothes are catered for, this appliance has easy-to-navigate controls and variable spin speeds and temperatures to get the best possible results for your clothes. In our opinion, the best feature is ecobubble which can help you to save up to £250 on your annual energy costs.

FAQs: Best Washing Machine Under £500

What should I look for in a mid-range washing machine?

Though all washing machines may seem the same – requiring the same old washing powder – they can differ quite considerably. Below, are some key features you should be looking out for when you’re looking for a laundry bargain. Take these for a spin…

Drum Capacity – comes first. As we’re upping the budget from £300 to £500, there’s much more lee-way with how much washing you can fit in the drum. Though 7 or 8kg washing machines are typically cheaper, drum size will all depend on your household size, of course. Luckily, for all of the larger households out there, you can snag a 12kg washing machine for just under £500.

Spin Speed - may come into play but is not a feature greatly impacted by price range. Typically, the ideal spin speed is 1400rpm with anything below 1200rpm classed as poor.

Programmes – will be pre-set with your washing machine. Models in the £300 to £500 range will be abundant in smart features and innovative cycles. These can be an anti-allergy cycle, a delicate hand-wash cycle or a delayed start. Doesn’t that sound nifty? New-fangled washing machines are tailor-made for our needs, and hopefully, your washing machine will suit your home best.

Energy-Efficiency – is a great feature when we’re all feeling the pinch. Aside from keeping your washing machine in tip-top condition with washing machine cleaner – to increase its longevity – we recommend taking note of a washing machine energy-efficiency mark, which is rated A-G. As washing machines get dearer, the higher the ratings go – so, we’ve got some A-grade picks above.

How do I install a washing machine?

Most retailers offer installation and the removal and recycling of your old machine. It is an added cost (up to £50 for both for freestanding, £120 for integrated) but it does come highly recommended if you don't consider yourself to be particularly DIY-savvy or want to deal with the faff of moving and recycling a bulky appliance yourself.

However, if you do want to install your freestanding or integrated washing machine yourself to save a bit of money, we'd recommend following this installation guide from ao.com which takes you step-by-step through the process to get your machine in place.

How do I clean my washing machine?

"If it smells musty or damp then this is a sign it needs a clean,” says Persil. “[Cleaning] a smelly washing machine [will] remove bad odours, which can often be caused by bacteria." So, this could definitely be a worthwhile chore for keeping your machine alive for longer and your clothes smelling as fresh as possible.

So, what method is best? Well, we recommend giving your washing machine a spring clean, with a washing machine cleaner or a manual clean using vinegar. Luckily, some appliances will come with designated cleaning cycles and apps designed to keep up with maintenance. Super helpful, we know. But, unlikely features for a budget washing machine – so, it’s up to you to keep up with cleaning.

Method

Robert Dyas recommends in their washing machine cleaning guide to “start with removing dirt and mould under the seal.” Equipped with rubber gloves, pour bicarbonate of sofa into the “dirty area between the metal drum and the rubber seal,” says Robert Dyas. Then, add vinegar and wipe.

Next, you should clean the drum with white vinegar. Add both bicarbonate of soda and the vinegar to the detergent drawer. Robert Dyas says to “put it on the hottest wash and it’ll be sparkling clean when it’s done.” Make sure to scrub any residue and mould from the detergent drawer, also.

Lastly, tackle the filter. If your washing machine smells, the filter is likely the culprit. Found behind a small door at the bottom right if the machine, Robert Dyas says you need to “remove all the gunk that’s built up” in the filter. You’ll have to unscrew it from its place. It’s not a pleasant job, so remember those rubber gloves. After you’ve removed all the gunk, give the filter a soak and scrub.

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.