Front loader washing machines are washing machines that – you guessed it – have the door located at the front rather than the top of the machine (those are called, as you might expect, “top loader washing machines”).
As well as typically saving space, being easier to load and potentially stackable if you want a European laundry, front loader washing machines can be more efficient.
2025’s top front loader washing machines
- Asko 8kg classic front loader, $1499 (usually $1999), The Good Guys, (here’s why)
- Westinghouse 9kg front load washer, $791 (usually $1059), Appliances Online, (here’s why)
- Samsung 8.5kg/6kg Washer Dryer Combo, $952 (usually $1049), Appliances Online, (here’s why)
But if you’re used to a top loader, or know someone who swears by them, you might not be convinced a front loader is up to the task. So to get more details, we asked Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online, for some professional insights on the benefits of these machines. He also shared some of the most common myths.
What are the benefits of a front loader washing machine?
- Generally more water-efficient, energy-efficient and detergent-efficient
- Provide a more gentle wash
- Can reach higher spin speeds for faster drying times
- You can adjust your temperature, spin and wash cycle time
- Ideal for people who need to stack a dryer on top or have a compact laundry space
- You can use the top of your front loader for extra storage space, such as placing your basket on top for easy loading and unloading
What are some of the most popular myths about front loaders?
- Myth 1: Front loaders are too small for families. Compared to a top loader, it may seem like your front loader is much smaller. However, top loaders have a large agitator in the middle and have a plastic section at the top which stops garments from going elsewhere – these make a top loader seem much bigger than they are,
- Myth 2: Front loaders cannot be overloaded. Overloading your unit can damage your clothes and the unit itself. If you are unsure of how much to load inside, I suggest leaving a quarter of space from the top.
- Myth 3: Front loaders take too much time and energy and water. Front-loaders use less water, detergent and energy and provide the best possible wash results in the time required.
With so many different front loader washing machines to choose from in Australia, here we have picked out 10 of the best based on features including the washing capacity, cycles, energy ratings and water ratings. We’ve also included customer reviews where relevant, to help you get a better idea of how they actually work in homes.
10 best front loader washing machines in Australia
01
Asko 8kg classic front loader washing machine
$1499 (usually $1999), The Good Guys
Best for: customising your wash cycles
Save on your household bills with this water efficient and energy efficient Asko front loader, with 4.5-star ratings from the government’s water and energy rating programs. It has 15 helpful wash programs, including cottons and woollens, and customisable settings so you can adjust the temperature, spin speed and more. You can also add Green mode for water and energy savings, or Intense mode to most wash programs, or use the Super Rinse function to prevent irritation.
While it doesn’t have any customer reviews on The Good Guys, it has a 4.4-star average from over 220 reviews on Google.
“I bought this machine about a month ago and have found it to be an excellent machine,” one customer shared in a review from asko.com.
“It has a good energy and water rating but it does take longer with each load; however, it gives me more time to do other things before returning to hang the washing. It also spins really well which means the clothes take less time to dry on the line. It has loads of options for washing cycles but I basically stay with the general cycle for most of my washing. All in all, a brilliant machine.”
Energy rating: 4.5 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- Super rinse function to prevent skin irritation
- Quattro Construction with shock absorbers for minimal vibration and noise
- Green mode for energy and water saving
- Drum Cleaning program
- Two-year manufacturer warranty
Also available at:
- $1499 (usually $1999) at Appliances Online
- $1499 (usually $1999) at Bing Lee
02
Westinghouse 9kg EasyCare front load washing machine
$791 (usually $1059), Appliances Online
Best for: time settings
This Westinghouse front loader has three programs for fast washing, including a 15-minute cycle, as well as longer 60-minute Full Load cycle – and a Time Adjust feature so you can choose how quick or long your washing takes. It also features a 3XL door that makes it easier to wash large loads.
“Large enough, deals with a heavy load of towels and you can rely on it every time,” one customer shared in a five-star review on The Good Guys, where it has a 4.7-star average from over 200 reviews.
Energy rating: 4 stars
Water rating: 4 stars
Key features:
- 15 wash programs
- Child lock
- Add clothes
- Fast 15 wash for items that aren’t clean enough for your shelf but not dirty enough for the laundry basket.
Also available at:
- $843 at Bing Lee
- $899 at The Good Guys
- $899 at Betta
03
Samsung 8.5kg/6kg washer dryer combo
$952 (usually $1049), Appliances Online
Best for: front load washer and dryer combo
This Samsung front load washer and dryer is designed save space and make laundry easy in any weather. When you’re using it as a washer, you can treat stubborn dirt and stains with Samsung’s optional, innovative BubbleSoak pre-treatment, which soaks clothes in active bubbles before the wash cycle. And during the wash, you can choose BubbleWash, for a thorough clean with detergent, air and water mixed together at the start of the cycle to create a foam that gently and effectively cleans clothes, sheets and more.
There’s also Air Wash to refresh your clothes between cleans, a wash and dry setting and a cotton dry setting using the built-in condenser dryer.
“Great washer/dryer Only had for a few weeks, runs quietly. Dryer works well,” one customer shared in a five-star review on Appliances Online, where it has a 4.5-star average from over 98 customer reviews. “We love our washer/dryer combo, it works really well and the clothes dry fairly quickly,” another happy customer shared in a five-star review on the Samsung website.
Energy rating: 4 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- Front loader washing machine and condenser dryer
- BubbleWash and BubbleSoak functionality
- 11 programs, including 15Min Quick Wash, Daily Wash, Wash + Dry and Cotton Dry
- Two-year manufacturer’s warranty and 20 year motor warranty
Also available at:
- $1149 at The Good Guys
04
Electrolux 9kg UltimateCare 700 front load washing machine
$1040 (usually $1249), Appliances Online
Best for: helping your clothes last
This Electrolux front loader has 13 wash programs and smart sensor technology to optimise the washing time based on how much dirt, soil and stains it detects. Its testing has shown it can help to remove up to 53 different visible stains including oil, tomato sauce, fruit puree and pizza. The new IntelliQuick cycle also selects quickest programme based on your laundry load – cleaning a 9kg load in 45 minutes.
While it only has a handful of customer reviews so far, all of them gave it five stars at the time of writing. In fact, one customer who gave it a five-star review noted that they had been hesitant to buy it “mainly due to the lack of reviews online for this particular model” but ended up “very happy with this machine”.
“It is a substantial upgrade from my last front loader which was over 10 years old, and quite loud. In comparison, you can barely hear this machine running… This is a great machine for families or those with lots of washing to do. I managed six cycles between dinner and bed time on one night this week!”
Energy rating: 5 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- 13 programs including DelicatesPlus, IntelliQuick, Quick 15, Wool, Eco Cotton and Extra Rinse
- Sanitise program, verified by Swissatest combines a wash and steam to remove more than 99.99% of common bacteria and viruses
- SensorWash detects dirt to optimise cycle to help with stain removal
- UltraMix technology thoroughly dissolves detergent and softener before they enter the drum
- Child lock
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $999 at Betta
05
Bosch Series 6 10kg front load washing machine
$994, The Good Guys
Best for: big laundry loads
With a large washing capacity of 10kg, this Bosch washing machine is perfect for big families and other households that do a lot of laundry. Its size means you can easily wash bulky items like blankets and duvets, with a specific wash program for the latter as well as plenty of other programs including cotton, delicates, hand wash, wool, sports/fitness and more.
“I have a big family and this is great to throw everything in. Especially those weekends when you need to wash the team footy jerseys. Great work,” one customer shared in a five-star review on Bing Lee (currently sold out), where it has a 4.7-star average from over 120 reviews.
It also has a similar 4.6-star average from over 500 reviews on The Good Guys, where one customer shared: “Great compact (but 10kg) washing machine. Super-efficient re energy and water without compromising the quality.”
Energy rating: 5 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- ActiveWater Plus technology with advanced sensors for water efficiency
- SpeedPerformance program reduces wash cycle duration by up to 65%
- VarioDrum designed to evenly distribute water and ensure careful, efficient washing
- EcoSilence Drive motor engineered for quiet operation
- Two-year manufacturer warranty
06
Haier 7.5kg front load washer
$499 (usually $649), The Good Guys
Best for: an affordable front loader washing machine
Affordable and efficient, this Haier front loader has a 7.5kg capacity that’s suited to households of around three to four people. It has 15 different wash programs, including a Quick 15, Eco and even a Refresh cycle that uses steam to reduce odours and creases in lightly worn or stored items.
“Really great bang for the buck. The unit is VERY quiet, has plenty of cycle settings, was easy to install, and is overall a very solid unit,” one customer shared in a five-star review on The Good Guys, where it has a 4.6-star average from over 178 customer reviews. “This is our third Haier purchase in the last year (fridge and dishwasher) and I have to say I’m VERY impressed with the brand overall. It’s not the top end of pricing and for the cost, I feel like you are getting a top end machine. Looking forward to many many years of service from this and our other two units.”
Energy rating: 4.5 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- Hygiene wash function
- Can add in garments
- 15-minute fast wash for last-minute items
- Delay start function to time your laundry cycle
- Child lock
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $506 (usually $749) at Appliances Online
07
LG 8kg Series 5 slim front load washing machine
$597 (usually $799), Betta
Best for: a smart front loader washing machine
This front load washing machine has LG’s ThinQ technology so you can remotely start and monitor your laundry, review wash cycle history, diagnose and troubleshoot issues and download additional wash cycles. It also features intelligent fabric care with AI Direct Drive, a space-saving slim design, and an Allergy Care Cycle with Steam to reduce exposure to allergens.
“We’ve replaced our original LG washing machine, which served us for 20 years, with a newer version. This updated appliance offers improved efficiency, reduced noise emission, and continues to perform well. A notable enhancement is the “add item”, allowing for the inclusion of forgotten items and no more door handle,” one customer shared in a five-star review on Betta, where it has a 4.2-star average from over 100 customers.
“It’s a great washer. So easy to use and the clothes are really clean. The water consumption is so much less than a top loader. I am very happy with it,” another customer shared.
Energy rating: 4.5 stars
Water rating: 4 stars
Key Features:
- LG ThinQ smart technology for control via Android and iOS devices
- 11 washing programs
- Intelligent Fabric Care with AI Direct Drive
- Designed for a neat fit with narrow depth
- Reduce exposure to allergens with the Allergy Care Cycle with Steam
Also available at:
- $595 (usually $799) at The Good Guys
- $599 (usually $799) at Bing Lee
- $599.91 (usually $799) at LG
- $667 (usually $959) at Appliances Online
08
Fisher & Paykel 9kg front load washer
$716 (usually $1299), Appliances Online
Best for: simple efficiency
The Fisher & Paykel 9kg Front Load Washer brings efficiency and ease to your laundry routine with its SmartDrive technology, detecting the size of each load and adjusting water and energy use accordingly.
It has nine washing cycles, including a 30-minute quick option, which is fewer than some of the other front load washing machines here. But that hasn’t stopped customers from rating it highly, with a 4.7-star average from over 790 customer reviews on The Good Guys.
“Easy to use and great that it has a short cycle. Love the machine,” one customer shared in a five-star review posted on 17 March 2025.
Another customer who gave it five stars said: “I only ever use the 30 minute cycle as it washed great. I have used longer cycle for larger loads of whites which have required a soak or nappy san wash. Can adjust spin cycle etc and very easy to use.”
Energy rating: 4 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key Features:
- SmartDrive technology for a quiet and efficient wash
- Nine washing programs, including a Quick 30-minute wash
- Three program settings for cotton, Eco and 40 degrees
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $999 (usually $1099) at Betta
- $1099 at The Good Guys
- $1099 at Bing Lee
09
Miele 8kg front load washing machine WWD120
$1844.10 (usually $2049), Appliances Online
Best for: a premium front loader
This Miele front load washing machine includes the brand’s patented Honeycomb Drum, with a hexagonal surface that allows garments to glide across a thin layer of water for a gentle but efficient clean. It also has a high maximum spin speed of 1400 rpm, compared to the more standard 1200 rpm, and a 4.5-star WELS water rating and a 4.5-star energy rating. Plus 12 types of washing programs and a pre-ironing function that can save you time steaming and ironing your clothes.
“The wash is long but very thorough and the clothes are not bashed about. The choice of settings is not overwhelming but comprehensive and the ability to add things to the wash after it has started is excellent,” one customer shared in a five-star review on Appliances Online, where it has a 4.4-star average from over 60 reviews.
Another happy customer simply said: “I’m a convert, only Miele appliances from now on. This washing machine has exceeded my expectations.”
Energy rating: 4.5 stars
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- CapDosing functionality for more considered washing of wool and outerware
- 12 different washing programs
- Pre-ironing function
- Patented Honeycomb Drum design
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $1844.10 (usually $2049) at Bing Lee
- $1844.10 (usually $2049) at Winnings
- $1845 from The Good Guys (via Miele)
10
Haier 9kg-5kg combo washer dryer
$849 (usually $1299), The Good Guys
Best for: saving space in your laundry
With a solid energy rating of five stars when washing and four stars when drying, this Haier front loader gives you plenty of options for rainy-day laundry or small-spaces where a separate dryer might not fit. It has 12 washing programs including Bulky and Express 15, as well as wash-dry and dry-only cycles – and only needs a cold water inlet.
“I love that this product has a sense load! And dries the clothes automatically after washing,” one customer shared in a five-star review on The Good Guys, where it has a 4.6-star average from over 14 reviews.
“First ever purchase of a combo and the best decision I’ve ever made. Always had a separate unit with dryer mounted on the wall- hard to reach and needed back door open for ventilation. This little beauty does it all in one… Has given me so much space in the laundry and now feels open, not claustrophobic. Very quiet. Lots of programs I probably wouldn’t use, but nice to have. Quality solid unit. Highly recommend,” another customer wrote in a five-star review on Appliances Online.
Energy rating: 5 stars (wash), 4 stars (dry)
Water rating: 4.5 stars
Key features:
- 12 wash programs
- Continuous wash and dry cycles
- SmartHQ app and wifi connectivity
- Speed-up function for a quicker wash and dry
- Smart sensor dry function
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $768 (usually $1299) from Appliances Online
Which brand of washing machine is the best?
Reliability can vary based on personal experiences and usage, but brands like Miele, Bosch, and LG often receive high marks for reliability and customer satisfaction.
According to various consumer reports and reviews, Miele is frequently praised for its durability and long lifespan, though it comes at a higher price point.
Is an LG washing machine better than Fisher and Paykel?
Both LG and Fisher & Paykel are reputable brands with their own strengths. LG washing machines are known for their innovative features, energy efficiency, and integration with smart technology.
They often include features like direct drive motors, steam cleaning, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Fisher & Paykel, on the other hand, is praised for its ergonomic design, ease of use, and unique features like the SmartDrive technology and their famous dish drawer dishwasher concept.
Ultimately, the better choice depends on your specific needs and preferences regarding features, budget, and brand loyalty.
Is an 8kg washing machine good?
An 8kg washing machine is generally sufficient for a medium-sized family (around 3-4 people). It balances capacity and efficiency well, allowing for washing larger loads without using excessive water or energy. However, if you have a larger family or frequently wash bulky items like comforters, you might want to consider a machine with a larger capacity.
How long should a washing machine last?
This depends on the individual, how the machine is used and cared for, as well as the model, price point, technology and other factors.
“I find that most consumers hold onto their washing machines for roughly six years and purchase a new unit for a variety of reasons, such as a general upgrade with updated technology or not wanting to repair their current unit,” Appliances Online category expert Colin Jones said.
“If you keep your machine until it fails and is no longer repairable, I would say that would be about 10 years (again, depending on your usage).“
How we select the best front loader washing machines on this list
The Better Homes & Gardens team has collectively assessed and tried a wide selection of front loader washing machines to develop a clear set of criteria for our top picks. We regularly review the range of washing machines on the market in Australia, then narrow it down to ones available with our partners and consider the following criteria:
- Performance and performance-related features
- Efficiency, including the goverment’s energy and water star ratings
- Design and capacity
- Warranty coverage and maintenance
- Reviews, including our own hands-on experiences when possible
- Other notable features or elements, such as new technology or innovations
We also consider different price-points, sales and availability of stock to help ensure you can get a washing machine that suits you.
Related articles:
- Our picks for the best dryers to take for a gentle spin
- 5 advantages of owning a top load washer you might not have realised
- Why a heat pump dryer is the energy-efficient choice for your laundry
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