What are the best value-for-money washing machines? Ranking and tips for choosing well in 2022.
Updated in August 2026
Four years have passed since we wrote this ranking, and it is time for a reality check. Several of the 2022 models are no longer even made, and the links further down point to old product pages. What has not changed is the underlying advice: an 8 or 9 kg drum, an inverter motor and an A, B or C energy label.
What we have today in our Albox showroom, ready to take home: the Svan SL6203AIDV, 6 kg and 1,200 rpm with an inverter motor for €239, the Indesit IM 864, 8 kg with Steam function for €299 (which, as we said in 2022, still has one of the best technical services in Almería) and the VOK, 10 kg and 1,400 rpm, energy class A for €349.99.
New this year: we now offer the Bosch and Balay range (to order), from €449.99 to €529.99. If you are torn between these two brands, or between paying €500 or €250, we have compared them using real energy label figures here: Bosch or Balay: which washing machine to buy in 2026. And if you would rather start with the general criteria, have a look at our guide to choosing a washing machine in 2026.
To be perfectly clear: we deliver white goods only in the Valle del Almanzora, the Levante Almeriense and Los Vélez, using our own van. We do not ship nationwide. You can pay in instalments with Klarna, and you have 30 days to return it under our returns policy. We are where we have always been, on Avenida 28 de Febrero s/n in Albox, since 1923 and now in our fourth generation. You can see the actual stock in our washing machines section.
From here on is the original 2022 article. We are keeping it because the criteria are still valid, but the specific models and prices are out of date.
Choosing the right washing machine can seem complicated. After all, it is an appliance we only buy once in a blue moon, and it has features we may not be familiar with, such as energy consumption, spin speed or motor type, among others.
How to choose and buy the best possible washing machine
At Híper Ocio we have one of the best product selections in the whole Valle del Almanzora, and we deliver it to your home in our own van. But be careful: the cheapest washing machine is not always the best choice, and we explain why.
The basics to bear in mind:
Drum capacity
For as long as anyone can remember, the norm at home has been a 5 kg drum (or even 4.5 kg). Today, unless your budget is very tight, that is a mistake: 7, 8 and even 9 kg machines have come down so much in price that a 5 or 6 kg model is not worth it.
Something almost nobody considers is that larger washing machines have sturdier bearings, which can extend the life of the appliance (when a machine's bearings fail, the repair is so expensive that it costs more than the machine is worth).
Another point to bear in mind is that with more capacity you will end up doing fewer washes over the year, which saves both money and resources. And if you load it less fully, it works under less strain, so it will also last longer.
Energy rating
With electricity prices the way they are, ignoring this feature is shooting yourself in the foot. Fortunately, almost every option on the market is now fairly efficient, although there are still notable differences between models.
Until 2021 we were used to the energy rating scale that went up to A+++, but it was changed. What used to be A+ is now F or G. It is important to understand the equivalence table, because many customers are alarmed to see a D on an appliance that is actually efficient.
We recommend choosing class A, B or C, because it pays off in the long run.
Spin speed
Fortunately, we live in one of the sunniest areas of Europe, so we have never worried much about spin speed. But if you plan to use a tumble dryer, it is worth looking for at least 1,000 revolutions per minute (other guides will tell you 600, but that makes little sense). Most washing machines on the market already reach this speed, and a machine with 1,200 or 1,400 saves a considerable amount of time in the dryer, which means lower energy use and less wear on your clothes.
Programmes, menus and display
There is no need to overthink this section. All washing machines on the market are very complete and come with plenty of programmes, so you can choose the one that best suits the type of clothes and how dirty they are.
However, we do think the menus and display matter a great deal. A machine with just a dial to choose the programme, where you cannot change the duration, speed or temperature, is not the same as one where you can adjust everything to your liking. Above all because being able to choose programmes with a low water temperature, or simply cold water, also saves a good deal of energy.
Loading type and width
Standard washing machines, the traditional kind, are front-loading and all measure 60 cm wide. Top-loading models measure 45 cm wide.
Whenever possible, we advise choosing a front loader, as they are cheaper and offer better performance and efficiency. Another useful point is that front loaders allow you to stack the tumble dryer on top, which recovers some of the space lost through the extra width.
Motor type and noise
Few people think about this, which is understandable as it is quite technical. To simplify a great deal: there are two kinds of motor, conventional and inverter. Inverter motors are much more efficient and so reliable that most manufacturers add an extra warranty. Bosch, Balay, Svan and LG offer up to 10 years on the motor. In 2026, inverter motors are standard even in budget ranges.
As for noise, again there is no need to overthink it. Unless the machine is in the room where you spend your day, you will not really notice the difference. Noise is measured in decibels, and the quietest on the market tend to be Bosch: their Serie 6 models stay at 71-72 dB, noise class A.
Washer dryers
As a rule, no. Why? Because they cost practically the same as a separate washing machine and tumble dryer, and they have several drawbacks. The main one is that a tumble dryer, as it is not in direct contact with water, lasts many more years than a washing machine. In addition, the dryer is not used every time, which adds to its lifespan.
On top of that, washer dryers have a smaller drying capacity than washing capacity, so you have to take clothes out halfway through the cycle, which is a nuisance. That said, if there is no other option because of the layout of your kitchen or utility room, we have several Infiniton washer dryers in our range.
Technical service
Nobody likes to think their brand-new appliance is going to break down, but it can happen. We go out of our way to solve any problem and we do not sell any brand or model that has let us down, although we believe it is important not to opt for unknown brands just to save a few euros.
In our opinion, the brands with the best technical service in our area right now are Bosch and Balay (they share BSH's official technical service, which covers the whole province), Whirlpool, Indesit, Infiniton and Svan.
The 2022 ranking (archive)
For context, here is the original ranking we published in March 2022. Most of these models are no longer made, so please take it as a snapshot of the market at the time rather than a current buying recommendation.
- Indesit 9 kg washing machine. Our best seller for years. Unbeatable price, solid performance and the best technical service in Almería.
- Balay 9 kg washing machine with ExtraSilencio motor. The Zaragoza-based brand makes washing machines of remarkable quality, and the most striking thing was how little noise they made.
- Infiniton 10 kg washing machine with dispenser. A 10 kg drum, energy class B and an automatic detergent dispenser: you add a month's worth of detergent and it adjusts the dose itself.
- Milectric 7 kg washing machine. The second brand of Granada-based Infiniton, and one of our best sellers thanks to its price.
- LG 8 kg Direct Drive washing machine. Its motor transmitted movement directly to the drum, without a belt, reducing vibration and noise.
If you are looking for the 2026 equivalent of any of these models, this is the updated comparison: Bosch or Balay: which washing machine to buy in 2026.
