Features

Cold fill. Energy rated A+. 1600 variable spin; 5.0kg maximum wash load size and 2.5kg maximum cotton drying load size.Prog times: 40° cotton wash: 2.11 hours; 30° cotton wash 3.01 hours; 40° synthetics wash 1.21 hours; combined wash and dry cotton programme 2.01 hours

Comments

Expensive, but worth it if you want to cut down on water usage. This machine has the lowest average water consumption of all the machines tested, even when accounting for the water used during drying. It has excellent wash and dry performance, but rather too many programme options and the instructions could be more clearly laid out

Stockist: 01235 554455 www.miele.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Sep 08

Features

Cold fill. Energy rated C. 1200 variable spin; 5.0kg maximum wash load size and 2.5kg maximum cotton drying load size.Prog times: 40° cotton wash: 1.11 hours; 30° cotton wash 1.04 hours; 40° synthetics wash 54 minutes; combined wash and dry cotton programme 2.59 hours

Comments

This has the second lowest average water consumption of all the models tested and nice quick programmes to boot. The press controls are very responsive but take care not to knock against them. The clear digital display shows load size, temperature of the wash programme and the programme progress.

Stockist: 0870 840 3300 www.siemensappliances.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Sep 08

Features

Cold fill. Energy rated C. 1200 variable spin; 5.0kg maximum wash load size and 2.5kg maximum cotton drying load size.Prog times: 40° cotton wash: 1.56 hours; 30° cotton wash 1.07 hours; 40° synthetics wash 53 minutes; combined wash and dry programme 3.01 hours

Comments

One of the quietest models we tested and low on energy consumption, particularly for the 40° synthetics wash and dry programmes. It has a clear digital display and the single control dial makes it easy to select one of the useful range of programme options available

Stockist: 0844 892 8925 www.boschappliances.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Sep 08

Features

Cold fill. Energy rated C. 1200 variable spin; 5.0kg maximum wash load size and 3.0kg maximum cotton drying load size.Prog times: 40° cotton wash: 1.45 hours; 30° cotton wash 2.04 hours ; 40° synthetics wash 2.06 hours; combined wash and dry programme 4.15 hours

Comments

A good price for a machine with a useful number of programmes. Lost points on the length of its programmes, both the 30° cotton and polycotton washes taking over two hours and the drying programmes taking another two and a half hours

Stockist: 0870 600 8989 www.whirlpool.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Sep 08

Features

Cold fill. Energy rated B. 1100 variable spin; 6.0kg maximum wash load size and 3.0kg maximum cotton drying load size.Prog times: 40° cotton wash: 2.40 hours; 30° cotton wash 1.19 hours ; 40° synthetics wash 1.01 hours; combined wash and dry programme 4.02 hours

Comments

Long cotton programme and high energy use on drying cycle.  Hard to tell which control is for start and which is to switch the machine on and off. The drying times have to be set manually - no auto option. Door lock takes ages to release. Detergent not as easy to slide in and out as some tested. Clear display screen

Stockist: 08707 503503 www.fagor.com/uk

GHI Test Report - Sep 08