5 Best Integrated Washing Machines UK 2021 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Integrated appliances are excellent additions for homes that don’t have a separate utility room or area to store a washer. These machines slide right in under the counter and become camouflaged behind the cupboard door so your kitchen aesthetic isn’t marred by any white goods.

They’re also great for utility rooms that have fitted cabinets as well. The machine becomes extra worktop space so are a versatile option to maximise the function of any room.

Just like all other appliances, there’s a lot to consider if you’re buying an integrated washer for the first time or even replacing an older model. I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best integrated washing machines for sale in the UK alongside a handy washing machine buying guide to help make sure you choose the best model to suit your needs.

Top 5 Best Integrated Washing Machines UK

• Top Choice – Smeg WMI14C7-2 Integrated 7Kg Washing Machine
• Best Under £500 – Hoover H-WASH 300 HBWM914DC Integrated 9Kg Washing Machine
• Best Under £300 – Indesit BIWMIL71252 Integrated 7Kg Washing Machine with 1200 rpm
• Best With 1600 Spin – Beko WIR86540F1 Integrated 8Kg Washing Machine with 1600 rpm
• Best 9kg – Candy CBWM916D Integrated 9Kg Washing Machine with 1600 rpm

1. Top Choice – Smeg WMI14C7-2 Integrated 7Kg Washing Machine

For a medium sized household, the Smeg integrated washing machine will not disappoint. It’s definitely one fo the best washing machines out there and I’ll explain why!

Let’s start with the exterior. It has a satisfying button and dial control and a secure handle to allow easy access. If you have young children you’ll appreciate the child-lock feature this machine has.

If you’re needing a quiet night but don’t want to forget the washing then this machine has a built-in delay start option. You can bung your dirty clothes in and have the machine get them washed and ready for the next morning! The timer function can be set for anywhere up to 24 hours.

It has fuzzy logic built-in which means the machine can detect how much dirt and grease there is and so adjusts soap and water to suit.

The door doesn’t have a wide open function but is pretty sizable itself so I didn’t find this to be an issue.

The spin rating is a B and it’s only an A++ energy rating so not as efficient as other models but it does have the lowest annual energy consumption at 193 kWh per year. it certainly won’t be racking up your energy bills significantly.

It doesn’t have a hand wash cycle but it does have a delicate wash that takes care of most clothing items.

Overall this machine is very sturdy, performs well and copes with medium sized families. It also comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty so if you experience any issues with your machine they will repair or replace it for free at that time.

2. Best Under £500 – Hoover H-WASH 300 HBWM914DC Integrated 9Kg Washing Machine

For a mid-range washer, the Hoover integrated model certainly doesn’t look it. It has a sleek and stylish design and fits perfectly under the counter whilst boasting a 9kg drum capacity. The wide opening door makes it easy to load large batches of clothes or even duvets.

The thing I love about this machine is it has a Hygiene + programme that helps to keep your clothes free from bacteria and allergens. Great if you suffer from a skin condition or have sensitive skin.

It has an eco-friendly function as well that allows the machine to adapt wash time and energy used to suit each individual load. This alongside the A-rated spin performance makes it pretty environmentally friendly.

The wash programmes vary from a cool 20 degree, colour mix cycle to a powerful 90 degrees that will kill bacteria and remove tough stains.

If tough stains are a common occurrence then you’ll love the steam function this machine has. Any stain will struggle to stand its ground against this machine!

Finally, the Hoover machine has a daily quick programme that runs for 59 minutes so perfect to stay on top of the never ending washing produced by large families. Alongside this, the baby programme has an intensive rinse cycle to leave your little one’s clothes smelling fresh and sweet again.

3. Best Under £300 – Indesit BIWMIL71252 Integrated 7Kg Washing Machine with 1200 rpm

For medium-sized families needing a new machine on a budget, this one wins out hands down. The door has a wide-open feature that makes loading up easy. One feature that makes this machine really unique is the “push and wash” function. All you need to do is push the button for 2 seconds and the machine automatically washes your clothes for 50 minutes at an eco-friendly 30 degree wash.

The machine has loads of different cycles and all are listed on the front of the machine which makes it really easy to use.

It’s pretty cheap to run, being an A++ energy rating. The wash performance is A-rated but the spin performance doesn’t rank quite as high as it is B rated. this means your clothes will come out squeaky clean but may hold onto a touch more moisture.

It has all the handy features like child-lock and a delay timer. This can be set to 3, 6 or 9 hours and this machine does have the added benefit of a handwash cycle.

Overall this machine gives you a lot for your money. It isn’t the biggest or most powerful machine out there but it will certainly get everyone’s clothes clean and fresh and it won’t use a ridiculous amount of power doing so.

4. Best With 1600 Spin – Beko WIR86540F1 Integrated 8Kg Washing Machine with 1600 rpm

For a busy household, Beko has come up with the perfect solution. The large door makes it possible to fit bedding in easily and the 8kg drum size can cope with larger loads. The Beko machine has several rapid cycles to allow you to power through the wash loads efficiently. It has an Xpress super short cycle that gets your clothes clean in only 14 minutes and a Daily Quick cycle that can handle a full load in as little as 28 minutes.

This machine is very powerful and has an A-rated spin cycle so gets your clothes really dry. It has an Ecosmart function which helps push it into the A+++ energy rating category.

For homes with young children, the child lock feature gives you peace of mind and the delay start function can be set up to 19 hours to make sure you never forget to put the next load on.

Fuzzy logic and handwash features are both built into this machine and it also has an additional time saver button that you can press to speed up any load.

The spin cycle noise levels are pretty quiet at only 68 decibels despite having a spin speed of 1600 rpm.

I love the fact this machine has a timer to show how long the cycle has left so you’re not left guessing when you’ll get your clothes back.

Overall this is a super-powerful and very economical and user friendly washing machine. About the only downside of this one is it doesn’t have a wide opening door so that can end up getting in the way sometimes.

5. Best 9kg – Candy CBWM916D Integrated 9Kg Washing Machine with 1600 rpm

If you always feel like the washing is never ending then you may need a machine with a large capacity. The Candy integrated washer can cope with a full load of up to 9kg so is perfect for large families. When you have children you can’t avoid marks and spills and this machine has an anti-stain Hygiene plus cycle that gets up to 90 degrees. This kills all bacteria and stains don’t stand a chance.

A unique feature of this machine is the fact that it has a KG sensor which weighs the clothes and cleverly adjusts the amount of water and time of the cycle. This enhances the eco-friendly nature of this washer and helps keep those running costs down.

It has all my favourite features that make washing easier and safer. It boasts child-lock, delay timer up to 23 hours, fuzzy logic, handwash, large porthole, wide open door, A-rated spin performance, and timer display.

With all these positives no machine is perfect. It does get quite loud when the spin cycle gets up to 1600rpm and can reach 79 dB. It doesn’t have a time saver function and the warranty is only 1 year.

What To Look For In An Integrated Washing Machine

Unlike a freestanding washing machine, an integrated machine is a tidier way to do home appliances. When choosing the perfect fit for your home there are many factors to take into consideration. This handy washing machine buying guide should help highlight the important points to look out for.

Spin Speed

A faster spin speed extracts more moisture from your clothes so they dry quicker. This saves time in the tumble dryer which also helps save energy. Most machines range from a top speed of 1000 rpm to 1600 rpm.

If you want very dry clothes then opt for 1400rpm-1600rpm and if you don’t mind a bit of extra drying time then 1000-1200 should be sufficient.

Capacity

Load capacity is very important when it comes to using your machine. If you’re a single person or a couple then the washing load size is going to be a lot smaller than that for a large family. The drum size of integrated washing machines doesn’t usually affect the machine external size so they all fit quite well under the average sized kitchen counter.

Load capacity usually ranges from a tiny 5kg to a decent 9kg. Some larger machines range from 10kg-13kg which are ideal for very big families.

Energy Efficiency

Machine running costs can mount up significantly over time. The energy efficient rating is a scale rated from A to A+++ and it serves to give you a good idea of how much energy your machine will consume. It’s important to consider whether the machine has an eco function as well which further reduces energy usage.

Finally, you want to check water consumption to get a better idea costs for water usage.

F.A.Qs

Are all integrated washing machines the same size?

The 5 machines compared here are all identical in height at 82 cm. The width varies by 0.5cm but is around 60cm and the depth ranges for 54.5cm to 56cm. Basically, the dimensions are very similar and most machines should fit comfortably under the standard kitchen countertop. It is always worth measuring the space and checking the machine dimensions online before ordering any new machine.

How long should a washing machine last?

Your washing machine should last around 10 years if it’s properly installed and cared for.

How Noisy Should My Washing Machine be?

There are two noise ratings for washing machines. There’s the wash noise level and the spin noise level. On average you should expect around 50 db for the wash and 70 db for the spin cycle. Anywhere below 50 is considered very quiet and anything above 75 db is getting quite loud (a vacuum cleaner normally runs about 70 db).

What’s the difference between an integrated and a free standing washing machine?

An integrated washing machine is specially designed to fit under a kitchen or worktop counter. This means that they fit in with the kitchen and are not on display.

A freestanding washing machine is an appliance that sits by itself so you have more flexibility about where it can go.

Do any of these machines support minimal ironing?

The Indesit, Hoover and Smeg machines all have an easy iron function but the Candy and Beko machines do not.

Are any of these machines integrated washer dryers?

These models do not have a dryer option so you will need a separate tumble dryer.

Final Thoughts

The Smeg integrated washing machine comes out on top as the best integrated washing machine overall. The other brands hold their own where it comes to size and cost. Ultimately you need to consider what is the most important feature you require from your washer and match it to your budget. I hope this guide has provided some assistance towards that and that you end up with a machine that serves you well.

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