The cheapest washing machines are a great choice if you're on a budget. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great performance from your washer. Even budget appliances can offer multiple wash cycles, temperature settings and automatic sensors, often at a fraction of the price of high-end washers.
You can find some great washers at low prices that have been superseded by newer versions too, so don’t always be tempted by the latest model from your preferred manufacturer. Older appliances often have the same features and meet the same energy and water efficiency standards too.
Focusing on what you need from your washer is a great way to cut your costs - do you really need that Wi-Fi connectivity, brushed steel finish or super-fast spin speed? Figuring out what you need from your washer is the first step to getting a great deal. Once you’ve found your ideal budget washing machine, make sure you take note of the dimensions and measure the space available. Newer washers can be wider and deeper than older models, and you don’t want to be caught out by narrow doorways either!
We’ve got the lowdown on the best value washing machines available on the market, including top load, front load, and even portable washers that you can take anywhere. We’ve checked out their specs, features, user reviews and warranties to help you find the cheapest washing machine that offers true value for money. If you can’t find your perfect washer here, why not check out our guides to the best top load washers and best front load washers, for more great options.
Where to shop the cheapest washing machines
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- Browse washing machine deals at Walmart
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The cheapest washing machine
With 3.6 cubic feet of washing space, the GE GTW330ASKWW can tackle most laundry loads with ease, including blankets, bedding and towels.
This affordable washer gets a solid 4 out of 5 stars on Appliances Connection from over 4,000 reviews. Many users praise how smooth it is during operation, the roomy capacity and great performance and it scores well on value for money too. A few negative reviews mention the ‘drone’ of the agitator while others say the water levels are too low for thorough washing.
Select your water levels for one of four preset laundry load sizes, from small to supreme, or allow the washer to automatically sense the load and do the work for you.
Despite the low price, the GE GTW330ASKWW offers 11 wash cycles, including settings for whites, darks, delicates and a speed wash. Six temperature settings also ensure you’re preserving the color and shape of your clothes for longer. A deep rinse cycle is ideal for sensitive skin, rinsing laundry of any soap or fabric softener residue.
The spin speed is pretty slow – at 700 RPM you’re looking at one of the lowest on the market, but a higher spin speed doesn’t always mean dryer clothes, and you’ll benefit from a quieter machine too.
The stainless steel basket is rust-resistant and won’t chip or peel, reducing the risk of snagging laundry during a powerful spin, while the heavy-duty agitator gives a thorough clean. A deep rinse cycle is ideal for sensitive skin, rinsing laundry of any soap or fabric softener residue. The rotary dials are easy to control while cycle status lights keep you updated on the progress of your wash.
More of the cheapest washing machines
Type: Portable washing machine
Capacity: 0.9 cu. ft.
Max spin speed (RPM): 983
Dimensions (inches): 17.3" x 17.7" x 31.1"
If you don't have enough room for a full-size washer, or there's no laundry facility in your building, this portable washer from Black + Decker is the perfect solution. Choose from five cycles, including heavy, gentle, normal, rapid and soak and three water level settings. The inner tub is made of stainless steel, meaning no rusting or snagging and there's no agitator, which means lingerie and delicates won't get damaged or tangled. With two rollers, side handles and an adjustable front-leveling leg, this washer can be placed anywhere in your home. You'll also have peace of mind with the child lock protection on the transparent top-loading lid. An LED digital display helps you keep an eye on your wash cycle status and the washer comes with a drain hose and quick connect sink adaptor. Plus, it features a delayed start feature of up to 24 hours.
For
- LED digital display
- 5 washing cycles
Against
- Cold water only
- Small capacity
Type: Top load washer
Capacity: 3.8 cu. ft.
Max spin speed (RPM): 700
Dimensions (inches): 27 x 44 x 27
Hotpoint's top load washing machine features a capacity of 3.8 cubic feet, plus a powerful triple-action agitator to give your laundry a thorough clean. Choose from four wash cycles including whites and delicates, as well as six temperature settings. It also has three soil settings - normal, light and heavy. You can select the water level yourself or let the machine do the work with an automatic load sensor. Bleach and softener dispensers on this automatically release product during wash cycles so you don't have to worry about pouring them in at the right moment. Rotary electronic controls are easy to use and feature cycle status lights so you know how your laundry is progressing. While this model isn't stackable, but can be paired with select Hotpoint electric or gas-powered dryers. An auto-balance suspension system minimizes movement and noise while a limited 1-year warranty covers the entire appliance.
For
- Simple and easy to use
- Good capacity
Against
- Some users say it's too loud
- No soak cycle
Type: Front load washer
Capacity: 4.5 cu. ft.
Max spin speed (RPM): 1200
Dimensions (inches): 38.75, 27, 31.34
The Samsung WF45T6000AW features a generous capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, making it a great choice for medium to large households. Featuring vibration reduction technology, this front load washer is quiet and smooth during operation. It also features a handy self-cleaning reminder every 40 wash cycles to help you keep on top of essential chores. Fully stackable, its shallower closet-fit depth gives you more flexibility in positioning, while a wider drum means no sacrifice in capacity. This model is also compatible with Samsung's Smart Care diagnostic service, giving you troubleshooting and maintenance advice at your fingertips. With 16 washing cycles and five temperature levels, the Energy-Star certified Samsung WF45T6000AW isn't the cheapest washing machine, but it's often discounted at major retailers so it's always worth checking out the latest deals. One point to note - lots of reviews complain about the lettering on the controls rubbing off easily.
For
- Good capacity
- Self-cleaning reminder
Against
- Not the cheapest
- Lettering on controls rubs off
Type: Top load washer
Capacity: 3.5 cu. ft.
Max spin speed (RPM): 700
Dimensions (inches): 27.5, 42, 27
The Crosley VAW3584GW comes with a dual-action agitator that has two sections that move independently of each other, to help give your laundry a more thorough clean. With a 3.5 cubic feet capacity and a deep water fill feature, it will tackle most laundry loads. If you're short on time, allow the machine to automatically sense the laundry load and set the water level for you. And if you're always dropping a sock or two on the way to your washer, no problem, It features a late lid lock that gives you valuable extra time to throw in any missed items. Eight washing cycles and five temperature settings cover all your laundry needs from delicates to heavily soiled items, while a smooth porcelain tub helps to keep clothing snag-free.As well as a 1-year parts and labor warranty, every Crosley appliance has a 10-year major component warranty, so you get extra peace of mind if anything goes wrong.
For
- Dual-action agitator
- Late lid lock for missed items
Against
- Low spin speed
Buying advice for the cheapest washing machines
What can you expect from the cheapest washing machine?
When it comes to choosing a cheap washing machine, you’re likely to find that budget appliances lack certain features that manufacturers of high-end washers love to shout about. For example, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cheap washing machine that offers steam cleaning options, and you’re unlikely to get your hands on a ‘Smart’ washer that responds to voice commands or allows you to turn it on remotely. Capacity also tends to shrink slightly at the cheaper end of the market. Expect no more than around 4.5 cubic feet at this price range.
However, it’s still possible to find budget washers that offer plenty of bonus features you might not expect. For example, you can pick up models that are energy efficient, have automatic sensors for water filling, LED digital displays, child locks and even late lid lock features, so you can add that dropped sock after the cycle starts. Some even offer automatic dispensers, designed to add bleach, detergent and fabric softener at the right time.
Even the cheapest washing machines offer a wide variety of washing cycles and temperature settings. You can rely on having at least four wash cycles, with many appliances offering twice this much. When it comes to spin speed, most budget models offer around 700 RPM, which is around 300-500 RPM slower than more expensive options. However, this doesn’t matter as much as you think unless you're washing dense and heavy fabrics. And faster spin speeds can be a lot noisier too. A spin speed of 700 RPM is likely to suit most households.
Here at Top Ten Reviews, we want you to find a reliable washer, as well as one that fits comfortably into a smaller household budget. That’s why we’ve focused on reasonably priced products offering excellent quality. A washer that breaks down after a couple of years will cost you more in the long run, so sometimes it’s worth spending a little more to save a lot.
Downsides of the cheapest washing machines
There are a certain amount of pitfalls that you need to be aware of when buying a cheap washing machine. A cheap washing machine will likely use more inexpensive materials and parts to help keep their prices low. So you may have problems with your washer sooner rather than later. Cheap parts may also be harder to track down and replace too.
Most cheap washing machines only offer a limited 1-year warranty on parts and labor, so if something goes wrong, you could be looking at a hefty bill for repairs further down the line or even a brand new appliance. This could cost you a lot more money in the long run.
You’re also less likely to find an energy-efficient washer, so whatever savings you’re making on your appliance may disappear when your utility bills come in.
However, there’s no reason to think a high-end washing machine will wash your clothes any better than a reliable budget option. Still, you may get fewer cleaning options, a slower spin speed and a lower capacity tub, which may impact how you like to clean your clothes. So it’s worth considering what features you want your washer to have, then doing a little research to determine what that might cost.
