Best Slimline Washing Machines

Slimline washers are an excellent fit for homes with limited space and small families with minimal laundry needs. There aren’t many of them in the UK market, so we had to dig deep to bring you five of the top-rated machines.

In a hurry to know our overall top slimline washing machine? We rank the Hoover H-Wash 300 H3WS495TACE as the best overall slimline washer in the UK. To skip to the review use the table of contents below.

What is a slimline washing machine?

Standard washers are typically 55-65cm deep whereas a slimline machine will likely never be deeper than 55cm.

As UK homes have continued to shrink these slimline models have become more popular. A 2018 study shows that houses are up 30% smaller than those built in the 1970s. This means space is at a premium for many households.

Slimline washers are meant to fit in very limited recesses whilst offering comparable performance to their bulkier and more space-consuming standard counterparts. This makes them ideal for studio apartments, condos, student accommodation, or any other type of homes with minimal space.

Why choose a slimline washing machine?

If yours is a small household of one or two people, you might benefit from using a slimline washer. Most of these machines come with small load capacities and consume less water and energy compared to their bigger counterparts. This makes them more suitable for families that produce less dirty laundry and are looking to reduce their annual utility bills.

Pros and cons of slimline machines

Pros

• Many slimline washing machines are designed to be more eco-friendly, consuming less energy and water compared to their standard-sized counterparts.
• Slimline washing machines are best suited to small households with less laundry. It makes little sense to acquire a bulky 12kg capacity washer when a more space-saving 7kg slimline is sufficient for the amount of laundry you do every week.

Cons

• Due to their limited load capacities, slimline may not be the best options if you’re looking for a washer that can comfortably clean large items such as blankets and duvets.
• The cost of buying a slimline may be high when compared to other models. Usually, this is due to the market being a relatively small one.

What to look for when buying a slimline machine?

Like anything else, the quality of slimline washers varies from one product to the next. To ensure that you find the right machine, here are four features to look for:

Drum size

How much load capacity you need is primarily dependent on how frequent you do your laundry and the size of your family. If you wash your clothes every day, a washer with as small as 3kg capacity will suit you. Conversely, if you wash for more than three people or regularly wash large items like bedding, a machine with a bigger drum size will be more appropriate.

Wash programmes

Buy a machine that can handle multiple types of fabrics and has a wide range of functions to make washing easier. Some of the useful programmes to look out for include quick wash, anti-allergy, delicate and cotton. You can go a step further and look for machines with extra features like automatic load balancing, Wi-Fi connectivity, delay timer and noise management features. These will of course bump the price up further.

Economy

How much water and power a slimline washing machine uses for standard cycles is another critical factor to consider when buying a washer. You want to buy a machine that is as efficient as possible to avoid increased utility bills. All models we have selected below have a minimum energy rating of A+. The annual water consumption rates for all of them are also quite reasonable.

Are slimline washing machines the same size?

The simple answer is no. As we mentioned earlier, these machines come with narrower depths (and sometimes widths) to enable them to fit into squeezed spaces. As you’ll find out in our reviews below, the depth can range from as low as 44cm to just above 50cm.

Why is this important to know?

Well, you need to know these dimensions to be sure your preferred washing machine will fit inside the designated spot in your kitchen. Don’t forget to ensure that there’s also enough space left for connections, especially in the case of vented washers.

Best slimline washing machines in the UK

These are our picks of the top five slimline washing machines in the UK. Some of the key factors that guided our selections include dimensions, price, efficiency, drum size and programmes:

No.1: Hoover H-Wash 300 H3WS495TACE

The Hoover H-Wash 300 is 60cm wide but only 52cm deep. However, what really makes this machine stand out is the large 9kg drum, an energy rating of C, its low price and the WiFi enabled SMart controls.

The 14 wash programs, include steam clean, the ‘all in one 59’ setting and the sensor-driven ‘KG Mode’. The steam function removes wrinkles and reduces the need for ironing. Inside the drum, the sensors measure the load and customise the KG mode to create the most effective, economical wash. You can also adjust the spin speed in most settings to better suit your laundry.

The motor on this appliance is louder than others and it’s not as energy eco-friendly as some larger machines, but for the size and price, this is the best slim washing machine in the UK. It’s rare to find a model so technologically advanced with WiFi and weight sensors for less than £500, so not only you getting a slimline machine, you’re also getting a great deal.[/letsreviewunique]

No 2: Bosch WAJ28008GB

Bosch are a well known name in this industry and offer a range of well made appliances with numerous advanced features. This is one of their smallest framed machines but it still features a drum with 7kg capacity which is more than enough for most families of between 3 to 6 people.

The low noise level is one of the biggest strengths of this washer, thanks to its ingenious Eco-Silence drive and anti-vibration body design. If you’re looking to restore domestic tranquillity, this is a model you should consider. The anti-vibration feature also helps to enhance its stability when operating at high spin speeds.

Along with the stealthy silence, Bosch WAJ28008GB incorporates a couple of useful features to boost energy and water efficiency. First on that list is the sensor-driven ‘Safeguard Monitoring System’ that checks weight, load distribution and adjusts programs to ensure that only the necessary amount of energy and water is used. There’s also the 24-hour end-time delay timer function which lets you set your washer to operate during off-peak hours when electricity charges are lower or just to have it ready for when you get home from work.

If you’re looking for a slimline washing machine that’s tough on stains and operates with little fuss, the 1400rpm Bosch WAJ28008GB is the real deal!

No 3: Indesit Innex BWSC 61251 XW

If you’re truly short of space but still need a washing machine that offers excellent value for money, we highly recommend the Indesit Innex BWSC 61251 XW. At just 48cm deep, you can fit this intelligently designed washer in any nook or cranny in your kitchen.

The Innex BWSC 61251 XW is excellent on water and electricity usage. It’s only been awarded an energy rating of F in the new system but with an annual water usage of only 8400litres and electricity use of 173 kWh, for us it’s still a contender. And that’s not all; you can choose from one of its multiple eco-wash programmes to use even less water and power.

Impressively, this machine packs in 16 wash programmes. If you find yourself needing to do an emergency wash, the hassle-free rapid cycle helps you clean lightly soiled garments in just 15 minutes. There are also options for delicates, synthetics, mixed washing cycles, cotton and wool.

The BWSC 61251 XW comes with a modest 6kg drum capacity that will suit a small family of 2-3 people. Its 1200rpm spin speed ensures that your laundry is ready for the tumbler dryer, and it’s available at a fantastic price.

No 4: LOGIK L712WM20

The Logik L712WM20 has a 7kg drum capacity, is 60cm wide and only 50cm deep. It’s not the slimmest machine we’ve seen, but it’s ideal if you have a standard width recess but a shallow sideboard. The drum size makes it ideal for most families and will likely hold loads from 3 to 6 people depending on how frequently you use it.

It’ll suit any budget at this price, yet it still offers great functionality and several advanced features. You can switch between temperatures when necessary and can use any of the 15 programs that include a daily 60-minute cycle, Rapid 15, anti-allergy and easy iron.

The guarantee is disappointing at only one year, but you still get an easy to read LED display and a useful 24-hour delay timer. It’s generally very quiet, but during the spin cycle, it can reach 78dB.

No 5: Zanussi ZWC1301

The Zanussi ZWC1301 is the perfect fit if you live in a flat and don’t want to disturb your neighbours on the floor below. Besides having a petite frame that fits in tight spaces, this slimline machine is also among the quietest you’ll find on the market today.

The ZWC1301’s modest 3kg load capacity makes it a great choice for single-person households or small families that do their laundry daily. But don’t let the limited capacity fool you, this high-performance freestanding washing machine packs quite a punch.

One of ZWC1301’s standout features is its fast 1300rpm spin speed that delivers spotless results. Couple this with the choice of 15 wash programmes and you’ll see why this machine is rated so highly.

The super handy delay timer allows you to take back control and fit cleaning around your schedule. Other features include the delicate function which gives your expensive clothes the special treatment they deserve, while the pre-wash feature makes it easier for you to get rid of all stubborn stains. Other notable programmes include wool, cotton, handwash, easy iron, quick wash and variable temperature.

The Zanussi ZWC1301 slimline machine is rated with A for energy efficiency and measures H67cm x W49.5cm x D51.5cm.

Conclusion

The slimline washing machine market in the UK is quite narrow, and this means anyone can struggle to find a machine that combines the appropriate dimensions, features, and budget. Having the right slimline washer will ensure you never dread those laundry days again whilst also helping you save money and time. As such, take your time and have clear goals of what your ideal washer looks like to get a functional machine that serves you for many years to come.