Buying a washing machine is a long-term investment for every Indian home.

That is why, in this article, we not only bring to the best Washing Machine segregated by fully automatic, semi-automatic, front load and top load, but also discusses about major factors to be considered while buying a washing machine.

If you are short on time to read the complete article, then let’s get briefly to the point.

How To Choose A Washing Machine?

Let us first discuss about the most important factors that you have to consider while buying a washing machine. If it has been a while since you last bought a washing machine, then we highly recommend that you read this, as newer technologies and features are being incorporated in to home appliances every year.

Capacity

Perhaps the first and foremost important factor that you have to consider while buying a washing machine is its capacity. The below image will help you make a decision about what capacity your washing machine ought to have.

Front Load Or Top Load?

If you are on a tight budget, then a top load model would be a better choice. Most of the models are available in the range of Rs. 7-17k. The advantages of top load models are that you can add clothes mid-way of a wash cycle, ergonomically friendly (especially useful if you have trouble bending down and picking up things) and of course its budget friendly too.

On the downside, the top load models consume lot of water, power, doesn’t clean as well as a front load machine and has lesser features and wash programs compared to front load washing machines.

Front load machines are comparatively expensive, but are very efficient, consumes lesser water, power and cleans clothes much better. They also have far more features, wash programs and are generally less noisy too.

You might have heard that a major disadvantage of front load machines is that you cannot add clothes mid-way of a cycle. But manufacturers like Bosch, Samsung and IFB have now come up with advanced features that allow adding clothes mid-way of a wash cycle.

So, to conclude, if you have a large family, or have kids who heavily soil clothes or if you are particular about cloth care and conserving electricity and water, then opt for a front load washing machine.

If you are bachelor or a small family of 2-3 members and if your clothes don’t get heavily soiled, then a top load will be fairly good enough.

Automatic or Semi-Automatic

If you are planning to buy top load machine, then you have the option of automatic and semi-automatic machines.
Semi-automatic machines are wider in size as it has separate washer and dryer. After the wash cycle is completed, you will have to manually transfer the clothes to the dryer. Semi-automatic washing machines are pretty inexpensive with a price tag of Rs. 5 to 10k.

Automatic washing machines do not require you to transfer the clothes, but with certain models like Haier, you might have to add fabric softeners/ujala manually towards the end of the cycle.

Other Important Features You May Want To Consider-

Temperature Setting

Bosch has temperature setting from cold to up to 60 degree Celsius, whereas temperature of water in LG and IFB washing machines can be cranked up to 95 degree Celsius. This is useful if you have small babies at home or immunity compromised family members who need to have their clothes disinfected regularly.
Most top load machines do not have temperature control settings, but rather have two inlet pipes for hot and cold water.

Wash Programs

Each family has their own way of washing clothes. In our family, we always wash bath towels and bed sheets in ridiculously hot water. So, LG washing machine was our first option. But if you are a busy family who often forgets to put all clothes in a go, then Bosch or IFB might be a better choice for you.

Families with working husband and wife will find machines with 24 hour time delay setting very useful.
If you live in a place with heavy monsoon, then Monsoon settings in IFB and Bosch, which removes odour of damp clothes and dries clothes better would be something that you need.
So, you might have to consider what are the features that you particularly need and the ones that you can compromise on, in order to choose an optimal solution within your budget.

So, now, lets get on to the best washing machines in India.

Best Front Load Washing machine

First, we take a look at some of the best front load washing machines we have shortlisted for you.

Bosch Fully Automatic Front Load Washing Machine Model: WAK24268IN (7 kg)

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The WAK24268IN model washing machine with 7 kg capacity and max. RPM of 1200, has advanced features specifically designed keeping Indian customers in mind. Before we get in to the features, lets discuss about its pros and cons. The major positive is that it has a variety of wash programs, flexibility in controlling temperature setting of each wash program and features like re-load function, anti-vibration design and monsoon program.

The areas where WAK24268 lack is mainly that the temperature can be set from cold to up to 60 degree Celsius, which is fairly good. But in LG and IFB, temperature can be cranked up to 95 degree Celsius.

Also, the inlet pipe that comes with the machine is just 1 metre long. So, if at your home, the tap is not really close to the washing machine, you may have to spend extra for a longer inlet pipe. There are few complaints about delays in installation as well as rude behavior of technicians as well. So, be prepared!

Now, let us get on to the features of the washing machine that really makes it a Wow! Machine.

Bosch WAK2628 has a number of wash programs making it suitable for every need. In addition to regular programs like Wool, Silk, Daily Wash and Synthetics, it has kids wear and super clean programs for cleaning heavily soiled clothes without damaging the fabrics and Super 15/30 for quick wash within 15 and 30 minutes respectively. The Allergy Plus setting helps to keep the fabrics completely free off detergent residues. Thanks to these features, Bosch Washing Machines are certified by European Centre For Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).

If you live in an area with heavy monsoon, you will find the Monsoon program especially useful. With this setting, you can remove the odour of damp clothes and reduce drying period by up to 10%.

Using the reload function, you can add or remove clothing even after a wash cycle has begun. This feature overcomes one of the major drawbacks of front-load washing machines.

Please do note that, as with every front load washing machine, the water pressure has to be at least 1 bar, roughly speaking, the overhead water tank has to be placed at a vertical distance of 16.5 ft. from the washing machine

Other features include–

• Active Water, which optimizes water consumption and cleans the wash drum with hot water to remove detergent residue and bacteria;
• Anti-vibration Design that reduces vibration and noise;
• Speed Perfect, which reduces wash time by up to 65%;
• Time delay, that helps you delay wash cycle from 1 to 24 hours—a feature especially useful for home with working husband and wife;
• VoltCheck, which resumes wash cycle from where it has left in case of power failure;
• WaterPlus, which increases water flow to completely rinse off detergents from clothes—useful for homes that have soft water.

The washing machine comes with 2-year complete warranty and 10 year warranty on drum.

Overall Rating: 4.3/5 based on 322 customer reviews.

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IFB 6.5 Kg Fully Automatic Front Load Washing Machine Senorita Aqua SX

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The Senorita Aqua SX model washing machine from IFB has 6.5 kg wash capacity, maximum RPM of 1000 and comes with around 100 wash programs making it suitable for washing literally any type of clothing.

It has many advanced features like 3D washing system that creates a 360-degree current in the drum, thus completely dissolving detergents while washing and drawing out all residues while rinsing.

Another useful feature is the Aqua-energie filter that reduces hardness of water, with a capacity to handle water with up to 250 TDS (Total dissolved salts) This not only reduces detergent consumption, but also prevents scaling on drum and improves wash quality as well.

The temperature can be set from cold to up to 95 degree Celsius, making it suitable for washing soiled baby clothes and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of bed sheets and bath towels. The other wash programs include Synthetic, Express 15, Baby Wear, Wool, Mixed Fabric, Cradle Wash for delicate fabrics), and a special cotton program with settings for lightly soiled fabrics, whites and heavily soiled fabrics.

It also has laundry add feature that lets you add clothes mid-cycle, auto-imbalance system that redistributes wash load weight in the drum, foam control system and protective mesh.

Other features include

Time delay, which can be set from 30 minutes up to 24 hours;

Express 15, for quick wash within 15 minutes;

Now, talking about the downsides of IFB Senorita Aqua, the main complaint observed is the delay in installation.
Next, IFB has belt drive technology and not direct drive technology like LG. Direct Drive technology is supposed to be superior as it means lesser parts and hence, lesser noise, vibration, wear and tear. Though experts still have not made a conclusive statement on it.

Overall Rating: 3.9/5 based on 138 customer reviews.

Though Bosch WAK24268In and IFB Senorita Aqua have comparable features, the reason why we recommend Bosch is because it has a few useful features that IFB doesn’t have, namely, wash programs like saree, monsoon and allergy plus. Bosch also has settings like Active Water to reduce water consumption and Speed Perfect to reduce wash time. However, if you get hard water supply at your home, then opt for IFB itself.

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LG 6 Kg Front Load Washing Machine FH0B8NDL22

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Even though LG washing machines do not have many bells and whistles like Bosch and IFB, it one of the best selling front load washing machines in India and is considered as a reliable appliance that performs well with all necessary wash functions.
With 6 kg capacity, it has a maximum RPM of 1200 cycles and temperature range from cold up to 95 degree Celsius. The body is made from high quality plastic which is supposed to be rust resistant.

The wash settings include baby care, skin care(which completely removes detergent residues), duvet, easy care, mix, cotton eco, cotton, sports wear, delicate, wool, intensive 60 and quick 30. It also has medic rinse, Intensive and Crease care options. The baby care setting is found to be especially useful for cleaning heavily soiled baby clothes and even remove poop and pee stains.

However, if you are someone who is always in a hurry, then you may not be quite happy with LG as their fastest wash cycle lasts 30 minutes while Bosch and IFB has quicker wash cycle of just 15 minutes.

In addition to featuring inverter Direct Drive, which reduces energy consumption, noise and vibration and improves wash quality, LG also features 6 Motion Direct Drive, which helps clean clothes without damaging it. The 6 motions consist of stepping, filtration, scrubbing, tumble, rolling and swinging.

Another noteworthy feature of LG washing machine is the smart diagnosis system whereby technical problem can be troubleshot by calling LG customer care helpline and placing the phone on the appliance. The washing machine communicates with the computer and helps provide steps for resolution in no time.

The main downside to LG washing machine is that when you buy online, you will have to spend about Rs. 450 plus taxes for installation. The inlet pipe is just 1 metre long and so, most probably, you may have to buy a longer pipe if the pipe is far away from the washing machine.

Overall Rating: 4.1/5 based on 163 customer reviews.

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Best Fully Automatic Top Load Washing Machine

Haier 5.8 Kg Fully Automatic Top Loading Washing Machine Model: HWM58-020 ( white) 

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Haier HWM58-020 is one of the best selling washing machines in India, which is suitable for bachelors and families with 2-3 members.

Featuring rust-free plastic body, maximum RPM of 1000 cycles, digital display of remaining time, this washing machine uses quadra flow system that create multi-directional water flow to clean clothes efficiently.

The machine has memory function which resumes from where it has left in case of power failure; delay timer from 30 minutes to 24 hours, child lock and double level spin tub to reduce abrasion of fabrics. It also has two lint filters, thus helping improve the fabric quality after wash.

The wash programs include cotton, synthetics, mix, eco, prewash, quick wash and daily wash. All wash cycles can be completed in less than an hour.
As the inlet pipe consist of a detachable hose and a pipe, you can remove the pipe and connect is as and when you need. So, you don’t have to keep it permanently attached like a front load washing machine.

Now, there are a few features it lacks. First of all, it doesn’t have temperature settings. Rather, it has a hot water inlet, which you can attach to a tap that gives hot water.
It doesn’t have a softener dispenser. So, you will have to add the softener manually when the last rinse cycle is done.

You also have to ensure that the outlet pipe is below the level of washing machine, as it doesn’t have any motor to pump out the waste water.

A common complaint that can be seen online is the delay in installation. There are also a few remarks about the seller delivering used/ returned products.

Overall rating: 4.1/5 based on 697 customer reviews.

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IFB 6.5 Kg Fully Automatic Top Load Washing Machine TL-RDW

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With washing capacity of 6.5 kg, maximum RPM of 720 cycles and 6 wash programs, IFB has a number of features that makes it worth the money spent.

Its aqua energie feature reduces water hardness; 3D wash system provides better cleaning and auto-balance system redistributes weight.

The six wash programs it has are Aqua conserve, Smart sense, Express, Jeans, Delicate and Tub Clean.

Unlike Haier, IFB has a separate bleach and fabric softener dispenser, thus making it truly an automatic washing machine.

On the negative side, like most top load machines, IFB also consumes a lot of water. It uses about 104 litres of water for a single wash cycle.

As with every IFB washing machines, delay in installation is a commonly reported complaint in online reviews.

Overall, it is a fairly decent washing machine that does a good job of washing clothes well, though you can’t really expect the level of perfection of a front-load washing machine.

Overall rating: 3.8/5 based on 228 customer reviews.

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Samsung 6.2 Kg Fully Automatic Top Loading Washing Machine WA62M4100HY/TL

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With 6.2 kg capacity and maximum of 700 RPM, this top load washing machine from Samsung features a built-in sink in which a stream of water flows at the push of a button for pre-treating heavily soiled clothes.
The pulsator technology has 6 blades, which creates a strong stream of water to remove dirt. It has five water level settings and six wash cycles namely normal, quick wash, delicates, blankets, jeans, soak+ normal.
The washing machine also has a slot for pouring detergent and softener.

On the downside, it doesn’t have temperature settings or safety lock. But when you consider the price, the positive far outweigh the negatives. If you need a fully automatic top load machines with features better than Haier, then Samsung WA62M4100HT/TL is definitely the best choice.

Overall rating: 4.5/5 based on 48 customer reviews.

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Best Semi-Automatic Top Load Washing Machine

Whirlpool 6 kg Semi-Automatic Washing machine Model: Superb Atom 60I

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Featuring 3 wash programs (heavy, normal and delicate), a smart scrub station for pre-treating stained clothes, a large wash tub of 66 litres, multi-utility tray and a powerful impeller for quick cleaning, Whirlpool 6 kg Semi-automatic washing machine is a fairly decent machine that you can get within a budget.

Unlike Hyundai, it doesn’t have an auto-soak feature, so you might have to pre-soak for required time before you put the clothes for washing. The complete wash cycle is completed in about 30-40 minutes. One thing you have to take care is to load the washed clothes to the dryer properly because if the weight is unevenly distributed, the dryer may not work effectively.
On the positive side, the machine has two-inlet pipe, so you can add hot and cold water as per requirement.

Overall, it is a budget-friendly choice for bachelors and small families.

Overall Rating: 4/5 based on 51 customer reviews.

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BPL 6.5 Kg Semi Automatic Washing Machine BSATL65N1

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Featuring spin shower, collar scrubber, powerful motor and knobs to adjust the wash timer, spin timer and drainer, this semi-automatic washing machine from BPL neatly does the basic job of cleaning clothes

A negative however is that the inlet pipe for wash and spin is separate. So, you will either have to connect it to two hoses or finish washing and then fix the hose to spin inlet.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 based on 53 customer reviews.

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