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.
Table of Contents
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
Hoover H-Wash 300 H3WS495TACE model details |
|
| Price (£) | 299.99 |
| Energy rating | C |
| Annual water usage (litres) | 10600 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Load capacity (kg) | 9 |
| Special features | Three rapid wash cycles, All in one 59 |
| Dimensions (cm) | H85 x W60 x D52 |
No 2: Bosch WAJ28008GB
Bosch WAJ28008GB model details |
|
| Price (£) | 333 |
| Energy rating | D |
| Annual water usage (litres) | Not provided |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Load capacity (kg) | 7 |
| Special features | Dark Wash, Rinse, Drain / Spin, Mixed Load |
| Dimensions (cm) | H84.8 x W59.8 x D54.6 |
No 3: Indesit Innex BWSC 61251 XW
INDESIT Innex BWSC 61251 XW model details |
|
| Price (£) | 229.99 |
| Energy rating | F |
| Annual water usage (litres) | 8400 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1200 |
| Load capacity (kg) | 6 |
| Special features | Easy iron, Rapid 30 minutes, Extra rinse |
| Dimensions (cm) | H89 x W64.5 x D48 |
No 4: LOGIK L712WM20
LOGIK L712WM20 model details |
|
| Price (£) | 199.99 |
| Energy rating | D |
| Annual water usage (litres) | 7800 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1200 |
| Load capacity (kg) | 7 |
| Special features | Anti-allergy, Extra rinse, Easy ironing, Rapid Wash |
| Dimensions (cm) | H88.1 x W64.1 x D54.7 |
No 5: Zanussi ZWC1301
Zanussi ZWC1301model details |
|
| Price (£) | 459 |
| Energy rating | F |
| Annual water usage (litres) | 7800 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1300 |
| Load capacity (kg) | 3 |
| Special features | Quick Wash, Auto Half Load Function, Delay Timer |
| Dimensions (cm) | H67 x W49.5 x D51.5 |
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.