Best energy-efficient washing machines UK 2026
The most energy-efficient washing machines in the UK, ranked on the kWh figure printed on the energy label — so you can check every number against the machine itself. Every pick also scores Outstanding on the WAC Score, because the cheapest machine to run is not automatically one worth owning.
The most energy-efficient washing machine in the UK is the Samsung WF90H09C4ST1 at 17 kWh per 100 cycles — about 4.44p a wash, and the lowest figure of any of the 196 freestanding machines we score. It reaches that with an eco 40-60 programme that peaks at 26°C over 3h48m. Nothing else comes close: the next lowest, the Hotpoint HPA 105 CARE UK, uses 25 kWh per 100 cycles. That figure is unfiltered — it is the outright leader on energy alone, at £999. The ranked picks below apply a quality floor, because the cheapest machine to run is not automatically one worth owning.
How we pick these
Every machine here is ranked on kWh per 100 cycles — the figure printed on the energy label, so you can check it against the machine rather than take our word for it. Running cost is shown alongside at the July 2026 price cap of 26.11p per kWh.
Ranking on energy alone would put efficient-but-mediocre machines at the top, so a machine qualifies only if it also scores 85 or above on the WAC Score — our Outstanding band. The most efficient machines that are also worth owning, in other words. Prices are split into three bands below; the bands are sections, not the ranking.
Most efficient budget washing machines (Under £400)
Haier HW9BP14357AEGTU leads this band at 32 kWh per 100 cycles, about 8.36p a wash, at £350. 9 machines in this band cleared the WAC 85 floor; these are the five that use least.
| # | Machine | Drum (kg) | Energy (kWh/100) | Per wash | WAC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haier HW9BP14357AEGTU | 9 | 32 | 8.36p | 85 | £350 |
| 2 | Hisense WF3S8043BT3 | 8 | 33 | 8.62p | 85 | £289 |
| 3 | Hoover HBR 412BL10-80 | 12 | 33 | 8.62p | 85 | £379 |
| 4 | Hisense WF3S9043BB3 | 9 | 34 | 8.88p | 92 | £289 |
| 5 | Haier HW120-BP14357UUK | 12 | 38 | 9.92p | 90 | £339 |
Also worth a look: Candy GD 298-80 (40 kWh/100, £239, WAC 86); Candy EY 410B8-80 (41 kWh/100, £249, WAC 85). Slightly higher consumption, but close enough that price or drum size may decide it for you.
Haier HW9BP14357AEGTU
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated
The most efficient machine under £400 at 32 kWh per 100 cycles, with the best reliability in the band at 86. A 9kg drum for £350. Cheap to own as well as to run.
Hisense WF3S8043BT3
8kg · 1400rpm · A rated
£289 for 33 kWh per 100 cycles, within one kilowatt-hour of the band leader, with reliability of 85. The 8kg drum is the smallest of the five. Worth knowing the 9kg Hisense below scores seven points higher at the same price, so choose this one if 8kg is the right size for you.
Hoover HBR 412BL10-80
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos at 33 kWh per 100 cycles — the best capacity-to-consumption ratio in the band by a clear margin, with value at 63. If you wash large loads, a bigger drum run less often beats a small one run daily.
Hisense WF3S9043BB3
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated
The only machine in this band to score 92, with features at 98 — the highest we publish — at 34 kWh per 100 cycles. The most capable budget machine here, and still among the cheapest to run.
Haier HW120-BP14357UUK
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos for £339 with a score of 90 and reliability of 86. The largest drum in the band and the best value score at 73. The family pick if capacity comes first.
Most efficient mid-range washing machines (£400–£649)
LG F4X7009TBB leads this band at 29 kWh per 100 cycles, about 7.57p a wash, at £449. 11 machines in this band cleared the WAC 85 floor; these are the five that use least.
| # | Machine | Drum (kg) | Energy (kWh/100) | Per wash | WAC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LG F4X7009TBB | 9 | 29 | 7.57p | 92 | £449 |
| 2 | LG F4X7011TWB | 11 | 31 | 8.09p | 92 | £549 |
| 3 | Hisense WF5I1045BWQ | 10.5 | 31 | 8.09p | 86 | £549 |
| 4 | Hotpoint HP 124A CARE UK | 12 | 32 | 8.36p | 87 | £569 |
| 5 | Hisense WF5I1245BWR | 12 | 32 | 8.36p | 85 | £599 |
Also worth a look: Haier HW120-B14367U-UK (36 kWh/100, £549, WAC 91); Haier HW100-B14367U-UK (36 kWh/100, £499, WAC 89). Slightly higher consumption, but close enough that price or drum size may decide it for you.
LG F4X7009TBB
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated
The most efficient machine we score outside the premium band: 29 kWh per 100 cycles, our top score of 92, and features at 93. Low running costs usually cost something elsewhere; here they do not. The strongest all-round machine on this page.
LG F4X7011TWB
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Our top score of 92 with features at 93, an 11kg drum and 31 kWh per 100 cycles. The pick if you want family capacity without giving up efficiency.
Hisense WF5I1045BWQ
10.5kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Matches the best in this band on consumption at 31 kWh per 100 cycles, with features of 92 and a 10.5kg drum. If you want low running costs with a full feature set, it does both well.
Hotpoint HP 124A CARE UK
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos at 32 kWh per 100 cycles with reliability of 86, the joint-best in this band, and value at 70. A machine that washes well and does little else. For a large household that values dependability over cycle menus, that is the right trade.
Hisense WF5I1245BWR
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos at 32 kWh per 100 cycles with features at 89 — a large, well-specified machine that is cheap to run. The LG F4X7011TWB above costs £50 less and scores seven points higher, so choose this one if the 12kg drum is what you need.
Most efficient premium washing machines (£650 and above)
Samsung WF90H09C4ST1 leads this band at 17 kWh per 100 cycles, about 4.44p a wash, at £999. 7 machines in this band cleared the WAC 85 floor; these are the five that use least.
| # | Machine | Drum (kg) | Energy (kWh/100) | Per wash | WAC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung WF90H09C4ST1 | 9 | 17 | 4.44p | 88 | £999 |
| 2 | LG F4X7013TBB | 13 | 30 | 7.83p | 86 | £679 |
| 3 | AEG LFSR7414U6UD | 10 | 31 | 8.09p | 92 | £849 |
| 4 | Samsung WW11DB8B95GHU1 | 11 | 32 | 8.36p | 91 | £849 |
| 5 | Haier HW110-BD14397U1 | 11 | 32 | 8.36p | 90 | £999 |
Also worth a look: LG F4X5013TBB (33 kWh/100, £711, WAC 92). Slightly higher consumption, but close enough that price or drum size may decide it for you.
Samsung WF90H09C4ST1
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated
The most efficient washing machine in the UK, and not by a small margin: 17 kWh per 100 cycles against 29 for the next best on this page. It reaches that with an eco 40-60 programme peaking at 26°C over 3h48m — a long, cold wash. Value at 83 is strong for the price.
LG F4X7013TBB
13kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Thirteen kilos, the largest drum on this page, at 30 kWh per 100 cycles, and the cheapest machine in the premium band at £679. The capacity pick if you want premium efficiency without the premium price.
AEG LFSR7414U6UD
10kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Efficiency of 92 and value of 95 are both the highest scores on this page, and it ties for our top WAC Score at 92, at 31 kWh per 100 cycles. Features at 74 mean a shorter cycle menu. If you want a superbly efficient, well-priced machine and a simple set of programmes, this is the one.
Samsung WW11DB8B95GHU1
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Nothing below 82 across all four sub-scores, which no other machine here manages, at 32 kWh per 100 cycles with an 11kg drum. The balanced choice rather than the specialist one.
Haier HW110-BD14397U1
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Efficiency of 91 is the best in this band and value of 85 is unusually strong for the price, with an 11kg drum at 32 kWh per 100 cycles. If you want a large, efficient machine and the feature set suits you, it is a solid choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most energy-efficient washing machine in the UK?
The Samsung WF90H09C4ST1 at 17 kWh per 100 cycles, about 4.44p a wash. It is the lowest figure of the 196 freestanding machines we score, reached with an eco 40-60 programme peaking at 26°C over 3h48m. The next lowest is the Hotpoint HPA 105 CARE UK at 25 kWh.
What does kWh per 100 cycles mean?
It is the figure on the EU-style energy label: the electricity a machine uses across 100 eco 40-60 washes. Divide by 100 for a single wash. It is measured on a standard programme, so it is comparable between machines in a way a manufacturer's own claims are not.
Why are some very efficient machines missing from these lists?
Because ranking on energy alone would recommend machines that are cheap to run and poor in every other way. A machine appears here only if it also scores 85 or above on the WAC Score, our Outstanding band. The single most efficient machine in the pool is named at the top of this page with no filter applied, so nothing is hidden.
Does a lower energy rating always mean a cheaper machine to run?
Not reliably. The letter grade is set against a formula that scales with drum size, so a large A-rated machine and a small A-rated machine can differ substantially in actual consumption. The kWh figure is the one to compare, which is why it is the ranking column here.
Are these washing machines freestanding?
Yes. Every machine on this page is freestanding. Integrated machines are scored separately and are excluded from this ranking.
Not sure which is right for you?
Answer a few questions and we will match you to the best washing machine for your household — across all budgets, all brands.
Find my perfect washing machine