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Let’s face it; the washing machine space is overly crowded. For every well-made washing machine in existence, there are at least ten lacklustre ones out there. In other words, there are more showpieces out there and fewer workhorses. So, how do you get hold of the best washing machines under £300 without getting bummed in the process?
It sounds almost impossible, isn’t it? At one end of the scale is a bunch of crap products. At the other end is the usual struggle of a limited budget. Folks, it’s not Christmas morning, but you can still consider this to be your lucky day. Gladly enough, we have done enough groundwork in this area to introduce you to some dazzling washing machines that won’t cost you a bomb.
Best Washing Machines under £300: Top 5 Washing Machines Discussed
Believe it or not, this Twin Tub washing machine is surprisingly well-made for something made out of plastic. Of course, the interior is not plastic but stainless steel. Once powered on, it spins like there’s no tomorrow. That said, you will bump upon some minor imperfections too (discussed below), but the upsides are far more.
Product Highlights:
As advertised, this thing washes clothes excellently. It’s compact, easy to fill, and not terribly noisy like others. Despite the portable size, the inner basket is big enough to handle a decent chunk of clothes. Basically, the load capacity is 7.6 kg, which means that a pair of socks or a few undergarments is not its upper limit.
Not to mention that dirty water draining is an easy-peasy affair. Luckily, the machine comes with a drainage tube that lets you discharge the dirty water right into the bathroom sink. The best part is that this thing will do most of the drying job for you. It has two switches, which lets you control the washing and drying time.
Another nice aspect of the FitnessClub Twin Tub Washing Machine is that it uses less energy than equivalent products out there. The build quality is great as well. As long as you don’t test this little powerhouse to its limits by overloading it often, the machine will serve you well for many years and beyond.
As expected, it’s also remarkably easy to put this washing machine out of the way when not in use. In all seriousness, this bad boy needs to be in your shopping cart if your house cannot accommodate a conventional washing machine. In other words, don’t be fooled by the compact size of this washing machine.
Pros:
-Houses a powerful 1300 RPM motor
-No plumbing required to get going
-Environment-friendly design
-Parts are not cheap or flimsy
-Noise level is certainly tolerable
-Takes very less real estate
-Delivery doesn’t take too long
-Comes with good instructions
Cons:
-Not suitable for a big family
It looks beautiful from the outside, it flushes well, it’s user-friendly, and it has a good load-bearing capacity (7 kg) to it. The machine also lets you add forgotten clothes in between. With an energy rating of A+++, it’s built keeping small and medium-households in mind.
Product Highlights:
As marketed by Bosch, the machine lets you load enough clothes at a time. At 1400 RPM, the spin cycle is up to the mark as well. The clothes come out of the machine almost dry. Better still, the machine has a ‘SpeedPerfect’ mode on it, which reduces the washing time by nearly 65%, of course, without compromising the overall results.
Plus, this thing has nice LED touch controls. The machine is also designed to be kinder to the overall environment, and of course, your utility bills. It automatically recognizes the load and makes continuous adjustments to not overuse water or electricity during its operation. At the same time, the clothes come out cleaner.
Furthermore, this machine doesn’t sound as bad as a noisy fan. Its running sound can actually be described as ‘quiet.’ It also has a unique ‘vibration protection’ mechanism to it. Consequently, the machine doesn’t vibrate as much as others. As you can tell by now, the Bosch WAJ28008GB Serie 2 Freestanding Washing Machine is absolutely built for peak performance.
Pros:
-Has a decent amount of pre-programmed washing cycles
-As advertised, it’s insanely easy to install and use
-Has SpeedPerfect option to reduce washing duration
-Washes well and gets the job done quietly
-Good technical design. A timer can be set as well
-Solid built quality. Not prone to repair or damage
-Machine is both water and electricity efficient
-Accompanying instructions are easy to understand
-Looks as good as other well-made white washing machines
Cons:
-The top part is not transparent
Its washing abilities are really up to the mark. Of course, it cannot hold as many clothes like a normal washing machine because of its compact size. But then, it can hold quite a bit. With a wash capacity of 3.6 kg, you can fill around a third to half the number of clothes of a regular washing machine.
Product Highlights:
This Twin Tub Washing Machine features both a washing tub and a spin tub, with separate timers fitted into them. The washing side of the machine also offers different wash modes. The best part is that the machine takes care of stubborn stains like a boss. Better still, it stays relatively quiet during the spin cycle.
As for the drainage, it needs a bit of management. Nothing rocket-science—you just have to place the machine at a slightly higher height than the drain hole. On the bright side, it uses less detergent, less water, and less electricity. Of course, the clothes also come out ready for a quick indoor/outdoor dry.
Seriously, your daily life will get massively easier and better because of how well-designed this washing machine is. The quality of this washing equipment is definitely a cut above the scope for the price it’s sold for. As long as you stick to the suggested weight limits for clothes, it will also last long.
Pros:
-Features independent washer and spinner
-Perfect replacement for a full-sized washing machine
-Not labour-intensive to use. It doesn’t take too long to perfect
-Washing time can be adjusted to suit your needs
-Clothes come out dry enough without the water dripping on the floor
-You won’t get insane water bills from the use of this machine
-Easy to manoeuvre/store. It’s packed nicely too
-Product instructions are translated into many languages
Cons:
-As hinted earlier, can’t handle very large loads
-Machine needs a bit of elevation for effective drainage
This to say that you will truly be happy with the wash/spin results. Frankly speaking, the washing performance is as good as other bulkier and expensive washing machines out there. Not to discount the fact that it’s not particularly loud. Of course, you will hear some noise, which is quite tolerable.
Product Highlights:
The unit lets you choose the water levels (high, medium, low) based on the load. Plus, it automatically loads water when the water level is extremely low. It’s also simple enough to install without anyone’s help. Moreover, it beeps a few times when it’s finished and then switches off on its own to save power.
Furthermore, this thing can accommodate a load of 3.5 kg at one go, which is not bad for a compact unit of its size. Most importantly, it has a pump to drain the dirty water into the sink. To top it all, it lets you add additional clothes when it’s washing your clothes.
The best part is that it doesn’t leave wrinkles on the washed clothes. The washing machine has some flashiness to it as well. For instance, it has a nice electronic panel to press buttons, change settings, and so on. It also has a wide opening, which lets you load clothes easily.
Moreover, this thing doesn’t shake a lot when washing and spinning. Also, the hoses on this machine are not cheaply made. The washing machine arrives in excellent condition too because of the solid packaging. If other washing machines were made like this, they would sell like hot pancakes too.
Pros:
-Provides six different washing modes
-Works quietly and efficiently
-Light enough to go up to the stairs with it
-Ideal washing machine for restricted spaces
-Capacity is decent enough for family use
-Easy to load and unload clothes from it
-Has received mostly good reviews from past users
-Quite a deal at its asking price
Cons:
-Some cycles require more time
How to Choose the Best Washing Machine under £300?
Generally speaking, the top-loading washing machines are less expensive than front-loading ones. However, this is not the only factor to look at when shopping for an inexpensive washing machine. So, let’s take a look at a few other important factors that truly matter.
Laundry Needs/Load Capacity:
As you might know, the load capacity of two washing machines is usually not the same. Ideally, you should choose a machine that allows you to complete all your laundry tasks in one go. So, check the load capacity of the machine before you finalize the deal. Both overloading and underloading can cause problems in the future. A unit with 6 kg or less load capacity will suffice for a solo or even two persons. For larger families, the load capacity should be 9 kg or higher. So, don’t flip a coin. Instead, access your personal needs and pick the best machine that’s just right for your family’s needs.
Space:
Of course, space is a highly precious commodity for most of us. If your apartment doesn’t have room for a large machine, there’s no point in getting a bulkier unit. Do your due diligence and measure the area where the washing machine will be standing. Compare the stats with the shortlisted washing machine to see whether or not it’s a perfect match for you. Also, check the product reviews to gauge the noise level of the machine. Loud noises are usually not appreciated by our neighbours. To prevent them from going nuts, choose a washing machine with a tolerable noise level.
Ease of Use:
As expected, the ease of use matters as well. So, don’t choose a complicated model just because it looks fancier than others. In other words, prioritize ease of use overlooks. You should be able to set all the programs conveniently. Plus, you must be able to load/unload the clothes easily. Overall, the control panel shouldn’t fry your brain. If you have curious kids in your house, you may consider a model that features a child lock feature, which will prevent the door or program from changing once the machine is running.
Spin Cycle:
The spin cycle for a washing machine ranges from 800 RPM to 1500 RPM or more. For delicate clothes, lower RPM will do the trick. For thicker items, such as jeans, blankets, etc., you will need a machine with a higher RPM. The faster the spinning cycle, the higher would be the moisture extraction, leading to drying clothes in the process. Faster spin speed also results in a more potent and effective wash as well. Generally speaking, a machine with 800-1000 RPM should be good enough for drying out most clothes to a satisfactory level. However, there is a flip side to this as well because a higher spin cycle can also crease cotton shirts, which means longer ironing time.
Final Words
For the many future buyers reading this if you have to pick one washing machine from all the choices given above, go for the FitnessClub Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine.
Believe it or not, previous shoppers have also vouched for this washing machine because of how good it is. Given its performance, the chances are that you might sing praises for it at some point down the road.
