Washer-dryers

We use a normal, cold wash. If there isn’t such a cycle, we use the closest approximation.

Overall score breakdown

Our overall score comprises two equally weighted sub-scores:

- washing performance (70%)

- drying performance (30%)

Washing performance

Dirt removal (50%): Calculated according to a formula in the standard, which reduces the score in proportion to the variability of dirt removal over a range of test swatches in the wash load.

Water efficiency (10%): Based on the amount of water used in the whole cycle, per kg of clothes.

Rinse performance (20%): Based on the amount of detergent residues after rinsing.

Spin efficiency (10%): Calculated from the amount of water remaining (per kg) in the damp clothes.

Gentleness (10%): Calculated from the amount of wear on easily frayed squares of cloth.

Drying performance

Energy efficiency (50%): calculated from the amount of energy used to dry 1kg of wet clothes.

Drying time (50%): based on the time it takes to dry 1kg of wet clothes.

Noise levels

The maximum noise level is recorded during the spin cycle and is measured one metre away from the machine and one metre above the ground.

Reliability, satisfaction and service scores

We ask our members whether they've had any problems with their washers, and whether they'd buy the same brand again. To see which brands fared best, go to the reliability and satisfaction scores here.