The 5 Best Washing Machines in Singapore

Living close to the equator makes you very well acquainted with the heat – and a washing machine in Singapore knows this very well.

Washing machine? Shouldn’t that be air cooler? Or maybe ceiling fan or dehumidifier.

Think about it – how much do you sweat in just one day? How many times do you need to do washing because you’ve gone through three shirts before lunch or because your bedsheets feel sticky by the end of the day?

That’s right. Human beings aren’t the only ones working hard in your household.

So, to see which of these washers really stand the test of time, we did loads and loads of laundry. After months of testing, we’ve arrived at the 5 best washing machines in Singapore that guarantee you fresh clean clothes every time.

In Summary

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But first, what should you consider for your best washing machine?

1. Top-Load or Front-Load?

The choice between top-load and front-load washers is pivotal. 

Top-load washers:

• Are generally cheaper
• Are generally have shorter washing times
• Allow adding clothes mid-cycle
• Have good ergonomics. No need to bend down to load and unload.

On the other hand, Front loaders:

• Use less water
• Use less electricity
• Use less space since top loader requires the top to be left unobstructed for loading and unloading laundry
• Generally offer gentler cleaning while still effective at removing stains

2. Capacity and Load Size

Washing machines have different capacities. It’s usually measured in kilograms (kg), so choosing the right size is the first and most important step. Because not only will it suit your needs, it’ll also make your washer live longer.

So how do you do this? If one or two people are in your household, a 7kg washing machine should be fine. Medium-sized families will need an 8kg to 10kg one for their laundry, and then bigger households ought to go for 11kg+ washers.

If you get the size wrong, there’s big chance you’ll overload your washing machine easily and make you spend more on electricity and water.

3. Energy and Water Efficiency

These appliances go hand in hand with water and electricity consumption. There’s no avoiding it, so there’s just managing it.

To make sure that your bills don’t go crazy high, you need to check its efficiency. Good thing here is we have National Environment Agency (NEA) that made ratings for washing machines (and other appliances). It’s a 1 to 4 tick-rating, with 4-tick models being the most energy-efficient. If you see those 4 check marks, then you’re sure to have your bills not skyrocket.

Speaking of efficiency, front load washers take the cake for this one. They’re known to use 50% less water than top loaders because of the tumbling mechanism so they’re sure to maximise the water used. Spin speeds are also higher so clothes retain less moisture and have overall less drying times for tumble dryers.

Aside from this, many modern washers have inverter motors that can adjust speed based on the weight of the load. With that kind of feature, it automatically reduces unnecessary energy. Features that are like this are eco modes and automatic load sensors. These can decide how much water, even detergent, is needed for a cycle, saving you on much needed utilities.

4. Washing Programs and Features

Current washing machines come with different programmes and impressive features in the name of saving anything – energy and water, etc.

There’s many to choose from, like washers with steam functions to kills bacteria and allergens in your clothes, or those with special wash programmes if you have delicate fabrics like silk and wool.

If you want higher end, there’s those with load sensors that can automatically adjust your cycle and water level. Another feature is the stain-removal cycle that adjusts water temperatures and intensity for a real good clean. And there’s also washers with 15-30 minute cycles – all for a more efficient washing!

5. Smart Features

If you want something a bit fancier, on the other hand, washing machines with smart features can definitely suit your needs. Most now come with things like Wi-Fi connectivity and even remote monitoring! Top brands like Samsung, LG, and Bosch are big names in this category.

But of course, these features might cost you a ton if you don’t use them frequently. So unless you want these, or you can forego the advanced features and opt for manual labour yourself, then you can choose washers that are within your needs and budget.

6. Price of Washing Machines in Singapore

Since a washing machine is a long-term investment, their prices be very different.

Basic top load washing machines will probably be within the $300 range, while basic front-loaders in the $500 range. If you opt for machines with additional features or larger washing capacity, these can very well reach $2,000.

So if you’re going to buy a washing machine, you need to consider the cost of owning one. electricity, water consumption, detergent usage – these are all things you have to bear in mind.

Cheaper models might give you higher utility bills, while energy-efficient ones can save you money up to 30% on utility bills in the long run. One thing to also note is warranty coverage. Most brands provide 1-5 on parts and up to 10 years on motors.

Installation can also have costs, depending on the service provider. There are retailers that charge within $30 to $150 for setup, while others do it for free. Additional fees may also be part of the process so make sure to clarify these things before paying.

Now that we’ve given you a rundown of what to look out for, here’s the list of washing machines we tested and rated.

Best Washing Machine Overall

LG 9kg Front Load Washing Machine (FB1209S6M)

The best overall washer award goes to the LG 9kg Front Load Washing Machine (FB1209S6M), all thanks to its solid cleaning performance and energy efficiency.

When testing this washer, what stood out for me was that it was so gentle on all types of fabrics. You know how sometimes your clothes would come out looking a little frayed or ripped after a cycle? Well with this washer, you don’t have to worry about that.

It’s got that automatic feature where it adjusts your cycle duration, water levels and even your detergent so that your clothes don’t fade or wear. Cotton shorts? Didn’t know it could get this soft. Chiffon tops? Still in perfect shape.

But we weren’t going to be swayed so easily. So we tested the steam function. At first we weren’t sure it would make any difference or if it was just a fancy feature sticked on it, but when we tried it with our bedsheets and pillowcases, it came out so clean (and warm) there was no doubting of its abilities. And hey – no one ended up sneezing from allergens after a few days!

Knowing that we can avoid any dust mite or mould accumulation despite the humid climate here is what made this washer shoot to the top spot on our list.

However, as with all things, there’s a few caveats to this washer. One is that, there was so many different wash settings (undoubtedly useful too) but it got confusing real fast. If I was going to wash jeans and other denims, should I go for normal wash? Mixed-fabric wash? In the end, we stuck with the basic cycles and didn’t get to use the fancier ones until a few more weeks.

We also felt puzzled when it came to pre-wash, because the detergent had its own compartment apparently. But when we got the hang of it, stain removal was actually easy to use. Since there’s so many settings, there’s likely a cycle for everything. They just take time to find the right ones.

One other caveat was not having smart connectivity, which might be a letdown if you like having the option to control your appliances remotely. Also, different functions adds extra time to your cycles. So if you’re in a rush, just stick to the regular wash. And for a 9kg washing machine, it could serve a small to medium family good, but might need extra loads for bigger households.

That said, LG washers are known for their reliability and fabric care among online reviews; and since they often sell out quickly in Singapore, this model is worth grabbing if you find it in stock.

Key Specifications

Front-Load Washing Machine | 9kg capacity | 4-tick rating (high energy savings) | Dimensions: 600mm (W) x 850mm (H) x 550mm (D)

Best Washing Machine with Dryer Function

LG 10/6kg AI Direct Drive Washer Dryer (White and Black available)

The next on our list is awarded as the best in washing and drying, the LG 10/6kg AI Direct Drive Washer Dryer.

What we immediately noticed about this washer was the TurboWash 360°. It’s run time is just under 40 minutes (39 minutes officially), leaving us plenty of time for drying or more loads to wash. We were skeptical at first. It sounded to good to be true, especially since we are a relatively large household, so washing clothes really takes a few hours for us. But with this? Oh, it was a breeze.

And like the previous model, it has delicate care for all types of fabrics. No fraying, no tearing, or changing shape. That’s because of the smart adjusting feature that takes care of your clothes.

Aside from these features, what truly sets it apart is its capacity and dryer function. You might think, “it’s already hot here in Singapore – why get a dryer when the sun is for free?” Well the answer to that is that the sun isn’t there 24/7. What if you end up doing your washing during rainy season? Or at night? Everyone knows that if you don’t get your clothes to dry immediately, it’ll get that damp smell and no one wants that.

It’s also perfect for a medium to large household, and can take on big things like duvets and among bed sheets among others. The thing is, while it can take on your thicker fabrics, if you were to use the dryer for these, it can take a long time. We tested it one time and it took us around 3 hours maximum to get our duvet completely dry.

One last thing to take note of, which is often pointed out in online reviews, is that it can be noisy. But in the months that we’ve used it, while it does make some noise, it wasn’t too disturbing for us particularly.

Key Specifications

Front-Load Washer Dryer Combo | 10kg washing / 6kg drying | 4-tick water efficiency | Dimensions: 600mm (W) x 850mm (H) x 565mm (D)

Best Value

Toshiba 7kg Top Load Washing Machine (AW-K801AS)

If you have limited space, or only have max three people in your household, the Toshiba 7kg Top Load Washing Machine (AW-K801AS) is a perfect fit – literally.

This top load washer is a great fit for small laundry spaces, especially for apartments or HDB flats. Despite it being compact, it’s actually quite efficient in handling daily laundry.

One thing we really liked, aside from its washing capabilities, was the soft-close lid. After years from my childhood of accidentally slamming our old washer’s lid, whether on my fingers or just the top, this was such a nice small detail.

Another thing we liked was how straightforward the controls were. While it’s definitely not the fancy high-end model, the easy-use programmes were not overwhelming.

Having said that, its one caveat is the small capacity. At only 7kg, this might not be enough if you have a large household. A lot of laundry for this washer means a lot of extra cycles, which might hike up your water and electricity bills.

Still, while Toshiba machines aren’t as widely talked about as brands like LG, after using this one we can see why it’s well-rated for durability and ease of use.

Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable, compact washing machine that gets the job done without taking up too much space, the Toshiba AW-K801AS is a solid option.

Key Specifications

Top-Load Washing Machine | 7kg Capacity | 12 Wash Programs | Dimensions: 515mm (W) x 525mm (D) x 920mm (H)

Best for Large Households

Beko 16kg Top Load Washer (WTLI160D)

Now that we’ve talked about washing machines for smaller households, this one is for larger families. The Beko 16kg Top Load Washing Machine (WTLI160D) is talked about enough online that made us go ahead and test to see if what people are saying is true.

Short answer: they’re right.

This washer is trustworthy when it comes to handling bulky items like blankets, duvets, curtains even (we tried it and our curtains have never been cleaner), with ease compared to other washers.

One thing we noticed quickly was its efficient way of managing water. Given its size, we kind of expected our water bill to go up, but it actually has smart adjusting based on the load. Small washes don’t waste excess water, while large loads still get a deep, thorough clean. We even noticed less detergent residue on our clothes and extra rinse cycles – something we didn’t realise was such a hassle until Beko.

One other noticeable thing was its quiet operation. With larger loads, we expected more noise and lots of tumbling but there weren’t much of that when we tested it. And like the other top loader in this list, it had a soft-close lid.

Something you need to take note of though, is that it can get too foamy, which is something people online have repeatedly said. We didn’t really think much of it – until we made the same mistake. Sure enough, on our first ever testing, there were too many suds, making us use an extra rinse cycle. After some trial and errors, we found that using about half to two-thirds of the usual amount works best for a thorough clean without excess foam (or if you use pods: one for half a cycle, two for a full one helps too).

There are no perfect machines, though. The best feature of the Beko washing machine was ultimately its downside: its size. At 16kg capacity, it’s not the most compact washer, so it requires a decent amount of space. If your laundry area is tight, fitting this machine might be a challenge. That said, for those with the space, the trade-off is well worth it.

Overall, this washing machine is a fantastic pick for big families looking to cut down on laundry time. It’s efficient, durable, and delivers consistently great results.

Key Specifications

Top-Load Washing Machine | 16kg | 4-tick water efficiency | Dimensions: 665mm (W) x 1060mm (H) x 675mm (D)

Best for Pet Owners

Electrolux 8kg UltimateCare 300 Front Load Washer (EWF8024D3WB)

For pet owners, hair or fur in random places, especially on clothes or beds, is nothing new. When washing those fabrics though, can be the real challenge. In comes the Electrolux 8kg UltimateCare 300 (EWF8024D3WB), which has been a game changer for pet-related laundry.

With an 8kg capacity, it fits in most places, especially HDB flats or condo laundry spaces and is for the most part quiet.

One of the biggest highlights has been the HygienicCare function. It uses steam at the end of the cycle to eliminate allergens, bacteria, and, more importantly, pet dander that clings to clothes and bedding. When we first tested this, we thought that there would still be some leftover pet fur.

But after washing lots of our pets’ blankets and towels, they actually came out much softer and fresher. It didn’t even smell like our pet anymore! This has been a huge plus, especially for anyone with allergens.

We did get into a few roadblocks with this one, though. The delayed start function, while handy in some cases, would sometimes reset the timer when the door was opened for example. It’s not really that big of a dealbreaker, but it did surprise use a few times when we thought the cycle has started only to find out that it hasn’t.

Another thing we noticed was the residue in the detergent drawer after several cycles. It’s not a totally big issue, but if you prefer something more low-maintenance, this is something worth noting.

Despite these small drawbacks, this Electrolux washing machine has been a solid choice for pet owners who need an effective, reliable washing machine to handle fur-covered fabrics and frequent washing.

Key Specifications

Front-Load Washing Machine | 8kg capacity | Water Consumption: 5.30 litres/kg | Dimensions: 600mm (W) x 575mm (D) x 850mm (H)

Final thoughts

Now that you’ve seen the different washing machines, their features, and what they’re good for, we hope you get an idea for what kind of washers would fit your needs, household, and budget.

Whether you need something that’ll fit in the space you have, or maybe one with smart features, there’s an option for every home.

Make sure to choose the best washing machine for you, and take note if this machine is water and energy efficient. A well-chosen washer makes washing clothes easier, more efficient, and hassle-free.