5 Best Cheap Washing Machines That Won’t Break the Bank

November 6, 2024

[goodhousekeeping.com – 2024.10.29] Major appliances can be pricey investments but it’s not always necessary to go straight to a top-of-the-line model to get great performance. Mid- and even some low-end models often employ the same wash systems as their more expensive counterparts without all the bells and whistles.

Washing machines can cost anywhere from about $500 to $1,400 or more. And while “cheap” or “affordable” are subjective terms, for this guide, I capped our recommendations at about $750. These are sale, not list, prices because I was looking for models from reputable brands that have tested well in our Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and that offer good to very good capacity and an assortment of useful features for the price. In other words, washers that are a great value. Major appliances are frequently, if not always, on sale so I’d always recommend choosing a model with a sale price that fits your budget instead of one with a low list price that compromises usefulness down the road.

When we test cheap or any washing machine in our GH Cleaning Lab, we evaluate cleaning performance on multiple cycles, gentleness, energy efficiency, how easy they are to use and load and more. Then we keep them installed in our Lab to wash aprons, dish towels and the other routine laundry loads our Institute generates. If you are in the market for a great washer at a great price, here’s what I recommend.

1. BEST OVERALL
GE Profile Smart Top Load Washer