Washing Machines

Invest in a washing machine that’s designed to complement your lifestyle. From washing everyday garments to delicately cleaning woollens or giving seasonal items a refresh, there’s an ever-growing range of washing machines to meet every laundry need. Find yourself a Betta laundry solution with a wide range of washing machines to choose from, including Front Load Washing Machines, Top Load Washing Machines, Washer Dryer Combos and Twin Tub Washers, from big-name brands like LG, Fisher & Paykel, Haier, Hisense and TCL.

Types of Washing Machines

There are many washing machine types available on the market, they include Front Load Washing Machines, Top Load Washing Machines, Washer Dryer Combos and Twin Tub Washers. Each washing machine type differs from each other by modes of operation and benefits, which means finding the perfect washing machine for your home could potentially be easier than doing laundry itself!


Front Load Washing Machines

Indicated by their front facing door, a Front Load Washing Machine operates with a horizontal drum which rotates to wash, rinse and spin clothes. Front Load Washing Machines are generally more energy and water efficient compared to Top Load Washing Machines, and they’re a great choice for smaller laundries since it can be installed under a bench or have a dryer stacked on top of it.

 

Top Load Washing Machines

Traditionally designed with an upright wash drum and a centre agitator which rotates to move and wash clothes, Top Load Washing Machines often feature a large capacity to fit more garments and they’re generally more affordable than Front Load Washing Machines. Many Top Load Washing Machines now feature an upright wash drum with no agitator, delivering effective and quieter washes that are gently on garments.

 

 

Washer Dryer Combos

A space-saving solution that’s ideal for smaller laundries, studios and apartments, a Washer Dryer Combo is a 2-in-1 appliance with both washing and drying functions. Delivering laundry convenience, Washer Dryer Combos let you wash and dry in one cycle. It’s worth noting that the capacity of washing and drying will differ in a Washer Dryer Combo, since drying requires more drum space for air circulation; for example, a Washer Dryer Combo with a 9kg washing capacity may only have a 5kg drying capacity.

 

Twin Tub Washers

This unique washing machine features twin tubs, one for washing and the other for rinsing clothes. Given its nature of operation, clothes will have to be manually moved from the first tub into the second for rinsing and spinning. Twin Tub Washers can deliver environmentally-friendly washing as water in the first (washing) tub can be reused in another wash cycle. For instance, washing a load of whites, then spinning it in the second tub while a new load of jeans gets washed in the first tub with the reused water.

 


Things to Consider When Buying a Washing Machine


Washing Capacity

A washing machine’s washing capacity should be able to meet the needs of your household. A washing machine’s capacity is measured in kilograms (kg), which is indicative of the weight of the dry laundry.

 

Is your family growing? Are you living in a share house with multiple people or are you downsizing? Whatever your life stage and washing needs, use our laundry capacity guide below to find the right one for you:

 

Washing Capacity (kg) Household Size
Up to 6kg Single or couples
7-8kg Small family
9-10kg Medium family
10kg+ Large family

Efficiency

All washing machines have their own unique energy and water (WELS) rating, indicating its consumption levels and efficiency. Expressed with ‘stars’, the number of stars will show how energy or water efficient the washing machine is. The greater the number of ‘stars’, the more efficient the washing machine’s performance.

 

To further reduce impact, keep an eye out for and take advantage of resource-reducing wash cycles such as ‘Eco’ and ‘Energy Saving’.

Smart Control

Intelligently and remotely manage laundry day with smart controlled washing machines. Smart washing machines are Wi-Fi enabled, meaning they can be connected to the home network, enabling effortless control, monitoring and management via an app on your compatible smart device or using your voice with smart home assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

 

Smart app control provides flexible access so that you can enjoy more time doing other things outside of laundry. With a touch of a button, access personalised wash cycles, schedule, start, pause and keep track of the washing machine’s wash cycle no matter where you are – across the room, on your commute home or while you’re grocery shopping.


Washing Machine Functions to Look Out For

  • Steam Refresh - Designed for refreshing and removing odours, Steam Refresh functions use high temperatures and steam to revitalise your garments. Steam Refresh also eliminates creases and kills harmful bacteria and odours for a like-new feeling. Steam Refresh functions are great for seasonal garments, and items worn once that don't require the time and consumption of a full wash.
  • AutoDose - Washing machines with AutoDose feature an automatic detergent dispensing system that release the optimal amount of detergent based on your load's conditions. With the right detergent levels used, AutoDose systems can help produce perfect washing machines without detergent waste of detergent residue that sticks to your clothes. Most washing machines brands will have an auto dispensing, with varying names and methods of operations between them. Washing machines brands with AutoDose includes AEG, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux, and Beko.
  • Add Items/Pause - Enjoy greater freedom and add more items to your wash after it has started with 'Pause' and 'Add Item' functions. A 'Pause' function will typically let you halt the washing cycle whereas an 'Add Item' function completely stops the wash cycle so that you can add last minute items to the wash cycles. The Add Items/Pause functions have different names depending on the manufacturer, for example Fisher & Paykel have 'Add a Garment', LG calls theirs 'Add Item', while Hisense have 'Pause & Add'.
  • Single Wash - As its name suggests, Single Wash cycles are designed for washing a very small load of one or two items. Depending on the washing machine, a 'Single Wash' may mean up to a certain amount of clothes, indicated by the dry load's weight, for example up to 1kg.
  • Auto-Sensing - Intelligent sensors in the washing machine drum senses the load's conditions including weight and level of soiling to determine the wash cycle's conditions, including energy and water consumption as well as wash time. Many washing machines with an 'Auto' cycle will use built-in sensors to optimise wash conditions that are both effective and efficient.
  • Hygiene/Allergy - Have greater peace fo mind as you eliminate bacteria, viruses, allergens and other contaminants from garments with hygienic wash options. Many washing machines with hygienic wash options use high temperatures and or steam to remove contaminants, making them great for use on baby clothes, those with allergies, asthma or when illness occurs in the household. Hygiene or Allergy cycles have different names depending on the brand, for example, Fisher & Paykel have 'Allergy' and 'Sanitise', LG calls theirs 'Allergy Care' while Hisense have 'Allergy Steam' and 'Baby Care Steam
  • Anti-Crease - Reduce creases and wrinkles on your garments with 'Anti-Crease' options. Washing machines with an 'Anti-Crease' option operates by tumbling washed clothes at the end of the wash cycle to prevent creasing or wrinkling. This feature will differ in name depending on the brand, for example Samsung call it 'Wrinkle Prevent', LG is 'Wrinkle Care' and Fisher & Paykel have called theirs 'Wrinkle Free'.

Washing Machine Functions to Look Out For

 

Washing Machine Functions to Look Out For

  • Steam Refresh - Designed for refreshing and removng odours, Steam Refresh functions use high temperatures and steam to revitalise your garments. Steam Refresh also eliminates creases and kills harmful bacteria and odours for a like-new feeling. Steam Refresh functions are great for seasonal garments, and items worn once that don't require the time and consumption of a full wash.

  • AutoDose - Washing machines with AutoDose feature an automatic detergent dispensing system that release the optimal amount of detergent based on your load's conditions. With the right detergent levels used, AutoDose systems can help produce perfect washing machines without detergent waste of detergent residue that sticks to your clothes. Most washing machines brands will have an auto dispensing, with varying names and methods of operations between them. Washing machines brands with AutoDose includes AEG, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux, and Beko.

  • Add Items/Pause - Enjoy greater freedom and add more items to your wash after it has started with 'Pause' and 'Add Item' functions. A 'Pause' function will typically let you halt the washing cycle whereas an 'Add Item' function completely stops the wash cycle so that you can add last minute items to the wash cycles. The Add Items/Pause functions have different names depending on the manufacturer, for example Fisher & Paykel have 'Add a Garment', LG calls theirs 'Add Item', while Hisense have 'Pause & Add'.

  • Single Wash - As its name suggests, Single Wash cycles are designed for washing a very small load of one or two items. Depending on the washing machine, a 'Single Wash' may mean up to a certain amount of clothes, indicated by the dry load's weight, for example up to 1kg.

  • Auto-Sensing - Intelligent sensors in the washing machine drum senses the load's conditions including weight and level of soiling to determine the wash cycle's conditions, including energy and water consumption as well as wash time. Many washing machines with an 'Auto' cycle will use built-in sensors to optimise wash conditions that are both effective and efficient.

  • Hygiene/Allergy - Have greater peace fo mind as you eliminate bacteria, viruses, allergens and other contaminants from garments with hygienic wash options. Many washing machines with hygienic wash options use high temperatures and or steam to remove contaminants, making them great for use on baby clothes, those with allergies, asthma or when illness occurs in the household. Hygiene or Allergy cycles have different names depending on the brand, for example, Fisher & Paykel have 'Allergy' and 'Sanitise', LG calls theirs 'Allergy Care' while Hisense have 'Allergy Steam' and 'Baby Care Steam

  • Anti-Crease - Reduce creases and wrinkles on your garments with 'Anti-Crease' options. Washing machines with an 'Anti-Crease' option operates by tumbling washed clothes at the end of the wash cycle to prevent creasing or wrinkling. This feature will differ in name depending on the brand, for example Samsung call it 'Wrinkle Prevent', LG is 'Wrinkle Care' and Fisher & Paykel have called theirs 'Wrinkle Free'.


FAQs


The best washing machine should effectively meet your household’s laundry needs. When buying a washing machine, consider the number of people in your household and the washing machine’s capacity, the number of functions available against the types of garments you wear as well as your laundry’s space and configuration.


Washing machines are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The perfect washing machine will be fit for your purpose, with extra features and functions a bonus. If a quality washing machine is what you’re after, top considerations to look out for include smart control, compatibility with dryers as well as greater energy and water efficiency.


This will depend on your laundry needs, budget, space and the value of efficiency in your laundry. Top Load Washing Machines often feature a lower price point with a larger washing capacity, however they require lot of space above to accommodate for the top opening door and they’re not as energy or water efficient compared to Front Load Washing Machines. Despite its higher price point, Front Load Washing Machines are typically more efficient than Top Load Washing Machines, and they’re more suitable for smaller laundries, with the ability for stacking with dryers or placement under a benchtop.


Washer Dryer Combos are the perfect laundry solution for smaller homes such as apartments, granny flats and tiny homes. With their 2-in-1 function of washing and drying in the same unit, Washer Dryer Combos are designed for those with limited laundry spaces as well as households that don’t require regular drying of garments.


Running your washing machine during off-peak energy usage times will be best to ensure efficient results. Avoid peak periods of 2pm – 8pm, meaning washing anywhere between 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm will be ideal. High energy usage times in your home, such as when dinner’s cooking in the oven or the kids are watching TV are also not ideal washing times.