If you live in an open-plan home or have an integrated washing machine in your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll want it to be as quiet as possible.
A noisy washing machine could disturb you while you’re trying to enjoy your dinner, watch TV or relax in the bath, so it’s worth doing some research to make sure you choose a quiet model.
The most popular integrated washing machines usually have noise levels of around 50-58 decibels (dB) on the wash cycle and 70-76 dB on the spin cycle.
To give you a point of reference, a vacuum cleaner is about 70 dB, so your average integrated washing machine will be even louder than this! However, the surrounding cabinet will absorb a lot of the sound.
A washing machine can be considered ‘quiet’ if the noise level is below 50 dB on the wash cycle and 70 dB on the spin cycle. The key number to look at is the noise level of the spin cycle, as this is always louder and therefore represents the washing machine’s maximum volume.
We’ve researched the market and picked out 5 of the quietest integrated washing machines available in the UK.
These washing machines all have noise levels below 45 dB on the wash cycle and 70 dB on the spin cycle. Choose one of these models if you want to avoid buying something noisy.
Quietest Integrated Washing Machines in the UK
1. Bosch Serie 8 WIW28502GB
Noise level (spin): 66 dB
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
At just 66 decibels on the spin cycle, the Serie 8 WIW28502GB from highly renowned German brand Bosch is one of the quietest washing machines on the market.
The unique drum structure allows for gentle washing, and a reduction in water consumption thanks to the load adjustment system.
Available with a 10-year warranty, the EcoSilence Drive is not only quiet in operation, but it’s an extremely energy efficient component to this product.
There’s a convenient 15-minute quick wash programme for washing a few items at the last minute. When washing regular loads, you can use the SpeedPerfect programme to reduce cycle lengths by as much as 65%.
Most users find that this washing machine performs very well while staying ultra quiet! However, it is quite pricey.
2. Neff W544BX1GB
Noise level (spin): 66 dB
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
This highly rated product from NEFF is the joint quietest integrated washing machine we could find at the time of writing, producing just 66 decibels of noise on a spin cycle.
With an eight-kilogram drum capacity, this machine could be a good choice for families and medium-sized households.
The speedy Quick Wash feature lets you wash two kilograms of clothes in just 15 minutes.
Using brushless magnets, the EcoSilence Drive provides optimum performance for low sound levels, making it great for open plan living spaces.
This washing machine offers a choice of 15 programmes including settings for treating stains and washing delicate items like woollen garments.
This is a very well made washing machine, but it is relatively expensive.
3. Beko WTIK74111
Noise level (spin): 67 dB
Washing capacity: 7 kg
Energy rating: C
The 7 kg drum on this Beko washing machine makes it ideal for a medium-sized household. And you’ll enjoy plenty of washing power with this machine too.
You can enjoy the quick-wash feature that cleans clothes in just 28 minutes. It also has an eco-mode that allows you to save money, as well as delicate cycles and a great deal more.
This is a washing machine that has clearly been designed with ease of use in a family home in mind.
The washing controls are nice and easy to use, and the display gives clear and precise times when each load of washing will be complete.
Allowing you to plan your washing cycles perfectly so that you’ll always have clean clothes when you need them.
4. AEG 8000 L8FC8432BI
Noise level (spin): 68 dB
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
This washing machine has loads of really interesting and handy programmes that you’ll love to use. Firstly, it has a steam cleaning function built in for those very stubborn stains.
It also automatically adjusts the timing for each load, saving you time and money if you want to do a half load of washing. There are also all the other modes you may expect, including wool washing modes for the most gentle washing cycles.
Where this washing machine really comes into its own, though, is the noise it produces. For such a powerful washing machine (it has a 1400 rpm spin speed), it only reaches 68 dB. This is whisper quiet compared with other machines.
Thanks to the 8 kg load capacity and the very quiet operation of this washing machine, we think this would be ideal for a family home with small kids. And there are loads of features that can help you save money and energy on every wash too.
5. Zanussi ZW84PCBI
Noise level (spin): 69 dB
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: D
Speaking of washing machines perfectly suited to a family home, this Zanussi washing machine has some really handy features that ensure washing your clothes has never been easier, just what a busy family home needs.
It has similar technology to the AEG above in that it can detect the weight of the clothes you put in the drum. It will then use this info to calculate a time and even the best washing settings for you.
You can also use the Flextime feature to wash half loads and save some energy, water and money. And if you really don’t enjoy ironing, there is even an Easy Iron function that minimises the creases created during the washing.
The washing machine allows the whole family to spend less time thinking about washing and more time enjoying themselves, and because of that, it had to make our list!
Oh, and at only 69 dB, it is the perfect machine for this list!
Are Integrated Appliances Quieter?
A washing machine is considered to be quiet if the rinse cycle is less than 50 dB, and the spin is less than 70 dB.
On average, integrated washing machines are between 50 and 58 dB on the rinse cycle, and 70 to 76 dB on the spin cycle.
Today, there are both integrated and freestanding washing machines that are quiet and so are ideal for households with kids, professionals who work from home and hold a lot of Zoom meetings and more.
Freestanding vs integrated
When it comes to the freestanding washing machine, noise levels tend to be higher than some integrated machines are.
The Samsung Series 5 ecobubble, for example, is quoted as being a super-quiet model, and yet this still has a noise level during a spin cycle of 74 dB.
By comparison, our top pick for a quiet integrated washing machine, the Bosch Serie 6 WIW28301GB, has a noise level during a spin cycle of just 66 dB, making it much less intrusive.
During a rinse cycle, this machine has a noise level of just 41 dB, which is quieter than the typical conversation!
Cupboard doors
One of the reasons that integrated washing machines are often quieter than their freestanding counterparts is down to the cupboard door.
As the washing machine is enclosed and tucked away, the noise from the machine is not able to travel as far.
How Do I Make my Integrated Washing Machine Quieter?
Whilst the integrated washing machines on this list are all naturally quiet, there are always steps that you can take to keep the noise level at its absolute lowest point during typical use.
1. Don’t overload (or underload) the machine
If it’s overloaded, even the quietest washing machine will start to make loud noises.
Washing machine drums are set up to hold a specific amount of laundry, and if you go over this, the drum will be off balance. This can lead to increased vibration, knocking, and a much louder spin cycle.
In the same way, a machine that is under capacity on a regular cycle will have an off-balance drum. Some machines have a half-load cycle that can counteract this problem.
To minimise noise, try to run your washing machine as close to the maximum capacity as possible.
Not only will this be quieter, but it will look after your washing machine and help you get the most out of each cycle too.
2. Keep the machine clean and maintained
If your washing machine is not in the best possible condition, you will find that it gets louder, regardless of how quiet it was to begin with.
If your machine has damaged components, is full of dirt or has a blocked filter, it will not only develop annoying noises, but you could end up with a costly repair bill.
By keeping your washing machine clean and in good working condition, you’ll keep it running well for longer and keep the noise level to a minimum.
3. Reduce vibrations
Washing machines vibrating against their surroundings is one of the leading causes of excessive noise. If the floor underneath the machine is not level, it will wobble and could bang against the cupboards or walls next to the machine.
Consider putting a non-slip mat underneath the washing machine, and make sure that the machine sits level. Use adjustable feet if the floor itself is not level.
In some cases, padding the cavity around the washing machine with sound-proofing material can be worthwhile if you have tried everything else to reduce vibrations to no avail.
Conclusion
The quietest integrated washing machines we could find in the UK at the time of writing were the Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB and the Neff W544BX1GB, both of which have a noise level of just 66 dB during a spin cycle.
This is much quieter than the average integrated washing machine, which produces at least 50 dB during a rinse cycle and 70 dB during a spin cycle.
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