Buying a new washing machine can be a little confusing, especially if you’ve never needed to buy one before.
One statistic that is always quoted on new washing machines is their spin speed.
Keep on reading to find out what spin speed is, what the fastest spin speed you will find is, and why you’d want it.
What Is Spin Speed?
The spin speed of a washing machine is measured in “rpm”, or revolutions per minute.
This literally means that the drum in the washing will spin that number of times per minute.
Most front-loading washing machines have spin speeds of around 1200 to 1400 rpm, but there are some that are higher or lower than that range.
Once upon a time, washing machines with a spin speed of 1800 rpm were easy to find, but these aren’t as common anymore.
Instead, it’s likely that the fastest spin speed you will find is 1600 rpm.
Top-loading washing machines, on the other hand, have slower spin speeds, usually ranging from about 700 to 1200 rpm.
What Are the Advantages of Higher Spin Speeds?
One key advantage of using a higher spin speed is that it will remove more water from your laundry, meaning it will be drier when you take it out.
Whether you air dry or tumble dry, that will simply mean it dries faster. If you have limited space to dry clothing inside or don’t have access to a tumble dryer, this can be a game changer.
If you do have a tumble dryer, washing your clothes on a higher spin speed and then using the tumble drier for less time will be more efficient in the long run.
If your household runs a lot of cotton washing cycles, you’ll want a higher spin speed. Cotton cycles typically use the highest spin speed a washing machine is capable of.
However, it is worth remembering that you need to only use the higher spin speed on laundry that can handle it. If you use a spin speed that is too high on delicate garments such as lace, it can easily end up damaged.
What Spin Speed Should I Use?
Most manufacturers will print a suggested spin speed in their guides, and you should always check the care labels on individual garments too as some will have their own recommendations.
As an example, recommended spin speeds for different fabrics may be as follows:
- Cottons: 1400 to 1600 rpm, depending on the maximum speed of your machine
- Delicates: 600 rpm
- Wool: 800 rpm
- Silk: 400 rpm
- Shirts and blouses: 600 rpm
- Denim: 900 rpm
Myths About High Spin Speeds
High spins will ruin your clothing
As long as you use high spin speeds wisely, there’s no reason that it would damage your clothing.
Cotton garments, such as thick t-shirts, sheets and towels hold up very well to fast spin speeds, but you shouldn’t use high speeds for delicate fabrics such as silk or lace.
Washing machines with higher spins are more prone to breakdowns
A lot of people mistakenly believe that higher spin speeds will put more strain on the washing machine, leading to more breakdowns.
However, with modern machines, that’s not the case. Modern washing machines are so innovative and well-engineered that they are more reliable than ever, even at high spin speeds.
Many manufacturers have even taken the step of removing unnecessary belts and pulleys in favour of brushless inverter motors and direct drive technology, which means the insides of the average washing machine are incredibly streamlined.
Freestanding Washing Machines with the Highest Spin Speed (1600 rpm)
1. Hoover H-WASH 300 H3W69TMBBE/1
Energy usage per cycle: 0.57 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 46 litres
Energy rating: B
Maximum spin speed: 1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 80 dB
Capacity: 9 kg
With a 9 kg capacity and a choice of three different quick wash cycles, this Hoover H-Wash washing machine is ideal for hectic family life.
In addition to having enough space for the entire family’s laundry, this washing machine can adjust all the settings automatically to get the best possible results without damaging your clothing or unnecessarily increasing your electricity and water bills.
At 80 dB during the spin cycle and just 50 dB during the wash cycle, this washing machine is fairly quiet too, making it a good choice for open plan homes.
This washing machine has a choice of 16 wash programs, including specialist cycles such as an allergy care program and a stain removal program.
If you often find an odd sock that you’ve dropped or a school polo shirt that should have gone in the wash, you’ll love the pause function that allows you to add in those extra items part way through the cycle.
Users love that the machine is easy to operate, has plenty of space for larger families and is quiet during use too. However, if you aren’t very tech savvy, you may find that some of the options are harder to make sense of.
2. AEG ProSteam Technology LFR71864B
Energy usage per cycle: 0.471 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 42 litres
Energy rating: A
Maximum spin speed:1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 76 dB
Capacity: 8 kg
The AEG ProSteam washing machine has a handy 8 kg capacity that’s perfect for medium-sized families. The wide range of programs (including a handy quick wash!) can help you to make light work of not only smelly sports clothing or delicate garments, but last-minute emergencies too.
If you have small kids, the nifty super rinse cycle can thoroughly rinse out all of the detergent, even if you’ve added too much, all helping to protect the most delicate of skin.
The ProSteam feature is also a unique feature that reduces creases, making ironing easier.
The sensors in this washing machine will automatically weigh and measure the laundry you load, adjusting the water and energy use accordingly to give you the best results and save you money on your bills. It’s a win-win!
Users love how easy the steam effect makes ironing, and that the machine is quiet and unobtrusive during use. The dials are large in size and easy to hold, making it ideal for those with reduced fine motor control.
3. Candy CS69TME/1-80
Energy usage per cycle: 0.57 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 46 litres
Energy rating: B
Maximum spin speed: 1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 78 dB
Capacity: 9 kg
This 9 kg washing machine from Candy not only has a large enough capacity to help you clear through the laundry pile in a jiffy, but it also looks smart and can make light work of most household stains.
For last-minute emergencies, the 14 minute quick wash will save the day, and the choice of programs will protect your laundry. This washing machine has all the basics with no frills (excluding a few modern touches!), which means this machine is simple, easy to use, and easy to understand.
Users like that the machine drains well so washing doesn’t come out sopping wet, and that it’s fairly compact for the large capacity so it sits under a counter perfectly. Even on the highest spin speed, this washing machine is fairly quiet.
Another benefit of this washing machine is that it will automatically reduce the washing time for smaller loads, saving your clothes from over-washing and your wallet from unnecessary expense.
Integrated Washing Machines with the Highest Spin Speed (1600 rpm)
1. Beko RecycledTub WTIK76151F
Energy usage per cycle: 0.71 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 44 litres
Energy rating: C
Maximum spin speed: 1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 71 dB
Capacity: 7 kg
With a 7 kg capacity, this washing machine is ideal for small-to-medium households. Features such as the Fast+ function and the 28 minute quick wash program will help you to get great results when you need them, with none of the waiting around.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, the Anti-Allergy cycle makes use of longer rinses to flush out any irritants that might have taken up residence in your laundry.
In addition to the usual programs and the anti-allergy cycle, this washing machine has specialised programs for sportswear, delicates and synthetics.
A truly unique feature of this washing machine when compared to the others on this list is that the drum tubs are made from recycled plastic bottles.
These old bottles are converted into durable materials that give the perfect balance of looking after the planet and helping you get through that overflowing laundry basket.
Users find the machine to be easy to use and that it produces great results, but some people do report that the machine can be quite loud and the feet can be a little tricky to adjust.
Some people also report that the labels on the dials are quite small and the display is fairly dim, which can make it tricky to use for those with visual impairments.
2. Haier Series 4 HWQ90B416FWB-UK
Energy usage per cycle: 4.9 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 46 litres
Energy rating: A
Maximum spin speed: 1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 76 dB
Capacity: 9 kg
This washing machine from Haier provides great value for money and has a variety of both crucial and nice-to-have features that will make doing your laundry a breeze.
The 9 kg drum capacity means that it can handle laundry for up to four people at once, and the cotton cycle will leave your sheets perfectly clean and fresh.
If you despise ironing, there’s even a clever cycle that reduces creasing to cut down the amount of time you have to spend at the ironing board.
If your work clothes just need a quick refresh or if you’ve just pulled your summer wardrobe back out to find it smells musty, the Steam Refresh cycle will have your clothes fresh and revitalised in a jiffy.
This washing machine proves to be incredibly easy to use, and the wide range of features and cycles makes laundry time less painful. This washing machine has a sleek, modern appearance that will look at home in just about any property.
If you have an open plan home, this washing machine is fairly quiet too, even on a spin cycle.
3. Hoover H-Wash 300 Pro HBWOS69TMCE
Energy usage per cycle: 0.59 kWh
Water consumption per cycle: 48 litres
Energy rating: B
Maximum spin speed: 1600 rpm
Noise level (spin): 76 dB
Capacity: 9 kg
The 9 kg capacity of this washing machine is a dream come true for medium-sized (or just messy smaller-sized!) households.
If you have small kids or family members with allergies, the Allergy Cycle can get rid of 99.9% of allergens, such as dust mites and pollen, helping you to protect even the most sensitive of skin.
The quick wash program is a life saver if you’re in a hurry, and if you like managing your appliances on the go, the Hoover smartphone app will be right up your alley.
Like the others on this list, this Hoover washing machine weighs your laundry when you load it, adjusting all the settings to suit the load, helping you to save money on your electricity bills.
If you find you’ve dropped socks whilst juggling dirty laundry, these can be easily added in mid-wash thanks to the handy pause button.
Users love that this washing machine feels robust and has all the features that you could dream of to make catching up on laundry as easy as possible.
Conclusion
There are a range of pros that come with using a washing machine with a higher spin speed, and there are also a variety of situations in which these higher speeds just aren’t necessary.
If you need a washing machine that offers a spin speed of 1,600 rpm, we’d recommend the freestanding Hoover H-WASH 300, or the integrated Haier Series 4. These washing machines represent great value for money, whilst also offering good performance and the benefits of a higher spin speed.
Lover of coffee, painting, and all things cute and fluffy. I’m always on the lookout for easier, more gentle ways to tackle awful household chores.
