When people are picking out a new washing machine, the noise output is often overlooked.
However, if you have an open-plan living space or simply spend a lot of time in proximity to your washing machine, a loud machine can be extremely frustrating.
The average washing machine produces about 74 decibels (dB) of noise during the spin cycle, but the quietest models can produce as little as 66 decibels. While this might not sound like a big difference, reducing a noise by 10 decibels is equivalent to halving how loud it sounds, so the quietest washing machines will sound almost half as loud as the loudest.
We’ve researched the market to find the quietest integrated and freestanding washing machines currently available.
Quietest Washing Machines in the UK
1. Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB
Noise level (Spin): 66 dB
Installation type: Integrated
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
Producing just 66 decibels of noise on a spin cycle, the Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB is the joint quietest washing machine we could (along with the Neff model below).
To give you some context, 66 decibels is roughly the same volume as a loud conversation or laughter.
This is the maximum volume of the machine that you will hear on the spin cycle; the wash cycle will be much quieter.
In addition to being very quiet, it’s also more energy efficient than the average washing machine, and can save water thanks to the ActiveWater Plus function.
This machine gives you a choice of 14 programmes in total, including special programmes for woollens, sportwear and delicates.
There’s a 24-hour delay timer so you can program the machine to start washing at a specific time, for example if you want to take advantage of off-peak energy tariffs.
The quick wash cycle can refresh 2 kg of laundry in just 15 minutes, which is very handy when you’re in a hurry!
There’s also a SpeedPerfect feature which can be used in combination with regular programmes to reduce cycle length by as much as 65%.
The Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB is expensive, but if noise reduction is your priority, it could well be worth it.
2. Neff W544BX1GB
Noise level (Spin): 66 dB
Installation type: Integrated
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
At just 41 dB during the wash cycle and 66 dB during the spin cycle, this Neff integrated washing machine is perfect for open plan living spaces.
In addition to being incredibly quiet, this washing machine is packed with all the features and programmes that the typical household could need.
It features a good choice of useful programmes, including a 15-minute quick wash cycle, an anti-stain programme and delicate cycles for silks, wool, synthetics and more.
One feature that a lot of users like is how it projects the time remaining onto the floor, so you don’t need to open the cupboard door to check how much time is left.
This Neff integrated washing machine is packed with features that will make your life easier.
Reviewers love how easy this washing machine is to use, and the machine is so quiet it won’t disrupt movie night on the sofa.
The price might be higher than the average integrated washing machine, but if you have the budget and want something ultra-quiet, it’s worth considering.
3. Haier HW100-B1439N
Noise level (Spin): 67 dB
Installation type: Freestanding
Capacity: 10 kg
Energy Rating: A
With a 10 kg capacity, this Haier washing machine is ideal for larger or messier households.
Features such as the 15-minute quick wash are a lifesaver for households with small children, and the Steam function will reduce bacteria and creasing.
At 53 dB during the wash cycle and 67 dB during the spin, this washing machine is pretty quiet for a freestanding machine too.
The Haier HW100-B1439N washing machine features a 15-minute quick wash cycle, which is great if you are in a hurry.
The washing machine has a wide range of cycles available. Some of the cycles on offer include dedicated cycles for sportswear, synthetics, wool and delicates.
There’s also a steam function to reduce creasing, bacteria and staining.
However, it doesn’t have an easy iron function, and some cycles can be quite long.
Overall, this Haier washing machine is relatively easy to use and offers more than enough programs and features to make light work of the typical larger household’s weekly laundry.
This washing machine is an affordable choice that will tick all the boxes for a lot of households.
4. Beko Pro RecycledTub WTIK84121
Noise level (Spin): 67 dB
Installation type: Integrated
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy Rating: C
This mid-priced washing machine from Beko is one of the quietest washing machines on the market, at least according to the product description which states that the spin cycle in 67 decibels. Despite this, some user reviews state that it is still loud on the spin cycle.
The Pro RecycledTub WTIK84121 has a good quick wash programme that can handle 8 kg of laundry in 28 minutes, or a smaller 2 kg load in just 14 minutes. There’s also a Fast+ function which can be used to speed up a regular programme by as much as 55%.
You can save time on cleaning the washing machine itself thanks to the useful self-cleaning function called DrumClean, which runs a 70°C hot wash to kill bacteria in the drum and stop it getting mouldy and smelly.
Beko have designed this washing machine with an extra-large door opening so you can fit things like duvets in.
There are 15 programmes to choose from in total, including special programmes for delicates, hand-wash items and sportswear.
If you want a quiet integrated washing machine that is fairly affordable, this could be a good choice.
5. Grundig GWI38431
Noise level (Spin): 67 dB
Installation type: Integrated
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy Rating: C
The GWI38431 from German brand Grundig is a relatively expensive 8 kg capacity machine. Its spin cycle produces 67 decibels of noise, making it one of the quietest options on the market.
This integrated washing machine is relatively eco-friendly as well as quiet. The tub is made from recycled plastic bottles, and the machine will automatically adjust the water usage to save water usage when washing smaller loads.
If you’re in a hurry, there’s a handy quick wash function that can be used to refresh a small (2 kg) load of clothes in just 14 minutes.
There are lots of programmes and settings to choose from, including special programmes to remove allergens and to safely wash wool. There’s also a clean cycle to clean the washing machine drum itself.
While this product is fairly expensive, it does come with a 5-year guarantee to give you some peace of mind.
6. LG AI DD V3 F4V310WNEH
Noise level (Spin): 71 dB
Installation type: Freestanding
Capacity: 10.5 kg
Energy Rating: A
This washing machine from LG is a high-tech product that uses artificial intelligence to analyse the weight and softness of your laundry and decides what kind of movement to use.
Its Inverter Direct Drive Motor reduces vibration and therefore noise, helping it keep noise to just 71 decibels during a spin cycle.
As well as being very quiet, it’s also energy efficient with and energy rating of A, so it will help you reduce your energy bills.
The LG AI DD V3 F4V310WNEH has a large 10.5 kg drum capacity, making it a good choice for big families or people who often need to wash large loads of laundry. However, you should be aware that not every cycle on the machine can actually take the full 10.5 capacity.
If you often find yourself needing to wash just a few clothes at the last minute, the quick wash cycle can handle 2 kg of clothes in just 14 minutes.
Despite the large 10.5 kg capacity, the washing machine itself is the regular size and will fit in a normal washing machine space. It measures 85 cm high by 60 cm wide and 56.5 cm deep.
The child lock feature is a nice addition for households with curious kids!
This washing machine isn’t as pricey as you might expect given its advanced features.
7. Hotpoint H7 W945WB
Noise level (Spin): 71 dB
Installation type: Freestanding
Capacity: 9 kg
Energy Rating: B
The Hotpoint GentlePower H7 W945WB is a quiet freestanding washing machine with some smart features.
Hotpoint’s GentlePower washing machines are designed to be kind to your clothes and the environment by tailoring each wash to the load size and showering laundry rather than simply soaking it. This helps save energy and water, while achieving a better clean that isn’t so aggressive on clothes.
Another nice design feature is the AutoDose technology. Instead of guessing how much laundry detergent to use, you simply fill up the dispenser and it will measure out how much to use. You only need to fill it up once every 25 washes or so.
There is a good choice of washing programmes including an anti-allergy programme that can remove 99.9% of allergens.
Many users praise this machine for being quiet, but a lot of people find that the door is unnecessarily big and sticks out into the kitchen.
How Much Noise Does the Average Washing Machine Make?
We looked at the top 10 most popular freestanding and integrated washing machines on AO.com to get an idea for how loud the average washing machine is these days.
According to our research, the average washing in the UK produces 74 decibels of noise on the spin cycle. The spin cycle is much louder than the wash cycle, which is why product descriptions focus on this number.
The spin cycle happens towards the end of the programme, when the washing machine spins laundry very quickly to remove water. This produces vibration, which is what makes washing machines so loud.
The wash cycle is much gentler and tends to produce around 57 decibels of noise. This might not sound like much less than 74 decibels, but the decibel scale is logarithmic, and an increase of 10 decibels is interpreted as being twice as loud. Therefore, 74 decibels will sound like it is almost four times as loud as 57 decibels.
The quietest washing machines we could find produce 66 decibels of noise on the spin cycle, which is considerably less than the average machine that produces 74 decibels. Due to the logarithmic nature of the decibel measuring system, the quietest models will sound almost half as loud as average washing machines.
FAQs on Washing Machine Noise
Are integrated washing machines quieter than freestanding models?
There doesn’t appear to be a significant difference in the amount of noise integrated and freestanding washing machines make, at least when it comes to the washing machine itself.
However, since integrated washing machines are insulated behind a cupboard door, they will be a bit quieter in practice.
Can you get a silent washing machine?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to manufacture a silent washing machine. Even the quietest washing machines we could find are still quite loud on the spin cycle since the washing machine needs to vibrate at a high speed to spin laundry.
Conclusion
According to our research, the joint quietest washing machines on the market right now are the Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB and the Neff W544BX1GB. Both of these washing machines produce 66 decibels of noise on the spin cycle, which is substantially less than the average of 74 decibels.
The Bosch Series 8 WIW28502GB and Neff W544BX1GB are both integrated models. If you want a freestanding washing machine, the quietest model we could find was the Haier HW100-B1439N, which produces 67 decibels of noise on the spin cycle.
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