Is buying a washing machine from a supermarket a good idea?

Supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons occasionally stock washing machines – particularly around key promotional periods. Argos, now part of Sainsbury’s, offers a wider and more permanent range. These machines are often attractively priced and convenient to purchase alongside your weekly shop.

However, convenience and low price don’t always mean good value. The washing machine market is highly competitive, and entry-level models – the kind typically sold in supermarkets – are often stripped of the features and build quality that make a machine last.

This guide explains exactly what to look out for, what questions to ask, and how to decide whether a supermarket machine is the right choice for your household.

What kind of washing machines do supermarkets sell?

Supermarkets tend to stock a very narrow range – typically two to four models at any one time. These are almost always entry-level specifications from mainstream brands such as Hotpoint, Beko, Indesit, or own-label equivalents.

Watch out for supermarket exclusives.

Manufacturers sometimes create special model numbers exclusively for supermarket channels. These are often lower-spec versions of standard models – with fewer programmes, slower spin speeds, or reduced drum capacity – but are difficult to compare directly because they don’t appear in mainstream reviews.

Common characteristics of supermarket washing machines:

• Drum capacities of 7kg or 8kg (suitable for small to average households)
• Spin speeds of 1000rpm or 1200rpm (higher-spec models reach 1400-1600rpm)
• Shorter manufacturer warranties (typically one year)
• Basic programme selections, often without eco or specialist cycles
• Limited or no smart/Wi-Fi connectivity

What are the pros and cons of buying from a supermarket?

How do supermarket washing machines compare on specification?

The table below shows how a typical supermarket entry-level model compares against mid-range and premium alternatives available from specialist retailers.

Why does spin speed matter – and why do supermarket machines often fall short?

Spin speed is one of the most important and most overlooked washing machine specifications. A higher spin speed removes more water from your laundry during the final spin cycle.

This matters for two practical reasons: clothes come out drier, reducing the time and energy needed to tumble dry them – and fabrics suffer less wear over time because they spend less time in heat. A machine spinning at 1000rpm leaves clothes noticeably wetter than one spinning at 1400rpm.

Spin speed and running costs

Many supermarket models are limited to 1000rpm or 1200rpm. For households that regularly use a tumble dryer, a machine with 1400rpm+ will reduce running costs and may pay for itself over time through lower energy use. Understanding washing machine spin speeds

Are supermarket washing machines energy efficient?

Since March 2021, all washing machines sold in the UK must display an updated energy rating label running from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Budget supermarket models typically fall in the D to E range – significantly less efficient than mid-range alternatives.

Over a machine’s lifetime, the difference in energy consumption can add up to a meaningful sum on your electricity bill. A machine rated D or E may use 20-40% more energy per cycle than an A or B-rated equivalent.

Which brands are worth buying – and which should you avoid?

Where the brand is a recognised mainstream manufacturer, a supermarket purchase is generally lower risk. Where the machine carries an obscure or own-label brand, caution is strongly advised – spare parts and repair support may simply not be available.

Generally reputable brands
Beko, Hotpoint, Indesit, and Bosch all manufacture entry-level machines that can be found in supermarket or Argos listings. These brands have established UK repair networks and spare parts availability.

Approach with caution
Own-label or obscure brands – especially those with no visible UK support contact – may be impossible to repair if they break down. Always verify that spare parts and manufacturer support exist before buying.

Avoid any washing machine with no visible UK support contact or manufacturer website

If a machine cannot be repaired when it breaks, it will need to be replaced entirely – which is worse for your wallet and for the environment. Washing machine brands and models to avoid

What should you check before buying a supermarket washing machine?

1. Verify the full model number. Search the exact model number online to find independent reviews and confirm it is not a supermarket-exclusive variant. If no reviews exist, that is a warning sign.
2. Check the spin speed. Confirm it is at least 1200rpm. A 1000rpm machine will leave clothes wetter and increase drying time and cost. See our spin speed guide for more detail.
3. Check the energy rating. Look for the updated A-G label. Aim for C or above if possible. Avoid D or below unless the price saving is substantial and you plan to air-dry rather than tumble dry.
4. Confirm delivery and installation costs. Many supermarkets charge separately for delivery, installation, and old appliance removal. These fees can add £50-£100 to the total cost.
5. Understand the warranty terms. A one-year warranty is the legal minimum in the UK, but the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you additional rights for up to six years. Keep your receipt and packaging. See consumer rights for faulty appliances.
6. Compare total cost of ownership. Add the purchase price, estimated delivery costs, and projected energy costs over five years. A slightly more expensive machine from a specialist retailer may cost less in total. Read how long a washing machine should last.

When does buying from a supermarket actually make sense?

There are scenarios where a supermarket washing machine is a perfectly sensible choice:

Rental properties

Landlords replacing machines in rental properties where light use is expected and budget is the primary constraint. See our guide on buying appliances for rented properties.

Short-term living situations

Students or those in temporary accommodation who need a functional machine for one to three years. A rental machine may also be worth considering.

Single-person households with low usage

If you do one or two small washes per week, the reduced specification has less practical impact.

Emergency replacement

When your machine has failed and you need a fast, convenient solution. Check whether a reconditioned machine might be an option too.

Where else should I look for a washing machine?

For most households, it is worth spending a little more time to explore alternatives before defaulting to a supermarket purchase.

Note on Which?

Which? provides independent reviews and Best Buy recommendations based on rigorous testing. Full access requires a paid subscription. Visit which.co.uk for details.

Safety notice

Electrical safety

All washing machines sold in the UK must comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and carry CE or UKCA marking. When your new machine is delivered, ensure it is installed by a competent person and connected to a correctly rated electrical supply.

Never operate a washing machine with a damaged power lead, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If your machine develops a fault – particularly unusual smells, sparks, or electrical issues – switch it off at the wall immediately and do not use it until it has been inspected by a qualified engineer.

Check the OPSS product safety database to confirm your appliance is not subject to a safety recall before use. See also: DIY repair safety advice.

Frequently asked questions

Why Are Modern Wash Cycles So Long?

The lengthening of wash cycles is a deliberate engineering trade-off. Energy efficiency ratings – the A-scale labels on appliances – are achieved partly by heating water more slowly, tumbling at lower speeds for longer, and using less water overall. These changes reduce energy consumption per cycle but significantly increase the time the cycle takes.

A standard cotton cycle on many modern washing machines runs for 90 minutes to just under two hours. Machines from 20 to 30 years ago completed the same cycle in under an hour. The wash results may be marginally better on paper, but for most households the practical consequence is that laundry is tied up in the machine for far longer.

For a full explanation of why cycles have lengthened and what it means for energy use, see our guide on why washing machines take so long to wash.

Why Long Cycles Cause Real Frustration

The time a washing machine occupies is not the issue – loading and unloading takes only a few minutes. The problem is the waiting. A two-hour cycle means the machine is unavailable for two hours, laundry cannot be hung out, dried, or ironed until it is done, and if the cycle finishes while nobody is home the contents sit in the drum getting increasingly creased.

For households where someone leaves for work in the morning and returns in the evening, the window for running a cycle and dealing with the laundry on the same day is narrow. A 45-minute cycle opens that window considerably. A two-hour cycle often closes it entirely.

The Problem With Quick Wash Programmes

Most washing machines include a quick wash programme, often completing in 15 to 30 minutes. These programmes are designed for a specific purpose: freshening up lightly worn items or washing barely soiled laundry. They are not designed for – and do not effectively clean – genuinely dirty loads.

Many users run quick programmes on loads that require a proper cycle. The result is laundry that feels clean but is not fully cleaned – detergent residue may remain, bacteria may not have been addressed, and staining is often only partially treated. Used correctly, quick programmes are useful. Used as a substitute for a full cycle on a dirty load, they fall short.

The Case for Genuinely Quick Full Washes

There is a reasonable argument that buyers should be able to choose between a two-hour A-rated cycle and a 45-minute cycle that produces a good but not top-rated result. Current machine design makes this choice largely unavailable – the A-rated performance comes bundled with the extended cycle time, and the quick programme option gives a shorter cycle but inadequate cleaning on anything but the lightest loads.

A machine that offers a genuine 45-minute cycle capable of cleaning a properly loaded, moderately soiled drum – not just freshening lightly worn items – would address a real and widespread consumer need. The expectation that accepting a slightly lower wash performance rating should mean accepting a two-hour wait is a manufacturer and regulatory assumption rather than a consumer preference.

Related Guides

Why Washing Machines Take So Long
The engineering reasons behind long cycle times – and why energy efficiency and speed work against each other.


Washing Not Getting Clean
Why laundry comes out of the machine still dirty – programme choice, loading, and detergent causes.


How to Load a Washing Machine
Correct loading for best results – including how overloading affects cleaning performance and cycle time.


Laundry Coming Out Badly Creased
Why laundry creases in the drum and how to prevent it – including the effect of leaving it in too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are coloured washing machines a good idea?

Coloured washing machines – black, red, navy, grey, anthracite and beyond – have become more common as manufacturers chase kitchen design trends. They can look superb in the right setting, but two practical issues are worth understanding before you spend the extra money.

The first is what happens when the machine itself needs replacing. The second is what happens if it needs a repair that involves replacing a visible panel or part. Both can leave you with a kitchen that no longer matches.

Discontinuation risk

Bold colours follow fashion cycles. The shade you love today may not exist in five years.

Spare parts mismatch

Coloured replacement panels and doors are often not stocked – even while the model is still being sold.

Premium pricing

Coloured versions of the same machine typically cost more than the white equivalent, sometimes considerably so.

What happens when the colour is discontinued?

Appliance colour ranges follow fashion cycles. A bold colour that’s popular when purchased may no longer be available five to eight years later when the machine needs replacing.

A kitchen designed around a coordinated coloured appliance range can be left without matching options when any one of those appliances fails. With budget washing machines often scrapped after six to eight years, this isn’t a hypothetical concern.

This customer’s kitchen is all blue – blue fridge, freezer, kettle, toaster, the lot. The manufacturer no longer makes a blue machine and the insurer only supplies replacements in white. Fashion – don’t you just love it.

The site’s founding engineer, on a call-out for a coloured machine declared beyond economical repair

Can you get coloured spare parts?

Often not. Even while a coloured model is in current production, manufacturers frequently don’t stock coloured versions of replacement parts. Control panels, door assemblies, door handles and control knobs are the most commonly affected components.

When one of these parts needs replacing, the manufacturer may supply only the white version – citing it as a “suitable replacement” on the basis that it fits and functions correctly, even if it visually clashes with the rest of the machine.

Ask before you buy

Before committing to a coloured model, ask the retailer or manufacturer directly whether coloured spare parts – specifically the door and control panel – are stocked for that machine. Get the answer in writing if you can. This is a fair pre-purchase question and the response often reveals how seriously the brand backs its colour range.

What should you check before buying a coloured washing machine?

Buying a coloured machine isn’t a mistake – many last their full service life without a part being replaced. The point is to go in with eyes open. Run through these checks first.

• 
  How established is the colour? Trend-led shades are more likely to be dropped than long-standing neutrals. Check how long the colour has been offered and whether multiple models share it – a wider range signals stronger commercial commitment.
• 
  Are coloured spare parts stocked? Ask the retailer or manufacturer whether door assemblies and control panels are available in the colour. Don’t accept “we think so” – get specific confirmation.
• 
  Does the kitchen design depend on it? If other appliances share the colour, consider what happens when any one of them fails. Matching replacements across multiple appliances cannot be guaranteed.
• 
  What’s the price premium? Coloured machines are usually more expensive than their white equivalents. Decide whether the look is worth the extra cost given the long-term risks.
• 
  Consider silver instead. If white feels too plain, silver and stainless finishes have stayed popular across decades, are widely available as replacement appliances and coordinate with both modern and traditional kitchens.

Why is silver a safer alternative to bold colours?

Silver and stainless-style finishes have remained popular across more than two decades of kitchen design, while bold colours have come and gone in waves. That commercial staying power matters when you’re buying an appliance that may need to fit your kitchen for the next decade.

Wider availability
Silver and graphite finishes are offered by almost every major brand at every price point, making like-for-like replacements far easier.

Better coordination
Silver works with both modern kitchens and traditional schemes, and pairs comfortably with stainless ovens and hobs.

Lower discontinuation risk
Because silver is a long-standing standard rather than a trend, manufacturers are far less likely to drop it from their range.

Easier resale
A silver machine appeals to a wider buyer pool if you ever sell it or move house and leave appliances behind.

What about black, red and other strong colours?

Black washing machines have become more widely stocked in recent years and are now a more reliable colour choice than they once were, particularly at the mid and upper end of the market. They’re still a riskier bet than white or silver, but the gap has narrowed.

Red, navy, anthracite and pastel shades remain the highest-risk options. They tend to appear on a single model line, sit on the shelves for a season or two and then quietly disappear from the range. If a brand only offers one machine in a particular colour, treat that as a warning sign.

Integrated machines sidestep the problem

If you really want a coloured kitchen but worry about appliance matching, an integrated washing machine is hidden behind a matching cupboard door. The appliance itself stays white, and the visible finish is just kitchen cabinetry – which is far easier to match or replace.

Does insurance cover a like-for-like coloured replacement?

Usually not. Most home insurance and extended warranty policies promise a replacement of “equivalent specification” – meaning the same capacity, spin speed and broad feature set. They do not promise the same colour.

If your blue machine fails beyond economical repair, the insurer is well within its rights to send you a white one of similar spec. Worth knowing before you build a colour-matched kitchen on the assumption insurance will protect it. Read our guide on whether washing machine extended warranties are worth it for more on what these policies actually cover.

Related guides

Which is the best washing machine to buy?
Brand quality, price tiers and what actually matters when choosing a washing machine.


How long should a washing machine last?
Expected lifespans by price tier – relevant context for how long a coloured machine may stay in service.


Should I buy an extended warranty?
What extended warranties cover and where the small print catches people out.


Why don’t modern washing machines last?
How price competition has reduced build quality – and why machines are scrapped sooner than they used to be.

Frequently asked questions