Bosch WGG24400GB

The Bosch WGG24400GB Series 6 is a freestanding 9 kg washing machine aimed at family households that want a dependable, energy-efficient laundry workhorse. The 9 kg drum handles a full week's wash in one go, and the A energy rating helps keep electricity and water use down across the lifetime of the machine. With 22 programmes, the AntiStain feature and an Iron Assist steam function, it does a fair amount of the hard work for you, although at 71 dB(A) on spin it isn't the quietest machine in its class and there's no Wi-Fi or Home Connect on this model. Read More...

A 9 kg capacity is enough for a full family load without splitting it across multiple cycles, and the 1400 rpm spin extracts a good amount of water so clothes dry faster afterwards. ActiveWater Plus technology reads the type and size of each load and adjusts how much water is used, so the drum is never working harder than it needs to. For lighter days there's a Super Quick 15-minute cycle that handles loads of up to 2 kg.

The A energy rating helps keep running costs down, with the machine using 46 kWh per 100 wash cycles and 50 litres of water per cycle. The EcoSilence Drive motor runs quietly during washes, although the 71 dB(A) spin is on the louder side for the category, so it's worth considering if you plan to run it overnight or near open-plan living spaces.

The AntiStain feature automatically identifies up to four common stain types and adjusts temperature, drum movement and soak time before the programme begins, so stubborn marks are tackled without any extra effort. The Iron Assist steam function uses a fine mist to relax creases and freshen garments between washes, which can noticeably cut down the ironing pile, although it's not a full substitute for ironing on heavier items like shirts or bed linen.

At 598 mm wide, 848 mm tall and 590 mm deep, this front-loading machine fits a standard freestanding appliance space without modification. Dial and button controls with an LED display keep day-to-day use straightforward, and practical extras such as a child lock, variable spin and temperature settings and a delay start of up to 24 hours give you proper control over when and how each load runs.