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Bosch vs Samsung washing machines: which brand is best for families?
Torn on which brand makes the best washing machines? We've got you covered. We turned to the real UK families of the Mumsnet forums, as well as industry experts, to help you make an informed decision.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Jul 18, 2024
If you’re on the hunt for a new washing machine and have narrowed your search down to these two highly recommended and trusted brands, you’ve come to the right place. Mumsnet users love to discuss the brands they swear by, (as well as the ones they’d rather avoid) so we’ve collated the unbiased opinions of our users, based on their real life experiences of Bosch and Samsung washing machines.
Cross-referencing Mumsnetters’ views with expert commentary, we’re here to lay out the pros and cons of both brands in plain English, to help you make an informed decision and buy the best washing machine for your home and family.
So without further ado, here’s our battle of the brands: Bosch vs Samsung washing machines.
What Mumsnet users say about Bosch washing machines
The consensus on the Mumsnet Talk forums is that while Bosch is a trusted brand well worth investing in, the quality of its appliances is not as high as it used to be, following a move from manufacturing their appliances in Germany to China. Nevertheless, Bosch's trademark German engineering and design remains, and there are plenty of Mumsnetters who swear by always buying the cheapest Bosch washing machine. So if you're looking at the budget end of the market, Bosch is your best bet.
"Bosch as a brand is highly rated in surveys. So I always buy the cheapest Bosch as long as it has an electronic timer function. I do mountains of washing and they usually last about 7 years. I know several people whose very expensive ones eg. Miele have lasted less time. On my current one there are several programmes of about an hour plus a 15/30 min quick wash." - cloudyface
"I’m on my third Bosch in 17 years, the first was secondhand and lasted a couple of years, the next lasted around ten with a hard life. Current one shows no sign of giving up! I’d definitely recommend them, they spin really well and have 15 minute wash programs that I find handy. Also mine have been from the cheaper end of their range." - SomethingFast
"I had a Bosch in my old flat which was brilliant, but the newer one not so much. I now have a Miele which I absolutely love, and as PP have said, it's incredibly quiet. And economical - pretty much everything goes through the 30 minute short programme and comes out fine." - DianasLasso
Read next: The best budget tumble dryers, according to Mumsnetters
What Mumsnet users say about Samsung washing machines
For the more technologically inclined on the Mumsnet forums, Samsung is well loved. Clever features such as Ecobubble, AddWash and of course, the cheery rendition of Schubert's The Trout it treats you to at the end of each cycle have lots of Mumsnetters raving about their Samsung appliances (even if some do choose to mute the song...). If you're into innovative, app-enabled laundry and want to spend a little more, Samsung has the edge.
"Samsung definitely! Love the 20min wash, the hour wash is great for normal items, there’s a longer wash and bubble soak, and also a freshen up with air for things that can’t be washed. Love the drying function. Also, it doesn’t ‘sing’, it plays Schubert!!" - Miliao
"I have a Samsung ecobubble too. I’m three years in and in a very hard water area (calgon in every wash) and no problems. I looked at the various reviews vs price point but ended up taking the view that no machine would go much further than 5-7 years so went mid range. The ultimate deciding factor was the hand wash cycle which means that I no longer store hand wash only clothes at the bottom of the laundry basket for 6 months at a time. The only downside is the irritating little song it sings when it’s finished a load." - Ratonastick
"We have a Samsung and I love it. It cost about £600. Features that I love:
super quick cycles. I have some that last 30 mins.
a door that allows me to pause the wash and add items that I have forgotten
easy to clean/ prompts me when it needs to run a drum clean
delay end - I can load the night before and it finishes at the time I programme it to the following morning
auto adding of the right amount of detergent by sensing the load (this can be turned off)
notifies me on my phone when the wash is done" - Saltysnack2003
Energy efficiency
Energy ratings vary from one machine to another, so let's compared budget options from both brands:
The Samsung washing machine has a better energy rating, as thanks to its SmartThings app and ecobubble technology increasing its efficiency, it can achieve great cleaning at lower temperatures.
However, looking at the higher-end machines from both brands, the 10kg Bosch Series 8 WGB256A1GB, £999, will save you on average £568 over its lifetime, compared to the Samsung WW90T986DSX, £869, which will save you a respectable £424.
In short, it's best to refer to individual machines' energy ratings. An A-rated appliance can save you quite a lot of money over its lifespan, so it can be worth spending that bit more initially, in order to reap the benefits on your energy bills.
Read next: The best budget washing machines under £500
Day-to-day use
When push comes to shove, a washing machine's real worth comes down to how much easier it makes your life on a day-to-day basis. With that in mind, let's take a look at the features and cycles you're likely to find on Bosch and Samsung washing machines:
Each cycle has a quick-wash option with SpeedPerfect feature
Reload function for adding extra items
Some models have Ecosilence brushless motors and are Quiet Mark certified
i-DOS detects soiling levels and water hardness to optimise detergent
All the Bosch washing machines we looked at have a handwash cycle
15-minute quick wash on most models
AddWash drawer on some models for adding extra items
Just 72dB spin cycle noise levels, but no models are Quiet Mark certified
Ecobubble washes well at lower temperatures
Some Samsung washing machines we looked at don't have a handwash cycle
As you can see, both brands offer genuinely useful features in their washing machines. Their apps are also very similar, with the ability to tailor cycles and schedule washes to fit your family routine.
Price range
Both brands have washing machines at the budget and premium ends of the market, as well as in-between. The cheapest washing machine from either brand will set you back just under £400, and the most expensive options won't leave you much change from £1,000.
Based on careful analysis of posts on the Mumsnet Talk boards, we'd recommend using your budget as a starting point for choosing a washing machine brand.
If your washing machine budget is between £300-£500, Bosch is your best option.
For mid-range appliances priced £500-£700, Samsung is the way to go.
For premium washing machines priced £700+ Mumsnetters say Miele is the brand most worth investing in.
Customer service, warranties and repairs
A broken washing machine can be a real disaster, especially for families with kids, so good customer service is highly valued by Mumsnetters. Opinions are varied on both brands, and it's worth considering that people are more likely to tell others about a bad customer service experience than a good one.
We found positive and negative experiences in the forums for both Bosch and Samsung customer service, so it's best to consider the warranties available to minimise your chances of being left without a washing machine for too long.
Both brands offer a standard 2-year warranty, and both will extend it to 5 years on selected appliances if you register within a certain time frame. With Samsung you get 90 days to register, and Bosch gives you 28 days.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you with your decision between Bosch vs Samsung washing machines. While there's no clear-cut winner, we've set out how the different brands' washing machines will suit different families, budgets and lifestyles.
The collective wisdom of the Mumsnet forums is such a brilliant resource for advice, but with over 8 million users, it can feel overwhelming to comb through all the real-life experiences and reviews posted. That's why our editorial team spend hours researching, analysing and distilling Mumsnet's authentic voices to bring you to-the-point, unbiased guides to everything from the best washer dryers to the best steam irons.
In a nutshell, our advice on choosing between a Bosch and Samsung washing machine comes down to budget. Mumsnet users swear by budget Bosch washing machines and mid-price Samsungs, so use your budget as a starting point to choose the perfect washing machine for your home.
Read next: The best Bosch washing machines, according to Mumsnetters
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing home and parenting products for 2 years, with a particular focus on laundry and cooling. From washing machines to baby monitors and dehumidifiers to cooling pillows, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.