Bosch vs Miele Washing Machines

Bosch and Miele sit at very different points on the price scale. Bosch's range runs from the WAN28259GB at £479 and the WGG244ZCGB and WGG254ZSGB at £599, up to the WGB256A2GB Series 8 10kg at £999. Miele starts at £799 with the WWA120WCS 8kg Active Honeycomb model, then rises to £949 for the WWB360WCS 8kg PowerWash, £999 for the WWD380WCS 9kg with steam, and £1,399 for the WWG880WCS with Twin Dos and steam.

The biggest differences lie in dosing and drum design. Bosch's i-DOS on the WGB256A2GB uses detergent scanning to dose automatically, and the Series 6 models carry Speed Perfect and Iron Assist. Miele offers its Honeycomb drum on the WWB360WCS and WWA120WCS, a design that is intended to protect delicate fabrics, and CapDosing on the WWA120WCS. The WWD380WCS and WWG880WCS add SteamCare, while the WWG880WCS includes Twin Dos Auto Dispense, which removes the need to measure detergent and softener.

Bosch suits households that want a reliable, mainstream machine at £599 to £999, with a good spread of smart features on the Home Connect models. Miele suits people who regularly wash delicates, woollens and outdoor kit and want steam refreshing, the Honeycomb drum and precise dosing, and who will pay a premium for them. Miele's models are 8kg or 9kg, so a large family that wants the biggest load should look at the Bosch Series 8 10kg. If you mainly want a quick cycle, Miele's QuickPowerWash and Bosch's Speed Perfect both aim to cut wash times.

Bottom line: choose Bosch if you want a 10kg machine with i-DOS and Home Connect for £999 or less, or a 9kg Series 6 at £599. Choose Miele if you want Honeycomb drum care, SteamCare and automatic dosing, and you are prepared to pay from £799 up to £1,399 for the Twin Dos model.