Hotpoint vs Miele Washing Machines

Hotpoint and Miele are poles apart on price, with Hotpoint's washing machines priced from £339 to £349 and Miele's from £799 to £1,399. Hotpoint's models here include the 10kg Hotpoint NSWM1046GGUK at £349, the 9kg Hotpoint NM11948BCAUK at £347 and the 9kg Hotpoint NSWF 946 W UK at £349. Miele's range is led by the 8kg Miele WWA120WCS at £799 and the 9kg Miele WWG880WCS at £1,399, with the 8kg Miele WWB360WCS at £949 and the 9kg Miele WWD380WCS at £999 in between.

Hotpoint's most useful features are steam hygiene and anti-stain programmes, with a Stop and Add function on the NM11948BCAUK. Miele's features are about dosing and fabric care. The Twin Dos Auto Dispense on the WWG880WCS measures detergent automatically, while the WWA120WCS uses CapDosing capsules. Honeycomb drums appear on the WWB360WCS and WWA120WCS, and SteamCare comes with the WWD380WCS and WWG880WCS. Add Load on the Miele models works in a similar way to Hotpoint's Stop and Add function.

Hotpoint suits households that want steam and stain treatment at a budget price, such as a family with children who need frequent stain removal. The 9kg models also suit a single household that does a small weekly wash. Miele suits buyers who wash delicate or expensive garments often, and who want automatic dosing and a machine built to last. The 8kg WWA120WCS at £799 costs £450 more than the 10kg Hotpoint NSWM1046GGUK at £349, and the 9kg WWD380WCS at £999 is £652 more than the 9kg Hotpoint NM11948BCAUK at £347.

Bottom line: choose Hotpoint if you want steam hygiene and anti-stain programmes for under £350, such as the NSWM1046GGUK. Choose Miele if you want honeycomb drum care and automatic dosing, starting with the WWA120WCS at £799.