Miele

Miele W1

Ranked #13 in Washing Machines

247 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The best raw build quality in the category and second in the technician deep dive. Ranked below the TC5 only because greater electronic complexity and a thinner service network add ownership friction Speed Queen doesn't have.

Consolidated from 21 cited sources across 18 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

16 positive sources
5 unconvinced sources

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

6 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

The BuyItForLife community calls the brand overrated, noting the machines are no longer built in Germany, and it is the most expensive-per-performance machine here - you pay a large premium for a reputation the product no longer earns.
Flagged 18 September 2026

The BuyItForLife community calls the brand overrated, noting the machines are no longer built in Germany, and it is the most expensive-per-performance machine here - you pay a large premium for a reputation the product no longer earns.
Flagged 18 September 2026
The definition of paying for the badge: a small-capacity machine priced like a flagship set, with a European-size drum that is a poor fit for most American households. Its own enthusiast base now calls the brand overrated, and machines are no longer built in Germany.
Flagged 18 September 2026
The buy-it-for-life community now explicitly calls it overrated and points to Bosch 8-series, AEG or Electrolux instead, noting Miele no longer builds its washing machines in Germany. Owners report sealed one-piece tubs that cannot accommodate bearing repairs and parts drying up after just a few years.
Flagged 18 September 2026
The buy-it-for-life community says Miele is overrated nowadays and no longer builds its washing machines in Germany, while buyers pay a heavy premium for the name. US service support is a known pain point, and the production and service story has slipped.
Flagged 18 September 2026
Widely-upvoted r/BuyItForLife threads call Miele overrated nowadays and note the machines are no longer built in Germany, and CHOICE's current avoid coverage includes Miele. Current expert guidance points to Electrolux or Bosch for the same money.
Flagged 18 September 2026
The money buys a 2.3 cubic foot drum and a long list of expensive add-ons, with Houzz buyers finding showroom pricing very high and TwinDos owners reporting dispensing failures and a frustrating app.
Flagged 18 September 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

Check price

Pros & cons

✓ Durable internal components with engineering that prevents common failure points
✓ Ranked second of the top three brands in the technician deep dive, behind only Speed Queen
✓ The best-built front-loader in the category
✓ Excellent cleaning
✓ Named among brands that shine in compact front-loaders by Consumer Reports

✗ More electronics to service than a purely mechanical machine
✗ Thinner US service network than some rivals
✗ A large premium for the badge
✗ The made-in-Germany reputation no longer matches the manufacturing reality
✗ Community consensus now steers buyers to Bosch, AEG or Electrolux instead

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 9 articles, 8 video reviews and 4 community sources

16 positive sources

Walnut Creek Appliance Repair Pros - Walnut Creek Appliance Repair Pros Article · Aug 2025

Miele appliances with their German engineering, Honeycomb drum in washers, 3D MultiFlex cutlery tray in dishwashers, and ultra quiet operation are popular in upscale newer homes in Tice Valley and Northgate as well as established neighborhoods throughout Concord and Pleasant Hill. Our team uses careful diagnostics, respectful work habits, and clear communication so you understand exactly what we find and the steps we take. Reach out to us for assistance.

Read R

Reviewed Reviewed · 47K subscribers · Sept 2014

The washer boasts an incredible energy rating and a bunch of new features.

Watch M

Marshfield Appliance Repair Pros - Marshfield Appliance Repair Pros Article · Aug 2025

The W1 washer and T1 dryer are compact powerhouses. The heat pump technology in the T1 dryer is very efficient but intolerant of lint buildup on the heat exchanger. The W1’s TwinDos system requires regular maintenance washes to prevent the detergent from gelling inside the lines.

Read F

FlorenceBallardA3060 FlorenceBallardA3060 · 9.6K subscribers · Sept 2022

Doesn't spin as fast as the originals, but it's a great piece to add to expand my collection.

Watch R

Reviewed Article · Nov 2018

If you're in the market for a compact washer, but don't want to sacrifice cleaning quality, the Miele W1 WXR860WCS is one of our top picks. It offers just as much cleaning power as an average full-size washer but manages it from within a very compact frame.

Read R

RuislipAppliances RuislipAppliances · 1.7K subscribers · Jun 2014

It's not possible to wash either faster or cleaner. Miele PowerWash, adding a new dimension to cleanliness. Mhm.

Watch W

Westford Appliance Repair Pros - Westford Appliance Repair Pros Article · Aug 2025

Miele W1 and T1 laundry units are the pinnacle of fabric care. They use high speed motors and heat pump technology. We repair the electronic boards and mechanical components that keep them quiet and efficient.

Read G

Gregory Grant Gregory Grant · 221 subscribers · Jun 2020

Cycle takes a little bit longer than normal, but I have yet to find a washer that gets the clothes as white as this one does. On the next video, we'll talk about the Miele T1 condensing dryer. That's a ventless dryer. Um and the last thing I want to say about the W1 here is we do have extra TwinDos cartridges available. If you do come to the machine and turn it on and it illuminates on the main display where it says main wash here and it says cartridge one or cartridge two, uh please call us immediately and we will come over and we will switch out the TwinDos cartridges.

Watch M

Mansfield Appliance Repair Pros - Mansfield Appliance Repair Pros Article · Aug 2025

The Miele W1 series are compact powerhouses. We fix TwinDos dispensing issues, high-speed spin vibrations, and door lock failures. We ensure your honeycomb drum continues to treat your clothes gently.

Read Y

Yorkshire Appliances Yorkshire Appliances · 17 subscribers · Jun 2023

Discover why Miele W1 washing machines are a game-changer in the world of high-end appliances.

Watch S

Sudbury Appliance Repair Pros - Sudbury Appliance Repair Pros Article · Aug 2025

The W1 (Washer) and T1 (Dryer) are compact, stackable, and highly efficient. The T1 uses a heat pump, meaning it does not vent air outside. It relies on a clean heat exchanger to function.

Read P

Pursuitist Article · Jun 2026

For families who value durability over short-term savings, Miele offers one of the most credible long-life propositions in modern laundry appliances.

Read I Instagram Instagram post

The Miele W1 washing machine combines thoughtful innovation with refined design, delivering powerful performance with exceptional fabric care.

View post M

Modern Home Singapore Mary Torres · reviewer · Jun 2026

Overall, the Miele W1 makes everyday laundry effortless, combining thoughtful technology with dependable, high‑quality cleaning.

Read T TikTok TikTok post

See why the Miele W1 WER865 delivers exceptional wash results, gentle care and powerful cleaning for everyday laundry.

View post B

Bouché Appliances Bouché Appliances · reviewer · Nov 2025

This model is an excellent choice for tech-savvy households seeking premium performance in a compact package.

Read

5 unconvinced sources

F Facebook ibaisaic

My @miele replacement W1 Excellence washing machine has developed a TwinDos fault like the first one that lasted only 13 months. The display panel is suggesting I call for service due to a TwinDos 2 level sensor fault.

View post I

ibaisaic ibaisaic · 177K subscribers · May 2023

After one year and one month, my Miele W1 has failed and will not be repaired. I have been very happy with this washing machine until a fault developed, but to give Miele their due, they are replacing my machine with a new one. In the meantime, I have dirty underwear, smelly towels and sweaty sportswear to wash. Good job I kept hold of my Giantex top loading automatic washing machine.

Watch M r/Miele u/Well_tempered_209 · owner

It’s just a terribly non-robust machine that can only operate within a tiny range of parameters, requiring constant balancing tweaks. I am so done with Miele.

Read thread I

ibaisaic ibaisaic · 177K subscribers · Aug 2026

The failure of the TwinDos system seems to be fairly common among Miele owners. If you go on YouTube, you'll find other people have got the same problem or have had the same problem. There are even videos of how to rectify yourself, and I've recently seen some German videos that are dubbed into English, and people are having similar problems with TwinDos. Now, this was attributed initially to the fact Now, this isn't a TwinDos container.

Watch I

ibaisaic ibaisaic · 177K subscribers · Aug 2026

The replacement is now showing a call for service message due to a TwinDos 2 level sensor fault, so I cannot use TwinDos without the machine stopping after 10 minutes, beeping, and displaying the fault message. I removed the back panel of the machine and saw there had been a leak resulting in brown sludge that seems to have corroded the base of the appliance. Photo attached. I assume the warranty has expired, so I'm expected to pay £299 for a service visit, which does not guarantee that the machine can be repaired, especially as the fault is similar to my previous washer that couldn't be repaired due to the corrosion at the base of the appliance.

Watch

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #13 of 16 on our washing machines tier list, in D tier. That placement draws on 21 cited sources across 18 outlets.

5 of the 21 sources with a clear view are critical of it: Facebook, ibaisaic and r/Miele. More electronics to service than a purely mechanical machine. Thinner US service network than some rivals. A large premium for the badge. The made-in-Germany reputation no longer matches the manufacturing reality. Community consensus now steers buyers to Bosch, AEG or Electrolux instead.