How many watts does a washing machine use?
By Tom Calder · Figures checked 4 November 2026 · Costs at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026)
A washing machine is rated at about 2,300W, but draws that only while it heats the water. A full Eco 40-60 wash of about 3½ hours uses 0.46 to 0.69 kWh on Bosch’s energy labels, about 12p to 18p a wash at 26.32p per kWh.
The numbers
- Running watts
- 2,300W
- Connection rating of three Bosch models: 2,300W, drawn only while the water heats.
- Amps at 230V (most)
- 10A
- Energy per Eco 40-60 wash
- 0.46 to 0.69 kWh
- Energy label kWh per 100 Eco 40-60 cycles ÷ 100: Bosch WGG244A9GB and WAN28250GB 46 kWh, WAJ28008GB 69 kWh.
- Cost per Eco 40-60 wash
- 12p to 18p
- Cost per hour at full power
- 61p
- On a 1kWh power station
- Too much for the units around 1kWh we list (1,500W to 2,000W output)
- On a 2kWh power station
- 2.2 to 3.3 Eco washes (only 5 of the 6 units around 2kWh we list can supply 2,300W)
Costs use 26.32p per kWh, the Ofgem price cap's average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate is on your bill; on a fixed or time-of-use tariff it will differ.
How it’s used, and what that costs
Bosch labels the 9kg WGG244A9GB and 8kg WAN28250GB at 46 kWh per 100 Eco 40-60 washes and the 7kg WAJ28008GB at 69 kWh. The Eco 40-60 programme is the one the label measures: it washes cottons marked 40°C or 60°C at a lower temperature for longer, which is why it takes 3 hours 20 to 3 hours 48 minutes.
Most of a wash is the drum turning, which draws little. Heating the water is the expensive part, so cooler washes save the most.
The Energy Saving Trust counts washing at 30°C and one fewer wash a week among its money-saving steps (see how to lower your electricity bill). Quick or hot programmes are not covered by the label figure.
In a power cut: how long a power station would run it
A 1kWh power station: too much for the units around 1kWh we list (1,500W to 2,000W output). A 2kWh power station: 2.2 to 3.3 Eco washes (only 5 of the 6 units around 2kWh we list can supply 2,300W). These use the same planning method as our power station pages: capacity × 90% usable depth × 85% inverter efficiency, divided by the load plus about 10W the unit uses itself (BLUETTI’s UK formula). Counts of uses leave out the unit’s own draw, so treat them as a little generous.
Output matters as much as capacity. The 7 units around 1kWh we list supply 1,500W to 2,000W continuously, and the 6 around 2kWh supply 2,200W to 3,000W, so check a unit’s rated output covers 2,300W before you rely on it.
To size one for everything you’d want to keep running, use the sizer on our power stations comparison.
Common questions
How many amps does a washing machine draw?
At the UK’s 230 volts, amps are watts divided by 230. At 2,300W, that is 10 amps while it runs at full power.
Compare: Tumble dryer (condenser or vented) · Heat pump tumble dryer · Dishwasher
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Start free →Sources (9)
- Bosch WGG244A9GB spec sheet: 46 kWh per 100 eco 40-60 cycles; 3:48 h; connection rating 2300 W
- Bosch WAN28250GB spec sheet: 46 kWh per 100 cycles; 3:33 h; 2300 W
- Bosch WAJ28008GB spec sheet: 69 kWh per 100 cycles; 3:20 h; 2300 W
- Bosch WAJ24006GB product fiche: 0.690 kWh per eco 40-60 cycle
- Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, 1 October to 31 December 2026electricity 26.32p per kWh, Direct Debit; no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027
- BLUETTI UK — Elite 200 V2 (runtime formula: DoD 90%, η 85%, self-consumption about 10W)
- BLUETTI UK — Elite 100 V2 (self-consumption about 10W)
- Jackery UK — runtime formula (capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts)
- EcoFlow — test runtime before an emergency0.80–0.90 for AC; DC ports for routers and phones
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