Best washing machine with delay start 2026, top picks and comparison
The washing machine with a delay start function postpones the start of the wash, while a delay end function schedules its completion. The buying guide below helps you choose based on your schedule and your home.
Prices collected from retailers are for guidance only: they may have changed since, the current price is the one shown by the retailer. No price is shown for models sold only on Amazon. Amounts converted from reference prices in euros using a dated exchange rate.
Where this selection comes from
- 2 models selected because they have the feature “Delay start” according to data published by manufacturers and retailers.
- See how we rate →
- No brand pays to be included in this selection or to rank higher.
Why choose a washing machine with a delay start function?
Why choose a washing machine with a delay start function
The best washing machine with a delay start function is the one that lets you schedule your laundry around your routine while meeting the constraints of your home. This function delays the start of the wash: you load the machine when you have time, then the programme starts after your chosen delay.
It is particularly useful for people who want to organise their laundry before leaving for work or avoid having to start a cycle at the last minute. This gives you more flexibility throughout the day without relying on remote control.
Scheduling is still just one factor to consider. The drum capacity, dimensions and available programmes must suit your needs. A machine that is easy to programme but poorly suited to your laundry or its intended location is not a sensible choice.
How to schedule your laundry during off-peak hours
The delay start function lets you move the wash to your electricity plan’s off-peak hours, if your plan includes this option. Its usefulness therefore depends on your plan’s time slots and your routine, with no guarantee of the same savings for every household.
Before scheduling a wash, check:
- The time slots that apply to your electricity plan.
- The stated duration of the selected programme.
- The delay needed before the wash starts.
- Whether the cycle can fit within your chosen time slot.
Starting during off-peak hours does not mean the entire wash will take place within them. Above all, delaying a cycle does not reduce its electricity consumption: it may change the cost of the electricity used, depending on your plan. The energy label remains essential when comparing appliances.
Why schedule a cycle to finish close to your return
Scheduling a wash can also help you unload the laundry shortly after the cycle finishes. This limits the time it spends in the drum before being hung out to dry and makes it easier to fit household tasks together.
However, you need to distinguish between delay start and delay end. Delay start sets the waiting time before the programme begins. With delay start, you need to account for the programme’s duration to estimate when it will finish.
If your return is often delayed, this estimate becomes less useful. Also check the manual to find out how the cycle duration is calculated and whether it can change during the wash.
When this function should matter less in your choice
Delay start becomes less important if you usually run your washes when you are available to unload them. A connected washing machine is worth comparing only if its control options meet an additional need.
Noise constraints matter too. Scheduling a spin cycle while you or your neighbours are asleep may be unsuitable, depending on where the machine is installed. Check the noise level stated on the energy label before prioritising overnight operation.
When considering your budget, compare entry-level, mid-range and high-end appliances based on the features you will actually find useful. Scheduling alone does not justify moving upmarket: also consider capacity, consumption and programmes.
The selection on this page then lets you compare the Vedette VLT612E2 and the LG F94R35WHS. To choose between them, compare their documented specifications against your schedule, your home and your laundry needs, then check the scheduling options in their manuals.
How do you choose a washing machine with a delay start function?
The best washing machine with a delay start function lets you schedule your laundry around your routine while meeting the requirements of your home. Before choosing, check what you can actually set, which programmes are compatible and how easy it is to cancel. Then compare capacity, dimensions and the information on the energy label.
How to tell delay start and delay end apart
Delay start postpones the start of the wash. Delay end lets you schedule when it finishes. This difference matters if you want your laundry ready when you return rather than simply starting the machine later.
With delay start, you need to factor in the programme duration to estimate the finish time. A washing machine with a delay end function may be better suited to this scheduling need. However, check the manual to see how the appliance displays and calculates this setting.
Choose according to your priority: postponing the start or having a cycle finished at your preferred time. The function’s marketing name alone does not explain how it works.
Which settings to check before choosing
A scheduling function is only useful if its settings suit your routine. Check the manual before buying and look for the following information:
- Does the scheduling range cover the time you are usually away?
- Do the setting increments let you target your preferred time slot?
- Is the function available with your usual programmes?
- Can you easily change or cancel the schedule?
- What conditions must be met before the cycle starts?
Prioritise controls that you find straightforward. A smart washing machine is worth considering mainly if its documented functions meet a specific additional need.
How to fit the cycle into your off-peak hours
Start with the times specified in your electricity contract, then check the stated duration of your chosen programme. Starting during off-peak hours does not guarantee that the entire cycle will run within them. You also need to check its estimated finish time.
If you want the entire wash to fit within this window, choose a start time that leaves enough time before it ends. Check the manual to find out whether the displayed duration can change and to understand the limits of the scheduling function.
Delay start shifts electricity use to a different time. It does not, by itself, reduce the electricity needed for the programme. Any financial benefit depends on your contract and the time slot actually used.
Which criteria matter most for your home
The scheduling function must suit your installation. Measure the available space, check the required clearances and make sure you can easily access the drum. Choose the capacity to suit your usual laundry loads without automatically opting for a larger machine.
If you plan to run cycles while you rest, check the spin noise level shown on the energy label. Also compare consumption using the same programme basis: figures measured under different conditions cannot reliably distinguish between appliances.
| Criterion | What to look for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | A setting that suits your schedule and wash programmes | Relying solely on the presence of the feature |
| Capacity | A drum suited to your regular laundry loads | Choosing a larger capacity without a clear need |
| Installation | Dimensions and access that suit the intended space | Forgetting the necessary clearances |
| Noise | A spin noise level suited to the location and operating times | Scheduling overnight without checking this point |
| Energy consumption | A comparison based on the energy label | Confusing scheduling with energy efficiency |
How to set your budget without overpaying for scheduling
Assess which features are useful before moving up the range. To compare entry-level, mid-range and high-end models, identify what each appliance actually offers for your laundry. A delayed start feature alone does not justify a higher-end positioning.
More suitable controls, an appropriate capacity or energy specifications better matched to your needs may influence your decision. However, do not assume any differences based on the stated range: check each specification. Without verifiable market references, a budget range would be misleading.
How to choose between the Vedette VLT612E2 and the LG F94R35WHS
To choose between the Vedette VLT612E2 and the LG F94R35WHS, start with their manuals and energy labels. Confirm the type of scheduling, its limitations and the compatible programmes, then compare capacity, dimensions and spin noise.
No technical advantage can be attributed to these models here without verification. Our selection is based on documentary analysis, without physical evaluation. Traceable aggregated feedback can supplement this review, but cannot replace a verified specification. Choose the model that meets your most important requirements.
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the start time with the finish time.
- Forgetting to factor in the programme duration.
- Assuming that scheduling is available for every programme.
- Overlooking noise when scheduling a cycle overnight.
- Paying more for features without a clear use.
Key takeaways
Start with the time you want your laundry to be ready. Then check the settings needed to meet that schedule, and compare appliances based on your home and laundry loads. Delay start makes planning easier; capacity, noise and energy consumption remain key factors.
What should you know before scheduling your laundry?
Which washing machine with a delay start function suits your needs?
The best washing machine with a delay start function is one whose scheduling options suit your routine and household needs. Also compare capacity, dimensions, spin noise and the energy label. To choose between the Vedette VLT612E2 and the LG F94R35WHS, check their manuals and detailed specifications. The available information does not allow an objective recommendation of one model over the other.
What is the difference between delay start and delay end?
The delay start function postpones the start of the programme, while delay end lets you schedule when it finishes. You therefore choose either a delay before the programme starts or a time for your laundry to be ready. A washing machine with a delay end function may suit you better if your main aim is to have the wash finish around the time you get home.
How do you set the delay start function on a washing machine?
Select your programme, set the desired start delay, then confirm as instructed in the manual. Before scheduling the wash, check the load, detergent dosage and water supply requirements specified by the manufacturer. The programme duration is added to the selected start delay, so you need to include it when calculating when the cycle will finish.
How do you schedule a washing machine to run during off-peak hours?
Calculate the delay between the time you set the machine and the start of your off-peak hours, then set the delay start function accordingly. Check the exact times in your electricity contract. To keep the entire cycle within this period, also account for its stated duration and any adjustments described in the manual.
Does the delay start function reduce electricity consumption?
No, the delay start function does not itself reduce the electricity consumed by the programme. It shifts the start time and may let you benefit from a lower tariff if your contract includes off-peak hours. To compare appliance consumption, check the energy label. Your chosen programme, temperature and load also remain factors to consider when planning your laundry.
Can you use liquid detergent with a delayed start?
Whether liquid detergent is compatible with a delayed start depends on the manufacturer's instructions and the appliance's dispensing system. Check the manual before preparing a scheduled wash, particularly the instructions for the drawer and dosing accessories. Do not assume that recommendations for another machine apply to the one you are considering buying.
Are all programmes compatible with the delay start function?
Check the model's manual to confirm delay start compatibility for each programme. Having this function does not guarantee that it is available with every cycle. If you are looking for a washing machine with a quick wash programme, check this particular combination. Do the same for your usual programmes to choose scheduling options that suit your routine.
How do you cancel or change a delayed start?
The procedure for cancelling or changing a delayed start depends on the model and the programme's status. Consult the relevant section of the manual before using the controls. Then check that the new setting has been saved or that the scheduled start has been cancelled. If the wash has already started, follow the instructions for interrupting the cycle.