• 9kg capacity and A+++ energy rated
• 1,400rpm spin and extra large door
• Approx. £25.80 a year running cost

Sharp’s re-entry into the UK home appliance market kicks-off in style with the well-specified, solid-performing and very efficient Sharp ES-GFD9144W3. Features such as a clothes-protecting Bubble Drum, Doublejet injection system and an ultra-speedy 12-minute quick-wash programme make this monster an incredibly appealing prospect for the price.

A semi-sensor machine, the ES-GFD9144W3 lets you input exactly how dirty your clothes are on a three-step scale before you wash, which progressively lengthens the programme duration. Operation can feel a little fiddly, what with the clunky traditional knob right next to a modern soft touch display. But if you bury your nose in the manual for long enough, you’ll soon find it easy to customise your washing cycle for anything from a gentle half load to a hefty bundle of mud-splattered sports clothes.

We were particularly impressed by the ES-GFD9144W3’s ability to spin water out of our washing, leaving just 2.3kg (32% of dry washing weight) behind after the final spin. That kind of spin performance is up there with some of the most expensive, top-spec machines on the market

Buy now at Currys.co.uk from £449

At the time of the review the Sharp ED-GFD9144W3 was available for £449