AP is often asked about choosing the best value or best performing product and although we can sometimes speak from personal and/or professional experience, there are many appliances out there that we cannot vouch for. And this is where we and the public rely on the press or other consumer groups for information. The one that springs to mind immediately is Which? Consumer magazine and their scientific approach to tests, while other groups, such as Good Housekeeping, regularly test home appliances for performance from a practical point of view. This week we look back on 2007 and a range of washing machines.

The machine that came top proved to be the Zanussi ZWF14581. Scoring high in nearly all categories and having a good price and brand reliability, it even beat the likes of the regularly recommended Miele models.

Whirpool's SCW1012 came second. With its 10kg capacity, this super-sized machine with matching price tag only missed out on first place by a couple of points.

Surprisingly, the Electrolux EWN14991 and EWN13570 came in next followed by most of the Miele range. Very little separates the main pack as they cross the line. In amongst them are machines from all the well-known brands and outstanding are the following: Zanussi ZWF12070, Hotpoint WF541 and Bosch WAE24162.