Choose a capacity that matches the amount of washing your household builds up between washes, rather than a large drum you’ll rarely fill: ADEME says that 7 kg is enough in most cases. Then compare the Eco 40-60 programme figures on a like-for-like basis, and check the manual to see what load your usual programmes allow. When choosing between a front loader, a top loader or a washer-dryer, also consider how easy the machine is to access and whether you really need built-in drying.
If you put a wash on before the drum is full, choose a capacity that suits your actual routine and check the loads allowed by the programmes you use. ADEME says that a 7 kg washing machine is enough in most cases, helping you avoid running extra cycles with a drum that isn’t full.
The space in front of or above the machine may determine which type of loading works best. UFC-Que Choisir notes that available space and being able to load the machine without bending down are among the reasons people choose a top loader.
For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities separately before planning back-to-back loads. For a refurbished appliance, check its description and the accessories supplied. In France, the Ministry for the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer.
Start with your usual loads, then compare the programmes and the energy label figures with how you plan to use the machine.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and programmes | Compare the capacity in kg with the amount of washing that builds up between washes, then check the manual for the maximum load allowed by your usual programmes. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough in most cases, but this won’t necessarily suit every household. | I want to fill the drum regularly without having to wait too long to wash my clothes. |
| Energy, water and duration | On the energy label, compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and duration on the same Eco 40-60 basis. The European Commission links efficiency, duration and water-use requirements to this programme; its figures don’t describe every other cycle. | Wash duration matters to my schedule, and I want to compare consumption figures for the same programme. |
| Noise and spin cycle | Check the stated spin-cycle noise level and the spin-drying efficiency class. To assess how well a particular model washes and rinses too, look at tests that measure these results separately, such as those by UFC-Que Choisir. | The machine will be close to a living space, or I need to consider how damp the washing will be before I hang it out. |
| Access and space | Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open a door or lid. UFC-Que Choisir cites available space and the preference not to bend down among the reasons for choosing a top loader. | Once installed, the machine needs to be easy to open and load in my home. |
| Built-in drying | For a washer-dryer, check the washing capacity in kg, the drying capacity in kg and the figures for the full cycle separately. The European Commission distinguishes between these two capacities: a load that can be washed may not be suitable for drying in one go. | I’m considering drying in the same machine, but I need to know whether my loads can go through a complete cycle. |
| Durability and refurbished appliances | For a front loader or top loader sold in France, check the durability index, which has applied since 2025, according to the Ministry for the Economy. For a refurbished appliance, check the model, the stated condition, the accessories and the seller’s identity. | I want to consider how long the appliance is likely to last, or understand exactly what I’m buying refurbished. |
A large drum won’t solve the problem of half loads if your household does the washing before it can be filled. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough in most cases and recommends choosing a capacity that suits your needs.
Pay attention to how much washing builds up before your usual cycles, then choose a capacity you’ll be able to use regularly.
The energy label’s reference figures are for Eco 40-60; they don’t tell you the duration or consumption of a quick or delicate cycle.
Compare the Eco 40-60 figures for each appliance, then check the manual for the programmes you plan to use.
Under European regulations, washer-dryers have separate washing and drying capacities. So a load that can be washed may exceed the amount the machine can dry.
Check both capacities in kg and the figures for a full cycle before planning to wash and dry a load without any intervention.
The stated condition, accessories and delivery terms determine what you can expect from the appliance. In France, the Ministry for the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer.
Ask for the exact model and details of what’s included, then keep a copy of the listing and the sales documents.
These models show a range of options for everyday laundry: front loading, top loading and washing with built-in drying. Check how their capacities compare with your usual loads before weighing up the other features.
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Worth considering if loads of around 7 kg suit your laundry routine. The model name indicates a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating. Check the manual for the loads allowed by your usual programmes and the clearance needed for installation.
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A top loader may be a good choice if accessing a front-loading door is awkward. The model name indicates a 7 kg capacity, 1,200 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating. Check the space needed above the appliance and the load limits for each programme.
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Worth looking at if you need to dry your washing in the same appliance. The model name specifies 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so you can’t assume a full washing load will fit in the dryer all at once. Check the figures for the full cycle too.
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It’s worth checking how the stated 9 kg capacity compares with the amount of washing your household actually builds up between cycles. The model name indicates a 1,600 rpm spin speed, plus SteamCare and SmartSelect functions. Before comparing cycles, check the Eco 40-60 duration and the load limits for each programme.
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Worth considering if loads of 8 kg suit your laundry routine. The model name indicates a 1,400 rpm spin speed and 16 programmes. To compare energy use and noise, check the figures on the energy label, then look in the manual for the load limits for each programme.
They refer to the maximum weight of dry textiles for the cycle in question, as defined by the European Commission. This doesn’t mean every programme can take that load: check the manual for the cycles you use.
Compare the figures for the same reference programme, Eco 40-60, including energy per 100 cycles, water per cycle and duration. The European Commission links efficiency, duration and water-use requirements to this programme; its figures don’t automatically describe a quick or delicate cycle.
Not necessarily: the European Commission defines washing and drying capacities separately. Compare both figures in kg and the details for the full cycle before planning to wash and dry a load without removing any of the laundry.
Yes, for the relevant front-loading and top-loading washing machines. According to the Ministry for the Economy, the durability index has replaced the repairability index for these appliances since 2025. Check the index for the model you’re considering, alongside its capacity and how you plan to use it.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to the Ministry for the Economy. Before buying, check the description of the appliance’s condition and accessories, then keep the sales documents so you can confirm what was agreed.