First, work out what’s preventing installation: depth, width, door opening or space to dry your washing. A slim or top-loading washing machine can handle everyday laundry if its dimensions and capacity suit your needs; a mini washing machine is better as an additional option. A washer-dryer saves you from needing a second appliance, but it won’t solve the problem if there’s no room for a machine of its size.
If there’s enough width but the machine or its door would obstruct the walkway, compare a shallower front-loading model with a top-loader, depending on the shape of the room. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these two installation constraints.
If you regularly wash clothes and bedding at home, capacity matters just as much as the space the machine takes up. UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple, though your laundry and how often you wash are also important.
If there’s room for a front-loading machine but an airer or separate tumble dryer would be a problem, a washer-dryer is worth considering. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, and its cycles take longer.
Measure the space and room needed to open the machine before choosing a capacity. The word “compact” doesn’t guarantee that a machine will fit or handle your usual loads.
| Your concern | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Size and door opening | Measure the width and depth, including connections, and allow enough room to open the door or lid. Check the model’s installation diagram. | In a room where every bit of access matters, I want to load the machine without blocking the way. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the space it takes up. |
| Everyday laundry | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual loads, then check the maximum load for the programmes you plan to use. | If I wash bedding too, a drum designed for very small loads won’t meet my main needs; capacity comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Drying laundry at home | For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities separately, as well as the duration and energy and water use of a full cycle. | Without a practical place to dry my washing, I want to avoid a separate drying appliance. This is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Small extra washes | Check the mini appliance’s capacity, spin speed and connection requirements; have another option for bulky items. | If there’s no room for a main washing machine, I might be happy to wash just a few small items at a time; around 14% of consumers prioritise this as an extra option. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, slim front-loading machines are generally around 60 cm wide, while top-loaders are about 40 cm wide. So a slim model may not solve the problem of a narrow alcove; a top-loader also needs enough room for its lid to open.
Measure the three dimensions separately, allow for connections and check how much clearance you need to load the machine.
UFC-Que Choisir describes mini appliances with a capacity of 2 to 3 kg and limited spin speeds; some only wash in cold water. Their small size doesn’t mean they can handle bedding or bulky fabrics.
Choose this format for small loads only if you have another way to wash the rest of your laundry.
UFC-Que Choisir reminds shoppers that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. You may therefore need to split a washed load before drying it.
Compare both capacities and the length of the wash-and-dry cycle with the amount of laundry you usually do.
Two machines with the same capacity can differ in washing, rinsing and spinning performance, noise levels and programme times. In a small room, these differences can matter as much as the dimensions, as UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show.
Check the energy label for energy use and noise levels, then consult the manual and any available test results for the exact model.
These Joybuy models illustrate a few options: front-loaders for spaces with limited depth, a top-loader when width is the issue, and a mini appliance for very small loads. Compare their installation dimensions with your available space before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need a main washing machine and have enough room to open a front-loading door.
Stated capacity: 8 kg; stated spin speed: 1,400 rpm. Check the depth including connections and the clearance in front of the machine.
Image unavailable
A top-loader is worth considering if opening a front-loading door would block the way, provided there’s room for the lid to open freely.
Stated capacity: 6 kg; stated spin speed: 1,400 rpm. Check the width, depth and clearance above the machine in its intended position.
Image unavailable
Compare it with other machines for everyday laundry if depth is your main concern.
Stated capacity: 8 kg. Confirm the dimensions including connections and the space needed to open the door before choosing this model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for everyday laundry if a front-loading machine will fit in your room.
Stated capacity: 8 kg; stated spin speed: 1,400 rpm. Measure the space and confirm all installation dimensions, especially the width and clearance needed for the door.
Image unavailable
This mini appliance is suited to very small extra loads, not all the laundry in your home.
Stated capacities: 1 kg for washing and 0.5 kg for drying. Check its dimensions and connection requirements for your room.
It’s better suited to occasional small loads than to all your household laundry. UFC-Que Choisir describes mini washing machines with a capacity of 2 to 3 kg and limited spin speeds. Before choosing one, work out how you’ll wash bedding and bulky items.
Not necessarily: its main advantage is that it combines washing and drying in one appliance. UFC-Que Choisir says these machines are generally front-loading and usually 60 cm wide. Check the full dimensions of both the alcove and the model, as well as its separate drying capacity.
Compare the electricity use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity, duration of the Eco 40-60 programme, spin performance and noise levels. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that suits your needs; in a studio flat, also check that the machine fits your installation requirements.
Yes. At the very least, you’ll need room to install and open it, and to access the parts that need maintenance, as set out in the model’s manual. Bosch recommends leaving the door ajar after a cycle to help water evaporate, so check that your room layout allows for this.
No. The capacity should suit the laundry you actually wash and the programmes you use. UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple; also consider bedding, sorting your laundry and how often you wash.