For frequent laundry, first choose a washing machine with a capacity and design that suit your household. Then compare the model’s durability rating, parts availability, warranties and energy label. A front-loading machine needs space in front of the door; a top-loading model may solve a width constraint, but needs clearance above. If you’re buying a refurbished appliance, also check the condition and test results for the specific product being sold.
If your washing machine is used regularly, how easy it is to repair matters just as much as its washing performance. Check the durability rating and how it’s calculated, along with the warranties and parts availability for the exact model reference.
Choose a capacity that suits the loads you actually wash, then compare the consumption figures on the energy label. ADEME recommends choosing based on your real needs, rather than automatically opting for the largest capacity.
A second-life appliance is worth considering if the professional seller describes its condition, identifies the model being sold and explains the tests carried out, any repairs made and the warranties that apply.
For regular laundry, start by measuring the space and estimating your usual loads. Then compare the durability, repair options and energy consumption of models that fit your requirements.
Worth considering: if there’s room to open the door and the model’s capacity suits your loads.
Bear in mind: you’ll need clearance in front of the machine. If you choose a slimline front-loader, check its capacity too.
Worth considering: if limited width rules out a front-loader. Que Choisir describes top-loading models that are around 40 cm wide.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough space above the machine to open the lid and load the laundry.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Durability and repair | Compare the durability rating and how it’s calculated; check parts availability and warranties for the exact model reference. | If a breakdown could disrupt my household’s laundry routine, I want to know how the machine could be repaired. Around 36% of consumers would put this continuity of use at the top of their needs. |
| Capacity and consumption | Compare the capacity in kg of dry laundry with your usual loads, then compare kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for models with a similar capacity. | When my loads vary, I want to avoid both repeated small washes and a drum that’s regularly underfilled. For around 29% of consumers, having cycles suited to their needs would be the main priority. |
| Space and access | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the door or lid. | In a narrow room, I need to be able to install the washing machine and load it comfortably every day. For around 21% of consumers, fitting the available space would come first. |
| Condition of refurbished appliances | Identify the product being sold and ask the professional seller about its condition, the tests carried out and the warranty terms. | If I’m considering a refurbished appliance, I want to know its actual condition before committing. Around 14% of consumers would make having clear information about its second life their priority. |
In France, the durability rating provides information on the repairability and reliability of the washing machines it covers. However, it won’t tell you whether a model’s capacity, dimensions or warranty meet your needs.
Check how the rating is calculated, then compare it with the energy label, the space you have available and the model’s repair terms.
A capacity that doesn’t suit your needs can mean extra cycles or loads that are often too small. The maximum stated capacity may not apply to every programme.
Start with your usual loads of dry laundry and the programmes you use, then compare the consumption figures for models with a similar capacity.
The condition and specifications of the refurbished product actually being sold matter more than those of the new model it was based on.
Ask the professional seller for the product reference, its condition, the tests carried out and any repairs made, as well as the invoice and details of how to make a claim.
A manufacturer’s stated test does not guarantee the lifespan of every appliance, or that repairs will be covered throughout the period mentioned.
Read the warranty terms and commitments on parts availability separately. Miele, for example, says that its tests simulating 20 years of average use for W1/W2 washing machines do not amount to a 20-year warranty.
These examples show what information to ask for about a specific model. A brand’s stated services and commitments may not apply to every model in its range.
Worth looking into if you want to search for parts using the appliance’s E-Nr. reference.
A brand whose claims about longevity testing are worth considering alongside a model’s durability rating and warranty.
Worth considering if you want to check parts, documentation and repair options for the model you’re choosing.
Worth considering if you want to search for parts or documentation using the appliance reference.
These front-loading and top-loading models let you compare capacity, design and stated specifications with your usual laundry needs. Before choosing a machine for frequent use, also check the durability rating, warranty and repair options for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if a 7 kg capacity suits your regular loads and you have enough clearance in front of the door.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; spin speed: 1,400 rpm; energy rating: A.
Check the durability rating and repair terms for this model before buying.
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Worth considering if a top-loading design suits your space and 6 kg is enough for your usual loads.
Stated capacity: 6 kg; spin speed: 1,400 rpm; energy rating: B; 17 programmes and Wi-Fi connectivity stated.
Check the clearance needed above the machine, its durability rating and the repair terms for this model.
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An option to compare with your measurements if you prefer loading laundry from the top and are looking for a stated capacity of 7 kg.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; spin speed: 1,200 rpm; energy rating: A; Wi-Fi connectivity stated.
Check the space needed to open the lid, the durability rating and the repair terms.
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Worth comparing if your loads call for an 8 kg capacity and there’s room to open the door.
Stated capacity: 8 kg; spin speed: 1,400 rpm; SensiCare function mentioned in the product name.
To assess its durability, check the model’s official rating rather than treating a different score on the product page as the same rating.
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Worth considering if your usual loads make a 9 kg capacity useful and you have enough room to open the door.
Stated capacity: 9 kg; spin speed: 1,600 rpm; SteamCare and SmartSelect functions listed for this model.
Check the QuickCare cycle details on the model page, along with its durability rating and repair terms.
According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the durability rating has applied to the washing machines it covers since 8 April 2025. The rating is out of 10 and covers factors including repairability and reliability. When comparing two appliances, make sure the rating and its breakdown correspond to the models you’re considering.
No. The right capacity depends on how much dry laundry you usually wash, not just how many cycles you run. ADEME says that 7 kg is often enough, but also check the load limits for the programmes you plan to use.
For models suited to your loads, compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, spin performance and noise level. According to ADEME and EU energy labelling rules, the figures shown are based on reference conditions, so they won’t necessarily reflect every programme you use.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a professional sells a refurbished washing machine to a private individual, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. It can be claimed for two years from the date the appliance is delivered. This guarantee does not apply to private sales. Check who the seller is and keep your invoice; consider any commercial warranty offered separately.