According to UFC-Que Choisir, 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for a household of three to four people. If you regularly wash large loads and bulky items, consider 10 to 12 kg models instead, but don’t assume the stated capacity applies to every programme. If you often run smaller loads, compare the energy label and load-adjustment features of each model too.
If clothes, bedding and towels regularly fill the drum, compare the capacity with the size of your usual loads. UFC-Que Choisir says 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for three to four people. If you often wash larger loads, it may be worth looking at a higher capacity.
How often you wash these items matters just as much as their size. Before choosing a machine based on a duvet, check the load allowed on the relevant programme. If you only need to wash one occasionally, you could also consider using a launderette.
Sorting laundry by fabric or colour can mean running small cycles, even if your household sometimes needs a larger drum. Compare the figures on the energy label and check exactly what the model’s load-adjustment feature changes.
Start by considering how often you run a full drum, then check the load limits for your usual programmes and the features of each machine.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the stated capacity in kg with how often you wash large loads. UFC-Que Choisir says 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for three to four people. Consider a higher capacity if you regularly run full drums. | Do bedding, towels and clothes often fill the machine, or only now and then? I want to avoid splitting loads without choosing a large drum that is rarely full. |
| Load per programme | Check the manual for the maximum load allowed on the programme you use for duvets or delicate items. The kg capacity shown for cotton or Eco 40-60 does not apply to every programme. | If I often wash throws or duvets, I need a permitted load that suits these items, not just a large capacity stated on the front of the machine. |
| Smaller loads | Check whether the model adjusts water, energy or detergent dosage according to the load, and which programmes this applies to. ADEME explains that the energy figure on the label is given in kWh per 100 reference cycles; compare water use per cycle too. | Between larger washes, I sometimes run small cycles for sorted laundry. I want to compare how much they use without assuming a larger drum consumes less. |
| Installation and lifespan | Measure the space and the entire delivery route, then check the dimensions of the model you choose. In France, according to the DGCCRF, the durability index has replaced the repairability index for front-loading and top-loading washing machines since 2025. | The machine needs to fit through the access points and into the space in my home. I also want to compare the durability index of the models I’m considering. |
A large drum chosen for occasional washes may be underfilled for everyday cycles.
Make a note of how often you really wash large loads. If a duvet is an exception, weigh up the convenience of a launderette against having a larger machine for everyday use.
The maximum load depends on the programme. The capacity stated for cotton or Eco 40-60 does not automatically apply to wool, synthetics or other fabrics.
Check the manual for the permitted loads on the programmes you plan to use, especially for bedding.
Depending on the model and programme, a load-adjustment feature may change water use, energy consumption or detergent dosage. Its name alone doesn’t tell you how much you’ll save.
Check what the feature actually adjusts and compare the energy-label figures for the models you’re considering.
A machine may fit in the space you have in mind, but still be difficult to get there.
Measure the doors and passageways as well as the space itself, then compare these measurements with the exact dimensions of the model. Check its durability index too.
The Series 6 WGG254FAFR is one model to consider when comparing 10 kg front-loading washing machines.
The WW11BB504DAES3 is an example of an 11 kg model for households considering a machine for larger loads.
The WQ 1000 WPS Nova Edition offers a 9 kg point of comparison rather than an extra-large capacity.
These models offer stated washing capacities of 9 to 11 kg for family laundry. The Samsung model combines washing and drying, with a different capacity for each function. For all models, check the manual for the permitted load for your bulky items.
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Worth considering if you often wash large loads but still run smaller ones too. The model name indicates a 10 kg capacity, 1,400 rpm spin speed, A energy rating and AutoDose. Check the manual for the permitted load for your duvets or throws.
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Its 9 kg capacity is worth comparing if you mostly wash everyday loads and larger ones are less frequent. The model name mentions a 1,600 rpm spin speed and SmartSelect. Check the manual for the limits of each programme.
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This washer-dryer offers a large washing capacity, but it can’t dry 11 kg in a single load: the model name indicates a 6 kg drying capacity. If you want to wash and then dry the same load, bear this difference in mind and compare energy use for each function separately.
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This 10 kg capacity is worth considering if you regularly wash large family loads. For bulky bedding, check the manual for the load allowed on your chosen programme rather than relying on the stated 10 kg capacity alone.
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This 10 kg model is an option if you regularly wash large loads. Before choosing it for a duvet, check the load limit for each programme. Also confirm the external dimensions, as the depth measurements in its description contradict one another.
No. The stated capacity refers to dry laundry on the cotton or Eco 40-60 programme; the limits may be lower for other fabrics. Check the manual for the permitted load on the programme you plan to use.
Compare the capacity, energy use in kWh per 100 reference cycles and water use per cycle, as well as the Eco cycle duration and noise level. ADEME explains that the energy figure is given per 100 cycles, so the rating letter alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
According to the DGCCRF, the durability index has replaced the repairability index for front-loading and top-loading washing machines in France since 2025. Compare this index across the models you’re considering, alongside their capacity and the programmes you need.