For a household of 3 to 4 people, Que Choisir says that 8 to 9 kg is usually enough. A 10 to 12 kg machine is a better fit when you regularly have several large loads to wash. If bulky duvets are an occasional need, washing them separately can save you from choosing your everyday capacity based on those loads alone. Check the limits for each programme too: according to Que Choisir, the stated capacity applies to dry cotton laundry or the Eco 40-60 programme, and may not apply to other fabrics.
If clothes, towels and bedding often add up to full loads, compare 10 to 12 kg models with your actual laundry habits. Que Choisir says this capacity is useful when you regularly have several large loads to wash.
For bulky items, check the load limit for the relevant programme and make sure you have enough room to install the machine. The capacity shown on the appliance alone doesn’t confirm that a particular duvet can be washed in it.
Even in a large household, separate cycles for wool, colours or delicate fabrics can still be only partly filled. Check the size of these loads before choosing a large drum based solely on the number of people in your household.
Consider this if: your usual loads are moderate or you often sort laundry by fabric. Que Choisir says this capacity is generally enough for 3 to 4 people.
The trade-off: genuinely large piles of laundry may need to be washed in several cycles.
Consider this if: you regularly have several large loads and can make frequent use of this capacity, in line with Que Choisir’s guidance.
The trade-off: a large drum doesn’t remove the need to check the load limits for each programme or make sure you have enough space.
Consider this if: your household machine can handle your everyday laundry, and only a few duvets or large throws cause a problem.
The trade-off: you’ll need to arrange transport and find a suitable machine when you need one.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Useful capacity | Count your large loads over several weeks. Que Choisir generally recommends 8 to 9 kg for 3 to 4 people, and 10 to 12 kg when you regularly have several large loads. | Are my laundry baskets often full enough to make use of a 10 to 12 kg drum, or is that only the case when washing household linens? |
| Water and electricity | Compare each machine’s energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle against its capacity. According to ADEME, these figures are based on reference cycles. | I also run small loads, so I want to compare the published figures without assuming that a large drum will use less for every half-load. |
| Programmes | Check the manual for the maximum loads for cotton, synthetics, wool and, if needed, duvets. Que Choisir explains that the stated capacity applies to dry cotton laundry or the Eco 40-60 programme. | Some of my laundry needs a specific programme, so I need to know how much it can actually take. |
| Installation and use | Measure the access route, the space where the machine will go and the clearance needed to open the door. Also compare the stated spin noise and the durability index for the model sold in France. | The washing machine needs to fit through the access route and be usable once the door is open. I also need to consider the noise in my home. |
An exceptional load doesn’t necessarily reflect your household’s everyday laundry. If the large drum is rarely filled, its extra capacity won’t make much difference to your day-to-day washing.
Keep an eye on your loads over several weeks and check whether occasional bulky items could be washed separately in a suitable machine.
According to Que Choisir, the stated capacity applies to dry cotton laundry or the Eco 40-60 programme. It doesn’t automatically apply to other fabrics.
Check the load limits in the manual for the programmes your household actually uses, especially those for wool, synthetics and duvets.
The figures on the energy label relate to reference cycles. The same letter rating doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much different programmes will use.
Look at capacity, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and the length of the Eco programme together, then compare them with your usual loads.
A warranty that only covers the motor tells you nothing about cover for other components or the durability of the washing machine as a whole.
Read the terms of the warranty and check the durability index for the specific model.
These models give you examples of capacities and dimensions to compare; their features aren’t intended to rank the brands.
The Bosch Series 8 WGB256A2FR is an example of a 10 kg front-loading washing machine to consider when comparing the installation requirements of a large-capacity model.
The LG F14R31WHSA is an 11 kg front-loading model to consider if you regularly have large loads.
The Samsung WW10FG6U94LBU3 is another example of a 10 kg front-loading washing machine to compare with the space you have available.
These five 10 or 11 kg washing machines are large-capacity options for households that regularly do family-sized loads. Whether you choose one of these, an 8 to 9 kg machine or an occasional duvet wash still depends on your usual laundry loads.
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Worth considering if you regularly have large loads: it has a stated capacity of 10 kg, a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating. Check the load limit for programmes designed for your bulky items, as well as the space needed for installation.
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Its stated capacity of 11 kg may suit households that regularly have large loads. This model is listed with an A energy rating. Before choosing it for a duvet, check the suitable programme and its maximum load, then measure the space where it will go.
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Compare its stated 10 kg capacity with the size of your regular loads. If you often sort laundry by fabric, check the manual for each programme’s load limits before choosing this capacity.
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This freestanding model has a stated capacity of 10 kg, a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating, making it an option for households with frequent large loads. Check its dimensions against your available space and compare the energy consumption figures on the label for the model being sold.
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Its stated capacity of 10 kg makes it worth considering for regular large loads; the product title also lists a 1,400 rpm spin speed and 16 programmes. For the fabrics you wash regularly, check each programme’s load limit, the dimensions and the energy label for the model being sold.
Consider 10 to 12 kg when you regularly have several large loads to wash. According to Que Choisir, 8 to 9 kg is usually enough for a household of 3 to 4 people. So look at the size of your usual loads rather than choosing based solely on the number of people in your household.
No. According to Que Choisir, it refers to the weight of dry cotton laundry or the Eco 40-60 programme. Check the limits in the manual for wool, synthetics and any programme designed for duvets.
Compare their energy ratings, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and capacities together. ADEME explains that the figures shown are based on reference cycles, so they may not reflect every programme or half-load in your home.
Measure the space where the machine will go, the access route and the space available in front of the door. Then compare your measurements with those of the exact model, as washing machines with the same capacity don’t all have the same depth.
No. It covers the component and conditions specified in the warranty, not necessarily the whole appliance. Check the exact terms and look separately at the durability index for the model you’re considering.