According to Que Choisir, 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for a household of three or four people, while 10 to 12 kg makes more sense if you regularly wash large loads. If you often wash smaller loads too, compare the model’s energy and water consumption, as well as the load limits for the programmes you use most. Before ordering, check the measurements needed for delivery and to open the door.
If you often wash clothes, towels and household linen in large loads, a 10 to 12 kg drum could save you from running several cycles. Que Choisir recommends these capacities for regular needs, rather than for the occasional large item.
An occasional large wash may not reflect your day-to-day laundry habits. When choosing a capacity, consider smaller loads too, and compare the model’s consumption figures, as recommended by Que Choisir and ADEME.
Your washing machine needs to fit through to its spot and remain practical to use once installed. The dimensions published by LG and Samsung for their 11 kg models show why it’s worth checking the overall depth, clearance with the door open and whether the packaged appliance will fit along the delivery route.
Choose this if: you mostly wash everyday loads and rarely have very large items to wash. According to Que Choisir, 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for three or four people.
The trade-off: you may need to split some larger loads, and the permitted load can be lower than the stated capacity for certain programmes.
Choose this if: you regularly have large loads that make good use of a 10 to 12 kg drum, as described in Que Choisir’s guidance.
The trade-off: a larger capacity doesn’t guarantee savings on smaller loads, and you’ll need to make sure the machine fits your home.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent large loads | Compare the weight and frequency of your usual loads with the permitted capacity of the programmes you use. | I’d like to wash the clothes and household linen I regularly use together, rather than running several cycles one after another. Around 36% of consumers would make reducing the number of cycles their priority. |
| Small loads and consumption | Compare the model’s energy and water use, programme duration and noise levels. For the same programme, also check figures for a full, half or quarter load if they’re published. | I regularly wash small loads as well as large ones, so I don’t want to choose a machine based only on its maximum drum capacity. Managing smaller loads would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Delivery and installation | Measure the access route and the space where the machine will go, then check its overall depth, clearance with the door open and the package dimensions if listed. | I need a machine that will fit through the doors and whose door I can open once it’s installed. This would be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Very large items washed occasionally | Check the care label and the load limit for the appropriate programme. If you only wash these items rarely, consider using a launderette or laundry service too. | I rarely wash a duvet or large curtains, and don’t want to choose a machine around those items alone. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this occasional need. |
According to Que Choisir and ADEME, a large capacity should match the loads you actually wash. Choosing the wrong capacity can increase consumption.
Start with your usual laundry habits, then compare the energy label figures for the models you’re considering.
Que Choisir points out that some programmes, particularly those for synthetics or wool, take less laundry than the stated maximum capacity.
Check the manual to find out the permitted load for the programmes you plan to use.
The overall depth, door clearance and packaging can all affect how much room you need. LG publishes several depth measurements for its F14R31WHSA, while Samsung recommends checking that its packaged appliance will fit through the access route.
Measure the doors, corridors and turns along the delivery route, as well as the space in front of the machine.
Any savings claimed for a sensor or connected mode depend on the model and how it’s used; they won’t apply to every cycle.
First compare the published figures for the specific models, then check the conditions for any features you’re interested in.
For a comparison of 10 kg front-loading models, Bosch lists a 10 kg capacity and a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm for the WGG254FAFR.
According to LG, the F14R31WHSA front-loading washing machine has an 11 kg capacity and chassis dimensions of 600 × 850 × 565 mm.
According to Samsung, the 11 kg WW11DB7B94GBU3 front-loading washing machine measures 600 × 850 × 600 mm.
Que Choisir says that 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for three or four people. Consider 10 to 12 kg if you regularly wash large loads: how often and how much you wash matters more than the number of people in your household.
Compare the published consumption figures for the models you’re considering, not just their maximum capacity. Check the energy label and, if available on the product page or in EPREL, compare figures for the same programme at different load levels. Check separately the conditions for any adjustment feature claimed by the manufacturer.
Measure the space where the machine will go, the delivery route and the room needed to open the door. The chassis depth alone isn’t enough: LG lists the F14R31WHSA as 565 mm deep at the chassis, 620 mm overall and 1 100 mm with the door open at 90°. Also check the package dimensions if they’re published.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir links very large capacities to specific needs, including washing duvets, but an item you wash rarely doesn’t represent all your laundry. Check its care label and the appropriate programme, then weigh up a larger appliance against occasionally using a launderette or laundry service.