Adding another child doesn’t automatically mean your washing machine is too small. First, check whether full laundry baskets really mean you have to run extra cycles. For families with children, Que Choisir generally recommends a capacity of 8 to 10 kg, rising to 10 to 12 kg when large loads and frequent washes are part of everyday life. If your current machine still handles your usual loads, better planning could save you from replacing it. If you do buy a new one, consider the capacity allowed for each programme, energy and water use, spin performance and the space available.
If dry laundry builds up between washes, a larger capacity could help you avoid extra cycles. Que Choisir suggests 8 to 10 kg as a general guide for families with children, but the number of people in your household isn’t the only factor.
A useful capacity won’t help if the machine won’t fit through your doors or there isn’t enough room to open the door. The machine’s size and its connections must suit your home. Que Choisir also points out that top-loading models tend to have a more limited capacity.
A washing machine that still handles your usual loads may remain suitable after a child arrives. Before deciding to replace it, consider how often you really run cycles, its spin performance, noise and condition. If you’re buying a new machine in France, the durability rating can also help you compare options.
Start by looking at the dry laundry loads you actually build up, then check whether your current machine can handle them without extra cycles. If you’re considering a replacement, weigh the usable capacity against energy and water use, drying needs and installation requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the dry laundry that builds up in your baskets with the maximum loads for the programmes you use, rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone. | If my baskets are often full, I want to avoid running one wash after another without choosing an oversized drum. Around 33% of consumers prioritise usable capacity. |
| Energy and water use, and spin performance | Check the energy label for kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, spin efficiency and noise during spinning. | If I dry laundry indoors or use a tumble dryer, I pay as much attention to how damp clothes are after spinning as I do to water and electricity use. Around 27% of consumers put managing these costs first. |
| Space and connections | Measure the route into your home and the available space, including room to open the door. Then check the water inlet, drain and power socket. | If space is tight, a larger machine won’t help if I can’t get it into place or install it properly. Around 20% of consumers prioritise whether installation is possible. |
| Durability or keeping your current machine | Assess the condition of your current machine. For a new model in France, check its durability rating out of 10 and the information available about spare parts. | If my washing machine still works, I want to know whether it can continue to meet my needs before I replace it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this long-term decision. |
A high-capacity machine is less useful if your usual loads leave it only partly full. On the other hand, a drum that’s too small could mean running extra cycles.
Keep an eye on how often your baskets are full and how often you wash bulky items for a few weeks. Then choose a capacity that suits the loads you typically do.
Programmes for synthetics, wool or delicate fabrics may take less laundry than the programme used to determine the maximum capacity, as Que Choisir points out.
Check the load table in the manual for the exact model, especially if you often sort laundry by fabric type.
A washing machine may fit in the space you’ve planned for it but still not get through the doors, or there may not be enough room to open it. Electrolux’s pre-installation guide also explains that its installers don’t carry out the plumbing, electrical or carpentry work needed to prepare the space.
Measure the route in and the available space, then check the existing connections against the model’s manual and the installation service on offer.
Preparing the space may involve work separate from delivery and could delay installation.
Capacity tells you nothing about the condition of your current machine or how long a new model might last. In France, the durability rating for washing machines has been in place since 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the environment.
If you need a replacement, compare the durability rating out of 10 and the information about spare parts with your laundry needs. Otherwise, start by assessing the condition and use of your current machine.
These 8 or 10 kg front-loading models are worth considering if your usual loads no longer fit in your current machine. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean you need to replace it: check the load limits for each programme and the installation requirements before choosing.
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Worth considering if your baskets are regularly full enough to justify a 10 kg capacity. The model name indicates 1,400 rpm and an A rating. Check the load limits for each programme, the dimensions and the durability rating for the exact model.
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An 8 kg capacity is worth considering if it can handle your usual loads without the need for extra cycles. The model name indicates 1,400 rpm. Check the manual for the load limits of the programmes you use, and make sure there’s enough space in front of the door.
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If 8 kg is enough for your usual loads, this model could be worth comparing, particularly if depth is also a factor in your choice. The product name indicates 1,400 rpm. Check the full dimensions, clearance for the door and load limits for each programme.
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Worth comparing if an 8 kg capacity covers your usual loads and the depth of the space limits your options. Check the installation dimensions, load limits for each programme and durability information for the exact model.
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This capacity is worth considering if you regularly have large enough loads to fill the drum. Before replacing your machine, check the load limits for each programme, the clearance needed to open the door and the model’s durability information.
Choose based on the dry laundry that builds up, rather than automatically adding extra kilograms for another person. Que Choisir suggests 8 to 10 kg as a guide for families with children. A 10 to 12 kg capacity is more suitable if you genuinely do large loads or wash frequently.
No. The advertised maximum capacity doesn’t necessarily apply to every programme. According to Que Choisir, load limits may be lower for synthetics, jeans or wool. Check the table in the manual for the exact model.
Measure the space where the machine will go and the whole delivery route, then allow enough room to open the door. Check the water inlet and drain, as well as the power socket, against the manual. Ask separately what work the installation service can carry out.
Don’t assume you can without checking the manual for your model. Electrolux advises against connecting its washing machines to a hot water supply. Follow the instructions for the machine you choose to find out which connection you need.
It gives a score out of 10 to help you assess a model’s potential lifespan, but it doesn’t replace checking its capacity and installation requirements. According to the ministry responsible for the environment, the rating has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines since 8 April 2025. Compare the scores and spare-parts information for the models you’re considering.