If your washing machine will be near a living area, compare its stated spin-cycle noise level with tests of the exact model. Don’t treat these figures as a promise of how it will sound in your home. If space or vibration is a key concern, check the dimensions and installation requirements too: anti-vibration pads don’t guarantee an improvement.
If your appliance is near a living area, compare the stated figures and tests for the exact model, then take your installation into account. Les Numériques and UFC-Que Choisir include noise among the criteria they assess when testing washing machines.
Your choice depends first on the space available: check the dimensions of the exact model and the clearances needed for installation. Les Numériques described the Hisense WF5I9043BBFS as a space-saving model, but that finding doesn’t automatically apply to other models in the range.
If you want to limit the vibrations travelling through your home, check that the machine is level and follow the installation instructions before considering an accessory. LG and Bosch recommend checking the appliance’s installation against its manual.
Worth considering: if the machine will run near a living area, compare the stated acoustic data with tests of specific models.
Bear in mind: an energy-label reading and a laboratory measurement don’t necessarily reflect how loud the machine will seem in your home.
Worth considering: if the available depth limits your options, check the dimensions of the exact model and its installation manual.
Bear in mind: checking the depth of the casing alone won’t confirm that there’s enough room for connections and clearances.
Worth considering: if the spin cycle causes shaking, first check that the machine is level, the transit bolts have been removed and the appliance isn’t touching nearby furniture.
Bear in mind: anti-vibration accessories don’t replace correct installation, and their effect can vary depending on the appliance and floor.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Spin-cycle noise | Compare the stated dB(A) re 1 pW figures for the exact models, then look at tests and take their methodology into account. | When the washing machine is near the lounge or another occupied room, I want to know whether the spin cycle could be a daily nuisance. Around 36% of consumers put spin-cycle noise first. |
| Vibration and stability | Follow the manual to level the appliance and check the transit bolts; check that any anti-vibration pads are compatible before trying them. | If the shaking makes the machine move or travels through the home, I first want to make sure it’s installed securely. Around 29% of consumers prioritise controlling vibration. |
| Size | Measure the space and check the dimensions, connections and clearances required for the exact model. | In a studio flat where every centimetre counts, I need to be able to install and use the appliance in the space available. Around 21% of consumers put available space first. |
| Cost and lifespan | Check the durability rating where applicable, without confusing it with a noise measurement, and distinguish the statutory guarantee from an optional extended warranty. | If my main priorities are cost and how long the appliance will last, I compare these separately from noise levels. Around 14% of consumers put them first. |
The stated figure and measurements taken during a laboratory test may be based on different conditions. Your floor, the machine’s position and its installation can also affect how loud it seems in your home.
Compare exact models using comparable acoustic data, then check the test results and installation instructions.
An appliance that hasn’t been levelled properly or still has its transit bolts fitted may remain unstable. Reviews of anti-vibration pads report mixed results.
First, follow the manual to level the machine and remove the transit bolts. If you try compatible pads, check afterwards that the appliance is still stable.
The Hisense WF5I9043BBFS tested by Les Numériques and the WF5I8043BWF listed on a French product page are two different models. Test results for one don’t automatically apply to the other.
Note down the full model number before comparing a test, manufacturer’s product page and offer.
In France, the durability rating provides information about durability, not vibration or spin-cycle noise. The Ministry of the Economy says it has applied to front-loading and top-loading washing machines since 8 April 2025.
Use this rating to assess durability, and look separately for acoustic information about the model you’re considering.
The LG F14X76BSTA is among the models covered in the French guide by Les Numériques. LG France lists a capacity of 11 kg for this model.
The Series 5i WF5I9043BBFS is worth considering if both space and noise matter to you.
Bosch’s installation advice can help you check that the machine is level and that the transit bolts have been removed, in line with the manual.
Electrolux offers the E4WHPA02 pads as a stabilising accessory to consider after checking the installation.
The L9 is listed in the French guide consulted as a large-capacity model to compare.
This selection includes washing machine stabilising mats and washing machines described as quiet. Check the dimensions and specifications of each model.
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This mat is designed for washing machines and tumble dryers; check that its size is suitable for your intended space.
Listed dimensions: 60 × 60 cm; thickness: 0.5 cm. The product is described as being made from recycled rubber.
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This mat is designed for washing machines and tumble dryers; check that its size is suitable for your intended space.
Listed dimensions: 60 × 60 cm; thickness: 1.0 cm. The product is described as being made from recycled rubber.
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This mat is designed for washing machines and tumble dryers; check that its size is suitable for your intended space.
Listed dimensions: 60 × 60 cm; thickness: 1.97 cm. The product is described as being made from recycled rubber.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 10 kg washing machine with several programmes; the word “Quiet” in the name doesn’t predict how loud it will be in your home.
The product name lists 16 programmes, a steam function and a pet-hair programme.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an 8 kg front-loading washing machine; the word “Quiet” in the name doesn’t guarantee a particular noise level in your home.
The product name lists 16 programmes, a steam function and a pet-hair programme.
No, it isn’t enough to predict how loud the machine will seem in your home. The stated figure gives you a point of comparison between models, while a test may use a different method. The number alone doesn’t account for your floor, the machine’s position or its installation.
Start by following the machine’s manual: remove the transit bolts, adjust the feet if required and leave space between the appliance and nearby objects. If you try compatible pads, check afterwards that the machine is still stable; their effect isn’t guaranteed in every home.
Check your model’s manual for suitable load sizes and programmes. For machines with its unbalanced-load detection system, Bosch recommends distributing large and small items around the drum.
When a private individual buys goods from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory. The Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under it; this guarantee is separate from an optional commercial extended warranty.
The European energy label includes information about noise emissions. In France, the durability rating replaced the repairability rating for the relevant front-loading and top-loading washing machines from 8 April 2025; it doesn’t measure noise.