For regular laundry in a shared home, first choose a format that fits the space and can be opened easily, then pick a capacity that suits your usual loads. ADEME says that 7 kg is usually sufficient, but this isn’t a rule for every household. Also compare the water and energy use, noise and spin performance on the label for the model you’re considering.
If everyone does their washing at different times, choose a drum capacity that suits the loads you can realistically combine. ADEME recommends matching capacity to your needs and points out that a half-load uses less water, but just as much electricity.
If living areas are near the washing machine or household routines differ, spin noise matters just as much as the advertised speed. Compare the noise figures and spin efficiency for the specific model.
A narrow alcove, shallow space or restricted access can determine which format will fit. Also measure the clearance needed for the door or lid to open: a top-loader mainly saves width, while a shallower front-loader addresses a different space constraint.
In a shared home, first check whether a machine can be installed and used without blocking access, then compare its capacity with the loads you actually do. If there’s no suitable space, using an external launderette is another option to consider.
Consider it if: there’s enough room to open the door and accommodate the dimensions of your chosen model.
Bear in mind: the usable depth must allow for the connections as well as the door opening.
Consider it if: width is limited but there’s enough space to open the lid freely.
Bear in mind: a narrower machine isn’t necessarily shallow; the Whirlpool TW6522FRESHCAREFR model presented by the brand is 40 cm wide and 60 cm deep.
Consider it if: depth, rather than width, is the main constraint.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to measure the other dimensions and allow room for the door to open. Candy lists its ProWash 550 BP 48SBL6-S as 595 mm wide and 488 mm deep.
Consider it if: your home can’t accommodate a shared machine or you can’t organise access to one.
Bear in mind: travelling to the launderette and its opening hours need to work for your household’s regular laundry routine.
| Criterion | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and loads | Compare the capacity in kg with the size of your usual loads and whether you can combine laundry. ADEME says that 7 kg is usually sufficient, but you should still assess your own needs. | If we often run half-empty drums, we need a capacity that suits the loads we can combine. This would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Noise and spin performance | Check the spin noise in dB, its noise class and the spin-efficiency class; the revolutions per minute don’t tell you everything. | When the machine runs close to occupied rooms, I want to be able to assess the noise without relying on the maximum spin speed alone. Around 31% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, then check the connections, delivery route and clearance needed to open the door or lid. | If the alcove or access route is narrow, I first need an appliance we can install and open as normal. This would be the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Consumption and service life | Compare the energy and water use for the reference programme on the label. Check service features and the terms of any warranties separately. | With regular cycles, we want to understand how much water and electricity the machine uses, without confusing a commercial warranty with its service life. Around 15% of consumers would put this need first. |
A large capacity won’t benefit your household if the machine is often only partly full. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity to suit your needs and says that a half-load uses less water, but just as much electricity.
Look at your usual loads, when laundry tends to build up and whether you wash bulky items before settling on a capacity.
The maximum spin speed alone doesn’t tell you how noisy the spin cycle is or how much water will remain in your laundry.
Compare the dB rating, noise class and spin-efficiency class for the specific model, then follow the instructions to make sure it’s installed securely.
A narrow top-loader can still be deep, while a shallower front-loader still needs room for its door. Suitable dimensions on paper aren’t enough if you can’t get the machine to its intended spot.
Measure all three dimensions, the delivery route, connections and door clearance before ordering.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial warranty is a separate offer, so check what it actually covers.
Compare the services offered, the duration and any exclusions of an extended warranty with the statutory protection that already applies to your purchase.
A front-loader worth considering if your space can accommodate the dimensions of the model you have in mind.
A top-loader to consider when space is limited on width and there’s room to open the lid.
A shallower front-loader to consider if limited depth is making installation difficult.
These front-loaders, top-loaders and shallower front-loaders illustrate different options for a shared machine. Match their capacity to your household’s loads, then check the dimensions and noise figures before choosing a format.
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Worth considering if your household’s usual loads suit a capacity of 7 kg.
Advertised maximum spin speed: 1 400 rpm; energy class A. Check the depth, including the door, and allow room for it to open and for the connections.
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Worth considering if width is limited and everyone can access the top-loading drum.
Advertised maximum spin speed: 1 200 rpm; energy class A. Also measure the depth and check there’s enough clearance above the lid.
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Only consider this model if your household’s regular loads justify a 9 kg capacity rather than a smaller drum.
Advertised maximum spin speed: 1 600 rpm. Before comparing this model with others, check the depth of the space, clearance for the door and the spin-efficiency class.
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Worth considering if the available depth is a key constraint and a 7 kg capacity suits your shared loads.
Advertised maximum spin speed: 1 200 rpm; energy class A. Check all the installation dimensions, as well as the model’s noise and spin-performance figures.
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Worth considering for a narrow space if your usual loads are suitable for a 6 kg drum.
Advertised maximum spin speed: 1 400 rpm; energy class B. If several people combine their laundry, check that this capacity is enough and that the lid can open fully.
No, 7 kg isn’t a universal rule for a shared home. ADEME says this capacity is usually sufficient, but recommends choosing according to your needs. Consider the loads your household actually builds up and any bulky items you wash.
Compare the spin noise in dB and its class on each model’s label, rather than looking only at revolutions per minute. Also check the spin-efficiency class. At home, the floor and how level the machine is can affect how it runs.
No. A top-loader can solve a lack of width, but not necessarily a lack of depth or overhead clearance. For example, Whirlpool lists its TW6522FRESHCAREFR as 40 cm wide and 60 cm deep. Remember to measure the space needed to open the lid too.
In France, private individuals are covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity for new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a trader, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Keep your sales documents and, if installation was agreed, the terms of that service so you can explain the problem clearly to the seller.