For regular laundry in a studio flat, start by comparing a compact or top-loading washing machine, depending on the space available and how you can access the drum. A portable model is better suited to occasional small loads. If your main concern is finding space to dry clothes, consider a washer-dryer, checking its washing and drying capacities separately. In every case, measure the clearance needed to open the door or lid, and check the connections, power supply and spin noise.
If you have access to a water supply and a drain, compare a compact front-loader with a top-loading model. Width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit: measure the depth and height too, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one appliance. Bear in mind, though, that its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity, and check the energy label for the combined cycle.
A portable mini washing machine may suit occasional use. Check its washing and spin-drying capacities separately before relying on it for your regular laundry, especially household linens.
Start with the space available and the size of your usual laundry loads, then narrow down the appliances that can actually be installed there.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and opening clearance | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as doorways, skirting boards, pipes and clearances. A front-loader needs space in front for its door to open; a top-loader needs room above for its lid. | I need to be able to load the machine without blocking the way or hitting a worktop or shelf. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated kg capacity with the size and frequency of your usual loads. ADEME says a 7 kg drum is enough in most cases; UFC-Que Choisir points out that a drum that’s too small can mean running more cycles. | My usual loads need to fit in the drum, without choosing an appliance that’s too big for my home. |
| Portable use | Check the washing and spin-drying capacities separately. For example, Darty’s listing for the Adler mini washing machine states a 3 kg washing capacity but a 1 kg spin-drying capacity. | A portable appliance may be enough for the occasional small load, but for regular laundry I need to check what it can handle at a time. |
| Connections and safety | Check that you have a water supply and drain, and follow the model’s installation instructions. In a bathroom, Promotelec recommends checking the appliance’s position in relation to electrical zones, as well as earthing and 30 mA residual-current protection. | Before buying, I want to know whether the appliance can be connected and powered where I plan to put it. |
| Spin noise | Compare the dB level and acoustic class shown on the energy label, making sure the measurements are taken under comparable conditions. Also check that the floor and levelling are suitable for the installation. | If my laundry area is next to the living space or a neighbour’s home, noise and vibration matter as much as the appliance’s size. |
| Built-in drying | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, as well as the energy class for the combined cycle. For example, Haier France lists the Haier HWD100-B14387U1 as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. | I don’t have much room to dry clothes, but I need to be able to adjust the load for drying and fit the appliance in the space available. |
This description won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in the alcove, whether you can open it easily or whether the drum is right for your laundry loads.
Measure the space and access routes, then compare the capacity with the size of your usual laundry basket.
The stated washing capacity won’t necessarily apply to drying. Haier France lists the Haier HWD100-B14387U1 as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Check both capacities and the energy label for the combined cycle before choosing a washer-dryer.
The appliance’s position in relation to electrical zones and the circuit protection are important safety considerations to check before installation.
Promotelec recommends placing the appliance outside zones 0, 1 and 2, and the concealed zone, with earthing and 30 mA residual-current protection. If in doubt, ask a professional to check the installation.
In a studio flat, the spin cycle and vibrations can be disruptive, even if the wash cycle seems quiet.
Compare the dB levels and spin-cycle acoustic class on the label, then follow the instructions to level the appliance and consider your neighbours when using it.
These models are examples of configurations to compare. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not to every product from each brand.
The Mini Prowash 700 listed by BUT is an example of a compact front-loader for a narrow space.
A top-loader is worth considering when access in front of the machine is limited, but there’s enough space above it for the lid.
The HWD100-B14387U1 washer-dryer is worth considering if a lack of space to dry clothes is why you’re looking for a combined appliance.
The WGE02407FR front-loader can be a useful point of comparison if your space can accommodate an appliance that isn’t designed to be ultra-compact.
These appliances offer two options for a studio flat: a washer-dryer if you’re short of space to dry clothes, or a top-loader if access from the front is restricted. Their capacities and opening styles suit different needs.
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Worth considering if you want to wash and dry your laundry in one appliance in your studio flat.
The product name gives an 11 kg washing capacity, a 6 kg drying capacity and an A rating. So the load you dry needs to be smaller than the washing load. Also check the rating for the combined cycle, the clearance needed for the door and the connections available where you plan to install it.
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This model suits a home where built-in drying can help make up for a lack of space to hang clothes.
The product name gives a 10 kg washing capacity, a 6 kg drying capacity and a D rating. Before choosing, compare the drying capacity with your laundry loads and check the label for the spin noise level. Also check the instructions for details of the door clearance and connections.
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A top-loader is worth considering if you need to keep the space in front of the machine clear.
The product name gives a 6 kg capacity, a spin speed of 1,400 tr/min and a B rating. Check that your loads fit within 6 kg, that the lid can open beneath any shelves and that the space has the necessary connections.
No. Choose a capacity that suits your loads and an appliance that will genuinely fit in the space. ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases, while UFC-Que Choisir points out that a drum that’s too small can mean running more cycles. Remember to measure the space needed to open the appliance too.
It depends on the loads you need to wash. Check the washing and spin-drying capacities separately. For example, Darty’s listing for the Adler mini washing machine gives a 3 kg washing capacity and a 1 kg spin-drying capacity. Compare these figures with your regular laundry loads before relying on it as your only appliance.
Not always. Haier France lists the HWD100-B14387U1 as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. If your load exceeds the drying capacity of your chosen model, you’ll need to reduce it before drying or split the laundry across several cycles.
Before buying, check where the appliance will go and make sure its power supply will be safe. Promotelec recommends placing it outside zones 0, 1 and 2, and the concealed zone, with earthing and 30 mA residual-current protection. If you can’t confirm these points, ask a professional to check the circuit.
Compare the dB level and acoustic class for the spin cycle on their energy labels, rather than relying on a ‘quiet’ claim. Correct levelling and a suitable floor matter too. Consider your neighbours and any building rules when deciding when to run a cycle.