When choosing a washing machine for a studio flat, start by looking at the space you actually have. Choose a slimline front-loader if depth is limited but there’s room to open the door, or a top-loader if width or clearance in front of the appliance is the main issue. A mini washing machine is better suited to small, occasional loads when a standard machine can’t be installed. For one person or a couple, Que Choisir generally recommends a capacity of 5 to 7 kg. Check this against your laundry needs and the dimensions of the space.
If you have around 60 cm of width and can open a washing machine door, consider slimline front-loaders. Que Choisir generally recommends a capacity of 5 to 7 kg for one or two people. Then check the depth of each model, including its connections.
A top-loader is worth considering if the available width or clearance in front of the machine rules out a front-loader. Candy describes top-loaders as around 40 cm wide, but you’ll also need to allow for their depth and make sure the lid can open.
A mini washing machine can handle small, occasional loads if there’s no room for a standard model. Before using one regularly, check its capacity, spin performance and installation requirements.
Work out which dimension is the main constraint, then compare the available formats with your laundry needs and the space you have.
Consider this if: your space is shallow but can fit a front-loader and allow you to open its door.
Limitation: a reduced depth won’t solve a lack of width.
Consider this if: you’re short on width or clearance in front of the machine.
Limitation: the lid needs room to open above the machine, and it may still be quite deep.
Consider this if: you need to wash small loads and can’t install a standard machine.
Limitation: check its capacity and spin performance before making it your home’s main washing machine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow for connections and the door or lid opening. Candy lists slimline front-loaders at 33 to 46 cm deep and top-loaders at around 40,5 cm wide. Check the dimensions of the model you’re considering. | I need to be able to install the machine, open it to load laundry and still move around the room. |
| Capacity | Que Choisir gives 5 to 7 kg as a general guide for one or two people. Compare this with your usual loads and the limits for each programme. | From bedding and towels to everyday clothes, I need a capacity that won’t mean doing lots of extra washes. |
| Energy and water use | Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle on the label, as well as capacity and the reference programme. Also consider how many cycles your laundry will need. | I want to compare machines that can handle my usual loads, rather than judging their consumption by the energy rating alone. |
| Installation | If you’re installing the machine in a bathroom, have the location and electrical supply checked before choosing a model. Promotelec specifies requirements concerning the appliance’s position, earthing and residual-current protection. | If the machine is going in the bathroom, the location must also be suitable for safe installation. |
A machine may fit in the space you’ve measured but leave too little room for the hoses or to open the door or lid.
Measure the space behind the appliance too, along with the door or lid opening and the clearance you’ll have to move around once the machine is installed.
If the capacity is too small, you may need to split your laundry across more cycles, particularly for bulky items.
For one or two people, start with Que Choisir’s guide of 5 to 7 kg, then adjust for how often you wash and the types of items you need to clean.
Extra cycles also use more water and electricity.
In a bathroom, the machine’s dimensions alone don’t tell you whether the electrical installation is suitable.
Before buying or moving a socket, ask a qualified electrician to check the location and circuit if you’re unsure.
‘Slimline’ mainly refers to depth. It doesn’t reduce the width of a front-loader or the space needed to open its door.
If width is the issue, look at the dimensions of top-loaders instead. If depth is the problem, compare slimline front-loaders with the space you actually have.
Candy’s range of slimline front-loaders offers a useful comparison if depth is your main constraint.
The top-loader EW6T1265CA is a good example of the balance between a narrow width and the depth you’ll need to allow for.
The front-loader WGE03207FR gives you a useful reference point for checking whether a machine close to standard front-loader dimensions will fit in your room.
These two top-loading washing machines are worth considering if width or clearance in front of the machine limits your choice. Compare their stated specifications with your laundry needs, then check the dimensions needed for installation and to open the lid.
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Its top-loading design makes this model worth considering if opening a front-loader door would obstruct the walkway. The product name lists a capacity of 6 kg, a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min, a B energy rating, Wi-Fi and 17 programmes. Before choosing a location, check that there’s enough room for the lid and connections.
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This top-loader is another option if you need to keep the space in front of the machine clear. The product name lists a capacity of 7 kg, a spin speed of 1 200 tr/min, an A energy rating, a steam function and Wi-Fi. Measure the space, allowing for the lid to open and for the connections.
Que Choisir generally recommends a capacity of 5 to 7 kg for one person or a couple. Choose according to how often you do laundry and what you wash. The stated capacity refers to the weight of dry laundry for the reference programme, and load limits may vary between programmes.
Not in every dimension: a top-loader mainly needs less width. Candy gives a width of around 40,5 cm for this format, while the Electrolux EW6T1265CA is 600 mm deep according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Also make sure there’s enough room to open the lid fully.
Check both the available space and the safety of the electrical installation. Promotelec specifies, among other things, that the machine must be positioned beyond zone 2, earthed and connected to a circuit protected by a 30 mA residual-current device. If you can’t confirm that these requirements are met in your bathroom, ask a qualified professional to check the installation.
Don’t assume it will suit your needs without considering the laundry you usually do. A mini washing machine can handle small, occasional loads when a standard model can’t be installed. Check its capacity, spin performance and whether it can wash your bulky items before making it your only machine.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle, taking each machine’s capacity and how often you wash into account. The rating alone won’t tell you how many cycles you’ll need to wash your usual loads.