One person or a couple in a studio flat
If you do your laundry at home, compare the drum capacity with the size of your loads and how often you wash. UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple.
Who are these formats suited to?
Renters with a narrow kitchen or bathroom
A slim front-loader could work if depth is limited; a top-loader may be a better fit when width is the issue. Either way, measure the space needed to open the machine and move around the room.
Anyone without room for a standard machine
A mini washing machine can handle small loads if a standard model cannot be installed. Before relying on one as your main machine, compare its capacity with your usual laundry, especially bulky items.
What should you check before choosing?
Slim front-loader
Consider this if: depth is limited, but there’s enough width and room to open the door. UFC-Que Choisir puts the slim front-loaders it describes at around 60 cm wide and 33 to 45 cm deep.
Trade-off: the door needs enough room to open in front of the machine without blocking the way through.
Top-loading washing machine
Consider this if: width is your main constraint and there’s enough space above the machine to open the lid.
Trade-off: a narrow top-loader isn’t necessarily shallow: according to their manufacturers, the Electrolux EW6T4613HA and AEG LTR8C7331A are each nearly 60 cm deep.
Mini washing machine
Consider this if: you need to wash small loads and can’t install a standard washing machine.
Trade-off: check that its capacity and spin options suit your usual loads, not just your smallest ones.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Space and opening | Measure the width, depth and height; check that the door or lid can open and allow enough room for the hoses, using the installation plan for the exact model. | I want to reach the drum without blocking the way through the kitchen or bathroom. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated load capacity with your usual laundry and check the limits for the programmes you use. | My loads should fit in the drum without making me run extra cycles. UFC-Que Choisir gives 5 to 7 kg as a general guide for one person or a couple. |
| Noise and running costs | Compare water and energy use, noise levels and spin performance on the energy label, as advised by ADEME. | If the machine is near my living area or I dry clothes indoors, noise and spin performance matter too. |
| Maintenance | Check that the filter is accessible and that there’s enough room to work around the machine. | I want to be able to maintain the machine without having to struggle to move it in a narrow room. |
What mistakes should you avoid in a small room?
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Only checking the stated depth
A slim front-loader still takes up space when its door is open. A top-loader, on the other hand, needs clear space above it.
Mark out the machine’s footprint and opening path in the room, then compare your measurements with the installation plan for the exact model.
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Assuming a mini washing machine can replace a standard one
A smaller capacity may mean separating loads more often and make it harder to wash large items.
Compare its capacity and intended uses with your usual laundry. If installation is possible, consider a slim front-loader or a top-loader too.
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Automatically choosing the smallest drum
If your usual loads won’t fit, you’ll need to run extra cycles. ADEME recommends matching capacity to your needs; UFC-Que Choisir puts the general requirement for one person or a couple at 5 to 7 kg.
Estimate the size of your usual loads, including bedding, before settling on a capacity.
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Focusing only on the energy rating
In a studio flat, water use, noise and spin performance can also help you choose between two machines that fit the space.
Compare these figures, along with energy use, on the labels of the models you’re considering, rather than looking at the rating letter alone.
What do the brands have to offer?
These examples of ranges and models can help you compare formats. The dimensions that matter are those of the model you’re planning to install.
Beko
An option to consider if you’re looking for a front-loader and have limited depth but room for a width of around 60 cm.
- Beko’s range includes examples that are 44 cm deep with a 6 kg capacity, and 49 cm deep with a 7 kg capacity.
- Check the dimensions of the exact model, as well as the space needed for its door and connections.
Electrolux
Top-loading and compact formats to compare, depending on the space available and the size of your loads.
- Electrolux says the top-loading EW6T4613HA measures 890 × 400 × 600 mm and has a 6 kg capacity. The brand also offers a 3 kg compact model.
- Even a narrow machine needs room to open and connect up in your space.
AEG
A useful reference when comparing top-loaders for spaces where width is more limited than depth.
- AEG lists the LTR8C7331A as measuring 903 × 397 × 599 mm, with a 7 kg capacity.
- Allow for the machine’s depth and enough room to open its lid.
Whirlpool
Another size reference for a top-loading washing machine.
- Whirlpool lists the TDLR6242SFR/N as measuring 40 × 90 × 60 cm, with a 6 kg capacity.
- Its 60 cm depth needs to fit your actual space, even though the machine is narrow.
A Joybuy option to consider
This front-loading washing machine is worth comparing if you’re kitting out a studio flat. Its 8 kg capacity should be weighed against your usual loads, and whether it can be installed depends on the space available for the door to open and for the connections.
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White Dreame DRWASHS8KG Washing Machine S, 8 kg
For a studio flat, compare its stated 8 kg capacity with the size of your loads: UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple. Before choosing this model, check the installation plan for the space needed to open the door and accommodate the connections.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure the space for a slim front-loader or a top-loader?
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, then allow room to open the door in front of a front-loader or the lid above a top-loader. Also check the delivery route, space for the hoses and the installation plan for the exact model.
What capacity should I choose if I live alone in a studio flat?
UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple. Adjust this guide to suit your usual loads and check the load limits for the programmes you plan to use.
Can a mini washing machine serve as my main machine?
Only if its capacity and intended uses suit your everyday laundry. If you can’t install a standard machine, check how you’ll wash bulky items before choosing a mini model.
What should I compare on the energy label for a studio flat?
ADEME recommends checking energy and water use, noise levels and spin performance. Noise matters particularly if the machine is near your living area; spin performance is worth considering if you dry clothes indoors.