Choose a format based on the measurement that’s actually limiting your installation: a top-loading washing machine takes up less width, while a slim front-loader takes up less depth without freeing up any width. If a front-loader will fit, check that the door can open fully and that it won’t be obstructed by the cabinetry. For a bathroom installation or a washer-dryer stack, you’ll also need to check the electrical location or stacking-kit compatibility carefully.
If width is limited, compare a top-loader with the space available above its lid. If depth is making it difficult to move around, consider a slim front-loader instead, and remember to allow enough room in front for the door to open.
An appliance fitted beneath a worktop or behind a decorative door needs to suit the available cabinetry. In a bathroom, also have the proposed location and electrical circuit checked before installation.
Stacking the appliances can free up floor space if you have enough height. However, whether they can be stacked depends on the specific washing machine, tumble dryer and stacking kit models.
Start by measuring the space and access routes, then compare the formats that fit according to your usual laundry needs and planned installation.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Width and opening | Que Choisir gives a width of around 40 to 46 cm for top-loaders, compared with 60 cm for most front-loaders. Also measure the space in front of the door or above the lid. | I need to be able to get through a narrow passage even when I open the machine to load the laundry. |
| Depth and delivery | Slim front-loaders described by Que Choisir are around 33 to 45 cm deep, while remaining close to 60 cm wide. Compare the model’s dimensions, including connections, then measure doorways, stairs and lifts. | The machine mustn’t stick out too far into the room, and I need to be able to get it all the way into my home. |
| Capacity | For everyday use, Que Choisir suggests 5 to 7 kg for one or two people and 7 to 8 kg for an average-sized family. Match the capacity to the amount of laundry you actually wash. | Saving a few centimetres won’t help if the drum regularly means I have to run extra cycles. |
| Kitchen cabinetry | Check the clearance beneath the worktop, the connections and the model’s instructions. If a decorative door needs to conceal the machine, look for an integrated model that can be fitted with a cabinet door. | I want the appliance to fit into the kitchen without getting in the way of the cupboard door or its own door. |
| Stacking | Check the available height and make sure the kit is compatible with the exact model numbers of both appliances. Electrolux and Bosch specify depth limits or model exclusions for some of their kits. | A stack would free up floor space, but I don’t want to choose a washing machine that prevents the planned installation. |
| Bathroom and usage | Promotelec recommends checking the earthing, 30 mA residual-current protection and that the appliance is positioned outside Zone 2. To compare models that are suitable for the room, also check the energy label; according to ADEME, the durability index has been displayed in France for relevant new washing machines since April 2025. | If the machine is going in the bathroom, I need to have its location approved. I’d then like to compare the noise levels, energy and water use, and durability of suitable models. |
A slim front-loader takes up less depth but is generally still close to 60 cm wide, according to Que Choisir. A top-loader is narrower, but you need to be able to open its lid.
Measure the width, depth and height separately, then check the opening and the entire delivery route before comparing models.
The size of the washing machine alone won’t tell you whether it’s suitable for a bathroom. Promotelec sets out the checks required for the bathroom zones, earthing and circuit protection.
Have the location and electrical installation checked before ordering or planning any work, particularly if the machine will be near a shower or bath.
Similar dimensions don’t guarantee compatibility: Electrolux and Bosch specify depth ranges or exclude certain models for their kits.
First, find the exact model numbers of the washing machine and tumble dryer, then check that a kit is listed as compatible with that specific pair.
An appliance that fits easily into the room may be inconvenient if its drum is too small for your household’s usual laundry loads. Que Choisir recommends choosing capacity according to the number of people in your household and how you use the machine.
Compare the formats that fit your measurements, then choose a capacity that suits the laundry you wash regularly.
A drum that’s regularly too small can mean running more cycles and spending more time using the machine.
These two options combine washing and drying in a front-loading appliance. They’re suited to a space where the door can open without blocking access, so check your measurements before choosing either model.
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This front-loader has an 11 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. Before choosing it for a small space, check that you have room for the door to open, the connections and delivery access. Consult the instructions if you’re planning to install it beneath a worktop.
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This front-loading model has a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. Compare its dimensions with the space available and the delivery route, leaving room in front for the door to open. Check the instructions if you’re planning to install it beneath a worktop.
No. It’s mainly a solution when width is limited. Que Choisir gives a width of around 40 to 46 cm for top-loaders on the French market, but you still need room to open the lid. If depth is the issue, consider a slim front-loader instead, allowing for its width and the space needed to open the door.
Check the location and electrical circuit before installation. For a bathroom, Promotelec specifies that a washing machine must be earthed, protected by a 30 mA residual-current device and positioned outside Zone 2. Ask a professional for advice if the machine is near a shower or bath.
No. Electrolux and Bosch specify that some kits require a particular depth or exclude certain models. Check the kit’s compatibility with the exact model numbers of both appliances instead of relying on their external dimensions alone.
Start with the size of your usual laundry loads. For everyday use, Que Choisir suggests 5 to 7 kg for one or two people and 7 to 8 kg for an average-sized family. A more compact machine may need to run more cycles if its capacity is too small for your laundry.
Check the energy label to compare factors such as energy and water use, spin performance and noise levels. According to ADEME, relevant new washing machines sold in France have also displayed a durability index based on reliability and repairability criteria since April 2025.