First, choose based on the space available, allowing room for the lid or door to open. Then consider how much laundry you have and whether you can dry it in a well-ventilated room. A top-loading washing machine is a good option when width and space in front are limited. A washer-dryer means you don’t need a second appliance, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. A mini washing machine is better suited to small, occasional loads.
In a studio flat, the shape of the space and how you’ll dry your laundry matter just as much as drum capacity.
If the space is narrow but you can keep the top of the machine clear, a top-loading washing machine lets you access the drum without opening a door at the front. UFC-Que Choisir includes this style among the options for tight spaces.
If there’s room for a front-loading machine but it would jut out into the walkway, consider a slimline model. Also measure the space needed for the door to open and for the connections: the appliance’s depth alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
A washer-dryer means you don’t need to fit in two appliances when there’s no room for a clothes airer in a sufficiently well-ventilated space. Bear in mind, though, that some models can dry smaller loads than they can wash, and that a complete wash-and-dry cycle takes time.
Start with the available space and how you can dry laundry at home. Then compare the capacity and practical requirements of appliances that will actually fit.
| What to consider | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and access | Measure the width, depth including connections, and clearance needed to open the appliance. A top-loader opens from above; a slimline front-loader needs room for the door to swing open. | I’m short on space in front of the machine: a top-loader is worth considering if its lid can open fully. |
| Washing capacity | Compare the capacity in kg of dry laundry with how often you do a wash and the types of items you need to clean. UFC-Que Choisir says 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple. | I want to wash my usual loads without running extra cycles; a mini washing machine may not be suitable for my sheets or towels. |
| Drying laundry indoors | If you use a clothes airer, check that the room is large and well ventilated enough, or has suitable extraction. ADEME highlights the amount of moisture released into the air indoors when laundry is left to dry naturally. | If I often need to dry laundry in my living space, I’ll consider ventilation before choosing this option. |
| Wash-and-dry cycle | With a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities separately, then check the duration and energy and water use of a complete cycle. UFC-Que Choisir notes the compromises involved in integrated drying. | I don’t have space for a second appliance, so a washer-dryer appeals if I can manage its drying load, which is sometimes smaller than its washing load. |
| Noise and maintenance | Check the noise level during the spin cycle, programme lengths and access to the filter in the model specifications. Compare available test results rather than assuming that a narrower appliance will be quieter or more convenient. | In a single-room home, when I run a wash and how easy the machine is to maintain both matter to my choice. |
LG France and Bosch Électroménager France list washing capacities of 8.5 kg and 9 kg for the F852SV52IRS and WNA144V0FR respectively, but each has a drying capacity of 5 kg. So, you may not be able to dry a maximum washing load in one go.
Compare both capacities for the model you’re considering, as well as the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry cycle.
UFC-Que Choisir describes mini washing machines as handy extra appliances for small loads. Their capacity and spin performance can make it harder to wash larger loads and mean laundry takes longer to dry.
Before choosing one, check its capacity in kg of dry laundry and consider where you’ll wash sheets, towels and heavier clothes.
ADEME says that drying laundry naturally releases a lot of moisture into the air indoors. In a small room, the ability to ventilate the space is therefore an important factor when choosing how to dry your clothes.
Find a well-ventilated space or one with suitable extraction before relying on a clothes airer for every wash.
A top-loader needs clear space above it for the lid; a front-loader needs room in front for the door. Connections and the delivery route also affect the space you’ll need in practice.
Measure the space, check what needs to open and make sure the appliance can be moved through to the room. If installation involves alterations to a rented home, check with your landlord that you have permission before carrying out any work.
These models give you examples of different styles and capacities to compare; their specifications apply only to the models listed.
According to AEG France’s product specifications, the LTR8C7331A top-loader has a 7 kg capacity and measures 39.7 cm wide by 59.9 cm deep.
Electrolux France lists the EW6T4613HA top-loader as having a 6 kg capacity and dimensions of 89 × 40 × 60 cm.
Whirlpool France lists the TDLR6253BFR and TDLR6242SFR/N top-loaders as measuring 40 cm wide and 60 cm deep.
LG France lists the slimline F852SV52IRS washer-dryer as 47.5 cm deep, with an 8.5 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity.
Bosch Électroménager France lists the WNA144V0FR washer-dryer as having a washing capacity of 9 kg and a wash-and-dry capacity of 5 kg.
This selection includes two top-loading washing machines for spaces without room in front, two washer-dryers, and a mini washing machine for small, occasional loads.
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Loading from above means you don’t need to open a door in front of the machine. The model name indicates a 7 kg capacity, 1200 rpm and an A rating. Check that the lid can open in the space you have available.
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Loading from above works well where a front-opening door would get in the way. The model name indicates a 6 kg capacity, 1400 rpm and a B rating. Measure the clearance above the lid.
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Washing and drying are combined in one appliance, with a stated washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 5 kg. Check the exact dimensions before planning to fit it into a narrow space: the width information listed for this model is contradictory.
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This washer-dryer could save you from needing a separate drying appliance. Its stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Check the dimensions, door clearance and full-cycle information to make sure it suits your space and laundry routine.
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This mini washing machine is designed for small, occasional loads rather than as your main appliance for all the household laundry. Its name indicates a 10 L capacity and 2-, 5- and 10-minute modes. Check its capacity in kg of dry laundry and its dimensions to see how practical it will be for you.
Not always: compare the two capacities for the model. LG France lists the F852SV52IRS as having an 8.5 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity; Bosch Électroménager France lists the WNA144V0FR as having a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg wash-and-dry capacity. If your load exceeds the drying capacity, you’ll need to remove some laundry or run another cycle.
First, check how well the room is ventilated. ADEME highlights that drying laundry naturally releases a lot of moisture into the air indoors, and recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction.
No: also measure the delivery route, the space needed for connections and the clearance needed to open the drum. A top-loader needs space above the lid, while a front-loader needs room in front for the door.