Alcoves under 84 cm
If you have limited height, measure the alcove at its lowest point and compare this measurement with the height required to install the specific model. A top that looks removable is not enough to confirm that it can be taken off.
Who is this option for?
Washing machine front on show
If you’re not planning to fit a cupboard door, an under-counter front-loader can keep the appliance’s front visible. Bosch Electroménager France and Siemens Electroménager France offer ranges with removable tops; check the final height for each model.
Kitchen with a cupboard door
If your kitchen design requires a door in front of the appliance, look at fully integrated models and their installation instructions. The product height alone is not enough to confirm that the unit and connections will fit.
What should you check before buying?
Start by checking the height actually available and the permitted configuration of the washing machine. Then check the full installation space before deciding whether you want the front visible or covered by a cupboard door.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Consumers’ priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Height once installed | Measure the alcove at its lowest point. If the top needs to be removed, check that the model’s instructions allow this and state the final height and installation requirements. | When the opening is under 84 cm, I want to know whether the appliance will actually fit without having to take it apart in an improvised way; around 42% of consumers rank the final height as their top priority. |
| Depth and access | Compare the alcove with the installation diagram, allowing for hoses, the plug socket and space to pull the appliance out for maintenance. | If the connections are behind the machine, I need enough room for them without squeezing them, as well as access to them later. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Type of installation | Decide whether your kitchen requires a cupboard door or can leave the washing machine front visible; check the relevant installation instructions. | I want the washing machine to fit the planned kitchen units without choosing a fully integrated model if the front can remain visible; this is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the listed height with the height after removing the top
Bosch Electroménager France lists the WUU28T18FR as 845 mm high in its stated configuration, which is too tall for an alcove under 840 mm. A “removable top” label does not necessarily tell you the height once it has been removed.
Before ordering, check the instructions for the exact variant and compare its installation height with the measurement at the alcove’s lowest point. Do not remove any part unless the procedure is approved for that model.
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Choosing a fully integrated model without allowing for a cupboard door
A fully integrated appliance is designed for a different type of kitchen from an under-counter front-loader with a visible front. Its product height alone does not determine whether it meets the installation requirements.
First decide whether you need a cupboard door, then check the dimensions and instructions for the type of installation you have chosen.
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Relying on the appliance depth alone
Electrolux France lists the EW2F7814FA as 568 mm deep, but this measurement alone does not show how much space you need for the connections. An alcove that is too tight can restrict the hoses or make it difficult to access the machine later.
Check the model’s installation diagram and make sure there is enough room for the connections, maintenance and pulling the appliance out.
Brands to consider for this type of installation
Bosch
Bosch Electroménager France distinguishes between its under-counter washing machines with removable tops and its fully integrated models.
- This distinction helps you choose whether the appliance front should remain visible or be hidden behind a cupboard door.
- For a front-loader with a removable top, confirm the final height in the documentation for the specific model. Bosch also advises checking that its under-counter kit is compatible with the appliance.
Siemens
Siemens Electroménager France offers a range of under-counter washing machines with removable tops.
- This range gives you an under-counter option when the washing machine front needs to remain visible.
- Check the instructions for each model to confirm the final height and required clearances before choosing it for an alcove under 84 cm.
Electrolux
Electrolux France offers freestanding and built-in models for different types of kitchen design.
- Electrolux France lists the EW2F7814FA as a freestanding model and the EW8F3814BI as a built-in model.
- Darty describes the EW2F7814FA as having a removable top. Before considering it for installation under this worktop, check the relevant instructions to make sure removal is permitted and confirm the resulting height.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Will a washing machine that is 84.5 cm high fit in an alcove under 84 cm?
Not at its full height of 84.5 cm: the appliance would be taller than the alcove. If it has a removable top, the model’s instructions must still allow you to remove it, state the final height and confirm the necessary installation requirements.
Can you remove the top from any washing machine?
No. Only remove the top if the documentation for that model permits it and explains how to install the appliance this way. The fact that Bosch Electroménager France offers a range of under-counter models with removable tops does not mean you can do this with every freestanding washing machine.
Do you have to choose a fully integrated washing machine to fit it under a kitchen worktop?
No, not if your kitchen does not need a cupboard door in front of the appliance. An under-counter front-loader can keep its front visible, provided its final height and the other requirements in its instructions are suitable for the alcove. A fully integrated model is designed for a different setup, with a cupboard door over the front.