Start by choosing a capacity that suits the loads you actually wash, and check the space available. ADEME says 7 kg is usually enough, but that isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. A larger drum is only worthwhile if you fill it regularly or wash bulky items; a top-loading machine is mainly useful when width is limited, and needs enough clearance above it. Once you’ve shortlisted models that will fit, compare water and electricity use, spin performance and noise on the energy label. Bear in mind that its reference values won’t exactly predict the figures for every programme.
You want to choose a drum size based on the loads you actually wash, rather than the number of people in your household alone. ADEME recommends matching capacity to your needs to avoid running extra cycles with underfilled drums.
The width, depth and available clearance can determine whether a front-loading or top-loading model will fit in your home. Que Choisir Ensemble advises checking the overall dimensions and the clearance needed.
You compare spin noise, water and electricity use on the energy label, while remembering that these reference figures won’t match every cycle. The European Commission explains the information shown on washing machine energy labels.
First, check that the capacity and dimensions suit your laundry needs and available space. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that meets your needs. Then compare the energy-label figures, which are based on a reference cycle defined by the European Commission.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Getting the capacity right | Estimate the size of your usual loads and check the load limits for the programmes you plan to use. | I want to combine my laundry without regularly leaving a large drum half empty. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits the amount of laundry they actually wash. |
| Dimensions and installation | Measure the space and delivery route; check the clearance needed for the lid or door and for the connections. | If space is tight, I need to know whether the machine will fit and whether its door or lid can open without obstruction. Around 27% of consumers prioritise being able to install the machine. |
| Water and electricity use | Compare kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle using the same energy-label basis. | Once I’ve found models that suit my household, I want to compare water and electricity use on a like-for-like basis. Around 20% of consumers put these figures first. |
| Spin performance and noise | Check the spin-drying efficiency class and noise level during spinning; check whether spin speeds are restricted on certain programmes. | If the machine is near a room in use, I check the noise and spin-drying efficiency rather than relying on the maximum revolutions per minute alone. Around 20% of consumers make this their priority. |
ADEME says a 7 kg washing machine is usually enough, but this isn’t a universal limit. If the capacity is too large for your usual loads, the drum may often be underfilled.
Start with the amount of laundry you actually wash, and choose a larger capacity if your loads or bulky items make it worthwhile.
A top-loading model may need less width, but its lid must be able to open. A front-loading model needs space in front of the door. Checking the machine’s dimensions alone won’t tell you whether it can be moved into position.
Measure the delivery route, the space available, the openings and the connections before choosing a model. Check the instructions for the exact model, too.
The PerfectCare 600 EW6T1265CA top-loading model is an example of an option for a narrow space. Electrolux lists a width of 400 mm and a capacity of 6 kg.
The Series 4 WAN2827FFR front-loading washing machine is an example of an 8 kg model with a maximum advertised spin speed of 1,400 rpm.
The LG F94N14SLS front-loading model is a 9 kg option to consider if that capacity suits your usual loads.
The WW80CGC04DAHEF front-loading washing machine has a listed capacity of 8 kg and dimensions of 600 × 850 × 550 mm, according to Samsung.
This selection features front-loading washing machines with capacities from 7 to 12 kg, so you can compare capacities and stated energy and water use against your household’s laundry needs.
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For everyday laundry loads of up to 7 kg, this capacity is in line with ADEME’s general guidance, though it isn’t a rule for every household.
The Joybuy product listing gives it an A energy rating, a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm, a B spin-drying efficiency class, 40 kWh per 100 cycles, 44 L per cycle and 72 dB during spinning. Listed dimensions: 59.8 × 84.8 × 59 cm.
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Consider this model if an 8 kg capacity suits your usual loads and you have enough depth for it.
The Joybuy product listing gives it an A energy rating, a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm, a B spin-drying efficiency class, 33 kWh per 100 cycles, 38 L per cycle and 72 dB during spinning. Listed depth: 470 mm.
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A 12 kg capacity is worth considering if you regularly wash large or frequent loads of this size. ADEME recommends avoiding drums that are regularly underfilled.
The Joybuy product listing gives it an A energy rating, a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm, a B spin-drying efficiency class, 44 kWh per 100 cycles, 45 L per cycle and 72 dB during spinning.
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A 9 kg capacity may suit you if it matches the amount of laundry you actually wash. Check that you have enough depth for this model, too.
The Joybuy product listing gives it an A energy rating, a maximum spin speed of 1,600 rpm, an A spin-drying efficiency class, 44 kWh per 100 cycles, 48 L per cycle and 72 dB during spinning. Listed dimensions: 84.7 × 59.7 × 66 cm.
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Worth comparing if a 9 kg capacity suits your usual loads and the machine’s dimensions fit your space.
The Joybuy product listing gives it an A energy rating, a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm, a B spin-drying efficiency class, 44 kWh per 100 cycles, 50 L per cycle and 72 dB during spinning. The Eco 40–60 programme is listed at 3 h 48; dimensions: 60 × 85 × 55 cm.
No. These circumstances alone don’t determine how many kilograms of capacity you need. Count the loads you separate and actually wash each week, as well as any bulky items, then check the load limits for the programmes you’re considering. ADEME’s guideline that 7 kg is enough “most of the time” isn’t a rule for every household.
Measure the space, the route the machine will take, the clearance needed to open the door or lid, and the room available for the water and waste connections. Check the installation instructions for the exact model for details on connecting it, levelling it and preparing it for first use. The dimensions of a different model aren’t enough.
No. The energy-label comparison figures are based on the Eco 40–60 programme and won’t exactly predict the consumption of every programme or load. The European Commission gives electricity and water consumption figures on this basis; compare the models you’re considering using the same data.
When you buy from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity is provided by the seller under the conditions set out by law. The DGCCRF states that it applies for two years from the date the goods are delivered. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition says that the durability index has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025. It covers criteria such as parts availability and repairability, but doesn’t guarantee the lifespan of any particular appliance.
Follow the instructions for your model when cleaning the filter, carrying out general cleaning and running maintenance cycles. For the F94N14SLS, LG recommends cleaning the drum monthly. This guidance is specific to that model’s documentation and doesn’t automatically apply to every washing machine.