When replacing a broken washing machine, first choose a format that fits the space and decide whether you need drying in the same appliance. Then size the drum to suit your usual loads: ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases, though that won’t suit every household. Finally, compare the energy label details and spin noise, and check the durability index for washing machines covered by the scheme in France.
If your old machine was rarely full, choosing the same capacity again could leave you with a drum that’s too large. ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases; use this as a guide, then compare it with the loads you actually wash.
Limited width may make a top-loading machine a better fit. If you also need to dry your laundry in the same appliance, consider a washer-dryer instead. In either case, measure the space and allow enough room to open the machine.
After a breakdown, you may want to look beyond a brand’s promises. In France, the ministry responsible for ecology describes the durability index, scored out of 10, as information that covers aspects such as the repairability and reliability of eligible products.
First, make sure the machine will fit in your space. Then use these criteria to compare models that suit your laundry loads and how you dry your clothes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Drum capacity | Match the capacity in kg to your usual loads, then check the dimensions and access to the drum. ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases, but this is only a guide and may not meet your actual needs. | If my laundry rarely fills the old machine, I don’t want to choose a large drum again out of habit. Around 27% of consumers would make finding the right capacity their priority. |
| Water and energy | Compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle on the label, bearing in mind the Eco 40-60 reference programme. For a washer-dryer, compare washing-only and wash-and-dry figures separately. | If I do laundry regularly, I want to compare consumption figures that reflect how I use the machine. Around 27% of consumers would put water and energy first. |
| Noise and spin performance | Check the spin-cycle noise in dB and the exact model’s spin-drying efficiency class. These figures relate to two different considerations: noise levels and how damp your laundry is after washing. | If the machine is near rooms in use, noise matters; if I dry clothes indoors, spin performance matters too. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise noise or spin performance. |
| Durability | For eligible washing machines sold in France, look for the durability index out of 10 and check the warranty terms separately. A score doesn’t guarantee that the machine won’t break down. | After a breakdown, I want to be able to consider whether my next appliance can be maintained or repaired. Around 26% of consumers would prioritise durability information. |
A drum that’s regularly underfilled may not be right for your household’s laundry needs. ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases, though other capacities may suit different loads.
Think about how much laundry you wash most often, then check that your chosen capacity won’t mean having to run extra cycles either.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you how much water is used or how much energy the reference programme consumes. Older A+++ ratings aren’t directly comparable with the new A to G scale.
When comparing models that meet the same needs, check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco 40-60 programme details on their labels.
The ministry responsible for ecology describes this index, scored out of 10, as a way to compare products based on factors such as repairability and reliability. It doesn’t predict that an appliance won’t break down, and it’s no substitute for a warranty.
Use it to compare similar models, then check the warranty information for the product you’re considering separately.
A top-loading washing machine needs space above the lid, while a washer-dryer is only worth considering if you need the integrated drying function. Neither format means you can skip checking the capacity and label details for the specific model.
Measure the space, allowing room to load the laundry and open the machine, before comparing models that will fit.
Beko France offers both top-loading and front-loading washing machines. Its top-loading range is a useful starting point if access from above or limited width is a key consideration.
Whirlpool France offers top-loading models and washer-dryers, two formats worth considering for different needs.
Candy’s French catalogue includes front-loading, top-loading and washer-dryer models, so you can browse according to the format you need.
These models meet three different needs: a front-loading washing machine for washing, a top-loading model if access from above suits your space, or a washer-dryer if you need both functions in one appliance.
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Worth considering if your usual loads suit a 7 kg capacity and a front-loading machine fits your space. The model name indicates an A energy efficiency class and a spin speed of up to 1,400 rpm. Also measure the available depth: the product details give a depth of 63.2 cm including the door. To compare durability, check the index that applies to this model rather than confusing it with a repairability index.
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Top-loading gives you a different way to access your laundry from a front-loading model, so check that there’s enough room to open the lid. This model has a stated capacity of 7 kg, an A energy efficiency class and a spin speed of up to 1,200 rpm. Compare the energy label details and the model’s durability index before you decide.
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Consider this if you have a genuine need to wash and dry in a single appliance. The stated capacity is 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so check that both suit your loads. ADEME says 7 kg is enough for washing in most cases; also compare the separate figures for wash-only and wash-and-dry cycles.
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Compare this 6 kg capacity with your usual laundry loads, especially if you’re replacing a larger machine. The model name indicates a B energy efficiency class and a spin speed of up to 1,400 rpm. If noise is a concern, check the stated spin-cycle noise of 79 dB(A), then make sure there’s enough clearance above the lid and check the applicable durability index.
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Another 7 kg model to consider if you want a front-loading machine. The model name indicates an A energy efficiency class and a spin speed of up to 1,200 rpm. Before comparing it with other models, check the energy label for the exact model to find its kWh per 100 cycles, water consumption and noise level. Also check the dimensions and allow room to open the door.
It’s a score out of 10 designed to provide information about the durability of eligible products, including their repairability and reliability. The ministry responsible for ecology says the index has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025. Check the index for the model you’re considering, but don’t take it as a promise that the machine won’t break down.
For a washing machine, check the energy efficiency class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, spin performance and noise level. The European Commission uses the Eco 40-60 programme as the reference for washing machines, so don’t compare its figures directly with those for a different programme. For a washer-dryer, also check the details specific to the wash-and-dry cycle.
No. A washer-dryer is mainly for when you need to wash and dry in one appliance. If your main concern is width or access to your laundry, consider top-loading models too. Measure the space and room needed to open the machine, then compare the capacity and energy label details of models that will fit.