Choose a capacity based on the amount of dry laundry your household actually builds up between washes, rather than assuming that a larger drum will be more economical. ADEME advises against half-loads. To compare the capacities that suit you, look at the energy label figures, spin performance and dimensions of the front-loading, top-loading or washer-dryer you’re considering.
If you regularly put a wash on without having a full load, compare the machine’s capacity with the dry laundry you build up between washes. ADEME advises against half-loads, while UFC-Que Choisir notes that a machine with an unsuitable capacity can use more energy or mean you need to do more washes.
If the moisture left in your laundry after washing affects how you dry it, check the spin-drying efficiency class as well as the stated spin speed. Also check the spin noise level if the machine will be near a living area.
If the available width or access to the appliance limits your choice, a top-loading washing machine may be worth considering. However, check its dimensions alongside its capacity and the space needed to open it.
Start with your usual dry laundry load, then compare the machines that suit it based on your available space and how you dry your laundry. The energy and water figures on the label help you compare models for the stated usage, but they don’t describe every cycle you might run.
Worth considering: if there’s enough room to open the door and you want to choose a capacity that suits your usual loads.
Keep in mind: check the width, depth and clearance needed for your chosen appliance, rather than relying on the capacity figure alone.
Worth considering: if width is limited or you prefer loading from the top; the Electrolux EW7T3733BA is one example of this style, with a stated width of 400 mm.
Keep in mind: you’ll need clear space above the machine to open the lid. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the top-loading models in its review have a maximum capacity of 8 kg.
Worth considering: if you’d also like to dry your laundry in the same appliance and its drying capacity suits your loads.
Keep in mind: compare the capacity and label figures for washing alone and for the full wash-and-dry cycle separately; they aren’t interchangeable.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and loading | Compare the rated capacity, expressed in kg of dry laundry, with your usual loads and the larger loads you wash from time to time. | If my laundry basket takes a while to fill, I want to avoid lightly loaded cycles without having to split my larger washes. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this balance of capacity. |
| Spin performance and drying | Check the spin-drying efficiency class and the noise level in dB, not just the maximum speed in rpm. | When I dry laundry indoors, the amount of moisture left after spinning matters more to me, but I can’t ignore the noise. This would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Dimensions and access | Measure the available width, depth and height, then allow for the space needed to open the machine. | In a tight space, I need to be able to install the machine and access the laundry while still having a useful capacity. Around 25% of consumers would put this space constraint first. |
A capacity that’s too large for the amount of laundry you build up can lead to lightly loaded cycles; one that’s too small may mean you need to do several washes. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a larger drum doesn’t automatically mean lower energy use.
Estimate your usual dry laundry loads before comparing capacities, then check the energy and water figures for the models that suit you.
You can’t judge two appliances by their energy rating alone. Capacity, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, the Eco 40-60 programme duration and noise level also matter when choosing.
Check the label for the exact model and scan its QR code to view the corresponding information in the European EPREL register.
The number of revolutions per minute alone doesn’t tell you how much water will remain in your laundry. The spin-drying efficiency class is based on residual moisture measured in accordance with the European labelling protocol.
If you dry laundry indoors, compare this class as well as the spin noise level. Check the weighted residual moisture figure in EPREL if it’s listed.
For a washer-dryer, the capacity and energy and water use for a complete cycle may differ from those for washing alone.
Check both sets of figures on the label and make sure the stated drying capacity suits the laundry you want to dry in the machine.
Two 7 kg front-loading models to consider if this capacity suits your loads: the WGE02203FR and WAN28217FF.
According to Electrolux France, the top-loading EW7T3733BA combines a 7 kg capacity with a width of 400 mm.
The front-loading WEA125 WCS 8kg Active is worth considering if your loads call for an 8 kg capacity.
This Joybuy selection includes front-loading models with different capacities, a top-loader and a washer-dryer. For each one, start with your usual load, then check the label for the exact model and the dimensions needed for installation.
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Worth considering if your usual washes suit a 7 kg capacity.
The product listing states a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm and an A energy rating; also check the spin-drying efficiency class on the model’s label.
Check the depth and allow clearance for the door before installation.
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Top loading may be a good option if a front-loading door is difficult to access. Make sure 6 kg is also enough for your larger washes.
The product listing states a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm. If the machine will be near a living area, compare its spin-drying efficiency class and noise level on the label.
Allow enough space to open the appliance’s lid.
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Worth considering if you’d like to wash and dry in the same appliance, provided your loads suit its separate capacities.
The listing states 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so a full-capacity wash load won’t fit within the stated drying capacity.
Compare the label figures for washing alone and for the complete cycle separately, then check the space needed for installation.
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This capacity may suit you if you regularly have larger loads or leave longer between washes. Compare it with your usual laundry basket to avoid having a drum that’s often only partly full.
The product listing states a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm and an A energy rating. If you plan to tumble-dry your laundry afterwards, also check the spin-drying efficiency class.
Measure the available depth and allow for clearance before installation.
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Worth considering if a 7 kg capacity suits the loads you build up before each wash.
The product listing states an A energy rating and a maximum spin speed of 1 200 rpm. To compare energy and spin performance, check the energy and water figures as well as the spin-drying efficiency class on the exact model’s label.
Check the dimensions needed to install it in your chosen space.
No. The rated capacity refers to the weight of dry textiles, in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and the European labelling framework. Compare it with the laundry in your basket before washing, not its weight after the cycle.
No. Put enough laundry in the drum, but leave room for it to move around. ADEME advises against half-loads, which use less water but the same amount of electricity.
No. Also check the spin-drying efficiency class, which is based on residual moisture under the European labelling framework. The noise level in dB also matters if the appliance will be used near living areas.
First compare their washing capacities, then check the figures for the complete cycle separately if you plan to use the built-in dryer. The European EPREL register lists these two uses separately. For the Siemens WN54G2A8NL listed there, the stated capacity is 10,5 kg for washing and 6 kg for the complete cycle; these figures don’t apply to other models.
Check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, Eco 40-60 programme duration, spin-drying efficiency class and noise level, as listed under the European labelling requirements. Scan the label’s QR code to find the information for that model in EPREL.