Start by choosing a capacity that suits the loads you wash regularly. According to ADEME, a 7 kg drum is enough for most households, but this is only a guide: consider the laundry you typically wash. A front-loading machine is a good fit if you can open the door in front of it. Consider a top-loading model if space or access is an issue, as long as there’s room to open the lid. Then compare the energy and water use, programme duration and noise levels of the specific models, along with their durability rating where applicable.
If your everyday laundry regularly fills the drum, use your usual loads as a guide when choosing a capacity that helps you avoid running extra cycles. ADEME’s 7 kg guideline suits most uses, but not every household.
If your washing machine needs to fit into a tight space or is near a living area, compare its dimensions, the clearance needed to open it and its spin noise level.
If energy and water use and durability matter to you, check the energy label and the durability rating for the specific model. They answer different questions.
Start with the load you wash most often, then check that the model you choose will fit and can be opened easily in your home. Finally, compare the specifications of models that meet both requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and how often you wash | Compare your usual loads with the stated capacity. ADEME says 7 kg is enough for most households; the occasional bulky item shouldn’t be the only factor influencing your choice. | If my usual loads won’t fit into one cycle, I want to avoid running a second one without choosing a drum that’s too large for everyday use. Capacity would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Water and electricity use | For machines with a similar capacity, compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and duration of the Eco 40-60 programme. The European Commission says this information appears on the energy label. | When I do laundry regularly, I want to look at water and electricity use rather than just the energy rating. For around 25% of consumers, energy and water use would be the main concern. |
| Fitting and noise | Measure the space available and the clearance needed in front of the door or above the lid. Compare the spin noise level stated for each model. | In a tight space or near a living area, I need to be able to open the machine easily and take its spin noise into account. These factors would be a priority for around 19% of consumers. |
| Durability and guarantees | For a new washing machine covered by French regulations, check the durability rating for the exact model. Distinguish this from your statutory guarantee rights and any commercial guarantee. | If I want to keep the appliance for a long time, I want to assess its durability without confusing the rating with my rights after purchase. Durability and guarantees would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
An item you wash occasionally may not be typical of your usual laundry. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that suits your needs to avoid running extra cycles with underfilled drums.
First, estimate the amount of laundry you usually build up before washing, then consider occasional bulky items separately.
The same energy rating doesn’t tell you how much water a cycle uses, how long it takes or how noisy the machine is. The European Commission says this information is listed separately on washing machine energy labels.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, programme duration and noise levels across models that suit your laundry load.
A top-loading machine needs space above the lid, while a front-loading model needs clear space in front of the door. So width alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a machine will fit.
Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the machine and the access route required to install it.
The rating gives information about the model in question; it doesn’t describe the rights you have if the product is faulty or not as described. A commercial guarantee is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity.
Check the rating for the exact model and read the cover and exclusions of any commercial guarantee before comparing it with your statutory rights.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated front-loading washing machines. The product information for the WGE02203FR lists a 7 kg capacity and a spin speed of 1 200 tr/min.
Electrolux offers front-loading and top-loading models, including the 8 kg front-loading EW2F6812AW and the 6 kg top-loading EW8T3653BA.
Whirlpool offers the top-loading TDLR7251FR and the front-loading FFS7469WFR, both listed with a 7 kg capacity in their respective product information.
Miele offers front-loading models in different capacities, including the WEA125 WCS 8kg Active, listed at 8 kg, and the WCR860WPS, listed at 9 kg.
Often, yes. ADEME says 7 kg is enough for most households and helps avoid running extra cycles with underfilled drums. If your usual loads are regularly bulky, base your choice on their actual size rather than the number of people in your household.
As well as the energy rating, compare energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, programme duration and noise levels. The European Commission says this information appears on the label. Compare models with a capacity that suits your laundry.
Yes, for washing machines covered by the scheme. According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the durability rating has been gradually replacing the repairability rating for this category since 8 April 2025. Check the rating for the exact model you’re considering.
In France, you can ask the retailer to honour the statutory guarantee of conformity for two years, according to the Ministry of the Economy. This protection is separate from any commercial guarantee offered with the appliance.