Choose a capacity based on how much laundry your household actually builds up between washes, rather than just the size of your duvets. Que Choisir says that 8 to 9 kg is generally enough for a household of three to four people; 10 to 12 kg is worth considering if you regularly wash load after load, including larger items. If bulky items are only an occasional requirement, choosing a machine suited to everyday use and washing those items elsewhere can help you avoid having a drum that is rarely full.
If everyday laundry means you need to run cycles close together, compare the capacity with the loads you usually build up. Que Choisir suggests considering a larger capacity if you regularly wash load after load, without choosing a drum that would often be only partly full.
If you regularly wash large items at home, check that there is enough room for them to move around and look at the load limit for the programme you plan to use. Que Choisir points out that the stated capacity does not apply equally to all fabrics.
If a duvet is the main reason you are considering a larger drum, weigh up how often you would use it against the option of using a suitable laundry service. You can then choose a household machine sized for the laundry you wash most often.
Worth considering: you do laundry regularly, but very large items are rare. Que Choisir puts the typical need for a household of three to four people at around 8 to 9 kg.
Limitation: a duvet or a particularly large load may exceed the limit for the relevant programme.
Worth considering: you do load after load and regularly wash large loads; in this case, 10 to 12 kg may be a good fit.
Limitation: a drum that is often half full will not automatically use less energy, as ADEME points out.
Worth considering: only a few occasional items would justify buying a machine much larger than you need for everyday use.
Drawback: you will need to arrange transport and organise washing them separately.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of cycles | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual loads and check that there is room in the drum for the laundry to move around. | When everyday laundry builds up quickly, I want to cut down on extra loads without leaving a large drum nearly empty. Around 42% of consumers would put this first. |
| Regular large loads | Check the load limits for the programmes you use for your fabrics, and measure the space available for the machine. | If I often wash sheets and throws at home, I need them to fit in the drum without restricting movement. This would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Occasional extra-large items | Consider how often you really wash them and whether there is a suitable laundry service nearby. | If I only wash a duvet occasionally, I would rather look at another option than size all my washing around it. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
A higher capacity does not automatically mean lower energy use. ADEME says that a half load can use as much electricity as a full load.
Keep track of the size of your everyday loads and how often you wash larger items for a few weeks before deciding between 8–9 kg and 10–12 kg.
Load limits vary depending on the fabric and programme. For a machine rated at 8 kg, Que Choisir gives lower limits for some synthetic, denim and wool programmes.
Check the manual for the permitted load on the programmes you plan to use, especially before relying on the machine to wash a large item.
Machines with similar capacities can have different depths. The appliance also needs to fit through doors, corridors and lifts on the way to its installation spot.
Check the dimensions of the model you have chosen, the required clearance and the delivery route, including with the packaging on.
The rating does not tell you everything about the stated consumption for the Eco 40-60 programme, water use per cycle, cycle duration, noise or whether the capacity suits your loads.
Compare these details on the label and product information sheet for each model, then check the durability index that applies in France.
Worth considering if you are looking for a 10 kg front-loading model. Compare the specific model rather than the range as a whole.
An option to consider if you are comparing 11 kg front-loading machines and need to check the available depth carefully.
Worth considering if you are looking at a 10 kg model whose energy use and dimensions can be compared with other models.
These 10 or 11 kg models are options to consider if you regularly wash large household loads. For sheets, throws or duvets, always check the load limit for the suitable programme; the stated capacity alone is not enough to make a decision.
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Its stated 11 kg capacity is worth considering if your everyday laundry loads are regularly large.
This model is listed in energy class A. If you plan to wash a duvet, check the permitted load for the relevant programme; also measure the space and delivery route.
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Its stated 10 kg capacity may suit a household that regularly builds up large laundry loads.
The model name indicates 1,400 rpm and energy class A. If you are considering it for duvets, check the programme load limits in the manual and make sure the delivery route is suitable.
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This 11 kg capacity is worth comparing with the size of the loads your household usually washes.
This model is listed in energy class A. Check the programmes and their load limits before washing a large item, and make sure there is enough space and access for its stated depth of 68.1 cm.
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Its stated 10 kg capacity is worth considering if your household regularly fills a large washing machine.
If you plan to wash duvets, check the manual rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. Its listed depth of 658 mm should also be checked against the available space and delivery route.
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Its stated 10 kg capacity makes it worth considering for large everyday laundry loads.
The model name indicates 1,400 rpm and 16 programmes. Before planning to wash a duvet, check the programme and its load limit; also check the dimensions for installation.
No. It does not automatically apply to synthetic, denim or wool programmes. Que Choisir notes that the load limits for these fabrics are lower than the stated capacity; check the model’s manual and the programme you plan to use.
Compare the energy rating, consumption per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, Eco 40-60 programme duration, noise level and capacity. These details are more useful when both machines are suited to the loads you usually wash.
No. Under the European framework described by EUR-Lex, it is for normally soiled cotton declared suitable for washing at 40 °C or 60 °C in the same cycle. Check which programme is suitable for delicate or synthetic fabrics.
It provides another point of comparison alongside the energy label. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the durability index for washing machines has been gradually replacing the repairability index since 2025. Check the index for the model you are considering, as well as its repair options.
Measure the space where the machine will go and the entire delivery route, including doors, corridors and lifts. Check the model’s dimensions, required clearances and the space needed with the packaging on: capacity in kg alone does not tell you how much room it will take up.