Households replacing an old machine
You want to compare durability ratings, repairability criteria, spare parts and maintenance before choosing your next washing machine.
Who is this guide for?
Households with frequent washing loads
You need a capacity that suits your regular loads and bulky items, while also taking programme times and routine maintenance into account.
Households short on space
You need to check not only the machine’s dimensions but also the space needed to open the door or lid before choosing between a front-loader, top-loader and washer-dryer.
Which criteria should you check first?
The type and capacity need to suit your requirements before a durability rating can help you choose between comparable appliances. In France, according to the ministry responsible for the environment, the durability rating replaced the repairability rating for the relevant front-loading and top-loading washing machines from 8 April 2025. It cannot, on its own, tell you whether a machine is right for your laundry needs.
Front-loading
Consider this if: there’s enough width and clearance to open the door, and a model with a suitable capacity will fit.
Allow for: space in front of the machine; also check its actual depth.
Top-loading
Consider this if: width is your main constraint. UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of around 40 to 46 cm for the top-loaders featured in its buying guide.
Allow for: clear access above the machine and a capacity that suits your usual loads.
Washer-dryer
Consider this if: you need to dry laundry but don’t have room for a second appliance.
Allow for: a lower drying capacity than washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Durability and repairability | Compare the rating out of 10 and its individual criteria, including spare parts, dismantling and maintenance, across models suited to your needs. | If I’m replacing an old machine, I want to check how repairable it is and find out about its spare parts before I commit. This is a top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Capacity and washing routine | Match the washing capacity in kg to your usual loads and check how long the programmes you’ll use take. | With frequent or bulky loads, I’m looking for a capacity that avoids running extra cycles without choosing a machine that’s too large for my everyday laundry. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and drying | Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the machine. For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities separately. | In a tight space, I need to be able to load the machine and decide whether I’ll genuinely use the drying function. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this constraint. |
| Maintenance and ease of use | Check how easy it is to access the parts that need maintenance, the stated spin-cycle noise level and the duration of cycles that suit your household. | If the machine runs frequently near living areas, I want its maintenance needs and noise level to fit in with everyday life. This is a priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Treating the durability rating as a guaranteed lifespan
The rating provides information about the repairability and reliability criteria for the model in question. It doesn’t predict how long the machine you receive will last, or whether it will suit your space or your loads.
First compare machines with the right type and capacity, then check the details of their ratings to understand what sets them apart.
-
Confusing washing capacity with drying capacity
With a washer-dryer, you may not be able to dry the entire load in one go. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity.
Check both capacities in kg, as well as the drying-cycle information for the model you’re considering.
If your load is larger than the drying capacity, you’ll need to split it across several cycles or dry it another way.
-
Measuring the space without allowing for the door or lid
A top-loader needs clear access from above, while a front-loader needs space in front of its door. Stacking machines also requires suitable stacking equipment.
Measure the width, height, depth, clearance and delivery access, then compare these measurements with the exact model’s dimensions.
-
Confusing a commercial warranty with your legal rights
A commercial warranty is optional and separate from the legal guarantee of conformity. The DGCCRF notes that some offers advertised as covering three years add only one year to the two-year legal period.
Compare the additional cover, exclusions and services offered with the legal rights that apply to your purchase in France.
Brands to compare
These brands are a starting point for exploring specific ranges and models, not a selection based on a rating that applies to all their products.
Bosch
Bosch offers washing machines with capacities from 7 to 10 kg in its French range and publishes information about durability ratings.
- A range of capacities makes it possible to consider models suited to different loads.
- The capacity and general information provided by the brand are no substitute for checking the rating, dimensions and maintenance requirements of the model you choose.
Miele
Miele offers both front-loading and top-loading washing machines in its French range.
- Both types let you look for a model that suits the space available for loading.
- Capacity, features and service arrangements vary by model. Compare them for the machines that fit your space.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers front-loading washing machines. For the EW6FI2914OV model, the brand says that SensiCare adjusts cycle times and consumption to the weight of the load.
- This advertised feature may be worth considering if your loads vary from one cycle to the next.
- Don’t assume that the feature is available on other models. Check their capacity, dimensions and durability rating too.
AEG
AEG is one of the brands included in UFC-Que Choisir’s satisfaction survey of washing machine owners.
- The survey can complement your research into the features of a specific model.
- A brand-level satisfaction result doesn’t tell you how noisy a particular model is, whether its spare parts are available or what its durability rating is.
Washing machines to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes front-loaders for washing and washer-dryers for households that also want to dry laundry in the same appliance. Compare the stated capacities with your loads, then check the installation dimensions and details of the applicable durability rating for each model.
Image unavailable
Hisense WF5I8043BWF, 8 kg front-loading washing machine
Worth considering if an 8 kg washing capacity suits your regular loads. The model name indicates a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an Inverter motor. Check the full dimensions, then look at the durability rating details and spare parts information before choosing.
Image unavailable
Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
Worth considering if you want to wash and dry in one appliance. The stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The title lists an energy rating of D; check which cycle it applies to, along with the dimensions, applicable durability rating and spare parts information.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EWF1410N2, 10 kg front-loading washing machine
Worth comparing if your usual loads justify a stated washing capacity of 10 kg. The title mentions steam and TimeSave features. Check the dimensions, spin-cycle noise level, access for maintenance and the details of this model’s durability rating.
Image unavailable
Roborock Zeo Lite Gray, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
Worth considering if you need to wash and dry in one appliance, bearing in mind its stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The title mentions 27 programmes, app control, automatic dosing and the LintClear system. Check how these features work, as well as the dimensions and details of the applicable durability rating.
Image unavailable
CHiQ JW105883G, 10 kg front-loading washing machine, dark grey
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a stated washing capacity of 10 kg for larger loads. The title lists a 1,400 rpm spin speed, 16 programmes and a steam function. Check the dimensions, stated consumption figures and details of the durability rating before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
What does a washing machine’s durability rating mean?
It’s a score out of 10 that combines repairability and reliability criteria, not a guaranteed lifespan. According to the ministry responsible for the environment, in France it replaced the repairability rating for the relevant front-loading and top-loading washing machines from 8 April 2025. Compare the criteria in detail across models whose type and capacity already suit your needs.
When should you choose a top-loader instead of a front-loader?
A top-loader is worth considering when width is limited and you’ll have clear access to its lid. UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of around 40 to 46 cm for this type. Still, check the dimensions and capacity of the exact model, as well as the space you’ll need to use it.
Can a washer-dryer dry an entire washing load?
Not necessarily: its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Check both figures in kg for the model you’re considering, and be prepared to split a load if it exceeds the drying capacity.
What maintenance should you check for frequent use?
Check the manual to find out how to access the parts that need maintenance and how much detergent to use for your chosen model. To plan your washing, ADEME recommends having enough laundry to fill the drum. Always follow the care instructions for your fabrics and the guidance for the programmes you use.
Does a commercial warranty replace the legal guarantee in France?
No. For a washing machine bought from a professional seller in France, an optional commercial warranty is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity. The ministry responsible for the economy states that you have two years to claim under this guarantee for both new and second-hand goods. Check exactly what the commercial offer adds and read its terms, without confusing it with your legal rights.