Start by choosing a capacity that suits the laundry you actually accumulate between washes. According to ADEME, 7 kg is usually enough, but regularly larger loads may call for more. Then compare energy and water consumption on a like-for-like basis, along with spin performance and noise levels. If you’re buying a new front- or top-loading washing machine in France, check its durability rating and the criteria behind it too.
You regularly build up a lot of laundry and want a capacity that helps you avoid running extra cycles, without leaving the drum only partly filled most of the time. ADEME says 7 kg is usually enough, so use the size of your typical load as a benchmark before opting for more.
If you wash frequently, compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle shown for the Eco 40-60 programme. These figures on the energy label let you compare machines on the same basis, but don’t assume your usual programmes will use the same amount.
The space available and how easily you can access your laundry may point you towards a front- or top-loading machine. If you’re considering a washer-dryer, check how much it can wash and dry in a single cycle too: this may be less than its washing capacity.
Start with the size of your loads and the space available: these two factors determine which formats are worth comparing. Then check the energy label, spin performance and, for eligible new front- and top-loading machines in France, the durability rating.
Consider one if: you have enough space in front of the machine to open the door and regularly wash loads that make its capacity worthwhile.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space to open the door; a large drum won’t offer much benefit if your loads are usually small.
Consider one if: loading from the top works better for your space.
Bear in mind: check that the capacity of your chosen model suits your usual loads; the Beko top-loaders mentioned here have a capacity of 6.5 kg.
Consider one if: you need to wash and then dry loads that fit both of the machine’s capacities.
Bear in mind: you may need to split a washed load before drying it. Bosch lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg wash-and-dry capacity for the WNA144V0FR.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity in kg with the laundry you accumulate between washes, rather than relying solely on the number of people in your household. | If my loads often fill the basket, I want to wash them together without running extra cycles or choosing a drum that’s rarely full; around 33% of consumers put the right capacity at the top of their list. |
| Water and electricity | On the energy label, compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the Eco 40-60 programme, choosing machines that suit your loads. | If I wash several times a week, I want to compare water and electricity use on the same basis; around 27% of consumers reportedly share this priority. |
| Durability | For eligible new front- or top-loading machines in France, check the durability rating out of 10 and the details of its repairability and reliability criteria. | Before buying a machine for frequent use, I want to look at repair options and reliability; around 20% of consumers reportedly make this their priority. |
| Format and usage | Measure the available space and check the door opening; for a washer-dryer, distinguish between the washing capacity and the wash-and-dry capacity. Check the spin performance and noise levels too. | If space or drying in the same machine guides my choice, I need to be happy with the limitations of that format; around 20% of consumers reportedly put this need first. |
A larger capacity is only useful if your regular loads call for it. ADEME says 7 kg is usually enough and advises against running cycles with a drum that isn’t sufficiently full.
Look at how much laundry you accumulate between washes before comparing 7, 8 or 9 kg capacities.
The figures on the energy label relate to a reference programme; they won’t necessarily reflect each of your cycles. The European Commission also distinguishes between washing and wash-and-dry figures on washer-dryer labels.
Compare machines that meet the same needs, and check the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the same type of cycle on each one.
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can wash and dry in one go. For example, Bosch lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg capacity for the wash-and-dry cycle on the WNA144V0FR.
Check both capacities for the model you’re considering, and make sure its wash-and-dry capacity suits the loads you actually want to dry.
If a load exceeds the wash-and-dry capacity, you may need to take some laundry out and dry it in more than one go.
For eligible new front- and top-loading washing machines in France, the Ministry of the Economy says the durability rating has covered repairability and reliability since 8 April 2025. The energy rating doesn’t tell you about either of these.
Check the score and its breakdown alongside capacity, consumption, spin performance and noise levels.
Two Bosch models illustrate different options: a front-loader for washing and a washer-dryer for loads that suit a combined cycle.
The EW2F7144AN front-loader is an example of a mid-range capacity model whose declared consumption figures can be compared using the energy label.
The BTL1WFP10652FR and TB6521PENERGYSPINFR top-loaders are worth considering if loading from the top suits your space.
The WQ 1000 WPS Nova Edition front-loader is an example of a 9 kg model whose spin performance and energy-label figures can be compared.
Choose a capacity that suits the loads you actually accumulate, rather than automatically opting for a large drum. According to ADEME, 7 kg is usually enough. If your loads are regularly larger, compare higher capacities while keeping in mind how full the drum usually is.
Yes, for eligible front- and top-loading washing machines. The Ministry of the Economy says the durability rating has replaced the repairability rating since 8 April 2025. Its score out of 10 covers repairability and reliability, so check the breakdown of the criteria rather than just the overall score.
Start by checking the capacity and features that suit your needs, then look at the energy label. For eligible new front- or top-loading machines in France, the Ministry of the Economy says the durability rating must appear near the price, with details accessible from the same page.
Not necessarily: the wash-and-dry capacity may be lower than the washing capacity. Bosch lists 9 kg for washing and 5 kg for wash-and-dry on the WNA144V0FR. Compare these two figures separately for each model you’re considering.
Spin performance matters if you want to reduce the time your laundry takes to dry, while noise levels are worth checking if the machine may run at times when it could disturb you. ADEME recommends checking the spin-drying efficiency class and noise level on the energy label, as well as the capacity and consumption figures.