Choose a capacity based on your usual loads rather than the number of people in your household alone. According to ADEME, 7 kg is enough for most households, while an oversized drum could regularly run without being full. If you often wash bulky items, it’s worth considering an 8 or 9 kg front-loader if you have room for the door to open. Where width is limited, a top-loader may be a better fit. Then compare the energy and water consumption, spin noise and durability rating of the models you’re considering.
If clothes, towels and bedding for several people often fill your laundry basket, compare the machine’s capacity with the loads you actually wash at home. ADEME recommends avoiding both unnecessary extra cycles and drums that are regularly underfilled.
If width or door clearance is an issue, the machine’s shape matters just as much as its capacity. Que Choisir says top-loading washing machines are generally 40 to 46 cm wide. Remember to check how much clearance you’ll need above the appliance, too.
If you do laundry frequently or your machine is close to living areas, compare water and electricity use, along with spin noise, in the product specifications. The durability rating gives you another way to compare appliances that suit your usual loads.
Worth considering: if you regularly wash bulky loads and have enough width and clearance in front of the door.
Bear in mind: the 8 or 9 kg models mentioned by Bosch, Miele and Electrolux only make sense if your loads regularly fill that extra capacity.
Worth considering: if width is limited or easy access to the drum is a priority. According to Que Choisir, these models are generally 40 to 46 cm wide.
Bear in mind: check the capacity and the clearance above the lid. The Whirlpool TDLR 6247 FR/N, given here as an example, has a capacity of 6 kg.
Whichever type of door you choose, start with the laundry you wash most often, then check that the models fit your space and compare the information on their energy labels.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual loads, particularly bedding and towels. | When laundry from several people builds up, I want to avoid running another wash for items that won’t fit. Around 33% of consumers would make capacity their top priority. |
| Space and access | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the door and move the appliance through during delivery. | In a narrow room, I need to be able to install the machine and access the drum without blocking the way. Space would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Energy and water use, and noise | Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and spin noise in dB(A) across similar appliances. | If I do laundry frequently or the machine is close to living areas, I keep an eye on water and electricity use, as well as noise. Around 25% of consumers would make these their priority. |
| Durability | Compare the durability rating out of 10 and check how the score is broken down, where this information is available. | For an appliance that’s used regularly, I want to take reliability and repairability into account. These would be the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
A capacity that’s too small can mean more wash cycles; one that’s too large may leave the drum regularly underfilled. ADEME points out that 7 kg is enough for most households.
Before choosing a capacity, think about the size of your regular loads and the bulky items you actually wash at home.
A front-loader needs room in front of the door, while a top-loader needs enough overhead clearance to open. The appliance’s width isn’t the only space requirement to consider.
Before you order, also measure the depth, check doorways and the delivery route, and note where the connections are.
The label also lets you compare water use per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles. Noise information matters too if the spin cycle could disturb anyone in your household.
Compare these figures across similar appliances. Standardised figures don’t necessarily reflect the consumption of a quick or customised programme.
A motor warranty covers a specific component subject to its terms, while a manufacturer’s stated testing period isn’t independent proof of how long the appliance will last. According to ADEME and the French ministry responsible for the environment, the French durability rating combines repairability and reliability criteria.
Compare the rating out of 10 for the models you’re considering, and check the warranty terms separately.
Worth considering if regular loads call for a 9 kg front-loader and you have enough space for it.
Worth considering if the available width makes a top-loader a better fit.
Worth considering among 8 kg front-loaders if that capacity suits the laundry you wash regularly.
Worth considering if you need a 9 kg front-loader for a mix of regular and smaller loads.
Choose a capacity based on the size of the loads you actually wash, not just the number of people in your household. According to ADEME, 7 kg is enough for most households. If bedding and towels regularly mean you have to split a load, consider larger capacities, but don’t forget to check you have enough space.
Compare the energy rating with the kWh per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity, spin performance and noise information. These figures let you compare models on a standardised basis, but they don’t show exactly how much each programme you use at home will consume.
It helps you compare the repairability and reliability of eligible washing machines using a score out of 10. According to ADEME, the rating has applied to washing machines since April 2025. Check the score breakdown when comparing appliances that meet your capacity and usage needs.
It may be a good choice if width is your main constraint. According to Que Choisir, these appliances are generally 40 to 46 cm wide. However, check how much room you need to open the lid, as well as the depth and capacity. A front-loader may suit a different room layout.
Load the machine according to its capacity and the programme, without overloading the drum. ADEME also recommends using the right amount of detergent and washing at a low temperature when the garment care instructions allow it.