First, choose a washing machine that can be delivered to your home, connected up and opened in the space available. Then match its capacity to your usual laundry loads. A front-loading model is suitable if there’s enough room in front of the door; a top-loader is mainly a solution when width is limited. A washer-dryer is worth considering if you also need to dry your laundry in the same appliance. Then compare the figures on the energy label and the durability index for the exact model you’re considering. Don’t assume that a single rating tells you everything about it.
Choose a capacity based on the loads you actually wash, rather than the size of your household alone. ADEME says that a 7 kg washing machine is enough most of the time, and recommends avoiding repeated cycles with a barely filled drum.
Width alone won’t tell you whether a machine will fit: check how it opens and measure the delivery route, too. The French National Consumer Institute says that top-loading washing machines are generally 40 to 45 cm wide, but you’ll also need enough clearance above for the lid.
To compare reliability and repairability beyond a commercial warranty, check the durability index for the model on sale. According to the French government departments responsible for ecological transition, the index has applied to washing machines in France since 8 April 2025.
Start with the space available in your home and your usual laundry loads. These will determine which type and capacity are worth comparing.
| Criteria | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Space and type | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the delivery route and opening clearance. Check the water supply, drain and electrical connection. A top-loader opens upwards; a front-loader opens forwards. | I’m short on width: a top-loader could work if the lid has enough room to open freely. If I want to fit a machine under a worktop, I need to check the dimensions and the model’s installation instructions. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated capacity in kilograms with your laundry loads and how often you wash. Don’t assume a particular capacity is right just because of the size of your household. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough most of the time. | I need to fit everyday laundry and larger items without running lots of cycles or regularly washing with a barely filled drum. |
| Energy, water and noise | The European energy label includes the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, cycle duration and noise level. According to the European Commission, compare appliances of the same type using the same programme basis. | If the machine is close to a living area, I also want to check its spin noise level, not just its energy class. |
| Washing and drying | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, along with the figures for the relevant cycles. Make sure it can be installed in the same way as a washing machine. | I need to dry laundry in the same appliance: the load I want to dry must be within its drying capacity, not just its washing capacity. |
| Durability | Check the durability index for the exact model and its breakdown, if available. Treat this separately from the terms of any commercial warranty. | I want to compare reliability and repairability before choosing, without treating a promise of long life as a measure that can be compared across models. |
A large drum won’t necessarily suit your usual laundry loads. On the other hand, a machine with too little capacity could mean you have to run more cycles. ADEME says that a 7 kg washing machine is enough most of the time.
Before comparing capacities, make a note of your everyday laundry, the larger items you wash at home and how often you do the washing.
A front-loader needs space in front of its door, while a top-loader needs clearance above its lid. Even if an appliance fits in the space, it may still be difficult to get through the delivery route or connect up.
Take all the necessary measurements, then check the model’s manual for clearance and connection requirements.
If the space isn’t ready, plumbing, electrical or carpentry work may be needed. Electrolux’s pre-installation guide says its installers don’t carry out this work.
The energy class alone doesn’t tell you about water consumption, cycle duration or noise. The European Commission lists these separately on washing machine energy labels.
Compare the full label using the same programme basis, especially if spin noise matters where you plan to install the machine.
A brand’s claim or a commercial warranty is no substitute for the durability index that applies to the model on sale in France.
Check the rating for the exact model, and read the duration, terms and exclusions of any commercial warranty separately.
These models highlight features to check against your installation requirements; they aren’t representative of every washing machine made by each brand.
Electrolux France lists the front-loading EWF1014A2 as having a 10 kg capacity, a depth of 658 mm and an A energy class.
Miele France lists the front-loading WEA125 WCS Active as having an 8 kg capacity and a spin speed of 1 400 rpm.
Whirlpool France lists the BI WMWG 9146 FR as a built-in front-loading model with a 9 kg capacity, measuring 59,5 cm wide, 81,5 cm high and 54,5 cm deep.
This selection includes a top-loader, front-loading models and a washer-dryer. Compare each model against the space available and your usual laundry loads. For the washer-dryer, also consider whether its integrated drying function meets your needs.
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Worth considering if limited width makes a top-loading model a better fit. The product information lists a 6 kg capacity, 1 400 rpm spin speed and B energy class. Check that the lid can open fully and that the capacity suits your laundry loads.
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This 10 kg front-loader is worth comparing if your usual laundry loads call for this capacity. The product listing states a spin speed of 1 400 rpm and A energy class. Remember to measure the space and delivery route, too.
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Consider this model if you want to wash and dry in one appliance. It has a stated washing capacity of 11 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. Compare the figures for the cycle you plan to use and choose your loads accordingly.
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Consider its 7 kg capacity in relation to your regular laundry loads. The product listing states a spin speed of 1 400 rpm and A energy class. Check the installation requirements in the manual and look up the durability index for the model on sale.
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This 9 kg model is worth considering if the capacity suits your usual laundry loads. The product listing states a spin speed of 1 600 rpm. Before choosing, check the total depth, connections and clearance in front of the door.
First, check that the machine can be brought through to its intended position, will fit there and can be opened to load your laundry. Also check the water supply, drain and electrical connection. Electrolux’s pre-installation guide says its installers don’t carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
No: it’s mainly a solution when width is limited. The French National Consumer Institute says that top-loading models are usually 40 to 45 cm wide, but you’ll need room above for the lid to open and should check that the capacity suits your household’s laundry loads.
Look beyond the A to G rating: the European Commission says the label also shows information such as kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, cycle duration and noise level. Compare appliances of the same type on the same basis.
Compare the index for the exact model and check the breakdown of its criteria, if available. Don’t confuse it with a commercial warranty. According to the French government departments responsible for ecological transition, the durability index has replaced the repairability index for the washing machines concerned since 8 April 2025.
Yes, provided the location and electrical installation meet the applicable requirements. Promotelec specifies, among other things, installation beyond zone 2, earthing and a circuit protected by a 30 mA residual current device. Have the location checked before installation.