If width is your main constraint, consider a top-loading washing machine, provided there’s enough room to open the lid above it. A front-loader can work if the room is around 60 cm wide and there’s enough space in front of the door. It may also suit an under-counter installation, as long as the model is compatible. Whichever type you choose, measure the delivery route, the space needed for connections and the room you’ll need to access your laundry.
If there’s little room between two walls or next to a unit, a top-loader is worth considering. Que Choisir puts the typical width at 40 to 46 cm. Make sure there’s also enough clearance to open the lid fully.
If you have around 60 cm of width to spare, a shallow front-loader could work, provided its exact dimensions and door clearance leave enough room to move around and load your laundry.
A front-loader may suit this setup, but you’ll need to check that the model you choose is designed for under-counter installation. Check its height, access to the connections and capacity against your household’s laundry needs.
Choose this if: width is your main constraint. According to Que Choisir, this type is generally 40 to 46 cm wide and doesn’t need clearance at the front to open.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough room to lift the lid, so it won’t fit under a fixed worktop.
Choose this if: you have around 60 cm of width and the model meets your capacity needs or is suitable for under-counter installation.
Bear in mind: even if a model takes up less depth, you’ll still need space in front to open the door and access your laundry.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Available width | Measure the space and the route into the room. Compare these measurements with the exact width of the model: Que Choisir gives a typical width of 40 to 46 cm for a top-loader, compared with around 60 cm for a front-loader. | If my space is too narrow for a front-loader, I want to be able to fit the machine without losing access to my laundry; around 45% of consumers put width first. |
| Depth and door clearance | Check the depth with the connections in place, then allow for the space needed in front of the door or above the lid. | If the door would get in the way, I need to be able to load the machine without blocking the walkway; depth and access are the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Capacity and fit | Compare the capacity in kg with the size of your usual loads. If you’re planning an under-counter installation, check that the model you choose is suitable. | For my usual loads or an under-counter space, I’m looking for enough capacity in a machine that fits the layout; around 22% of consumers prioritise capacity or how well the machine fits. |
A front-loader might fit in its space but leave too little room to open the door. A unit above a top-loader could stop you from opening its lid.
Mark out the machine’s position and the space needed to open it, then check the clearance above and the room for hoses using the model’s dimensions.
Having doors on a cupboard doesn’t remove the need to check the machine’s position in relation to the shower or bath. Promotelec explains that cupboard doors are considered open when assessing electrical safety zones.
If the machine is going near a water source, ask a qualified professional to check the location and electrical installation.
Saving space won’t help if the capacity isn’t right for the laundry you wash regularly, particularly bulky items.
Before deciding between a top-loader and a front-loader, compare each model’s stated capacity with the size of your usual loads.
AEG offers a range of top-loading washing machines worth considering if the available width points you towards a top-loader.
Whirlpool offers the top-loading TDLR 62667 FR and the front-loading FFBR 10489 BSV FR, two models with different space requirements.
Bosch offers front-loading washing machines designed for under-counter installation where the chosen model allows it.
The two top-loading models below are suited to spaces where width is the deciding factor. The front-loader is a better fit for a room that can accommodate its width and leave space in front of the door. Compare the dimensions of each model with your available space.
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Worth considering if width limits your options to a top-loader, provided there’s enough room to open the lid fully.
Stated capacity: 6 kg; stated spin speed: 1 400 tr/min. Check the space needed for the connections and the route into the room.
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Consider this for a space where top-loading works and there’s enough clearance above the lid.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; stated spin speed: 1 200 tr/min. Check the dimensions with the connections in place and consult the instructions for this exact model for installation guidance.
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Worth considering if your space can accommodate a front-loader and a 9 kg capacity suits your household’s laundry needs.
Stated spin speed: 1 600 tr/min. Check the depth needed with the connections in place and allow room to move around when the door is open.
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, as well as the delivery route. For a front-loader, allow room to open the door and move around in front of the machine. For a top-loader, check the clearance above the lid. Then compare your measurements with the chosen model’s dimensions and installation instructions.
No. A top-loader is mainly suited to spaces where width is limited, and it needs room above for the lid. If the room is around 60 cm wide but short on depth, consider shallow front-loaders too, while remembering to allow space in front of the door.
Check the location before choosing a model, particularly its distance from the shower or bath and the electrical installation. Promotelec says cupboard doors are considered open when assessing electrical safety zones. If you’re unsure, ask a qualified professional to check your plans.
Compare the capacity with your household’s laundry needs, then look at the available results for washing, rinsing and spinning, programme duration and energy and water use. Que Choisir uses these criteria, among others, in its French washing machine comparison. None of them replaces checking that you can access the machine in your room.