If your washing machine is near a bedroom or living area, first compare the spin-cycle noise emissions listed on the energy label for the exact model, as recommended by ADEME. Then check that its dimensions and capacity suit your needs, and that it can be installed level on a stable floor. A design described as anti-vibration or a set of pads won’t make up for an incorrect installation.
If someone sleeps or rests next to the machine while it’s running, the stated spin-cycle noise is a useful first filter. The noise class can help you compare models, but it doesn’t tell you on its own how much noise you’ll hear in the bedroom. ADEME recommends checking the energy label, while UFC-Que Choisir reports mixed views on spin-cycle noise among respondents to its survey.
If your washing machine opens onto a living area, compare the spin-cycle dB(A) rating for the exact model and make sure it can be installed securely. LG and Electrolux’s installation guidance stresses the importance of a hard, level floor and a machine that doesn’t rock.
The space available may limit the machine’s size and door-opening style. Measure the space and check access to the connections before comparing models by noise level. You should also choose a capacity that suits your usual loads, as ADEME recommends.
For a machine near a space where people rest, check the spin-cycle noise first, followed by the installation requirements. Then narrow down your options to models whose size and capacity suit the available space and your usual laundry loads.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Spin-cycle noise | Compare the dB(A) ratings and noise emission classes on the energy labels for the models you’re considering, at a similar capacity and spin speed. | When a bedroom is next to the washing machine, the main concern is hearing the spin cycle while resting; around 36% of consumers rank this noise as their top priority. |
| Installation stability | Check the instructions for floor requirements and how to adjust the feet. You’ll also need to remove the transit bolts during installation. | In an open-plan room, shaking and knocking noises can be disruptive even if the stated noise level seems suitable. Stability is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size | Measure the space, the door opening and access to the connections, then check the clearance required in the instructions. | If there’s limited room to open and load the machine in your bathroom, finding a model that fits comes before other criteria for around 21% of consumers. |
| Capacity | Choose a capacity that suits your usual loads, and check the spin-drying efficiency stated for the model. | A larger drum may not be useful if your household washes smaller loads. Around 14% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits the way they do their laundry. |
A marketing claim is no substitute for comparing specific models. ADEME recommends checking the energy label to compare factors including noise and spin performance.
Check the dB(A) rating and noise class for the model on sale, then compare them with machines of a similar capacity and spin speed.
LG and Electrolux’s installation guidance warns that a machine that rocks or sits on an unsuitable floor may vibrate during the spin cycle.
Before the first cycle, follow the instructions on choosing a location, removing the transit bolts and adjusting the feet. Also make sure the hoses aren’t knocking against the machine.
Electrolux describes its anti-vibration pads as a stabilising accessory, but they’re no substitute for a suitable floor or properly adjusted feet.
First make sure the machine doesn’t rock, then check that the pads are compatible with its feet, your floor and the manufacturer’s instructions.
A larger capacity won’t necessarily meet the needs of a small home. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that suits the amount of laundry you actually wash, rather than running several cycles with an underfilled drum.
Work out the size of your usual loads before comparing the spin-cycle noise of models with a suitable capacity.
The brand offers the W7X 89E SILENCE FR washing machine, which may be worth considering if you’re looking for a model designed with quieter spin cycles in mind.
The WAJ28057FF is a 7 kg front-loading washing machine with a 1,400 rpm spin speed. It may be worth considering if stability features are among your priorities.
LG’s installation guidance can help you prepare a space for a washing machine near a quiet room.
The brand provides stability guidance and offers anti-vibration pads to consider alongside a correctly installed machine.
Check the spin-cycle noise level and its class on the energy label or product information for the exact model. ADEME recommends using the energy label to compare factors such as noise and spin-drying efficiency. Bear in mind that these figures don’t describe vibrations transmitted through your floor.
No. The noise class helps you compare stated emissions, but it doesn’t guarantee silence in a neighbouring room. The floor, levelling and how the laundry is distributed can also affect the vibrations and noise you experience, as LG and Electrolux’s installation guidance points out.
No. First adjust the machine so it’s stable on a suitable floor, following the instructions. If you’re considering pads as a further step, check their dimensions and compatibility. Electrolux describes them as an additional accessory, not a fix for an unstable installation.
No. The durability index is another factor to consider when choosing a washing machine, but it doesn’t measure spin-cycle noise. According to the French ministry responsible for ecology, it has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines in France since 8 April 2025. Compare noise levels separately using the energy label.