For regular laundry, start by choosing a capacity suited to your usual loads: ADEME states that a 7 kg washing machine is usually sufficient, while a larger capacity is justified if large loads are genuinely part of your routine. Then compare the exact model’s energy label, spin-cycle noise, actual dimensions and, in France, its durability rating where displayed.
You regularly wash clothes, towels and everyday laundry, and want a capacity that avoids both running multiple cycles and leaving the drum consistently underloaded. ADEME states that a 7 kg washing machine is usually sufficient if large loads are not part of your normal routine.
You may have to work with a narrow recess, limited depth, a floor that is sensitive to vibrations or neighbours nearby. A top-loading model can reduce the width required, but dimensions and noise must be checked for each model; inadequate levelling can also make vibrations worse.
You want to compare water, energy, spin performance, noise and durability before buying new or refurbished. The EU energy label and the French durability rating provide comparable benchmarks, while a refurbished appliance should have been tested and accurately described.
Start with the amount of laundry you actually wash, then check the energy label, installation requirements and durability information for the model you choose.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable capacity | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual laundry volume. Check that the label data is based on the Eco 40-60 programme. | I want to avoid running back-to-back cycles because the drum is too small, without choosing a drum that is too large for my everyday loads. ADEME states that 7 kg is usually sufficient. |
| Water and electricity | Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and the duration of the Eco 40-60 programme. Use the same basis for comparison across all models. | I want to understand consumption using comparable figures rather than general claims about saving money. |
| Spin performance and noise | Check the spin-efficiency class, noise level and noise class on the label. Also check the floor, levelling and how the laundry is distributed in the drum. | The laundry should be spun sufficiently dry while remaining suitable for use near living areas or neighbours. |
| Durability and refurbished models | Check the durability rating out of 10 where displayed, along with the warranty terms. For a refurbished model, check the condition and description of the appliance delivered. | I want to minimise the risk of premature replacement and distinguish a refurbished appliance from a straightforward second-hand offer. |
A larger drum does not mean you can ignore your everyday load sizes. ADEME recommends avoiding repeated cycles with underfilled drums and states that 7 kg is usually sufficient.
Base the capacity on your regular laundry; consider 9 or 10 kg if sheets, towels or large volumes of washing regularly feature in your routine.
Noise depends on the model’s acoustic rating, but also on installation, levelling and how the laundry is distributed. For example, a compact top-loading washing machine may be rated at 76 dB during the spin cycle.
Compare the noise level and noise class on the label, then ensure the machine is installed level on a stable floor after removing the transport bolts.
Two front-loading washing machines can have very different depths: Bosch lists 588 mm for an 8 kg model, while Electrolux lists 658 mm for a 10 kg model. An appliance that does not fit the recess properly or is unstable may increase vibrations.
Measure the installation space, delivery routes, door opening and the room needed for hoses; use the overall dimensions and installation diagram for the exact model.
According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished product must have undergone functional testing and, where necessary, been restored to good working order. This classification does not automatically apply to every second-hand appliance.
Choose a professional seller who clearly describes the actual condition, the specifications of the appliance supplied, the warranty terms and the available means of redress.
A front-loading option worth considering if you are looking for a mid-range capacity and want to check the actual space required before buying.
An option to consider when a top-loading format is preferable because width is limited.
A high-capacity front-loading option for households where large loads are genuinely frequent.
A front-loading range worth considering if you are looking for an 8 or 9 kg capacity with a spin speed of 1,400 rpm.
These Joybuy options are front-loading washing machines intended for regular household laundry.
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For regular, frequent laundry, its 7 kg capacity matches the benchmark given by ADEME for most household uses.
The product details list an A energy class, 40 kWh/100 cycles, 44 L/cycle, a B spin-efficiency class and 72 dB.
The stated overall depth is 63.2 cm: check the recess, delivery routes, clearance space and connections.
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Its stated 9 kg capacity may be suitable if large loads are genuinely part of your regular routine.
The model offers 1,400 rpm and a 530 mm drum.
Confirm the overall depth before buying, along with the full energy-label details, including water consumption, kWh/100 cycles, spin performance and noise.
Compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, reference-cycle duration, spin-efficiency class and noise level. The European Commission specifies that these figures relate to the Eco 40-60 programme, so compare models on the same basis.
Since 8 April 2025, the durability rating has applied to washing machines sold in France, according to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. This score out of 10 takes repairability and reliability into account, among other factors; check that it is displayed for the specific model and seller.
Yes. When a private individual buys a refurbished washing machine from a professional seller, it is covered by the legal guarantee of conformity, according to the DGCCRF. Also ask for a description of the technical and cosmetic characteristics of the appliance actually being sold.
Remove the transport devices, install the appliance on a hard, level floor, adjust the feet, secure the hoses and distribute the laundry evenly without overloading the drum. These checks apply to both front-loading and top-loading washing machines and may resolve excessive noise without jumping to the conclusion that there is a fault.