Households short on space
If your machine needs to fit in an alcove or pass through a narrow doorway, measure the route and the space it will occupy. Remember to allow room to open the door or lid for everyday use.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Households that do laundry regularly
To keep up with your household’s laundry, start with your usual loads, then compare the stated consumption, programme times, spin performance and noise levels of the models you’re considering.
Buyers whose home makes delivery difficult
If the appliance needs to be carried upstairs or you can’t install it yourself, check whether delivery to the room, installation and removal of your old washing machine are available at your address.
Which criteria should you check first?
First rule out any machines that won’t fit through your home or can’t be opened once in place. Then compare the features that matter for your laundry and the practical details of delivery.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions and opening clearance | Measure the route and the full dimensions of the space, including connections. Allow enough clearance for the door or lid to open. | If my utility room is narrow, the machine needs to fit and open without blocking access. Around 34% of consumers would prioritise how well it fits their home. |
| Everyday laundry | Compare the capacity with your usual loads, then check the water and energy use, Eco programme duration and spin performance stated for each model. According to ADEME, 7 kg is usually enough. | When laundry piles up at home, I want a suitable capacity without choosing a drum that’s usually only partly full. Keeping everyday laundry moving would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Spin cycle and installation | Compare the stated spin noise and installation instructions. Ask which services cover access to your home, installation and removal of your old machine. | If the machine is near living areas or my home is difficult to access, I want to anticipate noise and know who will install it. These questions would come first for nearly 25% of consumers. |
| Condition of refurbished models | Check the exact model number, the stated condition, the applicable warranty and how delivery or any return would be arranged. | If I’m considering a refurbished appliance, I need to be able to check what the listing covers before relying on it for my laundry. Around 8% of consumers would put this ability to verify the details first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the biggest drum without considering your loads
A capacity beyond your usual needs may mean the drum is often only partly full; a drum that’s too small may mean more wash cycles. Capacity alone doesn’t tell you how well a model washes or rinses.
Start with the loads you wash most often. ADEME says 7 kg is usually enough; then compare the energy label information and, if needed, test results for the exact model.
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Assuming a slim design solves every space issue
A top-loader mainly needs less width, while a compact front-loader may suit a space with limited depth. Either way, you still need to allow for the door or lid to open and for the machine to pass through to its final position.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the dimensions and clearance requirements for the model you’ve chosen.
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Assuming delivery includes installation
Delivery to a point short of the room where the machine is needed won’t necessarily solve the problem of replacing a heavy appliance. Installation and removal may be separate services.
Before ordering, confirm what’s available at your address: carrying the machine upstairs, delivery to the room, installation and removal of your old appliance.
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Treating all refurbished appliances as the same
Check the condition, accessories and warranty terms for the specific appliance on offer, rather than relying on the general label ‘refurbished’.
Check the full model number, the description of its condition, the applicable warranty and the delivery and return terms for the offer you’re considering.
Brands to consider by model
These notes apply to the models and ranges listed. Check the details of the specific model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to the whole brand.
Bosch
The WAJ28057FF front-loader is worth comparing if you’re looking for a 7 kg capacity and want to consider the features advertised for stability and load management.
- Bosch lists a 7 kg capacity, 1 400 rpm spin speed, AquaStop, Active Water Plus and an AntiVibration design for this model.
- Its stated dimensions of 848 × 598 × 546 mm need to suit your space and allow the door to open. The AntiVibration name doesn’t guarantee how the appliance will perform on your floor.
Electrolux
The YW7T3713DA top-loader is worth a look if limited width makes a top-loading machine a better fit.
- Electrolux lists dimensions of 890 × 400 × 600 mm, a 7 kg capacity and an A energy rating for this model.
- The room-of-choice delivery, installation and removal mentioned by Electrolux apply to its offer. Confirm which services are available at your address and allow room for the lid to open.
Candy
Candy’s slim ranges are worth considering if depth is limited. The brand also offers top-loading models.
- The choice between a slim front-loader and a top-loader lets you focus on the dimension that’s actually a problem: depth or width.
- For each model, check the full depth, capacity, noise level and clearance needed to open it. The range name alone isn’t enough.
Joybuy washing machine rankings
In its list checked in October 2026, Joybuy ranks products by sales and number of views. The positions below preserve the rankings of the selected household washing machines in that list; they don’t compare washing or rinsing performance, or noise levels.
| Rank | Model | Features | What to consider | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHiQ JW105883G | Front-loader; 10 kg; 1 400 rpm; 16 programmes. | Compare its capacity with the loads you actually wash and check the available space before choosing this front-loader. | Joybuy |
| 3 | CHiQ JW85883G | Front-loader; 8 kg; 1 400 rpm; 16 programmes. | The 8 kg capacity gives you a useful point of comparison, but you’ll still need to check the dimensions and spin noise. | Joybuy |
| 4 | Hoover HWPD 414AMBC/1-S | Front-loader; 14 kg; 1 400 rpm; B energy rating. | A 14 kg capacity is only worth considering if your loads call for it. Also check how much space the model needs. | Joybuy |
| 6 | Samsung WW90DG6U85LBU3 | 9 kg; A energy rating; 6000 AI Wash series. | Compare its features with your household’s needs, without assuming its position in the list reflects its washing performance. | Joybuy |
| 7 | Haier Série T 7 THASN276TM6-S | Top-loader; 7 kg; 1 200 rpm; A energy rating. | A top-loader may suit a space with limited width; check that there’s enough height to open the lid. | Joybuy |
Joybuy products for replacing your washing machine
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a washing machine will really fit in my home?
Measure the space as well as the doors, corridors and turns the machine will need to pass through, then compare these measurements with the exact dimensions of the model. Allow for connections and enough room to open the door of a front-loader or the lid of a top-loader.
What capacity should I choose for everyday laundry?
Choose a capacity to suit the loads you wash most often, rather than always looking for the biggest drum. ADEME says 7 kg is usually enough; your usual loads are still the best guide when choosing the right capacity.
How can I compare spin noise and vibration?
Compare the stated spin noise levels on the energy labels of the models you’re considering. A brand’s advertised anti-vibration feature doesn’t replace checking that your floor is stable and following the installation instructions for the appliance.
Does delivery include carrying the machine upstairs and installing it?
Don’t assume it does: ask for confirmation of the services available for your address, floor and access arrangements. Electrolux lists room-of-choice delivery, installation and removal on request for one offer checked, but these services may not apply to another order.
What should I check before choosing a refurbished washing machine?
Check the full model number, stated condition, accessories, applicable warranty and how the appliance will be delivered and, if necessary, returned. These details should match the specific offer you’re considering.