When replacing your washing machine, start by choosing a capacity that suits your usual loads and a format that leaves enough room to load it: a top-loader is mainly suited to narrow spaces, while a slimline front-loader is a better fit when depth is limited. Then compare models using the figures for the Eco 40-60 programme and, for a new appliance sold in France, check the durability rating for the exact model reference.
If you use your current machine regularly, compare each model’s capacity with your usual loads rather than relying on household size alone. ADEME says that 7 kg is often enough for a washing machine, but this is no substitute for looking at the laundry you actually do.
The dimension in short supply will determine which format to consider: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a top-loader is typically 40 to 46 cm wide, while a slimline front-loader is designed to take up less depth. Also check how much clearance you need to open the lid or door.
The energy label lets you compare consumption on a like-for-like basis. The durability rating provides additional information about the specific appliance; neither removes the need to check capacity and installation requirements.
For a household’s regular laundry, first check the dimensions and capacity, then compare the usage and durability information for models that fit your space.
Worth considering: if there is enough width and clearance to open the door; a slimline model may suit a space with limited depth.
The trade-off: a standard front-loader generally needs more width than a top-loader, while a slimline model may have a smaller capacity.
Worth considering: if width is the main constraint and the lid can open freely. UFC-Que Choisir gives a typical width of 40 to 46 cm for top-loaders.
The trade-off: saving width won’t solve a height constraint; also check that the capacity suits your usual loads.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual loads. Measure the space, access routes and clearance for opening the door or lid. | If I regularly wash bulky loads, I want enough room in the drum without making installation impractical. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Water and electricity | On the Eco 40-60 programme label, compare kWh/100 cycles and litres/cycle separately. | For my regular laundry, I want to be able to compare water and electricity consumption like for like. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Durability and maintenance | For a new washing machine sold in France, check the durability rating for the model you have chosen and review its breakdown; also look at maintenance and warranty terms. | Before replacing a machine I use often, I want to understand what makes it easier to maintain and potentially repair. Around 25% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Cycle time and noise | Check the Eco 40-60 cycle time and spin noise level listed for each model. | When laundry has to fit around a busy schedule or is done near occupied rooms, cycle time and noise matter more. They are the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
The label shows electricity in kWh/100 cycles and water in litres/cycle. These figures cannot be added together and do not measure the same thing.
Compare each figure separately across models, using the Eco 40-60 programme as your basis.
A top-loader may fit into a narrow space but still be difficult to load if there isn’t enough clearance above the lid. Its capacity must also suit your household’s laundry.
Measure the available height, depth and access routes, then check the capacity against your usual loads.
Comparable consumption and cycle-time figures are based on the Eco 40-60 programme; a quick cycle is intended for a different use.
Look at the programmes that interest you, but use the same Eco 40-60 figures to compare two appliances.
The durability rating provides a comparative assessment. A warranty offered by a brand may cover only one component and does not promise how long the whole appliance will last.
For the model you’re considering, check the rating and its breakdown separately, then review the applicable warranty terms.
The Bosch WGH254A0FR is a front-loader with a stated capacity of 10 kg and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm. It measures 845 × 598 × 590 mm.
The Whirlpool TDLR7251FR is a 7 kg top-loader, listed as 40 cm wide, 90 cm high and 60 cm deep.
The Miele WEA125 WCS 8kg Active is a front-loader with a stated capacity of 8 kg and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm. Its product information describes under-counter or stacked installation, subject to conditions.
The Electrolux EW6S3626BM slimline front-loader combines a stated capacity of 6 kg with a depth of 411 mm.
Compare the energy class, electricity use in kWh/100 cycles, water use in litres/cycle, Eco 40-60 programme duration and spin noise on the same basis. European information on washing machine energy labelling links these figures to the reference cycle, not to a quick programme.
Yes, for the washing machines covered by the rules and sold new in France. According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the durability rating replaced the repairability rating for this category on 8 April 2025. Check the rating out of 10 for the model you’re considering, either in store or on its online product page.
No. A top-loader is mainly suited to spaces where width is limited, but you’ll need room above it to open the lid. If depth is the main constraint, compare the dimensions of a slimline front-loader and the clearance needed in front of its door.
Choose a capacity that suits the loads you actually wash and how often you wash them. ADEME says 7 kg is often enough, but check your needs for household linen before relying on this as a guide.
No. It helps you compare the durability of the models covered, but it does not guarantee the outcome of a particular breakdown. Before buying, check the rating breakdown and the information about parts and maintenance for the exact model.