Who are these options for?

Households with limited kitchen space

You’re replacing your washing machine without changing the worktop or kitchen units. Measure the available height, width and depth, and allow room for the hoses and the door to open.

Households fitting out a fitted kitchen

If the washing machine needs to go inside a kitchen unit, check whether you need an integrated model or a freestanding front-loader that simply sits beneath the worktop. Also check the requirements for fitting a furniture door, if needed.

Smaller households mindful of capacity and running costs

Once you’ve confirmed the dimensions and installation requirements, choose a capacity that suits your usual loads of laundry. Then compare the water and energy use, spin performance and noise figures on the energy label. ADEME recommends matching capacity to your household’s needs.

What should you check before buying?

To install a washing machine beneath an existing kitchen worktop, first check the usable space and type of installation, then the connections. Capacity and running-cost figures can help you choose between models that fit.

What to consider What to check Who this matters to
Overall dimensions and door clearance Compare the appliance’s three dimensions with the available space, and check that there’s room for the door to open. If I’m replacing an appliance without moving the kitchen units, it needs to fit in the space and let me load the laundry without difficulty. Around 31% of consumers put dimensions at the top of their list.
Type of installation Check the instructions to see whether the model is integrated or whether its top can be removed for installation beneath a worktop. Make sure it’s compatible with the kitchen unit. I want the washing machine to fit the way my kitchen is designed, with a furniture door if needed. This type of installation is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Connections and installation Locate the water supply, waste outlet and socket, then check their positions against the model’s installation diagram. If the connections are behind a narrow space, I want to avoid trapping the hoses or blocking access. Around 23% of consumers prioritise these installation requirements.
Capacity and running costs Choose a capacity that suits your usual loads, then compare water and energy use, spin performance and noise on the energy label. Once I’ve confirmed there’s enough space, I’m looking for a capacity that suits my laundry needs and figures I can compare. This comes first for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Checking only the stated height

    The washing machine might fit beneath the worktop but leave too little room for the hoses at the back or for the door to open at the front. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the need for clearance in front of a front-loading appliance.

    Measure the space and the clearance around it, then compare them with the installation diagram for the model you’re considering.

  • Assuming every washing machine has a removable top

    A front-loading design doesn’t necessarily mean that the top can be removed. Bosch offers this feature for a specific range of models designed to fit beneath a worktop, not across its entire washing machine range.

    Choose this option only if the manufacturer explicitly approves under-worktop installation for that exact model, and follow the instructions.

  • Confusing integrated models with freestanding models under a worktop

    An integrated model is designed for a suitable cavity or kitchen unit. A freestanding front-loader placed beneath a worktop may not meet the same requirements for the front of the unit.

    Decide whether you need a furniture door, then check the required installation dimensions and fixing points for the model.

  • Choosing capacity before checking the available space

    A suitable capacity won’t make an impossible installation work. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that meets your household’s needs and using the energy label to compare running-cost figures.

    First rule out models that aren’t compatible with the space and connections. Then compare the capacity and energy labels of the remaining options.

Brands to consider

Bosch

Worth considering if you’re looking for a front-loader designed to fit beneath a worktop with a removable top, or a fully integrated model.

  • Bosch offers a range designed for under-worktop installation with a removable top, as well as a fully integrated range.
  • These features aren’t available across the entire range. Check the product details and instructions to confirm the approved installation for the model you choose.

Whirlpool

Worth considering for a kitchen designed to accommodate an integrated washing machine.

  • According to Whirlpool France, the BI WMWG 8146 FR measures 81,5 × 59,5 × 54,5 cm and has a capacity of 8 kg.
  • These model-specific dimensions don’t confirm whether there’s enough room for the hoses or whether the unit and its door are compatible.

Electrolux

Worth considering for a project involving installation beneath a worktop or in a suitable cavity.

  • Electrolux describes its integrated range as generally designed for this type of installation.
  • Check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you choose, as well as its compatibility with the kitchen unit.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Will a washing machine that’s 85 cm tall always fit beneath a kitchen worktop?

No. It needs to be shorter than the space actually available, and the other dimensions matter too. Compare the width and depth with the available space, allowing for the connections at the back and room for the door to open.

Can I remove the top of a front-loading washing machine to slide it beneath the worktop?

Only if the manufacturer approves this installation for the model in question. Bosch offers models designed for under-worktop installation with a removable top, but this feature isn’t available on all front-loaders. Check the instructions before you choose.

Do I need an integrated washing machine for a space in the kitchen?

No, provided the space allows for a freestanding front-loader or a model explicitly approved for under-worktop installation, and you don’t need it to be integrated into the kitchen units. If you’re planning to fit a furniture door, check the requirements for the unit and for an integrated model.

What capacity should two adults consider?

Choose a capacity to suit your usual loads of laundry, after confirming that the appliance can be installed. ADEME says that 7 kg is usually enough, but you should adjust this guideline to suit how often you do laundry and whether your household washes bulky items.

What should I compare on the energy label once I’ve checked the dimensions?

Compare the water and energy use, spin performance and noise levels of models that suit your installation. ADEME recommends checking these details as well as choosing a capacity to meet your household’s needs.