Start by choosing a capacity that suits the loads you actually wash, then compare energy and water use, spin noise and the durability rating of the exact model. A front-loading machine is a good choice if you have space in front of it; a top-loading model can work better if width or loading access is an issue. A washer-dryer means you don’t need to fit two appliances, but be sure to check its drying capacity separately.
If you regularly wash everyday clothes, sheets or towels, compare the capacity with your usual loads rather than focusing only on your bulkiest washes. ADEME and UFC-Que Choisir highlight the importance of choosing a capacity that suits how you use the machine.
If your washing machine is near a living area, or you often dry clothes indoors, noise levels and spin performance are both worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir assesses them separately in its tests.
If you’re looking for an appliance to keep for a long time, check the durability rating and the criteria behind it for the exact model. The rating provides information on factors including repairability and reliability, but it cannot predict the appliance’s lifespan on its own.
Consider it if: your loads vary in size and you have enough room to open the door.
Bear in mind: a large capacity is only useful if your usual laundry loads call for it. Check the dimensions of the model you’re considering, too.
Consider it if: you have limited width or prefer to load the machine while standing.
Bear in mind: check that the capacity can handle your larger loads and that there’s nothing in the way when you open the lid.
Consider it if: you need to wash and dry with one appliance because there isn’t room for two.
Bear in mind: you may not be able to dry a full wash load in one go. Also compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle with those for washing alone.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the kg of dry laundry with your usual loads, then check the load limits for the programmes you typically use. | I want to wash my sheets without running several cycles, but I don’t need a large drum for every wash. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits their needs. |
| Water and electricity | Compare the kWh/100 cycles, litres/cycle and Eco 40-60 programme duration shown on the energy label. | I do laundry regularly and want to compare the stated consumption figures for different appliances, not just their energy classes. Around 21% of consumers put consumption first. |
| Noise and spin performance | Check the spin noise in dB(A) and the spin efficiency class, rather than looking at spin speed in tr/min alone. | The machine is near a room in use, or I rely on the spin cycle before drying clothes indoors. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the balance between noise and spin performance. |
| Durability | For a washing machine covered by the French durability rating, check its score out of 10 and the criteria behind it for the exact model. | I want to compare repair options and reliability criteria before replacing my appliance. Around 29% of consumers put durability first. |
The energy label provides declared figures you can use to compare models. For household washing machines covered by the scheme in France, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition states that the durability rating has replaced the repairability rating since 8 April 2025. It complements these figures rather than replacing them.
If the capacity doesn’t match your usual loads, you may end up running more cycles or regularly using an oversized drum. The maximum load also varies by programme.
Think about the loads you wash most often and check the manual for the limits of the programmes you use. ADEME and UFC-Que Choisir recommend choosing a capacity that matches your laundry needs.
The stated speed tells you neither how noisy the machine is nor, by itself, how much moisture will remain in your laundry.
Compare the declared noise in dB(A), its class and the spin efficiency class, particularly if the appliance is near a living area or you dry clothes indoors.
With a washer-dryer, the wash load may exceed the amount the appliance can dry. For example, Bosch lists 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for washing and drying on the WNG24402FR; Miele also lists 9/6 kg for the WTW870WPM.
Check both capacities separately for the model you’re considering before planning a complete cycle without stopping to remove laundry.
The French rating takes account of criteria including repairability and reliability. It doesn’t replace information on noise, consumption or spin performance.
Check the details of the rating for the exact model, then compare the features that matter for your laundry separately.
Worth considering if you’re comparing a front-loading washing machine with a washer-dryer, paying close attention to their separate washing and drying capacities.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a front-loading washing machine with a product specification that lets you compare capacity, spin performance, consumption and dimensions with your installation.
Worth considering if a washer-dryer suits your space and you want to distinguish between figures for washing alone and those for a complete wash-and-dry cycle.
These front-loading and top-loading models offer a range of capacities and formats for regular household laundry. If you also want to dry clothes in the same appliance, assess this option separately by comparing its washing and drying capacities.
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Worth considering if you prefer to load laundry from the top and a 7 kg capacity suits your usual loads.
The product name lists 1,200 tr/min, an A energy class, steam and Wi-Fi. If noise matters to you, compare the spin noise level before you choose.
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Worth considering if your usual loads call for an 8 kg front-loader and you have enough room for the door to open.
The product name lists 1,400 tr/min, along with Steam Hygiene and SensiCare functions. Check the spin noise if the machine will be near a room in use.
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Worth considering if 9 kg loads suit your household laundry and regular washing.
The product name lists 1,600 tr/min, SteamCare, SmartSelect and a connected feature. Check the depth and the room needed to open the door before installation.
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Worth considering if you regularly wash bulky loads. Not every household needs an 11 kg capacity.
The product name lists an A energy class. Measure the space where you plan to put the machine and check the dimensions of this model before buying.
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Worth considering if you want to load laundry while standing and 6 kg is enough for your usual loads, including the household laundry you wash regularly.
The product name lists 1,400 tr/min, a B energy class, Wi-Fi and 17 programmes. Compare its spin noise with the requirements of your chosen location.
Yes. For household washing machines covered by the scheme in France, check the rating and the criteria behind it for the exact model. According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the durability rating has replaced the repairability rating for washing machines since 8 April 2025. You’ll still need to check capacity, noise and consumption.
No. Also compare the kWh/100 cycles, litres/cycle and the Eco 40-60 programme duration shown on the energy label. These declared figures help you distinguish between models in the same class, according to what matters most to you.
No. The permitted load can vary depending on the fabric programme. If you often use wool or delicate cycles, check their load limits in the model’s manual rather than relying only on its stated capacity.
Not always: compare its washing capacity with its wash-and-dry capacity. Bosch lists 9 kg and 6 kg respectively for the WNG24402FR, while Miele lists 9/6 kg for the WTW870WPM. If the load exceeds the drying limit, you’ll need to remove some laundry before starting that stage.