To reduce water use, compare the litres per cycle for appliances in the same category, then choose a capacity that suits the loads you wash regularly. These figures refer to the reference programme — Eco 40-60 for washing machines and Eco for dishwashers — and may not reflect how much water other programmes use. Before replacing an appliance, also check the cycle duration and the space available.
If your usual loads rarely fill the drum, choose a capacity that suits how often you do your washing. ADEME advises against running a wash with a lot of unused space in the drum, while also cautioning against packing clothes in too tightly.
If you wait for the dishes to pile up before running a cycle, compare the place settings, basket layout and appliance size with your usual loads. Then check the litres per Eco cycle on the energy label.
If you want to compare specific models, look at the water use per cycle, capacity and duration shown on their labels together. The European Commission says you can find the key details for a model on its EPREL product information sheet via the QR code.
Start with your usual loads: they determine the capacity you need. Next, compare the stated water use of washing machines with other washing machines, or dishwashers with other dishwashers. Then check that the programme this figure refers to fits your routine.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable capacity | Compare your regular loads with the capacity in kg for laundry or place settings for dishes. Also consider how often you run cycles. | If my loads rarely fill the appliance, I want to avoid choosing a capacity I won’t use. Around 40% of consumers rank this as their top requirement. |
| Water per cycle | Check the litres per cycle on the label and compare only appliances in the same category, taking their respective capacities into account. | When replacing an appliance, I want to compare its stated water consumption with that of similar models. This is said to be a priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Programme you’ll use | Check the duration of the washing machine’s Eco 40-60 programme or the dishwasher’s Eco programme, as well as the programmes you plan to use. | If the reference cycle doesn’t fit my routine, I need to look at other programmes without assuming they use the same number of litres as the eco cycle. The programme people can actually use is said to be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Both figures are given per cycle, but they relate to different types of load: laundry is measured in kg, while dishwasher capacity is measured in place settings. So the lower figure alone doesn’t tell you which appliance is better suited to your household.
Compare water use between appliances in the same category, and check their capacity and reference programme duration too.
A larger capacity only helps you avoid extra cycles if it suits your regular loads. A drum that’s often underfilled won’t make the most of its capacity, while an overfilled drum can prevent clothes from moving freely.
Base your choice on the amount of laundry you usually wash and how often you do it, rather than an unusually large load.
ADEME notes that consumption varies depending on factors including the model and the programme. The litres shown refer to the Eco 40-60 cycle for washing machines and the Eco cycle for dishwashers.
Check the duration of the reference cycle and the programmes you’ll actually use. Don’t assume the same number of litres applies to a quick or intensive cycle.
Litres per cycle alone don’t tell you how long an appliance is likely to last or how easy it is to repair.
For the specific model you’re considering, also check the washing machine’s durability index, where applicable, along with information about spare parts and service terms.
Bosch offers several types of washing machines and dishwashers in France, including standard, slimline and compact dishwashers.
Miele’s French range includes washing machines in different capacities, as well as integrated and freestanding dishwashers, including XXL models.
Beko offers freestanding and integrated dishwashers in France. The brand also features SaveWater on some models.
These washing machines and dishwashers come in different capacities and formats to suit regular laundry and dishwashing. Compare each model with appliances in the same category, then check its label against your loads, the programmes you use and the space available.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an integrated dishwasher for regular loads of up to 14 place settings.
Stated width: 60 cm; stated energy rating: A. Check the space and installation requirements, along with the litres per cycle and duration of the Eco programme on the label for the exact model.
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Worth comparing if your regular laundry loads suit a 7 kg capacity.
Stated spin speed: 1,400 rpm; stated energy rating: A. Check the label for the litres per Eco 40-60 cycle and its duration, as well as the installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want a top-loading machine and 7 kg suits your usual laundry loads.
Stated spin speed: 1,200 rpm; stated energy rating: A. Check there’s enough room to open the machine, and check the water per Eco 40-60 cycle on the label.
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Worth comparing if your kitchen can accommodate a freestanding appliance and you regularly have enough dishes for a 14-place-setting load.
Stated width: 60 cm; stated noise level: 41 dB; stated energy rating: C. Check the litres per Eco cycle and its duration on the label, along with the space and connections required.
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Worth considering if your regular loads suit a 6 kg capacity and a top-loading machine works in your space.
Stated spin speed: 1,400 rpm; stated energy rating: B. Check the litres per Eco 40-60 cycle and its duration before comparing it with other washing machines.
Compare the litres per cycle, capacity in kg, kWh per 100 cycles and duration of the Eco 40-60 programme. The European Commission says this programme is the reference for water-related requirements for the washing machines covered by the rules. Its figures shouldn’t be assumed to apply to a quick or specialist programme.
Compare the litres per Eco cycle, capacity in place settings, kWh per 100 cycles and programme duration. The European Commission says this information appears on the label. Also check that the format and baskets suit the dishes you tend to accumulate between cycles.
No. A larger capacity only helps you avoid extra cycles if you regularly have more laundry to wash. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most households and advises against running a largely empty drum, while leaving enough room for clothes to move freely.
No. The eco programme provides a common basis for comparison, but its duration needs to suit the way you use the appliance. Check the other programmes you’ll need, without assuming they use the same amount of water as the reference cycle.