When choosing a washing machine for a flat, compare the declared spin-cycle noise on the energy label, then check that the appliance can be installed securely and level. ADEME recommends checking the label to assess noise and spin performance. However, the noise rating alone cannot predict how much vibration will travel through the floor of your home. Anti-vibration pads may be worth considering as an extra measure, but they are no substitute for correct levelling.
If the spin cycle could disturb your neighbours, compare the noise rating on the energy label, but also consider the floor and the installation conditions. A declared noise rating does not tell you how much shaking an unstable installation might transmit.
A delay-start function can help you plan your laundry, but that does not mean every time is suitable for your building. If you live in a shared-ownership building, ANIL advises checking the building’s regulations and, where applicable, its house rules. You should also check local rules with your town hall.
Before blaming the brand or motor type for the shaking, consider the installation and how the laundry is distributed in the drum. Electrolux recommends a hard, level floor, while LG notes that a machine that is not level may make a rocking noise during the spin cycle.
Start by comparing the information for the exact model, then check whether its installation requirements and your laundry schedule suit your home.
| What to consider | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Spin-cycle noise | Check the noise level in dB and the noise class on the energy label for the exact model. EU regulations link the declared noise during the spin phase to the eco 40-60 programme, so compare figures measured on the same basis. | I want to compare published figures rather than rely on the word ‘quiet’ alone. If how dry the laundry comes out matters too, I’ll check the spin-drying efficiency class separately. |
| Installation stability | Check the instructions for levelling, floor contact and removal of the transit bolts. Make sure the machine is on a hard, level floor and that the hoses are properly secured. | In my flat, I want to reduce shaking and banging during the spin cycle, not just the airborne noise shown on the label. |
| Laundry times | If you plan to use a delay-start function, check the documents that apply to your building and ask your town hall about local rules. The National Noise Council notes that mayors can take action through local by-laws. | My available time slots are limited, so I need to be able to plan a cycle without assuming that a time I’ve seen for another town or building applies where I live. |
| Reviews and tests | Check that measurements, product information and reviews relate to the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir includes noise levels in its testing protocol. When reading a customer review, also look at the installation and spin-cycle conditions described. | I want to distinguish a comparable measurement from an account based on one person’s home, without drawing conclusions about an entire brand from a single review. |
Spin speed is no substitute for the spin-cycle noise rating. ADEME recommends checking the energy label to assess these features before buying.
For each model you’re considering, check the spin-cycle noise in dB, the noise class and the spin-drying efficiency class separately on its label.
A declared noise rating does not guarantee a stable installation in your flat. Electrolux recommends a hard, level floor, while LG notes that an unlevel machine may make a rocking noise.
Follow the model’s instructions to remove the transit bolts, adjust the feet and check that the machine does not rock before using it.
Pads will not fix incorrectly adjusted feet or an unbalanced load. Electrolux claims that its E4WHPA02 accessory reduces noise. This is a claim by the manufacturer about that accessory, not a result that applies to every installation.
First, check that the machine is stable. If you then decide to use pads, make sure they are compatible with the feet and check how much height they will add.
A time given for another town or building is not enough to plan your wash cycles. The National Noise Council lists local by-laws as one way mayors can take action, and ANIL recommends checking the building’s regulations.
Before scheduling a late wash, check your building’s documents and ask your town hall about the local rules that apply.
These notes relate to the models, accessories or advice mentioned by each brand; they are not a brand ranking.
Bosch uses the name ‘AntiVibration’ for some washing machines and provides instruction manuals with installation guidance.
LG offers installation support. Its advice for top-loading washing machines mentions that the appliance may make a rocking noise if it is not level.
Electrolux publishes advice on shaking during the spin cycle and offers the E4WHPA02 anti-vibration accessory.
These freestanding, front-loading models may suit a flat. For each one, compare the energy label for the exact model with your spin-cycle noise requirements, and check the instructions before planning the installation.
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This front-loading model is a freestanding option for a flat. Its product name lists an 8 kg capacity and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm, but the speed alone does not tell you how noisy it is. Check the noise level and noise class on the label for the exact model, then follow the installation instructions.
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This freestanding, front-loading model is listed with an 11 kg capacity. If that suits your needs and the space available, check the spin-cycle noise on the label for the exact model, then consult the instructions for levelling requirements.
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This freestanding, front-loading washing machine may be worth considering if its 10 kg capacity suits your household. Its product name lists a spin speed of 1,400 rpm, but this figure does not indicate how noisy it is. Check the energy label for the exact model and read the installation instructions.
Compare the spin-cycle noise in dB and the noise class on the energy label for each exact model. EU regulations define the declared airborne noise during the spin phase for the eco 40-60 programme. This figure alone cannot predict how much vibration will travel through the floor in your home.
Yes. Declared airborne noise and installation stability are two separate things. Electrolux recommends a hard, level floor, while LG notes that an unlevel machine may make a rocking noise during the spin cycle. You should also follow the instructions for adjusting the machine’s feet.
No. First, check the levelling, contact with the floor and how the laundry is distributed. Electrolux claims its E4WHPA02 pads reduce noise, but this claim relates to that accessory. Check that the pads are compatible and don’t use them as a substitute for a stable installation.
Before scheduling a late cycle, check the rules that apply to your building and town. ANIL recommends checking the building’s regulations and, where applicable, its house rules. The National Noise Council says mayors can take action through local by-laws. Don’t assume that a time given for another area applies where you live.
They can draw your attention to a particular model, but they can’t predict how it will perform in your home. In a discussion on the Darty after-sales community about the Thomson TOP8131, one user reports an improvement after adjusting the feet, while others still mention noise. So, compare these accounts with the energy label and the installation conditions.