Who are these criteria useful for?

People who are mindful of spin noise

If there are neighbours in nearby homes, the noise level on the energy label can help you compare appliances. However, it doesn’t tell you on its own how much noise will carry through the building.

People whose flooring or available space needs careful consideration

On a soft or uneven floor, or in a restricted space, being able to install your washing machine securely and level matters just as much as choosing the right model.

Households that need to work around laundry times

If you need to fit wash cycles around work, everyday life and the rest of the building, check how the timer works and what rules apply to your home.

What should you check before buying?

Before comparing washing machine features, make sure the space allows for a stable installation. Then look at the declared noise level, the times you can run a cycle and, if installation isn’t suitable, other ways to do your laundry.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Spin noise Compare the dB rating and noise emission class on the energy labels of models with a similar capacity. According to the ADEME, the label can be used to check noise and spin performance. If the spin cycle could disturb the neighbours, I want to compare the noise made by different appliances without assuming this figure describes what they’ll hear; around 34% of consumers would put this criterion first.
Stability and vibration Check that the floor provides a stable base and that the instructions explain how to remove the transit bolts and adjust the feet. Bosch, Miele and Samsung all emphasise these installation points. On a soft or uneven floor, I need to be able to level the appliance before relying on an anti-vibration accessory; this would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Cycle times Check the instructions to confirm whether the machine has a delay-start function and how it works. Also consult your leasehold building’s rules and any local regulations. When my schedule makes laundry difficult to fit in, I want to run the spin cycle at a time that works for the building; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility.
Installation feasibility Check the space, flooring, connections and whether the appliance can be levelled as instructed. If installation isn’t suitable, look into laundry services available nearby. If my home doesn’t allow for a stable installation, I’d rather consider another way to do my laundry than add an appliance that will vibrate; this need would come first for around 13% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Taking the dB rating as a promise that your neighbours won’t hear it

    The label shows airborne noise emissions. It doesn’t measure how vibrations travel through the floor and the building’s structure.

    Use the declared noise level to compare similar washing machines, then check the installation conditions in your home.

  • Choosing anti-vibration pads before checking the installation

    According to installation advice from Bosch, Miele and Samsung, transit fittings, adjusting the feet and the supporting surface can all affect vibration.

    First, follow the instructions to make sure all four feet are firmly supported. Only consider a mat or pads after checking they’re compatible with the appliance and floor.

  • Scheduling a late spin cycle without checking the rules that apply

    Delay start changes when the cycle runs; it doesn’t reduce the noise. The ANIL notes that the building’s regulations govern communal life, and local rules may also apply.

    Before scheduling a cycle, check your building’s documents and, if necessary, your local council’s rules.

Brands to consult about installation

Bosch

Bosch offers washing machines and online support covering, among other things, how to install them.

  • Its guidance says to remove the transit bolts, adjust the feet and then lock them in place to level the appliance.
  • This guidance doesn’t tell you how noisy a Bosch model will sound to your neighbours: compare the label for the model you’re considering and check your floor.

Miele

Miele’s support information explains how to keep its washing machines stable during the spin cycle.

  • Miele specifies that the appliance must be level, with all four feet resting on a flat surface.
  • This installation advice doesn’t prove that a Miele model will transmit less noise than another appliance in every building.

Samsung

Samsung provides installation and support advice on noise and vibration.

  • Its guidance recommends checking the supporting surface, transit bolts, feet and load distribution.
  • When comparing two models, this advice is no substitute for checking the spin noise data for each individual model.

Products related to washing machines in flats

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do the dB figures on the label show what the neighbours will hear?

No. According to the ADEME and European labelling rules, the figure is used to compare the airborne noise emissions of washing machines. The noise heard in another home also depends on the installation, the floor and how sound travels through the building.

What should you check before installing a washing machine in a flat?

Make sure the space has a flat, stable surface, then follow your model’s instructions to remove the transit fittings and adjust all four feet. Bosch, Miele and Samsung all stress the importance of these steps; lock the adjustments in place if the instructions say to.

Will an anti-vibration mat solve the problem if the floor is unsuitable?

No. A mat can’t replace a stable, level installation. Check the supporting surface and that the feet are firmly in place first, then use the instructions to confirm that any accessory you’re considering is compatible with the appliance and flooring.

What time can you schedule a spin cycle in a leasehold building?

Check the rules for your building and local area before choosing a time, rather than relying on a time that’s claimed to apply everywhere. In France, the Public Health Code takes into account factors including the duration, repetition and intensity of neighbourhood noise. The ANIL also notes that the building’s regulations may set out conditions for communal life.