Choose a slim front-loading washing machine if you’re short on depth but have around 60 cm of width. Opt for a top-loader if width is the main constraint, provided you have room to open the lid. If there’s no space for a standard machine, a mini washing machine can handle small loads as a secondary option, but it won’t do the same job as your main appliance. Whatever you choose, check the opening clearance, your laundry needs and the connections before settling on a model.
In a small kitchen or bathroom, you need enough room to fit the machine and still open its door or lid. Que Choisir distinguishes between slim front-loaders, which take up less depth, and top-loaders, which take up less width.
Choose a capacity that suits the amount of laundry you actually wash, not just the space available. Que Choisir suggests 5 to 7 kg as a guide for one or two people; your bedding and how often you do laundry can also affect your choice.
A mini washing machine can be useful for small loads as a secondary option. However, Que Choisir highlights the capacity and spin-drying limitations of the models discussed, so you’ll need another way to wash bulky items.
First, measure the constraint that will determine the format. Then consider whether the capacity and installation suit your everyday needs.
| What matters | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size and opening clearance | Measure the alcove, access route and the space needed to open the door or lid. According to Que Choisir, slim front-loaders are around 33 to 45 cm deep, while top-loaders are designed primarily to take up less width. | In a narrow kitchen, fitting the machine into the alcove isn’t enough if opening it blocks the way. Around 36% of consumers rank this usable footprint as their top priority. |
| Washing capacity | Compare the capacity with the loads you usually wash, including bedding. For one or two people, Que Choisir suggests 5 to 7 kg as a starting point. | If you regularly wash bulky items, a small drum may mean running more cycles. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits how often they do laundry. |
| Installation | Check the model’s instructions and make sure you have a water supply, a waste-water outlet, an electrical supply and access to the connections. If the machine is going in a bathroom, have the location assessed. | If the only available space is near a shower, the dimensions alone won’t tell you whether the machine can be installed there. Suitable connections are the main requirement for around 21% of consumers. |
| Washing smaller loads | If you can’t install a standard model, check the capacity and instructions for a mini model, including how to fill, drain and spin it. | If there’s no room for a standard machine, being able to wash small loads at home can still be useful, even if you need another solution for bulky laundry. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this secondary use above all else. |
A slim front-loader needs room in front for its door to open, while a top-loader needs clearance above for its lid. Saving a few centimetres in one dimension won’t necessarily make loading the machine easier.
Before choosing, measure the machine’s overall dimensions, check for obstacles around it and plan its route into your home.
A low capacity can mean more cycles and make it less practical to wash larger items. Que Choisir describes mini washing machines with a capacity of 2 to 3 kg as secondary appliances.
Start with the loads you usually wash. If you live alone or as a couple, compare them with Que Choisir’s guide of 5 to 7 kg.
The machine’s size alone doesn’t confirm that the location and electrical supply are suitable, particularly near a shower or bath.
Have the location and electrical installation checked before ordering a machine for this room.
Electrolux’s pre-installation guide distinguishes between connecting a machine to existing services and carrying out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work, which its installers don’t do.
If a water supply, waste-water outlet or socket needs to be added or altered, have the work assessed before choosing a machine.
This work can also delay getting your appliance up and running.
The EW8T3653BA top-loader is an example of a narrow main washing machine. Electrolux lists a 6 kg capacity and dimensions of 890 × 400 × 600 mm for this model.
According to Whirlpool France, the TW6522FRESHCAREFR top-loader combines a width of 40 cm with a capacity of 6.5 kg.
Bosch front-loaders are worth considering if you have enough width and clearance in front of the machine. Be sure to check the dimensions of each model individually.
These models include two top-loaders for spaces where width is limited, and a freestanding front-loader if you have enough room in front of the machine and its capacity suits your needs. Compare their specifications with your actual space. A mini washing machine is designed for a different, secondary use.
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Worth considering if width is your main constraint and there’s enough clearance to open the lid. The product name lists a 6 kg capacity, a spin speed of 1400 tr/min, a B rating and 17 programmes. Check the depth, connections and installation instructions for this model before choosing it.
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Compare this model if you’re looking for a top-loader with a 7 kg capacity. The product name also lists 1200 tr/min, an A rating, steam and Wi-Fi. Make sure the depth, lid clearance and connections suit the space you have in mind.
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Consider this model if you need an 8 kg capacity and can make room for both the machine and loading it. The product name lists a spin speed of 1400 tr/min and an Inverter motor. Check its overall dimensions and the clearance needed for the door before choosing it for a tight space. An 8 kg capacity is above Que Choisir’s guide of 5 to 7 kg for one or two people.
A slim model is designed mainly for spaces with limited depth, while a top-loader is designed mainly for spaces with limited width. Que Choisir puts slim front-loaders at around 33 to 45 cm deep and top-loaders at around 40 to 46 cm wide. Remember to measure the space needed in front of the door or above the lid, too.
Follow the instructions for your chosen model and check that the water supply, waste-water outlet and electrical supply are compatible. Make sure you can also access the hoses. For the setup it describes, Electrolux support specifies a cold-water supply with a 3/4-inch threaded tap. Don’t assume this size applies to your model without checking.
Its small size alone doesn’t mean the installation is suitable. If the machine will be near a shower or bath, have its position and the electrical supply checked before buying, then follow the instructions for the model you choose.
It may not meet the same needs as a standard machine if you regularly wash bulky items or larger loads. Que Choisir describes the mini models discussed as secondary appliances with a capacity of 2 to 3 kg, and notes that their spin-drying performance may be limited. Check how much laundry you have and what the model you’re considering can do.
Only do so if the model’s instructions confirm it’s suitable. Electrolux support advises against a hot-water supply for its washing machines designed to connect to cold water. Don’t assume the same advice applies to every brand without checking.