When renting your first student home, only choose a washing machine for your own use once you’ve checked the space, connections and rules that apply to the property. A top-loader is mainly suited to narrow spaces, while a shallow front-loader can help if depth is limited. Consider a washer-dryer if you need to dry clothes at home, and compare its washing and drying capacities separately. To choose between models that fit, check their capacity, noise levels and energy label figures.
You may have space for a washing machine in your studio or small flat, but still need to check the connections and the property rules. If installation requires any alterations, ANIL says you’ll need the landlord’s written permission. If you live in a Crous residence, check the relevant rules too.
The available width or space around the appliance limits your options. A top-loader may suit your needs: the models listed by Candy France and Electrolux France are around 40 to 40.5 cm wide, but also need sufficient depth and room above to open the lid.
You can wash your clothes at home, but drying them is difficult. In that case, compare a washer-dryer with a washing machine alone: some models have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity.
First, make sure the appliance can be installed in your home. Then choose a format that suits the space available and how you plan to dry your clothes.
Consider it: if depth is limited but there’s enough width and space in front of the door. Beko France lists the BM3WFU47411B with a cabinet depth of 45 cm.
Keep in mind: not all front-loaders are this shallow. Check the overall depth and make sure the door can open in the space you have for your chosen model.
Consider it: if width is your main concern. Candy France and Electrolux France list models around 40 to 40.5 cm wide.
Keep in mind: the models mentioned are 60 cm deep, and you’ll need room above the appliance to open the lid.
Consider it: if you need to dry clothes at home but don’t have room for a clothes airer or two separate appliances.
Keep in mind: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity. One model listed by Darty has an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and property rules | Check that the space, water supply, drainage and power supply meet the requirements in the manual. Check your tenancy agreement and residence rules, if applicable. | I want to do my laundry at home without choosing an appliance I can’t install; around 33% of consumers would rank this as their main concern. |
| Actual space needed | Check the full dimensions, clearance for the door or lid, and access for delivery. | In a cramped studio, I need to be able to install the appliance and still have a usable walkway; available space would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Drying clothes at home | Check the separate washing and drying capacities, cycle duration and energy use for the model. | Without a practical place to hang out my washing, I need a way to dry it at home; around 20% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
| Everyday use | Check that the capacity suits your laundry, along with kWh/100 cycles, litres/cycle and the noise level shown on the label. | I want a drum that suits my laundry and need to take noise into account in a small home; these concerns would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Having a free space isn’t enough if the connections aren’t suitable or installation requires alterations to the property. ANIL says that any such alterations require the landlord’s written permission. In a Crous residence, the house rules also govern how you can use the property.
Measure and photograph the space, compare it with the appliance manual and check the residence rules. If alterations are needed, ask your landlord for written permission.
A top-loader around 40 cm wide can still be 60 cm deep, as with models listed by Candy France and Electrolux France. A shallow front-loader, meanwhile, needs enough room in front for the door to open.
Before choosing a particular model, check its width, depth and height, the clearance needed to open it, where the hoses are positioned and the dimensions of the route to the installation space.
Some washer-dryers have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity. For example, one model listed by Darty can wash 8 kg but dry only 5 kg.
Compare both capacities with your usual laundry loads and check whether you’ll need to split the load before drying.
Splitting a load can mean more time and extra cycles.
Two appliances may not suit your needs equally well when it comes to capacity, noise and water consumption. ADEME recommends considering these factors as well as the spin cycle.
Compare the figures on the label for the exact model, including kWh/100 cycles, litres/cycle and noise information.
These models give you examples of formats and features to compare for a small home. The dimensions and consumption figures listed won’t apply to every model in each brand’s range.
The BM3WFU47411B front-loader may suit you if depth is your main concern.
Candy France’s top-loader models are useful points of comparison when width is limited.
The EW6T3264AK top-loader lets you compare the published dimensions, capacity and consumption figures for a specific model.
ANIL says you’ll need your landlord’s written permission if installation requires alterations to the property or its fittings. Before ordering, check the connections and the model’s manual to find out what installation involves.
It depends on the residence rules and the facilities in your accommodation: living in a Crous residence doesn’t automatically mean you’re allowed to install one. The Crous Network says the house rules set out what’s permitted, and the residence’s electrical supply is designed for the appliances provided.
A 7 kg capacity is a good starting point: ADEME says this is enough most of the time. Then tailor your choice to how often you do laundry and the items you actually wash.
Compare the information on their energy labels, including noise, kWh/100 cycles and litres/cycle, while taking each appliance’s capacity into account. ADEME also lists the spin cycle as a useful factor when choosing a washing machine.
No. ADEME recommends avoiding cycles with lots of unused space, while leaving a little room for the clothes to move around. So don’t cram an oversized load into the drum.