If you live in a flat, first compare the stated spin-cycle noise levels of models that can actually be installed in your home, then check that your floor is stable and follow the installation instructions. A top-loading washing machine is mainly a solution when width or access is an issue: its loading style doesn’t guarantee that it will be quieter than a front-loading model. Compatible anti-vibration pads can complement a proper installation, but they don’t replace removing the transit bolts or levelling the machine.
If you live in a building where homes are close together, you’ll want to compare the stated noise levels during the spin cycle and have the option to adjust this setting to suit your situation. The energy label, which ADEME recommends using to compare appliances, is a useful starting point; on its own, it can’t predict how much noise your neighbours will hear.
If you have parquet, a wooden floor or an uneven surface, you’ll need to level the appliance before considering anti-vibration pads. Whirlpool recommends checking that the transit bolts have been removed and that the machine is level if it moves during a cycle.
If the available width or access to the drum means you need a top-loading model, it’s worth considering one. Also check the clearance needed to open the lid, then compare the noise and spin-cycle performance of the specific model rather than relying on its format.
First rule out any models that can’t be installed properly in the space available. Then compare their spin-cycle noise levels, while keeping the condition of your floor and the other information on the energy label in mind.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Spin-cycle noise | Compare the noise emissions in dB and the noise class shown on the energy label for the models you’re considering. Check whether the spin speed can be adjusted if you’d like the option to moderate the cycle. | When homes are close together, I want to be able to do the washing without choosing an appliance based solely on its maximum spin speed. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise spin-cycle noise. |
| Stability and vibrations | Check that the surface is level and stable, and that the feet can be adjusted. If you’re considering anti-vibration pads, check that they’re compatible with the appliance, its feet and your floor. | If my floor is likely to resonate, my main concern is that a machine that rocks could transmit jolts through the building; stability would be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Dimensions and access | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the door or lid and connect the appliance. | If access or the space available is narrow, I first need to find an appliance that fits and can be opened properly. For around 14% of consumers, the space it takes up would come before other criteria. |
| Resources and durability | Check water and energy consumption, the spin-drying efficiency class and the durability index applicable to the model. | I want to take water, energy and lifespan into account without assuming that a good rating will make the machine quiet; around 21% of consumers would put these criteria first. |
ADEME recommends checking the energy label to compare factors such as consumption, spin performance and noise. In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the durability index replaced the repairability index for front-loading and top-loading washing machines from 8 April 2025. This index provides information about durability; it doesn’t measure the vibrations transmitted through your floor.
A high spin speed isn’t enough to judge how noisy a washing machine will be in a flat. It may also conflict with your wish to moderate the spin cycle to reduce the noise you hear, potentially leaving your washing wetter.
Compare the noise emissions for the exact model on its energy label and check which spin settings are available.
Feet that haven’t been adjusted properly, transit bolts left in place or an unstable surface can all cause the machine to rock. Whirlpool recommends checking that the transit bolts have been removed and the machine is level first; one user report on the Futura-Sciences forum says that devices fitted under the feet didn’t solve their problem on a wooden floor.
Install the machine according to the instructions on a stable, level surface. Only consider an accessory once you’ve checked that it’s compatible with both the machine and the floor.
A top-loading model may solve a width constraint without necessarily being quiet during the spin cycle. For example, the Whirlpool TDLR62667FR is rated at 79 dB during the spin cycle according to its manufacturer’s specifications; this figure doesn’t apply to other top-loading models.
Choose between a front-loader and a top-loader based on the space and clearance you need, then compare the noise ratings of the models that are genuinely suitable.
France’s durability index covers factors such as the repairability and reliability of the washing machines it applies to. It doesn’t describe the noise you’ll hear in a room or the vibrations transmitted to neighbouring homes.
Use this index to assess durability, and look separately at the noise data on the energy label and the installation instructions when considering your other requirements.
These examples can help you find useful information in manufacturers’ specifications; a feature listed for one model doesn’t apply to the whole brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a front-loading washing machine and have room for a model of its dimensions, so you can compare its specifications with those of other appliances.
Worth considering if a compact top-loader suits your width constraints, but be sure to check the noise data and installation instructions for the model you choose.
Worth considering if you’re looking at compatible anti-vibration pads to complement a washing machine that’s already been installed correctly.
This top-loading model is aimed at people considering a top-loader for their installation space. Before choosing it for a flat, check its full dimensions, spin-cycle noise data and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if a top-loading model works better for your space; also check the clearance needed to open the lid.
The model name indicates 17 programmes, an Inverter motor and Wi-Fi connectivity. Its maximum speed of 1,400 rpm isn’t enough to tell you how noisy it will be in your home: compare the spin-cycle noise data and available settings, then make sure your floor allows for a stable, level installation.
Compare the noise emissions during the spin cycle, given in dB, as well as the noise class on each model’s energy label. ADEME recommends using this label to compare noise and spin performance; the maximum spin speed alone or a ‘quiet’ label doesn’t tell you how noisy the appliance will seem in your flat.
No: first check that the transit bolts have been removed, the machine is level, the surface is stable and the load is balanced. Compatible pads can complement a proper installation, but how well they work depends in part on the floor; claims that certain accessories reduce noise are made by their manufacturers.
The loading style alone doesn’t tell you whether a model will be quieter. A top-loader may suit a narrow passage or alcove; then compare the spin-cycle noise emissions of the models that can be installed in your home.
For the front-loading and top-loading washing machines covered in France, check the durability index: according to the Ministry of the Economy, it has replaced the repairability index since 8 April 2025. It provides information about factors including repairability and reliability, but doesn’t measure noise or vibrations in your home.