In a small home, start by choosing according to the dimension you’re short on: go for a top-loader if width is the issue, or a slim model if it’s depth. Always check how much room you’ll need to open the appliance. If you also need to dry clothes at home, a washer-dryer takes up just one space, but can dry a smaller load than it can wash. Stacking two appliances is another option if you have enough height and the models and installation allow it.
If there’s enough width for a front-loading machine but not enough clearance in a kitchenette or bathroom, consider a slim washing machine. UFC-Que Choisir puts slim models at 33 to 45 cm deep. Also check how much space the open door takes up, and choose a capacity that suits your usual laundry loads.
A top-loader could be a good fit if width is limited. UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of 40 to 46 cm for top-loading washing machines. However, you’ll need enough clearance to open the lid fully, so this style won’t fit beneath a fixed worktop.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one space, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If your home has enough height, compare it with two compatible front-loading appliances stacked together, bearing in mind access to the controls and installation requirements.
First, measure the space and the clearance around the appliance. Then compare its capacity with the loads you actually wash, followed by the requirements for drying if you need that too.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and access | Measure the overall width, height and depth. Check the dimensions with the door open or the clearance needed for the lid; a slim model mainly reduces depth, while a top-loader mainly reduces width. UFC-Que Choisir gives a depth of 33 to 45 cm for slim models and a width of 40 to 46 cm for top-loaders. | I need to be able to load the machine without blocking the passage, a door or the worktop. |
| Washing capacity | Compare the kilograms of dry laundry the machine can take with your usual loads, then check the limits for the programmes you use. UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple. | A small drum would mean running extra loads, but a large capacity isn’t much use if my loads are usually small. |
| Drying at home | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, along with the duration and energy and water use of the combined cycle. For a stacked pair, confirm the available height, that the two front-loading appliances are compatible, and that the instructions allow them to be stacked. | I want to dry clothes at home: will one appliance handle the amount I wash, or can I install two appliances stacked together? |
| Everyday use | Compare spin-cycle noise levels and programme durations on a like-for-like basis. Check you can reach the filter, detergent drawer and controls once the appliance is in place. UFC-Que Choisir’s washing machine tests include noise, programme duration and ease of use. | In my living space, noise and easy access for maintenance matter just as much as the features listed on the front of the machine. |
| Location and connections | Check that there’s a suitable socket, a water supply, a drain and a flat, stable floor, in line with the checks outlined by UFC-Que Choisir. For a stacked pair or a bathroom installation, also check the requirements for the appliances, the location and your home. | Before choosing a format, I need to know where the appliance can be installed and used in my home. |
A front-loader might fit in its alcove but still block the passage when its door is open. With a top-loader, the space above the machine determines whether you can reach the drum.
Measure the overall dimensions and check the model’s door-open dimensions, or make sure there’s enough clearance for the lid, before deciding where to put it.
A machine with too little capacity could mean more cycles, especially if you also wash bedding or towels.
For one person or a couple, use the 5 to 7 kg capacity generally recommended by UFC-Que Choisir as a starting point, then adjust it to suit your laundry and how often you wash.
A washer-dryer might be able to wash a load that it can’t dry all at once. You’ll need to remove some of the laundry before drying or reduce the load from the start.
Compare both capacities, and check the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry programme, rather than looking only at the washing capacity.
A stacked set-up needs to be stable. If the doors and controls are difficult to reach, it could also make everyday use more awkward.
Check the instructions and stacking requirements for both front-loading appliances. UFC-Que Choisir specifies that the tumble dryer should go on top of the washing machine, not the other way round.
These models give you examples of formats to compare. The dimensions and capacities quoted don’t apply to every model from each brand.
The TW621CSSENSEWASHFR top-loader is a useful reference if width is your main constraint.
The F852SV52IRS slim washer-dryer is an example of a single appliance that can both wash and dry.
The EWF0812A4 front-loader is worth comparing if your home can accommodate a deeper appliance.
Beko France features a selection of washing machines 45 cm deep, designed for smaller spaces.
These options include a front-loading washing machine described as slim, and washer-dryers that combine both functions in one space. Compare their capacities and check the full dimensions, including the clearance needed to open the door, to make sure they’ll fit in your home.
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Worth considering if depth is your main constraint and you want a front-loader. The product description lists a depth of 47 cm, a capacity of 7 kg, a spin speed of 1 200 tr/min and 16 programmes. Check the overall width and the space needed in front of the door before deciding where to put it.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance. Its stated capacities are 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying. To run both functions without removing any laundry, keep within the drying limit. The width listed in the title and description doesn’t match, so ask the retailer to confirm the overall dimensions and door clearance.
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This washer-dryer could be a good choice if you’d rather not have a second appliance. Its stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so a wash load over 6 kg can’t be dried all at once. Check the overall dimensions, door clearance, combined-cycle duration and energy and water use to make sure they suit your needs.
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This model combines washing and drying in an appliance listed as 600 × 850 × 590 mm. Its stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so check the load size if you want to run both functions one after the other. Allow for the door clearance in addition to the stated dimensions, and check the combined-cycle details against how often you plan to use it.
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Check it against the space available if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance. Its stated dimensions are 60 × 85 × 60 cm, not including door clearance. The stated capacity is 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. To get an idea of how it performs on a combined cycle, the product listing gives a cycle time of 7 h 32, water use of 90 L per cycle and energy use of 308 kWh per 100 wash-and-dry cycles.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then compare them with the appliance’s overall dimensions and the clearance needed to open its door. The machine’s depth alone isn’t enough: LG France, for example, lists its F852SV52IRS washer-dryer as 47.5 cm deep, but 101.5 cm deep with the door open at 90°.
UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple. Adjust this guide to suit how often you do the laundry and the bulky items you wash. Also check the load limits for the programmes you use.
Not if the load is larger than its drying capacity, which is usually lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. To run both functions one after the other without removing any laundry, keep within the model’s drying limit from the start of the wash. For example, the LG F852SV52IRS is listed with an 8.5 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity.
It’s an option if the two front-loading appliances are compatible and the installation meets the requirements in their instruction manuals, particularly for stability and stacking. UFC-Que Choisir specifies that the tumble dryer must go on top of the washing machine. Also check the overall height and make sure you can reach the doors and controls.
Make sure there’s a suitable socket, a water supply, a drain and a flat, stable floor, in line with UFC-Que Choisir’s checklist. If you’re installing the machine in a bathroom or need to alter the connections, ask a qualified professional to assess the requirements for your home before installation.