Choose a size based on the dimension you need to save and the space required to load your washing. A top-loading machine is best suited to a narrow space, while a slimline front-loader takes up less depth. If you need to fit drying into the same floor space, a washer-dryer is worth considering, but compare its washing and drying capacities separately. Before choosing, measure the doorways and delivery route, then check that the capacity suits your household’s usual laundry loads.
If the width, depth or route into your utility room is an issue, first check what size of appliance will fit and remain accessible. A narrow top-loader, a slimline front-loader and a compact model each solve different space problems.
Bedding, towels and full laundry baskets make usable capacity just as important as the machine’s external dimensions. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an unsuitable capacity can mean more washes or wasted energy and water, so consider your usual loads and programmes.
A washer-dryer lets you consider both functions in a single floor space. However, check the washing and drying capacities for the model you’re considering: they can differ, as the LG France model specifications show.
Consider this: when width is your main constraint and the top-loading door will be easy to access. UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of 40 to 46 cm for top-loading machines.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough room to open the lid fully, and should check that the model’s capacity suits your household’s laundry.
Consider this: if there’s enough width for a front-loader, but depth, under-counter installation or stacking the appliances will determine your choice. UFC-Que Choisir gives a depth of 33 to 45 cm for the slimline front-loaders featured in its guide.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space in front of the machine to open the door. With a slimline model, also check that its stated capacity suits your usual loads.
Consider this: if washing and drying need to share a single floor space because there’s no room for a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: you may not be able to dry a full wash load in one go. For example, LG France lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964V50WRS.
Once you’ve identified the formats that could work, compare models based on how easy they are to access, your laundry loads and how you dry your clothes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who should consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Size and access | Measure the width, depth and height with the door or lid open. Also check the route into the room. | I need to get the machine into the alcove, then load it without the door or lid blocking the way. Around 42% of consumers would make access their main concern. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity in kg of dry laundry with the loads allowed by the programmes you use, particularly for fabrics other than cotton. | If I often wash bedding or several baskets of laundry, I don’t want a smaller machine to mean running more cycles. Capacity would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Drying without a second appliance | For a washer-dryer, compare its washing and drying capacities. Also check the spin speed and programme durations for the model. | I don’t have room for a separate tumble dryer and need to know how much of a load can be dried in the same machine. This setup would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
A slimline front-loader may fit in depth but leave too little room to open its door. A narrow top-loader presents the opposite challenge: you’ll need space to lift the lid and load your washing.
Measure the alcove, any obstacles, the space needed to open the door or lid, and the delivery route. Then compare these measurements with the dimensions and instructions for the exact model you’re considering.
The stated capacity in kg of dry laundry may not apply to every fabric type. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an unsuitable capacity can mean more washes or wasted energy and water.
Think about how often you do the washing and which fabrics you actually wash, then check the load limits for each programme in the model’s specifications or instructions.
Extra cycles can increase water and electricity use.
A washer-dryer may have a lower drying capacity than its washing capacity. For example, LG France lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964V50WRS.
Compare both figures for the model you choose and decide whether you can split the load for drying or dry some of your laundry another way. Check the dimensions too: combining two functions in one appliance doesn’t necessarily mean it will be shallow.
For the relevant washing machines sold new in France, the durability index provides information beyond the appliance’s size. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, it has been gradually replacing the repairability index for this category since 8 April 2025.
Check the score out of 10 and its breakdown for the model you’re considering, while keeping in mind the dimensions and usage requirements that led you to choose it.
These ranges give you a starting point based on the configuration you’re looking for. Only the specifications for the exact model will show whether its dimensions and capacity suit your space.
Worth considering if a front-loader, integrated model or compact machine would suit your utility room.
Worth considering if limited width and top-loading are leading you towards a top-loader.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a washer-dryer to combine both functions in one floor space.
No. A top-loader is best suited to a lack of width, provided there’s room to open the lid. UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of 40 to 46 cm for this format. If depth is more of a concern, consider a slimline front-loader and allow enough space in front of the door.
Not necessarily. Compare the washing and drying capacities for the exact model. For example, LG France lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964V50WRS. A larger wash load would need to be split for drying or partly dried another way.
Yes. Check the index shown for the model as well as its dimensions and capacity. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the durability index has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines since 8 April 2025. It is shown as a score out of 10 for the products concerned.
Check the dimensions of the exact model, the route into the room and the space needed to open the door or lid. Also check the available water connections and waste outlet, then follow the model’s instructions for installation and safety rather than relying on the clearances required for another appliance.