Choosing your washing machine well in 2026: the complete guide
A washing machine runs around two hundred times a year for a dozen years or so, so it's worth choosing it well. Here, criterion by criterion, is what really matters, what is just marketing, and the models we recommend in the shop according to your budget.
- Capacity : 7–8 kg for two, 8–9 kg for four, 10 kg and more beyond that
- Inverter motor and class A: the combination that lasts and saves money
- Noise : check the dB figure at spin, not just the letter
- Good washing machines from 400 €, comfort costs more above €800
First of all: space and format
Before talking kilos and programmes, get out the tape measure. A freestanding front-loader measures 60 cm wide and about 85 cm high. Depth varies from 45 to over 65 cm depending on drum size. Measure the recess, but also the depth with the door open, the position of the hoses and socket, and the passage through doors and stairwells on delivery day.
| Format | Typical dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Front-loader, freestanding | 60 cm wide, 85 cm high, 45 to 65 cm deep | The standard format, the widest choice |
| 'Slim' front-loader | Reduced depth, around 45 cm | Narrow bathroom, hallway |
| Top-loader (loading from above) | 40 cm wide, about 60 cm deep | Very small room; more limited choice, generally 6 to 7 kg |
| Mini washing machine | About 51 cm wide and 70 cm high | Studio, student flat, extra appliance, 5 kg maximum |
| Fully integrated | 60 cm kitchen niche, behind a cabinet door | Fitted kitchen; rare choice and higher price |
Good to know: a freestanding model can often slide under a worktop by removing its top, if the brand allows it (the Bosch WAN2827AFR, for example, is designed for an 85 cm niche). And if you plan to stack a tumble dryer, allow for the stacking kit from the brand: without it, the top appliance can slide off during spinning.
Capacity: neither too small nor too big
Capacity is measured in kilos of dry laundry, based on cotton. It is the primary criterion and the most misunderstood. A machine that is too large, run half-empty, washes less well and saves nothing. A machine that is too small forces you to run multiple cycles.
| Burner | Recommended capacity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 7 to 8 kg | A 6 kg is enough for a student |
| 3 to 4 people | 8 to 9 kg | The core of the market, the widest choice |
| 5 people or more | 10 to 11 kg | Also good for duvets and sportswear |
| Very large family, holiday home | 12 kg and more | Check depth and weight |
Note: this capacity only applies to cotton. For synthetics or delicates, it often drops by half (the LG F94R50WHS spec sheet, for example, lists 9 kg for cotton but 4 kg for synthetics). A two-person duvet generally requires a 9 kg or larger machine with a fairly wide door.
Spin speed: 1,400 rpm is enough
Spin speed (in revolutions per minute) determines how much moisture remains in the laundry. 1,200 to 1,400 rpm suits most households. A 1,600 rpm is especially helpful if you then put the laundry in a tumble dryer, as drying will be shorter. On the energy label, look at the spin efficiency class (from A to G): A means the driest laundry, and it is more meaningful than the rpm figure.
The inverter motor: the feature that makes it last
The "inverter" motor (also called "induction", "brushless" or "direct drive") has no carbon brushes to wear out. It is quieter, more precise and more durable than a conventional universal motor. The direct drive goes further: the motor is mounted directly on the drum, without a belt, which further limits vibration.
Several brands guarantee it for ten years, subject to conditions to read: Bosch and Siemens offer a motor extension to 10 years after registration, LG covers the Direct Drive part for 10 years in the Benelux (part only, labour charged after 2 years), and Samsung announces 10 years on the Digital Inverter motor for purchases from 1 April 2026. Details are given in each brand's section: Bosch, LG, Samsung, Haier.
The energy label, explained
Since March 2021, the label runs from A to G. It is deliberately strict: a C today is worth more than an old A+++ or better. In 2026, class A has become common for washing, and brands distinguish themselves with mentions such as "A -20%" or "A -40%" (consumption below the class A threshold).
Everything is measured on the programme Eco 40-60, which is long by nature (often more than 3 hours). To convert this into euros: a washing machine using 50 kWh per 100 cycles, run 200 times a year, uses 100 kWh, or about €35 of electricity a year at €0.35 per kWh. A model using 40 kWh will save you a few euros a year: the difference depends more on your habits (temperatures, quick programmes) than on the energy rating letter.
The QR code on the label opens the model's official fiche in the European EPREL database. It's our go-to when a customer is torn between two machines. More details in our page on washing programmes.
Noise: the criterion everyone forgets
In a flat or an open-plan kitchen, noise matters just as much as energy use. The label shows the noise level during spin, in decibels, with a class from A (quietest) to D. Recent models hover around 70 to 76 dB during spin. Remember that 10 dB more is perceived as roughly twice as loud.
- Under 72 dB : very quiet (LG F14R33WHS at 71 dB, LG F34R50WHS at 72 dB according to their spec sheets).
- 72 to 75 dB : fine in a utility room or a closed bathroom.
- 76 dB and above : best reserved for a separate, insulated room, or run during the day.
Noise also depends on installation: a machine that is properly levelled, with transit bolts removed and on a firm floor, vibrates far less.
The options that really make a difference
Automatic dosing
A detergent tank (and sometimes fabric softener) that lasts several weeks: the machine doses according to the load. Less detergent wasted, better-rinsed laundry. Brand names: i-DOS (Bosch, Siemens), Auto Dispense (Samsung), ezDispense (LG), AutoDose (Whirlpool, Beko), Autodose (Haier, Hisense).
Ideal for a family that does laundry every day
Steam
Injected at the end of a cycle or in a dedicated programme, it removes creases, refreshes and helps against certain allergens. Handy for shirts. It is not dry cleaning.
Useful if you iron a lot
Full leak protection
Double-walled hose with a solenoid valve and a base tray with a float (AquaStop-type): water is cut off in case of a leak. Strongly recommended in a flat or upstairs.
Check the exact level of protection
The app
Remote start and monitoring, downloadable programmes, diagnostics. The real benefit in 2026: starting the machine when electricity is cheapest or when your solar panels are producing.
Home Connect, SmartThings, ThinQ, hOn, HomeWhiz, ConnectLife
Sensors and “AI” (load weighing, detection of soil or fabric type) are useful, but think of them as an aid: they adjust water and duration, with no miracles. And the app is only worthwhile if your Wi-Fi reaches the utility room.
Front or top loader?
The front loader wins on almost everything: wider choice, higher capacities, stronger spin, can be stacked with a tumble dryer. The top loader top-loading keeps one advantage: 40 cm wide, and you load it without bending down. It has become rare: Bosch, Siemens, Samsung and LG no longer offer one in Belgium. We don't currently have any in our range; if it's your only option, ask us and we'll search with you. For a very small space, also consider the Haier HW50-BP12307U1-S mini washing machine (5 kg, about 51 cm wide and 70 cm high according to Haier, €699.99).
What budget should I plan for?
Here is what you can reasonably expect at each level, with models from our range. Our detailed selection, with reviews, is in our 2026 washing machine comparison.
Under €500: the essentials, done well
Energy class A, inverter motor increasingly common, 7 to 8 kg. Simple programmes, sometimes a steam function.
| Model | Key points | Public price |
|---|---|---|
| Indesit IMA762MYTIMEFR | 7 kg, 1,200 rpm, the entry level for a small household | 329,99 € |
| Hisense WF1I7022BWJ | 7 kg, 1,200 rpm, reduced depth (about 43.5 cm according to Hisense) | 399,99 € |
| Haier HW80BP14929AS | 8 kg, 1,400 rpm, inverter motor (I-Pro Series 1) | 479,99 € |
| Whirlpool FFBS8489WVFR | 8 kg, 1,400 rpm, FreshCare+ against odours if laundry sits waiting | 479,99 € |
€500 to €800: the best value for money
The level we recommend most: 9 to 10 kg, inverter motor with a long warranty, steam, often the app.
| Model | Key points | Public price |
|---|---|---|
| Haier HW100BP14357EU1 | 10 kg, 1,400 rpm, connected X5 series (hOn) | 549,99 € |
| Hisense WF3S1043BW3 | 10.5 kg, steam, 72 dB on spin | 549,99 € |
| LG F14R33WHS | 10 kg, Direct Drive, steam, 71 dB | 699,99 € |
| Samsung WW90CGC04DAH | 9 kg, EcoBubble, Wi-Fi SmartThings | 729,99 € |
| Bosch WAN2827AFR | 8 kg, Series 4, 10-year motor warranty, fits under a worktop | 759,99 € |
Over €800: comfort and large capacity
| Model | Key points | Public price |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch WUU28T69FR | 9 kg, Series 6, 1,400 rpm | 879,99 € |
| LG F34R50WHS | 13 kg, Direct Drive, class A, 72 dB | 999,99 € |
| Samsung WW11DB7B94GB | 11 kg, Bespoke 7000 series, AI Wash | 1 199,99 € |
| Samsung WF20DG8650BV | 20 kg, oversized format for very large families | 1 299,99 € |
Retail prices recorded on nimestore.com on 15 October 2026. Prices change: the product page is authoritative. Nimesclub members often get a reduced price. Specifications taken from manufacturers' data sheets; check the product page before buying.
For the same budget, I'd always pick a 9 kg with an inverter motor and a good spin noise level over an 11 kg stuffed with options. And think about the cost over twelve years: a few tens of euros more for a ten-year motor warranty and proper leak protection is often the most cost-effective buy.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Buying too big to “do fewer loads”, then running half-loads.
- Forgetting the real depth (porthole door, hoses, plug) in a recess or under a worktop.
- Stacking a tumble dryer without the kit supplied by the manufacturer.
- Leaving the transit bolts in : violent vibrations from the very first spin.
- Finding the Eco 40-60 too long : that's deliberate, it heats less and washes just as well.
To make your machine last longer, also read our maintenance tips. And if you're torn between a washer-dryer, our page washer-dryer or pair settles the question.
Our washing machines in store, from budget to high end
Washing machine INDESIT IMA762MYTIMEFR€329.00
Washing machine HAIER HW80BP14929AS€372.00
Washing Machine HAIER HW100BP14357EU1€549.00
Washing Machine HISENSE WF3S1043BW3€488.00
Washing machine LG F94R50WHS€611.00
BOSCH WAN2827AFR Series 4 Washing Machine€529.00
Washing machine BOSCH WUU28T69FR€879.00
Washing machine SAMSUNG WW11DB7B94GB€1,199.00
Washing machine LG F34R50WHS€665.00
Samsung Ecobubble WF20DG8650BV Washing Machine€1,299.00All our models are in the washing machine section of the shop. To see the drums and control panels up close, pop in to our Temploux store or ask your question to our expert sales adviser.
Frequently asked questions
What washing machine capacity for a family of four?
8 to 9 kg is enough in the vast majority of cases. Go for 10 kg or more if you often wash duvets, sportswear or king-size sheets. Bigger isn't better: a half-empty machine washes less efficiently.
1,400 or 1,600 rpm?
1,400 rpm is enough for almost everyone. 1,600 rpm is only worthwhile if the laundry then goes into the tumble dryer, and the spin efficiency class on the label matters more than the number itself.
Does an A-rated washing machine really use very little?
Yes, on the Eco 40-60 programme used for testing: around 40 to 50 kWh per 100 cycles, or about thirty euros of electricity a year for a family. A 60 °C cotton wash or a quick programme uses considerably more.
Is automatic dosing worth the extra cost?
For a family that washes every day, often yes: the machine doses according to the load, so you avoid overdosing, the laundry is rinsed better and you save on detergent. For a single person running two washes a week, it's more of a comfort than a necessity.
Can a washing machine go under a worktop?
Yes, if the brand allows it: some models can have their top removed to slide under a 85 cm high worktop. Check the manual and measure the recess, including depth with the hoses.
Will my old washing machine be taken back?
In Belgium, when you buy a new appliance, the seller must take back your old similar appliance free of charge, even if it's a different brand (Recupel obligation). For the practical details, ask us in store.
Come and see the appliances in person
At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.
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