When is a washing machine suitable for 1 person?
A washing machine for 1 person is not much different from other washing machines. It’s really only the washing drum that is smaller. A larger drum may not sound like a big deal, but it can be annoying. You don’t want to run your washing machine with a half-empty drum, because that would mean using unnecessary amounts of water and energy, but also because it’s not good for the washing machine. This can cause your washing machine to become unbalanced, causing it to vibrate harder and increasing the risk of damage.
This is why you should prefer to wash the number of kilograms of laundry that corresponds to the machine’s fill weight. The load weight, also known as the capacity of the washing machine, indicates how many kilos of washing you can fit into the drum at one time.
If you live alone, our advice would be to get a washing machine for one person, with a load weight of 7 or 8 kg. These use less water and energy per wash than a large machine. Washing machines with a load of 9kg or more are better suited to a family with 1 or 2 children.
Best Washing Machines for 1 Person in 2023
There are, of course, several washing machines on the market that have 7kg or 8kg fills. Even within this selection, it can be difficult to find the best washing machine. That’s why we’re happy to help you with that. When we made the list below, we looked at things like the fill weight (obviously), energy class, noise level, wash quality, build quality, and overall wash programs. Here you can see the best washing machines for a small household of 1 person. We hope you’ll find the small washing machine that’s perfect for you.
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What makes a good washing machine for 1 person?
In addition to load weight, there are other things to consider when buying a washing machine for a household of 1 or 2 people.
- Energy Rating: The energy rating, formerly known as the energy label, indicates how efficient the machine is at generating electricity. An energy-efficient washing machine may cost a little more to buy, but it will ultimately save you money on your energy bill. An energy-efficient washing machine is also better for the environment.
- Type of washing machine: The advantage of a small washing machine is that you can choose between a front-loading and a top-loading one. One has the door on the front – which is the most common – and the other has the door on the top. This can be great if you are prone to back problems.
- RPM: this tells you how many rounds the drum spins per minute when spinning. The higher the RPM, the drier your laundry will be. A modern, small washing machine will usually spin at 1400 or 1600 rpm. 1400 rpm is the most common, but 1600 rpm will get your laundry out as dry as possible.
- Sound level: A small household also tends to live in a smaller home. For this reason, it may be important to choose a quiet washing machine, as they can be quite noisy during the spin cycle. The noise level of a washing machine is expressed in decibels (dB). For a 1 person household, we recommend a small washing machine that generates a maximum of 73 dB.
- Wash programs: No matter what size household or washing machine you have, you are likely to have a preference for certain programs.