Before you buy, check what’s already included, the dimensions and the connections, then prioritise the appliances you’ll use every day; the rest can wait. To compare models in the same category, look at energy use on a like-for-like basis, capacity and noise levels that suit your home, and the relevant rating and repair options. Don’t forget to factor in the total cost of purchase and delivery.
You need to spread your initial budget across several appliances. First, check what’s already included, its condition, and any delivery or installation costs. The Family Allowance Fund recommends taking stock before you buy.
You want to compare energy use while taking the capacity you need into account. ADEME points out that energy label figures aren’t always based on the same measure for every appliance: they may be annual figures or based on reference cycles.
You’re planning to keep your appliances for a long time and want to check the relevant information for each category: the durability index for a washing machine and the repairability index for a dishwasher.
When moving into your first home, start with the appliances you need every day, then compare your shortlisted models for energy use, repairability and how well they suit your home.
| Consideration | What to check | Who might prioritise it? |
|---|---|---|
| Order of purchase and budget | Appliances already in place and in working order; everyday needs and delivery or installation costs. | If I need to equip several rooms on a limited starting budget, I’ll begin with what I use every day. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the order of purchase and their budget. |
| Electricity and water use | For a fridge, compare kWh/year; for a washing machine or dishwasher, compare kWh/100 cycles and water use per cycle. Also check that the capacity suits your needs. | When comparing running costs, I look at models in the same category and figures calculated on the same basis. Around 23% of consumers prioritise electricity and water use. |
| Durability and repairability | For a washing machine, check the relevant durability index; for a dishwasher, check the repairability index. Review the warranty and repair terms. | If I plan to keep an appliance for a long time, I want to understand the information available about its durability and repair options. Around 18% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space available, allow room to open the appliance and check the connections; make sure the capacity also suits your household’s needs. | If space or connections are limited in my home, I check that an appliance can actually be installed and used there. Around 18% of consumers prioritise how well an appliance fits their home. |
| Noise at home | Compare the noise levels of models in the same category, taking into account where the appliance will go and when it will be used. | If an appliance is near a living area or bedroom, I consider its noise level alongside its other features. Around 12% of consumers prioritise a quieter home. |
ADEME and the European Commission explain that energy label figures are based on different measures for different categories: fridges show annual energy use, while washing machines and dishwashers include figures based on reference cycles. So a figure in kWh/year can’t be compared directly with one in kWh/100 cycles.
Ratings also vary by appliance. According to the government departments responsible for the ecological transition, the durability index has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025 and to televisions since 8 January 2025; ADEME lists dishwashers among the appliances covered by the repairability index. These indices don’t guarantee the lifespan of an individual appliance or a particular repair cost.
The durability index doesn’t apply to every category. In France, it has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025; for a dishwasher, the relevant measure is the repairability index, according to information from the government departments responsible for the ecological transition and ADEME.
Find out which index applies to each category, then look at the information behind the score rather than comparing the index names alone.
Some appliances may already be included in your home, and a capacity that isn’t right for you won’t necessarily meet your household’s needs.
Take stock of what you already have, prioritise purchases according to how useful they’ll be day to day, and measure the available spaces before ordering.
A fridge’s annual energy use and a washing machine’s or dishwasher’s energy use per 100 cycles aren’t measured on the same basis. The energy rating alone also doesn’t tell you about capacity, noise or how well an appliance suits your needs.
Compare appliances in the same category using the same energy label measure, then look at the other features your home requires.
A paid-for commercial warranty is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity. France’s consumer protection authority, the DGCCRF, has found that information about some commercial warranties may be inadequate or unclear, particularly regarding exclusions and how the cover works.
Before taking out extra cover, read its terms and exclusions, and distinguish it from the legal rights you have when buying from a retailer.
This selection includes appliances for washing, food storage and cooking, to help you furnish your home to suit your household’s needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding dishwasher for your household; the Joybuy product listing gives it a capacity of 14 place settings.
Listed width: 60 cm. Listed energy rating: C.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine several kitchen functions in one unit, provided you check that you have enough space and the required power supply.
The Joybuy product listing includes a microwave, an induction hob and a fridge; listed power supply and output: 220V/2000W.
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Worth considering if your household needs an appliance that combines refrigeration and freezing; check that the capacity suits your space and household habits.
Stated capacity: 444 L. Listed energy rating: E. Frost-free system stated; listed noise level: 40 dB.
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Worth considering if the stated capacity suits your household’s laundry needs; check the dimensions and connections before installation.
Listed capacity: 10 kg. Listed maximum spin speed: 1,400 rpm. 16 programmes stated; listed energy rating: A-30 %.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an 8 kg washing machine and its stated depth fits the space you have available.
The Joybuy product listing gives a depth of 48 cm, 16 programmes, a steam function and an A-10 % energy rating.
No. Compare appliances in the same category and check how the figures are measured. ADEME and the European Commission state that fridges show annual energy use in kWh, while washing machines and dishwashers include figures in kWh per 100 reference cycles. Also consider the capacity and how you plan to use the appliance.
Measure the spaces and access routes, allow enough room to open the appliances, then check the sockets and connections. The Family Allowance Fund recommends checking which appliances are already there and what condition they’re in before you buy.
In France, the durability index has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025; for a dishwasher, check the repairability index. The government departments responsible for the ecological transition also state that the durability index has applied to televisions since 8 January 2025. An index doesn’t guarantee the lifespan of an individual appliance or the cost of a repair.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a retailer to an individual, subject to its terms. The Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to make a claim; any commercial warranty does not replace it.
If delivery or installation is offered for a fee, the retailer must provide the price in writing before the purchase. The Ministry of the Economy points out that they cannot then charge you costs that weren’t disclosed in this way.