Prioritise the appliance that runs continuously or best matches how often you actually use it. Compare refrigeration in kWh/year for products with a similar capacity and format, dishwashers using their Eco programme, and ovens per cycle and cooking mode. Electric hobs require you to check their technical specifications, as no mandatory energy label applies.
Compare fridges, fridge freezers and freezers with a similar format and capacity, using their stated annual energy consumption. ADEME reminds us that actual consumption also depends on the appliance’s size and usage.
If you run regular cycles and the Eco programme suits your routine, look at kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity and noise levels. Complement these figures with the washing and drying results that matter for your dishes.
Ovens are compared using energy consumption per cycle and cooking mode, while electric hobs do not have a mandatory energy label. The European Commission therefore distinguishes these two categories using different regulatory information.
Start by identifying the type of appliance and how you normally use it, then compare only models that provide an equivalent service.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous refrigeration | Compare kWh/year between appliances of the same type, with a similar usable volume and configuration. Also check the split between fridge and freezer space, along with installation requirements. | I’m looking for annual energy consumption that matches the amount of storage my household genuinely needs. |
| Dishwasher | Check the kWh per 100 cycles for the Eco programme, litres per cycle, capacity, programme duration and noise level. Assess washing and drying separately if these results are important to you. | I want to limit consumption per cycle without compromising on suitable capacity, noise levels or washing results. |
| Electric oven | Compare usable volume and kWh/cycle separately for conventional and fan-assisted modes. Focus on the mode you use most often. | My dishes need to fit inside the oven, but I also want to be able to compare its energy consumption over a defined cycle. |
| Electric hobs | Check the cut-out dimensions, number of zones, compatible cookware and the model’s technical specifications. Do not look for an A–G energy rating for this category. | I want a hob that suits my kitchen and cooking habits, without treating its information as equivalent to that of an oven or fridge. |
| Length of use | Before replacing an appliance, check its dimensions, connections, repair options and model documentation. EPREL can supplement label information for the categories concerned. | I’d rather check whether replacement is genuinely justified and whether the new appliance can be maintained over time. |
Refrigeration is expressed in particular in kWh/year, dishwashers in kWh per 100 cycles of the Eco programme, and ovens in kWh/cycle according to the mode. Electric hobs do not have a mandatory energy label.
Compare products in the same category, using the metric that applies to that category.
ADEME points out that actual consumption depends in particular on the appliance’s size and usage. A standardised figure helps you compare models, but cannot by itself predict your household’s consumption.
Use your storage needs or usual number of cycles as the basis for your decision.
Label data is based on the Eco programme. Independent tests by UFC-Que Choisir also assess differences between models in washing, drying, noise and other programmes.
If difficult-to-clean dishes, wet plastic or noise are concerns, consult comparative tests for the exact model alongside the label.
Built-in appliances require precise compatibility in terms of dimensions and connections. Depending on the model, EPREL can also provide performance information and links to repair instructions.
Before replacing your appliance, check the condition of the current one, the dimensions of the cavity, the required connections and the documentation for the model you are considering.
Worth considering for a built-in dishwasher when you need to check label data, Eco programme water consumption, noise level and installation dimensions on a French product sheet.
Worth considering for built-in refrigeration when the cavity, fridge and freezer capacities, and kWh/year all need to be assessed together.
Worth considering for a built-in electric oven when cavity volume and consumption per cycle according to cooking mode guide your decision.
Joybuy options for comparing fridge freezers and induction hobs for everyday kitchen use.
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For households looking for generous storage capacity in an appliance used continuously for refrigeration.
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For replacing a fridge freezer in a two- or three-person household, or for a narrower kitchen.
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For larger households needing substantial storage capacity in a side-by-side format.
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For replacing a built-in electric hob with three zones and high occasional power output.
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For kitchens that need several cooking zones and separate controls.
Use the label measurement specific to each category: kWh/year for refrigeration, kWh per 100 Eco programme cycles for a dishwasher, and kWh/cycle for an oven. ADEME states that actual consumption also depends on the appliance’s size and usage.
Yes, when comparing regulated label values: these include energy per 100 cycles, water per cycle and the duration of the Eco programme. This data does not represent every programme; independent UFC-Que Choisir tests also examine differences in washing, drying and consumption across different modes.
No. The European Commission states that hobs are subject to ecodesign requirements, without an energy-labelling requirement. Instead of looking for a supposed A–G rating, check the technical specifications, built-in dimensions and compatibility with your cookware.
Scan the QR code on the label or search for the model in EPREL, the European Commission’s public database. It allows you to compare important characteristics of labelled products and may provide performance information and links to repair instructions, depending on the model.