Start with the functions your household genuinely needs every day, such as keeping food fresh, cooking or caring for laundry, rather than buying a standard list of appliances. Check what is already provided or repairable, then compare the footprint, energy label and, where relevant, the repairability or durability rating. Occasional needs can often wait or be covered by borrowing, renting or buying second-hand.
Separate the functions you need from day one from appliances that can wait, taking account of your household, actual usage and available space. ADEME identifies different consumption profiles depending on whether you live alone, have children or work from home.
First decide whether the appliance should be kept, repaired or replaced, then compare efficiency in use and durability within the relevant category. ADEME recommends diagnosing the cause of a fault before deciding that replacement is necessary.
Check the inventory before buying anything. In France, a furnished property must include a hob, an oven or microwave, a refrigerator and a means of freezing food; washing machines and dishwashers remain optional, according to ANIL.
Rank purchases by everyday function, then compare appliances only within the same category and for similar usage.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday functions | Function covered, usable capacity, available space, and any required sockets and connections. | I start with whatever is missing for meals, food storage, laundry or washing-up. Household size, working from home and how long I expect to stay can change the order of my purchases. |
| Consumption and noise | Compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity and noise level within the same category. | I look for an appliance suited to how often I will use it and to my home, without choosing a size or features I will not use. |
| Maintenance and repair | Look for the rating applicable to the category, as well as maintenance requirements, available parts and installation constraints. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and assess a repair before replacing it. In France, the durability rating currently applies notably to washing machines, while the repairability rating covers, among others, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, according to the ministries responsible for ecological transition. |
| Alternative to buying new | Working condition, whether a diagnosis is possible, accessories, dimensions, connections, and the expected duration and frequency of use. | For an occasional or uncertain need, I can consider keeping the existing appliance, having it repaired, or borrowing, renting or buying second-hand. |
A one-size-fits-all list encourages over-equipping: needs vary according to the property and household habits. In a furnished rental, some kitchen equipment should already be provided.
Take an inventory, identify everyday functions that are not covered, then buy the appliances you genuinely need in stages.
Consumption also depends on capacity, programmes, water usage, noise and frequency of use. An oversized appliance or one with unnecessary features can increase consumption.
Within the same category, compare the information on the label: kWh, litres per cycle, capacity, noise and the duration of the Eco programme where these details are shown.
French ratings do not cover every category. The durability rating currently applies to televisions and washing machines; the repairability rating covers, among others, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners.
Use the rating where it applies, then also check parts, maintenance, capacity and installation requirements.
A fault may be caused by a clogged filter, limescale build-up or another simple issue. ADEME states that in France, one in two appliances taken to an after-sales service centre is not actually faulty.
Check the simple causes and carry out appropriate maintenance before replacing the appliance, then request a diagnosis or repair when this makes sense for its condition.
Joybuy options to gradually cover food storage, laundry care and selected household cleaning needs.
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For storing fresh and frozen food separately in a household with enough available space.
235 L refrigerator capacity, 125 L freezer capacity, E energy class, 271 kWh/year, 35 dB(A), Total No Frost, reversible door and dimensions of 185 × 59,5 × 66,7 cm. Check the ventilation, depth and clearance needed to install it; also check parts and service conditions if long-term use is a priority.
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For regular laundry care when a 9 kg capacity suits your household’s habits.
A energy class, 44 kWh/100 cycles, 50 L/cycle, A noise class and 72 dB during spinning; dimensions 60 × 85 × 55 cm. Check the water inlet, drainage, socket and French durability rating before buying if repairability is important to you.
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A top-loading washing option for a space with limited width.
405 mm wide, 7 kg capacity, 1 200 rpm, A energy class, 40 kWh/100 cycles, 42 L/cycle and 77 dB(A) during spinning. Allow clearance for the lid, and make sure the connections are suitable and the floor is stable.
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For limited, supplementary or gradually increasing storage needs in a small kitchen.
92 L capacity, 47 cm wide, freezer compartment, adjustable shelves, reversible door and E energy class. Check the full label, installation dimensions and clearance before deciding whether it could work as your main appliance.
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For occasional cleaning of crumbs, dust, pet hair and awkward corners, rather than long cleaning sessions.
Two power levels, a claimed runtime of 13 to 25 minutes, 500 ml dust container, washable filter, charging station and 2-in-1 attachments. Check the runtime and the availability of filters, batteries and parts according to the surfaces you need to clean.
There is no universal list. Start with the everyday functions your household cannot cover in another way: storing food, preparing meals, caring for laundry or washing dishes. The appliances you buy next depend in particular on the size and make-up of your household and whether you work from home, as ADEME points out.
Check the property inventory first. In France, a furnished rental must include, among other things, a hob, an oven or microwave, a refrigerator and a freezer or freezing compartment reaching no more than -6 °C, according to ANIL. A washing machine and dishwasher remain optional.
Compare appliances in the same category only. Depending on the type of appliance, the energy label may show the class from A to G, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, noise level and the duration of the Eco programme; ADEME recommends using these reference figures alongside your actual usage.
Use it only in categories covered by the scheme. In France, the durability rating applies to televisions and washing machines, while the repairability rating applies, among others, to dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, according to the ministries responsible for ecological transition. These ratings do not replace checking the dimensions, connections and intended usage.
No, not automatically. ADEME recommends finding the cause of the fault before replacing the appliance and states that in France, one in two appliances taken to an after-sales service centre is not actually faulty. Check the simple causes and routine maintenance, then consider whether a repair is worthwhile given the appliance’s overall condition and your current needs.