Quick summary:
- Refurbished means 20 to 50 per cent savings with a minimum 12 month warranty.
- Used is the cheapest option but comes with no warranty or quality check.
- New still makes sense for latest models, intensive use and large families.
- The French refurbished market already tops 1 billion euros in 2025 according to ADEME.
Quick comparison of new, refurbished and used
| Criterion | New | Refurbished | Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price | 100 per cent | 50 to 80 per cent | 20 to 40 per cent |
| Warranty | 24 months minimum | 12 to 24 months | None |
| After-sales service | Yes | Yes | No |
| Delivery included | Often | Often | Rarely |
| Estimated lifespan | 10 to 15 years | 7 to 12 years | 3 to 8 years |
| Environmental impact | High | Low | None |
Appliances: three buying options in 2026
The arbitrage between refurbished appliance, new and used has sat at the top of French household budget decisions for three years running. Two main reasons drive the shift: rising energy and new-appliance prices (up 8 to 12 per cent between 2023 and 2025 according to INSEE) and a stronger ecological awareness that makes a default first-hand new purchase less obvious than before.
Each option matches a different need profile. A student moving into a first apartment arbitrates differently from a family of five replacing an entire kitchen. Understanding the real gaps in price, reliability and warranty stays the first step before deciding. The analysis below draws on French market practices in 2026 and customer feedback compiled across the main sector marketplaces.
Why refurbished is gaining ground
According to ADEME (French ecological transition agency), the French refurbished market passed 1 billion euros in 2025, all sectors combined. Appliances now account for 15 per cent of this market, growing 20 per cent per year. Smartphones led the way since 2018, but large appliances are catching up fast, pushed by players like Back Market, Envie and Largo who have structured a legible offer with warranty.
New: when is it the right choice?
Buying new remains the preferred option for several concrete reasons. New guarantees an unused product, with the latest technology and a full manufacturer warranty.
Situations where new is essential
- Latest-generation technology: heat pump dryers, connected dishwashers, steam ovens.
- Intensive use: families of more than 4, professionals.
- Aesthetic requirements: new kitchen, matching design.
- Unconstrained budget: priority on peace of mind and maximum warranty.
New comes with a minimum 2 year legal warranty, sometimes extended to 5 or 10 years on key components (motors, drums). Prices rose 8 to 12 per cent between 2023 and 2025 according to INSEE, which mechanically pushes part of the demand toward alternatives.
Refurbished: the winning compromise
Refurbished means an appliance restored by a professional after initial use. The process includes disassembly, component testing, faulty part replacement, cleaning and packaging. The appliance is then resold with a minimum 12 month warranty. The key difference with used sits in that mandatory workshop step: no appliance is resold without inspection.
The three refurbished grades
French marketplaces have harmonized a common three-tier classification:
| Grade | Appearance | Functionality | Typical discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Visible marks | 100 per cent functional | 30 to 50 per cent |
| Good | Light marks | 100 per cent functional | 20 to 30 per cent |
| Excellent | Like new | 100 per cent functional | 15 to 25 per cent |
The warranty advantage
Unlike used, refurbished comes with a 12 to 24 month warranty depending on the seller, plus after-sales service for breakdowns. This warranty covers all failures except normal wear or misuse. In 95 per cent of cases, a warranty claim ends with a swap or repair within 10 to 15 business days according to aggregated seller data.
Used: for tight budgets
Buying used between individuals (eBay, Craigslist, Facebook groups) delivers the biggest savings, often 60 to 80 per cent off new. This option comes with high risks that would be dishonest to hide.
The risks of used
- No legal or commercial warranty.
- Impossible to check internal condition (limescale, worn parts).
- No delivery contract, transport at buyer’s cost.
- Limited recourse for early breakdowns.
Expert citation
“The used market between individuals remains huge, but 35 per cent of resold appliances fail within 12 months of purchase. Professional refurbishment cuts this rate by three.” ADEME Study, 2024
Used remains relevant for small, low-cost appliances (microwaves, toasters) or buyers able to assess condition themselves. For a dishwasher or washing machine, the bet often turns sour: a six-month breakdown costs more than a warranty repair on a refurbished unit.
Detailed comparison of the three options
The ecological criterion
A refurbished appliance avoids the production of a new one, saving an average 150 kg of CO2 for a large appliance according to ADEME. This is the number one argument for environmentally-conscious buyers. Over a full kitchen, the figures add up fast: more than a tonne of CO2 avoided for seven main appliances. The detailed budgets and gains for equipping a full kitchen sit in our guide on equipping a kitchen with refurbished appliances.
How to choose based on your profile
Tight budget
Favor fair-grade refurbished on specialized marketplaces. Savings reach 50 per cent with warranty preserved. Used between individuals remains viable for small, low-tech appliances.
Average household
Good-grade refurbished offers the best compromise. Sites like Back Market, Recommerce and Largo deliver reliable offers with 12 to 24 month warranties and a return rate under 8 per cent in their annual reports.
Demanding buyer
New remains the logical choice for those who want the latest technology, maximum warranty and perfect aesthetics. Purchases at big-box stores (Darty, Boulanger) also offer financing options and local after-sales service.
Equipping a senior-friendly home
The case of seniors or caregivers equipping an adapted home deserves separate treatment. Refurbished finds a particular relevance here: it allows replacing several appliances at once (eye-level oven, easy-access front-loader) without blowing the overall budget dedicated to home care services. On a global home-support budget, every saving on equipment translates into extra intervention hours.
Steps to buy refurbished with confidence
- Compare prices on 2 or 3 marketplaces before buying.
- Check warranty length (12 months minimum).
- Read customer reviews on the specific seller.
- Favor good or excellent grades for reliability.
- Keep the invoice to enforce the warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Refurbished, used or new: which appliance to choose?
Refurbished offers the best value in 2026, with 20 to 50 per cent savings compared to new and a minimum 12 month warranty. Used is the cheapest but comes with no warranty. New makes sense for latest-generation models or intensive use.
What is the difference between refurbished and used appliances?
A refurbished appliance has been tested, repaired and cleaned by a professional before resale, with a 12 to 24 month warranty. A used appliance is resold as-is, often between individuals, with no quality check or warranty.
How much can you save on a refurbished appliance?
Average savings range from 20 to 50 per cent compared to new depending on grade (fair, good, excellent) and age. A 700 euro new washer is typically 350 to 550 euros refurbished.
How do you ensure a refurbished appliance is reliable?
Buy from an audited professional (Back Market, Envie, Recommerce), check the warranty (12 months minimum), read customer reviews and favor good or excellent grades for peace of mind.
Can you still get the repair bonus when buying refurbished?
No. The French government repair bonus (10 to 60 euros depending on the appliance) applies only to repairing a broken appliance, not to buying a refurbished one. Some marketplaces offer equivalent discount codes.