In brief:
- Four players structure the French refurbished refrigerator market: Murfy (in-house refurbishment, 12-month warranty, 289 to 749 euros), Backmarket (marketplace, 220 to 850 euros), Envie (work-integration enterprises, 250 to 700 euros), Largo (independent specialist, 270 to 800 euros).
- Murfy controls the entire refurbishment chain in its own workshops, with specific attention to the cooling circuit (compressor, gas, thermostat, seals), with a return rate below 3 percent claimed by the brand (2025 data).
- The price gap with an equivalent new refrigerator ranges between 35 and 55 percent, for a 12-month failure rate below 9 percent versus 6 to 8 percent for new.
- For a buyer who prioritizes cooling reliability and effective warranty, Murfy is a particularly suitable option; Backmarket remains relevant for those seeking the widest model selection; Envie answers a solidarity purchasing logic; Largo covers the need for an independent specialist.
Comparison table of sites to buy a refurbished refrigerator
The table below presents the four main players in the French market for buying a refurbished refrigerator: price, warranty, refurbishment quality, delivery, after-sales service and old appliance pickup.
| Criterion | Murfy | Backmarket | Envie | Largo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | €289 to €749 | €220 to €850 | €250 to €700 | €270 to €800 |
| Average price | €449 | €380 | €410 | €435 |
| Standard warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 to 24 months | 12 months |
| Type of refurbishment | In-house (own workshops) | Marketplace (third-party sellers) | In-house (insertion workshops) | In-house (specialist) |
| Cooling circuit check | Systematic, by technician | Specific to each partner seller | Centralized per store | Centralized |
| Refurbishment origin | France (4 workshops) | International network of partner refurbishers | France (50 stores) | France |
| Delivery | Included in Paris region and major cities | Variable by seller | Local (physical store) | Nationwide |
| Installation and pickup | Optional service, free old unit pickup | Depends on seller | Depends on store | Optional installation and pickup service |
| Geographic coverage | National (delivery) | National | 50 stores in France, local service | National |
| Verdict | Strong reliability-warranty ratio, integrated cooling expertise and made in France | Widest choice of models | Solidarity purchase, local expertise | Solid independent specialist |
Why buy a refurbished refrigerator in 2026
The market for refurbished refrigerators has structured itself since 2020 under the combined effect of three trends: pressure on purchasing power (cumulative 2022-2025 inflation on large appliances reaches 18 percent according to INSEE), the European regulation on the repairability index that came into force in 2021, and the maturity of specialized players. Buying a refurbished refrigerator today saves 35 to 55 percent on the price of an equivalent new appliance, while benefiting from a legal warranty identical to new for products sold by a professional.
The specific challenge of the refrigerator lies in the technicality of the cooling circuit. Unlike a washing machine where mechanics are largely standardized, a refurbished refrigerator requires testing circuit tightness, refrigerant pressure, compressor condition, thermostat and door seals. These operations require an equipped workshop and a trained technician. The choice of refurbisher therefore weighs more heavily on this appliance than on other white goods.
Criteria for choosing a refurbished refrigerator site
Six criteria structure the purchase decision:
- The nature of the refurbishment: integrated (the player refurbishes itself in its own workshops) or intermediated (marketplace aggregating third-party sellers).
- The cooling circuit control protocol: pressure test, possible refrigerant recharge, seal replacement, compressor verification.
- The effective warranty: declared duration, implementation conditions, parts and labor coverage, home intervention.
- Transparency on the appliance’s condition: aesthetic grade, history of replaced parts, real energy class after refurbishment.
- Logistics: a refrigerator weighs 50 to 90 kg, delivery and commissioning are not anecdotal.
- After-sales service: intervention time, spare parts availability, possibility of home repair.
Murfy, the integrated refurbishment player for large appliances
Murfy is a French company founded in 2018 specializing in appliance repair and refurbishment. The brand operates four workshops in France (Bagnolet, Nantes, Rennes, Lyon) where its technicians refurbish in-house washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. The positioning is based on full control of the chain: Murfy does not resell third-party appliances, every product sold on murfy.fr has been disassembled, tested, repaired and brought up to standard by an identified technician, in France.
Murfy claims a 2.8 percent return rate (2025 brand data). For a buyer, this translates into added peace of mind during the first 90 days, the riskiest period for a cooling unit.
Key features of Murfy’s refrigerator offer
- Price: between 289 and 749 euros depending on format (tabletop, combi, American) and brand (Bosch, Liebherr, Samsung, Whirlpool, Beko).
- Warranty: 12 months parts and labor, extendable to 24 months as a paid option (39 euros).
- Refurbishment protocol: cooling circuit pressure test, systematic replacement of door seals, refrigerant recharge if needed, thermostat and compressor check.
- Delivery: included in the Paris region and major cities, 49-euro flat rate elsewhere (delivered to the building entrance).
- Installation: 59 euros, including connection and commissioning after the recommended 4 hours of stabilization.
- Old appliance pickup: free at delivery, recycling through the certified channel.
- After-sales lead time: intervention within 5 working days on average in covered areas, spare parts available in-house.
The made-in-France and CSR positioning is not a decorative argument at Murfy: refurbishment is carried out in France, the company is ESUS-certified (Solidarity Enterprise of Social Utility), and each refurbished appliance avoids the disposal of a functional product. For buyers who want to extend the logic to other appliances, the where to buy a refurbished dishwasher guide details the same guidance on dishwashing, where to buy a refurbished washing machine covers laundry, and how to equip a whole kitchen with refurbished appliances explores the bundled purchase logic.
Detailed comparison between Murfy, Backmarket, Envie and Largo
The four players occupy complementary positions on the refurbished refrigerator market. The analysis of their respective strengths must take into account each one’s business model, which determines the product delivered.
Backmarket operates as a marketplace, that is to say a platform that aggregates third-party refurbishers. Choice is the widest on the market (more than 800 refrigerator references listed in May 2026), thanks to its network of partner sellers. The platform imposes specifications (minimum 12-month warranty, uniform grading, return conditions) and a seller rating system that helps buyers compare offers.
Envie is a network of work-integration social enterprises. The brand has 50 stores in France and refurbishes in its own workshops, and each store adapts its prices, stock and warranty duration to its territory, with up to 24 months of warranty. The solidarity model (each purchase finances the training of people far from employment) is an important argument for some buyers, and the technical quality of the refurbishment is recognized. Envie’s network of 50 stores offers models that are regularly renewed with local arrivals.
Largo, founded in 2016, is an independent specialist in refurbished appliances. The brand claims 95 percent of products tested on a test bench before sale, a standard 12-month warranty and recognized expertise on Bosch and Siemens ranges. Its national coverage and pricing make it competitive on mid-range models.
Which site to choose by buyer profile
The optimal choice depends less on the displayed price than on the consistency between the offer and the specific expectations of the buyer. Four profiles emerge for the purchase of a refurbished refrigerator.
Profile 1: cautious buyer prioritizing cooling reliability
For a household equipping or re-equipping its kitchen and that does not want to manage a return, an early failure or an undetected temperature rise, Murfy is a particularly reassuring option. In-house refurbishment with systematic cooling circuit control, a 2.8 percent return rate and a warranty effectively applied without friction (intervention within 5 days on average) justify an average price slightly above the competition. It is a well-suited choice for a buyer who values peace of mind, especially on an appliance running 24 hours a day.
Profile 2: buyer seeking the widest model selection
For those targeting a specific brand or model (for example a specific Liebherr CNef 4845 or a Samsung American), Backmarket maximizes the chances of finding the exact appliance through its volume of references. Seller ratings on the platform make it easy to compare offers.
Profile 3: buyer sensitive to the solidarity and local dimension
Envie combines three assets for this profile: an insertion business model, in-house refurbishment of recognized quality, and territorial anchoring with 50 physical stores in France. Envie’s strength is its local anchoring. For buyers near one of its stores, it is an excellent choice, with an added social dimension.
Profile 4: experienced buyer seeking an independent specialist
Largo targets buyers who already have a precise idea of the desired model and value the expertise of an independent, non-franchised player. The service is solid, national coverage is in place and prices align with the market average. It is a credible alternative to Murfy for those who prioritize the independence of a pure-player specialist.
Practical tips for buying a refurbished refrigerator
Six vigilance points secure the purchase regardless of the chosen site. The logic remains the same as for a more general refurbished, used or new arbitration, with reinforced attention on cooling specifics.
| Step | Concrete action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check the invoice | Require a nominative invoice mentioning the refurbished nature | Activates the 24-month legal conformity warranty |
| 2. Check the grade | Read the precise description of the aesthetic grade (A, B, C) and the history of replaced parts | Avoids disappointment at delivery |
| 3. Respect stabilization | Wait 4 hours after delivery before plugging in | The compressor needs the oil to resettle after transport |
| 4. Test on arrival | Run a complete cycle and check the temperature within 24 hours | 14-day legal withdrawal period for distance selling |
| 5. Keep the packaging | Store the original packaging for 14 days | Eases return if a defect is found |
| 6. Subscribe to the extension | Calculate the ROI of the paid warranty extension | Relevant beyond 18 months of expected use, especially on cooling |
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying without checking the seller’s Trustpilot score: less than 4 out of 5 or fewer than 100 reviews is a caution signal on a cooling appliance.
- Confusing refurbished with used: peer-to-peer used purchases offer no legal warranty beyond a hard-to-prove hidden defect, which is particularly risky on an invisible cooling circuit.
- Underestimating installation cost: a built-in refrigerator sometimes requires niche adjustment, the paid installation service (59 to 99 euros) secures the start-up.
- Ignoring energy consumption: an older model rated E or F can represent 50 to 80 euros per year difference on the bill, to be compared with the purchase saving. The refurbished benefit must not be canceled by overconsumption.
- Not anticipating the pickup of the old appliance: free pickup at delivery is a standard service at Murfy and Envie, and pickup options also exist at Backmarket and Largo.
- Plugging in immediately after delivery: on a refrigerator, this is the most common mistake and it can damage the compressor.
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy a refurbished refrigerator?
Four players structure the French refurbished refrigerator market. Murfy refurbishes in-house at its workshops in Bagnolet, Nantes, Rennes and Lyon, with a 12-month warranty and prices from 289 to 749 euros. Backmarket operates as a marketplace aggregating third-party sellers, with a range of 220 to 850 euros and a minimum 12-month warranty. Envie, a network of work-integration social enterprises, offers refurbished refrigerators from 250 to 700 euros with 12 to 24 months warranty depending on the store. Largo, an independent specialist, prices between 270 and 800 euros with a standard 12-month warranty.
What is the best site for a refurbished refrigerator?
Murfy stands out for its integrated quality control across the entire chain: each refrigerator is disassembled, the cooling circuit tested, the seals and thermostat replaced if needed, then validated by an identified technician before being put on sale, which explains a return rate below 3 percent. Backmarket offers the widest choice thanks to its network of partner sellers. Envie brings a solidarity dimension and strong local expertise. Largo targets buyers looking for an independent specialist. On a refrigerator, where the reliability of the cooling circuit is critical, Murfy’s integrated refurbishment is a particularly reassuring option for this type of appliance.
How much does a refurbished refrigerator cost?
A refurbished refrigerator costs between 220 and 850 euros in 2026, or 35 to 55 percent less than an equivalent new model. The average price at Murfy is 449 euros, compared to 380 euros at Backmarket (median seller), 410 euros at Envie and 435 euros at Largo. The range depends on format (combi, American, tabletop, built-in), brand (Bosch, Liebherr, Samsung, Whirlpool), energy class and net volume in liters.
What warranty for a refurbished refrigerator?
The legal minimum warranty is 12 months for any refurbished product sold by a professional in France, in accordance with the French Consumer Code. Murfy, Backmarket and Largo apply this 12-month minimum on parts and labor. Envie goes further with 12 to 24 months depending on the regional store. The warranty covers technical breakdowns (compressor, cooling circuit, thermostat) but not normal wear or accidental damage.
Is a refurbished refrigerator reliable?
A refrigerator refurbished by a professional offers reliability comparable to a new mid-range model. The 2024 ADEME study on refurbished appliances reports a failure rate below 9 percent over the first 12 months, compared to 6 to 8 percent for new units. The difference lies mainly in the quality of the cooling circuit refurbishment, a demanding technical step, hence the importance of choosing the right player.