When to buy a washing machine for less: a month-by-month guide

The best time to buy a washing machine is usually during the winter sales (6 January to 2 February 2027 in most of France), around Black Friday (27 November 2026) and when end-of-line models are cleared as ranges are refreshed. The summer sales, from late June, are another good window. The real trap is a breakdown: buying in a rush leaves no room to compare. Shortlisting your model early and tracking its price is the best strategy.

Best month to buy a washing machine: the calendar

This table sums up the usual patterns for large appliances in France and much of Europe. It's qualitative guidance: a specific model can drop outside these periods.

Month	Rating	Why
January	Good	Winter sales: end-of-line and display models marked down.
February	Average	Sales wind down, final markdowns on limited stock.
March – April	Average	Some ranges are refreshed and outgoing models may be cleared.
May	Average	One-off retailer events (such as the spring French Days in France).
June – July	Good	Summer sales from late June, often with markdowns on large appliances.
August	Average	End of the sales, a quiet period, sometimes less choice.
September	Average	Back-to-school period and autumn French Days in some years.
October	Average	The ideal month to shortlist a model and note its price before November.
November	Good	Black Friday and Cyber Monday: plenty of offers, to be checked one by one.
December	Average	Holiday deals focus on small appliances; some post-Black Friday offers.

For every other appliance, see when to buy home appliances, and our guide to the 2027 winter sales.

Black Friday or the sales: which is better for a washing machine?

Both can work, but differently. On Black Friday, retailers push a lot of models, some of them with a price that crept up in the weeks before. During the sales, markdowns often focus on end-of-line or display models, with limited stock.

Either way, the right question isn't "how big is the percentage?" but "is this price low for this model?". In France, since 28 May 2022, an advertised discount must be calculated from the lowest price the seller charged in the previous 30 days (article L112-1-1 of the Consumer Code, based on the EU Omnibus directive). It helps, but it doesn't stop a price rising earlier. Our tips to spot a fake discount and our Black Friday 2026 guide cover the traps.

Sudden breakdown: how to buy fast without overpaying

A washing machine that dies can't wait three months. A few habits limit the damage:

• Get it diagnosed first: a blocked pump, a door seal or motor brushes can often be replaced. In France, out-of-warranty repairs at a QualiRépar-certified repairer get a repair bonus deducted from the bill.
• Widen your shortlist: three or four models that fit the space rather than just one.
• Look at end-of-line and display models, which are often available quickly.
• Compare the delivered, installed price with take-back, not just the sticker price.

If your machine is showing signs of wear (loud spinning, leaks, programmes stopping mid-cycle), plan ahead: you'll have time to wait for the right period.

France's durability score: the rating to check before buying

Since 8 April 2025, the durability index (indice de durabilité) has been gradually replacing the repairability index on washing machines sold in France (TVs have been covered since 8 January 2025). It's a score out of 10 that keeps the repairability criteria and adds the appliance's reliability.

It takes into account, among other things:

• the availability and price of spare parts;
• how easy the machine is to disassemble, service and maintain;
• resistance to wear and stress.

During the transition, models already on the market may still show the old repairability score. At a similar price, pick the better score: a washing machine that lasts longer costs less per year of use. At EU level, manufacturers must also make certain parts (motor, pump, shock absorbers, door gaskets and more) available to professional repairers for at least ten years after the last unit of a model is placed on the market (EU Regulation 2019/2023, applicable since 1 March 2021).

Energy label, capacity and type: choosing the right machine

Reading the EU energy label

Since 1 March 2021, the EU energy label for washing machines has used an A to G scale. Electricity use is shown per 100 cycles of the "Eco 40-60" programme, alongside water use per cycle, capacity, programme duration and spin noise class. The QR code links to the product's entry in the EU EPREL database.

Front-loader or top-loader

• Front-loader: the most common type, large capacities, can fit under a worktop.
• Top-loader: narrower, handy in a small bathroom or cupboard (common in France, less so elsewhere).
• Washer-dryer: saves space, but drying is more limited than with a separate dryer (see when to buy a tumble dryer).

Capacity: rough guidance

These ballpark figures are commonly quoted by retailers; adjust them to your habits (sportswear, duvets, a baby):

Household	Indicative capacity
1 to 2 people	about 6 to 7 kg
3 to 4 people	about 8 to 9 kg
5 or more	10 kg and above

Old machine take-back, delivery and warranties

In France, the seller must take back your old appliance for free when you buy a new one of the same type: the "one-for-one" rule for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). It applies in store and to distance purchases, and collection happens at delivery if the machine is delivered. Make sure the option is selected before you pay. Other EU countries have similar schemes; check the local rules.

On warranties:

• the two-year legal guarantee of conformity applies to any purchase from a business in the EU;
• in France, if the machine is repaired under that guarantee, it is extended by six months (article L217-13 of the Consumer Code);
• online purchases generally come with a 14-day right of withdrawal, but return costs for a heavy appliance may be yours to pay.

Before adding a paid extended warranty, check what it covers beyond the legal guarantee.

Washing machine buying checklist

1. Measure the space (height, width, depth with the door open) and the doorways.
2. Choose the type and capacity that suit your household.
3. Compare the durability score, energy use per 100 cycles and spin noise.
4. Shortlist two or three models and note their prices over several weeks.
5. Aim for January, late June, an end-of-line clearance or Black Friday.
6. Compare the delivered, installed price including take-back.
7. Ignore the crossed-out price and rely on the price history.

Put it into practice: pay the right price for your washing machine

Tracking a washing machine by hand means returning to the product page every other day for weeks, and missing the drop that only lasts a weekend. UniverTrack automates the watching:

1. Paste the model's link (Amazon, Cdiscount, and other retailer sites on a best-effort basis). The price is checked regularly and a dated history builds up.
2. Set your target price and use the "good time to buy" indicator to see whether today's price is worth it.
3. Get an email as soon as your target is reached, then buy. See how to set up a price drop alert.

For a one-off purchase like a washing machine, the Découverte plan is plenty. If the same model is sold by several retailers, the Pro plan groups the links you add for each one on a single product page and shows the best offer. Compare plans on the pricing page: each starts with a 14-day free trial, with no commitment. UniverTrack can help with your next purchase too, such as a dishwasher.