In the universe of great appliances, it is not just the moment of purchase that defines the confidence of those who use them. The durability and frequency of malfunctions end up weighing both as innovation or price. It was precisely in this balance that a recent inquiry pointed out which brands resist the most of time and achieve the loyalty of Portuguese consumers.
According to Deco Proteste, an organization specializing in consumer protection, four equipment categories were analyzed: washing machines, drying machines, dishwashers and refrigerators.
The study was based on the real experience of those who use these devices every day, gathering information on malfunction, longevity and reasons that lead to replacement.
A European portrait with national data
The survey was conducted in April and May 2025 in ten European countries, bringing together more than 39,000 answers. In Portugal, 3723 consumers participated, offering sufficient sample to realize how the equipment sold in the domestic market behaves.
The evaluation followed a reliability rate expressed on a scale of one to five stars, taking into account variables such as the age of the appliances, the frequency of use or the type of damage recorded. The methodology allowed to highlight 69 brands that reached the maximum score, divided between the four categories of appliances.
Brands that stand out for its durability
According to the same source, Miele, German manufacturer of appliances recognized for the durability of its products, stood out clearly in the clothing treatment segment. Its washing machines reach an average of 15 years and nine months of use, while dryers reach 14 years and seven months. These are values well above the market registered in the market, which surrounds the 12 years for washing machines and 11 years and five months for the drying models.
As for dishes and refrigeration, it was Zanussi, an Italian brand integrated in the Electrolux group, to take the lead. The dishwasher of this brand reaches an average of 14 years and two months of operation, and the refrigerators reach 15 years. By comparison, the market average is in 11 years and ten months for the dishes and in the 13th and four months in the case of refrigerators.
When repairing it is no longer worth
The analysis also shows that, although the price continues to weigh on the purchase, the decision to replace equipment is often hastily with the damage.
In washing machines and dishes, respondents referred difficulties in repairing complex problems or too high costs compared to the value of the device.
In the refrigerators and clothing dryers, one in four consumers admitted to having exchanged the equipment because it simply stopped working
Consumer at the center of change
The experience reported by thousands of users offers a concrete perspective and close to everyday life, impossible to reproduce in laboratory tests. It is in this lived detail, accumulated over the years of use, which are the clearest signals about where the equipment resists better and where they fail.
According to, understanding these recurring damage patterns allows brands to correct weaknesses, prolong the life of products and gain the confidence of those who buy them. To reinforce this cycle, the organization keeps a platform available where consumers can denounce early damage, helping to create a more transparent and quality -centered market.
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