No, you are not imagining it — many kitchen home equipment have been getting worse in recent times. From convection ovens to espresso makers and washing machines, nothing lasts so long as it used to. This is because of a sophisticated internet of shifting laws, international provide chain challenges, and client preferences, with everybody attempting to economize on kitchen home equipment whereas additionally anticipating every gadget to be extra refined than the final.
Adding extra options provides extra alternatives for issues to go fallacious, and it additionally will increase prices for each producers and shoppers. At the identical time, a better price ticket results in larger expectations. As a Redditor explains on a thread about Miele dishwashers: “People are much more critical of a premium product than an inexpensive one. If your $300 dishwasher kinda sucks, you got what you paid for. However, when one pays $2,000 for a dishwasher, they’ll be more upset at minor imperfections.”
Some corporations have managed to take care of their status for offering worth, however these eight kitchen equipment manufacturers aren’t amongst them, as every is constantly referred to as “overpriced” by their very own clients. If you could have a kitchen equipment that is not doing so nicely, it’s best to know that some upgrades aren’t price it. Here are the worst offenders for over-promising and under-delivering.
1. GE Appliances
With its fashionable machines for each room in the home, GE Appliances has established itself as a one-stop-shop. It’s received kitchen staples like dishwashers and rubbish disposals, a variety of choices, and even stylish gadgets like countertop ice makers. Such state-of-the-art home equipment come at a value, in fact, however equipment can justify a steep value. Unfortunately, judging by buyer opinions, that expectation is not all the time met.
One disgruntled Yelp review says: “It’s really frustrating to spend so much on a GE front load washer only to have problems after just two years… With the high price of these appliances, it’s disappointing to see more negative reviews than positive ones lately.” Those unfavorable opinions communicate to the lackluster efficiency of GE’s microwaves, dishwashers, fridges, and extra, indicating a drop in high quality throughout the board, particularly since GE’s change of possession in 2016. “GE appliances almost always show up with some sort of physical damage,” writes an equipment salesman on Reddit. “Been that way for the past few years now. I honestly think they cheaped out on their logistics.” If solely these saves could possibly be handed all the way down to shoppers, GE would not be on this record.
2. Electrolux
Electrolux, which additionally owns Frigidaire, is a producer of all the things from vacuum cleaners to beverage coolers. It additionally makes well-liked induction cooktops, which have gotten extra mainstream as gasoline stoves develop into much less prevalent. One may moderately outfit a complete kitchen with Electrolux home equipment however, in keeping with clients, they need to assume twice earlier than doing so.
“Their products are absolute garbage,” reads one ConsumerAffairs assessment. “I purchased a dryer in March of 2022. Within 3 months it began shaking and rattling… The problem was never fixed and I don’t think this piece of junk will make it to the 3 year mark…”
Unfortunately, that have with Electrolux seems to be fairly frequent, with different reviewers complaining of pricey home equipment that stopped working correctly shortly after being bought. If the corporate supplied higher customer support, maybe that may mitigate the problem. Instead, many say that gradual or no response from the model solely made issues worse. One even goes as far as to name the corporate a rip-off, saying: “I am surprised the government has not shut this ponzi scheme down.”
3. Maytag
For over a century, Maytag constructed a stable status for making American kitchens extra handy, environment friendly, and dependable. While it is probably not the flashiest title within the recreation, it stays a well-liked selection for ovens, cooktops, and extra. However, in keeping with latest opinions of its once-renowned fridges, Maytag’s priorities could also be altering, to the detriment of its shoppers. It looks like Maytag fridges have develop into far much less reliable than they as soon as had been, usually leading to pricey repairs and irritating interactions with an detached customer support group.
One notably painful level of rivalry seems to be the model’s guarantee, which does not all the time cowl what clients anticipate. This implies that these with a faulty equipment usually wind up paying rather more than the unique price ticket, rendering the product overpriced in the long term. As one proprietor of a $2,159 Maytag fridge places it on ConsumerAffairs: “Maytag wanted to charge us an arm and a leg to replace any of these items even though the refrigerator has a plaque on the side of it that says it has a 10 year parts warranty… We are so disappointed in this cheap product that was so expensive!”
4. JennAir
JennAir is a high-end equipment model that units itself aside by providing luxurious options, customized panels, and distinctive finishes. It launched a collaboration with world-famous inside designer Kelly Wearstler, it has its personal branded cooking app, and produces assertion items like mixed-metal ranges and fridges with a snakeskin-print inside.
Given the fashionable aesthetic and excessive value level of JennAir kitchen home equipment, one would anticipate the standard to be top-notch. Unfortunately, in keeping with buyer opinions, the alternative is simply as prone to be true. JennAir machines may be handsome, however they are not all the time reliable, leaving many to surprise in the event that they’ve paid a premium for a reasonably face and nothing extra.
“They do not stand by their product,” says one buyer on ConsumerAffairs. “Our appliances are lightly used. The cost of replacements was over $10,000. Why bother? You’re better off buying a $5,000 suite and replacing them if they’re not up to snuff.” On Reddit, a consumer claiming to be a veteran of the kitchen equipment business agrees, sharing that: “JennAir just isn’t worth the money now, for most people,” and that it “charges as much as other luxury brand products, which it doesn’t deserve.” You might want a wonderful, on-trend kitchen, but when it does not perform correctly, what is the level?
5. Fisher and Paykel
Designed in New Zealand and out there all over the world, Fisher and Paykel has made a splash with its linked good dwelling home equipment and stylish, built-in model that blends machines into their surrounding cabinetry. This shouldn’t be a model for householders preferring a vintage-style kitchen, however for these whose tastes lean state-of-the-art, Fisher and Paykel is interesting. It is not low-cost, although, and lots of who’ve splurged on the corporate’s fancy home equipment say they don’t seem to be well worth the value.
“Expensive garbage,” is how one Redditor describes the high-end model. “Ten years ago I spent nearly $2,000 on a Fisher and Paykel washer and dryer. Since that time, not a year has gone by without there being a problem with one or the other. I have spent more than I paid for the appliances in repairs.”
On ConsumerAffairs, reviewers are equally sad. A fast scroll by means of the feedback reveals a number of accounts of dishwashers that leak, fridges that break, and gasoline ranges that by no means perform correctly. “I have a refrigerator and a gas range from Fisher and Paykel,” reads one. “It is the worst decision I made. $6,000 refrigerators and $4,500 gas range. Yes it looks beautiful! But the functionality is 0 for both.”
6. LG
LG is a family title offered in big-box shops the world over, and its ubiquitous presence makes it really feel like a dependable model. Those who personal LG TVs and stereo programs appear joyful sufficient, so it will stand to cause that the model’s kitchen home equipment are at the very least ok. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
A first-rate instance of this discrepancy is LG fridges, which clients declare are notably overpriced. With over 4,000 opinions on ConsumerAffairs, fridges from LG have solely a 1.1-star ranking, largely as a result of malfunctioning components. One identified problem with a defective fridge compressor led to a category motion lawsuit filed in November 2024, however whereas that could be one of many largest grievances amongst shoppers, it is from the one one.
“After 7 years the entire refrigerator stopped cooling,” reads one review. “I would not recommend this brand to anyone. They make sure they continually drain money from consumers. They are not making quality brands.” On Reddit, reviewers are much more emphatic, with one saying: “They are worse than junk! I’ve had mine less than 2 years. Two of the shelves and the refrigerator door piece is held together by duct tape… Terrible!”
7. Samsung
Don’t let your constructive expertise with Samsung TVs persuade you that the model’s kitchen home equipment are price shopping for. While the corporate does manufacture ovens, microwaves and washing machines, there is a cause why these merchandise obtain much less reward than its leisure home equipment. That cause is that, for the standard, they’re woefully overpriced.
Across social media, the consensus is that Samsung kitchen home equipment look good, however do not carry out nicely sufficient to justify the price. One Redditor who was satisfied to make the leap says of their expertise: “Garbage. Absolute Garbage. I cannot say enough bad things about Samsung appliances. The only thing worse is their support, who will tell you nothing is covered under the warranty.”
Of the various kitchen home equipment that Samsung sells, the fridges may be essentially the most disappointing. Of the over 4,000 opinions on ConsumerAffairs, the overwhelming majority are unfavorable. Unhappy clients cite flawed filtration programs, points with leaking, damaged ice makers, and horrible customer support for his or her dissatisfaction. One says: “I purchased all my home appliances from Samsung, expecting quality and reliability. It’s now been seven years, and since 2023, every single appliance has failed… This has been the worst brand experience I’ve ever had. Poor quality, poor support, and no accountability. Avoid Samsung appliances at all costs.”
8. Bosch
From ovens to meals processors to espresso machines, Bosch makes all of the home equipment one kitchen may probably want. It’s additionally extensively thought-about to be a dependable model, incessantly really helpful by salespeople and critics. It’s stunning, then, to see that on-line opinions from precise clients are fairly combined.
Of the over 1,380 scores for Bosch home equipment on ConsumerAffairs, 800 have only one star. Take a better look, and you may see that the perpetrator is inconsistency, with some merchandise deemed well worth the model’s premium pricing, and a few decidedly not. Social media tells kind of the identical story, with customers warning that whereas Bosch could make good dishwashers, its fridges ought to be prevented in any respect prices.
Not solely is Bosch’s high quality inconsistent throughout home equipment, nevertheless it seems to have gotten worse over time, leaving repeat clients with a foul style of their mouth. One reviewer on ConsumerAffairs explains: “I purchased my second Bosch refrigerator, not as high quality as the 14 yr old that went to the dump. No egg holder, no butter dish. The drawers are not as sturdy as the first one. Totally a lower quality, but the price was exceptionally high for the low value. We are not stupid consumers, we know what it should be.” Just like so many different issues on this world, Bosch home equipment aren’t what they was.
Methodology
When clients are sad, they take to client websites like Reddit, Facebook, Yelp, and Consumer Affairs to voice their frustrations. That’s the place we went to seek out latest opinions of well-liked equipment manufacturers, to see which of them constantly earn unfavorable suggestions. We targeted on opinions left throughout the final yr, and those who point out worth, to find out which big-name kitchen equipment manufacturers are overpriced.