The 8 Best Appliance Brands, Tested by BHG

Buying appliances is the most expensive way to learn patience. One minute you’re daydreaming about a quiet dishwasher and a fridge with enough room for
leftovers; the next, you’re comparing warranties like it’s the SATs and whispering, “Do I really need Wi-Fi in my oven?” (Answer: no. But it’s going to
come with Wi-Fi anyway.)

Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) narrowed the chaos to eight standout appliance brands after researching and referencing at-home testing, weighing real-life
factors like product range, design, warranties, and price. This guide takes those BHG-tested brand picks and adds the practical context shoppers actually
need: what each brand tends to do best, who it’s best for, and how to shop smarter so you don’t end up bonded to a support hotline for eternity.

How BHG Chose These Appliance Brands

BHG’s approach focuses on the stuff that matters once the delivery team leaves: how broad the lineup is (kitchen, laundry, or both), whether the designs
fit real homes, how the warranties are structured, and how the prices stack up across basic and feature-packed models. In other words, not just “Is it
pretty?” but “Will it survive Tuesday night pasta sauce and a weekend of laundry?”

Since “best appliance brands” can mean different things to different households, the goal here is clarity: pick a brand that matches your life, your space,
and your tolerance for buttons that beep at you.

Quick Cheat Sheet: The 8 Brands at a Glance

• LG: Big selection, strong features, from simple to smart-home showoff.
• Electrolux: Laundry specialist with durable builds and strong warranty details.
• Maytag: Value-minded toughness, especially for washers and dryers.
• KitchenAid: Kitchen-only brand known for premium dishwashers and major cooking gear.
• GE: Wide range across categories, good everyday usability, strong presence in U.S. homes.
• Samsung: Smart features and customization, especially if you like a connected home.
• Whirlpool: Reliable, practical, and built around straightforward value.
• Frigidaire: Affordable essentials plus upgraded lines if you want more features.

1) LG: The “Whatever You Need, We Probably Make It” Brand

If you want one brand that can outfit both kitchen and laundry with a consistent look, LG is a strong place to start. BHG highlights LG for its extensive
collection, spanning refrigerators, washers, ovens, and moreranging from basic models to premium options loaded with smart features.

Best for

• Shoppers who want lots of choice across price points
• Homes that like convenience features (alerts, apps, flexible storage)

What to watch

Smart features can raise the price fast. If your budget is tight, focus on the core performance and skip the flashiest add-ons unless they genuinely solve a
daily annoyance (like temperature alerts or flexible shelving that prevents “towering leftovers collapse”).

2) Electrolux: Laundry-First, Built-to-Last Energy

Electrolux is the brand you call when your laundry room is basically a second job. BHG points out that Electrolux specializes in washers, dryers, and stacked
unitsand that durability is a key strength. This is a smart pick if your household runs frequent loads, deals with athletic gear, or just refuses to live
in a world where towels don’t come out fresh.

Best for

• People prioritizing washers and dryers over matching kitchen suites
• Households that want strong warranty coverage on key components

What to watch

Kitchen appliance selection is more limited than full-line brands. If you want everythingfrom fridge to dryerunder one umbrella, Electrolux may be a
“laundry hero + kitchen sidekick” rather than a one-stop shop.

3) Maytag: Practical Muscle with a Warranty Flex

Maytag’s vibe is “I’m not here to impress your neighbors; I’m here to finish the job.” BHG calls out Maytag as a strong option for high-quality appliances
at a more accessible price point, with a generous 10-year limited warranty covering key parts across appliances.

Best for

• Value shoppers who still want a long-term mindset
• Laundry rooms dealing with pet hair, heavy loads, and busy weeks

What to watch

Many Maytag kitchen appliances lean less “smart home” and more “solid basics.” If you’re shopping for an ultra-connected kitchen ecosystem, you may prefer
a brand that centers smart tech in its lineup.

4) KitchenAid: Premium Kitchen Gear (Yes, Beyond the Stand Mixer)

KitchenAid has brand recognition thanks to its countertop icons, but BHG notes it also offers major kitchen appliancescooktops, wall ovens, refrigerators,
dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves. If you care about cooking performance and kitchen polish, this is one of the most appealing kitchen-only brand lanes.

Best for

• Home cooks who want a cohesive, higher-end kitchen setup
• Shoppers who prioritize dishwashers and cooking appliances

What to watch

It’s not built to cover your entire homeno washers or dryers. Plan to pair KitchenAid with a separate laundry brand if you’re buying multiple appliances at
once.

5) GE: Wide Selection and Everyday Usability

GE shows up in a lot of American homes for a reason: it offers a broad range of appliances across categories and price tiers. BHG notes GE’s long-standing
reputation and highlights tested standouts like an over-the-range microwave and a favorite French-door refrigerator with user-friendly storage details.

Best for

• Families who want variety without “mystery brand risk”
• People who care about service options and common parts availability

What to watch

Service coverage can vary by location. Before committing, check service availability in your areabecause “I can fix it myself” is a brave lie we tell
ourselves right up until the warranty paperwork appears.

6) Samsung: Smart Features and Customization for Connected Homes

If your home runs on apps, automation, and the idea that your refrigerator should have opinions, Samsung fits the bill. BHG highlights Samsung’s smart
features, design customizations, and the ability to connect appliances through its smart-home platform for tasks like monitoring energy use or sending cooking
instructions to an oven.

Best for

• Smart-home households that want appliances to “talk” to each other
• Shoppers who like customization and modern, streamlined design

What to watch

Be realistic about which smart features you’ll actually use. The best “smart appliance” is the one that saves you time, not the one that sends 37 push
notifications because someone opened the fridge to stare at cheese.

7) Whirlpool: Reliable, No-Nonsense Value

Whirlpool is the brand for people who want appliances that quietly do their job and don’t require a relationship with a troubleshooting forum. BHG points to
Whirlpool’s reputation for durability and value, plus solid testing performance across both kitchen and laundry categories.

Best for

• Budget-conscious households that still care about longevity
• Shoppers who prefer straightforward controls over flashy extras

What to watch

Whirlpool does offer smart appliances, but the lineup leans practical rather than ultra-premium. If you want the most cutting-edge features, you may need to
step into higher tiersor a different brand lane.

8) Frigidaire: Affordable Essentials with Upgrade Paths

Frigidaire is proof you don’t need a luxury budget to get a dependable appliance. BHG emphasizes Frigidaire’s strength in thoughtfully designed basics, plus
the availability of Energy Star–certified options at entry-level price points. And if you want more features, Frigidaire’s upgraded lines can add modes like
air fry or steam bakeusually at a higher cost.

Best for

• First-time homeowners and budget rebuilds
• People who want solid fundamentals and a wide range of price tiers

What to watch

The feature-rich models can jump in price. Decide early whether you want “simple and steady” or “upgraded and fancy,” because mixing those expectations is
how budgets develop trust issues.

Shopping Smarter: What to Know Before You Commit

Start with the appliance category that matters most

The best brand for a dishwasher isn’t always the best brand for a refrigerator, and the best washer brand might not be your best range brand. If you’re
replacing one appliance, shop category-first. If you’re renovating, choose a “core brand” for most pieces and be willing to mix where it improves
performance.

Measure like your remodel depends on it (because it does)

Confirm width, depth, height, door swing, and clearance. For refrigerators and dishwashers, a “close enough” measurement becomes “why won’t the door open?”
in record time.

Read the warranty like it’s a contract (because it is)

Warranties vary: some cover parts and labor for a shorter period, then switch to parts-only coverage for specific components. Focus on (1) what’s covered,
(2) for how long, and (3) what you pay for service or labor after the initial period.

Energy efficiency isn’t just a stickerit’s a monthly bill

For large appliances, energy-efficient models can reduce ongoing costs. Look for Energy Star–certified options when available, especially for frequently used
appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washers.

Smart features: choose “useful,” not “novel”

The most valuable smart features tend to be practical: maintenance alerts, temperature warnings, cycle notifications, and energy tracking. A screen that
plays music is fun… until you realize your fridge is now the DJ for your 2 a.m. snack routine.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?

If you can time your purchase, major sales weekends often bring meaningful discountsespecially when retailers are clearing inventory ahead of new model
rollouts. In the U.S., you’ll commonly see strong appliance promotions around holiday weekends (like Memorial Day and Labor Day) and during Black Friday
season. The biggest savings frequently appear when you buy multiple appliances as a package (but only do this if the brand lineup truly fits your needs).

Pro tip: decide on your top two models before the sale starts. Otherwise, “deal shopping” becomes “accidentally adopting a fridge you didn’t want.”

Quick Maintenance Habits That Help Appliances Last Longer

• Refrigerators: keep door seals clean; replace water filters on schedule; don’t block vents with towering leftovers.
• Dishwashers: clean the filter; run hot water at the sink before starting if your cycles depend on hot fill.
• Washers: leave the door open after use (especially front-load); run cleaning cycles; don’t overload.
• Dryers: clean the lint trap every load; inspect vents to reduce drying time and improve safety.
• Ranges/ovens: wipe spills early; learn your self-clean settings before you accidentally smoke out your kitchen.

Conclusion

So, Which Brand Wins?

The “best appliance brand” is the one that matches your real life. If you want broad selection and modern features, LG and GE are strong all-around plays.
If laundry is your household’s daily marathon, Electrolux and Maytag shine. If you’re building a kitchen you love cooking in, KitchenAid earns its premium
reputation. If you want smart-home integration, Samsung is a natural fit. If you want dependable value without the drama, Whirlpool and Frigidaire keep it
practical.

Bonus: 500+ Words of Appliance-Aisle Experience (The Stuff No One Warns You About)

Here’s the funniest thing about appliance shopping: you think you’re buying steel boxes, but you’re actually buying a routine. Your refrigerator decides how
you store groceries, your dishwasher decides how much you hate unloading, and your washer decides whether “laundry day” is a peaceful ritual or a minor
sport.

The first “experience lesson” is that features only matter if they match your habits. Third racks in dishwashers? Amazingif you actually load them
correctly. Flexible fridge shelving? Life-changingif you regularly store tall bottles or meal-prep containers. Steam options in washers? Greatif you
re-wear work clothes or battle kid stains. But if your household is mostly jeans, T-shirts, and the occasional “why is there glitter in this?” load, a
simpler model can be the smarter buy.

Second: delivery and installation deserve their own budget line. In real homes, “fit” is where dreams go to get humbled. Doors need clearance. Counter-depth
fridges look sleek but can feel tighter inside. Old water lines might not cooperate. And there is always one cabinet corner that is exactly where a hinge
wants to live. Measure twice, then measure again after you’ve calmed down.

Third: matching sets are optional, but serviceability is not. A kitchen suite looks nice, surebut what you’ll remember is how easy it is to get repairs and
parts when something goes sideways. If you’re torn between two brands, lean toward the one with stronger service coverage where you live. “Cute handle
design” is a weak consolation prize when your dishwasher is doing interpretive dance mid-cycle.

Fourth: smart features are best when they disappear into the background. A good notification is one that saves a load of laundry (like an “end of cycle”
alert) or prevents food spoilage (like a temperature warning). A bad notification is one that turns your phone into an anxious appliance babysitter. Choose
smart tools that reduce effort, not ones that create a new hobby called “checking the fridge app.”

Fifth: buy for the next five years, not the next five minutes. That trendy finish might be gorgeous today, but will it show fingerprints like a crime scene?
Will the capacity still work if your household grows or you start meal prepping? Will that “ultra-advanced” control panel still feel intuitive when you’re
tired and hungry? The best appliances tend to be the ones you stop thinking aboutwhich is the highest compliment an appliance can receive.

Finally, give yourself permission to be practical. The best appliance brands aren’t perfect across every category, and that’s normal. Pick the brand that
nails your priorities, keep the features you’ll actually use, and ignore the rest. Your future self will thank youprobably while enjoying a quiet kitchen
and a laundry room that doesn’t feel like a second career.

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