Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself searching for appliance reviews. Here’s where to find the ones that can help you the most.
Maybe your fridge isn’t keeping its cool like it used to. Or your oven isn’t so hot anymore.
When those big-ticket household appliances start showing their age, and repairs won’t solve the problem, it’s time for you to start looking for their replacements.
If you have a home warranty from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), you may be able to reduce the cost of replacing your covered appliance if the problem is a covered breakdown. But regardless of how you’ll pay for the replacement, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the best kitchen appliances within your price range.
Here are some of the best websites to help you find trustworthy kitchen appliances reviews so you can make an informed buying decision.
Consumer Reports: Trusted and Vetted
Many homeowners start their search with one of the longest-tenured review platforms: Consumer Reports (CR). Consumers trust CR's appliance reviews and ratings because they perform independent testing when completing appliance reviews and ratings.
- The upside: CR offers a number of buying guides for appliances like dishwashers, fridges and freezers, microwaves and cooktops.
- The potential downside: CR requires a paid subscription for the most access. As of this writing, subscriptions range from a little over $3 for a monthly digital subscription to $39 a year for full access to the site.
As one of the most trustworthy professional review sites, the cost may be worth it for you. After all, buying a major kitchen appliance is a big decision. The research and testing CR’s long-standing experts perform can help give you the confidence that you’re making the choice that’s best for you.
Google: Free and (Mostly) Accurate Appliance Reviews
If you’re like most people, Google is probably where you’ll start your search.
- The upside: Generally speaking, Google is comprehensive and trustworthy. It’s also free.
- The potential downside: When using Google, you’ll have to do a little more work than if you used CR.
- You’ll find limitless information, from blogger reviews on durability to appliance reviews on independent websites like Home Depot and Amazon.
- For best results, type in the model of the appliance you’re interested in, then add the word “reviews” to the end of your search query.
Consider going beyond just the top results you find on page one. While those sources are popular, you want to be cautious about bias. Check a few appliance reviews until you’re comfortable coming to a decision. But watch out for sponsored content and AI results, which could be misleading.
Tip: If you want to avoid AI-generated content in your search due to its biases and inaccuracy, add the phrase "-ai" to the end of your search query.
Reviewed.com: Can I Trust It?
Reviewed.com is division of USA Today. It’s a quality site that takes a science-based approach to their reviews.
- They test appliances both in the real world and in laboratories.
- Their lab tests, led by a chief scientist, can often take months to complete, which can provide more comprehensive appliance reviews and ratings.
- Even better, Reviewed.com includes a section called “The Best Right Now” where you can see their reviews on what they consider the best appliances—from fridges and microwaves to dishwashers and cooktops.
Good Housekeeping: Is It Good for Appliance Reviews?
Good Housekeeping isn’t just a magazine. It includes Good Housekeeping Institute, which has been testing products since 1900.
- The Good Housekeeping Institute employs scientists, engineers, analysts, and others to ensure that they’re testing products for effectiveness, efficiency, and durability.
- According to the Good Housekeeping website, you can find a wide range of quality, unbiased appliances reviews.
Reddit: A New Go-To in Appliance Reviews
Reddit.com is an online forum where you can go for unfiltered appliance reviews from real homeowners. It’s become a go-to for candid, authentic experiences with appliances.
- It’s not a traditional review site, but it’s full of real-life stories, troubleshooting advice, and product recommendations.
- You can find the most helpful threads by doing a quick Google search with the appliance you want reviews for followed by “Reddit”.
- Reddit reviews are often detailed and provide real-world context you may not find in lab testing.
Remember: the loudest voices are often the most negative. So, take what you read with a grain of salt and look for repeated issues instead of one-off complaints.
TikTok: Quick Appliance Reviews
TikTok has become a popular search engine for information on any kind of product, including kitchen appliance reviews.
- Repair technicians often test and review new models.
- Real homeowners share their personal experiences and reviews.
- The short-form videos make it easy to compare appliances quickly and see them in action.
Keep in mind: TikTok isn’t always vetted, and sponsored influencers may post reviews that are biased and not clearly labeled.
AI Platforms: A Quick Way to Compare Review Resources
AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are becoming popular tools for quickly gathering appliance information, recommendations, and reviews. Instead of searching, you can ask a simple question like, “What is the best refrigerator under $1,500?”.
- You’ll get a thorough, structured answer in seconds, giving you a quick overview of top-rated models.
- AI tools can save time by pulling together insights from multiple sources across the web, including the trusted resources mentioned in this article.
- However, platforms don’t always cite their sources, and sometimes summarized information can be outdated, incomplete, or even biased based on what’s available online.
Tip: Treat AI reviews as a starting point. Always double check details on verified review sites or retailer pages before making a decision.
Access Appliance Coverage and Discounts With 2-10
Knowing where to find appliances reviews can help you decide on the best appliance for you. But once you've purchased it, it's a good idea to protect your budget against breakdowns to your new appliance.
Many appliances come with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. After that, you can choose one of three options:
- Do nothing and hope it doesn't break down (potentially expensive).
- Extend the manufacturer's warranty (usually doesn't cover labor costs).
- Purchase a home warranty for your systems and appliances from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10; cost effective and does cover labor costs).
Even better, a 2-10 home warranty gives you access to special perks and programs that can help you reduce the cost of new appliances. For instance, with a 2-10 home warranty, you can take advantage of the Appliance Discount Program for exclusive discounts on quality GE and Whirlpool appliances.
