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Home appliance buying guide: How to choose appliances

Ready to upgrade the appliances in your home? While this task can feel overwhelming, buying home appliances can be easy when you use this comprehensive guide. Learn about new appliance features and which works best for you and your family so you can take the guesswork out of finding the perfect appliances for your needs.

What are major home appliances?

Major home appliances usually fall into two categories: kitchen and laundry. Major kitchen appliances include fridges, ranges, cooktops, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, wine coolers, ice makers and range hoods. Laundry appliances include washers and dryers.

Kitchen appliance buying guides

If you’re looking for the perfect kitchen appliances to go along with your kitchen renovation, these guides can help narrow down your search. Whirlpool brand also offers an extensive selection of kitchen appliances meant to help make your life run a little smoother, so you can be sure to find what you’re looking for.

Refrigerator buying guides

Not sure what the difference is between a French door refrigerator and a side-by-side model? Learn everything you need to know about key fridge features and configurations so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your kitchen. Ready to start comparing models? Browse Whirlpool® Fridges to become familiar with available options.

 Shop Whirlpool® Refrigerators

From French door to side-by-side, counter-depth to large capacity, Whirlpool® Refrigerators are designed to store your family’s favorites. With features on select models like the FreshFlow Produce Preserver, that helps produce stay fresher longer1, you can find the fridge that fits your lifestyle.

Range buying guides

Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or prefer to keep meals easy and simple, your new range should fit your kitchen and lifestyle. Learn if you need a gas or electric model and pick the perfect size range for your space with these guides, and explore Whirlpool® Ranges once you’re ready to shop.

Shop Whirlpool® Ranges

Whirlpool® Ranges offer a variety of styles, features and fuel types to fit any kitchen. Explore select models with features like the Air Fryer setting that helps recreate the crispy texture of your fried favorites or Frozen Bake™ Technology that lets you skip preheating to cook frozen foods in fewer steps.

Wall oven buying guides

When shopping for a wall oven, consider options such as single or double ovens, microwave oven combinations and convection settings. With so many options to choose from when it comes to Whirlpool® Wall Ovens, it helps to break down all the different varieties and find which one works best for you.

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Whether you’re baking a pie for Thanksgiving or cooking pizza bites for an after-school snack, Whirlpool® Wall Ovens help you cook great meals for the people you love most.

Cooktop buying guides

You know that you want a cooktop for your kitchen, but now what? Whether looking for a glass top electric cooktop that offers versatility, or a gas cooktop with burners that heat up quickly, you can find the perfect Whirlpool® Cooktop for your home.

Shop Whirlpool® Cooktops

Gas or electric, ceramic surface or cast iron grates—no matter your style or fuel source, Whirlpool brand has the cooktop options to help you find your perfect fit.

Microwave buying guides

Make food prepping easy with a countertop or over-the-range microwave. Browse the different styles and types of Whirlpool® Microwaves to narrow down the ideal model for your needs.

Shop Whirlpool® Microwaves

The best microwave for you is the one that fits your kitchen layout and has the features that fit your lifestyle. Explore microwave options from Whirlpool brand in a variety of configurations, from countertop and built-in to over-the-range and low profile microwave hood combinations.

Range hood buying guides

Help reduce lingering smells and odors in your kitchen with a range hood to match your range or cooktop. Get familiar with the different types of Whirlpool® Range Hoods, including downdraft, canopy and under-cabinet hoods so that you can pick the one that’s best for your kitchen.

Shop Whirlpool® Range Hoods

Whirlpool brand offers a broad selection of range hoods and vents designed to fit your kitchen needs. Explore options that light your cooktop and clear the air, all while fitting in with your kitchen’s design style

Dishwasher buying guides

Life is full of messes and your kitchen is no different. Make cleanup a little easier with new dishwasher features that can lighten the load of mealtime cleanup. From third racks to sensor cycles on select models, Whirlpool® Dishwashers help tackle your family’s dirtiest dishes.

Shop Whirlpool® Dishwashers

Whirlpool® Dishwashers help you finish post-meal cleanup quickly and easily thanks to convenient features, cleaning cycles and intuitive controls. Shop top and front control options to find the best fit for your home.

Freezer buying guide

Gain extra space to store and preserve food in bulk with an additional freezer for your home. Compare Whirlpool® Chest and Upright Freezers for the model that can store and organize all your frozen foods.

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Freezer buying guide: How to choose a deep freezer

Learn what factors to consider when buying a standalone, upright or chest freezer with this deep freezer buying guide.

Shop Whirlpool® Freezers

Whether you’re preserving leftovers or buying in bulk, Whirlpool brand offers freezer options that give your home extra food storage space. Shop upright and chest freezers with features on select models like the Fast Freeze Option that helps you freeze large amounts of food fast.

Ice maker buying guide

Never go without ice in your home with an ice maker that keeps things cool no matter the time of year. With freestanding and under-counter options, your Whirlpool® Ice Maker can seamlessly fit your kitchen layout.

Ice maker underneath a kitchen counter

Ice maker buying guide: Types of ice machines

Learn about undercounter ice makers and different types of ice machines in this buying guide. Get tips for buying the best ice maker for your home.

Shop Whirlpool® Ice Makers

Made to fit under your counter, Whirlpool® Ice Makers are an entertainer’s best friend. Make and store up to 25 lbs of ice to keep on hand for serving ice-cold lemonade on hot summer days or cocktails at your next dinner party.

Wine refrigerator buying guide

Wind down after a long day with a glass of perfectly chilled wine. Make sure you have your favorite bottle ready to serve with a Whirlpool® Wine Cooler that can offer you the ideal temperature to store your reds and whites.

Wine refrigerator in between kitchen cabinets

Wine refrigerator buying guide: How to choose a wine fridge

Are you thinking of buying a wine refrigerator? This wine fridge buying guide from Whirlpool will show you how to choose a wine cooler that fits your needs.

Shop Whirlpool® Wine Refrigerators

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, love to entertain or just need an extra space to store your family’s favorite drinks, an undercounter wine cooler from Whirlpool brand is a great addition to a modern kitchen.

Front load washer and dryer in a utility room Front load washer and dryer in a utility room

Washer and dryer buying guides

Simplify laundry day with a Whirlpool® Washer and Dryer that can handle all of your family’s everyday tough messes, so you can get back to enjoying time with your loved ones. 

Washing machine buying guides

Keep your clothing looking fresh and feeling clean with a washing machine that can help tackle everyday tough stains. From extra-capacity washers to stackable models that can fit in tight quarters, and even machines that use higher temperatures to sanitize your loads, you can find the perfect Whirlpool® Washer for your home.

Shop Whirlpool® Washing Machines

Whether you’re shopping for a top load washer with a built-in faucet for spot treatments or a stackable front load model, Whirlpool brand has washing machine options to help you care for your family’s laundry. Browse and compare models to find the right option to help manage your household’s tough messes.

Dryer buying guides

Finish your ideal laundry room by picking the dryer that best fits your needs. If you’re still on the fence about what you’re looking for, learn about different dryer capacities and features like moisture sensing, steam dry and custom drying settings, so you can find the best Whirlpool® Dryer for you, helping to keep your laundry fresh and ready for wear.

Shop Whirlpool® Dryers

From saving energy2 with the EcoBoost option to Moisture Sensors that automatically stop the cycle once your load is dry, select models of Whirlpool® Dryers offer a variety of functions designed to help you take on laundry day and care for your family.

Man and woman preparing food in a kitchen Man and woman preparing food in a kitchen

Things to consider when shopping for appliances

When browsing for your new appliances, the most important things to consider are the space that you’re working with and the features that are most important to you. 

Overall, your appliances should work for your lifestyle, so if you’re someone who cooks often for a large family or if you know that you have a limited amount of space for your laundry room, these are all things to take into account when choosing your new appliances. Other considerations include:

  • Size and capacity: Consider the size of your family when shopping for major appliances. If you’re regularly storing large grocery hauls, cleaning up after dinner parties or washing large loads of laundry, you may want to consider appliance options with larger capacities.

  • Color and finish: Appliances can serve as both a utility and an element of your home’s design. Consider your kitchen or laundry room’s aesthetic when choosing a new appliance for your home.

  • Technology and smart features: If remote access or advanced features are a priority for you, look for smart appliances with innovative technology on your shopping journey.

  • Energy efficiency: Appliances that are ENERGY STAR® Certified can help you save on energy costs over time.

  • Installation requirements: You want your appliances to fit your home, so be sure to consider the fuel type and dimensions of your home when choosing major appliances for your kitchen and laundry room.

  • Warranty: Life happens. Look for appliance options with warranties that offer coverage to help give you peace of mind.

  • Maintenance: Regular maintenance can help extend the life of your appliances, and it helps to be aware of what to expect. When shopping for a new appliance, consider what maintenance will be necessary to help keep it functioning at its best.

  • Budget: Major appliances generally come in a range of prices, so you can shop with your personal budget in mind. Look for options that fit within your price point preferences.
Stainless steel kitchen appliances in a bright kitchen Stainless steel kitchen appliances in a bright kitchen

Is it better to buy appliances in a bundle?

If you need to replace more than one appliance, bundling might help you save money. Depending on where you buy and what you’re purchasing, you may be able to save when buying appliances in a bundle.

When should you buy new appliances?

While you shouldn’t wait until your appliances break down completely prior to purchasing new ones, you might want to look into buying new appliances when you’ve noticed they’re aging and not working as optimally as they once used to.

Additionally, you may be able to find better deals on certain appliances after new models are rolled out, or during certain holiday sales. Overall though, you should buy new appliances when the time is right for you.

Shop Whirlpool® Home Appliances

Whirlpool® Kitchen and Laundry Appliances offer you the flexibility you need to handle whatever the day brings. Whether you’re replacing your washer and dryer or designing a kitchen from scratch, Whirlpool brand has the major appliance options to help keep your household chores under control.

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Helping kids stay in school

Learn how Whirlpool helps end the dropout cycle by giving kids access to clean clothes through the Care Counts Laundry Program

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1. Based on commonly purchased produce. 
2. Savings may vary by load type.