Our Best Advice for Buying New Kitchen Appliances

updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

You probably (hopefully!) don’t buy new kitchen appliances all that often, so when it’s actually time to take the plunge — on an appliance of any size — it can be overwhelming. Maybe you’ve never even bought so much as a toaster and you have no idea where to start? Or you bought a new fridge once, back in 1985, when you were basically lucky to get a box with a door.

These purchases can be expensive and you never want to make a costly mistake, ordering something you hate using.

Luckily for you, we spent most of March posting tons of stories all about buying new appliances — large or small. Here’s all of that helpful advice in one place.

Large Appliances

Our biggest advice here is to measure! Measure your home’s doorway. Measure the clearance between your island and your counters. Measure everything you can get your hands on! The experts we spoke to for these stories said we’d be amazed at how many times the new stuff gets delivered and can’t fit into place.

Other than that, here’s what else you need to know, broken down by what you’re shopping for.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Refrigerators

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Dishwashers

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Ranges

(Image credit: Frigidaire)

Standalone Freezers

General Good Advice

Small Electrics

The key with any small electric is to think about how you’re going to use it. Like, really use it day in and day out. Will you be needing a gallon of coffee a day? Do you need to be able to control your slow cooker from the office? How many people will you be making toast for each morning? This will help you weigh what special features you do and don’t need.

Here’s what else you’ll need to know about shopping for small appliances.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Toasters

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Microwaves

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Blenders

(Image credit: Diana Yen)

Slow Cookers

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Stand Mixers

(Image credit: Erika Tracy)

Coffee Makers

Good luck to you! Let us know what you end up buying!