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6 of the best buy-it-to-last brands that see your money go further
With over a decade of experience at Which?, Tom covers everything from tech advice to money-saving tips, and highlights the best deals during major sales events.
Fran scrutinises over 100 fridges, freezers and fridge freezers a year, to help you know what's hot, and what's – thankfully – not.
Appliance breakdowns are costly, stressful and inconvenient. But in a throwaway culture, it's reassuring to know some brands still build products that last.
To help you choose wisely, we’ve analysed data from our latest large-appliance survey of 9,376 people, along with expert lab tests, to identify six of the best 'buy-it-to-last' brands, offering proven reliability and performance across a range of household appliances.
Covering everything from washing machines to fridge freezers, our research reveals which names you can trust. Keep scrolling for the details.
On this page, Which? members will have exclusive access to:
- The best large appliance brands for reliability and performance, based on our survey of owners and our expert lab tests.
- Common faults affecting appliances from washing machines to cookers – and which brands owners rate highest and lowest for satisfaction.
- Which brands offer the best value for money, including affordable alternatives that still perform well in our rigorous tests.
If you’re not yet a member, you can get instant access by joining Which?. You will also get access to all our full product reviews.
At a glance: appliance faults
Our latest appliance reliability survey uncovered clear patterns in the types of problems people experience. For example, washing machines most commonly develop drum or bearing problems (12% of faults), while dishwashers are affected by blocked pipes (9% of faults).
We combine these real-world experiences with the results of our independent lab tests to help you avoid unreliable appliances that are costly and prone to breaking down.
Log in now or join Which? to unlock the full table below.
| Appliance type | Most common fault | Highest-scoring brand for customer score | Lowest-scoring brand for customer score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machines | Problem with the drum/drum bearings (12% of faults) | ||
| Tumble dryers | Broke down for no obvious reason (12% of faults) | ||
| Washer-dryers | Broken timer (9% of all faults) | ||
| Fridge freezers | Broke down for no obvious reason (11% of faults) | ||
| Dishwashers | Blocked pipes, broke down for no obvious reason (each 9% of all faults) | ||
| Built-in ovens | Electrical fault, broke down for no obvious reason, oven not heating up properly/at all (each 10% of all faults) | ||
| Hobs | Electrical fault (14% of all faults) | ||
| Range cookers | Broken fan (12% of all faults) | ||
| Freestanding cookers | Broke down for no obvious reason, electrical fault, casing cracked/chipped/broken (each 9% of all faults) |
How to make your appliances last longer
A well-maintained appliance is less likely to break down, which is money saved that you can spend on holidays, home upgrades, or anything you actually enjoy.
Check in with our quick tips and keep your appliances running smoothly for longer:
- Fridges Check for damage around hinges and seals as these could be letting in warm air. Clean the condenser coils if you can access them. Food packed to the back of the fridge can also stop cool air circulating.
- Freezers Torn or warped door seals could be letting in warm air and causing ice build-up. Try replacing them if damaged. For regular maintenance, we have advice on how to defrost your freezer.
- Washing machines Overloading the drum can damage the bearings during the spin cycle. However, small loads waste energy, so filling your washing machine to three quarters full is ideal. We've investigated common washing machine problems and how to fix them.
- Tumble dryers Overfilling your dryer can affect how the drum rotates. Leave enough space so that items can tumble freely and dry evenly. For more on this, read our advice on tumble dryer tips and maintenance.
- Dishwashers Try to unclog the filter and spray arm once a month and run a machine-clean program every 20 cycles. Read our expert guide on how to clean a dishwasher.
- Cordless vacs All lithium-ion batteries will eventually lose power, but most cordless vacs have replaceable batteries. You can filter our cordless vac reviews to find them.
- Corded vacs If your vac loses suction, this could be down to a full dust container or blockages. Try declogging the filter, hose and floor head. Most manufacturers advise rinsing the filter in cold water once a month and allowing it to dry for up to 48 hours on a windowsill. Washing a filter with warm water, or not letting it dry properly, could damage the filtration system, letting fine dust particles escape as you clean (see also: best vacuum cleaners).
Become a Which? member
A Which? membership offers far more than you might expect – from personalised expert advice to Great Value and eco-friendly recommendations.
- Product reviews you can trust All our test results, reviews and recommendations are our own. We buy every product that we test.
- Ask Which? for buying advice Chat online with us for personalised one-to-one buying advice on any product we’ve tested.
- We’re not-for-profit Every member subscription helps fund our charity’s campaigns to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone.
- Which? magazine on your doorstep Your monthly read for expert consumer advice, investigations, articles, news, views and more.
If you're not yet a Which? member, you can join Which? for access to the benefits above.
