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How to buy the best kitchen appliances: our expert tests and advice
Our independent lab tests and customer surveys have shown that paying more for your home appliances doesn't necessarily guarantee better quality.
We've tested and rated hundreds of products, from ovens to washing machines and air fryers, to help you find the best kitchen appliances for your home.
Which? Best Buys pair high performance and convenience with brand reliability, but if staying within budget is your priority, consider a Which? Great Value recommendation. These models not only deliver on performance, but also come at a budget-friendly price – around 20% cheaper than the average for the models we've tested.
This guide shares insights into the best home kitchen appliances we've found, plus how much you can expect to pay for them.
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Best kitchen appliances for cooking
Built-in ovens
Built-in ovens come as single or double, and gas or electric. Double ovens are handy for larger households, but they are also more expensive and harder to fit.
In our tests, we found that some cheaper ovens overheat by up to 20°C. The spaces inside ovens also vary significantly, and do not always match up to manufacturers' claims.
More expensive ovens (which typically include features like self-cleaning functions) can cost up to £2,000. However, you can pick up a Which? Best Buy oven from £300, and Great Value built-in ovens cost around £250.
As well as testing individual models, we also conduct regular surveys to discover the most reliable built-in oven brands.
Ruby Gordon, Which? Scientific Advisor
'We know that accuracy and efficiency are important measures when choosing an oven. That's why we look at everything from the consistency of temperature around the oven while cooking, to how evenly the grill toasts your food.'
Hobs
If you buy a built-in oven, you'll need a separate hob. You can get a gas or electric hob, with one to five burners. There are glass, ceramic, solid plate and induction versions. Discover the key differences between gas and induction hobs.
Most luxury hob designs are venting hobs – a two-in-one appliance that has an extractor fan built into an induction hob. These hobs can cost £2,000 or more.
In our tests, we found that some cheaper hobs do not heat evenly across each burner. Fortunately, a number of Which? Best Buy hobs cost less than £300, while some Great Value hobs cost less than £200.
We've also asked product owners if they've experienced any problems with their hob to discover the most reliable hob brands.
Range cookers
The main advantage of range cookers is that they offer a lot of cooking space. The three most commonly available widths are 90cm, 100cm and 110cm.
You can get gas, electric or dual-fuel models. Gas range cookers are the cheapest to run, but dual-fuel cookers are the most popular type – they have a gas hob and an electric oven.
Range cookers start from around £350, but can cost as much as £8,000. Which? Best Buys start around £1,100.
We've also investigated the performance and reliability of some of the most popular range cooker brands, including Smeg, Rangemaster and Belling, to discover the most reliable range cooker brands.
Freestanding cookers
Freestanding cookers come as gas, electric or dual-fuel models (with an electric oven and a gas hob). Some electric-only models have an induction hob.
The cheapest freestanding cookers cost as little as £170, whereas some can set you back more than £1,500. Some Which? Best Buys cost as little as £210, and Great Value hobs start at £190.
To help you choose a freestanding cooker that lasts, we surveyed product owners to discover the most reliable freestanding cooker brands.
Cooker hoods
A capable cooker hood will help to eliminate odours and steam when cooking. Our tests found that the best hoods will also prevent grease from settling on your worktop.
Cooker hoods come in a few styles: built-in, integrated (hidden away), chimney (on a wall) or freestanding (away from a wall).
They cost up to £1,500, but you can get Great Value hoods for £130 and Best Buy models from £200.
Renovating your kitchen? Check out best and worst kitchen brands to discover how major brands, such as Howdens and Ikea, fared in our expert lab assessments and customer surveys
Best small cooking appliances: microwaves and air fryers
Microwaves
You can pick up a cheap microwave from £35, but our tests show that some cheap models struggle to defrost and heat food evenly.
Fortunately, our Great Value microwaves start at around £60, and our Best Buy microwaves at around £70.
If you are looking for a built-in microwave, these are more expensive, starting from nearer £200.
Combination microwaves
Combi microwaves combine regular microwave cooking with a grill and convection oven functions – so they can heat, roast, crisp and brown, just like regular ovens.
They are more expensive than regular microwaves - our Best Buy models start from £150.
However, if you don't need a full oven (and you want to save money and space) they could be a good option.
As well as testing individual models, we also conduct regular surveys to discover the most reliable microwave brands.
Air fryers
Air fryers blast hot air around a small cooking chamber. The compact cooking space and rapid air circulation means they cook more quickly than ovens.
Our testing also found that it is cheaper to use an air fryer than an oven if you are only cooking for one, and they are more effective than ovens at cooking popular food items.
Our Great Value models start at £60 – and one of these models performed well enough to be awarded a Best Buy as well.
We also round up the best air fryer deals every month, which include some of our Best Buys.
Fran Roberts-Thornton, Which? small appliances expert
'If you have a smaller household, an air fryer can be an economical option for preparing meals, which is why we check how much energy each model uses. Of course, the quality of your food is just as important, so we assess how well chips, chicken and baguettes are cooked, as these are some of the most popular air fryer dishes.'
Our guide to kitchen costs outlines how much you can expect to spend on a new fitted kitchen, including appliances
Best kitchen appliances for chilling and freezing
Fridges
We've found some standard-sized Best Buy fridges for under £300, and tall Best Buys for less than £500. But we've also found some Don't Buys at lower price points, so read our reviews to avoid picking a dud – the worst fridges will have inaccurate thermostats and chill food too slowly.
As well as testing individual models, we also survey product owners to help you find the best household appliances brands that won't let you down in the long run. Discover the most reliable fridge brands.
Freezers
Best Buy tall freezers around £800, and the under-counter models we've tested range in price from £200 to £600 (but none scored well enough to be Best Buys). It's always worth checking our reviews to find the best performing freezer that's the right type for your needs.
Food needs to be kept below -16°C to preserve it, and the quicker it gets down to that temperature the better, but the worst freezers will be slow at this key task.
You can also check the most reliable freezer brands according to our research – it might surprise you to see where popular brands such as Hisense, Logik and Zanussi are placed.
Fridge freezers
You can buy a standard fridge freezer for as little as £190, or you could pay upwards of £3,000 for an American-style fridge freezer.
Which? Best Buy fridge freezers start from £450, while Great Value recommendations start at £180.
If you are looking for a bargain on a more expensive product, check out our round-up of the best fridge freezer deals.
We've also investigated the performance and reliability of some of the most popular brands, including Bosch, LG and Samsung, to discover the most reliable fridge freezer brands.
Best daily essentials: kettles and toasters
Kettles
A good quality kettle should last for a decade or more, even with daily use.
Kettles cost up to £290, but Best Buy models start from £23 and Great Value models from £15.
When it comes to kettles, there's quite a difference between brands on the chances of developing faults. Discover the most reliable kettle brands.
You can buy a no-frills own-brand kettle for less than a tenner, so what exactly do you get when you pay more? You're often paying for a premium style, materials and finish. You're also more likely to get extra features such as variable temperature settings.
Toasters
The worst performing toasters in our tests failed to heat evenly, resulting in toast that was burnt or undercooked in different sections.
Toaster prices vary significantly – some models can cost as much as £300. Which? Best Buy toasters start from £26 and Great Value models from £20.
And when it comes to longevity, we've surveyed product owners to find the most reliable toaster brands. It might surprise you to see where popular brands Beko and Swan are placed.
Best laundry appliances and dishwashers
Washing machines
Washing machines range in capacity from 5kg (big enough for 16 shirts) to 12kg (38 shirts). They come with a variety of programs, but most people only need the cottons and synthetics washes.
The cheapest washing machines go for around £200, while the pricier models cost upwards of £1,600. If you choose carefully, you can spend less than £400 on a top-notch new model, or around £250-£300 on a Great Value washing machine.
If you are looking for a bargain on a more expensive model, check out our best washing machine deals.
You can also check the most reliable washing machine brands according to our research – it might surprise you to see where popular brands Hotpoint and Zanussi are placed.
Tumble dryers
A tumble dryer can be useful to help dry your clothes quickly and keep them soft, if you have the space for one. However, tumble dryers can cost a lot to run: the worst we've tested cost more than £150 a year, and the best around £40.
You can pick between a vented, condenser or heat-pump tumble dryer. Vented models are typically the cheapest, although you'll need to feed a hose through a wall or window to pump out damp air. Condenser tumble dryers don't need a hose, but you'll need to empty the container frequently. Heat-pump tumble dryers are pricier, but they're the most sustainable option and running costs are low.
You can find a Great Value tumble dryer for less than £400.
In our unique large appliance survey, we asked more than 4,500 people if they’re happy with their product and if they’ve experienced problems, so you can discover the most reliable tumble dryer brands.
Rebecca Jakeman, Which? laundry expert
'The slowest tumble dryers take nearly 35 minutes per kilo of clothes – that’s more than twice as long as the quickest tumble dryers, which can take as little as 14 minutes per kilo. If you have a large household with multiple loads running in a day, this difference will quickly add up!'
Dishwashers
Full-sized dishwashers can wash up to 150 items, while slimline and compact models are more limited – they can wash up to 100 or 40-60 items, respectively.
You can pick between freestanding and integrated dishwashers, or a small countertop dishwasher that sits on your kitchen work surface.
Most dishwashers cost between £300 to £600, but there are plenty of Which? Best Buys for less than £400. You can pick up a Great Value dishwasher for £300 or less.
We've researched the reliability of the most popular dishwasher brands, including Miele, Bosch, Beko and Hotpoint. Discover the most reliable dishwasher brands.
Looking for a local tradesman to install or repair your appliance? Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable professional near you: