November 30th, 2022 | 8 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect kitchen products with our Appliance Buying Guide
You don't have to spend a fortune to buy a beautiful set of affordable kitchen appliances.
In this article, you will learn about the best affordable luxury brands, their best products, and their problems. You will also see a brief comparison between luxury and affordable luxury appliances.
A few brands may surprise you. We cover the pros and cons of every line. But not every brand is for everyone. Pay attention to the cons to ensure the brand is right for you.
There is a lot to cover, so let's get started.
Looking for answers about Appliances?
Short on time? Download our free Appliance Buying Guide.
Best Affordable Luxury Appliance Brands for 2023
1. Café Appliances
Café Appliances at Yale Appliance in Hanover
I had a hard time placing Café Appliances. I was stuck between placing them as number one or two. Either way, you should consider having Café appliances if you don't want another stainless-steel kitchen.
Café has the most popular alternative - white. White finishes have returned with different hinge and handle finishes like copper and brass.
GE Profile, featured later in this list, has a mirrored finish trending as a minimalist style. (GE Appliances is the parent company of Café Appliances and GE Profile).
Café Appliances has exceptional induction and gas double oven ranges, including a six-burner 30-inch range.
Café Appliances refrigeration includes a Keurig coffee dispenser as an option. Their whole line has Wi-Fi connectivity as well.
SmartHQ is another interesting Wi-Fi app. They add modes and updates to existing appliances like Steakhouse and Turkey modes, among others.
Pros: Café Appliances has great customization and color choices that won't make you crazy, Wi-Fi connectivity, and excellent ranges and refrigerators.
Cons: They don't have many stovetop options, but it's a solid line.
2. LG and Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS)
SKS Kitchen Appliances
Let's give LG some credit. Nobody has had better availability than LG during the last 18 months. According to over 40,000 service calls logged last year, their products are the most reliable.
LG appliances are also unique with interesting features. LG refrigerators have LG's signature InstaView panel and slow-dissolving craft ice options.
Their stoves are amongst the largest, with a 6.3 cubic foot oven. The oven uses a pure convection system, even in gas.
Their SKS line has a unique Titanium finish on their appliances.
SKS's best kitchen appliance package includes a French door counter-depth refrigerator, front control range, convection over-the-range microwave, and a 39 dB (decibel) dishwasher.
All their appliances are Wi-Fi enabled and can be operated remotely through an app on your phone. The best part is that their appliances are available for faster delivery than most brands.
LG Studio has some interesting products as well.
Pros: LG, SKS, and LG Studio kitchen appliance packages have great prices, good style, and options.
Cons: Finding repair services if your store doesn't have any can be difficult. I could say the same for most of the others as well. In addition, their dishwashers are reliable but have basic features.
3. Bosch
Bosch Counter-Depth Refrigerator and Induction Range
Bosch has always been considered one of the best affordable luxury brands. They are part of the BSH Corporation along with Thermador and Gaggenau.
Bosch's best dishwashers with the CrystalDry drying system use volcanic elements to absorb moisture and emit heat. It can even dry plastics.
Bosch's most popular refrigerator, the B36CT80SNS, is the only freestanding refrigerator with two compressors for more consistent temperatures.
They placed stainless on the back of their refrigerators because it retains cold temperatures better. Their Home Connect Wi-Fi system could be the easiest to use and best in the industry.
Looking for answers about Appliances?
Short on time? Download our free Appliance Buying Guide.
Their cooking needs to be updated. It shouldn't be hard with just one range in gas, electric, dual-fuel, and induction.
Pros: Bosch has excellent dishwashers and a fantastic refrigerator.
Cons: Bosch doesn't have many cooking options like their luxury cousins, Thermador and Gaggenau. They lack the product selection of other brands.
4. Beko
Beko Pro-Style Range and Dishwasher
Beko is one of the fastest-growing brands in the country. Great appliance availability is part of the reason.
Beko has a front control range, a French door refrigerator, a quiet dishwasher, and a microwave for under $6,000. It also looks good with excellent first-year reliability.
The range has SURF convection with a larger fan than the others, along with slats on the side for better overall airflow and even cooking on all racks.
The refrigerator has blue lighting in its drawers to promote photosynthesis and an ethylene filter to keep food fresh longer. In our Project Produce experiment, we tested Beko against other brands for one month with fruit and vegetables.
Beko kept food fresher than every refrigerator except Sub-Zero.
The new CornerIntense dishwasher has Wi-Fi, an unbelievably quiet 39 dB rating, and an intense wash cycle to clean casserole dishes.
Beko is also all about sustainability. Their new front-load washer tub is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Pros: Beko ranks highly for its availability, innovation, and reliability. Beko has great refrigerators, dishwashers, and packages. Beko has the best availability of products on this list, as well as good sustainability and social responsibility practices.
Cons: Name recognition and limited product line.
5. GE Profile
GE Profile Induction Range
GE Profile has decent functional products. Their ranges have 21,000 BTU output burners with good capacity. You can buy a French door refrigerator in various sizes and styles.
Their new dishwasher with special sprays for bottles and silverware may be the best at $1,199.
GE Profile is similar to Café Appliances. However, their appliances are only available in stainless steel without customizable options or the most upscale products.
GE Profile appliances are Wi-Fi enabled through their SmartHQ app.
Pros: GE Profile has notable products with decent features.
Cons: GE Profile lacks colors and truly distinctive products like the Café Appliances line.
Read More: Beko vs. GE Profile Kitchen Appliance Packages
6. Fisher & Paykel
Fisher & Paykel Kitchen at Yale Appliance in Hanover
Fisher & Paykel has an interesting portfolio of appliances like counter-depth refrigerators, custom finishes, and dishwasher drawers.
They have an interesting product line, including pro-style ranges in custom colors. I use the word interesting because you may be looking for a diversion from stainless steel.
Café has some options, and Fisher & Paykel is in that category with red, white, and black options. In addition, their products have a certain design edge to them, making them look different from your neighbor's kitchen.
Their panel-ready integrated refrigerators are $5,000-$12,000 less than other built-in types. They're also the only company with a double-drawer dishwasher.
Most importantly, their availability has been excellent.
Pros: Fisher & Paykel's strengths lie in ranges, the DishDrawer, and refrigerators. They are pretty reliable as well, especially in refrigeration. Their styling is exceptional.
Cons: Fisher & Paykel has a limited product portfolio, especially in refrigeration, and is the most expensive brand on this list.
Read More: Fisher & Paykel vs. JennAir Kitchen Appliance Packages
7. Samsung
Samsung Kitchen With Double Oven Range at Yale Appliance in Hanover
I had to put Samsung on this list after I featured their new Bespoke line as a product you should not buy.
I like Samsung. They were the first company to add a design to an appliance. As a result, every brand had to follow, and now everyone's kitchens look better.
The same is true for many of their current products. They are mostly affordable and good-looking. Their refrigeration is well-conceived, with tons of models from French doors to double-drawers and 4-door refrigerators.
However, some of their products can be over-engineered. Their double oven ranges cannot reach temperature independently.
I like their Family Hub refrigerator with the smart tablet built into the door, but your phone has more functionality.
Their dishwasher with a WaterWall spray arm revolutionizes how a dishwasher washes your dishes. However, a dishwasher needs to be quiet and clean dishes, not revolutionary.
I like the color options on Bespoke, and I don't want to make people mad again. However, in most cases, basic kitchen design calls for color on a central appliance, like your range, not the refrigerator.
Lastly, as everyone has commented, their customer service can't keep up with the demand.
Pros: Samsung makes some of the most advanced freestanding refrigeration and ranges in gas and induction. You can buy packages at any price range from $3,599 to $10,000.
Cons: The downside to being number one is their customer service. Samsung's customer service could be better, as well as its parts and service availability, nationally.
If you have a problem with a Samsung appliance, it will likely be an issue - your issue (depending on where you live). Always check for available services in your area. The same could be said for many of the brands.
Read More: Are Samsung Appliances Reliable?
8. KitchenAid
KitchenAid Kitchen Appliances
KitchenAid upgraded its dishwasher line two years ago. They now have four levels of wash action and a cool new third rack.
After the dishwasher, the line features basic appliances and features. Their refrigerators, for example, have stayed the same for at least ten years.
Like other brands, their most popular models use single evaporators instead of dual evaporators for better temperature management. Their new dual evaporator refrigerators are incredibly expensive at almost $5,000.
Their stoves are OK with good capacity, but they haven't changed. In addition, KitchenAid is not Wi-Fi-enabled. A few years ago, it wasn't an issue. Now Wi-Fi has some decent functionality.
KitchenAid is a good name, but the products are unspectacular.
Pros: Very good dishwashers.
Cons: Styling and features are behind the times. Solid but not innovative, with no Wi-Fi or advanced features of any kind.
Many brands, like Bosch, GE, LG, and Samsung, have Wi-Fi-enabled appliances. Pretty soon, smart capabilities will be a feature to consider. KitchenAid should at least get started.
Read More: Best KitchenAid Dishwashers
What Are Affordable Luxury Appliances?
Bosch Kitchen at Yale Appliance in Hanover
Affordable luxury appliances are a step up from regular appliances. Instead of a freestanding refrigerator and range, you're buying a counter-depth refrigerator, a slide-in range, and a quieter dishwasher.
What’s the Difference Between Affordable Luxury and Luxury Appliances?
Affordable luxury is far less expensive than luxury appliances. The average affordable luxury kitchen is $7,000 to $12,000 compared to $30,000 and up for luxury.
Let's look at the differences between each category of appliances.
Affordable Luxury vs. Luxury Ranges
.jpg?width=799&height=450&name=affordable-luxury-vs-luxury-appliance-brands-ranges-(1).jpg)
Luxury appliances offer a professional range with high burner outputs, better broilers, and grill or griddle options on the stovetop.
Affordable luxury ranges may offer a standard 30-inch grill or griddle with the range. One brand now offers six burners in a 30-inch range.
Luxury professional ranges offer larger grills and griddles for 36, 48, and 60-inch sizes.
The output differences are less pronounced than in years past. Most affordable luxury ranges have at least two "Power" burners over 15,000 BTU (British Thermal Units).
Affordable Luxury vs. Luxury Refrigerators
You also have a professional or integrated refrigerator for luxury appliances.
An integrated refrigerator blends into the cabinets seamlessly, while a professional refrigerator is more of a statement piece in stainless steel.
For an affordable luxury refrigerator, a counter-depth French door refrigerator is your main option.
Affordable Luxury vs. Luxury Ventilation
.jpg?width=799&height=450&name=affordable-luxury-vs-luxury-appliance-brands-ventilation-(1).jpg)
Lastly, the other main difference is ventilation. Luxury kitchen packages include a high CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) hood instead of an over-the-range microwave.
Wall ovens and cooktops can be affordable, but better brands like Miele and Thermador are considered a luxury.
You can blend luxury items in affordable kitchens, especially by incorporating a standard 30-inch professional range or panel-ready dishwasher.
Overall, the main differences between affordable luxury and luxury kitchens are the oven, refrigerator, and ventilation brands.
Read More: Best Luxury Appliance Brands
Appliance Package Rebates
Both luxury and affordable appliances have rebate programs, so buying one brand is a good idea financially. Also, by sticking to one brand, you aren't mixing finishes like different stainless-steel finishes and handle styles.
Looking for answers about Appliances?
Short on time? Download our free Appliance Buying Guide.
Best Affordable Luxury Appliance Brands: Key Takeaways
You can spend $6,000 to $15,000 for affordable luxury appliances in several different finishes and features. Before you spend $30,000 on a luxury kitchen appliance package, check out these brands for less than half that.
You can always combine certain luxury elements like a professional range in an affordable luxury package without blowing your budget. You have plenty of options. We always recommend starting with cooking or figuring out what's important to you and working from there.
Availability will be a problem for certain appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, so consider all your options.
Lastly, make sure you know who will fix your appliances before buying them. Samsung, Beko, and SKS are smart considerations, but only if you can fix them promptly.
Additional Resources
Have questions on premium appliances? Get the Yale Appliance Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles on Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Viking, La Cornue, Thermador, and more. Over 1 million people have read a Yale buying guide.
Related Articles
- Most Common Kitchen Appliance Mistakes
- Most Reliable Appliance Brands
- Best Luxury Appliance Brands
- The Most Important Delivery Checklist
- Best Stainless Steel Kitchen Packages
Looking for answers about Appliances?
Choosing a new appliance can be a confusing and time-consuming experience. We've taken the pain out of the decision process with our guide to choosing appliances.
Why Should You Trust Us?
It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.
We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.
Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.
A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
