Viking D3 vs GE Cafe is an interesting comparison of two of the best affordable luxury brands. Normally these two companies would not even compete, but Viking relaunched their Designer Series as D3 with better features at lower priices. But which is better?
Viking Appliances
Viking is an all American appliance company, located in Greenwood, Mississippi. They specialize in high end luxury appliances. They are most widely known for cooking and outside grilling products and were one of the first manufacturers of professional ranges back in the late 1980s.
After many attempts, Viking launched D3, a lower priced line with great features, customizeable styling and a 3 year warranty.
GE Café Appliances
GE is also an American Company, currently located in Louisville, Kentucky. GE is one of the largest appliance companies in the world. They have a very large selection of appliances, ranging from entry level to high end and specialize in innovative technology, like their Advantium Oven and promoting Energy Star pieces. The majority of their sales from the affordable luxury lines emanate from their Profile and Café Lines.
The Café series is GE’s version of “Pro Appliances”, offering customers an affordable Pro-Style Kitchen, while still maintaining their integrity by offering some unique cooking features. The Café series is only available in Stainless.
Both the Viking D3 Designer Series and GE Café Series offer a very simple line up.
Free standing refrigeration, freestanding ranges, dishwashers, wall ovens, cook tops, and over-the-range microwaves. Below are two of their most popular packages. You may be surprised, at how close the pricing is. Viking is the most aggressively priced they have ever been. Of course there will be several options in each category and rebates/incentives vary depending on time of purchase.
Let's compare.
Viking D3 vs GE Cafe Kitchen Appliance Packages
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VS |
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Viking D3 Kitchen Package - $7,826 Viking D3 Range
Viking D3 Microwave
Viking D3 Dishwasher
Viking Refrigerator
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GE Café Gas Package - Gas $7,549 GE Café Range
GE Café Microwave
GE Café Dishwasher
GE Café Refrigerator
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Range
The crux of Viking D3 and GE Cafe is their range, and they are similar in output. Burners are almost identical with 5 burners and convection. Cafe has a 20,000 BTU burner with the D3 topping out at 18,000. GE does have the second oven below (and offers a double oven range), while D3 does not.
D3 offers a 3 year warranty vs the Cafe 1 year warranty and the knobs and handles are uniquely customizable.
Microwave
Viking D3 Convection Microwave vs GE Cafe Advantium.
This could be a blog topic by itself, but both cook fast. Advantium, however, is faster and easier to use and will be a slightly better choice for the serious chef.
Refrigerator
I am somewhat ambivalent about the refrigerator. D3 is bigger at 22 cubic foot vs 20 for the Cafe, and has a better warranty and customizeable handles. The D3 refrigerator is manufactured by Whirlpool. It's a decent yet unspactacular product, but then again so is Cafe.
Dishwasher
I like the fit and finish of the D3, but truthfully neither Viking or GE are known for their dishwashers.
Both are good lines with great features. The Cafe may have a few more features, but the warranty, aesthetic and name recognition of the D3 may be worth a look for $300 more.
What do you think?
Additional Resources
Visit the Yale Resource Center for buying guides on every type of kitchen appliance products. Our most popular:
- Refrigerator Buying Guide
- Dishwasher Buying Guide
- Induction Cooking Buying Guide
- Pro Cooking Buying Guide
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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.
