How to Buy Appliances in 2025: Tips for Navigating Tariffs and Price Increases

With the possibility of tariffs and price increases on the horizon, combined with ongoing promotions and discounts, you might be wondering: how should you approach buying appliances in 2025?

I’ve researched this topic to better understand what could happen and how it might affect your decisions.

In this article, we’ll look at tariff policies from previous years and potential trade policy changes that could affect appliance prices in 2025.

Let’s dive into what we know so far.

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Major Appliance Price Increases in Early 2025: What to Expect

Thermador and Bosch have announced price increases effective January 1, 2025, ranging from 3-8%.

However, they’ve also reduced some programs by 2%, meaning the net increase is closer to 5-10%.    

LG plans to raise prices by approximately 6% starting January 15, while GE has scheduled its price increase for February 15.

Sub-Zero announced an 8-13% price hike, as of this writing on March 1.

True and Whirlpool will adjust their prices based on steel tariffs, making their increases more variable.

Meanwhile, 99% of all specialty undercounter refrigerators are expected to see price hikes of 8-25%, largely because most of these units are manufactured in China.

Before you rush to call your local appliance store in a panic, consider two important factors for projects planned in 2025 and 2026:

• Interest Rates: You’re still earning 4-4.5% interest on your savings. Money in the bank still holds value.
• Financing Options: Many retailers still offer 0% financing for 12 months. This allows you to buy appliances now and spread the cost across twelve installments.

So, unlike in the past, there’s no automatic urgency to buy early—take the time to weigh your options.

Tariffs and Their Implications for Appliances

What happens to appliance prices in 2025 largely depends on developments after January 20.

If new tariffs on imports from China or Mexico are implemented, many appliances may see additional price increases.

For example:

• GE washers are manufactured in China.
• Electrolux appliances are made in Mexico.

Tariffs on these countries could directly impact the cost of these products.

Let’s take a closer look at previous tariff policies.

A Brief History of Tariffs Policies and Their Impact on Appliances (2017–2021)

To understand the potential impact of future tariffs, let’s look tariff policies from 2017-2021 and their effect on the appliance industry.

During this period, a series of tariffs significantly influenced appliance pricing and availability.

Here’s a breakdown of the key measures:

1. Washing Machines (January 2018)

• Tariff Details: A 20% tariff was applied to the first 1.2 million washing machines imported annually, with a 50% tariff on quantities exceeding that threshold.
• Outcome: Many appliance manufacturers found ways to avoid these tariffs over time, mitigating some of their impact.

2. Steel and Aluminum (March 2018)

• Steel Tariff: A 25% tariff was placed on imported steel.
• Aluminum Tariff: Imported aluminum faced a 10% tariff.
• Effect: These materials are essential for appliance construction, leading to higher production costs and, ultimately, increased prices for consumers.

3. Chinese Imports (2018–2019)

• Section 301 Tariffs: In response to alleged unfair trade practices, the U.S. imposed tariffs on roughly $370 billion worth of Chinese goods:
  • First Tranche (July 2018): 25% tariffs on $34 billion of imports.
  • Second Tranche (August 2018): 25% tariffs on an additional $16 billion.
  • Third Tranche (September 2018): 10% tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods, later increased to 25% in May 2019.
  • Fourth Tranche (September 2019): 15% tariffs on $112 billion worth of imports.
• Financial Impact: These measures resulted in over $74 billion in additional tariffs collected by the U.S. government.

This tariff strategy had significant financial implications for the appliance industry.

While prices increased, many of the 10–35% promotional discounts that we once relied on disappeared.

How Tariffs Affected Appliance Manufacturers and Prices (2017–2024)

Tariffs on washing machines and their components had a notable impact on major appliance brands.

These tariffs also targeted raw materials like steel and aluminum, further affecting companies such as GE, Samsung, LG, Electrolux, and Whirlpool.

Here’s how they were affected:

Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers

1. Price Increases:

• Consumer Costs: Tariffs led to higher prices for washing machines and related appliances. A study found that laundry equipment costs rose by approximately 12%, adding $86–$92 per unit for consumers, along with a loss of $100–$150 in promotional discounts.
• Dryer Prices: Although dryers weren’t directly subject to tariffs, manufacturers increased their prices (5–17%) alongside washers since the two are often sold as sets.

2. Supply Chain Disruptions:

• Tariffs on Chinese imports, including electronic components, disrupted established supply chains.
• Manufacturers were forced to seek alternative suppliers or absorb increased costs, further compounded by tariffs on steel and aluminum, which affected all manufacturers.

How Appliance Manufacturers Responded to Tariffs

Steep tariffs forced appliance manufacturers to adapt quickly.

Samsung and LG expanded their U.S. factories to reduce reliance on imports.

Others, like Whirlpool, GE Appliances, and Electrolux, faced different challenges. Some focused on U.S. production, while others struggled with higher costs and supply chain issues.

The following section shows how each company responded, including their key investments and setbacks.

Manufacturer Responses

LG

• Location: Clarksville, Tennessee.
• Facility Details: LG completed its one-million-square-foot home appliance plant at the end of 2018. The facility operates three production lines for front-load and top-load washing machines and dryers, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million washers and 600,000 dryers.
• Employment: The factory employs over 900 workers. By 2021, LG invested an additional $20.5 million to expand operations, create new jobs, and produce more appliances beyond washers.

Samsung

• Location: Newberry County, South Carolina.
• Facility Details: Samsung’s first U.S.-based home appliance plant began production in January 2018. Initially focused on washing machines, the facility now manufactures more than a million units annually, including their popular Bespoke refrigerators.
• Employment: Samsung started with 540 workers in 2018 and aimed to create nearly 1,000 jobs by 2020. By 2024, the plant had grown to employ 1,500 people.

Whirlpool

• Initial Support: Whirlpool initially supported the tariffs, expecting a competitive edge against foreign manufacturers.
• Challenges: However, their lean manufacturing approach—focused on minimal inventory—made them highly vulnerable to rising steel costs. As a result, Whirlpool was hit the hardest by the increased costs of raw materials, especially steel.

GE Appliances

• Ownership: GE Appliances is owned by the Chinese company Haier.
• Resilience: Surprisingly, GE was one of the least affected manufacturers. Most of their production is U.S.-based, shielding them from major supply chain disruptions.
• Inventory Management: GE's more aggressive inventory strategy further helped mitigate the impact of rising material costs, especially compared to domestic competitors like Whirlpool.

Electrolux

• Initial Setbacks: Electrolux, a Swedish company, faced challenges due to the tariffs. In March 2018, they delayed a $250 million investment in a Tennessee plant, citing concerns over the increased costs of imported steel and aluminum.
• Later Investment: By June 2022, the company proceeded with the investment, possibly using the initial delay as a strategic bluff to weather the uncertain tariff environment.

Winners and Challenges

One outcome was an increase in U.S.-based manufacturing jobs, as manufacturers like LG and Samsung expanded local production to offset import tariffs.

However, no company could entirely escape the impact of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

These raw materials remain a costly challenge for appliance manufacturing—a problem that affects every brand.

And that’s the crux of the issue. Steel and aluminum are essential for any appliance, and tariffs on these materials ripple through the entire industry.

Price Comparisons: 2020–2024

Despite the tariff-related price increases during 2018–2020, appliance prices dropped significantly by 2024:

Washing Machines

• GE GFD65ESSVWW: $1,099 in 2022 vs. $799-$899 in 2024.
• LG WM3400CW: $799–$849 in 2022 vs. $599–$899 in 2024.

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTE204KPS: $1,049 in 2022 vs. $849 in 2024.

The Downside of Appliance Shopping in 2025 and Beyond

Fifteen years ago, I served on the board of our local appliance buying group.

Back then, we primarily focused on the so-called "Power 5"—the top appliance brands that accounted for the majority of sales volume for the average dealer:

• LG
• Samsung
• GE
• Whirlpool
• Electrolux

Today, I’d add Bosch to that list. At the time, however, Bosch primarily sold dishwashers and wasn’t a major player across all appliance categories.

If tariffs were to increase significantly—such as up to 50%—the added costs would certainly be passed down to you, the consumer.

And with only five manufacturers producing full-size washers, there’s little to stop it.

But here’s the kicker: it’s not just the manufacturers. After years of consolidation, there aren’t many major retailers left, either.

Back in 2019, InsideSources published a remarkably accurate article outlining this very problem: Washing Machines, Tariffs, and the Oligopoly Problem.

They saw it coming, and today, after years of shrinking competition, your choices are more limited than ever.

Possible Appliance Tariffs in 2025

Upcoming trade policies may include higher taxes on imported goods. This could mean:

• A tax of 10–20% on all imports.
• Higher taxes on goods from China, possibly ranging from 60–100%.

If these changes take effect, appliance prices could rise, especially for products that depend on imported parts or materials.

Impact on Appliance Prices

Increased Production Costs:

• Any Chinese imports will become significantly more expensive.
• While many appliance manufacturers have some U.S.-based production, certain products—particularly cooking appliances and refrigeration units—will be hit hard due to reliance on imported components and tariffs on steel.

Consumer Price Hikes:

• As with previous tariffs, manufacturers are likely to pass these increased costs directly to consumers, resulting in higher appliance prices across the board.

Broader Economic Effects

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the appliance industry could face double-digit price increases starting in 2025.

These tariffs won’t just affect foreign brands—domestic manufacturers like Sub-Zero and Whirlpool will also feel the pressure, as higher material costs ripple through the industry.

Some Good News on Buying Appliances in 2025

The appliance industry from 2020 to 2022 was hampered by shortages, largely due to a lack of parts.

This caused significant price increases and long wait times, especially during the remodeling frenzy.

In 2023 and 2024, the situation flipped. Manufacturers overproduced in response to reduced demand, leaving the industry with an inventory surplus.

To clear this glut, they’ve been running nonstop promotions for nearly two years.

The good news? You can now have almost any appliance delivered within a few days.

Even if tariffs are enacted by March, you still have time to plan. Yes, most prices will go up by February 1, but your bank account is still earning interest.

For long-term projects, waiting might make sense. Then again…

The current price increases are significant, but manufacturers insist they aren’t preemptive (though it’s hard to say if that’s really true).

If tariffs are implemented, however, expect even steeper price hikes in the near future.

So, How Do You Buy Appliances in 2025?

This topic has become a bit of an obsession for my Jiu-Jitsu professor turned developer. We talk about this all the time, as his project is set to start and finish in 2026.

Here’s my best advice for buying appliances:

Short-term needs:

• If you need appliances soon, buy them now.
• You’ll likely save 6–10% by purchasing before prices rise.

Long-term projects:

• For projects planned further out, aim to buy before tariffs and supply chain issues drive costs up.
• Get a quote from your local dealer and purchase before the larger increases hit.

If tariffs kick in next year, you still have time to plan. Before you buy any appliances, take a moment to compare prices and make sure you're shopping with a trustworthy retailer.

Some appliance stores may have limited ability to hold appliances for extended periods, while others, as seen during the pandemic, may face financial challenges or even closure.

Pro Tip: Always check reviews before placing an order with any store to avoid unnecessary headaches.

Additional Resources

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