If you are shopping for appliances, there is the premium segment with brands like Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Viking and Thermador. You can buy GE, Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana for more commodity or basic products.
The biggest segment is the so called "affordable luxury" segment. You can have features like high output burners in the range, counter depth in the refrigerator, stainless interior dishwashers as well as convection in the microwave at a more affordable price than the premium.
It is a crowded industry with Bosch, Samsung, Frigidaire Pro, Jenn-Air, LG, GE Cafe as well as, KitchenAid and Electrolux all vying for your business. Electrolux and KitchenAid both have new redesigned products, so it would seem natural to compare both.
We will look at the companies, the packages and then the individual pieces to determine what might be best for your kitchen.
Electrolux
Electrolux’s recent pending purchase of GE appliances will establish them as the largest appliance company in the world. Headquartered in Sweden, Electrolux sell under a variety of brand names like Frigidaire.
Their hallmark is contemporary styling and plenty of user friendly automatic features.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid started out in 1919 manufacturing their iconic mixers. Hobart owned the company and are credited for producing their iconic dishwashers as well as branching into some pretty cool cooking products.
They were sold to Whirlpool corporation in 1989. After languishing a bit over the last 5 years, their new introduction has cleaner lines, better styling and features.
Let's look at the packages and individual products.
KitchenAid vs. Electrolux Kitchen Packages
Electrolux Kitchen Package in Gas - $5,299
- EI28BS65KS - 36" Standard-Depth French Door Refrigerator with IQ Touch Controls
- EI30GF45QS - 30'' Freestanding Gas Front Control Range
- EI30BM60MS - 30'' Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Oven
- EI24ID50QS - 24'' Built-In Dishwasher with IQ-Touch Controls
KitchenAid Kitchen Package in Gas - $5,399
- KRFC300ESS - 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
- KSGB900ESS - 30" 5 Burner Gas Convection Slide-In Range
- KDTE254ESS - 24" Dishwasher with ProScrub Option
- KMHS120ESS - 30" 1000-Watt Microwave with 7 Sensor Functions
Product Comparision
Refrigerators
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| Electrolux EI28BS65KS | KitchenAid KRFC300ESS |
Electrolux and KitchenAid Standard depth 36” French Door refrigeration offer similar cubic feet at 28 cubic feet, water and ice on the door as well as, easy to clean glass shelves.
What makes each unique:
- Electrolux has the Cool Zone Drawer; A drawer designed to keep food items at a precise temperature whether cooler, warmer, or the same as the fresh food section of the refrigerator. It will get as low as 28 degrees (up to 42 degrees) which helps to preserve meats or fish without freezing (if storing longer than 2 days it is better to use the freezer.). This is also great for cold beverages.
- For the KitchenAid refirgerator, I like the max cool feature. When selected, it automatically adjusts the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer to the lowest setting when appropriate. This keeps the refrigerator at the ideal temperature when loading groceries, while hosting where the doors are frequently opened, or in higher room temperatures.
Gas Ranges
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| Electrolux EI30GF45QS | KitchenAid KSGB900ESS |
The gas ranges both have premium features; 5 burners, temperature probe, convection oven with convection conversion (converts traditional mode temperatures to accommodate convection cooking), as well as warming drawer. What is appealing in both is the front controls allowing easy access to the controls and an aesthetically better view of your custom backsplash.
What makes each unique:
- The Electrolux Gas Range features a power burner which helps boil water faster and creates the high heat for Wok cooking. The oven also has a unique feature called “My Favorite”, this is used to record and recall your favorite recipe settings. This feature will also store and recall Cook Time or Keep Warm added settings.
- The KitchenAid Gas range offers a steam rack allowing you a steam bake feature. This will help keep food moist and nutrients in your steamed vegetables. KitchenAid offers a baking/warming drawer which can be used as a second oven.
Over-the-Range (OTR) Convection Microwaves
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| Electrolux EI30BM60MS | KitchenAid KMHS120ESS |
There are many similarities between the over-the-range (OTR) microwaves. This is because Sharp manufactures for both companies (as well as many others). They both have Quick touch settings for Popcorn, Baked Potato, Convection Bake, Defrost, Reheat and Vegetables. Both units can either vent outside or recirculate the air through a charcoal filter. In general, the controls are the only difference.
What makes each unique:
- The Electrolux OTR has a melt/soften options button to soften ice cream, cream cheese and to melt butter or chocolate.
- The KitchenAid OTR offers Sensor Steam/Simmer Cook Cycle with Steamer Container; this feature triggers a cycle that precisely steams food based on type and selected doneness. It also has Steam Clean function, this uses the power of steam to release spills and stains so they are more easily wiped away.
Dishwashers
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| Electrolux EI24ID50QS | KitchenAid KDTE254ESS |
Dishwashers have come a long way over the last ten years. Yes, the cycles are longer, but they run longer to save on energy and conserve water.
They both offer a third rack to place items such as spatulas and serving utensils. They both offer a quick wash, sanitation cycles and extra dry cycles.
What makes each unique:
- The Electrolux dishwasher offers the SatelliteSpray(TM) Arm with 400% more water coverage, targeting virtually every spot in your dishwasher for a truly professional-level clean.
- The KitchenAid dishwasher will be more quiet. The company also has a better history with this particular product.
Conclusion
It is a very interesting comparison. The features are similar because the most innovative are almost immediately copied. Aesthetics is going to help determine which package will be best for you.
The new professionally inspired design of KitchenAid versus Electrolux’s unique contemporary design.
Electrolux does have the better warranty of up to 3 years and a slightly better reliability record than KitchenAid. In a close comparison, look at rebates which can affect the price between 10-30%.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about buying appliances? Get the Yale Appliance Buying Guide with complete profiles of every brand plus answers to the 10 most asked questions. You will also learn the best times to buy appliances as well as the most reliable brands. Well over 120,000 people have read a Yale 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.
