OK, I am redoing the most disliked article I ever created about Samsung Bespoke appliances.
I'll explain the big change that makes Bespoke likable, plus evaluations of each refrigerator, induction or gas stove, dishwasher, and over-the-range microwave.
Ultimately, you'll learn about the real problem with Samsung Bespoke.
Let's get started.
You probably know Samsung, the giant multinational Korean manufacturer.
However, in 2022, they launched the Bespoke line of appliances with options other than the common, almost mind-numbingly popular, stainless steel.
The refrigerator had an unbelievable number of selections, while the microwave, stove, and dishwasher were available in Black Stainless, Bronze, Navy, and stainless steel.
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The original article discussed kitchen design and how color is traditionally on the range.
Your eye is drawn to color.
From a design standpoint, you want color central in your kitchen.
In a well-designed kitchen, your stove, sink, and dishwasher are the central points, AKA my version of the "kitchen triangle."
Samsung, however, put all the color options on the fridge, which is usually on the outside.
But many of you pointed out it's still a refreshing change in the sea of stainless.
You want options, any options, on whatever appliance.
I understand that now.
First, the Bespoke refrigerator is now even more customizable.
Send Samsung a picture of your kids, cat, or favorite bottle of wine, and they can produce it in front of your refrigerator.
BTW, the cat in the picture belongs to my editor, Sara
Buy all three in case your cat or kids fall out of favor; you still have that bottle of wine.
Note: Availability is tough on the panels, so you must be willing to wait.
But what made Bespoke popular and likable, in my opinion, was the simple addition of white as a color.
Now you can buy a legitimately popular color.
Seriously, the other finishes were:
Tuscan Bronze that nobody buys: Bronze has died for every brand in all its forms, like Coffee, Truffle, Oil-rubbed Bronze, Toast, and Cappuccino.
Scratchable and non-warrantable black stainless that nobody should buy: You breach that easy tape-like finish, and you will see a constellation of stainless scratches until you buy another.
Watch this video before considering this finish in any brand.
Navy: I like blue, but it's not the first color of choice in your kitchen. Blue is probably number eight in terms of popularity.
White is the new trendy finish, even though it was trendy when I started in 1986 until stainless became so popular.
Now, everyone from Café to LG and even KitchenAid manufactures white finishes again.
Have a look. Click the arrows on either side to view all images of Café's, LG's, and KitchenAid's white appliances.
Let's go over the Bespoke lineup by product next.
Let's skip over-the-range microwaves because they don't work well in any brand.
They have low CFM and are about 16 inches deep, which falls short of the 23 inches needed to reach the front power burner you'll be cooking on.
Most over-the-range microwaves are manufactured to the same specifications, and Bespoke isn't much different from GE, LG, or any other brand.
While over-the-range microwaves are a good idea for centralizing your cooking, they just don't perform well, especially if you cook frequently.
Pick up our free Ventilation Buying Guide with answers to all the most common ventilation questions.
Samsung dishwashers are good and mostly quiet, starting at 39 dB.
But their linear wash on the high end doesn't wash any better than the others, which use a front-to-back motion instead of the circular arms of every brand.
Miele and Bosch dishwashers do dry better.
Their StormWash dishwashers are interesting at $649. You'll notice the noise at 46 dB unless you opt for the quieter 42 dB model at $849. However, their drying performance is good.
The door opens to speed drying at the end of the cycle, allowing air and moisture to escape.
You have decent induction options, and gas Bespoke ranges with good output.
The induction has a 4300-watt element, and the gas has a 23,000 BTU burner—both are high output.
Samsung's Flex Duo oven is a great idea. By removing the rack between the two ovens, you can have the versatility of a double oven but also a larger one.
It's a great idea, except you can't reach certain temperatures when both ovens operate.
You also have a good number of lower-priced options from $1,100-$1,500 with fewer features and less "Bespoke."
The lower-priced models have less color and more black glass. However, you can still create a lower-priced package in a color.
But that's not the major problem, which you'll learn at the end of the article.
Without question, refrigerators are Samsung's best appliance, and you have a great selection.
Sure, they have the FamilyHub tablet as their signature piece, but you have better computing power in your pocket.
Look at the triple-cooling models, which allow you to change from refrigerator to freezer in one compartment, either in a door or separate drawer type:
Their new ice maker seems to be a more reliable design as well, but we don't sell or service it to know for certain.
Plus, you can choose from endless panel options to make this refrigerator unique.
For a nice matching set, buy them in white or blue, or stick with the ever-common stainless steel.
Samsung has been a reliable brand of appliances—at least they were, as we now only sell their laundry products.
I don't have the exact reliability numbers because we stopped selling Samsung appliances during the pandemic
They are extremely popular across the country and are the most popular appliance brand sold in the US.
Give Samsung their due: they were the first to design attractive and affordable appliances. However, they have the least available service.
Before you click off this article, please understand the importance of service.
In less than three years, we logged over 100,000 service calls in the Boston area, just with our customers.
Service is so scarce that even LG, their archrival, started its own service department a few years ago.
GE and Whirlpool have their own as well.
But not Samsung, and that's the problem.
The product is reliable, but when there are issues, it will be your problem, even with that expensive extended warranty.
Why?
Samsung offers alarmingly little tech support.
They also pay low warranty rates, which discourages many independent service providers from working on Samsung products.
You've likely seen service technicians criticizing Samsung. The issue isn't the product's reliability; it's the lack of fair compensation.
So, while you'll love the look, brace yourself for inevitable issues—it's not a question of if, but when.
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