Johnathan Brewer, The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board member, recommends trying to shop at a retailer that “deals specifically with appliances,” so you can take advantage of notable perks. “They usually offer a wider selection and package deals,” he says. Our top picks include Home Depot, a big-box retailer with a great selection of major brands and free delivery on appliance purchases $396 and up. Lowe’s also offers price-matching and has free haul-away services for pro-level customers, and Wayfair typically offers big savings and sales and has a more flexible return window. Here, the best places to buy appliances and elevate the functionality of your favorite spaces. Shopping is a total breeze, both online and in-store. On the website, you can shop by appliance type, plus filter by features, finish, or price point. If you need more than one appliance, you can shop bundles for convenience and added value. If you’re looking for a reliable low-budget refrigerator, the Maytag MRT118FFFH 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator, has a deli drawer and is available in three finishes. Though it doesn’t have an ice or water dispenser, its low price and reliable design make it a great starter refrigerator. Price-matching is another big plus of this retailer, since Home Depot will take the lowest competing price. Free delivery on large appliance orders of $396 or more also makes your experience easier, and includes basic hook-up, which is hard to find elsewhere. Some appliances may require an installation fee, depending on your needs, plus there’s an extra fee for the team to haul away your old appliance. In addition, you have just 48 hours after delivery to return your appliance, and appliances can only be returned if there are damages or defects. Though, this strict return policy and the use of third-party companies for delivery and installation services can be really common among big-box retailers, and the rest of your experience is often convenient. The Thor Kitchen HRG3080U Professional 30 in. Freestanding Gas Range is available online at Lowe’s and has a modern look and feel, plus precise burner operation for a better cooking experience. While it isn’t very spacious or self-cleaning, it does have an LP conversion kit for households that would prefer to use propane. You can shop this product and many others at Lowe’s in-store or online, and either way, take advantage of their price-matching policy. It’s worth noting that in-store shopping will give you the chance to get up close and personal with various models, but the showroom floors don’t represent all of the available options. You may want to call ahead if you’re planning on checking out a specific model in your local store. No matter how you make your purchase, delivery is free if you’re local. Alternatively, you can choose in-store pickup if you need a product in-stock right away. Lowe’s has a 30-day return policy for any appliances returned like new in original factory packaging, and a 48-hour return window for an appliance that was delivered by or picked up at Lowe’s, and the haul-away fee is free for Lowe’s Pro customers. This is the retailer to go to if you’re searching for something that’s not so run-of-the-mill—like a refrigerator from a luxury European appliance brand like Smeg. The Wayfair website also has plenty of uniquely colored appliances, as well as models that look and feel professional, such as flashy gas ranges from Café. On their website, Wayfair notes all the specifications on each product listing that you would need to make a careful decision, and frequently runs good sales and promotions that help you save on these larger purchases. Wayfair also gets bonus points for its 30-day return window, but it’s worth noting that all appliances must be returned in original packaging and not yet installed. In addition, Wayfair won’t haul away old appliances from certain brands, but they do offer several delivery options including curbside and backyard delivery. Aside from great selection, Best Buy also has a particularly helpful staff that can help you choose the model to suit your needs. The Geek Squad offers free consultations, either virtually or right in your home after making an appointment. These experts help you hone in on the features you want and the specs you need to ensure your appliances function properly and look right in your home. While Best Buy rarely has a wide selection for you to view in-store, this service helps ensure you’re making the right decision. Like other great retailers, delivery on major appliances is free at Best Buy—as long as you spend $399 or more. The return window is not as generous as others, but you do have 15 days to return any unused appliance, and have the option to call with defects, damages, or other issues you run into with your purchase. In addition, the haul-away fee is a little complicated, at $199.99 without the purchase of a new appliance and $29.99 with one. However, this is a useful option if the retailer you choose to shop with doesn’t offer haul-away, and you’re in a bit of a pinch. At Costco, the selection tends to be more limited than appliance-only retailers, but you’ll find plenty of household brands like LG, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, and GE. So, if you’re not looking for anything too specific or fancy, you should be able to find a suitable option. The Maytag 5.2 cu. ft. Washer and 7.4 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Extra Power Button available online at Costco is a top option for homeowners who have a gas hook-up in their laundry room or closet. The washing machine features an extra power button for bulkier and extra-dirty loads, plus auto-sensing ensures that the water level is adjusted for an efficient clean. When you purchase a major appliance through Costco that you’re not content with, you have the option to return it to a local location or request a pick-up online. In addition, you’ll receive a two-year warranty and up to 4 percent in cash-back rewards. Despite the seemingly endless choices online, you won’t feel like you’re trying to find a needle in a haystack, since the retailer has extensive filter options. If you’re searching for a deal, you can filter by special offers, including instant savings and manufacturer rebates. In the market for an induction range for your new kitchen? The Café CHS950P2MS1 6.7 cu. ft. Smart Slide-In Double Oven Induction Range at AJ Madison has a professional look and feel, and can be controlled with your smartphone. While it’s not as large as other models you may find, voice control technology makes it an innovative splurge. One potential downside to shopping at AJ Madison is the very strict return policy. Although this retailer offers multiple delivery options, returns are subject to a 35 percent restocking fee, plus freight charges to ship your large appliances back to the retailer. In addition, your appliance can’t be installed or attempted to be installed to be eligible for a return. You must report any damage within 15 days of delivery, and contact AJ Madison for any other returns within 24 hours of receipt. This retailer is a great place to go, particularly if you’re looking for a competitive deal. Their website emphasizes opportunities for discounts, with frequent prompts to bundle up your appliances for greater savings. In addition, the website makes it extremely easy to view any available manufacturer rebates to stretch your budget. Free delivery on orders over $99 is a nice perk of shopping here. If you’re completing the last stages of a renovation or planning ahead, you can also take advantage of current savings by using the “Buy Now, Ship Later” feature. New, uninstalled appliances can be returned within 30 days—you just have to pay the return shipping costs. Haul-away fees vary based on what the task is, and you must purchase this service separately online. At the end of the day, you’ll find both budget-friendly appliances and splurge-worthy options at ABT, giving you plenty of choices as you shop. With this in mind, it’s a great retailer to opt for if you’re shopping for more than one appliance at a time. The retailer offers attractive bundle deals on popular models that can save you up to several hundred dollars. Although you can find great savings here, it’s worth noting that delivery isn’t always free. It’s only free if you live within 100 miles of the ABT warehouse. You have 30 days to return your appliance—just be prepared to pay for return shipping. In addition, the haul-away fee is just $34 and the return policy in general is quite flexible, giving you the option for full refunds or exchanges. If that’s not a deal-breaker for you, the retailer has an easy-to-navigate website, complete with in-depth specs. The retailer’s website provides articles that will guide you through choosing appliances, measuring for installation, and maintaining your machines. If you have a child going off to college soon, or just need a bit more space to store snacks and beverages, the GE GDE03GGKBB 3.1 cu. ft. Freestanding Double-Door Mini Fridge, available at P.C. Richard & Son, features a reversible door and crisper drawer. Although it’s not the best at storing taller bottles, it’d be a great addition to a movie room or entertainment area. Prices are extremely competitive all around at P.C. Richard & Son, plus you’ll find frequent sales and promotions around large holidays like Memorial Day and Black Friday. Another added perk is the zero-interest financing programs available through their store credit card. If there are any downsides to shopping at this retailer, it’s the strict return policy that prohibits used and opened home appliances from being returned at any time. Sears is a great place to score a discount, as well. In addition to impressively low ticket prices, the retailer also has enviable financing options, so you can pay for your appliance over time without incurring much interest. Delivery is a relative breeze with Sears. At checkout, you can select an available delivery date. A representative will contact you 24 hours before to confirm a two-hour delivery window. The Sears team will drop your appliance exactly where you want it. Just note that installation will incur a separate fee. If you have any issues with your appliance, you can schedule a pick-up and return, though you may need to pay a 15 percent restocking fee. In addition, your new appliance must be in new condition and with original packaging to be eligible for a return, and you must notify Sears within three days of delivery or installation of any damages. The Walmart website has a variety of search filters that cover price, features, and measurements. You can even sort customer reviews by stars to familiarize yourself with all the pros and cons of a particular appliance. Just beware of the fact that Walmart’s website includes third-party marketplace listings. Since these sub-retailers aren’t held to the same standards as Walmart themselves, you may want to avoid those when making such a big purchase. Of course, you can also shop in-store, if you prefer. But, it’s worth calling ahead if you have a specific model in mind as the retailer doesn’t stock their full selection on showroom floors. Another big downside: Walmart’s lack of delivery and installation services. You’ll have to hire someone totally separate to install your appliance for you. For this reason, it’s key to consider whether you want to see your appliances before purchasing them and to pick a retailer that offers that option if it’s important to you. If you shop online, be sure to take advantage of user-friendly websites, and narrow down your choices with any available search filters. You can also start your shopping at a showroom, and then head to the website of your ideal retailer—who offers a great delivery and installation package or more budget-friendly price tags—to close the deal and make your final purchase. There are also often local appliance shops you can walk into in your area. These locations can offer a more personalized and hands-on experience, in comparison to big-box stores and online retailers. In addition, you may find your local appliance shop allows you to bargain, bundle, and see plenty of your top options in person.
Return Policy
Overall, return policies on large appliances are strict. A majority of retailers only have a 48-hour or so return window for large appliances after they’ve been delivered, and also may not accept your return if the appliance was unpacked and installed. So, make sure you’re content with your purchase before opening the box, and definitely before installing it. In addition, be sure to scan the package and your new appliance for any noticeable damage when it’s delivered. In most cases, you have a maximum of 30 days to make returns—say, if your appliance has a defect—though, you might be responsible for a restocking fee in some cases, in addition to return shipping charges.
Bundling Options
Bundling—buying multiple appliances at once—is a great way to grab the appliances you need at a lower price. This method of shopping is particularly useful if you’re remodeling your kitchen or your laundry room, or moving into a new home that lacks appliances or the appliances you’d like. Not all retailers offer this option and there are often exclusions, so the exact model you select might not be eligible for bundling. However, retailers are typically open about the bundling options they are offering at any given moment, and promote them much like weekend or holiday sales. Most will have bundling options for a certain brand, so you can score a kitchen suite by LG or Samsung all at once.
Installation and Delivery Services
While you’ll be able to find free or low-cost delivery at most retailers, it’s worth reading the fine print. Not all delivery services include installation, or even bringing the appliance into the correct room of your home. Any obstacles, like stairs, may result in additional fees, and retailers won’t typically haul away your old appliance for free either—if at all. It’s also key to note that these services are typically provided by a third-party company that’s partnered with the large retailer.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Erica Puisis is a freelance writer and expert on home appliances, covering the latest in washers and dryers, vacuums, and much more for The Spruce since 2017. To evaluate retailers for this piece, she researched dozens of packages and plans, and scoured hundreds of customer reviews on appliance listings from big-box, in-store, and online retailers. She took the delivery and installation packages, return policies, warranty plans, and customer service options for each retailer into consideration to evaluate the overall shopping experience. This roundup was updated by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent nearly 15 years writing about consumer products, like home appliances. Brigitt recently renovated her nearly 100-year-old home—and a full suite of modern appliances was a big part of that. This roundup was also updated later by Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce who works across every commerce beat to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate information is present.
