There might be a number of reasons you are looking to buy appliances. Maybe it’s to furnish a brand-new home or renovation project in a particular room. Maybe it’s because your old appliance broke down or is due for an upgrade based on style or enticing new features in the latest models that you can’t resist. And, in the case of small appliances, maybe it’s to accommodate your new hobby or needs, whether it’s air frying and blending smoothies to fit with your new health and wellness regimen, a multicooker to assist in quicker meals due to a busier schedule, or a stand mixer to fuel your new-found passion for baking. Or, maybe you’re looking to gift something to someone else: small appliances make excellent gifts!
Here’s a rundown of the types of appliances available and what you should look for with each to help in your purchasing decisions.
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Major appliances for the kitchen
First thing’s first, if you’re redecorating an entire kitchen, chances are you’ll be looking for multiple kitchen appliances, all that match. If that’s the case, consider kitchen appliance packages that include multiple appliances from the same brand, often at deep discounts versus buying each item separately.
That said, if you’re just looking to buy one or two appliances, you’ll want to look individually. The first consideration will, of course, be the finish and how it fits with the room’s décor. The most common choices include silver, black, or white, but you might find other funkier colour options, too, like red.
Ovens/ranges
The most important considerations when choosing an oven/range is size, built-in or freestanding (based on where it will go in the kitchen), and whether to go gas or electric. There are pros and cons with each, but beyond those considerations, you can’t get a gas stove if you don’t have a natural gas line or propane hook-up in the house, or don’t have plans to add one (which can be costly.) If you do, however, it might be worth opting for gas since you’ll likely save money in the long run by using less electricity.
I have a gas line in my home and opted to go with the best of both worlds: a dual-fuel range that has a gas cooktop for greater control and an electric oven for nice, even heating. Because I bake a lot, I also wanted an oven with a convection setting, which allows for the even heating that can be critical when you’re doing things like baking bread. I also opted for a double oven model that allows for cooking two dishes at once at two different temperatures. If you entertain often or you’re an avid cook who’s always multitasking with multiple dishes, this feature can come in handy.
Beyond that, consider how many burners are on top. Most families can make do with four, but if you tend to make your own sauces, or need to keep things warming on one burner while you cook on others, having an extra fifth might come in handy.
Speaking of keeping things warm, I love that my oven has a warming tray in the bottom, which is not only great for keeping food warm while the rest of a meal is cooking, but also for storage for things like baking sheets. Finally, ovens with a convection setting are ideal for families who are pressed for time since you can often cook things more quickly, not to mention evenly, using convection.
Refrigerators
When it comes to a refrigerator, aside from the finish, size is important: it needs to not only fit properly in your kitchen but also have room to freely open the door (or doors) as well as accommodate your needs. A family of six, for example, might require not only a larger, but a different type of refrigerator, than a family of two.
French door refrigerators are pretty popular these days, but five-door refrigerators are great because they include a pull-out drawer in the middle that is great for housing frequently accessed items like juice boxes and deli meats and cheeses. Door-in-door designs are also great for families with members who are constantly opening and closing the door: items like condiments and drinks can go in the outer door area so as not to let the cold air escape from the main interior so frequently. If you have a big family, these types of ‘fridges could be a game-changer. You might also want to consider whether to get a refrigerator with a top or bottom freezer, considering the pros and cons of both based on not only what you will most likely be putting in the freezer but also who will be accessing it.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers come in two main types: built-in that slide into a dedicated spot in your kitchen, or portable dishwashers, which are ideal for smaller spaces, like small apartments. Aside from choosing the right size to fit the space, some of the latest dishwashers have really neat features like a third rack for holding additionally utensils, quick wash cycles if you’re often in a rush, and different clean options depending on the types of dishes you typically have. If you have babies or light sleepers in the home and often run the dishwasher early in the morning or late at night, look for a model that boasts ultra-quiet operation.
Major appliances for the laundry room
Just as with in the kitchen, you can buy major appliances for the launch room in packages to save a bit of dough and ensure you get a matching set. Typically, this will include a washer and dryer together.
Washing machines
With washing machines, you need to consider first if you will get top-loading or front-loading. This might be dictated by your laundry area, or it could be totally up to you if you have the option for either.
The interior drum size is also important: do you do huge loads of laundry often, or have large duvets or comforters you need to wash and want to have the space to do so at home? Go bigger. It’s a no-brainer to go with a high efficiency machine that will use less electricity and water, and make sure it’s Energy Star-certified as well. Like with a dishwasher, if you have young ones or light sleepers at home, make sure to choose one that runs quiet, especially if you have your laundry area on the upper level of the home versus the basement.
Dryers
The dryer, which most certainly should match the washing machine, requires the same considerations in terms of drum size and operation. There are also electric and gas dryers which, like with a range, will be chosen based on what you have set up in the house.
Dryers today have added convenience features, though, such as a tumble feature that will keep the clothes tumbling if you don’t get to them right after the buzzer goes off to prevent wrinkles. Some even have special features to help clothes dry more evenly and without wrinkles. Look at things like whether the dryer has a quick cycle as well, which could come in handy if you’re often rushing to wash and dry your workout clothes before heading to the gym, for example, or need that crisp white shirt quickly to make it to your meeting in time.
Cleaning and wellness appliances
There’s a wealth of cleaning and wellness appliances from which to choose, from cooling and heating products that keep you comfortably warm or cool to air quality monitors and purifiers, and vacuums and other floor care devices, and more.
For cooling and heating, this will depend on where you live and whether you have sufficient heating in the home already, or central air conditioning. If you require additional heating or cooling and you’re looking at a portable heater or portable or window air conditioner, look at the size as well as how large a room it can heat or cool to ensure you are selecting the right one for your space. If you just need some additional, directed cooling, a simple tower fan might suffice. If you experience all four seasons where you live, there are hybrid devices that can both heat and cool, a feature that could come in handy.
A big concern these days is ensuring clean air in the home, and this is where appliances like air purifiers come in. When selecting an air purifier, look at one with a long-lasting HEPA filter that won’t be too expensive to change, or won’t need to be changed too often. If it has several filter layers, even better. A feature that can really come in handy is a mobile app that allows you to keep track of the air quality in the home, set schedules, or crank up the cleaning when poor air quality is detected.
Other appliances that can help improve the air quality in your home are humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Use a humidifier if the air in your home tends to be dry—common in the winter when the heat is running non-stop—and you need to add some moisture to the air. Conversely, a dehumidifier helps remove moisture from the air, ideal in humid climates, which can, in turn, help to prevent things like mold growth and dust mites. They are great for rooms like basements, which can get really humid during the summer months.
The biggest decision when selecting a vacuum is what type to get, since there are many different styles, each of which has its pros and cons. One of the biggest decisions is between a stick or canister vacuum. Put simply, a canister vacuum tends to be more powerful but they take up more room and are corded. Stick vacuums, on the other hand, aren’t necessarily as powerful but they are super lightweight, cordless, and versatile. Many can also transform to handheld vacuums, ideal for cleaning surfaces mattresses or even the car; and come with various attachments so they can get into different corners, vacuum blinds, and more. It all depends on whether you’re looking for a vacuum for quick clean-ups or passes across the floor or a powerful machine for whole-home cleaning. Some find that an upright vacuum is a happy medium between the two, operating like a stick vacuum but larger and heavier, and with a cord. Another option worth considering is a robot vacuum, which can make weekly maintenance of your floors effortless since the vacuum glides along floors and carpeting, doing the work for you. Even with a robot vacuum, though, it’s a good idea to have another vacuum to handle areas like stairs, ceilings, blinds, and small corners the vacuum can’t get to.
Let’s not forget steam cleaners and steam mops, which can give even freshly vacuumed flooring or tiles a nice sheen. Steam mops that use only heated water are great because you don’t have to worry about buying expensive cleaners or dealing with chemical or vinegar smells. The good, old mop and bucket always does the trick, but a steam mop can make the process so much simpler and neater. That said, if you have areas in the home that require serious mopping, like a frequently dirty mudroom, a mop and bucket might make the most sense.
How to order large appliances
It’s super easy to order large appliances and have them delivered right to your home through a scheduled delivery. If safety criteria is met on delivery day, you can have the appliance delivered right into your home, or else on the doorstep. You can even request an installation if you need the help to get set up right away. Best Buy will even remove your old appliance and take it to a recycling depot on your behalf.
Choosing the right small kitchen appliances
There are so many small kitchen appliances from which to choose that it can be daunting when you are trying to find the right gift for a friend or family member, or the right item to invest in for your own kitchen.
For someone who loves to cook and bake, a stand mixer, multicooker/pressure cooker, or air fryer is an ideal choice. No matter your cooking skill level, you can always find use for these three essential kitchen small appliances in the home.
Fitness fanatics or those looking to make healthier nutritional choices should look into a blender, juicer, or soda machine, all devices that can be used to make healthier alternatives of the foods and drinks we love, like smoothies, soups, and dips with the former and homemade carbonated drinks with the latter.
Someone just starting out in a new home or living on their own will find great value from a microwave, which is one of those small appliances you don’t realize how much you’d use until you have one. Whether for reheating, defrosting, or even cooking, a microwave can be a massive time-saver. The same goes for toasters and toaster ovens, which are viable alternatives to a microwave if you don’t like using them. And don’t forget the coffee maker, which can save someone on a budget a whole lot of money if they can make their own java at home.
What items make great gifts? If you’re looking to get someone a gift for a housewarming party, having a new baby, or a special occasion, great small appliances worth considering include soda machines, cookers and steamers (like the Instant Pot or a rice cooker!), a bar or wine fridge (great for the basement or “man cave,”) or consider some interesting specialty appliances, from a popcorn maker for movie lovers to an ice cream maker for families with young kids, sous vide machine for the adventurous cook, or, for new parents, a dedicated baby food maker.
How to order small appliances
In most cases, you can pop into a store, grab a small appliance off the shelf, checkout, and take it home with you. But if you can’t make it out to a local retail store and/or would prefer having it delivered, you can do that, too!
You get free shipping on most orders over $35, with delivery as early as the next day. You can also order an item online for pick-up at the nearest location. Choose “Add to Cart” or “Pick Up at Store” then continue with the purchase process. If you choose “Pick Up at Store,” you’ll be asked to enter your postal code to find the closest store to you that is offering storefront or curbside pickup.
Take the next step
There are lots of appliances from which to choose at Best Buy online, whether you’re renovating a room of your home, moving to a new house, upgrading major appliances, solving a problem, or looking for a gift for a special someone.
Once you know what you need or want, you can hone in on the various considerations to make. Ask yourself the important questions and you’ll end up with a couple models from which to choose, whether it’s a refrigerator, laundry pair, or new small appliance to accommodate your recent fascination with baking.
Whatever your needs or desires, you can find tons of great appliances, along with fast delivery, from Best Buy Online.
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