A “#1 in Brand Reliability” designation for kitchen appliances, which recognizes brands that earn the highest reliability ratings in their product category, is now being offered by Consumer Reports, a research, testing, and advocacy organization.
The #1 in Brand Reliability ranking draws on Consumer Reports’ survey data from members who own the appliances – covering more than 269,000 products across five kitchen categories, including cooktops, dishwashers, ranges, refrigerators, and oven walls – giving shoppers an independent information to look for when comparing brands.
“Reliability is one of the most important factors people weigh before buying a major appliance, but it’s also one of the hardest things for a shopper to see for themselves,” Lilian Kayizzi, vice president of testing, research and insights for Consumer Reports, said in a statement. “The #1 in Brand Reliability recognition turns real ownership data into a signal shoppers can recognize and trust in a high-stakes decision.”
#1 in Brand Reliability designations are set for the coming model year.
- Electric Induction Cooktops: LG
- Electric Smoothtop Cooktops: Thermador
- Gas Cooktops: GE
- Dishwashers: Thermador
- Electric Coil Ranges: GE
- Electric Induction Ranges: Frigidaire Professional
- Electric Smoothtop Ranges: Amana
- Gas Ranges: GE
- Pro-style Ranges: Frigidaire Professional
- Built-In Refrigerators: Fisher & Paykel
- Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: Fisher & Paykel
- Side-by-Side Refrigerators: GE
- Top-Freezer Refrigerators: LG
- French-Door Refrigerators: Thermador
- Electric Wall Ovens: LG
Consumers expect large appliances to last an average of 10 years. Brand reliability ratings are based on the likelihood that a new appliance will break or stop working within the first five years of ownership. There are significant differences in brand reliability within each category, which emphasizes the need for consumers to know which brands are best and which to avoid.
The #1 in Brand Reliability recognition becomes available for licensing after Consumer Reports has published the results. A qualifying brand may decline to license without any effect on its rating. Licensing lets a brand promote recognition it’s already earned, but it doesn’t determine eligibility or influence future ratings, rankings, or recommendations.
Shoppers can explore CR’s predicted reliability ratings at CR.org, and can look for the mark in-store, online, and in marketing materials to help narrow down their search before making a major purchasing decision.
The #1 in Brand Reliability designation is one source of information among many. Consumer Reports encourages consumers to visit its full ratings and reliability resources to understand a given category and compare specific products before making a purchase, Kayizzi said.
“#1 in Brand Reliability gives qualifying brands a credible, independently earned way to show leadership on something consumers say matters most,” said Rob Gentile, senior director and general manager for brand licensing for Consumer Reports. “For shoppers, it’s reassurance, backed by data from real-world experiences, at the moment they need it most.”
