Unreliable Appliance Brands To Avoid At All Costs, According To Home Improvement Experts

Your cherry-red single-door or bottom-freezer refrigerator might have been all the rage once upon a time. But you're not alone if you've outgrown these models and need something smart and sleek to complement your trendy interiors. Or, perhaps you're tired of dealing with your on-again, off-again HVAC system, inefficient dishwasher, or sputtering microwave. Whatever the reason, there are two things you should keep in mind when buying appliances. First, be aware of the best time of year to purchase a new home appliance. Second, avoid buying products from certain brands to save your future version from constant headaches.

To identify the problematic companies, look at expert reviews, go through customer ratings, and speak with in-store experts. Given the diversity of information, it can be confusing to pinpoint the brands you should steer clear of and the brands you should invest in. This is why we spoke exclusively to six experts and collated a list of brands you should avoid at all costs in popular categories, like HVAC systems, refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves. While expert opinion varies based on the category, most recommend spending more upfront for a quality product over picking a relatively cheap product and bearing costly repairs down the line. That being said, here are a few unreliable appliance brands you should avoid and what to buy instead.

Although Goodman HVAC has been around for over three decades, their units aren't the best option for your home and have poor customer reviews. Al Fouz, owner of Abaco Air Experts in Jacksonville, Florida, shares his thoughts in an exclusive interview with House Digest. "As a NATE-certified technician, I have seen many brands fail over 47 years in business. One to avoid is Goodman. Their HVAC units break down frequently due to poor construction and cheap parts. I once repaired a Goodman unit that failed after just 2 years, causing the house to reach unsafe temperatures." While you shouldn't ignore such warning signs from your HVAC system, another red flag is Goodman's warranty policy. It only offers replacement for faulty parts if the unit was used and installed as recommended by the company — meaning that if your use or repair strayed from the instruction manual, you may not be covered.

So, instead of banking on a brand's promises or their parent company's reputation (Daikin owns Goodman), Fouz recommends, "Look for solid warranties and reviews when buying an appliance. Brands like Trane, Lennox, and Carrier are highly rated for performance and reliability. Though pricier, they save money in the long term. Personally, I recommend Carrier HVAC systems. While expensive, they are extremely durable. One I installed in 1985 still runs perfectly today." Moreover, consider the energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), or AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), of the model you choose. This is important since an efficient HVAC system will consume less energy, possibly lowering your utility bills.

Haier touts their title as Euromonitor International's best major appliance brand worldwide. Consequently, the brand should be winning hearts and receiving praise for its superior products and outstanding customer service. Instead, it secured a spot on our list of the top unreliable appliance brands. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, owner of New England Home Pros Jesse Andews says, "As a remodeler with over 25 years of experience, I have seen many appliances fail. One brand that consistently underperforms is Haier. Their refrigerators and dishwashers are poorly constructed and break down frequently within a few years. I once completed a whole kitchen remodel for a client, and within 8 months the Haier refrigerator and dishwasher both needed major repairs. The fridge's compressor went out, and the dishwasher's control panel failed." And while most products are covered under a 2-year manufacturer's warranty for parts and labor, Haier's customer service has been deemed deplorable by consumer reviewers. Worse, there's no guarantee that the product will work post-repairs.

To save yourself from such a fate, check online customer reviews and compile a list of consistent issues before buying appliances for your kitchen. Plus, go through a brand's return and warranty policies. You might also want to see if they offer extended warranties on kitchen appliances. Andews adds, "Personally, I recommend brands like Bosch or KitchenAid for appliances. They may cost slightly more upfront but will last much longer and perform better over time. It's worth investing in quality brands, especially for major appliances, to avoid costly repairs and replacements down the road."

Frigidaire is famous for its range of affordable dishwashers. However, these upfront savings might lead to costly repairs or replacements in the near future. In a House Digest exclusive, Alex Hill, Appliance Specialist at The Appliance Depot says, "Brands like Frigidaire often have a higher rate of customer complaints related to performance issues and shorter lifespans." Recounting his personal experience, he continues, "Despite being relatively new, the dishwasher struggled with basic tasks, like cleaning a standard load of dishes."

Daniel Vasilevski, director and owner of Bright Force Electrical, agrees with Hill. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, he mentions, "Frigidaire dishwashers may seem appealing due to their affordability, but they tend to break down more often than other brands. We commonly see mechanical problems early on, such as motors and pumps wearing out, as well as seals that start leaking after a relatively short period of use." Worse, the customer service might not be helpful, and Frigidaire dishwashers have a standard limited warranty of only one year. Although the stainless tub, door liner, racks, and electronic control module are covered under an additional limited parts warranty, this may not cover the entire cost for the repair or replacement.

Vasilevski shares a few tips for choosing the right dishwasher for your kitchen. He says, "Look for brands with a strong reputation for durability and positive customer reviews. Pay attention to warranty terms, as longer and more comprehensive warranties often indicate a manufacturer's confidence in their product." An extensive support network means you won't have to wait too long for the required help."

Before you get distracted by Samsung's sleek range of bespoke refrigerator models, consider the disappointing reality of owning one. Andy Shu, Appliance Repair Guru at ZapFixers, tells House Digest in this exclusive interview, "From personal experience and the feedback we receive, Samsung has been problematic in certain areas, especially in refrigerators. Samsung appliances, particularly their fridges, often suffer from temperature inconsistencies, premature failures, and even safety concerns like overheating components. We've had cases where Samsung fridges have failed within the first year of purchase — one almost caught fire, which is alarming, and the other, a high-end model, simply stopped working without warning, causing a total loss of food."

Even if you're fine with shelling out money for the repairs after the 1-year warranty is through, there's no guarantee your fridge will return to tip-top shape. Timothy Wood, founder and CEO of Fix It Today, explains the reason in a House Digest exclusive interview, "When addressing appliance troubles for our clients, we have always found Samsung products to be some of the hardest to troubleshoot. The main struggle here is that it's difficult to find parts for Samsung, and their service technicians tend to be not very helpful."

So, avoid this major refrigerator brand and consider better options like Bosch. Bosch is ideal for energy- and budget-conscious consumers since they're mostly energy-efficient. In fact, the brand has been awarded the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the EPA and the Department of Energy.

Homeowners may want to think twice before buying an LG fridge. This is because the linear compressors rarely last long. The issue is so common that over 100 plaintiffs have filed a fraud lawsuit against the brand. Wood mentions, "LG refrigerators, though innovative in some aspects, have a notorious issue with their linear compressors, which are prone to failure. This has caused widespread dissatisfaction, as compressor failures often result in costly repairs or total fridge replacements. We've dealt with many customers who had to replace their linear compressors multiple times, often just after the warranty period ended, leaving them with expensive repair bills."

Instead, follow some tips to choose the right refrigerator for your kitchen. Wood recommends, "To assess the reliability of an appliance brand, consumers should focus on longevity of reputation. Brands that have been around for decades with consistent quality reviews tend to be more reliable." Consumer feedback, warranty policy, and customer support are equally important. A fridge's finish dictates its longevity, too, and Wood mentions, "Cheap plastic finishes or loud operation often point to underlying build issues. Durability in both appearance and internal components is critical for long-term reliability." Additionally, look for models that are simple to clean and feature a defrost button to keep ice from taking over the freezer.

Magic Chef has become a household name over its more than 90-year run. However, its microwaves are anything but reliable. Daniel Vasilevski says, "The worst microwave brand I've come across for not lasting very long is Magic Chef. I've worked on a fair number of these microwaves, and one of the most common problems I've seen is the failure of the magnetron, which is the part responsible for heating your food. This issue tends to happen much earlier than expected, often within just a couple of years."

The magnetron isn't the only problematic part, though. Vasilevski adds, "After regular use, the door becomes finicky, either not starting the microwave properly or causing it to stop during cooking. This might seem like a small thing, but it can get frustrating when the microwave keeps shutting off midway through heating something." Sadly, Magic Chef protects parts for a year only, so if you go forth with the repairs after this period, you'll have to shell out the cash.

So, before buying a microwave, check its reviews to understand its pros and cons better and see what works for you. Don't forget to read the fine print to be aware of important details, like the product's warranty, return policy, and other terms. Panasonic and Toshiba are two trusted microwave brands you may consider, but appliance performance can vary between models, so it's always a good idea to check with someone who owns one of these appliances to see if they are satisfied.