Lesser-Known Appliance Brands At Lowe's That Are Great For Your Home
Is it time to revamp your kitchen with some new appliances? Lowe's is a go-to stop for these essential items, as their varied appliance selection contains a mix of both well-known and unknown brands that are worth trying. Bosch, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool are famous and respected brands, but there are smaller companies worth giving a chance, too. There are certain appliances you should never buy at Lowe's, but these unfamiliar picks impressed across the board.
When considering any appliance, especially these lesser-known appliance brands available at Lowe's, compare price, style, size, and how it fits into your lifestyle. If you tend to host lots of parties and have young children, a snow cone maker from Vevor may make sense. A smaller kitchen can benefit from a refrigerator that is slimmer than most, making a Unique brand retro refrigerator a viable pick. Can't give up those cigars yet? NewAir has a perfect freestanding cabinet for you — one can hold up to 250 of your aromatic smokes.
In addition to reviews from customers, consider respected review experts like Consumer Reports or Wirecutter. Does that cute Lowe's appliance only have two reviews? Cross check the product reviews (and price) on other retailers like Amazon or Home Depot. Plus, outstanding complaints on the Better Business Bureau or high marks from TrustPilot can help decide if trying a new brand is worth the risk. It might take a bit of additional digging, but there are plenty of ways to determine whether or not a brand is trustworthy.
NewAir
Started over 15 years ago by Luke Peters, the NewAir appliance brand has remained a privately owned manufacturer of compact home appliances. It's worth considering if you're on the hunt for a quality mini fridge, wine cooler, or humidor.
Are you a cigar smoker who wants to protect your trusted collection? If so, consider the NewAir Stainless Steel Freestanding Table Humidor with Digital Hygrometer that retails at Lowe's for $382.20. Cigars will lose their distinctive flavor and scent if they become dried out, but they can become hosts for tobacco beetles and mold when humidity gets out of control. A humidor is designed to keep them right in the middle of this range, ensuring they stay in peak condition for as long as possible. This NewAir pick can hold up to 250 cigars while keeping them at a perfect 52 degrees.
The touch-digital thermostat is easy to use and the secure door seal provides further protection. Reviewers give this humidor a 4.4-star rating and many praise it for its easy setup. One customer noted that the digital thermometer is a step up for the cigar humidor industry. Other reviews praised the NewAir's customer service as very responsive when they needed help troubleshooting. Just be mindful that a few reviews mention the drawer system can sometimes be a little quirky. The reviews for the brand are even better on Trustpilot. The company has an excellent 4.8-star rating and is a verified company. Several customers mention the brand's phenomenal customer service, often mentioning certain customer reps by name.
Vevor
You may not always be able to take the kids to the amusement park, but you can bring the fun home with a cotton candy maker. This unique device isn't just for kids, either — many adults may also enjoy the classic sweet treat when you host a party or other special occasion like a birthday or holiday.
The Vevor 1000 W Countertop Cotton Candy Machine is $151.61 and a bestseller at Lowe's. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars, with zero reviews in the 1- or 2-star range. One thing many customers stated is the need for using a guard lid so you can avoid being sprayed with sugar in the process. Otherwise, buyers are pleased with it and find it easy to use after a bit of trial and error.
With the Vevor brand, the fun doesn't end with cotton candy. You can also make snow cones, slushies, and fruit shaved ice bowls with the Vevor 300 W Snow Cone Maker, available for $55.43. There are only a few reviews on the Lowe's website (amounting to 5 stars) but the product still has a good rating from even more users on Amazon with 4.3 stars. Some people wish the bowls were larger for making several cones at a time, but customers are generally pleased with the product's performance and quality.
Unique
Unique is aptly named, as the brand adds its own twist to retro-style appliances. The reviews under Lowe's Unique brand listing page can range from a lowly 2 to 4 stars, but if you choose wisely, you may be able to bring a little kitsch into your kitchen with a retro-style refrigerator. The best one for customers appears to be the Unique Classic Retro Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator available for $1,299. Because it's only about 2 feet wide, this refrigerator can act as a fashionable and functional addition to a small kitchen.
This vintage-inspired refrigerator combines retro charm and modern conveniences. Since people often use the freezer less, it's placed on the bottom. Wine lovers may also enjoy the included four-bottle wine rack. It has a solid 4.2-star rating on Lowe's and many customers seem to enjoy it as their extra fridge/freezer. After cross checking the reviews on Home Depot, where more customers have purchased and rated it, it has a 4.4-star rating. This fridge also comes in four soft colors: Ocean Mist Turquoise, Summer Mint Green, Midnight Black, and Marshmallow White.
Weston
If you're into food preservation, the Weston brand likely has several appliances to make your daily tasks easier. Shopping for dried goods, like dehydrated fruit and herbs, can add up. Luckily, this lesser-known appliance brand at Lowe's may have the food dehydrator you need to extend food life from your harvest and market hauls. Dehydrated food can last up to a year, so simply removing the moisture can help you more easily store and make use of the perishable goods you have on hand.
The Weston 2-Tray Black Food Dehydrator retails for $229.99 on Lowe's and has a 4.5-star customer rating. You can adjust the temperature from 90 degrees to 160 degrees to make jerky, herbs, dried fruit, chips, and more. It's compact enough for you to store in most cabinets when not in use. Users appear to be satisfied with the drying results and easy cleanup.
Based on reviews across retailers, Weston also appears to have high marks when it comes to vacuum sealing. The Weston Stainless Steel Vacuum Sealer isn't the cheapest appliance, as it costs $399 at Lowe's, but it can contribute to saving on the cost of food. Take some of those dried goods, game meat, or dinner leftovers and remove the air to create a seal that prevents bacterial growth. With this gadget, you can keep meat fresh for up to six months, while frozen items will last two to three years.
Harvest Right
If you've never heard of the Harvest Right brand based out of Salt Lake City, now is the time to become familiar with them. They are another appliance brand that Lowe's carries for anyone who wants to preserve food. Dehydrating or vacuum sealing food can extend its life for a few extra months, but freeze drying is perfect for those who want to keep meals in stock for years. If you store your freeze-dried items properly, they can last for over two decades. With this appliance, you can preserve everything from home-cooked meals to ice cream. After adding a bit of water, they'll be ready to eat.
The Harvest Right Home Pro Freeze Dryer can freeze dry 1,600 pounds of food annually, and the bestseller has a impressive 4.9-star rating on the Lowe's website. With a price tag of $2,495, the appliance is in the range that most freeze dryers typically cost. While that's a pretty hefty spend, it could be worth it if you find yourself preserving large amounts of food. Most reviews note good overall performance and enjoy the fact that they can freeze dry a range of items. While some users have encountered technical equipment issues, they consistently give high marks to the customer service from the Harvest Right team.