9 Appliances You Should Avoid Buying at Target
Written by
Karen Doyle
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Target is a store that’s known for carrying just about everything, but that doesn’t mean you should necessarily buy everything there or that everything they sell is worth buying. If you’re looking for quality and budget-friendly appliances at Target, you’ll want to do your homework.
Target does not sell major household appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers, but the chain offers a wide selection of countertop kitchen appliances like air fryers, blenders, toaster ovens and microwaves. Some of these are good choices to buy from Target, but some are not. Avoid these small kitchen appliances at Target.
If you are more of a Costco shopper, here are appliances you should avoid buying at Costco.
Air Fryers
Target carries a wide variety of air fryers, most of which are highly rated by satisfied customers. There are a few, however, that seemed to have issues. Most of the appliances that are problematic are combination devices — an air fryer plus toaster oven, for example. Unless you’re really short on counter space, it may make more sense to purchase dedicated appliances to avoid some of these issues.
Salton Digital Air Fryer XL
- Price: $99.99
This air fryer is described as having 5.3-quart capacity, with eight pre-programmed functions. Its rating is just 3.2 out of 5 stars, with several reviews noting that the product stopped working after just a few uses. Others mentioned the non-stick coating coming off the racks.
Sur La Table Kitchen Essentials Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Price: $91.99
This combination toaster oven and air fryer has a rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. Complaints included the toaster element and other functions not working properly and the appliance failing to turn off.
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Price: $89.99
This combo appliance air fries, convection bakes and broils, warms and toasts. Most customers were satisfied with it, as demonstrated by its overall 4.1-star rating. But those who panned it mentioned that it stopped working after just a few uses, burns everything and is poorly designed.
Food Processors
Cuisinart has long had a great reputation for food processors and it’s well deserved. For the most part, they work as advertised and stand up over time. There are other food processors, however, that are not as reliable. Watch out for these at Target.
Hamilton Beach Food Processor
- Price: $44.99
With an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, you might consider this eight-cup food processor, particularly given its relatively low price of $44.99. But there are a number of one-star reviews, mostly citing the product’s inability to chop ice and make smoothies. Several customers said the product simply did no work, either right out of the box or after just a few uses.
Hamilton Beach Stack and Snap Food Processor
- Price: $59.99
Only 46% of customers would recommend this 12-cup food processor, which boasts that the lid just snaps on rather than having to be twisted to lock, as is the case with most designs. According to reviews, this is the problem, since the tab that has to snap into place to lock the bowl on frequently snaps right off the handle.
Microwave Ovens
The microwave oven is a staple in every kitchen, sometimes getting more use than a regular oven. So it’s important to choose carefully. Make sure the microwave oven you buy is big enough and powerful enough for your needs and that is it reliable. Here are a couple of microwave ovens at Target that you might want to steer clear of.
Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave Oven
- Price: $154.99
Only 45% of reviewers said they would recommend this microwave, giving it an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. Reviewers who gave it one star had complaints that the over stopped working after just a few uses and that they had trouble getting satisfaction from the manufacturer.
Black+Decker Microwave Oven
- Price: $80.99
This compact 700W microwave has an average rating of 3.8 stars (out of 5), with just 44% of reviewers saying they would recommend it. Those who rated it poorly cited its small size and low power and some indicated it stopped working after some time or that food inside caught fire.
Blenders
Whether you’re whipping up a batch of healthful smoothies in a big power blender or pureeing soups and sauces with an immersion blender, one of these kitchen workhorses can make your life much easier. But it’s important to buy the right one. Here are some blenders you’ll want to avoid at Target.
BlendJet 2 Portable Blender
- Price: $49.99
This 16-ounce personal blender is designed for making smoothies, shakes and more on the go. It’s rechargeable so you don’t need to plug it in, but according to the reviews, a charge doesn’t last nearly as long as the ’15 blends’ indicated in the marketing copy. It also doesn’t blend frozen fruit or ice very well, according to reviewers. The average rating for this blender is just two stars and just 16% of reviewers would recommend it.
Oster Blender
- Price: $69.99
The Oster blender used to be a solid choice, but according to recent reviews, the current 16-speed model fails to uphold the brand’s reputation. Reviewers cited that the blender frequently stops working, particularly if it is not used frequently. Just half of reviewers recommend it and its average rating is 2.7 out of 5 stars.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
More From GOBankingRates
