4 Appliances New Homeowners Should Spend More On
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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As a new homeowner, you may need to buy appliances that aren’t furnished or consider upgrading what the builder provides. Either way, knowing where to spend more can get you appliances with better performance and features than their cheaper counterparts.Â
Whether it’s a refrigerator that keeps everything organized or a washing machine with extra cleaning power, here are four appliances that new homeowners should spend more on.Â
New homeowners should also be wary of these appliances and what to buy instead.
Refrigerator
Having a reliable refrigerator is non-negotiable. However, going beyond the basic model, which starts around $600, can be worth the added expense.
If you have a large family or frequently entertain, paying more for a spacious, well-designed refrigerator with adjustable shelves and plenty of storage bins can make organization and retrieval easier.
French-door models will provide the most room, up to 31 cubic feet, and they also cost the most out of the different types of refrigerator models — up to $5,000.
According to Consumer Reports (CR), convenience features like in-door water and ice dispensers may be on your must-have list, but they tend to have more repairs and increase energy costs.
Dishwasher
If your new home has an open floor plan, it could be well worth your money to invest in a dishwasher that’s known for its quiet operation.
According to Consumer Reports, the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N is the quietest dishwasher on the market and retails for $1,610 to $1,799. Additionally, it has a stainless steel tub, which is more energy efficient than plastic, and also resists stains and odors. It also comes with a third rack and adjustable upper rack, which provide more storage options.
The hidden controls on this model also make it perfect if you have little children that like to press buttons.
You don’t need to spend $1,600 to $1,700 for a quiet dishwasher, however. CR also recommended models that start at around $730 and $1,200. In comparison, you can purchase a basic dishwasher model for around $300.
Washing Machine
Consumer Reports said agitator top-loading washing machines are typically the least expensive and might be tempting if you’re trying to save where you can.
However, the website also found that washing machine models that are less than $500 typically perform mediocre or worse in its washing tests and are noisy. Spending more to get better performance and less noise makes sense.
Front-loading washing machines are some of the best performers in CR’s washing tests and are known for delivering outstanding cleaning power. Expect to spend at least $700 to well over $1,000 for a front loader.
Clothes Dryer
If you have a lot of washing and drying to do, it probably makes sense to pass up the cheaper compact models that offer only the basics, and spring for a full-sized dryer with more capacity and features.
Compact models typically can dry six bath towels at one time, while full-sized models can dry up to 17, according to Consumer Reports.
The website also recommended opting for the following features in a clothes dryer: a moisture sensor, auto-dry cycles, an extended tumble setting and an end-of-cycle signal. Cheaper clothes dryer models around $500 will not have all of these features.
CR’s highest-rated electric clothes dryer models range from $675 to $1,400, while its highest-rated gas models range from $800 to $1,500.
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