Small Appliances Buying Guide

Our Methodology

If you own a home, chances are you’ll have to replace at least one appliance every few years. But buying a new refrigerator, oven, dishwasher or washer and dryer can be daunting, especially since advancements mean that everything can easily change from one appliance purchase to the next. That refrigerator that was state-of-the-art five years ago is likely nothing like what you’ll see on showroom floors today.

Complicating matters is the fact that there are so many appliances on the market, even within the same brand name. You not only have to choose between side-by-side, top freezer or bottom freezer refrigerators, but you’ll see multiple models, sometimes even in the same style by the same brand. This is where reviews come in.

Our experts save you the work by putting time and effort into researching and trying each appliance to find the best. We go beyond what manufacturers promise and look at what each item really does. Does that pressure cooker have all the safety features it promises, or should you go for another model? Our team of experts pays close attention to the features that are most important to consumers and test for each of them.

Often the choice of a refrigerator comes down to personal taste. You may want a juicer that fits beneath your counter, for instance, while another buyer prefers a countertop model. In addition to capabilities and durability, we also consider the aesthetics of a product. If one model is heavier than the other or looks better with a wider range of décors, we evaluate that, as well, to make sure you have the information you need to make a decision.

But when you rely on Don’t Waste Your Money for your reviews, you aren’t just getting our collective expertise. We scour the internet for expert reviews on each product to make sure you’re getting the full picture. Instead of jumping from one site to the next, this means you can come to one place to get a full picture of an appliance’s functionality.

For each product, you’ll get four side-by-side comparisons, along with an overview of the benefits and features of each. You’ll be able to read excerpts of reviews alongside our own expert thoughts on each appliance to help you make the best decision for your family. For every appliance, we’ll also issue an award to let you know which of the four is “The Best Overall” and “The Best Bang for Your Buck.” Of course, you should always read the summary to find the one that works best for you, but if you’re looking for a quick pick, those designations can help.

There have never been more choices when it comes to products, whether you’re shopping online or in stores. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to make a decision before you make a purchase so that you can spend less time researching and more time enjoying your new appliances.

Our Trusted Process

Don’t Waste Your Money employs a team of 20 researchers who take the role seriously. We love taking deep dives into various products, looking at each item from every angle possible. Our team of researchers are investigative journalists who have made a career out of leaving no stone unturned.

Our team starts with the many review sites out there, poring over every word to learn as much as possible about a product. We start with a group of 15 competing products in each subcategory, narrowing the group down to the top four. If we’re reviewing blenders, for example, we’ll pull a sampling of 15 that represent some of the most popular brands on the market and research until we get a picture of the four that meet the needs of our own readers.

Once all of the reviews have been gathered and analyzed, our team assigns a DWYM score based on a scale from 1 to 10. This score is based on the authority level of the sites rating the product, as well as the content of the reviews. We don’t limit our research to the big-name sites, though. We also take smaller sites and reviews from consumers into consideration to get a more holistic view of how a product performs.

DWYM’s analysis isn’t limited to high-dollar appliances. We review blenders, mixers, coffeemakers and every other type of household appliance you could possibly need. Household products require a specific area of expertise, so we make sure that the members of our team who are reviewing those products know the ins and outs.

For appliances, it’s important to look at a wide range of factors based on the average household’s needs. You may be cooking for a family of six, but another reader could be cooking for one. We point out appliances that are more ideal for cooking for large groups, as well as those that are more than adequate for smaller households. This ensures you get the information most relevant to your own situation.

It’s also important to consider modern trends when looking at various appliances. Juicers have exploded in popularity in recent years, for instance, driven in large part by the health and wellness craze. Consumers want healthy recipes that incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables. When reviewing juicers and making recommendations, we keep that in mind and point out features that might impact your get-healthy resolutions.

When you’re looking for appliances, it’s also important to keep durability and warranty in mind. A product may come with a 10-year warranty, but does that cover everything or just malfunctions based on manufacturing defects? If you’re shopping online, it’s important to pay close attention to the construction of the appliance you’re considering since it can be difficult to know exactly how a product is made when you can’t reach out and touch it.

When you come to DWYM to read up on a product, you’ll know you’re getting expertise you can trust. We’ll break down all the essential information to make sure when you spend your hard-earned money, you’re getting the best product possible. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, replacing a broken appliance or simply looking to add a new gadget to your home, we have you covered from every angle.