Consumer Reports Launches New Appliance Reliability Award
The nonprofit introduces a reliability designation for brands based on data from over 269,000 household appliances.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Appliances
Live Poll
Do you find brand reliability ratings helpful when you are shopping for a major appliance?
Consumer Reports has unveiled a new #1 in Brand Reliability designation to highlight kitchen appliance manufacturers with top-tier reliability performance. The ranking system is designed to provide clarity for shoppers evaluating product longevity.
Why it matters
Reliability has emerged as the top priority for consumers purchasing major appliances, often outweighing considerations like price or feature sets. This new designation addresses the historical lack of transparent, long-term performance data available to the average shopper.
The reliability ratings measure the likelihood that an appliance will break or fail within five years of ownership. This analysis is backed by survey data collected from more than 269,000 kitchen units.
The players
Consumer Reports
Founded in 1936, this nonprofit organization provides independent product testing and consumer advocacy.
Fisher & Paykel
This brand is recognized as one of the top performers in the new reliability ranking system.
Thermador
This appliance manufacturer is included among the brands that qualified for the 2027 reliability designation.
GE
General Electric is one of the kitchen appliance brands receiving the new reliability certification.
LG
The electronics and appliance company has been named as a qualifying brand for the 2027 model year rankings.
The details
The designation is awarded to brands that achieve the highest reliability ratings within their specific product categories. Qualifying brands for the upcoming 2027 model year include Fisher & Paykel, Thermador, GE, LG, and Frigidaire Professional.
Timeline
1936: Consumer Reports was founded.
October 15, 2026: Consumer Reports introduced the new reliability designation.
2027 model year: The reliability designations are set for these products.
Culture Shift
This move marks a shift toward radical transparency in the home appliance market, where purchasing decisions are increasingly driven by performance data rather than aesthetics. It reflects a growing consumer movement to reject planned obsolescence in favor of sustainable, long-term product value.
Shoppers can use these rankings to better predict if an appliance will require costly repairs or early replacement within the first five years of use. This data provides a practical tool for household budgeting when comparing long-term value across different brands.
The takeaway
Consumers should prioritize reliability ratings alongside pricing to maximize the service life of major home investments. Check these new annual designations before your next purchase to avoid brands with higher breakage risks.
Further reading
Learn more about home maintenance and product durability in our Appliances section.
More information
To review the latest rankings and findings, explore predicted reliability ratings on the official portal.
Live Poll
Do you find brand reliability ratings helpful when you are shopping for a major appliance?
