Appliances are as important for your home as the furniture. Our lives have been made easier because of the variety of home appliances available in the market today. We have put together a list of all the must-have appliances for your home.
Kitchen Appliances You Must Have
We already know that built-in appliances add value to a home, especially when you’re renting. So, whether you’re a homeowner wanting to add a new appliance to increase your home value or a renter with no built-in appliances provided, we can help you find the right ones for your kitchen.
Here is a list of must-have cooking and cleaning appliances for your kitchen.
Dishwasher
Choosing the right dishwasher can be determined by the size you need. A dishwasher’s size is measured by place settings. One place setting means the dishwasher has space for one small and large plate, bowl, cup and cutlery. The size you need will depend on how many people will be eating meals and the number of utensils you end up using for every meal.
For a family of four, we would recommend going for a full-size dishwasher (12-14 place settings). A house for two people would need an average size dishwasher with nine to ten place settings.
Free-standing Dishwasher
This one is extremely useful for renters or people living in small apartments with even smaller kitchens. Free-standing dishwashers come in a variety of sizes that can either fit on your kitchen countertop or in a separate area like your fridge. They can range from 4 place settings to 12 place settings.
For more information on dishwashers, you can check out our dishwasher-buying guide.
Cooktops
Consider the amount of space you have and the available utility connections you have. Always keep in mind the number of burners you will be using before you purchase a cooktop. Additionally, ensure that there is enough distance between your cooktop and rangehood.
Induction Cooktop
Doesn’t use heating coils or flames to heat up your pans. Instead, it uses magnetic currents that instantly heat once a compatible pot or pan is placed on it. Induction cooktops are an energy-efficient option that is faster than other cooktops.
Electric Cooktop
Usually available in two different materials, ceramic and stainless steel cooktops is both popular options. However, stainless steel electric cooktops are not easy to clean despite being more durable. You will have to consider the heat output for these cooktops especially if you are cooking for more than two people.
Gas Cooktop
The main consideration for gas cooktops is a gas connection. It is by far the most common and popular option among people. The open flame allows for even heat distribution and results in perfectly cooked food every time.
Fridges & Freezers
Most people opt for a fridge that includes a freezer as well. If you’re going for a fridge, you will need to consider the litre capacity you need for your home. If you’re a two-person household, we would recommend going for a 200-380L fridge. A big household with more than five people should go for a 450L fridge.
As far as the different types of fridges are concerned, go for one that fits in your kitchen and that suits your style the best. For those who prefer slimmer styles, there are top-mounted and bottom-mounted fridges. If you have the space for it and really like to open up your fridge like a Disney princess, then a double-door or French fridge would be perfect for you.
You can find out more about fridges through our fridge buying guide.
Range Hoods
The first thing you need to know about range hoods is that there are multiple types that you can choose from. The different types are canopy range hoods, slide-out range hoods, fixed range hoods, under-mount range hoods, island range hoods and wall-mounted range hoods. Size, design and installation should be your main concern when buying a range hood. If you have an open area or big space for a range hood, go for fixed, canopy or island range hoods.
The function of a range hood is to suck up any smoke, steam or fumes and keep the moisture in the kitchen at bay. The ventilation power of a rangehood determines how effective and noisy it will be. Once you have determined all these factors, you will be able to find your perfect range hood.
Read more about finding the right range hood for your home in our range hood buying guide.
Coffee Makers
Convenience and preference are key when buying coffee makers. You may like freshly ground barista-level espressos in the morning or you may prefer a French drip, the choice is yours.
Refer to our coffee machine buying guide to get a detailed look at different types of coffee makers.
Espresso Machines
There are several different types of espresso machines you can choose from. But each type of espresso machine requires you to know the basics of coffee-making. If you enjoy grinding your own coffee in the morning and making the perfect brew every morning, then you may prefer a manual coffee machine that includes all these features.
Drip Coffee Machine
A common coffee fix in a lot of offices, the drip coffee machine is an easy-to-use coffee maker that gives you a perfect cup of long black every time. All you need is some good coffee grounds, a coffee filter and water to make at least 3-4 cups of coffee depending on the size of the machine.
Microwaves
The size of your kitchen makes a lot of difference to the size of the microwave you should be investing in. If you have a small kitchen with not enough counter space, then it is always better to go for a small microwave or try to get a built-in microwave that doesn’t take up any counter space.
Among the different types of microwaves, you will come across countertop microwaves, convection microwave ovens, built-in microwaves and over-the-range microwaves.
Read our microwave buying guide for a better understanding of how to buy one.
Ovens
Many households come with an in-built oven or have space for a built-in oven to be installed. Alternatively, you can opt for free-standing ovens that can be placed on your countertop or can be the central point of your kitchen if they are big enough.
One of the things to consider when buying an oven is whether to go for a gas or electric oven and that entirely depends on your gas connection and personal preference. Additionally, you can always opt for mini convection ovens if you are dealing with a smaller space and don’t bake very often; Pizza ovens are also a great investment if you regularly bake pizza and bread.
Electric Ovens
These are one of the most common ones that are popular among home bakers. While electric ovens need to be preheated unlike gas ovens, they are quite powerful. They do, however, take up a lot of energy so you will be spending money on extra energy consumption. Along with that, electric ovens often come with extra features such as preset cooking options.
Food Processor
This multi-purpose appliance is one of the most useful tools you can find in a kitchen. The reason we call it a multi-purpose is due to the several features it offers. Grating, chopping, slicing, shredding, whipping pureeing, mixing, slicing, whisking and kneading dough are all the functions this appliance can perform. So, it’s only a matter of considering whether you will be using this appliance to its capacity or not in order to purchase it.
If you’re looking for a guide to buying kitchen appliances, you can refer to our must-have kitchen appliances guide and our small kitchen appliances guide as well.
Appliances For Bedroom & Living Room
Take your bedroom and living room to the next level with these amazing appliances.
TV
Every household tends to have this appliance in their living room or bedroom. But choosing the right TV can be difficult due to the sheer variety. You need to consider your budget, the space you have in the room and where the TV is to be placed before you look into different models. Furthermore, consider the different screen resolutions- 720p, 1080p, 4K; the screen types are also important- LED, LCD and OLED; lastly, the sound system, as well as the different connectivity options in the TV, are all important factors to consider before you buy.
Buying a TV can be hard which is why we recommend reading our TV buying guide for more details.
Air Conditioner
For the warmer months, it is good to have an air conditioner to keep you cool. There are many different types of air conditioners that you can choose from but there are two main things to consider before you buy one. The kilowatts of an air conditioner determine the cooling capacity of the appliance and the energy rating refers to its energy efficiency.
You can refer to our air conditioner buying guide for more information on the different types of air conditioners.
Heaters
Understanding your usage of heaters is important before you purchase one is crucial. If you need to heat up your entire home then you should opt for under-floor heating or central inducted heating. But if you are looking for space heaters there are multiple options out there. You have the option of selecting convection, panel, column, radiant, ceramic, fan and electric fire heaters. Additionally, heater wattage will also determine the type and size of the heater you need. Larger wattage means a larger heating capacity for an area. So, if you have a big room, you should be looking for a heater with a high wattage.
Find out more about different space heaters through our heater buying guide.
Dehumidifiers
Increased humidity levels in the house can lead to an array of problems. A dehumidifier can help maintain moisture levels within your home and can help you avoid mould or any potential health problems. Buying a dehumidifier is not as complicated as you think. Just look for one that comes with a collection tank or a continuous drain system, especially if you live in a very humid area. Additionally, you should probably look for dehumidifiers with a thermostat to keep track of the humidity levels and one that has a portable design.
Refer to our dehumidifier buying guide for more information.
Humidifiers
Choosing a humidifier is a lot easier than choosing any other appliance. You just need to buy one that fits well with the size of your room and your personal needs. Evaporative humidifiers are the most popular choice but you can also go for ultrasonic humidifiers. The point is you can get a humidifier for your room, a portable one for your travels or a built-in humidifier for your central heating and cooling system depending on your needs.
Air Purifiers
Clean air is a necessity for every household. If you live in highly polluted areas or suffer from breathing problems, an air purifier is a useful appliance to have around the house. When buying an air purifier consider what you need it for. There are different types of air filters used in air purifiers and each of them has a different function, information that would help you determine which air purifier is better suited for your needs. Additionally, size, portability, maintenance, energy efficiency, replacement costs and noise levels are other important factors to consider.
Read more about humidifiers in our humidifier buying guide.
Fans
Whether air conditioners are a bit too cold for you or just a little out of your budget, fans are a great way to keep yourself cool on warm days. Tower, ceiling, desk, pedestal or floor fans, each of these fans are perfect to cool down your room when the weather gets too hot. Here are the differences between each of these fans:
Tower Fans: Their thin and long design makes them a perfect fit for smaller rooms. If you like a quiet yet powerful fan, this is perfect for you.
Ceiling Fans: Consider the overall diameter of the blades before you buy one to make sure it fits in your room. If you want a fan that doesn’t take up floor space and cools the entire room, these are ideal.
Desk Fans: As the name suggests, these fans have a compact design and are best for individual use. You can easily place them on your work desk in the office or your study at home.
Pedestal Fans: These height-adjustable fans can be placed in a corner of the room but the large blades contribute to cooling down the whole room pretty quickly.
Floor Fans: If you are looking for a small that is powerful enough to cool down a room but small enough to be indiscreet, floor fans are what you need. Larger than desk fans but smaller than pedestal fans, floor fans usually work best if they have an oscillation feature to cool down a room.
Laundry Room Appliances
Washing Machine And Dryer
You have to be very meticulous when buying a washing machine and dryer. This is an appliance that requires professional installation, so you need to buy ones that are just right for you. Size, capacity, energy and water efficiency are the things you need to consider before you buy a washing machine. Then you need to consider the type of washing machine you want- A top loader, front loader, twin tub or a washer-dryer combo.
Apart from water efficiency, the considerations for buying a dryer are the same as that for a washing machine. If you have enough space for both machines then you can go for a vented, condenser, heat pump or gas dryer. They can either be placed side-by-side with a washing machine or placed on top of a washer which is a common installation style.
Most importantly, if you don’t have enough space for both machines then it is best to go for a washer-dryer combo.
Best Home Cleaning Appliances
Vacuum Cleaners
There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you buy a vacuum cleaner: What is your budget? Do you have pets or allergies? What type of vacuum do you want? Once you have the answers to your questions, you will know which vacuum cleaner you need to buy.
You have an option of a stick, handheld, bagged or bagless, barrel/canister or robot vacuum cleaner. Handheld and stick vacuums are considered lightweight options that are great for those who have to frequently move houses. Bagged vacuums are considered good for those suffering from allergies and barrel vacuums are ideal for deep cleaning large rooms.
Everything you need to know about how to choose the right vacuum for your home is in our buying guide.
What are smart home appliances?
Smart Home Device
While there are many smart devices in the market, we recommend getting a smart assistant. Nowadays many people tend to have smart TVs, speakers and even smart lights in their homes. All these devices can be controlled with the help of a smart assistant. Look for smart assistants that are compatible with all your smart devices. These smart assistants are usually small and can easily fit in one corner of the house making them the perfect appliance for a smart home.
