Luxury kitchens improve the efficiency and aesthetic of your home through innovative design and advanced technology. Homeowners who desire both functionality and a beautiful look in their kitchens understand that their appliances need to live up to these standards, and that usually requires an investment on their part.
That’s what we’re going to dive into here. We’re going to talk about the best brands that are on the market that can live up to, or surpass, your expectations when it comes to luxury appliances. These brands deliver much more than sleek designs and practical features. They are pioneers in the appliance industry, and have made leaps and bounds in the efficiency department while looking good at the same time.
Here are the current brands making high-end kitchen appliances that you should watch for in 2023 and beyond:
These brands represent luxury and high performance. They manufacture high-quality appliances that not only elevate your kitchen space, but can increase the value of your home, should you ever decide to sell one day. Since they’re built with superior craftsmanship, they’re meant to stand the test of time and outperform their bargain counterparts.
The Wisconsin family-owned-and-operated company behind Sub-Zero and their sister companies has been a pioneer in the kitchen industry for over 75 years. With the overwhelming success of their Sub-Zero refrigeration line, they’ve expanded their horizons to cover all the hot spots in the kitchen from cooking to cleaning.
The engineers at Sub-Zero shot for the stars when they aimed to create the ultimate fridge for homeowners. They’re the food preservation specialists who use technology that is specifically designed to manage humidity and maintain the ideal temperature to keep your food fresher longer than the competition.
As one of the top dogs in the refrigeration business, they’ve conquered every aspect of food and drink preservation ranging from wine storage to undercounter refrigeration. Now they’re making their mark in the cooking appliance market with the advent of Wolf cooking. They’re making a splash with ranges, built-in ovens, cooktops, rangetops, ventilation, microwaves—you name it!
Cleaning as you cook is a mantra many chefs live by, and their Cove dishwashing line complements the sentiment well. With complete flexibility within the interior, to near-silent operation, the folks at Cove aim to please with spotless and dry dishes after every load.
This trifecta of high-end appliance brands deserves the first spot on this list since they live and breathe kitchen appliances and have been doing it well for so long. Keep an eye on them, because they’re always innovating and continuing to make waves in the kitchen.
Quality control and Gaggenau are practically synonymous. This high-end German kitchen appliance brand dates back all the way to 1683, but really got its start in the kitchen world around 1880 when they revamped their work with enamel into the company’s robust oven enamel. This thrusted them into commercial success with their coal and gas-fired stoves, which continued to expand over the years.
Nowadays, Gaggenau is regarded as one of the leaders in the luxury kitchen industry. They bring professional culinary technology to our domestic kitchens with expert craftsmanship and minimalist design.
They specialize in cutting-edge, built-in home appliances. Their sleek, impressive roster of products includes their legendary ovens, all types of cooktops, ventilation systems, dishwashers, and refrigeration. Since introducing steam into the private kitchen 20 years ago, Gaggenau has relentlessly refined it. This is one luxury brand that takes their pioneering status seriously, and works tirelessly to maintain their elite status. Their timeless design and uncompromising performance are staples of their brand and a testament to their love of the culinary arts.
Miele appliances proudly bear premium status, and stand by their founding promise of “Immer Besser” which is a German phrase meaning “Forever Better.” They have been around since 1899, thoughtfully designing and precisely engineering all along the way.
Like most high-end kitchen appliances, they’re designed for the long haul. Their durability and functional superiority paired with intuitive technology is a winning combination, and their distinctive design would complement any dream kitchen.
A Miele refrigerator is a perfect pick for those who are after good value, but it is still considered high-end. Thanks to their generous price range, they are able to give the competition a run for their money. They offer both built-in and freestanding options, side-swing or French door, and panel ready or stainless steel—whichever suits your style or preference.
Their Push2Open door design is pretty nifty. As the name suggests, you can simply press gently and voila. Open sesame. Then when you go to close it, the SoftClose hinges allow for a smooth close so you don’t shake your items around. Like the Sub-Zero, they feature dual compressors that distribute a better cooling system compared to economy refrigerators, which helps keep your food fresher for longer.
They don’t stop at refrigerators, though. They have fancy built-in coffee machines for the coffee enthusiasts out there who require a bean-to-cup system for their perfect cup o’ joe. For those who want to flex their cooking creativity, they offer all types of cooktops, from gas, speed, or combi-steam to induction. People love the logical controls and become aware of the engineering and thoughtfulness behind the design.
It’s hard to compete with Miele’s quality and performance. Like Gaggenau, they go through extensive testing and are made of premium materials that are meant to last for at least 20 years of use. For a company to be as prominent as they are 120 years later, they’re definitely one to keep your eyes on from here on out.
According to Viking, they set the American standard for modern luxury kitchens. They’ve been innovating their range system and cleaning angle for almost 40 years, and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Their customer service has really stepped up over the years as well, so you can move forward with confidence knowing you’ll be taken care of should you ever need their help.
Their fun color options put them at the forefront of original design. They’ve made quite the name for themselves since fans love having a Viking range that acts as a beautiful statement piece in the heart of their kitchen.
Dual fuel ranges offer more even cooking as well as configurations that have double ovens for cooking multiple dishes at the same time. Viking stoves also offer some fun nuances that set them apart from a lot of others out there.
VariSimmer lets you get that low-level simmer at a precise level so you avoid burning things by mistake. Their Rapid Ready Preheat is standard for their stoves and is for those of us who need a fast reheat to stave off hangry symptoms. It combines the bake and broil elements to work its magic.
Another nice touch that Viking has in every stove is their GourmetGlo Infrared Broiler. This baby is perfect for reaching those high heat zones without drying out your food while it cooks. People love it for pizza, and it is offered on both the gas and electric options.
Did you know that Thermador, Gaggenau, and Bosch all fall under the same corporate umbrella? It’s no wonder BSH Home Appliances take two spots on this list. Thermador dominates the kitchen space with offerings of all shapes and sizes.
They have an impressive line of wall ovens, cooktops, ranges, dishwashers, built-in coffee machines, microwaves, and refrigerators. Keeping it classy, their appliances come in stainless steel or panel-ready options that suit any kitchen decor.
Both their Masterpiece and Professional Collections boast a timeless look that embodies over a century of engineering wizardry. Their Home Connect WiFi system has an app that integrates with both collections so you can control them remotely. Both also feature the award-winning Freedom Refrigeration Collection that offers freezers, wine coolers, bottom freezers, and under-counter appliances.
What’s great about Thermador is you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to functionality and design. If you prefer a more bold or modern design, you can opt for the Masterpiece Collection. The Professional Collection leans more towards robust design elements that define professional-level quality.
The Masterpiece Collection is all about sleek and smooth, featuring color touchscreen LCD displays, while the Professional Collection favors a more classic approach. Some chefs, whether they’re self-proclaimed or otherwise, prefer the tactile, high-grade solid cast metal knobs, and they appreciate the touchscreen LCD display to have a clear view of times and temperatures.
When it’s all said and done, both collections offer stunning models that can mix and match, stand alone, or pair seamlessly with each other.
One of Thermador’s unique selling points is their trademark star-shaped burners. What may appear to be a marketing ploy actually packs some science behind it. Believe it or not, Thermador’s star allows for a more even flow of heat. According to them, this produces faster heating, more even cooking, and overall superior performance. One thing is for sure, the star design does allow for half more coverage along the base of your pans.
You’d think it’d be a pain to clean, but Thermador wouldn’t let you down in that department. They build their stars with enough room under them so you can swipe their QuickClean Base with ease. Same goes for their ovens. They have self-cleaning options that help vaporize and destroy grease, so you can wipe away the rubble after a few hours without too much trouble. It’s a good idea to run these cycles on a regular basis to keep your investment in tip-top shape.
All of these brands embody luxury qualities that belong in a high-end kitchen. These classic brands have been around for quite some time, and have pioneered the way for kitchen appliance evolution. They bring about a high level of design without sacrificing professional functionality and efficiency.
If you’re designing the kitchen of your dreams, these options will serve you well. What’s great about any of these brands is that they look phenomenal and act as an investment—not just a wonderful piece of machinery to simplify and beautify your life.
If you want to know more about any of these brands, or their competitors, feel free to reach out to us at Atherton Appliance & Kitchens any time. Like you, our friendly staff knows their way around the kitchen and would be happy to help bring your vision to life.