How to Choose Kitchen Appliances

Choose kitchen appliances around the jobs you need them to do, the space available and the total cost of buying and installing them. Useful capacity, comfortable controls and compatibility with your furniture matter more than a long list of features.

This guide helps you compare ovens, hobs, refrigeration, dishwashers and extraction. My Kitchen Specialist retailers offer different brands, price points and services, so ask your chosen retailer which options they supply and how installation is arranged.

Start with the appliances you actually need

Think about how you cook and shop. Regular batch cooking may call for more freezer space, while frequent baking could make a second oven useful. If you mainly reheat meals, a combination appliance might suit your routine better than several separate units.

Identify the essentials before adding luxury appliances such as a wine cooler, warming drawer or built-in coffee machine, and include purchase, installation and any service changes in your budget. Our Buying a Kitchen guide covers the wider project.

What should you compare for each appliance

Use the checks below to build a shortlist. Confirm the details for each exact model rather than assuming every product from a brand has the same features.

Appliance	Everyday use	Installation checks
Oven	Usable cooking space, shelf positions, controls and cleaning.	Housing, ventilation, electrical supply and door clearance.
Hob	Pan sizes, zone arrangement, controls and cookware compatibility.	Cut-out, supply, ventilation and space below.
Fridge freezer	Fridge-to-freezer split, shelves, noise and energy use.	Ventilation, door fixings, opening space and delivery access.
Dishwasher	Rack layout, programme duration, noise and drying options.	Furniture door, hinge system, plinth and service connections.
Extractor	Capture performance, noise, cleaning and filter costs.	Duct route or recirculation arrangement and room ventilation.

Choose cooking appliances around your pans and meals

For ovens, check the space you can actually use. Large trays, casserole dishes and multiple shelves need room, and the stated cavity capacity does not show every practical limitation. Test whether the controls are easy to read and operate.

Steam, combination cooking and automatic programmes can be helpful when they match your habits. Ask what preparation and cleaning they require. Pyrolytic cleaning uses a high-temperature cycle; check energy use and whether accessories must be removed.

For hobs, compare zone sizes and whether your pans fit comfortably together. Induction requires compatible cookware and an appropriate supply. Gas, radiant ceramic and induction options have different control, cleaning and connection requirements. Have the installer check the selected model before ordering.

Choose refrigeration and dishwashers for useful capacity

Match fridge and freezer space to the way you shop. Look at shelf adjustment, bottle storage and whether drawers remain accessible when the doors are open. Check noise if the kitchen shares space with dining or living areas.

For dishwashers, examine the racks as well as the place-setting count. Your plates, mugs and pans need to fit the actual arrangement. Compare the programmes you expect to use, their duration and drying options.

Integrated appliances are designed to work with furniture, but they are not universally interchangeable. Door dimensions, fixing systems and plinth details can affect compatibility. Our kitchen furniture guide explains the cabinet specification to coordinate.

Plan extraction with the hob

Choose extraction before finalising cabinets and worktops. A wall hood, ceiling extractor or venting hob needs an installation arrangement suited to its location. Compare performance and noise at normal operating speeds, alongside cleaning access and filter costs.

Ducted systems discharge air outside. Recirculating systems filter air and return it to the room, so they do not remove moisture outdoors. Do not assume a recirculating hood alone satisfies the kitchen’s ventilation requirements; ask the installer to confirm the provisions required for your project.

A venting hob may affect storage below and the duct route through the furniture or floor. Have these details agreed before the furniture order and worktop cut-out are approved.

How do you compare energy use

Compare the energy label and product information for appliances of a suitable size. Fridges, freezers and dishwashers use the rescaled A to G label, while some categories, including ovens, use a different scale. Check the current label for the model you are considering.

Fridge labels show annual electricity consumption; dishwasher labels show consumption per 100 eco cycles. Read the units carefully and consider how you will use the appliance. A larger model can consume more electricity despite a better efficiency rating.

A higher purchase price does not automatically mean lower running costs. Compare the extra cost with likely savings and useful features. If an existing appliance works well and fits the new design, assess keeping it before replacing it.

Decide which extras justify their cost

Entry-level models can be suitable when their capacity and functions meet your needs. Premium features deserve closer attention when they solve a regular problem or improve an activity you enjoy.

For connected appliances, ask which functions need an app, whether everyday controls work without it and what the manufacturer says about software support. Connectivity alone does not establish quality or ease of use.

Compare warranties, servicing arrangements and replacement-part support for the exact product. Our appliance brands article explores brands separately; this guide focuses on choosing suitable models.

Agree supply fitting and aftercare

Ask what the retailer can supply within your budget and whether they will arrange installation. If buying appliances separately, confirm model compatibility, fitting charges and the date the installer needs them.

Check who manages damaged deliveries, missing installation parts and warranty enquiries. Delivery, connection, removal of old appliances and extended cover may be separate charges. Retailer services vary, so record the agreed responsibilities.

Your appliance order checklist

Before placing the order, confirm:

• Full costs, warranties and aftercare contacts.
• Exact model numbers and the functions you will use.
• Housing dimensions, furniture doors and worktop cut-outs.
• Electrical, water, drainage and ventilation requirements.
• Delivery access, timing and fitting arrangements.

Discuss appliances with a local kitchen specialist

Use Find a Specialist to locate an MKS retailer and discuss appliances that suit your kitchen and budget. Check their available brands, model ranges and services before visiting; each partner offers its own selection.