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    Best Places to Buy Large Appliances

    A big regional retailer tops CR’s survey-based ratings of 23 stores and websites to buy (and bargain for) big appliances

    back of person wearing jeans and blazer with hands on hips, standing in row of washer and dryers and looking at wall of washers and dryers
    CR found some especially great places to buy large appliances, though many stores did well in our survey-based ratings.
    Photo: Getty Images

    For the 14th year, the giant Chicagoland retailer Abt is Consumer Reports’ top-rated retailer when it comes to shopping for a large appliance. Next in line is another regional retailer, RC Willey, which sells furniture, electronics, appliances, mattresses, and other home products through more than a dozen stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.

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    More on Major Appliances

    These stores, as well as independent retailers and websites, earned top marks in the most recent Consumer Reports survey of appliance retailers, conducted between January 2023 and May 2024. The survey responses were from 9,721 CR members who shared their experiences shopping for 12,970 large appliances. Overall, 17 of the 23 major appliance retailers received favorable ratings, and none were judged unfavorable.

    The survey also included responses from 13,147 CR members who shared their experiences shopping for 16,619 small appliances during the same time period. Among small-appliance retailers, 8 out of 19 were rated favorably, with just two (Canadian Tire and Menards) judged unfavorably overall.

    When it comes to bargaining for a deal, 21 percent of CR members attempted to haggle for a better price on large appliances, and 67 percent were successful, saving a median of $123. While only 3 percent attempted to talk their way to a better price for a small appliance, 76 percent of those efforts were successful. The median savings on small appliances was $56.

    CR members can read on for complete profiles of the three major appliance retailers that earned high satisfaction scores. If you’re looking for a small appliance, check out our guide to the best places to buy small appliances. To see how your preferred retailer fares in our appliance store ratings, see our full list of appliance store ratings.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Tobie Stanger

    Tobie Stanger

    As a senior editor at Consumer Reports for more than 30 years, Tobie Stanger specialized in helping readers shop wisely, save money, and avoid scams. Her home- and shopping-related beats have included appliance and grocery stores, generators, homeowners and flood insurance, humidifiers, lawn mowers, and luggage. She also covered home improvement products, including flooring, roofing, and siding.