The last time I checked, KitchenAid French door refrigerators were going for as high as $4,139, and some side-by-side options were $3,239. So, you may ask, why are KitchenAid refrigerators so expensive?
KitchenAid refrigerators are expensive because of their good finishes, build quality, reliability, spaciousness, energy efficiency, ease of use and low maintenance, and easy installation.
They also boast impressive food preservation technologies, intelligent storage, many convenience features, and custom build options.
So, the manufacturer promises value for money, which you are paying for. That, however, does not mean that these fridges are perfect. No! They, like other brands, also suffer a few issues and breakdowns during usage, which I’ll highlight in this article.
I should also clarify that not every KitchenAid refrigerator is expensive. Some are decently priced, and even their most priced options are not as expensive as most premium LG, Bosch, or Samsung models.
Let’s kick-start things by considering how much you can expect to spend on a quality KitchenAid refrigerator. Then, we’ll discuss the already mentioned reasons why you pay more for the units.
Here we go!
How Expensive Are KitchenAid Refrigerators?
Compared to most high-end brands, KitchenAid refrigerators are not the most expensive. That, however, doesn’t pronounce them ‘cheap.’ Depending on the fridge type you go for, you may pay up to $3,239 – $4,139 on a KitchenAid refrigerator.
Here is a table breakdown of the fridge prices.
| Fridge Type | Price Range |
| French door fridge | $2,159 – $4,139 |
| Side-by-side fridge | $2,879 – $3,239 |
| Under counter fridge | $2,024 – $3,349 |
| Beverage centers | $2,339 – $2,654 |
Clearly, KitchenAid refrigerators are not the most priced. But so that you can have a better understanding of what I mean, let’s compare their prices with other brands.
How Expensive Are KitchenAid Refrigerators Compared to Other Brands?
Compared to LG, Bosch, and GE, KitchenAid refrigerators are more affordable. But when comparing the brand to Whirlpool and Frigidaire, KitchenAid has slightly more overpriced refrigerators.
Here’s a table to indicate what their average prices are:
| Brand | Price Range |
| KitchenAid | $2,024 – $4,139 |
| LG | $499 – $9,499 |
| Bosch | $2,399 – $8,999 |
| GE | $933 – $10,920 |
| Frigidaire | $349 – $4,299 |
| Whirlpool | $799 – $4,199 |
Why Are Kitchenaid Refrigerators So Expensive?
Now that you know how much to expect to spend on a KitchenAid refrigerator, you may want to know why you are paying more and what you are getting.
To answer that, here are 11 reasons KitchenAid refrigerators cost more:
1. KitchenAid Refrigerators Have Good Finishes
KitchenAid refrigerators are good-looking in and out. Exteriorly, these fridges come primarily in stainless steel finishes with a good number of the top-end employing print Shield Finish which resists fingerprints and is smudge proof.
Most freestanding units have hidden hinges to give them a built-in look. So, not many can tell right away that they aren’t custom-built.
Interiorly, these fridges feature spill-proof glass shelves that don’t just improve the maintenance but also the general appearance. The shelves’ surfaces have an elegant look to match their graceful exteriors.
2. KitchenAid Refrigerators Have a Quality Build
KitchenAid refrigerators are quality units. Build-wise, these refrigerators are built from high-quality materials to serve you longer. Their stainless steel finishes with Print Shield technology are proof of this, and so are their metal front racks.
Even the plastic compartments inside are good quality, and so are the individual features like ice makers and dispensers. The manufacturer even issues a full one-year warranty to show their confidence in the quality of the fridges.
So, you are paying extra for quality, which is more paramount than anything else.
3. KitchenAid Refrigerators Are Reliable
KitchenAid refrigerators are reliable; most people know that. The question is, how reliable are KitchenAid refrigerators?
One study by Yelp shows that KitchenAid French door refrigerators have a 17% service rate.
While this is not the most impressive score in their finding, it’s pretty decent. It shows that the breakdown rate is lower when you get a KitchenAid refrigerator, thus reliable.
However, that doesn’t discount the possibility of noise, failing ice maker, freezer, and ice maker, and cooling problems. So, these issues contribute to the 17% service rate. Otherwise, KitchenAid is a reliable refrigerator brand.
4. KitchenAid Refrigerators Are Spacious
KitchenAid refrigerators are a huge attraction to families because of their massive capacities. They offer decent fridge and freezer storage space which makes them pricey.
Though the overall capacities vary between fridge types, most French doors and side-by-side KitchenAid refrigerators average 23 – 26cu.ff or slightly higher, which is pretty spacious.
5. KitchenAid Refrigerators Are Energy-Efficient
According to KitchenAid, most of its fridges are energy-certified, which is another way of saying they are energy-efficient. These fridges employ unique technologies that promise to save you energy.
For example, many have the Sabbath Mode, which disables alarm tones and auto lights when you are not at home to use the fridge. In the end, the mode saves you energy.
Besides, the LED lighting technology the manufacturer employs is not a vast power user, thus energy efficient, and so are the cooling technologies.
6. KitchenAid Refrigerators Are User Friendly and Easy to Maintain
Another reason most families like KitchenAid refrigerators is their ease of use and maintenance. For example, fridges have backlit touch controls that are all intuitive and make it effortless to choose the settings.
The under-shelf LED lights improve your view of the fridge for easy access to the contents, while their glass shelves are easy to clean. Moreover, some units have automatic ice makers and dispensers, which make things seamless.
7. Employ Impressive Food Preservation Technologies
This is probably KitchenAid’s top selling point. The manufacturer takes pride in its impressive food preservation technologies that promise to store your food longer and better and save you money in the long run.
Max Cool, for example, allows you to set the fridge to the lowest temperature and enjoy maximum cooling for a day. On the other hand, Preserva Food Care reduces odor, delays over-ripening, and lengthens food storage time.
Other units employ Extend Fresh, a temperature management technology that saves your fresh fruits from freezing, while others utilize Fresh Chill, a temperature-controlled technology that keeps food ingredients fresh.
Those are just some food technologies that make KitchenAid refrigerators slightly priced.
8. Feature Intelligent Storage Solutions
KitchenAid refrigerators also demand higher prices because of their intelligent storage. There is so much to admire when storing food in these fridges.
For example, their 3-tier freezer drawers with dividers will allow you to stock more food without using too much space and easily access them.
KitchenAid freestanding refrigerators employ soft close drawers which utilize Preserva technology to intelligently store meat, veggies, and drinks and keep them fresh. The units also offer in-door ice storage, which promises extra storage room for more ice bins.
Other units have pull-out trays, Satin Glide Crisper, and slide-away shelves that offer more storage solutions.
9. KitchenAid Refrigerators Have Quality Convenience Features
We all love conveniences, which KitchenAid promises, but you pay more for it. One feature that promise that is the exterior water and ice dispenser. The dispenser is outside to let you easily dispense ice or water without opening the fridge.
Another convenient feature is the Measured Water Fill which automatically dispenses specific volumes of water depending on pre-programmed settings.
Other units have a through-the-door dispenser, which offers easy and quick access to ice and chilled water. You’ll also find automatic ice makers on some models, which provide you with a continuous ice supply.
Furthermore, the units employ a temperature monitoring system that notifies you when they need servicing.
10. KitchenAid Offers Custom Build Options
KitchenAid makes two lines of refrigerators; built-in and freestanding. The former cost more than the latter, and it’s easy to understand why.
For one, built-in refrigerators are custom-made to match your space. They align seamlessly with your kitchen cabinetry and promise to preserve your walking space in front of the unit.
They are generally a statement price in any room, and that’s why you’ve to pay more.
11. KitchenAid Refrigerators Are Easy to Install
While this advantage does not include built-in refrigerators, KitchenAid freestanding refrigerators are easy to install. They don’t require any custom cabinetry, as it’s the case of their built-in counterparts, and are more likely to fit in any kitchen.
That advantage makes them slightly costlier than most models.
Are KitchenAid Refrigerators Worth the Money?
As mentioned earlier, KitchenAid refrigerators suffer a few issues, which earn them a 17% service rate. Plus, there are no smart fridges, and you will likely wonder if they are worth it.
However, these fridges are reliable, energy-efficient, good-looking, spacious, and durable. Is that not more important than having a Wi-Fi-enabled unit?
Besides, a majority of the issues that these fridges suffer are either troubleshoot-able or preventable. So, in my view, KitchenAid refrigerators are worth the money. They substantiate their hefty price tags with performance and quality features, making them worth it.
People Also Ask
1. Are KitchenAid Appliances Worth It?
KitchenAid appliances come with good warranties and are strongly built, easy to use, and technologically advanced. That makes them worth what you pay, even though it sometimes means paying more.
2. What Is the Life Expectancy of a KitchenAid Refrigerator?
While it’s not realistic to put a life expectancy timeline on a refrigerator, most KitchenAid refrigerators can last you about 10 – 15 years with good maintenance and usage. So, provided you take care of the fridge and use it properly, it can last you a decade or so.
3. Who Owns KitchenAid Refrigerators
Whirlpool Corporation, the company behind Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, and JennAir, owns KitchenAid.
4. Does KitchenAid Still Make Refrigerators?
Yes, KitchenAid still makes refrigerators. You can find the newest fridges on their website, proving the manufacturer is actively making refrigerators.
5. Why Is KitchenAid Fridge So Expensive?
A KitchenAid fridge is expensive because of its build quality, reliability, energy efficiency, storage, capacity, and food preservation technology. You pay more for that, and they are worth it.
In conclusion, why are KitchenAid refrigerators so expensive?
As shared, KitchenAid refrigerators are expensive for a reason. These refrigerators are all about great finishes, quality build, reliability, space, energy efficiency, and ease of use and maintenance.
They are also about superior food preservation, intelligent storage, convenience, easy installation, and custom build, and that’s what you pay for.
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