Best places to buy in-stock appliances right now

There’s a very important question that many people shopping for large appliances ask: Is it actually possible to buy appliances and have them delivered to your home promptly when you need them? Nobody wants to go without a washing machine or a range for months on end, and definitely not without a refrigerator.

Whether you’re a recent home buyer looking to update your new home’s appliances or need to replace a broken appliance, we have some recommendations for finding in-stock appliances, no matter when you shop.

What is the best website to buy appliances?

Not only does buying appliances through a website mean you can research and shop from your couch, but it also means you can automatically filter for “in-stock” to see what’s available immediately. Some websites, like AJ Madison, even have little icons indicating what’s in stock and can ship within 24 hours.

Here at Reviewed, we have two favorite websites for buying appliances: Abt and AJ Madison.

Abt

With over 80 years of experience, Abt is a trusted source for all types of home appliance products. In fact, the Illinois-based company is consistently rated among the best places to buy appliances nationwide, despite having only one showroom in Glenview, Illinois.

Stellar customer service, free tech support, and a low-price guarantee are just the beginning. There’s no shortage of top brands, like Bosch, KitchenAid, and Frigidaire, and all available appliances can be easily found on the website.

Shipping is free, but there might be delivery fees depending on where you live.

Returns and exchanges are easy, too, with a full refund given within 30 days, and most items are free to return (unless oversized or overweight).

AJ Madison

With new appliances arriving daily, AJ Madison has thousands of appliances from top brands, and they’re all available to ship for free nationwide.

There are lots of reasons to shop AJ Madison for your appliances, but in particular, we love that they may price match with authorized dealers and offer “buy one, get one” deals and packages that save you big if you’re looking to buy a set.

Regarding shipping, depending on your proximity to the warehouse, you may be eligible for 2-day shipping. Otherwise, it will likely take about one to two weeks for your order to arrive.

Like other retailers on this list, AJ Madison can connect you with an installer for an additional charge. If you need to return a defective product, you must contact customer service within 24 hours. If so, you may return it within 30 days, but a 30% restocking fee will apply.

What is the best big box store to buy appliances?

Some consumers are more hands-on shoppers and want to see, feel, or experience the appliances before making such large purchases. And, that’s totally valid!

Do some research, visit the store, research some more, and then decide where you want to buy your large appliances. Once you find a favorite model, you can shop online to see where it is in stock and at the best price.

When it comes to appliances, Best Buy is a solid choice for shopping. It stocks select models from all the major brands, cutting out the frivolities that most consumers don't want or need. Big box retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe's are consumer favorites for their convenience.

Best Buy

Although mostly known for smartphones and smart TVs, Best Buy is actually a great place to find home appliances, too.

Its brand selection is small but thorough, with top names like Samsung, Maytag, and Frigidaire featured across its product lines. Have questions? It’s easy to shop from home worry-free with Best Buy's complimentary home consulting service that provides solutions and suggestions for any question you may have before purchasing.

Depending on where you're located, your local Best Buy may have a Pacific Sales store-in-store experience, which allows the Best Buy store to sell high-end brands like Viking, Wolf, and Thermador. Other big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's don't have access to these brands, giving Best Buy an edge when shopping for appliances.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s stocks popular brands like GE and Samsung and offers price-matching guarantees, so you know you'll be getting the lowest price possible.

Delivery for all major appliances is free, or you can pick up in-store if you prefer. For $50, Lowe's will also remove your old appliance and dispose of it safely.

Returns are allowed within 48 hours, but refunds are only given if the appliance is returned in “like new” condition.

The Home Depot

One of the many things we love about shopping for appliances at The Home Depot is the extensive range of products they have, both in-store and online.

Free shipping is available on most appliances. If you don’t want delivery, in-store pickupis available at pickup locations.

Quick tip: Make sure to thoroughly inspect your appliance before accepting delivery or taking your order home; if there is a defect or damage to the product, you may refuse to accept it. Once received, you have just 48 hours to make a return, but only if you find something wrong with the product.

Avoid shopping at Amazon and Walmart for large appliances

You may be desperate for appliances, but don’t fall into this trap. Although they both feature some top-rated brands we usually recommend, we advise skipping buying appliances here altogether. From mostly third-party sellers to not including installation for all items, buying appliances here could come with more risk than we think is necessary.

Our editor-in-chief, Dave Kender, puts it best: “While they remain the go-to shopping site for many consumer products, Amazon and Walmart are not recommended for large appliances. The retailer is rarely the actual seller, relying instead on a network of marketplace sellers with a less-than-stellar reputation. Appliance brands will not always honor warranties of appliances purchased through Amazon or Walmart because they can't actually trace the provenance. And with the added complication of delivery and installation for such large, cumbersome products (not to mention haul-away of your old appliance), we strongly recommend that you go with someone else.”

What to do if you need an appliance replacement right now

If your fridge or stove is broken and you need a replacement, like, yesterday, there is one tactic you can try: Visit your local appliance store!

While many big-box retailers ship large appliances nationwide, local appliance stores are often your best bet for buying these big-ticket items.

Not only have these mostly family-owned businesses been around for decades, but they have experts on hand who can install your appliances without issue. Additionally, some may have large showrooms and local warehouses that can deliver items to you fast and efficiently from just a few miles away.