The best places to buy appliances online

When a major appliance breaks, or you’re finally ready to update the kitchen, you probably want the replacement to be fast, reliable, and at the best possible price. The challenge is figuring out which retailer actually delivers on those promises.

Some stores offer faster delivery, others provide better installation services, and some make it easier to compare prices or bundle multiple appliances. At Reviewed, our mission is not just to find the greatest refrigerators, dishwashers, and other large appliances, but to find the best places to buy appliances, so you don’t have a bad experience.

Whether you want fast delivery, the lowest price, or the ability to see appliances in person before buying, these retailers are among the most reliable options.

Where to buy appliances at a glance

Retailer	Delivery Speed	Free Delivery	Installation / Haul-Away	Return Window	Price Match
Abt	Typically ships within 1–5 business days	Free shipping on most orders	Available in select areas	30 days	Yes
AJ Madison	Delivery typically takes several days to ~2 weeks	Free delivery threshold on most appliances	Available for a fee	30 days (restocking fee may apply)	Possible with authorized dealers
Best Buy	Scheduled delivery, often within about a week	Free delivery available on select appliances	Available for a fee	15 days (longer with membership)	Yes
Lowe’s	Within several days, depending on availability	Free for major appliances	Available for a fee	48 hours	Yes
Home Depot	1–10 business days	Sometimes free depending on appliance and promotions	Available for a fee	48 hours	Yes

The best places to buy appliances online

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: Best online appliance retailer for service and reliability

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 delivery fees may apply depending on where you live.

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

Pros

• Strong customer service reputation
• Large selection of major appliance brands
• Free shipping on most appliances
• 30-day return policy

Cons

• Installation options vary by region
• Only one physical showroom location

AJ Madison: Best place to buy appliances with a large selection

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 plenty of reasons to shop at AJ Madison, 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.

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.

Pros

• Very large appliance selection
• Free nationwide shipping
• Clear indicators for in-stock inventory
• Frequent package deals and promotions

Cons

• Possible restocking fees for returns
• Installation handled through third parties

The best big-box stores 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 also consumer favorites for their convenience.

Best Buy: Best overall big-box retailer for large appliances

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. Plus, if you have questions, it’s easy to shop from home 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 shoppers an edge when selecting appliances.

Pros

• Trusted national retailer
• Access to premium appliance brands in some stores
• Free home consultation service

Cons

• Smaller appliance selection than specialty retailers
• Shorter return window than some competitors

Lowe’s: Most convenient appliance retailer

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.

Pros

• Large national store network
• Free appliance delivery
• Price-matching policy

Cons

• Short return window
• Installation services vary by region

The Home Depot: Retailer with the widest selection

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 need your appliance delivered, in-store pickup is 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.

Pros

• Large national store network
• Free appliance delivery
• Price-matching policy

Cons

• Short return window
• Installation services vary by region

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 pronto, your local appliance store may actually be the best place to buy an appliance (not all that surprising, huh?).

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.

FAQs about buying appliances

Which retailer has the fastest appliance delivery?

Delivery speed varies by location, but local appliance stores and major retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy often offer the fastest delivery if the appliance is already in stock nearby.

Online retailers like Abt and AJ Madison can also ship quickly if the appliance is available in a nearby warehouse.

Where can I see appliances in person before buying?

Big-box retailers such as Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Home Depot have physical stores where you can compare appliances in person—even if you aren’t necessarily planning on making your purchase there.

Some Best Buy locations also include Pacific Sales showrooms, which feature higher-end appliance brands.

Which appliance stores offer price matching?

Many appliance retailers offer price-matching guarantees, including:

• Best Buy
• Lowe’s
• Home Depot
• Abt

Price-matching policies usually apply to identical models (same brand, model, color, and condition) sold by authorized retailers that are still in stock. You typically have to show proof of the lower price, such as on a website or physical ad, so come prepared.

If an appliance goes on sale after you buy it, let’s say 14 to 30 days, you can check with the retailer to see if they offer a price adjustment. It’s always worth asking.

What should I know about appliance installation and haul-away?

Many retailers offer installation services and haul-away options for old appliances, but these services may cost extra depending on the appliance type and your location.

Before purchasing, check:

• Installation availability in your area
• Haul-away fees
• Delivery requirements (such as water or electrical hookups)

You may also choose to install some appliances yourself, especially for simpler replacements. For example, refrigerators often only require plugging into an outlet and connecting a water line (if the model includes an ice maker).

If you opt out of haul-away, check with your local recycling center, municipal waste program, or utility company—many offer appliance recycling for a small fee or even free pickup. Some scrap metal recyclers may even accept appliances at no cost. Comparing these options can sometimes be cheaper than retailer haul-away services.

When is the best time to buy appliances?

Major appliance discounts often appear during holiday sales events, when retailers run large promotions and bundle deals. Some of the best times to shop include Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Presidents’ Day.

Another good time to buy appliances is when new models are released, typically in the fall. Retailers may discount older models to clear inventory, even if the differences between model years are minor.

When you plan to replace multiple appliances at once, you may even save on some package deals or price-matching offers from some retailers.

Where is the best place to buy small kitchen appliances?

While we don’t recommend buying large kitchen appliances from Walmart or Amazon, those retailers are great places to buy small kitchen appliances like coffee makers, blenders, and air fryers. You’ll typically find better prices and faster shipping here, but Best Buy may also carry some top brands—and they price match.