Sometimes shopping for a new kitchen appliance is exciting—like when you’re renovating your dream kitchen or moving into a new home. But often times, it’s prompted by a rattling refrigerator, a dishwasher that no longer cleans, or a range with a busted burner. Either way, you’ll likely find yourself facing a seemingly endless array of choices. How can you tell which appliances will actually stand up to your family’s daily routines and deliver a solid return on investment?
Enter: the Good Housekeeping Institute. For more than a century, the scientists of the Institute have independently tested and vetted all kinds of products, to ensure they deliver on what they promise to consumers. But what does that process look like for things like dishwashers, refrigerators, and ranges? Here’s a look at how they test, and what you should consider when shopping for a new appliance.
1. It can handle your heaviest daily demands.
This may seem like stating the obvious, but assured performance is a must. The Good Housekeeping Institute puts all kitchen appliances through the wringer with real-life scenarios. “We always have the consumer in mind when we test and develop our methodology,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen & Cooking Lab.
This means that they use real ingredients in real-life scenarios. “When we evaluate an oven, for example, we bake cookies on three different racks without rotating the cookie sheets because we want to see how evenly they bake,” Papantoniou explains.
When evaluating dishwashers, the Home Care & Cleaning Lab recreates the kinds of meals people make every day, loading dishes with baked-on macaroni and cheese, dried milk, hamburger grease, oatmeal, coffee stains, egg yolk, and even lipstick on coffee mugs before running standardized wash cycles.
“We’re using real-life soils—things that people would be washing in their own dishwasher at home,” says Noah Pinsonnault, reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. “The soils are applied and baked onto these dishes in the exact same way each time, so we’re able to really, in an objective way, compare one dishwasher to another.”
2. It makes everyday tasks feel effortless.
Ease of use carries just as much weight as performance. The best appliances should remove friction from your daily routine. Think intuitive controls, flexible storage in refrigerators, adjustable shelving, effortless organizing and cleaning—and dishes that come out dry from your dishwasher.
“Customers should be able to use a product easily, confidently, effortlessly, and seamlessly in their normal day,” says Papantoniou. “We want them to feel empowered to do that.”
Bosch's 800 Series French Door Refrigerator stood out for several thoughtful design details. Papantoniou points to the split adjustable shelves, well-lit interior, flexible drawer organization, and customizable storage system as features that make the refrigerator especially enjoyable to use over time.
“My favorite thing about Bosch refrigerators are all the adjustable shelves,” she says, noting that the split design offers more flexibility for storing everything from tall pitchers to party platters, and it makes them easier to clean.
The same philosophy extends to Bosch's dishwasher. Features like CrystalDry technology leave dishes, including notoriously difficult-to-dry plastics, ready to put away. “We did not notice any water pooling or water droplets after the drying cycle,” says Pinsonnault.
3. Its biggest claims can be backed up.
Features sound impressive on paper, but the Institute digs deeper, reviewing performance data and confirming technical claims before standing behind a product. “We work with brands to validate their claims by assessing third-party testing,” says Papantoniou.
That process is especially important for features tied to food preservation and appliance engineering. Bosch’s VitaFresh Pro system, for example, is designed to help keep food fresh for up to three times longer than a Bosch refrigerator without the technology, while dual compressors independently cool the refrigerator and freezer compartments to maintain more consistent temperatures.
4. It’s built with integrity that you can see and feel.
Unlike many household purchases, a refrigerator or dishwasher isn’t something you interact with occasionally. It’s something you rely on every single day.
“You’re constantly using your refrigerator,” Papantoniou says. That’s why seemingly small details—durable handles, bright interior lighting, adjustable storage, responsive controls, and thoughtful organization—can have an outsized impact over the life of an appliance.
Pinsonnault says the same is true for dishwashers. Beyond cleaning performance, buyers should consider how well a dishwasher fits their cooking habits. Ask yourself: “Does this dishwasher have the loading flexibility that I'm going to need?”
The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher offers a third rack for silverware, adjustable racks, and flexible tines that fold down to accommodate oversized casserole dishes, making it easier to adapt to whatever’s on the menu.
Sometimes, the best endorsement comes from everyday use itself. One Bosch refrigerator has remained in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab for years. “I just love it, so I haven’t cycled it out yet,” says Papantoniou.
5. It earns the confidence of independent experts.
Not every product that applies for the Good Housekeeping Seal earns it. To receive it, products must undergo rigorous evaluation for performance, usability, and quality. And the Seal is more than just a stamp of approval; it’s a limited warranty. If a covered item is found to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping, not the manufacturer, will repair or replace it, or refund the consumer up to $2,000.
For shoppers, that provides an added layer of confidence when making a major investment. Bosch has earned the Seal across multiple appliance categories, including refrigerators, dishwashers, cooktops, and ranges, reflecting the brand’s ability to meet the Institute’s strict testing standards.
“Ultimately, it shows that we’re standing behind the product,” says Papantoniou, “with our own money.”
