Large appliances and built-in kitchen fixtures are some of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home, so choosing the right ones matters. Beyond fitting your space and style, they need to perform reliably and be easy to use day after day.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen & Cooking Lab, our analysts and cooking experts are constantly testing the latest refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, water filtration systems, and more. And for the GH 2027 Kitchen Awards, we teamed up with our Cleaning Lab and Home Improvement Lab to also evaluate faucets, sinks, and dishwashers. These winners were installed and tested in our Labs and in real homes, where we assessed performance and ease of use across a range of real-world scenarios.
The features of Midea’s affordable 36-inch French door fridge make it competitive with higher-end models. It has a sleek stainless steel design, a bright interior, adjustable shelves and bins, and two types of water dispensers. It also makes two kinds of ice.
TEST RESULTS: This fridge’s design wowed our food producer, who uses it to store ingredients for recipe development and food-related photo shoots. She said it was noticeably spacious and allowed her to see everything she was storing. The fridge accommodated various tall items, and the freezer proved roomy. The refillable water pitcher (inside the left door) was another standout feature.
Maytag’s French door refrigerator is designed to maximize storage space with an oversize crisper drawer, four shelves, and six door bins, two of which are adjustable. The freezer has two moveable storage bins that double as dividers. It has a built-in water dispenser and an ice bin in the freezer.
TEST RESULTS: We installed this in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where the luxe interior stood out to our culinary experts for its dark blue coloring, which made ingredients pop. Analysts highlighted the adjustable shelves and the spacious drawers that could accommodate oversize items.
GE Profile proves that fridges are becoming not only smarter but also more useful. The screen on this fridge allows you to scan products and add them to your grocery list as well as track the amount of water it’s dispensing into your cup or bottle. A camera monitors the crisper drawers.
TEST RESULTS: We found the fridge highly customizable, with adjustable shelves and a middle drawer where the temperature could be programmed. The components all felt high-end, and it had a bright interior and clear shelves and bins.
You don’t have to choose between a spare fridge and a spare freezer with Midea’s convertible model. It can switch between being a double freezer, a double refrigerator, and a fridge with a bottom freezer depending on your needs at any given time. Each section has multiple levels, so you can adjust the height of shelves and door bins based on your needs.
TEST RESULTS: GH’s Kitchen Lab experts found that its narrow design made it a good solution for people with less space to spare, especially in garages. The accessories glided in and out smoothly, and it took no effort to switch between temperature configurations.
Sub-Zero’s new under-counter ice machine makes 1.25-inch cubed ice using a freezing process that pushes out impurities and trapped air. It can make up to 25 pounds of clear ice a day and connects with an app that allows you to turn it on and off from afar and adjust the volume and cube size.
TEST RESULTS: We installed this ice maker in a high-traffic part of the GH Test Kitchen. It continuously produced a sufficient amount of ice for our team, and we never noticed it was on because it was so quiet. The scoop sits in a holder in the door that’s easy to grab and put back.
Bosch’s 36-inch induction cooktop offers a peek into cooking’s future. Five cooking zones accommodate cookware with up to a 13-inch base, and power levels come in half-step increments for precise control.
TEST RESULTS: In GH Kitchen Lab tests, it boiled water quickly—and could boil even faster with its SpeedBoost feature—simmered food gently, heated evenly, and was intuitive to use. For safety, it has a light that indicates when the surface is still hot. It also cleaned nicely with a simple wipe.
The Impulse Labs induction cooktop is incredibly powerful and precise, with single-degree temperature control from 68°F to 482°F. It plugs into a standard, 120-volt outlet (for context, most other induction ranges require a 240-volt outlet and special electrical upgrades), and the four burners can reach more than 400°F for fast boiling. Plus, it has a sleek design that resembles that of a DJ booth.
TEST RESULTS: We were impressed by how evenly this cooktop kept water simmering for an hour. It was highly versatile as well, being able to melt chocolate gently and bring six quarts of cool water to a boil in just 15 minutes.
Samsung’s sleek, powerful five-burner slide-in gas range has a dual burner that reaches a strong 23,000 BTUs. The knobs illuminate when the burners are on, and the smooth-touch control panel is large with clearly labeled settings.
TEST RESULTS: This range evenly baked golden-brown cakes in our Kitchen Lab tests. It also baked cookies evenly on both the top and bottom racks without our having to rotate them. The stovetop was was among the fastest to boil water out of 26 gas models we tested.
Induction Hardware’s induction range is both sleek and highly functional. It has four burners that range in size from seven inches to 12 inches and are operated with oversize knobs. The large,colored touchscreen lists many settings for the oven including baking, air frying, and pizza making, with three additional sub-settings for wood-fired, New York, and pan pizza. The oven can reach 660°F.
TEST RESULTS: The cooktop heated pans almost instantly, and results were even in Kitchen Lab tests. It also did a good job of simmering and gently melting chocolate. The oven performed well and did a particularly good job at broiling a juicy steak.
Zline’s 36-inch induction range has a matte cooktop (instead of a glass one) for additional durability. It has five heating elements and a bridge zone that allows you to use two burners at once with matching cooking temps. It offers a polished, luxurious-looking design without a top-of-the-line price tag.
TEST RESULTS: The cooktop heated evenly in Kitchen Lab tests and did a good job at holding temperature in our simmer and melting chocolate tests. The oven showed good signs of even heat distribution as well.
A battery-powered induction range from Copper, the Classic Charlie plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet to charge its battery and run with full stove and oven capabilities. (For context, most other induction ranges require a 240-volt outlet and special electrical upgrades.) It has four heating elements and a fast-heating oven.
TEST RESULTS: The oven preheated to 350°F in less than five minutes in our tests and baked fluffy, level cakes. The stovetop was able to boil a large pot of cool water in less than 20 minutes.
Midea’s dishwasher is full of clever features, including a straw zone that holds straws in place so precision jets can clean them. It also has zones for tall bottles and their lids, a quick one-hour wash and dry cycle, and sensors that ensure thorough drying after every cycle—all for under $1,000.
TEST RESULTS: The dishwasher cleaned well in GH Cleaning Lab tests and did an even better job drying. Our Lab analyst reported, “It excelled at removing dried smoothie from glass straws.”
The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher is a powerful machine that handles serious messes and leaves dishes (even plastics!) dry every time. It is impressively quiet and has a flexible third rack to organize utensils and smaller items.
TEST RESULTS: GH’s Cleaning Lab confirmed that this dishwasher can accommodate 22 more dishes than other top models and almost double the flatware. The controls were straightforward, it had no problem with difficult stains, and the dry cycle left barely any moisture. Our analyst said, “It’s one of the most effective dishwashers we’ve ever tested.”
Larq’s slim water filter is certified to remove chlorine and particulates from water and is third-party-tested to reduce lead, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants with an activated carbon filter (that needs to be replaced only about twice a year and costs $99). Installation doesn’t require a plumber.
TEST RESULTS: One tester said it took them about 30 minutes to install even though they had very little plumbing knowledge. Another said, “It improved the quality of my water,” while a third told us, “it saved me time not having to refill a dispenser every day; plus, it opened up counter space.”
Cloud’s reverse osmosis (RO) water filters remove large and small contaminants and add essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium to enhance your drinking water. This unit is smaller than other RO units, and you can check your water quality and consumption in real time using the mobile app.
TEST RESULTS: All our at-home testers said this water filter system was easy to install, even with the need to drill into the countertop for the faucet. One called it “so quiet” compared with other RO systems, and another said, “The water tastes clean, fresh, and better than tap water.”
Brondell’s touchless faucet has a sensor on its side so you can give it a wave to turn the water on and off. Toggle between four spray settings: RapidRinse, GentleClean, Aerated Stream, and Pause Mode.
TEST RESULTS: The unique location of the sensor was a standout feature in our tests, especially compared with those on other touchless faucets, which can be finicky and can get turned on by unintended motion. Analysts also highlighted the round head that covered a lot of surface area and the pull-down feature that retracted smoothly and securely.
Delta’s faucet isn’t just a statement piece for your kitchen; it helps you clean away fingerprints and grime with its touchless activation. The moveable head can access hard-to-reach places, and it includes a wide-fan spray mode. It secures to the dock with a magnet.
TEST RESULTS: We liked having the option to turn this faucet on manually with the handle or hands-free with the touchless sensor. It had good water pressure, and the different settings allowed us to tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks. Its wide fan spray helped rinse dishes and clean the sink faster.
The Kohler Aquifer is a beverage faucet with a minimalist design that blends into most kitchens. It pairs with the Kohler 4-in-1 compact under-counter system, which allows it to dispense still, chilled, almost-boiling, and sparkling water automatically.
TEST RESULTS: “It’s a unique product,” said our tester. “We are often space constrained, and it gets a lot done in a small footprint.” We found it to be sleek with minimal buttons for operation: Simply select your water option on the small touchpad that sits beside it.
Kohler’s workstation sink is both stunning and sensible. It’s made from Fireclay, a nonporous material our experts love for its durability and stain resistance. It comes with accessories that expand its functionality, including a cutting board and a wired bin that lean onto the integrated ledge.
TEST RESULTS: The wide basin made it easier to wash large items, and we liked how the white color brightened kitchens. The rack on the bottom of the sink helped keep both dishes and sink safe, and the accessories came in handy for daily tasks and keeping counters tidy.
This Pit Boss vertical smoker has a temperature range of 130ºF to 420ºF and can infuse meat, cheese, and more with rich, smoky flavor using hardwood pellets. Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, you can monitor the temperature of the smoker and your food from an app, and the glass door gives you a clear view of cooking progress.
TEST RESULTS: At-home testers liked how they could cook large quantities of food on the multiple racks. One said that the pellet system provided consistent smoke flavor and that the cooking was even. Another tester especially liked how juicy their salmon turned out.
Two cooking modes in this Recteq pellet grill give you the smoky flavor of a wood-fired smoker and the speed of a gas grill. Smoke Mode offers a low-and-slow cooking experience you can monitor from afar on your phone. Grill Mode can reach an impressive 1,250°F, hotter than the maximum temperature of most gas grills we’ve tested.
TESTING RESULTS: The dual hopper is located on the front of the unit, which makes it easier to load than other pellet grills. We found the oversize knobs with clear markings helpful for changing modes, temperatures, and searing options. We smoked fall-off-the-bone ribs and grilled pork chops; both were juicy and tender.
The control panel on this large pizza oven from Gozney offers more insights than other pizza ovens we’ve tested. It tracks the oven and stone temperatures so you can get a better grasp on your cooking, and it also features a timer. The cooking surface is vast and can fit a 16-inch pizza. It can be used with gas, wood, or charcoal.
TEST RESULTS: A tester new to pizza ovens said her pizzas came out crisp with little to no floppiness after just a couple of attempts. “It’s a powerful appliance that has a lot of value,” she said. “I can see myself using this instead of going out for pizza.”
Argentine grills, which have large cooking surfaces and versatile grilling and smoking options, are trending. This built-in version from Backyard Discovery offers shade and ample surface areas and storage room. The drawers and cabinets are made from strong galvanized steel and quartz countertops.
TEST RESULTS: Our tester found that this grill worked best with small pieces of wood. She particularly liked how she could set up different cooking zones on the grill. It retained heat incredibly well, and the structure proved durable and long-lasting.
Backyard Discovery’s Timber Rock Grill Cooking Station transforms your patio into a full-service kitchen, including a built-in gas-powered grill with a rotisserie and a 32-inch stainless steel pizza oven. Its long-term durability comes from stainless steel countertops and a heavy-duty cantilever roof.
TEST RESULTS: Our at-home tester has been using a similar configuration of this outdoor kitchen for more than a year. All parts have held up to long-term testing; the grill continues to deliver powerful and consistent results, and the pizza oven turns out evenly baked pies with tender crusts. “It has turned my backyard into the ultimate entertaining spot,” she said.
Fontana Forni’s Italian-designed modular outdoor kitchen is both attractive and versatile. The galvanized steel pieces don’t require any permanent installation fixtures and can be reconfigured to fit evolving needs. It has a clean, minimalist look, making it great for entertaining.
TEST RESULTS: “I absolutely love this outdoor kitchen and oven,” said one tester. “It transformed part of my property into a true destination. It’s incredibly well-designed, high-end, and built to last.” Each cabinet came with adjustable feet for leveling on uneven pavement, and the pizza oven got nice and hot and cooked pies in 90 seconds.





































