Forget Costco: The Best Place To Buy Large Kitchen Appliances, Per Consumer Reports

Why It Matters

The ranking highlights a consumer shift toward specialty retailers that bundle extensive choice with premium service, pressuring warehouse clubs to enhance their appliance offerings.

Key Takeaways

• Abt Electronics scored 91, best among 23 retailers for large appliances
• Costco placed fifth with overall rating 78, lower selection score
• Abt offers free shipping, 100‑mile local delivery, price‑match guarantee
• High satisfaction driven by five‑star ratings in service, installation, website

Pulse Analysis

Consumer Reports’ latest appliance buying survey, conducted between January 2023 and May 2024, polled nearly 10,000 U.S. shoppers about their experiences with 23 large‑appliance retailers. The study blends quantitative scores with qualitative feedback, giving weight to factors such as price, selection, customer service, delivery and installation. By tracking the same metrics for more than a decade, the organization provides a rare longitudinal view of how consumer expectations evolve in a category where purchases are infrequent but high‑ticket. The results, released this week, overturn the common perception that warehouse clubs dominate the market for major kitchen appliances.

Abt Electronics emerged as the clear winner, posting a 91‑point overall satisfaction score—the highest in the survey’s 14‑year history. Shoppers highlighted the retailer’s expansive 100,000‑square‑foot showroom, which carries both budget brands like Amana and premium lines such as Thermador and Gaggenau. Equally important were the ancillary services: free shipping, a 100‑mile local delivery radius, a price‑match guarantee and professional installation. These value‑added offerings translated into five‑star ratings across every non‑price dimension, reinforcing the growing consumer demand for a one‑stop experience that blends choice with hassle‑free fulfillment.

The fifth‑place finish for Costco, with an overall score of 78, signals a warning sign for the membership giant. While its price rating remains respectable, a three‑star selection score suggests inventory gaps that frustrate shoppers seeking specific models or high‑end options. Competitors such as Abt are leveraging localized expertise and service depth to capture market share, especially in regions where they can promise rapid delivery and in‑home setup. For the broader appliance market, the survey underscores a shift toward retailers that can combine competitive pricing with comprehensive post‑sale support, a formula that may compel big‑box chains to rethink their appliance strategies.