The 11 best places to buy large appliances online

Order the washing machine of your dreams online.
Order the washing machine of your dreams online.

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

People looking to buy a new refrigerator or replace their range have likely found that supply-chain issues that rocked the appliance industry during the COVID pandemic haven’t completely disappeared.

In the best of times, shopping for appliances can be an exciting task for many folks, but due to supply chain issues and soaring demand, people might now find that shopping experience to be frustrating. They likely will find that there is widespread unavailability of home appliances and long wait times for delivery of backordered models.

Despite the challenges, it’s still possible to buy appliances and have them delivered to home in a timely manner. We have three favorite online retailers for buying in-stock appliances—Abt, Appliances Connection, and AJ Madison—but there are other options out there.

Here are the 11 best places to buy appliances online—meaning you can find great deals without ever leaving your couch.

Get deals and shopping advice delivered straight to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the experts at Reviewed.

The best online appliance stores

1. Abt

Abt is based in Illinois but ships nationwide.
Abt is based in Illinois but ships nationwide.
  • Return policy: 30 days

  • Shipping: Free on most purchases over $35

  • Installation offered: Third-party contractor

  • Price matching: Yes

With over 80 years of experience, Abt is a trusted source for all types of home appliance products. The company, based in Illinois, is consistently rated as one of the best places to shop for appliances in the U.S. despite having only just one showroom, located in the Chicago area.

Stellar customer service, free tech support, and a low price guarantee are just the beginning. Top brands you can find like Electrolux, KitchenAid, and Frigidaire, are easily accessible and usually in stock on the online appliance shop. 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).

Shop for appliances at Abt

2. Appliances Connection

Appliances Connection ships directly from a warehouse.
Appliances Connection ships directly from a warehouse.
  • Return policy: 30 days

  • Shipping: Free delivery for orders over $99 (some exceptions may apply)

  • Installation offered: Yes

  • Price matching: Yes

Appliances Connection’s massive selection of appliances makes it much more likely that lesser-known brands will be in stock. You can browse and compare appliance options, and their closeout deals section is a great place to find steep discounts.

While there is no brick and mortar location, Appliances Connection ships directly from its warehouse, which means faster shipping and delivery times for you. It also offers free threshold shipping for orders over $99, meaning the delivery workers will take it through the threshold of your home and no farther (no stairs, meaning no second floors, either). Installation services come with an additional cost. Rates depend on where you live and what appliance needs to be installed.

The return policy gives you 30 days to return an item for a full refund, no questions asked.

Shop for appliances at Appliances Connection

3. AJ Madison

Find top brands like Miele at AJ Madison.
Find top brands like Miele at AJ Madison.

AJ Madison has thousands of appliances from top brands available to ship for free nationwide.

There are lots of reasons to shop AJ Madison for your appliances. We love that they often 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.

Shipping depends on your proximity to the warehouse, but you may be eligible for two-day shipping. Otherwise, it will likely take about one to two weeks to arrive.

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

Shop for appliances at AJ Madison

The best of the rest

1. Your local appliance store

Check to see if any local appliance stores allow you to shop online.
Check to see if any local appliance stores allow you to shop online.

While many big box retailers will ship large appliances nationwide, you shouldn’t overlook local appliance stores for big ticket items. Not only have many family-owned businesses been around for decades, but they have experts who can install your appliances. Additionally, some may have large showrooms and local warehouses that can deliver items to you fast and efficiently.

The ability to shop online and the appliance brands available will vary by store, but we still recommend checking out your local offerings.

Larger regional appliance retailers are more likely to have an online shop, like Famous Tate in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area; Albert Lee Appliance in the Seattle-Tacoma area; Nebraska Furniture Mart in the Omaha area; Warners’ Stellian in Minnesota; Orville’s Home Appliances in the western New York; and Spencer's TV & Appliance in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.

2. Best Buy

Find more than just tech gadgets at Best Buy.
Find more than just tech gadgets at Best Buy.
  • Return policy: 15 days

  • Shipping: Free with purchases of $399 or more

  • Installation offered: Yes

  • Price matching: Yes

While best known for smart phones and smart TVs, Best Buy is also a great place to find home appliances.

Its brand selection is smaller but thorough, with top names like Samsung, Maytag, and Frigidaire among its product lines. They also offer a complimentary home consulting service that provides solutions and suggestions for any question you may have prior to purchasing.

Also, depending on where you're located, your local Best Buy may have a Pacific Sales store-in-store experience, which offers high-end brands like Viking, Wolf, and Thermador. Other big box retailers like The Home Depot or Lowe's don't have access to these brands, giving Best Buy an edge on appliances.

Once you’re ready to buy your appliance, make sure to check out the “top deals” section in order to see the current deals associated with the product you’re considering. Once you’ve purchased your appliance(s), the Geek Squad can help with delivery and installation.

There’s free shipping for major appliance purchases of $399 or more, and your old appliance can be removed for a fee, as well.

At checkout, you can choose whether or not you’d like to include installation by an expert as an additional purchase. If you do need to return your appliance, there is only a 15-day window to do so.

Shop for appliances at Best Buy

3. The Home Depot

Find top appliance brands at The Home Depot.
Find top appliance brands at The Home Depot.
  • Return policy: No returns

  • Shipping: Free with select appliance purchases of $396 or more

  • Installation offered: Yes

  • Price matching: Yes

One of the things we love about shopping for appliances at The Home Depot is the range of products they have, both in-store and online. Either shop for individual products or save on kitchen appliances by bundling with featured sets and packages that give a clean, cohesive look.

Free shipping is available on most appliances, and you can expect delivery within 10 days of purchase. You can even set your delivery within a time frame that works for you, so you don’t have to wait all day.

If you don’t want delivery, in-store pick-up is available at all Home Depot locations. Another option to consider is the Pro Referral service, which helps you find an independent local contractor to instal of your new appliance. Or, opt to add on installation at checkout and a Home Depot expert will install it for you.

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 accepted, you have just 48 hours to make a return, but only if you find something wrong with the product.

Shop for appliances at Home Depot

4. Lowe's

Browse appliances available at Lowe's right from your computer.
Browse appliances available at Lowe's right from your computer.
  • Return policy: 30 days

  • Shipping: Free local delivery or in-store pickup

  • Installation offered: Yes

  • Price matching: Yes

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, but you also have the freedom to pick up in-store if you prefer. For $30, Lowe's will also remove your old appliance and safely dispose of it. Similar to The Home Depot, there is the option to connect with an independent installer who can set up your new appliance for a fee.

Returns are allowed within 30 days, but refunds are only given if the appliance is returned in “like new” condition.

Shop for appliances at Lowe’s

5. Sears

Check out Sears for lots of name brands on appliances.
Check out Sears for lots of name brands on appliances.
  • Return policy: 30 days

  • Shipping: Price varies by location

  • Installation offered: Yes

  • Price matching: Yes

The household name from your childhood remains one of the best places to receive quality, high-end appliances. Sears lets you shop with confidence, allowing credit and leasing, installation, and a price match guarantee to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you’re looking to save on a big purchase, the appliance deals section has great discounts on a ton of brands.

You’re also able to choose your ideal delivery date upon checkout, and the night before expected delivery you will receive a call letting you know the two-hour delivery timeframe you can expect them.

Sears’ refund policy differs whether or not you received delivery or installation. With none, you may return an item within 30 days. But if you did have the product delivered or installed, you must notify Sears within three days of any damage or defects for a refund. Sears is also one of the only retailers on this list that does not offer free shipping.

Shop for appliances at Sears

6. Menards

With stores in 14 states, Menard's can deliver nationwide.
With stores in 14 states, Menard's can deliver nationwide.

Menards is headquartered in Wisconsin and has more than 300 stores across 15 states, allowing the brand to efficiently ship appliances nationwide for free. Depending on your delivery address, installation can be available for select appliances, as well. If installation is not available, your standard delivery includes a specified delivery date and time frame, setting new product(s) into place, and available delivery for units above the second floor, if needed.

In terms of handling refunds for major appliances, Menards allows returns within seven days if there is a manufacturing defect. You may return the item up to 30 days after delivery only if it remains in brand new condition, in original packaging, and is unused.

Shop for appliances at Menards

7. Wayfair

Wayfair offers free shipping over $35.
Wayfair offers free shipping over $35.
  • Return policy: 30 days

  • Shipping: Free

  • Installation offered: No

  • Price matching: No

Although better known for its home décor offerings, Wayfair is a good place to shop for appliances. It offers plenty of top brands, including Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, and Samsung.

Wayfair’s website also allows you to filter between 1-2 day shipping or standard in order to narrow down your options, and unless your new refrigerator is less than $35, both shipping options are free. Standard shipping times can vary, but it’s estimated that, depending on the item, it will take between one to three weeks.

As far as returns go, you’re able to return a large appliance within 30 days of delivery as long as it has not been installed. It also must be returned in its original packaging.

Shop for appliances at Wayfair

8. Costco

Although you don't have to be in order to purchase some items, becoming a Costco member might be worth your while.
Although you don't have to be in order to purchase some items, becoming a Costco member might be worth your while.
  • Return policy: 90 days

  • Shipping: Free

  • Installation offered: Basic installation only

  • Price matching: No

Costco’s offerings are a bit more limited than other retailers on this list, but it has the brands we consistently rave about like KitchenAid and Maytag. While you aren’t required to be a Costco member to shop its online store, most appliances are member-only items, which significantly limits your options if you’re not currently a cardholder. For most areas, delivery is available from two to five days after purchase.

It’s worth noting that while installation is included with most appliances, only a “Basic” installation will be provided, and according to the Costco website, their delivery partners are not licensed plumbers or electricians, so you may want to consider hiring a contractor instead.

Costco will accept appliances returned within 90 days from delivery. Items ordered online can be returned at any Costco warehouse, or you can initiate a return through the website.

Shop for appliances at Costco

Avoid: Amazon and Walmart

Find a few top brands like Kenmore at Amazon.
Find a few top brands like Kenmore at Amazon.

Although both Amazon and Walmart feature some top-rated brands we’d usually recommend, we advise skipping buying appliances online from them. 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 put 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.”

There’s a lot more where this came from. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all our reviews, expert advice, deals and more.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 11 best places to buy appliances online