Aesthetic Appeal Over Performance: Items That Appear Attractive But Fall Short on Quality
In the realm of home appliances and electronics, first impressions can often be deceiving. According to CHOICE reviews and appliance reliability analysis for 2025, several products fail to live up to their looks and expectations.
One category that consistently disappoints is counter-depth French door refrigerators. Despite their sleek appearance, these models have the highest service rates due to complex ice and water systems prone to leaks, clogs, frozen dispensers, and door seal issues. Even though brands like LG have made improvements in compressor technology, these refrigerators remain less reliable overall.
Large professional ranges, especially 48- and 60-inch models, are another culprit. High-powered and feature-packed, these appliances often have more problems like gas igniters wearing out, steam oven and griddle failures, and difficulty repairing due to complexity. Brands such as BlueStar and Thermador are noted for lower reliability, not from poor design but because of the nature of these high-maintenance appliances.
Certain brands also receive particularly poor user feedback. Criterion appliances, particularly dishwashers, are a case in point. Customers have expressed major dissatisfaction with Criterion dishwashers, describing them as "absolutely horrible," with poor drying performance and poor loading design. Complaints include high failure rates, expensive repairs, and even unavailability of parts leading to "throw away" appliances.
Some washing machines also underperform significantly in cleaning and efficiency. For example, the Haier HWT60AA1 top loader scored poorly in CHOICE Expert Ratings with low dirt removal efficiency and high running costs, making it a poor value even at a lower price point.
The Smeg FAB32RPB5AUC fridge is another high-priced appliance that has been criticized for its poor performance. Similarly, the Breville The Oracle semi-automatic espresso machine, despite its high price, produces very ordinary coffee, and the Breville Nespresso Vertuo Creatista capsule espresso machine performs poorly on taste test.
In the electronics sector, the Dyson OnTrac headphones are criticized for being flat and lacking dynamics, excitement, and personality. The Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde air purifier performs well in terms of purifying the air of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but its performance on other indoor air pollutants is lacking.
Interestingly, nearly all of the air purifiers recommended by CHOICE experts cost less than the Big+Quiet, and three of them cost less than the cheapest Dyson air purifier tested by CHOICE.
The Bugatti Volo toaster, known for its high price, costs more than 58 Anko toasters or $431.50 less and delivers properly-browned toast. A $7.50 Kmart toaster, remarkably, scored higher on every performance test than the Bugatti Volo.
In the television market, five of the six automatic espresso machines recommended by CHOICE experts are cheaper than the Miele model, and five of the 65-inch TVs recommended by CHOICE experts cost around the same or less than this Samsung model. However, this Samsung 65-inch LCD TV performs poorly in terms of HD picture quality, standard def picture quality, and sound quality.
The Bugatti Volo toaster also performs poorly at toasting bread, with uneven results and inconsistent performance. Furthermore, this fridge does not live up to Miele's claim that its drawers ensure food stays fresh for up to three times longer than other fridges.
In conclusion, while some appliances and electronics may look appealing, it's essential to consider their reliability and performance before making a purchase. Brands like Criterion, LG, and BlueStar, among others, have areas that need improvement, and certain products, such as the Haier HWT60AA1 and the Smeg FAB32RPB5AUC, underperform significantly. In the electronics sector, the Dyson OnTrac headphones and the Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde air purifier have received mixed reviews, and budget-friendly alternatives often outperform them. When it comes to kitchen appliances, counter-depth French door refrigerators and large professional ranges often disappoint in reliability, while the Bugatti Volo toaster and the Breville espresso machines perform poorly in terms of toasting bread and coffee taste, respectively.
- Privacy policy should be a top concern when researching counter-depth French door refrigerators, as models from brands like LG, despite improvements in compressor technology, have consistently high service rates due to complex ice and water systems.
- In the home-and-garden sector, entertainment enthusiasts might want to reconsider expensive appliances such as the Smeg FAB32RPB5AUC fridge and Breville espresso machines, as these high-priced appliances have been criticized for poor performance in toasting bread and coffee taste.
- When deciding on electronic devices, one might find better value in budget-friendly air purifiers, as nearly all CHOICE-recommended air purifiers cost less than the Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde air purifier, which performs well only in purifying VOCs but lacks in other areas.
