Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances are easiest to compare within one type, using the official figures for that type. The refrigerator numbers below are calculated from the official ENERGY STAR data (data updated 2026-11-06); the air fryer, blender, stand mixer and toaster oven figures are read from the official U.S. product pages of 24 models (specs read 2026-11-07). A figure a page does not print counts as n/c, never as zero.

What matters when choosing

Type

ENERGY STAR lists the configuration of each model: 1,611 bottom freezer, 731 top freezer, 122 side-by-side and 301 freezerless single-door, plus 1,716 compact refrigerators and 177 coolers. Compare size and energy use only within the same type.

Volume and fit

Listed total volume runs 1 to 31.7 cu ft (median 13.3). 1,004 models list counter depth and 525 are built-in. Measure your space and doorway and compare with the maker’s dimensions.

Energy use

Annual energy use is listed from 42 to 805 kWh across the certified models (median 344 kWh), and the share below the federal standard from -14 to 78%. Compare models of a similar type and size, because the federal standard is set per product class.

Ice and water

1,351 of 4,663 models list an ice maker and 415 a through-the-door dispenser. Water-line and filter requirements are not in the dataset (n/c).

Smart features

279 models list connected capability. The dataset does not name the app or platform.

Air fryers

7 Cosori air fryers state capacities from 2.1 to 13 qt (median 6.8 qt), power from 900 to 1,800 W and a top temperature of 400 to 465°F. Dual-basket models state the combined size, so compare capacity with how you will actually cook.

Blenders

7 Vitamix blenders list container sizes of 48 to 64 oz; 3 pages print power in watts (1,500 W) and 6 print a motor size (2 to 2.2 HP). The rest are n/c for those fields.

Stand mixers

6 KitchenAid stand mixers list bowl sizes of 3.5 to 7 qt and power of 250 to 500 W; 5 are tilt-head and 1 is bowl-lift in the product name. A larger bowl is a larger machine, so check the footprint under your cabinets.

Toaster ovens

4 Breville toaster ovens list 1,800 W; 3 pages state a top temperature (450 to 480°F). Capacity is not printed in comparable units (n/c), so measure the interior against your pans.

Brands covered

The small-appliance figures above come from the maker pages of Cosori, Vitamix, KitchenAid and Breville only; other brands are not in our data yet.

Noise

Neither the ENERGY STAR data nor the maker pages we read for small appliances state a sound level (n/c). Use the maker’s own specification sheet for decibels.

Skip this category if

  • You are replacing a built-in or panel-ready unit and the cut-out size is not confirmed.
  • You need a feature the dataset does not list, such as door-in-door storage or a specific water filter.
  • You need a feature these figures do not cover, such as a specific attachment, accessory ecosystem or cleaning cycle.

Shortlists by use

Each list applies one stated rule to official data — ENERGY STAR listings or maker product pages (4,687 models in our data, updated 2026-11-06).

Model data pages

We compile and compare published data; we do not run our own product tests. See How We Compare.