Skip to main content
Dishwashers

Born in the USA: American-Made Appliances

A roundup of the best appliances made on American soil.

Credit:

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Labor Day is just a few days away, so it's a great time to celebrate the American worker with a rundown of the top US-made home appliances. That’s right kids, some things are still made in America. In fact, US appliance manufacturing is actually expected to grow through the rest of 2012. So if you need to outfit a new home, or you're just researching a new dishwasher, now is the time to go American.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that the world of appliance manufacturing is vast and complex—a GE dryer may be built in Kentucky while its matching washer is made in China. Furthermore, parts and even whole components are often sourced from across the globe. So if you’re really looking a genuine, 100% Made in USA stamp, you may need a time machine. But if you’re simply looking for a product that has supported American manufacturing during its assembly, then this is a good starting point.

O Beautiful, A Spacious Fridge

The Maytag MFF2558VEM (right) is as reliable as it is big. It’s also a fairly efficient machine, with an average yearly operating cost of $32.89 (compare that with the $54 per year you can expect from the Samsung RSG257AARS). The French-door design feels modern, despite the relatively small freezer and cheap-looking interior. But for a machine that can easily be found for under $1,400, this is a solid, American-built refrigerator.

Dish to Shining Dish

This Maytag Jetclean is a homegrown gem, despite it being one of the most inefficient dishwashers we’ve tested (estimated yearly operating cost: $44.88). Water and energy consumption aside, its cleaning power is top-notch and matched by an extensive range of wash options and cycle features—high-temperature wash, steam sanitize, delay, extra dry, and “Tough Scrub,” to name a few. With an MSRP of $899.00, it’s not a very cheap machine, but if American-made is your priority, then this is a surefire option.

These Colors Won't Run

Along with its matching dryer, the Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum Washer is an impressive example of robust American design. It’s also fairly efficient and offers a host of extra wash options and cycles. It’s not cheap (MSRP: $1,199), and you’re likely to find cheaper models with similar performance, but it’s still a solid high-end appliance. And you can take comfort knowing it was built right here in the US of A.

Yankee Doodle Dryer

The Speed Queen ADE41F (right) is a brawny monolith of steel and US manufacturing prowess. It’s simple to use, built like an American tank, and nearly perfect in regards to drying performance—not to mention, it’s lovingly made in Ripon, Wisconsin. On the downside, the cycles are pretty slow and the controls are flimsy. It’s also expensive (MSRP: $1,499). But when it comes to American durability, this thing is the Rambo of clothes dryers.

Home on the Range

There are plenty of oven brands that manufacture in the US. While the big names (GE, Samsung, Bosch, Jenn-Air, Whirlpool) build some models in America, many are still assembled overseas, and on paper, it's tough to tell where each model is made. But smaller players like Viking, Sub-Zero, Dacor, Wolf, and Thermador are all known to build ranges stateside. Unfortunately, we are yet to test any of these American-made products (don’t hate), but as soon we do, rest assured that their American roots will be mentioned.

Did we miss any excellent American-made appliances? Let us know in the comments below!

Up next