What Are the Best Websites to Buy Domestic Appliances?
From the perspective of someone who actually repairs them
I’m Dido Georgiev from DGeorgiev Appliances Repair DGeorgiev.co.uk
For more than 15 years I’ve fixed washing machines, fridges, ovens, dishwashers and tumble dryers across East London and Essex. That means I see the real-world results of people’s online purchases long after the shiny new appliance has been delivered.
Here’s what I’ve learned about the main sites UK buyers use, based on the machines that come through my workshop and my own recent experience.
The sites I see most often
Customers bring me appliances bought from:
• AO.com
• John Lewis
• Appliances Direct
• Appliance City
• Currys
• Marks Electrical
AO.com – my current personal favourite for service
I ordered from AO.com myself not long ago and got the wrong machine. From the moment I contacted them to the new appliance arriving and the wrong one being collected was 48 hours. That kind of speed is rare.
Important context: I am a member, and that membership is what made the experience so smooth. Without it, delivery, disposal and installation are extra costs that add up quickly. Ordering and returning are straightforward, and their customer service has been good in the cases I’ve dealt with. This is not a sponsored review — I simply currently enjoy what they do.
The rest of the field
Delivery times can be slow with several of these retailers. In recent years both delivery and old-appliance disposal have become noticeably more difficult across the board. Most companies try, but the process is often slower than customers expect and the prices have climbed a long way.
Installation is another area where the big retailers frequently fall short. Their installation fees are high, and the job is often left incomplete because of issues that a local engineer can usually sort out. That’s one of the reasons many people end up calling a specialist like us after the retailer has been and gone.
Brands that hold up better in our opinion.
From the repairs I carry out, these make tend to give fewer long-term headaches:
• Fridges → Samsung or LG
• Washing machines → Samsung or Bosch
• Dishwashers → Bosch or Miele
• Tumble dryers → Hotpoint or Bosch
• Ovens → Bosch or Hotpoint
This is based purely on what lasts and what comes back for repair, not on any sponsorship.
Practical advice before you click “buy”
1. Measure twice. Dimensions are the single biggest cause of problems I see. Know exactly what will fit your space (including door clearances and plumbing/electrical points).
2. Be clear about what you actually need. If you’re unsure, speak to a professional first — it is cheaper than buying the wrong machine.
3. Shop around and look for discount codes. Prices move, and the same model can vary significantly between sites.
4. Add up the full cost. Delivery, disposal and installation can turn a cheap-looking deal into an expensive one, especially if you are not a member of a site like AO.com.
5. Remember that “best service for best price” is still the rule that works. Service quality and total cost both matter more than the headline price of the machine.
One real example
My own AO.com experience (wrong machine, resolved in 48 hours) is the clearest recent case I can share. It worked because I was a member and because their returns process is efficient. That is not a sponsored endorsement — just what happened when I used the site myself.
Final thought from the repair bench
The online appliance market has become slower and more expensive in recent years, particularly around delivery and disposal. Choosing the right brand and model for your needs, measuring carefully, and treating the total cost (including installation) honestly still make the biggest difference.
If the retailer leaves the installation unfinished or something goes wrong after the warranty period, a local specialist who has been repairing these machines for 15+ years is usually the quickest route back to a working kitchen or utility room.
Shop around and get the best service for the best price
