Panel Ready Dishwasher Vs Panel Ready Fridge: Which Should You Splurge On?

There are a lot of things to consider when buying new kitchen appliances. What's your budget? How much space does your family need? Do you have brand preferences? Which features are must-haves? Since they're among the largest appliances you'll buy, when you're in the market for a new refrigerator or dishwasher, it's also important to consider the overall look. While basic black and white models, or shiny stainless steel ones, can become strong focal points, panel-ready appliances are designed to blend in. According to Drew Leeland, an appliance expert for Frontdoor with 25 years of field experience supporting Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, and Samsung, because panel-ready appliances tend to be larger, higher quality, and longer lasting than standard appliances, they're often worth the higher price.

"Panel-ready appliances are appliance models that have a blank front panel made to be covered with a custom-made panel to match a kitchen's existing or new cabinetry, therefore disguising them," Leeland told House Digest during an exclusive interview. The appliance expert said they're typically found in higher-end builds or remodels. "Many times, these homes have custom-built cabinetry to accommodate these types of appliances," he explained. Although standard appliances work in most homes, Leeland believes transitioning to panel-ready appliances is a good option for your kitchen during a remodeling project, as long as you're willing to do a little planning work ahead of time. He said it's worth the effort. "The look of these appliances is a very desired aesthetic upgrade to any home and can significantly increase a home's value."

Although there are some design hacks to make your dishwasher match your kitchen cabinets, buying a panel-ready dishwasher makes the process a lot easier. During his exclusive interview with House Digest, Drew Leeland said there are both pros and cons you should consider. "Aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal, [panel-ready dishwashers] tend to be of higher quality and built to last longer." Because of these traits, the appliance expert said you're less likely to need service on a panel-ready unit than a standard appliance. But even if you do, you should be covered. "They generally have a longer manufacturing warranty, which gives the homeowner more peace of mind when a repair needs to be scheduled," Leeland explained, adding that any service will be similar to that performed on a standard appliance because they are installed the same way.

But like all good things, you get what you pay for, and panel-ready dishwashers do tend to be more expensive. "The installation cost could be much higher due to the size of the appliance and cabinetry requirements," Leeland said, adding that because they are built into cabinets, panel-ready dishwashers typically have a larger capacity than standard ones. This also makes them heavier. "When attaching a large panel to anything, significant weight is added to the door, which, over time, can tax hinges and linkages. Replacement of outer panels can be costly if damaged." According to Leeland, you should expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for a panel-ready dishwasher.

"Personally, I would splurge on a panel-ready fridge, as this is quite a noticeable upgrade and will drastically increase the value and aesthetic of the kitchen," Drew Leeland told House Digest during his exclusive interview. The appliance expert said the pros and cons are extremely similar to those of a panel-ready dishwasher. "The quality and technology employed by these units are also superior and are justified by the higher cost," he explained. Leeland also said panel-ready refrigerators can be ideal for larger families or homes with multiple occupants due to their larger size. 

Choosing the right refrigerator for your kitchen can be a challenge, and there are some downsides to panel-ready models. Leeland said to expect even higher installation and cabinetry costs than a dishwasher "due to the sheer size." He also warned that service calls can be much more complicated. "If there is a need for service, panel-ready refrigerators may need to be uninstalled from the cabinetry, which can create the risk that flooring or cabinets are damaged." The cost of the unit itself is also significantly more than many standard fridges. 

According to Leeland, a panel-ready refrigerator "can range anywhere from $1,500 on the low end to more than $15,000 on the higher end and even more if a top-tier brand is desired." Since the average refrigerator lasts nearly 15 years, it's important to do your research to make the best possible investment. There are many highly-rated refrigerators that are worth every penny.