Best Buy ranked highest among appliance retailers in J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study, a result that gives retailers a clearer view of what shoppers value when appliance prices are still rising.
J.D. Power said Best Buy scored 726 on a 1,000-point scale, followed by Costco at 716 and The Home Depot at 714. The study said overall retailer satisfaction rose from a year earlier even though the average appliance purchase price increased by $54.
What Best Buy Did Better
The study measures satisfaction with appliance retailers across several parts of the purchase experience, not just sticker price. For appliance dealers, the useful lesson is that customers still reward service, selection, delivery experience and a clear shopping process even when price pressure is high.
That is especially important for major appliances, where a purchase often includes measuring, haul-away, installation, financing, delivery windows and warranty decisions. A refrigerator or washer sale is rarely only a box on a shelf.
Price Pressure Did Not Kill Satisfaction
The finding that satisfaction improved despite higher average prices suggests consumers may tolerate higher appliance costs when the buying process feels controlled. That does not mean price is unimportant. It means the retailer’s job is to reduce uncertainty around the rest of the transaction.
For independent dealers, the ranking is less a verdict on one chain than a benchmark. Clear product comparisons, honest delivery expectations and installation guidance can matter as much as a temporary promotion, especially for shoppers replacing a failed appliance under time pressure.
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What Shoppers Should Take From the Study
Consumers should compare more than the advertised price. A lower appliance price can be erased by delivery fees, haul-away charges, missed installation requirements or a return policy that does not fit the urgency of the replacement.
The best retailer for a specific household may still depend on location, inventory and installation needs. J.D. Power’s results point to Best Buy as the highest-scoring national retailer in the study, but shoppers should still confirm total installed cost and service expectations before ordering.
