Kitchenaid vs Whirlpool: Which Brand Is Better for Your Home?

When shopping for appliances, you come across many brands, with KitchenAid and Whirlpool being among the most popular. While both offer a wide range of dishwashers, refrigerators, and cooking appliances, you may be wondering which one is better. 

Consumers also often ask: Are Whirlpool and KitchenAid the same? This article provides a detailed assessment of Whirlpool vs KitchenAid regarding customer service, ownership, product range, quality, prices, warranty, and policies. 

Below is a comparison of KitchenAid vs. Whirlpool as rated and reviewed on PissedConsumer.com.

Number of KitchenAid reviews – 1.3K	Number of Whirlpool reviews – 2.5K
KitchenAid rating* – 1.7 ⭐⭐	Whirlpool rating* – 1.6 ⭐⭐
Claimed losses – $1.2M	Claimed losses – $1.8M
Successful calls – 8%/2.5K	Successful calls – 7%/4.8K
Resolved issues – 13	Resolved issues – 38

Key Insights

• KitchenAid operated as an independent company from its incorporation in 1919 until 1986, when Whirlpool Corporation bought it.
• KitchenAid and Whirlpool's range of products are similar in the category of kitchen appliances such as cookers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, cooker tops, microwaves, etc.
• When considering KitchenAid vs. Whirlpool, the former emphasizes premium features and design, while the latter focuses more on reliability and affordability.
• Both Whirlpool and KitchenAid offer flexible return and cancellation policies. You can cancel your order up to 72 hours before the scheduled delivery time and return a product in new condition within 15 days from the date of shipment for any reason. 

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool Customer Service: Which Is Good?

As reported on our review platform, customers reach out to both KitchenAid and Whirlpool for various reasons including seeking product information, returns and replacements, how to make payments for orders, wrongful charges, tracking orders, and information on parts among others. While the two companies state on their website that they are ready to help their customers, they both have a 1-star rating on customer service.

The most common Whirlpool and KitchenAid complaints include:

• Difficulty getting through to the customer service representatives via phone characterized by being put on hold for up to an hour;
• Unhelpful responses;
• Rude customer service representatives.

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool customer service contacts

KitchenAid customer service can be reached via phone, mail, and live chat. The company provides various contact information depending on the product category you are reaching out about.    

KitchenAid phone numbers:

• Major appliances and microwaves: 1(800)422-1230;
• Countertop appliances, kitchenware, and kitchen tools: 1(800)541-6390;
• Commercial countertop appliances: 1(800)584-4315.

Similarly, the Whirlpool customer service can be reached via phone, live chat, and mail. The company also provides a contact form that you can fill to reach out to the Whirlpool customer service via email.

Whirlpool phone number by location:

• For customers in the US: 1-866-698-2538;
• For customers in Canada: 1-800-807-6777.

You can also reach out to Whirlpool customer service for KitchenAid issues through the phone numbers provided above. The KitchenAid and Whirlpool phone numbers are open Monday to Friday between 8.00 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

Both KitchenAid and Whirlpool have help centers where you can find product manuals and answers to the most common customer questions.

Comparing Whirlpool vs KitchenAid customer service calls, out of 4.8K calls made to Whirlpool customer service so far, only 7% of customers had their issues resolved. The average hold time is 3 minutes, with a call duration of about 5 minutes.

On the other hand, out of 2.5K total calls made to KitchenAid customer service so far, only 8% of customers had their issues resolved. The average hold time is much longer - 30 minutes although the average call duration is within a similar range to that of Whirlpool.

Although the Whirlpool and KitchenAid phone numbers are readily available, customers are not always able to get through to a live person. This was the case reported in this Whirlpool review:

I have tried over and over to get a live person on your customer service phone lines, at a couple of different numbers you show to call, and all I get are recordings, recordings! How can I speak to a live person?? 

Are KitchenAid and Whirlpool the Same?

Whirlpool Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that has been in the market for over 100 years and has established itself as one of the top manufacturers and distributors of home appliances. The company was started in 1911 by Benton Harbor.

When you compare KitchenAid and Whirlpool, keep in mind that both companies are part of the Whirlpool corporation brands among others such as JennAir, Amana, Bauknecht, Indesit, Brastemp, Hotpoint, Consul, Gladiator, Hotpoint, Everydrop, Maytag, Jennair, Acros, Diqua, Yummly, and Affresh.

KitchenAid was started in 1919 by the Hobart Manufacturing company as a stand mixers manufacturing company. The H-5 model was the first in the market of its kind. In 1930, KitchenAid     made an improved model of the stand mixer, the model K, which is trademarked and distributed to emerging markets. Since then, the KitchenAid fundamental design of the model has barely changed but the company continues to make a few adjustments to the product to make it compatible and competitive with other modern appliances.

KitchenAid’s second product line was the dishwasher that they introduced in the market in 1949. In 1985, KitchenAid brand, purchased the Chambers Company to add cookers as part of their brand. In 1986, Whirlpool bought the KitchenAid brand and in the same year introduced refrigerators to the KitchenAid.  In the mid-1990s, KitchenAid also started manufacturing blenders and other small appliances.

Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands distribute a wide range of products including cookers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, cooker tops, microwaves, icemakers, water filters, and more. The main difference between KitchenAid vs Whirlpool is that Whirlpool is popular for their washers and dryers which KitchenAid does not have. Whereas KitchenAid uniquely distributes stand mixers.

Whirlpool vs KitchenAid Appliances: Which Is Better?

While the Whirlpool Corporation owns both the Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands, these companies are also competitors in the same product categories.

On PissedConsumer, customers are generally dissatisfied with both brands. KitchenAid has a 1.7-star rating while Whirlpool has 1.6 stars. While Whirlpool is ranked 766 of 3489 in the appliances and electronics category, KitchenAid is ranked at 130 of 569 in the Kitchen and cooking category.

The top reviews are in regards to the KitchenAid range, mixers, and other appliances. Similarly, there are numerous complaints and questions in regards to the Whirlpool range, washer, dryer, and kitchen appliances.

KitchenAid and Whirlpool appliances pros and cons

Whirlpool and KitchenAid appliances have similar pros and cons as brought out in the various reviews. Customers like that the brands offer a wide range of products at different price points. Conversely, many customers express frustration with KitchenAid’s and Whirlpool’s poor customer service and failure to honor warranty and return claims.

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool Prices

Customers often wonder: Is Kitchenaid better than Whirlpool in terms of prices? From our research we found out that both companies offer a wide range of products for each category at different price ranges. However, KitchenAid appliances are generally higher priced than Whirlpool appliances. Comparatively, KitchenAid products have a better quality and fancier finish than Whirlpool products hence the higher price range. With that said, you can still find mid-range prices for different categories of KitchenAid products.

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool Return, Refund, and Warranty

Whirlpool and KitchenAid return, refund, and cancellation policies are similar. For you to be able to seek a KitchenAid or Whirlpool return, or cancellation, you must have bought the product online via Kitchenaid.com and Whirlpool.com respectively. Otherwise, reach out to the retailer where you bought the product from.

Whirlpool vs KitchenAid return policy

The KitchenAid and Whirlpool return policy stipulate that you may return a product that is in new condition, for any reason, within 15 days from the date of shipment. You will be refunded for the product price but not delivery, shipping, and service fees.

Source: KitchenAid return policy

You can return products that were delivered damaged within 30 calendar days of receipt either for a refund or an exchange. If you return for exchange, you will not be charged any additional delivery, shipping, or service fees.

If there is a price difference between the returned item and the new item, the difference will either be charged or credited to your card. For Whirlpool or KitchenAid returns, you will get the full product price but not delivery, shipping, or service fees. Alternatively, you may opt to schedule for a repair of the damaged product instead of returning or exchanging it by contacting customer service.

Source: Whirlpool return policy

If you are dissatisfied with your product for other reasons, you may return it within 30 calendar days. The return policies indicate that you will be charged a 15% restocking minimum of $50. In this case, you will not be refunded for the delivery, shipping, and service fees.

The KitchenAid return policy notes that personalized items, engraved products, refurbished products, discontinued products, and free gifts are non-refundable and non-returnable unless they were delivered damaged.

Source: KitchenAid return policy

To initiate your return, call the respective company via their phone numbers provided above to request a shipping label. You will be required to provide your order number and product serial number. If you are eligible for a refund, the refundable amount will be issued to the card you used to pay for your order within two weeks of the returned product being received at the warehouse.

In a Whirlpool refrigerator review, the item that the customer received was missing some parts. The customer reached out to the company to have the missing parts sent which was done at an extra cost of $400. However, the parts that were sent did not fit on the fridge and they had to return them for exchange. They have since reached out to Whirlpool but the representatives say that they did not receive the parts and won’t be able to send other parts.

Both Whirlpool and KitchenAid warranty policies stipulate that you can reach out to them for repair services after the 30-days return period has lapsed. The KitchenAid warranty policy is specific to the given product. You should check your product manual for warranty terms. On the other hand, the Whirlpool warranty provides coverage for 1 year against defects and part replacements on major appliances.

However, according to Whirlpool and KitchenAid reviews, making warranty claims can be cumbersome, and neither brand always stands behind its products.

For example, in one of the Whirlpool complaints, the customer indicated that various components of their 5-month-old washer were not working. It was challenging getting warranty assistance through Whirlpool phone numbers as the reviewer kept getting a different person each time:

Going thru the warranty process was at least 5 hours on the phone... Wrong information was given multiple times…Theyll only pay up to 200.00 in labor and the labor is 336.

Similarly, in this KitchenAid review, the reviewer explained that their 9-month-old stainless steel KitchenAid dishwasher was rusting at the steam vent. Upon contacting the KitchenAid customer service, the representatives were rude and slow. The warrant claim was categorized as “cosmetic,” and the company declined to cover repairs:

My all attempts (call to CS, supervisor, facebook, email) asking them to waive off service fee for my new appliance, which still under warranty is falling on deaf ears.

Whirlpool vs KitchenAid cancellation policy

You can cancel your Whirlpool and KitchenAid orders up to 72 hours before the scheduled delivery time. To cancel your order, call one of Whirlpool and KitchenAid phone numbers with your order number in hand.

If you need to cancel within 72 hours of the scheduled delivery date, you will need to initiate a return as per the respective return policies.

Source: Whirlpool return policy

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool: Which to Choose?

Is KitchenAid better than Whirlpool? That comes down to what you are looking for. For washers and dryers, Whirlpool is the brand to go to whereas KitchenAid is renowned for their stand mixers. Regarding the product categories that both companies offer, consumers report that KitchenAid has better quality but the products are pricier. On PissedConsumer, both companies have almost similar ratings and complaints. When deciding between the two brands it is best to compare the product specification and prices against your needs and budget, then make a decision.

What has been your experience with KitchenAid vs Whirlpool? You may leave a review and share your consumer insights with others. 

*The company ratings on the PissedConsumer website are calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the company’s profile. The algorithm parameters are: users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company responses and more. The PissedConsumer algorithm is also subject to change in the future.