What brand of appliances last the longest? Top picks for durable kitchen and laundry appliances

How many times have you bought a new fridge, oven, or washing machine only to see it break down two years later? You’re not alone. In Brisbane, where humidity and heat take a toll on appliances, people are tired of replacing things every few years. The real question isn’t just what brand of appliances last the longest-it’s how to pick one that won’t leave you stranded with a broken cooker or a leaking dishwasher when you need it most.

Appliances that last don’t just cost more-they’re built differently

Not all appliances are created equal. Two fridges might look identical on the shelf, but one could last 15 years while the other gives out after six. The difference comes down to materials, motor quality, and how the manufacturer designs for repairability. Brands that build for longevity don’t cut corners on the parts you can’t see-the bearings, the wiring, the compressor.

Take a look at the average lifespan of common household appliances based on repair data from Australian service logs between 2020 and 2025:

Notice a pattern? The same names keep showing up: Bosch, Miele, LG, and Speed Queen. These aren’t the cheapest options, but they’re the ones repair technicians see again and again-still running after 15 years. Meanwhile, budget brands often fail because they use plastic gears instead of metal, thin steel casings, and motors designed for 5-year lifespans.

Why Miele and Bosch dominate the longevity list

Miele and Bosch aren’t just popular-they’re engineered for endurance. Miele, a German brand, uses stainless steel drums in their washing machines and ceramic-coated heating elements in ovens. Their motors are tested for 20,000 hours of use-roughly 20 years of daily operation. That’s not marketing fluff. It’s a real lab standard they publish.

Bosch takes a similar approach. Their dishwashers have a stainless steel tub that resists rust even in salty coastal air. Their ovens use double-glazed doors that stay cool to the touch and don’t warp over time. You won’t find a Bosch oven with a plastic control panel-those always crack after a few years. Instead, they use glass touch controls that don’t degrade with heat.

Both brands also design for repair. You can buy replacement parts directly from them-even for models 15 years old. Many cheaper brands stop making parts after five years, forcing you to replace the whole unit. That’s why technicians in Brisbane always say: if it’s a Miele or Bosch, it’s worth fixing.

Speed Queen: The American workhorse that outlasts everything

If you’ve ever seen a laundromat with a washer that’s been running since 2008, it’s probably a Speed Queen. These machines are built like tanks. They use commercial-grade motors, heavy-duty bearings, and steel frames that don’t flex under load. They’re not pretty-they’re functional. And that’s exactly why they last.

Homeowners who buy Speed Queen washers and dryers often report 20+ years of use. One customer in Redcliffe replaced her Speed Queen washer in 2023 after 22 years. She didn’t buy it because it was stylish. She bought it because her mother had the same model since 1995.

The catch? Speed Queen isn’t sold in every appliance store. You usually have to order through a specialist dealer. But if you want a washing machine that won’t quit, this is the one.

What to avoid: Brands that break fast

Not all budget brands are bad. But some consistently show up on repair logs as the ones that fail quickest. Brands like Hotpoint, Daewoo, and some generic Australian store brands (like those sold under supermarket labels) have failure rates two to three times higher than top-tier brands.

Why? They use:

• Plastic drum bearings that crack under heat and weight
• Thin-gauge steel that rusts in humid kitchens
• Low-cost control boards that fry from voltage spikes
• Non-replaceable heating elements that mean replacing the whole oven

One technician in Ipswich told me he fixed a $400 Daewoo oven three times in 18 months. The third time, he just handed the customer a $1,200 Bosch quote and said, “This one will outlive your kids.” He was right.

How to spot a long-lasting appliance before you buy

You don’t need to be an engineer to tell if an appliance is built to last. Here’s what to look for:

1. Stainless steel interior-not just the door. Check the drum, tub, and cavity lining.
2. Weight-heavier appliances usually mean more metal and less plastic. Pick it up if you can.
3. Motor type-brushless DC motors last longer than brushed AC motors. Look for “inverter” or “direct drive” in the specs.
4. Warranty length-brands confident in their build offer 10-year warranties on key parts. Miele and Bosch do. Budget brands offer 1-2 years.
5. Parts availability-search for the model number + “replacement parts.” If you can’t find them, the appliance won’t last.

Also, check the energy label. Appliances with a 5-star rating often have better components because they need to be more efficient over time. A 4-star appliance might save you $10 a year on power, but if it breaks in 5 years, you’ve lost more than $1,000 in replacements.

Why repairability matters more than price

Buying a $1,200 oven that lasts 20 years costs $60 a year. Buying a $600 oven that lasts 6 years costs $100 a year. That’s not even counting the hassle, the temporary rental cooker, or the time spent shopping again.

And here’s the kicker: if you buy a durable brand, repairs are cheap. A Miele oven’s heating element costs $80 and takes an hour to replace. A budget oven’s element might cost $120-but you can’t buy it separately. You have to replace the whole control board, which costs $400. Suddenly, your “cheap” buy isn’t cheap anymore.

That’s why technicians in Brisbane always say: “Buy once, cry once.” Spend more upfront, fix it when it breaks, and keep using it for decades.

Real-world example: The Brisbane family that never replaced their cooker

A couple in Toowong bought a Miele cooktop and oven set in 2007. In 2019, the oven’s thermostat started acting up. They called a repair tech. The fix? A $95 thermostat replacement. The oven’s still running today. In 2025, they added a new dishwasher-also a Miele. Their fridge? A 2003 Samsung that still works fine.

They didn’t buy the most expensive set. They bought the most reliable. And they’ve saved over $8,000 in replacements over 18 years.

Final advice: Don’t chase trends. Chase durability.

Smartphones get replaced every two years. TVs get upgraded for 4K, then 8K. But your oven? Your fridge? Your washing machine? These are the appliances you use every day, for decades. Don’t treat them like disposable gadgets.

If you’re replacing a cooker, fridge, or washer, pick a brand with a track record. Stick with Miele, Bosch, Speed Queen, or LG. Skip the flashy features you don’t need. Focus on build quality, repairability, and real-world lifespan.

And if your current appliance is still working? Don’t replace it just because it’s old. Fix it. Clean it. Maintain it. A well-cared-for Bosch oven from 2010 is still better than a cheap new one.