Consumer Reports has released its annual list of poor-performing home appliances in its report titled “25 of the Worst Products of 2025.” This year, it identified a range of items that failed to meet consumer expectations, including dishwashers, microwaves, and cleaning devices. The report emphasizes that while many products excel, others disappoint significantly, leaving consumers with subpar experiences.
Among the appliances highlighted, the Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW dishwasher stands out for its inability to properly clean and dry dishes. Priced at $430, it was expected to deliver reliable performance. However, user reviews on Lowe’s, where it has an average rating of 3.7 stars from over 2,500 reviews, reflect concerns over its cleaning capabilities. Consumers report that dishes often remain dirty and wet after cycles, despite the model’s easy installation and use.
The GoWise USA Deluxe GW44800 toaster oven, retailing for $107.25, also performed poorly according to Consumer Reports. Despite offering 15 cooking functions, including air frying and dehydrating, it received criticism for its baking and toasting effectiveness. On Amazon, it maintains an average rating of 4.2 stars from nearly 12,000 reviews, yet users have pointed out issues with uneven cooking and unintuitive controls.
The GE Profile PEM31SFSS microwave oven, priced at $550, has faced scrutiny for its inadequate heating performance. With an average rating of 3.9 stars based on over 1,000 reviews, customers frequently cite its hard-to-read keypad and slow heating times as major drawbacks.
Another disappointing entry is the Hamilton Beach 6 Speed 64655 stand mixer, which is priced at $62.95. This mixer has an average rating of 4.1 stars on Amazon after nearly 8,000 reviews. While it serves as both a stand mixer and a hand mixer, users have reported significant vibration during operation and ineffective mixing performance.
The Shark S1000 steam mop received the lowest score among household appliances in the report, despite its retail price of $69.99. According to Consumer Reports, it failed to effectively clean surfaces, with user reviews revealing mixed opinions. On Amazon, it has garnered over 62,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.3 stars, although many customers noted issues with durability and power cord length.
For pet owners, the Hoover SmartWash Pet Complete FH53000PC carpet cleaner is priced at $319.99 but reportedly lacks the power to remove tough stains effectively. While it enjoys a solid rating of 4.3 stars from over 29,000 reviews on Amazon, complaints about its durability and performance contrast sharply with Consumer Reports’ findings.
The Lefant M210 robot vacuum, retailing at $199.99, is designed for minimal intervention but is limited to cleaning bare floors effectively. With an average rating of 4.1 stars based on nearly 16,000 reviews, users have criticized its performance on carpets and the size of its dirt bin.
Consumer Reports also evaluated the Black+Decker LSW40C leaf blower, which, despite its quiet operation, struggles to clear leaves effectively. Priced at $129, it has an average rating of 4.0 stars on Amazon, with complaints regarding its power and battery life.
Lastly, the Worx WG779 lawn mower is marketed as a convenient battery-powered option for $299.99. However, it faces challenges with mulching and bagging clippings, and its runtime is limited to about 25 minutes. Reviewers on Amazon have rated it at 4.1 stars, praising its durability but highlighting performance issues in thicker grass.
In compiling the list of worst home appliances, Consumer Reports focused on products that received low scores in evaluations and had at least 1,000 ratings across e-commerce platforms. This approach ensures that the highlighted issues are reflective of widespread consumer experiences rather than isolated incidents.
