KBIS, the sprawling kitchen and bath show in Orlando, was flush with industry firsts. The mega showcase drew heavy hitters — GE, LG, Samsung, Sharp — all with something new to say about large appliances. We were there, talking to the people who built it, to bring you the full picture.
The next generation of fridges, ovens, dishwashers and laundry systems was on display, featuring new features and intelligent design intended to make daily chores a little less painful.
Here are the 10 standout large appliance upgrades from KBIS 2026.
1. Golden Heater, a new quick cooking technology
It’s not every year we get a new type of cooking technology. Sharp’s new Celerity oven features “Golden Heater” technology that fuses microwave, true convection and infrared heat to cook food three times faster than a standard oven. We tasted cookies baked in just 9 minutes — something that would normally take 15. The result? They were as good as Grandma’s.
2. Fridge barcode scanner for easy grocery list making
This technology was first unveiled at CES but GE Profile was on hand at KBIS to showcase its proprietary grocery barcode-scanning fridge.
The smart fridge features a small scanner on the front door that lets you scan groceries as you run low. From there, you can add them to a list on your phone or buy directly through the brand’s Instacart integration.
3. Oven doneness detectors
Oven manufacturers have been ratcheting up the smarts, too. Ovens have had cameras for a while but more innovative algorithms are learning to use them better. Doneness detectors, which monitor the food as it cooks for signs of browning and alert you when it’s getting close, are designed to prevent burning and overcooking.
KitchenAid, LG and Sharp are just a few of the kitchen brands that are integrating a doneness detector into their upcoming ovens.
4. Bottle and straw washers
One of our favorite upgrades was Midea’s straw washing station in its new washing machines, set for release this year. Straws are notoriously tricky to clean, but this dedicated spot on the bottom rack shoots water directly into your reusable straws, ridding them of grime, mold and other buildup.
5. Built-in basket to save your sweaters
Whirlpool unveiled the industry-first built-in delicates basket. A simple design that allows you to wash delicate sweaters and shirts with a regular load.
The basket keeps those items free from the hard pummeling that happens in a standard wash. It’s also good for keeping socks together, so matching is easier when it’s time to fold.
6. Nugget ice maker for the fridge
With all the enthusiasm around nugget ice, it’s hard to believe we’re just now getting our first fridge with a built-in nugget ice maker. Whirlpool’s latest release pumps out crunchy, chewable ice from a front dispenser and standard cubed ice from the bottom freezer.
7. Washing machine UV cleaning
While this one struck me as a little gimmicky, Whirlpool has introduced the world’s first UV-cleaning washing machine, which blasts clothes during a standard wash to kill bacteria.
The point of UV cleaning is to combat bacteria without using scalding hot water, which can be harsh on fabrics over time.
8. A built-in sous vide tank
Sous vide cooking has been adopted by home cooks and pro chefs alike. The low-and-slow water bath typically requires specialized equipment, but SKS’s new feature-rich stove has a sous vide tank built into the cooktop.
The catch? The stove, which has gas and induction burners and loads of other innovative features, costs a whopping $12,000.
9. Bottom dishwasher rack that flips up for easy loading
Kenmore’s soon-to-be-released dishwasher features a straightforward update that makes loading and unloading a breeze. The bottom rack slides out and flips up to the same height as the top rack. It’s sure to be a welcome innovation for those with back problems or mobility issues.
10. Smart AutoFill water dispensers
Fridges are getting smarter and that includes the water spouts. We saw multiple fridges, including those from GE and KitchenAid, with intelligent autofill technologies that use cameras or weight sensors to determine exactly how much water to fill in a bottle or glass. When it’s 90% full, the water stops, allowing you to walk away.
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