Shopping for appliances often requires a big investment.
While there are cheap brands and generic brands, they don’t always deliver the quality of service that you want.
More expensive brands like KitchenAid and JennAir come with higher prices, but they often deliver on better performance.
That said, you may find yourself considering a KitchenAid product and a JennAir product and wondering if one is better than the other.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between JennAir and KitchenAid.
JennAir Vs. KitchenAid (12 Differences Explained)
1. Single-Wall Ovens
One of the first differences to consider is when comparing their single-wall ovens to one another.
A standard JennAir single-wall oven comes in three sizes.
They include:
A standard KitchenAid single-wall oven comes in three sizes as well.
They include:
While both share many of the same sizes, KitchenAid offers the smallest size of single-wall ovens.
This makes KitchenAid a better choice for those who have smaller kitchens or rooms.
The major difference here is how large you want your single-wall oven to be.
If you have the space for it, then JennAir may be a better pick.
However, if you don’t have a lot of space to devote to a wall oven, then KitchenAid’s smallest oven might be the best option for you.
2. Smart Features On Single-Wall Ovens
Another distinct difference between JennAir and KitchenAid wall ovens is their smart features.
KitchenAid only offers one type of oven that has smart capabilities.
JennAir has two.
If you want a sophisticated kitchen, then JennAir has more options to offer you.
If you’re not as fussed about having smart technology in your kitchen, then KitchenAid will have more standard options for you.
3. Double-Wall Ovens
While both JennAir and KitchenAid each make various sizes for their single-wall ovens, things differ when it comes to their double-wall ovens.
JennAir only offers two sizes for their double-wall ovens.
These sizes include:
KitchenAid has three different sizes and styles from which homeowners can choose.
Those sizes include:
In terms of design, they’re very similar.
However, KitchenAid offers one more variety than JennAir when it comes to the size of the oven.
This gives homeowners the chance to customize their appliances a little bit more.
In terms of performance, however, they’re about the same.
In this instance, KitchenAid’s double-wall ovens have a slight edge over JennAir simply because they offer another model.
4. Price
One significant difference that buyers will notice when shopping between KitchenAid and JennAir is the price.
KitchenAid tends to be the cheaper option on its products than JennAir.
That’s because JennAir often offers additional features or better-quality materials.
While the performance still is about the same for both, you’ll likely get a bit more use out of your JennAir than your KitchenAid appliance.
The difference between the price point also changes.
In some instances, it may only be a $200 difference.
In others, it may be more than $500.
Buyers will need to determine whether JennAir’s better quality and features are worth the extra price.
5. Cooktops
It’s also worth examining the cooktops from both of these brands.
JennAir tends to market its cooktops for professional use rather than home use.
KitchenAid markets its cooktops for residential use.
The price points also demonstrate this.
JennAir’s cooktops tend to be more expensive.
The majority of them also use gas to power them.
KitchenAid has a few more options.
They have cooktops that can use either gas or electricity to power them.
You can also find induction cooktops by KitchenAid.
Both use similar materials to make their cooktops, but JennAir tends to include other components or features that professional chefs might find helpful.
The main difference between JennAir and KitchenAid cooktops has to do with their use.
JennAir markets itself towards professional chefs and restaurants.
KitchenAid markets itself towards standard homeowners or for residential use.
6. Customization
While both KitchenAid and JennAir offer some customization options, you’ll often find that JennAir offers more customizable options.
Because it leans towards a high-end market, JennAir wants to ensure that its products fit its customers perfectly.
That’s why you’ll often find JennAir products with a few add-ons or features that you can choose to include or not.
Their products allow you to customize certain aspects of it to ensure it offers what you need it to.
This is another reason JennAir tends to be popular among chefs.
They can customize their cooktops, for example, until it fits their needs perfectly.
Customization is minimal, but JennAir tends to offer more opportunities for it than KitchenAid.
7. Microwaves
There are a few differences between KitchenAid microwaves and JennAir microwaves.
KitchenAid tends to be cheaper when it comes to their microwaves.
That’s because they make classic microwaves without many gimmicks or options.
They aim to make a standard microwave that gets the job done and nothing more.
However, some KitchenAid microwaves come with a hood, too, for those who require such a setup.
JennAir, on the other hand, offers a few more options.
Their microwaves tend to be higher end.
They’re also more expensive.
One of the significant differences is that JennAir focuses on aesthetics.
JennAir knows that microwaves are one of the most visible appliances in the kitchen.
As a result, they want to make their microwaves look fantastic.
You’ll often find that JennAir produces more aesthetically pleasing microwaves than KitchenAid.
A final difference between KitchenAid and JennAir microwaves is the warming drawer.
KitchenAid doesn’t make microwaves that have a warming drawer.
JennAir does.
A warming drawer is helpful for those who want to keep their plate warm after it’s done heating up in the microwave.
It prevents them from needing to use the microwave again to reheat the plate later.
If you want a more sophisticated microwave, then JennAir is the brand to consider.
However, it does come at a higher price.
If you want a standard microwave at a cheaper price, then KitchenAid is your best option.
8. Professional Ranges
While both KitchenAid and JennAir offer professional ranges, JennAir tends to edge out the competition.
Its ranges offer more features and better quality than KitchenAid.
However, it also has a higher price point.
One of the main differences between their professional ranges is their finishes.
JennAir has some finishes that KitchenAid doesn’t.
They have a metal and noir finish that adds style to their range.
If your professional kitchen wants to deliver on performance and appearance, then the pricier JennAir may be the best option.
However, if you want suitable performance and don’t care how pretty the range looks, then KitchenAid will suit your needs.
You’ll also save money on the purchase.
9. Refrigerators
When shopping for refrigerators, one of the most important aspects of them is their interior capacity.
While a large refrigerator may seem like it can hold a lot, you may face some surprise when you open the door to find that it doesn’t have that much room inside.
This plays an even more important role when choosing between JennAir and KitchenAid.
One of the most popular fridges at KitchenAid is a French-door fridge with a 25⅛-inch interior.
The fridge, itself, is 30 cubic feet.
This is different from the standard JennAir fridge which measures about 24¾ inches in its interior.
You’ll find that JennAir’s refrigerators tend to have around a one-inch difference in terms of size.
Some are smaller than KitchenAid whereas others are larger.
The larger ones are more expensive.
It’s also worth noting about additional features like freezers.
JennAir’s refrigerators only have bottom freezers.
KitchenAid’s refrigerators offer side-by-side freezers and multi-door freestanding freezers, too.
The appearance of their freestanding fridges also differs.
JennAir tends to favor stainless steel finishes on all their freestanding refrigerators.
KitchenAid also uses stainless steel finishes, but some of them also use a black stealth finish for a higher price.
Both brands have similar features when it comes to water dispensers and exterior ice.
KitchenAid tends to put this feature on its side-by-side fridges.
In all, when considering a refrigerator from either KitchenAid or JennAir, you’ll want to consider size above everything else.
If you know that you’ll need a lot of space, then you’ll want to first look at KitchenAid.
They tend to have larger spaces at lower prices.
JennAir may offer a larger capacity with some of the fridges, but you can also expect to pay a higher price.
That higher price may be worth it, however, if you prefer your fridge to have a bottom freezer.
You’ll only find that available with JennAir fridges.
10. Dishwashers
Washing dishes by hand is tedious and takes valuable time away from other pursuits.
When deciding between KitchenAid and JennAir, one of the major differences you’ll notice immediately is the number of options available.
KitchenAid only has two different dishwashers available.
JennAir has six different dishwashers.
The good news is that both offer trash compactors on their dishwashers.
However, if you have a particular size or style that you like, then you’re more likely to find what you need with JennAir’s dishwashers.
They simply have more choices.
Another significant difference between KitchenAid and JennAir dishwashers is their noise level.
Most KitchenAid dishwashers run around 44 to 46 decibels.
JennAir’s tend to run at around 38 decibels.
If noise is a big problem that you want to limit, then you may want to consider a JennAir dishwasher.
11. Hoods And Vents
KitchenAid and JennAir don’t differ too much when it comes to their hoods and vents.
There is one distinguishing difference between them, however.
KitchenAid tens to make hoods and vents for residential and everyday use.
Their products are cheaper and of suitable quality for home use.
JennAir also produces hoods and vents for residential use, but they also make a professional line.
Their professional line of hoods and vents is more expensive, but they’re also made of higher quality materials.
If you want something professional in your home, then JennAir’s products are the ones to consider.
12. Different Histories
Although both companies are under the Whirlpool umbrella of brands now, both KitchenAid and JennAir started differently.
Lou Jenn has the credit for starting JennAir.
He discovered a means to include downward ventilation in his kitchen products that removed the need for a hood.
This inspired a new wave of architecture.
Designers were able to design kitchens the way they wanted instead of needing to rely on vented spaces.
The company got its start in 1947 and first used the name Jenn-Air Products Company.
It started in Indiana and focused on fans for various commercial and residential uses.
It would later start to develop various kitchen appliances.
Eventually, the company would sell to the Maytag Corporation in 1982.
Whirlpool would later buy Maytag and all the businesses under it.
One of the initial things the new corporation did was remove the hyphen in Jenn-Air to become JennAir.
Although JennAir continues to be its own unique brand, it exists under the Whirlpool Corporation.
That means many of its designs and features are shared by other brands under the umbrella.
KitchenAid has been around a lot longer than JennAir.
It got its start in 1919 with the release of the Model H-5.
It gained the reputation of being the best kitchen aid.
The product did everything from mixing to slicing and introduced a new way to cook at home.
It was in 1937 when KitchenAid really started to become a household name.
They released Model K which was another type of mixer.
This mixer had the bowl remain connected to the bottom to keep it from moving.
The shape of it would eventually become a trademark of KitchenAid.
Just before 1950, KitchenAid started to dip its toes into other appliances.
In 1949, it released its first dishwasher.
Over the next few decades, it’d go on to release other appliances like refrigerators and various mixers.
In 2008, KitchenAid released its next big product.
It featured a cooktop that used induction heating instead of gas.
Finally, in 2019, KitchenAid celebrated its 100th anniversary.
It’s also worth noting that Whirlpool bought KitchenAid in 1986.
As such, KitchenAid has been under the Whirlpool umbrella longer than JennAir.
What Are The Similarities Between KitchenAid And JennAir?
While there are a few things that differ between the two brands, they’re actually more similar than they are different.
That’s because they’re both owned by Whirlpool.
Since they’re owned by the same corporation, both companies tend to create similar products with few differences.
The main differences between them have to do with size, quality, and features.
That said, here are a few similarities between JennAir and KitchenAid.
1. Same Appliances
One of the biggest similarities between KitchenAid and JennAir is the fact that they sell the same appliances.
You’ll find refrigerators, microwaves, and dishwashers from both brands.
They also may look about the same and offer similar performance.
Their designs come from Whirlpool, so both brands often look eerily similar in their various products.
2. Price Point
Although JennAir does tend to be more expensive than KitchenAid, they are in the same ballpark.
A lot of their prices also overlap.
The cheaper version of a JennAir product may be the same price as a more expensive version of a KitchenAid product.
When it does come to price differences, the difference can be so minimal as to be nonexistent.
3. Finishes
While many KitchenAid and JennAir products have special finishes, they also share many of the same ones.
Stainless steel finishes are present in both brands.
After incorporation into Whirlpool, the company also discontinued some unique finishes.
Both JennAir and KitchenAid once had porcelain finishes on some of their products.
Whirlpool switched them out to stainless steel.
In most cases, you’ll find that both KitchenAid and JennAir have the same finishes.
What You Should Consider Before Buying A KitchenAid Or JennAir Product
Besides the differences between the two, there are a few things you should keep in mind before buying an appliance from either of them.
One of them is discounts.
KitchenAid tends to offer more discounts on its products than JennAir.
If you want to maximize your savings, then KitchenAid should be the first place you shop.
Another thing to consider is the aesthetics of both JennAir and KitchenAid.
Although they’re very similar, each of them has slight differences in their design.
It’s best not to mix the two brands if you want to have a cohesive kitchen.
A final thing to consider is power usage.
KitchenAid tends to use less power than JennAir because JennAir delivers slightly better performance.
It needs more power to deliver that performance.
If you want to keep your electrical costs down, then you may want to consider KitchenAid over JennAir.
Conclusion
Although KitchenAid and JennAir both fall under the Whirlpool Corporation umbrella, there are a few subtle differences between them.
JennAir tends to be more expensive but also comes with more features and better performance.
KitchenAid is cheaper but also has a few advantages on things like size and color variation.
When shopping for kitchen appliances, you should consider the price, appearance, and energy requirements for both brands to consider the best options for your home.
The post JennAir Vs. KitchenAid (12 Differences Explained) appeared first on The Cold Wire.
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