For dishwashers buy the one that is low noise. The new small ovens that do it all are great but a royal pain to keep clean. I buy the smallest microwave I can find. We only use it to heat food or make popcorn. I buy new countertop appliances every so often. The energy savings get better every year on them. I don't wait for the old one to break. When it starts looking grungy, I get another one. And the new ones are always cheaper the the one I bought before! My thinking is all major brands of appliance work the same, it's the extras and looks that are different. I'm looking for a new fridge. The one I have is too big, now that the kids are out of the house.