Is It Cheaper to Buy Kitchen Appliances with the Kitchen or Separately?
If you’re about to buy a new kitchen, you’ll probably be offered a full package — cabinetry, worktops, installation and appliances — from your kitchen supplier.
It’s convenient, but is it really the best deal? Or could you save hundreds (sometimes thousands) by sourcing your appliances separately through a specialist retailer?
Here’s the honest breakdown so you can make a decision that works for your budget and your build.
Buying Kitchen Appliances with the Kitchen
When you buy through your kitchen supplier (whether it’s a national brand like Howdens, Magnet, or a bespoke studio), the appliances are often bundled into your main kitchen quote.
Why people go this route:
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One contract, one point of contact — you don’t have to manage multiple suppliers.
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Stress-free installation — the fitter knows exactly what’s coming and when.
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Finance simplicity — appliances are covered under the same payment plan as the rest of the kitchen.
The potential downsides:
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Smaller selection — you’re limited to the brands and models the supplier carries.
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Discount illusions — kitchen suppliers often use the high margins on furniture to create the appearance of big savings on appliances. They may quietly inflate cabinet or fitting costs (which are hard to price-check) and use that extra margin to “discount” appliances (which are easy to compare). When you look up the appliance prices elsewhere, it seems like you’re getting a bargain — but in reality, you may still be paying a premium overall.
Buying Kitchen Appliances Separately from a Specialist Retailer
This means visiting an independent appliance retailer (online or in-store), building your own quote, and securing a package deal — often called a “multibuy discount” in the appliance world. Typically, this works out to around 5% off the total price of your chosen appliances.
Why it can save you money:
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Bigger choice — from budget to premium, and across multiple brands.
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Transparent pricing — you can check prices online and compare across retailers instantly.
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No tricks — appliance retailers don’t have the big margins that kitchen suppliers do, so any discount is genuine rather than hidden behind inflated furniture prices.
The trade-offs:
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Extra coordination — you need to align delivery with your fitter’s schedule.
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Separate finance — you’ll have one payment plan for the kitchen and another for appliances (if using finance).
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Storage issues — unless the appliance retailer offers free storage, you may be forced to accept the appliances before they can be fitted, so you’ll need somewhere safe to keep them.
Why RDO Is a Popular Choice for Appliance Suites
If you’re planning to buy your appliances independently, choosing the right retailer makes a huge difference.
At RDO, we are the UK’s best-rated kitchen appliance retailer on Trustpilot. We specialise in creating tailored multibuy appliance packages, offering exceptional value when purchasing in bulk. Our experts help you choose the right products first time, ensuring everything fits your design, specification and budget. With flexible nationwide delivery and coordinated support throughout your project, we make sourcing your kitchen appliances straightforward and stress-free.
We offer:
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Competitive bulk discounts when you purchase 2 or more appliances together
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Over 6,000 appliances from brands including Bosch, Neff, Miele, Samsung, Liebherr, and many more
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Expert advice on choosing models that go together and meet your needs
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Flexible storage, so we can hold your items until your fitter needs them
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Installation options and removal of old appliances
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Nationwide delivery
- Best-in-class after-sales support
This gives you the flexibility and transparent pricing of buying separately, along with the support and coordination you’d expect from a kitchen supplier — but without the premium price tag.
How to Decide Which Works Best
Ask yourself:
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Is convenience worth more than choice?
If you want one company to handle everything, the kitchen supplier wins. If you’re picky about models or specs, a specialist retailer gives you more freedom. -
Do you have time to shop around?
If yes, you should do your research by collecting multiple quotes and, if possible, holding out for seasonal sales — the best months to buy appliances are November, January and April. -
What’s your installer’s preference?
Some fitters prefer to work with appliances supplied by the kitchen company; others are fine fitting anything you provide.
Quick FAQs
Do kitchen companies overcharge for appliances?
Not always, but their prices are often higher than specialist retailers for the same models.
When’s the best time to buy appliances?
Post-Christmas, Easter, and Black Friday are the big appliance sale periods in the UK.
Can I still get the same warranty if I buy separately?
Yes — your warranty is with the manufacturer, not the retailer. Just keep proof of purchase.
Bottom line
If getting the best price or widest choice is your priority, sourcing appliances separately from a specialist retailer is often the cheaper route — particularly when buying several items at once. But if you’d rather have one point of contact and keep admin to a minimum, bundling them with your kitchen may be worth paying a little extra for.
