The lifespan of large appliances is shrinking
Large household appliances and even everyday devices appear to be failing sooner, with many users reporting fridges, washers, and electronics that die in just a few years compared with decades-long lifespans in the past. Commenters attribute this to a mix of planned obsolescence, globalization, complex “smart” features, and the rising cost of repair relative to cheap mass manufacturing, while noting that truly durable, serviceable products still exist but are hard to identify and often expensive. Some point to stronger warranty laws and right-to-repair regulation in places like Norway and Quebec as promising ways to realign incentives toward longevity and reduce environmental waste.
Perceived Decline in Appliance Quality
- Many commenters report newer appliances (and even small devices like toothbrushes) failing after just a few years or months.
- Older fridges, freezers, washers, and mixers from mid‑20th century are cited as still working, reinforcing a sense that “they don’t make them like they used to.”
- Some note that high-end or commercial appliances still last much longer, but are far more expensive and sometimes also trending downward in quality.
Economics: Planned Obsolescence, Finance, Globalization
- A recurring theme is that profit-maximizing corporations push planned obsolescence, subscription models, and “enshittification” to maintain growth.
- Financialization and private equity are blamed for buying quality brands, cutting quality, and milking reputation.
- Globalization and cheaper labor are seen as enabling cost-cutting and weaker quality control, though others argue the real issue is corporate incentives rather than geography.
Repair vs Replace Dynamics
- Labor has become relatively expensive vs. manufacturing, making repair uneconomical; technicians increasingly just replace units or do installs.
- Many repair techs reportedly avoid certain brands (e.g., some “smart” or Korean brands) due to poor design and parts availability.
- Some users do DIY repairs (e.g., opening toothbrushes, swapping batteries, fixing vacuums), but access to parts and manuals is often poor.
Brand and Product Examples
- Mixed experiences with brands considered “quality” (e.g., European appliances, vacuum makers, high-end coffee machines); some praise durability, others see cost-cutting and discontinued parts.
- Heat-pump dryers and “eco” designs are criticized for using fragile components (e.g., thin oils, complex compressors) that fail early.
- Cars: some argue modern vehicles are more reliable and routinely reach 200k+ miles; others highlight complexity, fragile subsystems, and expensive repairs that total cars earlier.
Regulation and Policy Ideas
- Examples from Norway and Quebec: statutory multi-year or “reasonable lifetime” warranties that put the burden on sellers and push against junk.
- Proposed fixes include: mandatory lifecycle ownership responsibility, public service manuals and firmware, right-to-repair, and even mandatory disclosure of designed lifetimes.
Consumer Behavior and Information Gaps
- Commenters note that consumers often choose flashy, feature-laden “smart” appliances over simpler, more repairable ones.
- Others say reliable longevity data is hard to find; appliance-repair forums are suggested but could be gamed.
- Some explore alternatives like renting appliances, buy‑it‑for‑life products, or even DIY/open‑source designs.