Whirlpool is expanding its cooking portfolio with the launch of MattProtect, a new induction hob surface engineered for enhanced durability and easier day‑to‑day maintenance. The brand positions this finish as a step-change in surface resistance, aimed at consumers who want premium aesthetics without compromising robustness.
Matte Finish Built to Last The MattProtect surface delivers three times more resistance to halos, scratches and impacts compared with standard vitroceramic glass. It also reduces visible marks, helping users keep the hob looking clean with less effort — a key selling point in a category where maintenance and appearance strongly influence purchase decisions.
FlexiCook and 6th Sense: Whirlpool’s Signature Technologies The new model integrates FlexiCook, Whirlpool’s adaptive cooking system that automatically detects pan position and adjusts the active zone and power level accordingly. It also includes 6th Sense assisted functions such as Keep Warm and Melt, which automatically regulate power for precise, low‑temperature tasks.
Changhong Meiling has suspended investment in its planned appliance industrial park project, according to a disclosure published on May 19. While the filing provides limited detail, the decision underscores the increasingly cautious stance Chinese manufacturers are taking as demand softens and capital becomes more selective.
The industrial park — positioned as part of the company’s long‑term capacity and technology roadmap — now appears to be on hold as Meiling reassesses its investment priorities. The move aligns with a broader trend across the sector: expansion projects are being slowed, deferred, or re‑scoped as brands focus on stabilising margins, tightening inventory, and improving operational efficiency.
For Meiling, the suspension may signal a pivot toward more flexible production strategies or a recalibration of its growth model amid heightened competition in refrigeration and smart home appliances. With several Chinese appliance makers already trimming capital expenditure, the pause reflects a market recalibrating after years of aggressive build‑out.
Global appliance demand continues to cool in early 2026, with inflation, weak consumer confidence and heavy oversupply putting pressure on margins across major categories. Raw material costs — from copper to plastics — remain elevated, while manufacturers struggle to lift prices in a saturated market.
China’s retail market is forecast to fall 6.7% this year, with utilisation rates below 70% and air‑con capacity far outstripping sales. Leading brands are responding with AI‑driven product upgrades, overseas expansion and tighter cost control, but trading conditions remain challenging.
The key question for the sector: who can innovate fast enough to stay ahead in a market where supply and demand no longer align?
Miele has secured two major honours at the 2026 Which? Awards, taking home Home Appliance Brand of the Year and the newly introduced Consumer‑First Brand of the Year.
Held at London’s Science Museum and hosted by Sue Perkins, the awards recognised Miele for its consistently high product test scores, top‑tier reliability ratings, and its growing portfolio of premium appliances now available to the trade via Häfele UK.
The Consumer‑First accolade highlighted Miele’s new digital support service, which connects customers to experts via video call to resolve appliance issues without a home visit — a move Which? praised as a standout example of customer‑centric innovation.
Which? chief executive Anabel Hoult said the awards celebrate brands delivering “truly outstanding products and services”, noting Miele’s performance as “exceptionally high”.
CDA has delivered its strongest performance in more than half a decade, returning to profit in 2025 after an intensive 18‑month transformation programme under Amica Group ownership. The appliance brand reported turnover of £42 million, alongside a £3.4m improvement in profitability, marking its first positive PBT result since 2020.
BSH Home Appliances is pushing deeper into India’s fast‑growing top‑load washing machine segment, rolling out a full Bosch range from 7kg to 12kg. The brand is targeting rapid upgrades in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where consumers are shifting from semi‑automatic to fully automatic models at pace.
The new line features Bosch’s PowerWave Wash system, dual lint filters and ten smart wash programs — all aimed at delivering stronger cleaning with lower water use. BSH reports strong double‑digit growth in Q1 2026, with India’s overall laundry category up sharply across channels.
Cuisinart has unveiled its new ClearView Air Fryer collection, a range built around one core idea: giving consumers complete visibility and control while cooking. The launch introduces two models—a 4‑quart glass air fryer and a 9‑quart large‑capacity unit—both designed to meet rising demand for healthier, low‑oil cooking without compromising convenience.
The standout feature is the glass viewing window, paired with interior lighting, allowing users to monitor food in real time without pausing or opening the drawer. For retailers, this taps directly into the “see‑through” trend already gaining traction in kettles, toasters, and multi‑cookers.
The traditional kitchen layout is officially on notice. At EuroCucina in Milan, JennAir turned heads and stole the spotlight by showcasing its revolutionary NextGen Downdraft Induction Cooktop, developed in an exclusive partnership with European ventilation pioneer BORA. For decades, the standard kitchen layout forced a compromise: if you wanted heavy-duty ventilation, you had to block your view with a bulky overhead hood. JennAir just completely shattered that mold. Freedom From the Overhead Hood By integrating BORA’s elite, European-engineered extraction technology directly into the sleek surface of a magnetic induction cooktop, JennAir is liberating the modern kitchen. Without an updraft hood obstructing the room, designers and homeowners are unlocked to explore infinite design potential. Imagine: Clear, Uninterrupted Views: Position your cooktop on a floating island or directly in front of a massive window overlooking the backyard. Full-Height Backsplashes: Let your choice of luxury marble, quartz, or statement tile run uninterrupted from countertop to ceiling. Limitless Custom Layouts: Open up sightlines to seamlessly blend the kitchen into living and entertaining spaces without visual clutter. Quiet Power Meets NextGen Performance This isn’t just a win for aesthetics; it’s a massive step up in functional luxury. The NextGen Downdraft Induction Cooktop boasts impressive technical specs designed to handle serious culinary tasks: Smarter Extraction: A powerful 345 CFM extraction system pulls vapors, grease, and odors downward five times faster than steam can naturally rise. Whisper-Quiet Operation: Running as low as 30 dBA, the sound-reducing technology ensures you can sear, sauté, and entertain guests without competing with the roar of a traditional fan. Intuitive Control: A sleek vertical slider allows you to effortlessly tap or swipe your finger to control heat levels, while automatic bridging technology seamlessly expands cooking zones for oversized griddles or roasting pans. Easy Cleanup: True to its premium engineering, the grease filters and components are fully dishwasher-safe, meaning maintenance is as streamlined as its look. Now Available in the USA & Canada While EuroCucina gave the global design community a front-row seat to this spectacular partnership, the good news is that you don’t have to live in Europe to bring this innovation home. The JennAir® NextGen Downdraft Induction Cooktop is officially available across the USA and Canada in both 30-inch and 36-inch configurations. If you want to experience the future of cooking firsthand, you can catch it live at the Chicago World of Whirlpool, NYC A&D, or the Vancouver JennAir Experience Center. The kitchen is no longer built around the appliances—the appliances are finally flexing to fit your design dreams. What do you think of the hoodless kitchen trend? Would you trade your traditional range hood for an open view? Let us know in the comments
Liebherr boosts its scientific refrigeration range with a new 5‑year full warranty and upgraded performance standards, reinforcing its premium positioning for labs demanding reliability, precision and long‑term suppor Manufactured in Lienz, Tyrol, each refrigerator and freezer undergoes rigorous end‑of‑line testing, from component checks to controlled temperature descent, and ships with an individual test certificate. Liebherr also guarantees 15 years of spare‑part availability, exceeding EU requirements and strengthening its reliability credentials.
SUNSIR Unveils Compact Semiconductor Ice Cream Maker as Demand for Fun, Functional Small Appliances Grows
The appetite for simple, joyful kitchen experiences continues to rise — and Guangdong Sunsir Electric Appliance Co. Ltd. is leaning directly into that trend with its latest compact semiconductor ice cream maker. Designed for modern homes where space, convenience, and versatility matter more than ever, the new model brings soft‑serve indulgence and homemade hard ice cream into everyday life.
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