IceKing product named Best Fridge Freezer for small kitchens and awarded Good Housekeeping Institute Approval for 2026

IceKing, a trading arm of the Cookology family of home appliances, is proud to announce that its IceKing IK8951EW Freestanding Fridge Freezer has been recognised as the Best Fridge Freezer for Small Kitchens and has received official Good Housekeeping Institute Approval for 2026.
Designed to offer exceptional performance without compromising on style or space, the IK8951EW is a perfect fit for compact living spaces, including city apartments, kitchens with limited footprint, and utility rooms. This 50/50 split fridge freezer boasts a 142L total capacity and combines practical features with energy-conscious design.

Miele Celebrates Double Win at the 2026 Which? Awards

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”.

Elica’s Virtus Oven Line Wins Red Dot Award 2026 for Product Design

Elica has once again been recognised on the world stage, with the Virtus oven line winning the Red Dot Award 2026 – Product Design in the Kitchen and Household category. The achievement strengthens Elica’s position as one of the most design‑driven brands in the built‑in cooking sector, continuing a trajectory that consistently blends architectural styling with advanced performance.

The Red Dot Award remains one of the most influential international design competitions, judged annually by an independent panel of global experts. Products are evaluated on innovation, aesthetic quality, functionality, and the ability to elevate everyday use through thoughtful design. Winning in the Product Design category signals that the Virtus line not only meets these criteria but stands out among hundreds of global submissions.

Elica’s Virtus ovens reflect the brand’s ongoing commitment to refined materials, intuitive interfaces, and a cohesive design language that aligns with modern kitchen architecture. The Red Dot jury’s recognition highlights the continuity of Elica’s design philosophy — one that prioritises clarity, precision, and a premium user experience.

For Elica, the 2026 award reinforces a long‑term design path that continues to resonate with both consumers and the wider design community, further cementing its role in shaping the future of cooking appliances.

Electrolux Group Secures Three Red Dot Design Awards for 2026

Electrolux Group has extended its long-running success at the Red Dot Design Awards, collecting three new accolades in the Product Design category and reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s most design‑driven appliance manufacturers.

At the centre of this year’s wins is the AEG N.E.W. FAVORIT / N.E.W. Electrolux Dishwasher Range, recognised for its blend of ergonomic thinking, responsible resource use and intelligent, user‑centred design. The range reflects the Group’s continued push toward appliances that feel intuitive in daily use while delivering measurable sustainability gains.

Electrolux also earned praise for the PizzaExpert oven, a product that challenges long‑held assumptions about what a domestic oven can achieve. Capable of reaching temperatures above 400°C and baking a pizza in as little as two minutes, the oven recreates professional‑grade conditions at home through a dedicated Pizza Mode — without compromising its full everyday cooking functionality.

Joaquin Garcia, Global Head of Design at Electrolux Group, said the awards highlight the company’s commitment to meaningful innovation: 
> “From rethinking what’s possible in the home oven, to elevating everyday care and timeless Scandinavian expression, these products show how thoughtful, human‑centred design can make advanced technology feel natural in the home.”

Both award‑winning products are now rolling out across European markets, strengthening Electrolux Group’s premium design credentials at a time when consumers are seeking appliances that combine performance, sustainability and aesthetic clarity.

Kenwood’s MultiPro Go Blend Wins Red Dot Design Award 2026

Kenwood has secured a Red Dot Design Award for the newly launched MultiPro Go Blend, a product that evolves one of the brand’s most successful compact food processors into a more capable, space‑saving Kitchen System.

The MultiPro Go Blend builds on the original MultiPro Go platform by introducing a high‑performance blender attachment, transforming the unit from a simple food processor into a dual‑function solution. Designed with smaller homes, shared living spaces, and storage‑conscious consumers in mind, the system delivers the two tools people use most — a food processor and a blender — without the clutter of rarely used accessories.

For retailers, the award reinforces a growing trend in the compact‑appliance segment: consumers want versatility without footprint, and brands that can deliver focused, high‑value functionality are winning both attention and shelf space.

Samsung Confirmed as Italy’s Most Preferred Fridge and Washing Machine Brand for 2025

Samsung has once again been named Italy’s favourite brand for refrigerators and washing machines, according to the 2025 Ipsos Brand Attitude survey. The study, conducted in 30 countries, measures brand strength through indicators such as the Most Preferred metric — a spontaneous, single‑answer question asking consumers which brand they favour above all others.

Samsung has held the top spot in both categories since 2018. 
“We have been the reference brand in the Refrigerator and Washing Machine categories since 2018,” said Daniele Grassi, Vice President & Head of Home Appliances at Samsung Italy. “Such a long‑lasting result shows that consumers are more than satisfied and recommend us to others.”

Grassi added that Samsung’s leadership reflects a shift among Italian consumers who now view appliances — with lifespans of 7–10 years — as long‑term investments, prioritising performance and quality over price alone.

Electrolux Group Appoints Joaquín García Sanchis as Global Design Coordinator

Electrolux Group has named Spanish designer Joaquín García Sanchis as the new global design coordinator for its key brands: Electrolux, AEG, and Frigidaire. 

Sanchis joins the company from Italdesign Giugiaro, where he served as Head of Design and collaborated with major automotive brands including Renault, Ford, Skoda, and Seat—both directly and through his own design studio.

In his new role, Sanchis will oversee the creative direction and design alignment across Electrolux Group’s global portfolio. He will report to Elena Breda, Vice President of Product Strategy, Innovation, and Sustainability.

Jiaxipera AWE COMPONENT Award,

During AWE 2026, Jiaxipera’s flagship VNW1113Y variable speed compressor received the prestigious AWE COMPONENT Award, widely regarded as one of the highest honors in the home appliance and consumer electronics industry and often referred to as the sector’s “Oscar.” The award recognizes products that represent the highest technological standards and key innovation trends of the year.In addition, the VTL1116YL and VND3168U compressors were honored with the GOLDEN NAIL Award, one of the most influential professional awards in China’s home appliance upstream industry. This recognition highlights outstanding technical strength and proven innovation capabilities across the supply chain.
Together, these honors reaffirm Jiaxipera’s leadership in advanced refrigeration technology and its commitment to delivering high-performance, energy-efficient solutions worldwide.

Miele Wins 19 iF Design Awards 2026, Including Two Gold Honors for Kitchen & Laundry Innovation

Miele has once again proven its dominance in premium appliance design, securing an impressive 19 awards at the 2026 iF Design Awards. Among these accolades, two standout products earned the coveted Gold Award: the Dreams outdoor kitchen and the KFFD 6867 refrigerator‑freezer. Out of more than 10,000 global submissions, only two products received Gold recognition from the 129‑member jury — a remarkable achievement that underscores Miele’s design leadership.

> “These awards demonstrate the close collaboration between our design and development departments,” said Janina Forberger, Vice President Design at Miele.



A Strong Showing in Kitchen Innovation

Beyond the Gold Awards, Miele collected multiple honors across the kitchen category. The jury highlighted several products for their clarity, material quality, and cohesive design language, including:

– French Door refrigerators
– MattFinish and DiamondFinish hobs
– M Sense connected cooking system

Miele’s Pearl Beige color palette also received recognition for its thoughtful integration of materials, surfaces, and spatial impact — a design direction that continues to resonate with modern kitchen aesthetics.

The brand’s Gourmet Box set earned praise as well, celebrated for its multifunctional approach to cooking, storing, and organizing food with intelligence and style.



Outdoor Living Elevated: The “Dreams” Product Family

Miele’s growing presence in the outdoor segment made a strong impression this year. Alongside the award‑winning Dreams outdoor kitchen, the Fire Pro IQ gas grill and its accessories also received accolades.

The jury highlighted:

– Durable, weather‑resistant materials 
– Clean, architectural lines 
– Smart, intuitive technology 

Together, these elements showcase Miele’s ability to bring its signature indoor design excellence into the outdoor living space.



Laundry Innovation: T2 Nova Edition Dryer Stands Out

In the laundry category, the T2 Nova Edition dryer captured attention with its minimalist aesthetic and advanced user‑centric features. Key highlights include:

– M Touch Pro: a refined, responsive control interface 
– Proximity‑activated wake‑up: the dryer lights up as soon as someone approaches 
– Enhanced lighting effects: guiding users intuitively through everyday tasks 

This blend of design and functionality reflects Miele’s ongoing commitment to elevating the laundry experience.



A Landmark Year for Miele Design

With 19 awards — including two of the most prestigious honors of the event — Miele’s performance at the 2026 iF Design Awards reinforces its position as a global leader in appliance innovation. From kitchen and outdoor living to laundry care, the brand continues to set the benchmark for thoughtful design, premium materials, and intelligent technology.

If this is the direction Miele is heading, consumers can expect even more standout products in the years ahead.

SKS 48″ Built‑In French Door Refrigerator Earns Consumer Reports Recommendation

The SKS 48″ Built‑In French Door Refrigerator has secured a Consumer Reports Recommended ranking — a major endorsement from one of the industry’s most trusted testing organizations.

Why It Stands Out

Consumer Reports evaluates appliances on temperature accuracy, food preservation, energy use, noise, and overall usability. SKS impressed across the board thanks to features designed for serious performance and modern luxury:

– Dual compressors for precise temperature control 
– Convertible drawer with five temperature modes 
– Dual ice makers, including Craft Ice™ 
– Seamless built‑in design with premium materials 

A Win for the Luxury Kitchen Market

For designers, builders, dealers, and homeowners, this recognition reinforces what SKS is known for: innovation, craftsmanship, and a True to Food™ approach that elevates every kitchen.