Black stainless steel appliances are here and they are hot! But are they right for you? Are you considering a new kitchen package and leaning towards stainless steel but wondering whether you should choose black stainless steel instead? We can shed some light on this choice for you.
As an appliance dealer for over 60 years, we have seen many color trends come and go. We are certainly familiar with these tough choices about color that consumers face when looking at new appliances. Most consumers who are going to switch colors usually do it in conjunction with an entire kitchen remodel and the purchase of a multi-piece appliance package. Others replace appliances one or two at a time as they wear out. Either way, the choice to convert over to a trendy new option like black stainless is always a difficult one.
Let's take a little closer look at black stainless and see how it compares to traditional stainless steel. We'll try to help you decide whether it's right for you.
Table of Contents
Overview - Who Makes Black Stainless Steel?
There are seven mainstream brands with black stainless steel appliances on the market - Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and Bosch. Click the links below to view the full line of black stainless steel products currently offered by each manufacturer, with specs and prices:
The finish is naturally fingerprint resistant, partly because the darker color naturally hides fingerprints better, but manufacturers have taken different steps in how they market this feature or improved it. The easiest way to find out what brands have a more fingerprint resistant finish is to check them out in person and put your hands on them!
Each manufacturer's black stainless steel finish is a little different so you'll want to see them for yourself. In some cases, color swatches of the finish may be available so you can bring a sample home and see how it looks in your kitchen. If you are going to go with black stainless steel, you will most likely want to stay within the same brand to match the finishes.
Check out our video for a quick visual comparison of black stainless finishes and styling from different brands!
Bosch's products are the most recently released. We noted at a trade show in 2018 that they are very different from the other black stainless products out there. The metal has a unique horizontal grain to it that gives it texture, depth, and shine with a subtle sparkle. Additionally, the finish is extra durable because the black color is baked into the stainless steel in the manufacturing process, rather than applied on top of stainless steel as a coating.
The unique look of black stainless provides an opportunity for you to do something different in your kitchen but still keep the clean professional stainless steel look that you're shooting for.
Pros & Cons of Black Stainless Steel
Based on our observations and discussions with our customers, here are some of the top pros and cons to consider when looking at black stainless steel appliances.
The Pros:
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Black stainless steel is new and hot, giving you a cutting edge look and allowing your kitchen to stand out from most other kitchens that you see.
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The finish is less prone to smudges and fingerprints than traditional stainless steel - although some manufacturers offer fingerprint resistant black stainless as a default, while others do not.
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Cleaning is generally simple and can be accomplished using warm water and a soft cloth. Simply wipe dry when complete to finish it up.
Black stainless steel appliances pair beautifully with today's hottest kitchen cabinetry colors: white and light gray.
The Cons:
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The trend of black stainless steel appliances is unproven. If the products don't sell well, manufacturers may discontinue the color option, making it difficult for consumers that buy a package now to replace a malfunctioning piece a few years down the line.
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Understanding the Mechanism of Multistage Centrifugal PumpsWhile this finish is less prone to smudges and fingerprints, it may be more prone to scratches and chips. This may vary by manufacturer as each of their processes is a bit different. The jury is out on on this one. The most scratch-resistant brands seem to be Samsung and Bosch although we have gotten some feedback about peeling and other issues with Samsung in the comments section below. Since most manufacturers apply the black stainless color as a "stain" or coating on top of stainless steel, cosmetic issues tend to be more obvious than a scratched stainless steel appliance, since the stainless steel underneath the black coating shines through.
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The overall color itself and the finish (from ultra-glossy to a highly brushed satin glow) varies a lot in black stainless from one manufacturer to the other, so mixing and matching products from different brands to make a kitchen package may be a challenge.
The assortment of models available in black stainless can be limited depending on the brand, so if you fall in love with a certain brand's black stainless, you may have to make compromises on the products you want. Most brands offer black stainless steel as a color option on fully-featured premium models. If you are budget-conscious, you may prefer Maytag cast iron black , which is intended to be an affordable, durable matte finish option.
Should You Buy Black Stainless Steel Appliances?
If you want to be on the cutting edge you should probably opt for a full kitchen of black stainless steel appliances and not get too concerned about some of the cons on the list above. If you are doing a new kitchen with white or light gray cabinets, black stainless is probably a no-brainer aesthetically!
If you are the more conservative type, you might opt to go with traditional stainless steel and consider going with black stainless for your next set of appliances a few years down the line if the color has been proven and accepted by the marketplace. Keep in mind that warranties typically don't offer coverage for cosmetic issues.
We think this color is getting more popular and likely has a foothold in the market, but it's still not conclusive if this finish will stick around. So far it seems to have sustained longer than other fad finishes from the early 2000s, like Jenn Air Oiled Bronze! Similarly, Whirlpool Sunset Bronze was discontinued for 2020 after a little over a year on the market.
Are you on the fence and seeking another color option but black stainless isn't appealing to you? Read our article about black slate appliances from GE, or check out our overview and comparison of other hot new appliance colors on the market like slate and black matte! There are a surprising number of new alternatives to stainless steel that will give your kitchen a premium look.
NOTE: There is a lot of feedback in the comments section below that is worth reading if you are very interested in this new color option and want opinions from other consumers. Here's what it boils down to: if you are more risk-averse, you may prefer a traditional color for now.
Click here to search by brand and color to view all Black Stainless Steel models!
We hope you enjoyed this discussion of this hot new trend in appliance colors. Let us know which of the brands looks most appealing to you, and if you have any firsthand experience with black stainless appliances. Leave us a comment below - We'd love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in February of 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.
What’s black and cool and red hot all over—in appliance showrooms and up-to-the-minute kitchens and laundry rooms? It’s black stainless steel, the modernistic finish gaining popularity for refrigerators, washers and dryers, stoves, and dishwashers, currently available from such manufacturers as LG, Bosch, Frigidaire, Samsung, KitchenAid, and GE. While black stainless isn’t yet close to toppling traditional stainless steel from the top of the major appliance scene, it’s definitely on the upswing, and not just for its sleek good looks. But before ditching your old-school white or familiar stainless steel in favor of this up-and-comer, you’re wise to consider the pros and cons of the new black finish. Read on for all you need to know to make an informed decision.
RELATED: Your Biggest Appliance Questions, Answered
PRO: Black stainless steel is resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
One of the biggest drawbacks to traditional stainless steel is how smudges and fingerprints seem to multiply across its metallic surface, meaning extra work for you to keep it looking flawlessly clean. Black stainless steel, however, is much more resistant to smudges, fingerprints, streaks, and water spots. And when the finish does need a touchup, it’s easily accomplished with a damp cloth and a bit of gentle liquid dishwashing soap or a homemade stainless steel cleaner featuring diluted vinegar—no need for special cleaners or wipes.
CON: It’s prone to scratching.
The black surface is created with a colored acrylic coating across regular stainless steel that unfortunately scratches fairly easily. That means any ding or nick—from a piece of furniture, a child’s bike, even a laundry basket—could remove the coating to reveal the silvery stainless steel underneath. Such scratches are glaringly obvious, marring the beauty of a pricey appliance. And while some manufacturers offer touchup kits to hide the scratches in stainless steel, it’s generally very difficult to restore black stainless steel to its original pristine appearance.
PRO: Black stainless steel complements today’s popular color schemes.
Just as basic black works well with virtually every color in your wardrobe, black stainless steel complements many design concepts and color schemes—largely because it “feels” a bit warmer than traditional stainless steel. Black stainless steel appliances are beautiful against white and gray in all their variations, which designers are touting for today’s clean, contemporary kitchens. Yet the new finish also suits natural wood tones as well as most paint colors, including brights.
CON: Different manufacturers’ black finishes can clash.
Surely you’ve seen how a pair of black pants with a greenish undertone can clash with a black shirt that has a reddish undertone. So don’t assume that all black finishes are the same and will automatically look good together. Black from one brand may not match black from another because each has a slightly different undertone. To avoid an off-putting look, buy all new appliances at the same time from the same brand.
PRO: Black stainless steel is very trendy.
If you like to be the first on your block to show off any new trend, then you’ll love the fashion-forward appeal of black stainless steel. With its cutting-edge vibe, it makes clear that your taste is securely anchored in the 21st century, not hanging on to decades past. That’s also a strong consideration if you plan on selling your home in the near future, and you live in an affluent neighborhood where potential buyers will be expecting the latest look.
CON: Trends come and go.
The downside of adopting the latest trend is that sooner or later, something newer will take its place. After all, when was the last time you saw an avocado green fridge in someone’s kitchen? Although trends in interior design don’t change with the seasons, as they do in the fickle fashion world, within a few years, black stainless steel appliances might eventually date your kitchen or become difficult to replace as manufacturers drop the finish in favor of whatever replaces it.
PRO: Black stainless steel serves as a statement piece.
Just as interior decorators will use a dramatic piece to create a focal point for the living room, a black stainless steel appliance can serve as the statement piece in your kitchen. And as open kitchens continue to become the norm, and serve as the entertaining hub of the home, such a statement piece becomes more important. With choices ranging from soft and matte to sleek and shiny, a black finish is a sure attention-getter and a way to spice up a space that might otherwise be seen as utilitarian.
CON: You’ll pay more for black stainless steel.
Regular stainless steel costs $100 to $250 more than the same model of appliance in white and, not surprisingly, you’ll also pay a premium for trendier black stainless steel. While prices vary considerably from brand to brand, as a general rule, expect to pay around $200 to $300 more for the same model appliance with a black stainless steel finish instead of regular stainless steel.
