- Thermador Refrigerators Reviews
- Thermador Cooking Appliances Reviews
- Thermador Dishwashers Reviews
- Thermador vs. Competitors
One of the most reputable names in premium appliances, Thermador has been providing users with an experience “beyond luxury kitchen” for over a century. Behind the brand’s success are three core pillars that make every Thermador appliance a worthy investment: Quality performance, handcrafted design, and innovative technology.
Driven by a clear vision of what buyers are looking for, Thermador appliances come in two design options. The first is the Masterpiece® Collection that caters to those who prefer a sleek presentation. For others who dare to go bold, Thermador created the Professional Collection that celebrates pro-style hardware and rich details unique to the brand.
Regardless of style choice, every Thermador cooktop, rangetop, pro-style range, refrigerator, and dishwasher set the bar for performance and function, making Thermador one of our favorite luxury brands on the market. Let’s explore what makes each lineup so fantastic.
Thermador Refrigerators Reviewed
It’s no wonder Thermador dubbed its suite of premium refrigeration the Freedom® refrigerator lineup. Every detail has been crafted to feel like a departure from the standard refrigerator experience in exchange for one that feels high-end. From the customizable organization bins to remote operation with the Home Connect™ app, how you use this series of refrigerators is truly up to you.
Advanced food preservation comes standard, too, with advanced features like Cool Air Flow technology that evenly circulates cold air throughout the entire refrigerator chamber. Stainless-steel interiors help retain cold air a little better, on top of adding durability and a dash of refinement.
Of course, a lineup so special deserves a touch of decadence, which is why every Thermador Freedom refrigerator includes award-winning theater lighting and SoftClose® door hinges, while freezer columns keep it classy with Diamond Ice twist tray technology that resist melting and make every occasion feel like a celebration.
Quick Specs:
- Configurations: Column freezers/refrigerators | Bottom freezer refrigerators | Wine columns
- Widths: 18” | 24” | 30” | 36”
Thermador Cooking Appliances Reviewed
If there’s one area Thermador has become popular, it’s with its lineup of cooktops, rangetops, ranges, and wall ovens. The hallmark of every Thermador gas range and rangetop is a patented Pedestal Star® Burner, which provides 56% more flame coverage than standard round gas burners. Better heat distribution means fewer cold spots (if any), better sears and browning, increased energy efficiency, and more control over heat. The iconic burner design can be found across Thermador gas cooktops and gas rangetops, as well as gas ranges and dual-fuel pro-style ranges.
Quick Specs:
- Cooktop widths: 30-in. | 36-in.
- Rangetop widths: 30-in. | 36-in. | 48-in.
- Pro-style range widths: 30-in. | 36-in. | 48-in. | 60-in.
While Thermador has tamed the flame, the brand is also an expert when it comes to cooking with other power sources, including induction. On top of smart WiFi connectivity, Thermador induction cooktops provide the most usable cooking space its class on its 30-inch and 36-inch induction-powered cooktops. Equipped with inductor elements (48 and 56 on 30-inch and 36-inch models, respectively), each surface comes with smart pot detection that automatically adjusts to size and shape of cookware.
Other intelligent features include MoveMode® that translates cooking settings when cookware is moved from one area to another and HeatShift® preset heat zones that adjust power levels by simply moving a pot or pan.
Although more straightforward than its counterparts, Thermador electric cooktops still deliver quality performance that’s expected from the brand. Available in a choice of four or five heating elements, features like dual zone bridge elements that accommodate oblong-shaped cookware and triple zone element that can expand to fit three different cookware sizes provide more cooktop opportunities.
Quick Specs:
- Induction cooktop widths: 30-in. | 36-in.
- Electric cooktop widths: 30-in. | 36-in.
Thermador also comes with a lineup of wall ovens, which have been designed to install alone or with up to two other cooking appliances for a complete setup of baking, roasting, or proofing. All Thermador wall ovens feature True Convection with baffles that provide enhanced air circulation for every level of cooking. Smart features include WiFi-enabled programming from a smart device, a 7-minute preheating cycle, and a speedy 2-hour self-clean cycle, plus SoftClose® Door technology for quiet and safe operation.
Quick Specs:
- Configurations: Single | Double | Oven Micro Combo
- Widths: 30-in.
Thermador Dishwashers Reviewed
Creating a culinary masterpiece is one thing. Cleaning up after the creation is another. Luckily, Thermador professional dishwashers are designed for easy cleanup — no matter where your gourmet journeys takes you. Shoppers have a range of buying options with luxury dishwashers from three price points starting with Emerald® dishwashers, followed by Topaz® dishwashers, and ending with Sapphire® dishwashers.
Standard features include a PowerBeam® floor indicator that lets you know how much time left for a wash, the Chef’s Tool Drawer® third rack for more dishwasher loading flexibility, and Home Connect™ smart device programming. Depending on the model, users can find exclusive extras like StarDry™ with Zeolite™ that uses the natural properties of minerals to dry dishes better than any other dishwasher brand on the market.
For a complete roundup of what’s included, take a look at this side-by-side comparison chart of Thermador dishwashers.
| Features | Emerald | Topaz | Sapphire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chef’s Tool Drawer® 3rd rack | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| StarDry™ with Zeolite™ | ✓ | ||
| Countdown PowerBeam® | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sapphire Glow interior lighting | ✓ | ||
| Push-to-Open function | ✓ | ||
| Fold-down tines | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Home Connect app compatibility | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Place Settings | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Starting Price | $1,399 | $1,799 | $2,299 |
Thermador and the Competition
It’s no secret — every shopper would love to have a luxury appliance. We even have a personal list of Our Favorite Luxury Brands. And while all the appliances found from each of these names deliver exceptional performance, every brand comes with its own incentives. Here’s how competing premium appliance manufacturers compare with the industry-leading performance of Thermador across its three major appliance categories: refrigeration, dishwashers, and cooking appliances.
Refrigeration: Thermador vs. JennAir
While JennAir refrigeration and Thermador’s Freedom refrigerator line are both high-end, they have a different shopper in mind. Think of it this way: JennAir is Hollywood and Thermador is New York. The first aims to be a trendsetter while the latter is designed to preserve the quality of heritage and tradition. Both manufacturers provide shoppers with panel-ready refrigerators, but JennAir’s iconic daring obsidian interior and Ecliptic LED lighting truly make a statement.
Besides aesthetics, JennAir provides more buying options than Thermador, including freestanding French door options along with its lineup of full-size built-in refrigerators and custom column refrigeration. All Thermador refrigerators are built-in units and the unique measurements (shown above) may be challenging to install in some kitchens.
As far as performance, the two brands are pretty comparable. Buyers can find top-of-the-line features across JennAir refrigeration, such as Trinity Cooling and Twin Fresh™ Climate System. In comparison, Thermador refrigerators come with dual compressors and evaporators, plus Cool Air Flow technology that ensures precise temperatures throughout the interior.
- Related: Which brand is better: Thermador or Sub-Zero?
Dishwashers: Thermador vs. Miele
It’s hard to outdo Miele dishwashers when they’re advertised to operate for 20 years and back up the claim. However, that leading reliability will cost buyers more than a Thermador dishwasher — up to $5,000 or more in some cases (although some entry-level Miele dishwashers start at $999).
In this case, Miele is still a reigning champ, but shoppers looking to save on a dependable dishwasher will be delighted to find Thermador’s dish care is comparable to the European brand’s performance. Both come with upgraded models that feature Zeolite minerals for truly dry dishes (yes, even plastics), while many experts hint Thermador’s heating system might be the new superior.
And while Thermador’s Chef’s Tools Drawer third rack might not be as dynamic as some of Miele’s high-end models with a flexible 3D+ cutlery tray, users will still find plenty of configurations to wash the largest loads.
Cooking Appliances: Thermador vs. Wolf
With professional ranges in electric, dual-fuel, and gas options in widths from 30 inches up to 60 inches, the Wolf range lineup alone is a formidable repertoire any serious home chef will want to explore. Still, both brands include a complete suite of cooktops in gas, electric, and induction, making the competition nearly neck-and-neck. However, while Thermador wall ovens come with true convection, higher-end Wolf wall ovens come with Dual VertiCross convection for superior heat circulation.
On the other hand, shoppers who prefer preparing foods on a gas appliance rather than in an oven might prefer Thermador’s high BTU output. Wolf gas burners deliver an output between 15,000 BTUs on regular its burners and 20,000 BTUs on dual-fuel range models. Meanwhile, Thermador gas burners start at 18,000 BTUs and go up to 22,000 BTUs, depending on the model. Just as important, Thermador’s ExtraLow feature can keep foods at a steady simmer of 100 degrees. Together with the Pedestal Star® Burner enhanced heat coverage, Thermador gas appliances are some of the best on the market.
Shop Friedmans for Exceptional Value
Thermador continues to be a leading appliance name with a growing catalog of products that provide even more luxury for its users. And as a Trusted Name in the Bay Since 1922™, Friedmans Appliance is one of the best and most trusted appliance providers in your area. Explore reliable appliances from reputable brands, including in-stock products and kitchen packages.
Shop online, by phone at 925-808-2950, or at our Bay Area appliance showroom located at 2304 Monument Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, where quality and expert service come standard!