New NIQ Report: Quality, Convenience, and Hygiene to Drive Growth in Home Appliances Market in 2026
- While unit sales in the Consumer Tech and Durable Goods (T&D) market remain flat at 1% growth for the first half of 2025, a 4.6% rise in dollar sales shows consumers are spending more per item.
- US 50% "steel equivalents" tariffs set to increase prices, impacting demand for major domestic appliances overall in the US and depressing demand for overseas brands.
- Chinese brands lead on innovation in the international small home appliances market, commanding increasingly premium prices.
- Hygiene-related appliances like vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and dishwashers saw a 6% sales growth in the first half of this year, outpacing overall T&D value growth.
NielsenIQ (NYSE:NIQ) today released its Home Appliances Outlook 2026: What consumers want report, which reveals the macro forces that will shape the Home Appliances industry in 2026 and the product innovation most likely to drive growth.
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NIQ projects a 2% year-over-year sales growth between 2024 and 2025 for global Consumer Tech and Durable Goods (T&D), with household appliances playing a significant part in that growth.
Global sales of T&D products overall grew 4.6% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, with consumers spending more per item in all sectors except Major Domestic Appliances (MDA). Consumers remain cautious in their spending but are willing to pay for appliances that offer smart convenience, multifunctionality, energy efficiency, or health and hygiene benefits.
New Market Realities Reshape the Home Appliances Landscape
- China's International Push: In the first half of this year, Chinese brands grew their global market share by 40.1% for sales of Small Domestic Appliances (SDA), driven by product innovation, and 23.5% for sales of MDA, driven by competitive pricing.
- Trade-In Momentum: China's household appliance trade-in policy continues to drive sales. At the end of 2024, a NIQ survey of 24,000 consumers in China found that 71% had used the subsidies to upgrade their appliances.
- Tariff Impact: US tariffs of 50% on "steel equivalents" in major domestic appliances imported into the US went into effect in late June 2025. This factor is likely to depress US demand for overseas brands, causing those brands to look to expand their presence in other markets to make up for lost revenue.
- Gen X Power: Gen X, the highest-spending consumer generation for the next five years, is prioritizing durability, quality, and energy savings—79% are focused on conserving energy at home. As "caretaker consumers" balancing multi-generational needs, Gen Xers are a high-priority audience for home appliances.
- Replacement Cycles: For SDA, replacement cycles average five to six years. The commoditization of recent innovation in small appliances has lowered price points, encouraging consumers to upgrade their existing appliances to smarter, more premium ones. For MDA, a replacement surge is expected in 2028.
"The convergence of value-driven consumer behavior, global trade shifts, and digital transformation is creating new opportunities—and risks—for appliance manufacturers and retailers. Strategic agility will be essential to capture growth in this evolving landscape," said Julian Baldwin, President, Global Tech & Durables, NIQ.
The report also explores several trends that will drive demand for home appliances in 2026, including:
- Maximizing Omnichannel Potential: Consumers move freely across the full mix of channels to solve their product research and buying needs. Online dominates SDA sales (51% globally, rising to 95% in China), while MDA online sales have grown to 30% of global sales in the first half of this year. In addition, 39% of consumers who research a product both online and offline are more likely to spend more than intended when they buy—regardless of where that final purchase is made.
- Sustainability Surge: As of 2025, 45% of consumers now consider environmental impact when purchasing. Energy efficiency is a top driver for MDA purchases, with 90% of lifetime energy use occurring during product usage. In 2026, energy efficiency will continue to be the leading purchase driver for MDA shoppers.
- Health Focus: Hygiene-related appliances like vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and dishwashers saw a 6% sales growth in the first half of this year, outpacing overall T&D value growth. Added to this, 74% of consumers say they prefer tech with health and wellness features over ones without, and 44% cite healthier cooking as a key driver for wanting to buy health tech appliances.
Download the full report for more details and guidance for brands on where to invest in product innovation, assortment, and marketing in the year ahead.
About the report:
NIQ's Home Appliances Outlook 2026: What consumers want report is the latest in NIQ's industry-renowned global State of Tech & Durables series. It specifically examines consumer purchase trends in the Home Appliances sector, making clear predictions about the key innovation and market approaches that manufacturers and retailers will need for a successful 2026. A Regional Insights Companion explores the expected regional growth for major and small domestic appliances in Asia Pacific; Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa; Latin America; North America; and Western Europe.
About NIQ:
NielsenIQ (NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. Our global reach spans over 90 countries covering approximately 85% of the world's population and more than $7.2 trillion in global consumer spend. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. For more information, please visit niq.com
© 2025 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. These statements reflect current expectations and projections based on available data, historical patterns, and various assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "believes," "forecasts," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.
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