How much will tariffs raise appliance prices in 2026?

Estimates vary by category and sourcing, but analysts at the Yale Budget Lab project average household appliance cost increases of 5-15% in 2026 due to tariffs on steel, aluminum, and finished goods from key manufacturing countries. Some premium categories with more import exposure could see 15-20% increases.

Are scratch and dent appliances protected from tariff price increases?

Partially, yes. Units already in domestic warehouse inventory were purchased by retailers before the tariff increases took effect. Those units hit the scratch and dent floor priced at the old cost basis. As that pre-tariff stock sells through and gets replaced by higher-cost goods, prices will eventually catch up — but you have a window right now.

Which appliances are most affected by 2026 tariffs?

Refrigerators, washing machines, and cooking ranges are most exposed. These categories rely heavily on imported steel, aluminum, compressors, and electronic control components. Dishwashers also face pressure from stainless steel tub and motor imports.

Is it better to buy scratch and dent now or wait for prices to drop?

Buy now if you need an appliance. Tariff-driven price increases are structural, not seasonal. Unlike waiting for a holiday sale, waiting in a tariff environment means paying more as pre-tariff inventory sells through. The scratch and dent discount on a $1,200 fridge today is a better deal than the scratch and dent discount on a $1,450 fridge six months from now.

Where can I find scratch and dent appliances with the best inventory?

Regional scratch and dent warehouse stores typically carry the widest selection and deepest discounts. Big-box retailer scratch and dent sections (look for the clearance area at Lowe's, Home Depot, and Best Buy) are another option. Check our full guide at /scratch-and-dent-appliances/ for buying strategies by category.

How 2026 Tariffs Make Scratch & Dent Appliances a Smarter Buy

Appliance prices were already climbing before 2026. Now tariffs on steel, aluminum, and finished consumer goods are pushing them higher across the board. If you've been watching fridge or washer prices lately, you've noticed.

The good news: scratch and dent sidesteps a meaningful chunk of those increases — at least for now. Here's what's happening, which categories are hit hardest, and how to shop smart in this environment.

Why Tariffs Hit Appliances Hard

Appliances are particularly exposed to tariff pressure because they're manufactured from multiple import-dependent inputs.

Steel and aluminum make up the structural skeleton of nearly every major appliance — refrigerator cabinets, washer drums, dishwasher tubs, range bodies. The U.S. imports a significant share of appliance-grade steel, and tariffs on that steel flow directly into manufacturing costs.

Compressors and motors are largely imported. The compressors in refrigerators and air conditioners come predominantly from manufacturers in Asia. Washing machine motors, dishwasher pump assemblies, and range ignition components follow similar sourcing chains.

Electronic control boards have become standard in modern appliances — from touchscreen interfaces to inverter motor controllers. These components are deeply embedded in global semiconductor supply chains that tariffs have repeatedly disrupted since 2018.

Finished goods imports compound the problem. Not every appliance sold in the U.S. is assembled here. A meaningful share of dishwashers, entry-level refrigerators, and compact appliances arrive as finished units from tariff-affected countries.

The Yale Budget Lab estimates that tariff-exposed categories like large household appliances face average cost increases of 5-15% in 2026, with some categories — particularly those with heavy finished goods exposure — potentially seeing 15-20% retail price inflation. UVA Darden researchers have flagged appliances as among the consumer categories most vulnerable to the current tariff structure because of their complex, multi-country supply chains.

Consumer Reports noted in early 2026 that some refrigerator and laundry pair prices had already begun moving upward at major retailers ahead of formal tariff implementation, as manufacturers and retailers pre-priced anticipated cost increases.

The Scratch and Dent Advantage in a Tariff Environment

Here's the mechanism that works in your favor.

Scratch and dent warehouses and clearance sections are, by definition, selling inventory that has already been purchased. That inventory was acquired at pre-tariff costs — or at cost structures that preceded the most recent round of increases. The unit sitting on the warehouse floor with a dent in the side panel was priced into that retailer's books months ago.

This creates a temporary but real gap: the scratch and dent price reflects the old cost basis, while the new-unit price increasingly reflects the higher tariff-affected cost. The discount you get on scratch and dent is effectively wider than it looks on paper.

Scratch and dent pricing is set against the current retail price, so a 30% S&D discount on a $1,400 fridge saves you more in absolute dollars than a 30% discount on the $1,200 that same fridge cost last year. Tariff inflation on the sticker price amplifies your savings.

This window won't last forever. As pre-tariff inventory sells through and gets replaced by goods purchased at higher input costs, scratch and dent prices will adjust upward too. But right now, a meaningful share of warehouse inventory was acquired before the current tariff rounds took effect.

Savings Comparison: Scratch & Dent vs. New in 2026

Here's a realistic look at what tariff-driven price increases mean in practical terms across appliance categories, and where scratch and dent lands:

| Category | Pre-Tariff Retail | Estimated 2026 Retail | S&D Discount | S&D Price Range | |---|---|---|---|---| | French Door Refrigerator | $1,299 | $1,450-$1,550 | 25-40% | $870-$1,160 | | Front-Load Washer | $899 | $999-$1,099 | 25-35% | $650-$825 | | Built-In Dishwasher | $699 | $799-$899 | 25-40% | $480-$675 | | Freestanding Gas Range | $799 | $899-$999 | 25-35% | $585-$750 | | Side-by-Side Refrigerator | $1,099 | $1,199-$1,349 | 25-40% | $720-$1,010 |

These are ranges, not guarantees — actual scratch and dent prices depend heavily on the severity of the cosmetic damage, the specific model, and regional market conditions. But the pattern is consistent: as retail prices climb, the absolute dollar savings from buying scratch and dent grows.

Which Categories Feel the Most Pressure

Not all appliances are equally exposed. Here's where to focus your attention.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are the most tariff-exposed major appliance. They use substantial steel for the cabinet, imported compressors, electronic control systems, and in French door and counter-depth configurations, significant amounts of aluminum trim. Analysts have flagged refrigerators as one of the categories likely to see the sharpest price increases in 2026.

Scratch and dent refrigerators are also typically plentiful — they're large, they're easy to damage in transit, and they move through warehouse inventory steadily. This is the category where buying scratch and dent makes the most financial sense right now.

Laundry (Washers and Dryers)

Washing machines are already subject to a complex tariff history — they've been a focus of U.S. trade actions since 2018. Front-load washers in particular use motor and bearing systems with significant import exposure. Expect continued price pressure in this category.

Dryers are somewhat less exposed than washers (simpler mechanics, fewer imported components), but paired sets are typically priced together, so washer cost increases tend to pull dryer prices up in the pair configuration.

Laundry pairs are one of the best scratch and dent buys for landlords and flippers. Mismatched cosmetic damage — a dent on the washer but not the dryer — can push the pair price down significantly even when both units are fully functional.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers rely heavily on stainless steel for tub construction (in mid-range and premium tiers) and imported pump and motor assemblies. The move toward fully integrated and panel-ready dishwashers has added electronic complexity that increases import component exposure.

Entry-level dishwashers built with more domestic-friendly materials may see less pressure, but the mid-range $600-$1,000 segment — the sweet spot for most buyers — is meaningfully exposed.

Cooking Ranges

Gas ranges are structurally simpler than refrigerators or washers, but they still rely on imported cast iron grate components, electronic ignition systems, and in dual-fuel and induction configurations, more complex electronics. Range prices have been climbing and tariff exposure adds continued upward pressure.

Induction ranges, in particular, face significant import exposure for their glass-ceramic cooktops and induction coil assemblies. If you've been considering a switch to induction, buying scratch and dent now rather than waiting may lock in meaningfully better pricing.

Beyond Tariffs: The Supply Squeeze

Tariffs aren't the only supply-side pressure on appliance prices in 2026. The industry is still working through lingering effects from pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, ongoing semiconductor shortages affecting control board availability, and energy efficiency mandate transitions that require retooling production lines.

These pressures compound. A refrigerator manufacturer dealing with higher steel costs and constrained compressor supply and a new efficiency standard transition faces cost pressure from multiple directions simultaneously. Retail prices reflect that reality.

Scratch and dent inventory sits upstream of all these dynamics. The unit on the warehouse floor was already manufactured and already absorbed into the domestic supply chain. It's insulated from today's production cost pressures in a way that a newly ordered unit simply isn't.

What to Buy Now vs. What Can Wait

Buy now:

Refrigerators — highest tariff exposure, broad S&D availability, prices moving
Front-load washer-dryer pairs — sustained tariff pressure since 2018, good S&D volume
Dishwashers — mid-range stainless models seeing clear price movement
Induction ranges — high electronics import exposure, prices likely to move further

Can wait (relatively):

Basic dryers — lower import exposure, less price movement expected
Small countertop appliances — different tariff dynamics, less urgency
Compact refrigerators — more domestic production, lower exposure

If your current appliance is working but aging, this is a year to replace proactively rather than waiting for failure. Buying a scratch and dent replacement on your timeline — not in an emergency — means better selection and no pressure to overpay on a quick turnaround.

How to Find Scratch and Dent Inventory

The scratch and dent market isn't centralized, which means you need to know where to look.

Regional scratch and dent warehouse stores are the best source for selection and pricing. These are standalone businesses that specialize in buying liquidated, damaged, and discontinued appliances from retailers and manufacturers. Inventory turns over fast, prices are typically negotiable, and the depth of discount is usually deeper than big-box clearance sections.

Big-box retailer clearance sections — the back corner of your local Lowe's, Home Depot, or Best Buy — carry scratch and dent and open-box inventory at 20-40% off. Selection is limited compared to dedicated warehouses, but these units have been inspected and come with at least a partial warranty in most cases.

Manufacturer outlet stores exist for some brands (Whirlpool, GE/Haier, Samsung) and sell factory-reconditioned and cosmetically damaged units directly. Pricing is competitive and you're buying from the manufacturer.

Online liquidation marketplaces (B-Stock, Direct Liquidation, GovPlanet) list appliance lots, though buying sight-unseen requires more due diligence on condition descriptions.

For a detailed breakdown of what to look for by appliance category — including which cosmetic damage is acceptable and which signals a unit to skip — see our complete scratch and dent buying guide.

The Bottom Line

Tariffs are a structural cost input, not a temporary blip. The appliance prices you see at retail today are higher than they were 18 months ago, and the trajectory for 2026 and beyond points further upward across most major categories.

Scratch and dent has always offered a compelling value proposition: new-equivalent functionality at a meaningful discount for cosmetic imperfection. In a tariff environment, that proposition gets stronger. Pre-tariff inventory is sitting in warehouses right now. The absolute dollar savings from buying scratch and dent are larger as retail prices rise. And the urgency is real — that inventory sells through, and replacement units will come in at higher cost.

If you've been on the fence, the math has shifted in favor of moving now.

Explore available scratch and dent options by category at /scratch-and-dent-appliances/, or review our full inspection checklist and buying strategy in the buyers guide.