KBIS 2026 was full of industry firsts. Much of the innovation on display in the expansive home and kitchen display involved major appliances. Top brands including Samsung, LG, GE and Sharp were on hand to provide a glimpse into the future of home technology.
We were there to see it all up close and talk to product managers, engineers and brand representatives about all the new major device features coming in 2026.
The latest refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and laundry systems were well represented on the show floor, and the innovations on display were not only eye-catching; they were practical upgrades designed to make life at home a little easier.
Here are 10 highlights from KBIS 2026.
1. Golden Heater, a new pressure cooking technology
It’s not every year that we get a new kind of cooking technology. Sharp’s new Celerity oven features “Golden Heater” technology that combines microwave, true convection and infrared heat to cook food three times faster than a standard oven. We sampled cookies that baked in just 9 minutes – something that would normally take 15 minutes. The result? They were just as good as grandma’s.
2. Refrigerator barcode scanner for easy shopping list creation
A handy built-in scanner helps you keep track of groceries when you’re running low.
This technology was the first unveiled at CES but GE Profile was at KBIS to demonstrate its own refrigerator with barcode scanning for groceries.
The smart refrigerator has a small scanner on the front door that allows you to scan groceries when you are running low. From there, you can add them to a list on your phone or purchase directly through the brand’s Instacart integration.
3. Oven doneness detectors
Several ovens on display at KBIS feature doneness detectors that alert you when food is browning so you don’t overcook.
Oven manufacturers have also turned up the smarts. Ovens have had cameras for a while, but more and more innovative algorithms are learning to use them better. Doneness detectors, which monitor food as it cooks for signs of browning and alert you when it’s getting close, are designed to prevent burning and overcooking.
KitchenAid, Sharp and LG are just some of the kitchen brands integrating a doneness detector into their new ovens.
4. Bottle and straw washers
The Midea washing machine has special reusable straw washing machines.
One of our favorite upgrades was Midea’s straw washing station in its new washing machines, coming to market this year. Straws are notoriously difficult to clean, but this special spot on the bottom rack sprays water directly into your reusable straws, ridding them of dirt, mold, and other buildup.
5. Built-in basket to store your sweaters
This simple addition to the washing machine drum protects your sweaters and delicates from abuse.
Whirlpool unveiled the industry first built-in deli basket. A simple design that allows you to wash delicate sweaters and shirts with a regular load.
The basket keeps these items free from the hard knocks that occur during a standard wash. It’s also good to keep socks together to make matching easier when it’s time to fold.
6. Nugget ice maker for the refrigerator
Whirlpool’s new refrigerator makes nugget ice in the front and classic cubes in the freezer below.
With all the excitement surrounding nugget ice, it’s hard to believe that we’re just now getting our first refrigerator with a built-in nugget ice maker. Whirlpool’s latest version pumps out crisp, chewy ice from a front dispenser and standard ice cubes from the bottom freezer.
7. UV cleaning of the washing machine
With UV cleaning, the machine can fight bacteria even during a cold water wash.
While this seemed a bit gimmicky to me, Whirlpool has introduced the world’s first UV sanitizing washing machine, which blasts clothes during a standard wash to kill bacteria.
The purpose of UV cleaning is to combat bacteria without using boiling hot water, which can be harmful to fabrics over time.
8. A built-in sous vide tank
The versatile oven from SKS has a built-in sous vide tank.
Sous vide cooking has been adopted by home chefs and professional chefs alike. The low-and-slow water bath typically requires specialized equipment, but SKS’s new feature-rich stove has a sous vide tank built into the hob.
The catch? The stove, which has gas and induction burners and a host of other innovative features, costs €1.50 as much as $12,000.
9. Dishwasher bottom rack that flips up for easy loading
A dishwasher with a lower rack that folds up for easy loading? Yes, please.
Kenmore’s upcoming dishwasher features a simple update that makes loading and unloading a breeze. The lower rack extends and folds up to the same height as the upper rack. It is certainly a welcome innovation for people with back problems or mobility problems.
10. Smart AutoFill Water Dispensers
Intelligent auto-filling allows you to put down a glass or bottle and walk away while it’s being filled.
Refrigerators are getting smarter and that also applies to the water spouts. We’ve seen several refrigerators, including those from GE and KitchenAid, with intelligent autofill technologies that use cameras or weight sensors to determine exactly how much water to fill into a bottle or glass. When it is 90% full, the water stops, allowing you to do other things while the filling continues.
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