Product Features
Appliance and Manufacturer
Color or Type
Price Range
Types of Controls
Comments
Stoves
Whirlpool
All colors
All price ranges
Tactile surfaces
Predictable settings, resets to default predictably, tones with button press. Many participants and others find these controls useful; direct observation of the temperature setting is not available nonvisually.
GE
All colors with black control areas
Low to moderate price range
Tactile surfaces
Predictable settings, defaults predictably, tones with button press
Dishwashers
Whirlpool
All colors
All price ranges
Bubble-like molded tactile control
Predictable settings, easy-to-feel control action, includes Clear button.
Bausch (a higher-end German brand)
All models, all colors
High price range
Latching mechanical controls or easy-to-feel electronic controls
Some models use a LED indicator with no Clear button.
Sears Kenmore
Some models or units, including D22M16264L, Kenmore Elite 13752, 13763, and 13793 ($650 to $1,150) are manufactured by Whirlpool and Bausch
All price ranges
Reflect the characteristics of features of the Whirlpool and Bausch models
LG
Some models, all colors
Mid to high price range
Mechanical controls
Easy to feel
Mieli, such as model 8663
All colors
A turn knob with a subtle raised pointer.
Entry-level models from several brands
Turn-knob mechanical controls, some mechanical buttons
Easy to feel, can check progress of washing cycle by touch.
Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer models (also available under the KitchenAid brand)
High-end
Up-Down cycle controls inside the unit, beep tones indicate the top and bottom of the cycle menus.
Conventional Top-Loading Washing Machines (typically the least expensive models)
Whirlpool
All colors
Low to moderate price range
Conventional knobs with pointed ends
The main timer control creates click sounds and provides feedback as cycles are changed.
Whirlpool
Cabrio (high-efficiency top-loading)
High price range
Turn knob with distinct pointer, electronic controls
Click stops indicate cycle selection, bubble controls beep as settings are changed, shares controls with the front-loading Duet Sport.
Sears Kenmore
Models including the 700 series
Low to moderate price range
Conventional knobs with an embossed dot indicating the pointer marking
The main timer control provides good tactile feedback, clicks interrupt smooth turning as cycles are changed.
Maytag
Insignia Series
Low to moderate price range
Conventional knobs with a textured pointer marking
The main timer control clicks interrupt smooth turning, provides tactile feedback as cycles are changed.
Fisher and Paykel
Echo Smart (high-efficiency top-loading model)
More expensive than many top-loading units
Embossed tactile controls, beep tones
The menu settings are accessible with changing tones when the top and bottom of the menu are reached, Up/Down button pairs for menu selections, cycles selected by a single button press.
Front-loading Washing Machines
Whirlpool
Duet models, all colors
Mid to high price range
Turn knob with distinct pointer, electronic controls
Predictable up/down changes with button press, no tones with button press.
Whirlpool
Duet Sport
Mid price range
Turn knob with a distinct pointer, electronic controls
Click stops indicate cycle selection, bubble controls beep as the settings are changed; Shares controls with the Cabrio top-loading machine.
LG Tronn
Super Capacity, all colors
Unique circular button
Five cycles selected at the edge of the large button, a tone sounds with each button press when making adjustments to settings.
Sears Kenmore
Some models, including the HE3 and HE4
Mid to high price range
Easy-to-feel electronic touch controls, cycle selected with a single press from circular button array
Predictable menus with the Up/Down button press, no tones with the button press.
Sears Kenmore
Models manufactured by Frigidaire
Mid price range
Turn knobs with the tactile pointer, distinct buttons to adjust settings
Predictable Up/Down menu selections.
Clothes Dryers* Standouts include the Whirlpool models, Fisher and Paykel basic dryer, and Whirlpool and Sears Kenmore mates for front-loading washing machines.
Microwave Ovens**
GE
Profile 7543, stainless
Textured touch controls contrast with smooth background
Some may find controls crowded.
Panasonic
Model 1085, stainless
$209
Mechanical buttons, number pad and function controls use differing button shapes
Well regarded unit by owners had been unavailable.
Hamilton Beach
Talking microwave
$169
Unit announces functions as buttons are pressed, digits for time entry are not announced, a rotary knob with clicks is used for number entry.
Whirlpool and Whirlpool Gold (over the range)
All colors
Textured surfaces on smooth background.
Wall Ovens
Whirlpool
All colors
All price ranges
Tactile surfaces
Predictable settings, defaults predictably, tones with button press.
KitchenAid double and single, such as models 28479 and 28403 (a mid-range brand)
All colors
All price ranges
Subtle tactile surfaces, uses keypad for entering temperature and time, predictable settings
Predictable defaults, tones with a button press. Earlier models featured more distinct textures on the button surfaces.
GE Monogram ZET2PLSS double wall oven
stainless steel
$4000
Large rotary knobs with clearly identifiable pointers, the knobs click into position for options, such as broiler and convection
Subtle but identifiable clicks for temperatures in 25-degree increments starting with 200 degrees.
Frigidaire
Black and stainless with black controls
Tactile surfaces
Predictable settings, defaults predictably, tones with button press; Textured regions more distinct than some other brands.
* Dryer controls reflect the design of their washing machine mates.
** Microwaves are generally inaccessible, with the exceptions listed here, because of controls that cannot be identified by touch and complex visual displays that do not provide access.
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