Black Stainless Steel Appliances: Pros, Cons, and Top Brands

Black stainless steel appliances are a popular choice for consumers looking for an updated look from the silver stainless steel that remains a staple in many kitchens. Black stainless steel contains the same elements as traditional stainless but has a black matte finish due to an added polymer protective coating. Appliances commonly finished in black stainless steel are refrigerators, dishwashers, and washer/dryer combinations.

A kitchen with black stainless steel appliances has a timeless appeal that holds up well even as other home design trends crash and burn. Yet, that doesn't mean these appliances are perfect or work for all homes. Black stainless steel appliances, like any other appliances, have pros and cons associated with them. Learn more about black stainless steel vs. stainless steel and what may work best for you.

Black Stainless Steel Appliance Cost

The cost of black stainless steel appliances is generally higher than traditional stainless steel. On average, you can expect to pay around $200 to $300 more for the same model in black stainless steel. One of the reasons for this price difference is that black stainless steel is considered a modern and trendy style. Some specialty appliance stores will offer package discounts when you purchase more than one type of appliance together.

Maintenance and Repair

Black stainless steel is considered lower maintenance than traditional stainless, especially when cleaning. While metallic-finish stainless steel requires special cleaners, black stainless steel is coated and can be cleaned with warm water and a soft rag or non-abrasive kitchen cleaners. Never use brushes with bristles or abrasive cleaners, as this can lift the polymer-based paint coating off the surface.

No appliance surface hides all marks and a big drawback of traditional stainless is how easily smudges and fingerprints show and multiply. However, black combined with a matte sheen does a good job of hiding these marks. Black matte ovens can hide the inevitable smoke damage over the door quite well.

One challenge with black stainless steel is that it may need repair. Metallic-finish stainless resists scratches well because it is a solid, homogeneous surface. If it's scratched, it shows more of the same material underneath. When black stainless steel appliances scratch, it's much more visible and shows the underlying and contrasting material once the coating scrapes away.

Most manufacturers sell touch-up paint in small quantities to fix nicks and scratches on black stainless steel appliances. Be sure to use brand-specific paint rather than purchasing universal paint for any matte black appliance. Touch-up kits from manufacturers can help but it's difficult to perfectly restore the original matte finish.

Top Brands of Black Stainless Steel Appliances

Most of the major manufacturers of stainless steel appliances have a line in a black stainless steel finish. Bosch, Frigidaire, Kitchenaid, and Samsung all carry appliances in a dark matte finish. These companies generally have many traditional stainless models. You may encounter some difficulty finding the exact black stainless pieces you need in appliance retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot. They may have to be specially ordered.

It's important to note that when pairing black stainless steel appliances from different manufacturers, these blacks may not match in shade or sheen. It's best to purchase a package of black stainless steel appliances from the same brand. The difference between two different black matte appliances can often be more visually jarring than pairing black with a different color.

Black Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel

Black stainless steel and traditional silver metallic stainless steel are the same material, except for one difference. Black stainless steel includes a coating of highly durable, protective, polymer-based black paint.

If you're trying to decide between the two, it comes down to a personal preference and what else is in your space. Black is a versatile color for your kitchen and can be paired with many shades. But, if you already have graphite tones or other shades of black that could clash, traditional stainless steel may be a better choice.

Black stainless is easier to clean than regular stainless and hides smudges and fingerprints. If your appliances are likely to suffer dings and nicks, it may not be the best choice since any scratches will strip away the dark coating and become noticeable.

Though black stainless steel is a trend with solid underpinnings, it’s still a trend. If you’re concerned about keeping up with the latest looks, you may want to opt for traditional stainless steel. Because of the bold, dark hue, black stainless steel appliances may go out of style as trends cycle.

If it's too difficult to choose, go with both. Some designers mix black and silver stainless steel kitchen appliances, which works well with accent pieces or silver appliances featuring black trim or control panels.

Are Black Stainless Steel Appliances for You?

Stylish and Trendy

Combining black with matte turns ordinary appliances into domestic works of art and dials up their cool factor. Fashion-forward black stainless steel may be perfect for your home if you appreciate trends. Additionally, if you're selling your home soon, it will appeal to buyers wanting the most updated look.

Practical

Not only are matte finishes stylish, but they’re also practical since fingerprints and minor stains disappear or are minimized on flat finishes. Perhaps several people touch your refrigerator daily and it may be helpful to have a surface that hides fingerprints and smudges and wipes down easily with basic soap and water.

Coordinates Well

Black is a universal and timeless color that matches nearly everything. It goes with gray, brown, white, beige, and navy. Black stainless steel appliances with white cabinets, in particular, offer a modern appearance and a sleek finish. On the other hand, pairing your black appliances with blue cabinets or other hues like green adds depth and a classic look to your kitchen. There are endless ways black stainless steel can coordinate well with the various finishes of your space.