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Worse on Purpose

Maytag

American laundry and kitchen brand founded in Newton, Iowa. Marketed on a "dependable" reputation.

Status: Watchlist
Founded
1893
Website
maytag.com
HQ
USA
Manufacturing
USA,Mexico
Ownership type
Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent
Whirlpool
Acquired
2006
Status since
2026-06-08

Ownership

Whirlpool subsidiary since 2006. The "dependable" positioning is largely marketing now; same architecture and parts as base Whirlpool.

Why Watchlist

Serviceable budget pick alongside Whirlpool. Watchlist on the same logic: shared platforms, ~10-year lifespan, public-conglomerate ownership.

Sister brands under Whirlpool

See all 4 sister brands

Read the full investigation

Investigation · June 11, 2026

Your Appliances Got Worse On Purpose

One company makes the refrigerator you'll buy under four different names. Another sells the identical window unit under nine. GE is Chinese now, Frigidaire is Swedish, and Kenmore never built anything at all. Plus the few brands still built to last.

Read the full investigation

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