In 2025, almost every major brand in India is pitching its appliances as smarter than ever. LG, Samsung, and Haier have doubled down on connected washing machines. Blue Star even hinted that from next year, their entire lineup will be Wi-Fi enabled. Even refrigerators are being launched with large touch displays and cameras to monitor what's inside.
While the options sound futuristic and straight out of a sci-fi movie, the question is whether these features make a real difference. Do they really help make things better and add convenience for consumers, and help save time, energy, and money? The answer to this question is not as straightforward. In the last year, I have been a part of most launches in the smart appliances and connected home space and tried some of these in the review units or the demo zones set by the companies. In my observations, some do by solving practical problems and improving efficiency. Others are more about looking impressive or just another tick box that the brands want to advertise. Here is a complete breakdown of what things I feel are required and the ones that I would have been okay not having.
Features That We Found Useful
The most consistently useful feature in my experience has been preventive maintenance reminders. This is extremely useful for both AC and washing machines. ACs that nudge you to clean their filters before they get choked keep cooling performance consistent and avoid unnecessary power use. Washing machines that remind you to run a drum clean help avoid detergent residue and lint build-up, both of which can affect wash quality and waste more water and detergent over time. These reminders save you money without you having to actively think about maintenance.
Self-diagnosis is another clear win. I have tested ACs that can detect when the refrigerant is running low or when airflow is restricted. So even before calling the engineer, I know exactly what is wrong and avoid overpaying the service guys. Washing machines can pinpoint a drainage problem or signal if the motor is under strain. These alerts can be passed on to the service team even before you book a complaint, cutting down the time you spend waiting for repairs. Some brands now offer WhatsApp integration, allowing you to complain with just one click after the diagnosis is run, which I would also consider a win.
Indian consumers have become extremely mindful of their electricity consumption, and that is evident from the surge in searches for appliances with five-star ratings. In this context, energy tracking and budgeting usage are features I use, and I believe most people with smart appliances will be interested in them. Being able to see weekly and monthly energy use helps me understand when my AC is running longer than needed or if my fridge door is being left open for too long.
One of the most advertised selling points across appliances is the promise that you can switch them on from anywhere. In daily life, I don't find myself using it all that often, but it can come in handy. A friend makes the most of it in peak summer, starting his AC while on the way home so the living room is cool before guests arrive. I have done the same with my washing machine, timing the cycle so it ends just as I get back, making it easier to deal with the laundry immediately. It is not a feature you lean on every day, but in the right situations, it does make life easier.
Features That Feel Forced
Not everything with a connected label is worth paying extra for. At a smart appliance showcase, I saw Samsung's fridge cameras and grocery management screens in action. They looked impressive, but using them requires you to manually add every item you place inside and set its expiry date. After a weekly grocery run, I know I would rather rest than stand there logging every packet of milk, every piece of broccoli, and bunch of coriander. I feel like me, this feature will feel like an extra effort without enough payoff, for most Indian households. Especially given that most people don’t even remember using the convertible mode on the fridge, this really seems to be stretching things too far.
The AI modes on the appliances are a mixed bag at the moment. I find this mode useful in case of washing machines because I am often unsure of the right amount to add. It avoids waste and ensures the wash quality is consistent. However, many people avoid this problem entirely by using detergent pods that already contain softener. The trade-off is that washing a small load still requires detergent meant for a full load, resulting in some waste.
However, in the case of ACs (where the machine decides the temperature changes through the runtime based on the internal and external factors), I feel this is an overkill. I tested it twice, and each time, setting my own daily temperature schedule worked far better for my comfort and sleep. On my smart AC, I've programmed it to start at 20°C at 9 PM, just after dinner, move to 24°C by bedtime at 11 PM, warm up to 28°C around 3 AM so I don't wake up feeling too cold, and drop back to 24°C at 7 AM to ensure that my sleep does not break because I am sweating. Now, the AC follows this exact routine every night, which gives me predictable comfort, better control over electricity use, and settings that match exactly how I like the room to feel. From all ACs that I have checked out so far, Blue Star and Panasonic offer these scheduling controls.
Some premium microwave ovens are now even coming with an auto cook mode. These promise to recognise what's inside and adjust the temperature and cooking time on their own. It sounds impressive on paper. However, is this practical? I’m not so sure. The reason I feel this way is that the sensor in these ovens can distinguish between batches of kachoris and kebabs. But Indian cooking is rarely a "set and forget" process. Most recipes involve multiple stages, from flipping and tossing halfway to adding spices at just the right moment. In those cases, this kind of automation ends up looking good in a demo but does little to replace the hands-on steps we're used to or get the desired taste and crispiness that we have grown up eating.
Finally, there are these energy saver modes that kick in during off-peak times. Certain appliances like robot vacuums sometimes promise to automatically schedule charging during off-peak hours. It’s a neat idea, especially where energy rates vary during peak time. But without seamless integration or solid user control, these automation routines can end up failing silently, running things at random times or not at all.
Where Things Stand Currently
Brands are working hard to convince buyers that connected features are now a must-have. The reality is more nuanced. The best ones are those that prevent common problems before they start, make maintenance easier, and help you save energy, time, and/or money over time. The rest may look good on paper or in a demo, but will struggle to become a habit in day-to-day use.
If you are paying a premium, make sure the feature fits into your lifestyle and solves a problem you actually have. A smart appliance should be one that works for you, not one that expects you to work around it.
