Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
In a bid to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday living, Samsung has unveiled its latest range of AI-powered home appliances. Showcased at both CES 2024 and CES 2025, the tech giant’s new lineup features smart refrigerators, intelligent dishwashers, AI ovens, and connected washing machines and dryers. These smart home devices incorporate advanced AI features, LCD touchscreens, integrated cameras, and automatic opening doors, aiming to simplify and enhance daily routines in cooking, laundry, and cleaning.
While the integration of AI functionalities is evident across this new range, many of these features are not entirely novel. Previous iterations of Samsung appliances have incorporated similar technologies. The trend, however, indicates a clear direction: AI is becoming a ubiquitous element in home appliances, regardless of whether consumers perceive an explicit need for it.
Samsung’s Bespoke AI kitchen lineup includes fridges, dishwashers, vacuums, and washer-dryer combos.
During a visit to Samsung Home Studio, I had the opportunity to examine these AI-enhanced appliances firsthand. The primary focus of this evaluation was to determine the practical benefits these AI features offer to consumers. The central question remains: does the added intelligence justify the hype and increased cost?
This article explores the findings from this hands-on experience and presents an analysis of whether the AI revolution in home appliances has truly arrived.
Samsung Bespoke AI Kitchen Appliances
Samsung is launching its Bespoke refrigerator series, presenting four distinct models, some of which were initially previewed at CES. Leading the line is the Bespoke AI 4-Door Refrigerator, equipped with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside. Notably, all models except the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator are currently available for pre-order on Samsung.com, offering a $1,000 discount and an extended warranty of an additional year.
AI Integration: Incremental Improvements
Samsung’s 4-door fridge with a 32-inch screen
The most immediately striking feature of Samsung’s 4-door refrigerator is its expansive 32-inch LCD touchscreen, integrated into the front panel. Samsung highlights this as the largest screen currently available on any home appliance, although the concept itself isn’t groundbreaking. The AI Family Hub, previously featured in earlier Samsung refrigerator models, provides access to various applications, including YouTube and TikTok, recipe displays, reminder settings, and grocery list creation.
While touchscreens on appliances are not universally favored, with a preference for physical controls often cited, the 32-inch display is undeniably substantial and vibrant. It effectively mirrors the functionality of devices like the Amazon Echo Show 8, serving as a central hub for smart home management, calendar synchronization, and reminder alerts. Its utility as a general home interface is readily apparent.
The hub on Samsung’s fridge offers calendar, notifications and various apps.
AI Vision Inside also makes a return. This feature uses an internal camera to identify food items as they are placed into or removed from the refrigerator. It monitors food inventory, alerting users when supplies are low, automatically updating the SmartThings grocery list, and providing expiration warnings. For users who frequently utilize grocery delivery services, integration with Instacart is also available, enabling direct list updates.
Currently, AI Vision can automatically recognize approximately three dozen food items, with manual additions also supported. Future enhancements are anticipated to expand this recognition capability. For many, including myself, the potential to minimize food waste through timely expiration alerts is a key benefit. Receiving notifications about impending spoilage could significantly reduce unnecessary food discards.
Naturally, the refrigerator includes Wi-Fi and SmartThings integration. Auto-open doors are another notable feature, facilitating hands-free access when stocking the fridge. This design element could also mitigate fingerprints and smudges, often a concern with stainless steel finishes, by reducing handle contact.
The Bespoke AI Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ is priced at $4,699 and is offered in stainless steel, white glass, and charcoal with a matte black finish. Customization options extend to a range of door panel colors and finishes. The series includes three additional models, such as a 4-door variant with a 9-inch AI Home Screen and the same AI Vision Inside functionality, priced at $3,999.
Samsung’s space-saving fridge may work better in places with a tight fit.
Optimized Cooling with AI and Peltier Technology
The Bespoke AI Hybrid 4-Door Flex, priced at $3,999, warrants specific attention. Despite its “AI” designation, it lacks AI Vision Inside. Its AI functionality is focused on optimizing cooling efficiency and energy consumption. This is achieved via a hybrid cooling system combining a traditional compressor with a Peltier module. Typically, the compressor serves as the primary cooling mechanism, with the Peltier module engaging to provide supplementary cooling when needed.
AI algorithms monitor internal conditions, detecting temperature fluctuations caused by door openings or the introduction of warm food. In response to these changes, both the compressor and Peltier module operate simultaneously to rapidly restore optimal temperatures. Samsung claims this hybrid cooling approach yields an additional 2.5 inches of interior space compared to conventional compressor-only refrigerators.
This application of AI for energy efficiency is arguably more compelling than features like AI Vision. It operates unobtrusively, without requiring prominent screens or cameras. For consumers prioritizing energy savings, this hybrid cooling model presents a potentially worthwhile option.
Compact Design for Limited Spaces
Finally, the Bespoke 4-door Flex Kitchen Fit Refrigerator, with pricing and availability pending, caters to space-constrained environments. Its design allows for a minimal 4-millimeter installation gap on each side. The doors can open at a 90-degree angle, and Samsung’s SpaceMax technology reduces wall thickness, maximizing internal capacity without sacrificing insulation. For those, like myself, with smaller living spaces, this model is particularly appealing as a potential upgrade in kitchens where space is a premium.
The oven lets you stream a view of what’s cooking to the social media of your choice.
Samsung’s Smart Ovens: Influencer-Centric Features
The Bespoke 30-inch Double and Single Wall Ovens incorporate AI-powered cooking capabilities, building upon features present in previous models. Again, this is not a completely novel iteration. The double wall oven features a 7-inch AI Home Screen, serving as a central control panel, mirroring the interface found on the refrigerator. It functions as a smart home hub, supports applications like YouTube and Spotify, and can display a live camera feed of dishes inside the oven, enabling users to monitor cooking progress and share content on social media. While the social media integration seems targeted towards cooking personalities, the core functionalities remain beneficial for everyday cooking needs.
Integrated Samsung AI Pro Cooking software leverages the internal camera to automatically identify 80 pre-programmed recipes (with capacity for manual additions) and suggests optimal cooking times and temperatures for various dishes. It can even accommodate different meat types within the same dish. Samsung’s demonstration of simultaneous salmon and whole chicken baking appeared unconventional. However, more practical combinations, such as bacon-wrapped chicken requiring varied temperatures, present a more relevant application.
Samsung demonstrated a possible use of the oven, showing how you can cook different meats at the same time.
The oven design omits physical handles, featuring a “Push to Open” mechanism, allowing for easy access when hands are occupied. This technology operated reliably during testing. However, its robustness in real-world scenarios remains to be seen. For example, the responsiveness to accidental bumps, such as from pets, requires further evaluation. While designed with safety in mind, practical testing will reveal its resilience in dynamic home environments.
Wi-Fi and SmartThings connectivity enables remote oven control, including preheating and monitoring energy usage, along with recipe access. While remote control functionality is present in numerous modern ovens, including less sophisticated models, Samsung’s implementation aims for enhanced reliability and seamless integration.
The Double-Wall Oven is priced at $4,649, and the Single-Wall Oven at $3,759. Both are currently available for purchase on Samsung.com.
Chicken and salmon in the same dish is an interesting food combo that Samsung’s oven can apparently handle.
Samsung also introduces 30-inch and 36-inch Induction Cooktops incorporating smart energy-efficient features. Certified as Energy Star compliant, these cooktops feature four and five burners respectively. Both models include a 4.3kW Power Burner for high-intensity heat. All burners offer a Power Boost function for accelerated cooking, and a Sync Burner feature allows simultaneous control of two burners. Consistent with Samsung’s appliance ecosystem, Wi-Fi and SmartThings integration are included.
The induction cooktop has plenty of burners and can be synced to control two at the same time.
The 30-inch model is priced at $1,499, and the 36-inch model at $1,699. Pre-orders are currently open on Samsung.com for both models.
AI Enhanced Dishwashing
While cooking can be enjoyable, post-meal cleanup, particularly dishwashing, is often less appealing. The Bespoke Auto Open Door Dishwasher aims to streamline this task. Here too, the smart features are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, echoing a recurring theme across this appliance lineup. The AI Wash function is designed to enhance the removal of persistent food residues, working in conjunction with rotating StormWash dual arms. A high-resolution sensor monitors dish cleanliness, and machine learning algorithms automatically adjust wash and rinse cycles based on detected soil levels.
Sensor-driven soil detection technology is not entirely new to dishwashers. Many modern dishwashers feature auto modes that adjust cycles based on sensor readings. However, their effectiveness in accurately gauging soil levels can vary. Inconsistent performance in accurately detecting food residue sometimes results in incompletely cleaned dishes. If Samsung’s AI implementation demonstrably improves the precision of soil detection, AI Wash could represent a tangible advancement. However, skepticism remains regarding whether this feature genuinely constitutes advanced AI.
There are three racks in the dishwasher and all are adjustable.
The dishwasher incorporates a 2.25-inch LCD control panel and features Smart Dry, which optimizes warm air circulation, reportedly improving drying performance by 2.5 times. Operating at a quiet 38 decibels, it significantly reduces noise output. For context, a 38–40-decibel appliance is generally classified as quiet. Typical conversational volume is around 60 decibels, and many dishwashers operate within this range, positioning Samsung’s model as considerably quieter than standard alternatives.
Wi-Fi connectivity and the SmartThings application enable remote operation, allowing users to start, stop, and monitor power usage from mobile devices.
Priced at $1,399 at launch, the Bespoke Auto Open Door Dishwasher is currently available for pre-order via Samsung.
Samsung has all-in-one washers and dryers in vented and ventless models.
AI Integrated Laundry Solutions
Laundry appliances are also incorporating AI. The Bespoke AI Laundry Vented Combo combines a washing machine and dryer into a single unit, eliminating the need to transfer clothes between machines. Like the refrigerator and oven, it features a 7-inch AI Home touchscreen, serving as a central hub for controls, cycle selection, settings adjustments, and application access, consistent with other appliances in the series.
All-in-one laundry units have historically faced criticism regarding cleaning and drying efficiency. Samsung is attempting to address these concerns with features like Opti Wash & Dry, which automatically adjusts cycle settings and leverages a vented electric dryer with an internal heater and fan to improve hot air circulation. The full wash and dry cycle is completed within 77 minutes, with AI and sensors dynamically adjusting temperature and cycle duration. The AI learning model predicts rinse cycle completion, enabling subsequent cycles to initiate promptly once cleanliness is achieved.
For users opting out of automatic drying, the Auto Open Door feature activates post-wash cycle, releasing humidity and moisture, preventing mildew build-up if clothes are left unattended.
The laundry has a touchscreen to let you select cycles and it also acts as a hub.
The Flex Auto Dispense System automates detergent dispensing, accommodating up to 47 loads, or configurable to dispense 34 softener loads and 25 detergent loads. This eliminates frequent refills.
In line with Samsung’s smart appliance approach, Wi-Fi and SmartThings connectivity enable remote monitoring, complemented by voice control for hands-free cycle initiation and termination.
The Vented Combo is priced at $3,099 and requires standard laundry hookups for installation. It is currently available for pre-order through Samsung.
A unique look at what’s going on under the hood with Samsung’s washer and dryer combo.
AI in Vacuum Cleaners?
Samsung extends its AI branding to cordless vacuums, though the technology is iterative, building upon previous models released in 2023. The vacuum incorporates an LCD panel displaying suction levels, battery status, and alerts. Its AI capability is described as floor type sensing, automatically adjusting suction power and brush speed to optimize runtime and maneuverability across different surfaces. Brief testing in a controlled environment suggests it is lightweight and maneuverable, though comprehensive cleaning performance assessment requires more rigorous testing.
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum boasts 400 air watts (AW) of suction, powered by Samsung’s HexaJet motor. Typical vacuums range from 150 to 200AW, with 200AW considered a benchmark for strong suction.
Me using the vacuum on the hardwood floors in the studio.
Samsung claims a 100-minute runtime, representing potentially industry-leading battery life for a stick vacuum. Independent verification of this claim across various suction settings is needed. Extended runtime could be particularly advantageous for larger homes, potentially exceeding the typical 30-minute full-power runtime of comparable vacuums.
Further testing in controlled laboratory conditions is planned to assess the Jet Ultra’s performance against competitors. Look for its ranking in upcoming vacuum cleaner reviews.
Additional features include an All-in-One Clean Station, which automatically charges and empties the dustbin, claiming a 99.99% capture rate for fine dust. This self-emptying dock enhances user convenience by minimizing dust exposure during disposal.
I’m a huge fan of any vacuum that has a self-emptying dock. There’s nothing worse than getting dust all over your freshly vacuumed floors.
Connectivity via Wi-Fi and SmartThings is standard, with an added feature of displaying phone call and text notifications during vacuum operation. The practical utility of this feature is debatable, given the ubiquity of smartwatches and the audibility of phone alerts, though it could be beneficial in specific scenarios where critical calls are anticipated during cleaning.
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is priced at $1,099, including a 10-year motor warranty and a 2-year battery warranty. It is currently available for pre-order, positioning it at a premium price point, comparable to high-end competitors.
According to Samsung, the vacuum can run for 100 minutes before needing to be charged.
Evaluating the Value Proposition of AI Appliances
With prices ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 across the lineup, the central question is whether Samsung’s AI features justify the price premium over comparable non-AI models.
Consider the ventless all-in-one washer-dryer, for example. Samsung’s smart model is priced at $3,099, while a comparable ventless model from GE is listed at $2,599 MSRP, and currently available on sale for approximately $1,798. The GE model also offers Energy Star certification and smart features via the SmartHQ app, including notifications and specialized cycles, albeit without the full extent of Samsung’s AI integration.
Depending on the model you get, you could be spending as much as $3,000 to $4,000 on one of Samsung’s fridges.
Comparing Samsung’s refrigerator to standard four-door refrigerators from brands like Whirlpool or KitchenAid, the Samsung model commands approximately a $1,000 price increase for its AI features and integrated screen. The inherent value of these additional functionalities is debatable. However, for consumers already considering a smart refrigerator, the premium might be acceptable. High-end smart refrigerators from brands like LG Signature, with similar features such as auto-open doors, can reach prices twice as high as Samsung’s offerings, although more affordable smart models aligning with Samsung’s pricing are available.
Conversely, dependable non-smart refrigerators from reputable brands like Whirlpool are available at significantly lower price points. While Samsung’s AI appliance lineup presents some promising features, the current generation of AI integration may not warrant the cost premium compared to acquiring simpler, high-quality appliances from established brands at comparable or reduced prices.