IFA 2026: AI dominates as appliance brands showcase the future of kitchen technology

IFA 2026 brought together global brands, industry leaders, and innovators with a record-breaking 240,000 visitors from 155 countries attending the show. Sally Smith reveals her top 10 standout brands.

IFA, the world’s largest tech event for consumer electronics and home appliances, attracted over 2,000 exhibitors across the 5-day event from 4th to 8th September in Messe, Berlin. This year, the focus was on showcasing the power of generative AI, enabling appliances to provide users with intelligent assistance, improving performance and ultimately making consumers lives easier.

AEG’s stand focused on ‘Taste and Care innovations’, building on its presence at IFA 2025. Leandro Jasiocha, head of region Europe, Middle East & Africa, explained: "IFA provides an important platform for us as a brand to demonstrate how intelligent technology can deliver improved performance while making life easier for consumers. Our latest innovations are designed to remove uncertainty from everyday tasks, whether that is achieving consistent cooking results, tackling stubborn food in the dishwasher or caring for treasured garments." Highlights included the 7000 MealAssist oven with PizzaExpert, and the new 8000 and 9000 series ‘Favorit’ dishwashers.

ASKO was highlighting its connected platform bringing together intelligent assistance, personalised recommendations and smart automation. "Our appliances already hold a great deal of knowledge about how to cook, wash and care for things well. ASKO Sense makes that knowledge useful in the moment, so you get a better result and your attention back for everything else," says Wouter Ditters, global manager smart solutions & services at ASKO. The aim is to ultimately help users make the most of the capabilities already built into their appliances.

Neil Tunstall, CEO of Haier Europe, was keen to point out that IFA 2026 was a great opportunity to open up new possibilities of what appliances can do for people within the home. "AI creates value when it addresses real needs and turns them into practical, intuitive solutions. This is a long-term vision, underpinned by an equally tangible commitment. Over the next 5 years, we will invest around €13billion in strategic technology areas, including AI, innovation and IoT." 

Liebherr introduced its new XL and XXL fridge-freezers offering up to 100 litres of additional storage capacity – launching in the UK in September 2026 – alongside an expanded French Door range and its latest update to the brand’s SmartDevice app. Introducing new features and an improved user interface aims to make appliance control even more intuitive for consumers with new additional content to keep users more informed about energy usage.

Midea introduced 2 new dishwasher innovations at IFA 2026. The Tri-GreenApex, uses a co-ordinated heat-pump to wash and rapidly dry, helping to reduce energy use and give users more flexibility as to when they unload. The Teka InsideMax is designed to fit more into the same dishwasher footprint. A deeper third rack, adjustable upper basket, vertical loading and space for cookware up to 300mm make it easier to accommodate plates, pans, glasses and awkwardly shaped items within the same load. Built-in Smart Wash sensors also assess load size and grime level, automatically adjusting temperature, water use and cycle duration for a more optimised everyday wash.

The theme on Miele's stand was ‘The End of Housework Is in Sight’, and the brand showcased new products across dishwashing, laundry care, cooking and extraction, with a focus on the future role of AI in the home. Dr Reinhard Zinkann, executive director & co-proprietor of Miele, says: "Our customers shouldn’t have to be experts in programmes or functions. The expertise has to sit in the appliance. The more decisions technology takes off our hands, the more important trust in the result becomes." The highlight of the G8 Dishwasher range introduces a new feature, AutoVision, an integrated camera, image processing and AI-based recognition that is able to identify how full the dishwasher is and what types of items are inside.

Samsung ‘CONNECT’ presented an immersive exhibition space demonstrating how AI can deliver practical benefits to make everyday life easier and more intuitive. "At IFA 2026, we're showcasing how Samsung is leveling up its AI across our TVs, mobile devices and the connected home. Whether it’s helping people save energy, enjoy richer entertainment experiences or access powerful AI features across more devices," says Benjamin Braun, CMO, Samsung Europe. The brand launched its extended bespoke AI washer range with new 10kg and 13kg models designed around greater energy efficiency, capacity and convenience.

Hisense’s stand illustrated its vision of AI beyond appliances to create connected experiences across the home, launching the new PureSmart Duo Series, available this month. The ConnectLife platform featured a 21-inch smart screen. "This vision comes to life through the ‘Social Kitchen’ where technology helps the kitchen become a hub for connection rather than merely supporting food preparation. ‘AI Companion Suite’ brings cooking, entertainment and communication together to create an integrated home experience," says Matthew Glynn, senior product marketing manager at Hisense UK.

Siemens Home Appliances showcased new products and technologies making the home smarter and more personalised. Launched at IFA 2026 the upgraded iQ700 oven now allows users to save their go-to recipes. The oven remembers these favourites and automatically starts the correct cooking programme the next time. “AI-enabled appliances are designed to simplify everyday tasks and enhance convenience,” says Gaelle Thibaud, Siemens Home Appliances, “while remote monitoring through the app reduces the need to continually check on food.”

Bosch launched its Series 6 single-door fridges and freezers. ​​New cooling technology guarantees optimal storage conditions and energy-efficient appliances. "Energy-efficient technologies are no longer confined to premium appliance ranges. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating these features across a broader range of products and price points, making them more accessible to a wider group of consumers," says Caner Duran, head of cooling, BSH Home Appliances UK.