When it comes to high-end kitchen appliances, Dacor and Thermador are two of the most recognized luxury brands on the market. Both companies offer premium cooking products known for their sleek designs, innovative features and outstanding performance.
But with so many overlapping product categories and advanced technologies, it can be tricky to discern the key differences between these two industry leaders.
If you’re trying to decide between Dacor and Thermador for a kitchen upgrade or remodel, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to compare Dacor and Thermador appliances.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Dacor | Thermador |
| Origin | American company founded in 1965 in California | Acquired by German company Bosch in 1990s |
| Range Burners | Up to 22,000 BTU turbo burner | Up to 18,000 BTU star burner |
| Smart Technology | Focus on quality cooking over digital features | Guided cooking modes, wireless food probes, connectivity |
| Double Oven Design | Unique innovations like steam-assisted oven | Advanced convection systems |
| Cooktops | Wider 36 and 48-inch cooktop options | Premium Freedom Induction cooktop with smart sensors |
| Ventilation | Dishwasher safe filters for easy cleaning | New smart hood synchronizes with range |
| Wine Storage | Dual evaporators protect proper conditions | Distinguished wine columns optimize temperature and humidity |
| Warranty | 2-year full, 5-year limited | 2-year general, 5-year limited components |
| Cost | Ranges from $4,000 – $13,000 | Ranges from $5,500 – $15,000 |
Brand Histories
First, let’s take a quick look at the backgrounds and reputations of each brand.
Dacor – Founded in 1965 in California, Dacor has over 50 years of experience crafting luxury kitchen appliances.
The family-owned company is known for their stylish, American-made products and exceptional customer service.
Dacor’s claim to fame is pioneering the very first wall oven and downdraft vent system.
Thermador – Acquired by Bosch in the 1990s, Thermador has been designing and manufacturing culinary appliances since 1916.
They introduced the first built-in oven, cooktop and warming drawer.
Thermador is recognized globally for its bold innovations and superb German engineering.
Both Dacor and Thermador cater to high-end clientele seeking luxury appliances with professional performance and modern conveniences. While the Dacor brand has more of a focus on American craftsmanship, Thermador emphasizes European inspired engineering and technology.
Range Comparison
One of the most critical decisions in your kitchen is selecting the right range. As the centerpiece of any culinary space, this appliance must combine impeccable cooking power with ease of use. Let’s see how Dacor and Thermador ranges stack up.
Burner Performance – When it comes to burner performance, Dacor and Thermador are remarkably on par. Both offer powerful 18,000 BTU burners for rapid boiling along with special simmer burners under 1,000 BTUs.
Dacor uses a 19,000 BTU turbo burner while Thermador has an 18,000 BTU star burner. Realistically, you can achieve restaurant-quality results with either brand.
Smart Features – Thermador edges out Dacor when it comes to innovative smart features. Their ranges utilize wireless food probes and guided cooking assistance via home connectivity. Dacor ranges focus more on high powered basics as opposed to digital enhancements.
Design Aesthetic – Modern and luxurious describe the look of both Dacor and Thermador ranges. Thermador offers customizable hardware and trim while Dacor provides options like a cool touch glass window.
Dacor range colors include gloss black, matte gray and stainless while Thermador ranges are available in black, white and stainless steel.
Double Oven Configurations – For larger kitchens, double oven ranges provide more overall capacity. Dacor excels in the double oven category with unique innovations like a steam assisted oven. Thermador double ovens are more straightforward yet still utilize advanced convection systems.
For the ultimate in flexibility, the Dacor Renaissance line stands out with modular, single oven, double oven and French top range configurations. But you can’t go wrong with either brand if top-notch performance is your priority.
Cooktop and Rangetop Options
If you prefer separate cooktop and wall oven appliances, both Dacor and Thermador offer exceptional selections.
Gas Cooktops – With up to 6 sealed burners and continuous grates, Dacor and Thermador gas cooktops are excellent choices for the serious home chef. Dacor sets itself apart with a powerful 22,000 BTU burner while Thermador feature smart features like wireless connectivity.
Electric Cooktops – From responsive induction elements to traditional electric coils, both brands deliver top-notch electric cooking. Dacor’s 36 and 48-inch cooktops are wider than the Thermador line-up. But Thermador excels with their premium Freedom Induction cooktop using smart sensor controls.
Rangetops – For a professional style stainless steel rangetop, Thermador leads with more robust offerings. Their Star Sapphire collection includes configurations from 12 to 48 inches wide. Dacor’s Renaissance line has a great 30-inch gas rangetop option but fewer choices overall.
If your kitchen remodel leans more modern and streamlined, Thermador’s rangetop collections give you more flexibility. Traditional luxury is Dacor’s design strength.
Wall Oven Innovations
When comparing both brands top wall ovens, two key differences quickly emerge – steam cooking and smart connectivity.
Steam Ovens – Dacor reigns supreme in the steam oven category. Their Discovery line includes a 30-inch steam bake model along with a combination steam and convection oven.
Dacor also offers a double oven option with steam in one cavity. Thermador does not currently include steam cooking technology in their wall oven selection.
Connected Experience – For home chefs who love high-tech features, Thermador leads with more connected wall ovens. Their built-in models utilize Home Connect technology with options like voice activation and remote preheating.
Dacor takes a simpler approach focusing on quality cooking over digital bells and whistles.
Both Dacor and Thermador wall ovens deliver superb baking, broiling and convection performance. Which you prefer comes down to choosing easy Wi-Fi controls or innovative steam cooking.
Refrigeration Capabilities
Kitchen refrigeration is often overlooked – until something goes wrong! When it comes to keeping foods properly chilled and frozen, both brands once again are well matched.
French Door Refrigerators – Dacor and Thermador French door fridges provide exceptional cooling power, storage flexibility and sleek built-in style.
Dacor sets themselves apart with temperature stabilized drawers.
Thermador wins points for smart digital controls. Both include useful features like through the door ice and water.
Undercounter Refrigeration – From beverage centers to undercounter freezers, Dacor and Thermador offer specialty cooling right at your fingertips.
Dacor Beverage Centers are completely customizable with your choice of temperature zones. Thermador’s refrigerated drawers keep frequently accessed foods within easy reach.
Wine Preservation – Serious oenophiles require serious wine storage. Thermador’s distinguished wine columns provide optimized temperature and humidity control.
Dacor wine reserves have dual evaporators that maintain proper storage conditions. Both let you showcase your prized vintages in enviable style.
When it comes to food preservation, the scale tips slightly in favor of Thermador for high-tech refrigeration. Dacor’s options like stainless interiors give them an advantage for customized luxury.
Ventilation and Cleanup Solutions
No kitchen remodel is complete without considering high-powered ventilation and dish storage. Thermador and Dacor both provide excellent solutions for keeping your culinary space fresh and spotless.
- Range Hoods – With maximum air flows exceeding 1200 CFM, the range hoods from both brands are incredibly effective at capturing cooking odors, grease and smoke. Dacor’s hoods feature dishwasher safe filters for quick cleaning. Thermador’s new smart hood connects wirelessly with your range for automatic temperature synchronization.
- Under Cabinet Hoods – For more concealed ventilation, Dacor and Thermador under cabinet range hoods are ideal choices. Thermador’s sleek chimney style hoods are fully integrated to practically disappear. Dacor range hoods are highly customizable from oversized to low profile.
- Dishwashers – When meal prep is over, you want a dishwasher that excels at cleaning. Both Dacor and Thermador dishwashers deliver with quiet performance and helpful features like adjustable racks and removable cutlery baskets. Thermador dishwashers offer more finish options if matching your cabinetry is key.
Ventilation and clean-up capabilities are quite comparable between these two appliance leaders. Focus instead on which special features suit your kitchen design and lifestyle.
Warranties and Support
Given the premium prices of these luxury appliances, long warranties provide important peace of mind. Both Dacor and Thermador provide strong warranty coverage:
- Dacor – Most products include a 2-year full warranty with certain exclusions, along with a 5-year limited parts warranty.
- Thermador – Offers a 2-year general warranty plus additional limited coverage up to 5 years for certain components.
For customer service, Dacor’s reputation for helpful support is hard to beat. Their knowledgeable reps can walk you through repairs and maintenance questions in detail. Thermador service is also rated highly for being responsive and professional.
When making such a significant investment into luxury appliances, you want superior after-sale support. Dacor’s American based team is uniquely equipped to provide exceptional customer care over the lifetime of your products.
Cost Considerations
Let’s wrap up with a look at the cost differences between Dacor and Thermador appliances:
- Dacor – Typical range price $4,000 to $13,000
- Thermador – Typical range price $5,500 to $15,000
While there is pricing overlap, Thermador appliances do tend to cost more across most categories. The technology innovations with Thermador come at a higher purchase price. Dacor provides excellent quality and performance for somewhat lower prices.
Kitchen upgrades are a major expense regardless of which luxury brand you select. Be sure to compare total project costs as you evaluate these two exceptional appliance manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, Thermador and Dacor are separate competing brands when it comes to luxury kitchen appliances. They have distinct histories, engineering approaches, and product lines.
Yes, Dacor is widely considered among the top high-end appliance brands. They have been crafting luxury appliances since 1965 and are known for their quality engineering and customer service.
Dacor and Wolf are two of the top luxury kitchen appliance brands. Dacor tends to edge out Wolf in certain categories like wall ovens and ventilation while Wolf excels at rangetops. Overall Dacor and Wolf are comparable in terms of premium cooking performance.
In terms of prestige and innovations, Miele is often considered comparable to Thermador for high-end appliances. Like Thermador, the Miele brand focuses on modern connected technology and German engineering.
Final Thoughts
When comparing Dacor and Thermador, which brand comes out on top? In truth, there’s no universally “better” choice between these two industry leaders.
Dacor distinguishes itself with American craftsmanship and helpful customer service. Thermador shines with smart technology integration and sleek modern designs. Both Dacor and Thermador create professional quality, chef-worthy appliances.
Consider which features suit your family’s needs and lifestyle. For a French country or traditional aesthetic, Dacor excels. Contemporary spaces benefit from Thermador’s minimalist style.
No matter which direction you choose, either brand delivers exceptional results sure to make any home chef proud.
We bought a suite of Dacor appliances in 2020, total rubbish. The fridge was actually Samsung with a Dacor badge on it. I had three icemakers replaced until the company swapped out with another flop. Then two icemaker replacements later I threatened with reporting to RI AG office. They gave a full refund and I bought an Electrolux french door model with two icemakers. What a difference. The dacor range is disappointing, the temperature regulation is wildly off, at least predictably so I know to check often. They have replaced thermostat once, and the technician told me not to use the self clean or he’d be back to replace again. So I have never used the feature. The microwave oven is also a disappointment, the wattage is too low so it takes a long time, it does have two tiers for convection that work well, also a baked potato button I like. Overall I’d never buy the brand again! Looking to replace range with Aga Mercury soon. Thanks for all the good information on your website.