Asko

The r/BuyItForLife community has historically regarded Asko as a premium, genuinely long-lasting appliance brand, with numerous users reporting 15–30 year lifespans from their dishwashers and washer/dryer sets. However, there is meaningful concern about the brand's quality trajectory following acquisition by Gorenje and then Hisense, with some users warning that the Swedish-made legacy machines are not the same product as what's sold today. The community generally still recommends Asko as a step above Bosch but below Miele, with caveats around serviceability and ownership changes.

Asko has a strong track record of multi-decade durability, especially older Swedish-made units, but the brand's acquisition by Hisense and shift of manufacturing to Slovenia introduces real uncertainty about current quality, and limited service networks remain a persistent practical concern.

Asko is praised for exceptional build quality, stainless steel construction, long operational lifespans, and smart design choices like the elimination of rubber door bellows. Longtime owners frequently report decades of reliable use with minimal or no repairs.

• Multiple users report 20–30 years of reliable, uninterrupted use
• Steel drum and door seal design resists mold better than rubber bellows
• Stainless steel spray arms and tub components outlast plastic alternatives
• Dishwasher rack design praised as intuitive and smooth-gliding
• Very water and detergent efficient, requiring minimal product per load
• Quieter and less vibrational than many competing front-load washers

The brand's acquisition by Gorenje and then Hisense has raised serious questions about whether current models maintain legacy quality. Parts scarcity and limited service networks are consistent pain points, and a minority of users report reliability issues with newer units.

• Owned by Hisense since Gorenje acquisition; quality trajectory uncertain
• Repair technicians are scarce; nearest service can be hours away
• Spare parts increasingly difficult to find for older models
• Some newer owners report early reliability issues and warranty service delays
• Premium price hard to justify given ownership changes and service gaps
• A few users note plastic rack components are brittle and prone to breaking

One user shared that their 26-year-old Asko dishwasher finally died, framing it as a fond farewell to a machine that truly delivered on its lifespan promise.

A commenter working in electronics retail said Asko washers and dryers were one of only three appliance lines they had never once heard a complaint about from customers.

A long-term owner noted their 1997 Asko washer and dryer set was still running without issue through both personal use and years of tenant abuse when renting out their condo.

Several community members cautioned that comparing a vintage Swedish-made Asko to a current Slovenia-manufactured unit owned by a Chinese conglomerate is an apples-to-oranges comparison.