Fridge, AC and washing machine prices set to rise from October 1 in India

Prices of home appliances in India may go up from October 1, 2026, with refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and LED TVs expected to get expensive. This is the third significant price increase this year, and comes after manufacturers have been hit by rising metal and raw material costs, freight costs and currency volatility.

Key Highlights

• AC prices may rise 5-8% from Oct. 1

• Refrigerators, televisions and washing machines could rise 3-4%Higher copper, steel, freight and currency costs drive price increases

Indian consumers buying air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines or LED TVs during the festive season might have to shell out more from October 1, 2026. Major companies in the appliance and consumer electronics space are gearing up for another round of price revisions, with up to 8% increases expected across categories.

This is the third major price increase in the consumer durables industry this year. Manufacturers have pointed to higher costs for copper, steel, aluminium and crude derivatives, and higher freight costs and currency volatility.

AC prices expected to see the sharpest increase

The latest price revision is likely to hit air conditioners the hardest. Industry executives quoted in reports said prices of ACs could go up by 5% to 8% from October 1 as manufacturers pass on higher input costs to consumers.

For AC manufacturers, copper costs are especially important, as the metal is heavily used in cooling systems. Industry reports state that Haier India has announced an increase of around 5% in room AC prices from October 1, while Daikin has already increased prices by around 8-10% from September 16.

Similarly, Blue Star has also hiked the prices of ACs and deep freezers by around 5-8%. But the company says the move is its third price increase of the year.

Fridge, washing machine and TV prices may also rise

The impact should be more than just on cooling appliances. Some manufacturers are planning rises of around 3% to 4% on fridges, washing machines and LED TVs, though the exact revision will vary by brand, product and model.

Companies such as Blue Star, Godrej Appliances, Haier, Daikin and Super Plastronics have announced or indicated price hikes in different categories. LG and Bosch Home Comfort, which owns the Hitachi air-conditioner brand, have also reportedly increased AC prices by around 5%. Panasonic is meanwhile assessing market conditions before deciding on a further rise.

Commodity prices have moved up considerably since the last revision. We are seeing price increases of around 5-7 per cent across categories, but the timing is different for different manufacturers, said Kamal Nandi, executive, Godrej Enterprises Group.

Festive shoppers may still find older-price inventory

The October price hike comes just before India’s peak festive shopping season when demand for consumer electronics and home appliances normally rises. But dealers may sell off existing stocks bought before the latest revisions, which could allow some retailers to continue to sell products at older prices for a while.

That means the new manufacturer prices may not be reflected on every retailer or model immediately on Oct. 1. The magnitude of the increase will also differ from brand to brand and depending on the inventory left, so the pricing scenario for the festive season will be different across appliance categories.