"Smudge proof" is accomplished by a couple of methods, none of them ideal. First of all, it can be a paint finish rather than actual stainless steel. Second would be stainless with a clear Coat topcoat. The stainless usually used for that isn't 304 , which is the better quality. It's a lower quality, magnetic stainless. What either of those two Scenarios can mean is rust when there is a scratch. You don't get that with real stainless as it's the same all the way through.

Honestly, Pledge in the brown and yellow can will keep most fingerprints away if you apply it well and just use a microfiber cloth to give it the occasional swipe.

I have stainless appliances because I really wanted an induction range and in my price range they only come in stainless. So I have a frigidaire range and refrigerator in the smudge proof stainless. And I have an 800 series bosch dishwasher.

The two frigidaire appliances are easy to keep clean with a damp microfiber cloth. The Bosch is impossible, with water streaks, etc. I have seen other complaints about this with the Bosch dishwashers. My frigidaire appliances are 2 1/2 years old, my Bosch is not quite two years old.

Based on my experiences, I would go with the Frigidaire smudge proof every time if finish were the only consideration.

I wonder if Electrolux icon fridges are impossible to keep clean like your bosch experience.

As of now, the only two appliances we have that are stainless are a Miele Dishwasher and GE Profile OTR Microwave (as the fridge and range are bisque from 2006). The Miele dishwasher has the Clean Touch Steel which we love since it does not show fingerprints and only needs wiped down with hot water to clean off. The GE Profile OTR Microwave is stainless steel and shows every fingerprint and mark when you touch it.

Whenever we replace the fridge and range (want induction), I would prefer to go with a brand and model that has a smudge proof design. One neighbor has Maytag and they always look covered with fingerprints, while another couple just remodeled their kitchen and went with all Frigidaire smudge proof, but I haven't seen it in person yet.

DO NOT GET Smudge proof. Our brandnew fridge got a long scratch, who knows how. The grandkids were here but no one saw or heard anything--it's not like they had a sword fight in the kitchen. Well, guess what, you can't fix the scratch. On regular stainless you can, but not "fingerprint resistant." The fridge i had was a Ktichen Aid in bisque color and it looked great for years, cleaned easily, never NEEDED to be cleaned unless you actually smeared food on it. Now I have a fridge that needs regular wipe down and has a big scratch. Wish I'd known.

Dont buy an appliance with smudge proof coating, i did a whirlpool refridgerator and it is still peel, bottom of freezer section is rusting, on top of that icemaker quit working and leaked continuously all over floor, filed conplanit and they said my model wasn't on the list. i got two service men out because besides leaking all the water was frozen under main big drawer in fridge. still not fixed, waste of money, ice maker is still turned off.

I purchased a new stainless steel whirlpool refrigerator freezer with the smudgeproof coating and I will never purchase another appliance with smudgeproof coating ever again. Immediately it started peeling where the handles were placed and on top of that the icemaker quit working about the time the warranty ran out. called the stored where i purchaed it and she said they can’t help they only sell the products. Called whirlpool at 3 different places and numbers with help. With the icemaker leaking it rusted the bottom of the refrigerator. Its sad to think

that they don‘t make appliances worth a darn anymore. On top of that, I had two servicemen out and paid over 400 to fix it and icemaker still not working. Looked up litigations againts whirlpool and called and my model number is not included on the lists they have.

I purchased a whirlpool refrigerator/freezer on bottom with smudgeproof coating. coating started peeling around the handles where they screwed in. Icemaker started leaking, water froze up under the large drawer above freezer. This caused the coating to peel on the bottom of the freezer drawer and it rusted.

I called the store where i purchased it, naturally my warranty was up. The lady in appliances stated they don’t have anything to do with the appliances, they just sell them. She told me why don’t i paint it!

i said what!!! couldn’t believe she said that. I had two service men come out. First one defrosted the ice under the drawer and defrosted line behind icemaker. Said should be fine. After he left, i called left message said it wasn’t working. Didn’t hear back. Called another company, he defrosted it with dryer, said it needed a part, part would cost $100 and he had to order it and it would take a week to get it. Came back, put part in said it should be fine. Next morning, icemaker still not working, leaking allover the floor. Call whirlpool, several places no help. Looked up litigations against whirlpool, could’t believe how many there were. Had a list of model numbers that they listed that would qualify. Naturally, mine wasn’t list. Left an email and extensive not with serial/model numbers, got answer back stated couldn’t help me because my number wasn’t listed. Well icemaker still not working and leaking. Spent over $400?on two servicemen. Not wasting anymore money. I will never purchase another whirlpool product, pardon my french this sucks!!!!!🥺😜

My brand new Bosch smudge proof stainless appliances are a bear to keep clean and smudge free. I don't know why manufacturers advertise this false information, and in addition, our sales person should have warned us that it's not worth buying appliances with this type of finish. Wish I could find some solutions to maintaining these appliances.