Condo living has been my profession and my life for years. I’ve been fortunate to stay in fully furnished condos, which I personally consider a huge advantage, especially when it comes to high-quality furniture and appliances. Sometimes, I even get to use brand-new appliances without having to spend on them myself.
And even when I did have the budget to buy my own, living in rentals has always given me the freedom to try different items first. I get to see what works, what doesn’t, and what I’d eventually buy for myself or even gift to someone.
With my work as a realtor, I also notice which home items tenants and homeowners enjoy most in the condos we rent or list around Metro Manila. So, I thought I’d share some of them here to help anyone looking to set up their kitchen without overspending.
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Must-Have Kitchen Items and Appliances for a Condo
If you’re moving into an unfurnished unit or furnishing your own rental as a landlord, here’s a quick shopping list:
- cooktop
- pots & pans
- rangehood
- refrigerator
- microwave
- air fryer
- rice cooker
- durable shelves
Based on personal use and what we’ve seen from tenants and homeowners, here’s what I can recommend:
Stove Cooktop
When an expat family of 3 moved into one of our rental listings, they specifically requested to have the cooktop upgraded, similar to what they were using from a previous unit, because of functionality and ease of use. It was an ELBA built-in induction cooktop.
And in a similar fashion, when a local tenant living solo in BGC once requested a new induction cooktop so he could cook faster than with the default electric stovetop, the landlord sent a Dowell induction cooktop. It worked perfectly for the entire 1.5-year lease as it’s intuitive, reliable, and fuss-free. The free pan that comes with it is thin and burns easily though, so it’s better to invest in proper induction-friendly cookware for safer, more even cooking.
Pots & Pans
A close friend of mine who lives in a beautiful home overseas and cooks exceptionally well usually stays with me during her visits. It becomes a fun-filled week of shopping, eating, and catching up.
She noticed my beloved all-purpose pot was losing its coating and persuaded me to try Carote cookware.
I must agree, it’s well-made, aesthetic, and fairly priced. The granite coating requires less oil, and the 4-piece set covers most basic cooking needs. Mine has held up well.
If I were buying again, I’d get the same set or something similar from Amazon with additional pieces.
Rangehood
Smaller condo = tighter space. And if you live in a studio or loft with no partitions, a rangehood becomes essential. Nothing ruins newly washed clothes like smelling fried fish.
One Legazpi Village loft we handled upgraded its kitchen with an ELBA telescopic rangehood and induction cooktop, which worked well despite the limited counter space.
When it was time to replace my own rangehood, I chose ELBA too. It’s an Italian brand known for durable kitchen appliances, and their installation and after-sales teams have been easy to work with.
Refrigerator
Based on hundreds of units we’ve seen, Condura and Panasonic are some of the most reliable for condo living, while strong contenders like Samsung and LG benefit from brand loyalty and modern functionality. In most upscale condos, owners tend to choose Japanese or Western appliances unless they’re going for high-end specialty appliances like SMEG or Miele.
Case in point: when the old fridge of one unit in McKinley Hill broke down just weeks after our tenant’s lease renewal, the owner didn’t hesitate to replace it with an LG 2-door inverter fridge and arranged for prompt delivery and installation.
Meanwhile, in another unit we exclusively manage, the LG inverter’s compressor broke down after only few years of use. It was not terrible since it got fixed, but worth noting. Personally, I tend to shy away from refrigerator brands with hard-to-find replacement parts to save myself the headache.
READ: 5 Things Every Smart Renter Checks Before Signing a Condo Lease
Microwave
Most appliance brands carry microwaves, but for those on a budget, American Home is a solid starter. It’s available in S&R and uses a knob switch, which tends to last longer. Mine has been running for years.
That said, I plan to upgrade and use again the latest dual grill microwave oven of Panasonic since I had to let go of an old model when I switched addresses.
For landlords with multiple units, Whirlpool and Sharp inverter microwaves have proven durable and hassle-free based on feedback from their long-term and repeat tenants.
Air Fryer
When air fryers first became popular, one colleague wasn’t convinced. But after moving to a unit with only an induction cooktop, he missed making food using an oven and eventually bought a Philips air fryer. It quickly became his favorite; Philips, being the originator of modern air fryers, makes the purchase worthwhile.
One expat client in Makati bought an air fryer on Amazon. She pulled the trigger on the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer and has been happily hosting with it since.
READ: Hosting in a Condo: Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Gatherings
Rice cooker
Ever been to a Filipino household that doesn’t own a rice cooker? Even in semi-furnished condos we’ve enlisted, there’s a strong chance a rice cooker is available for immediate use or request. It’s versatile, allowing you to cook rice, noodles, steam veggies or dumplings, or heat up ulam in the absence of a cooktop or pan.
Many owners and long-term tenants stick to crowd favorites like Hanabishi 1.5L or Imarflex multi-cooker as basic, dependable rice cookers that don’t take up much space.
Shelves
For storage and space management, sturdy shelves make a big difference. Many 2-bedroom and larger condos have utility rooms, and a tall, heavy-duty shelf can store pantry items, cookware, and cleaning supplies. It’s also easy to assemble and disassemble, making it ideal for moving between units.
Now, before we move on, don’t forget to add to your shopping list the small but useful tools that many people always seem to forget to buy. These aren’t the big appliances, but they make condo living easier:
- kitchen scissors
- silicone spatula
- dish-drying mat
- oil sprayer
- noodle strainer
- spice rack
- food storage bags
- cheese grater
READ: The Smart Moving Checklist: What to Prepare Before, During, and After Turnover
Things to Remember When Buying Kitchen Items & Appliances
People sometimes focus on the brand or the price, but in condo living, the small details matter more than we think. These tips apply whether you’re renting, managing rentals, or buying for personal use:
Warranty
Keep the receipt and take a photo of it. It comes in handy for return or replacement as well as repairs down the line. Service centers will usually ask for proof of purchase, and digital copies are lifesavers when the physical copy gets misplaced.
It helps to check, before making a purchase, if the brand has authorized service centers in Metro Manila. Some imported models are nice to look at but difficult to repair.
Care of Use
Some brands are sensitive to misuse. Keeping manuals inside the unit avoids unnecessary repairs and helps everyone understand how to clean or use the appliance properly. Having soft copies helps, especially when you switch tenants.
Power Supply
Since most of the Philippines uses 220V, appliances that use a different power supply might not work as well locally. I once almost bought a vacuum from Amazon, but a friend reminded me it was 110V. I didn’t want to deal with potential issues, so I ended up buying in Manila instead.
Size & Storage
Measure your counter space, utility room, and cabinets before buying anything. Condo kitchens are compact, and oversized appliances quickly feel overwhelming.
Store unused appliances in a cool, dry place. Box them or wrap them in cling wrap to prevent dust and mold buildup.
Where to Buy Kitchenware and Appliances in Metro Manila
If you’re furnishing a condo in Makati or BGC, you’re spoiled for choices. Here are the places I find most reliable:
- Anson’s. Large appliance selection, competitive pricing, and they handle delivery well. Their 2nd Ave 31st St BGC and The Link Makati branches are consistent.
- Lazada / Shopee / TikTok Shop. Most major brands have official flagship stores. With vouchers and regular promos, online shopping is now the go-to for many.
- SM Appliance / SM Department Store. Almost every city has SM Mall which is good when comparing multiple brands in one place. You can see the appliances in person in SM Makati or SM Aura Premier and arrange delivery immediately.
- IKEA. A favorite for Manila condos when it comes to kitchenware, organization tools, shelves, and small appliances. The Pasay branch is massive, and their website can accept delivery bookings. They also recently opened a plan-order-and-shop in Quezon City.
- Abenson. Similar to Anson’s with strong appliance options. Located in key areas like Market! Market! and Ascott in BGC or Glorietta and Waltermart in Makati. They also coordinate with service centers for proper installation.
UP NEXT: House Hunting is Like Dating and It Deserves the Same Investment
Looking for a condo that already comes with a well-equipped kitchen? Send us a message. We’d be happy to share recommendations based on years of living and managing condos in BGC and Makati.
