German Names of the 50 Most Common Household Electronics

🏠 Introduction

In today's modern homes, electronic devices play a vital role in making life more convenient and comfortable. If you’re living in Germany or learning German, knowing the names of common household electronics is not just practical—it’s essential. From kitchen appliances to entertainment systems, understanding this vocabulary will help you navigate daily life, communicate with locals, and even troubleshoot technical issues.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

• Essential German vocabulary for household electronics

• Categories of electronics based on their use

• Useful phrases for purchasing and using electronics

• Practical tips for using electronics in Germany

By the end of this post, you'll be fully equipped to handle any electronic-related conversation in German.

Household electronics in German

📋 1. Essential Household Electronics Vocabulary

A) Kitchen Appliances (Küchengeräte)

English	German
Refrigerator	der Kühlschrank
Freezer	die Gefriertruhe / der Gefrierschrank
Oven	der Ofen
Microwave	die Mikrowelle
Toaster	der Toaster
Blender	der Mixer
Coffee machine	die Kaffeemaschine
Electric kettle	der Wasserkocher
Dishwasher	die Spülmaschine
Rice cooker	der Reiskocher
Slow cooker	der Schongarer
Air fryer	die Heißluftfritteuse
Food processor	die Küchenmaschine
Juicer	die Saftpresse
Bread maker	der Brotbackautomat

B) Cleaning Appliances (Reinigungsgeräte)

English	German
Vacuum cleaner	der Staubsauger
Steam cleaner	der Dampfreiniger
Washing machine	die Waschmaschine
Dryer	der Trockner
Iron	das Bügeleisen
Robotic vacuum	der Saugroboter
Carpet cleaner	der Teppichreiniger
Dish drying rack	das Abtropfgestell
Clothes steamer	der Dampfbügler
Air purifier	der Luftreiniger

C) Entertainment Electronics (Unterhaltungselektronik)

English	German
Television	der Fernseher
Remote control	die Fernbedienung
Radio	das Radio
Home theater system	das Heimkinosystem
Gaming console	die Spielkonsole
DVD player	der DVD-Player
Blu-ray player	der Blu-ray-Player
Speaker	der Lautsprecher
Soundbar	die Soundbar
Headphones	die Kopfhörer
Streaming device	das Streaming-Gerät
Smart TV	der Smart-TV
Projector	der Beamer
VR headset	das VR-Headset
MP3 player	der MP3-Player

D) Personal Electronics (Persönliche Elektronik)

English	German
Smartphone	das Smartphone
Laptop	der Laptop
Tablet	das Tablet
E-reader	der E-Reader
Smartwatch	die Smartwatch
Digital camera	die Digitalkamera
Webcam	die Webcam
Printer	der Drucker
Scanner	der Scanner
External hard drive	die externe Festplatte
USB flash drive	der USB-Stick
Router	der Router
Modem	das Modem
Power bank	die Powerbank
Wireless charger	das kabellose Ladegerät

💡 2. Useful Phrases for Using and Buying Electronics

A) At the Store

English	German
I would like to buy a new smartphone.	Ich möchte ein neues Smartphone kaufen.
How much does this television cost?	Wie viel kostet dieser Fernseher?
Do you offer a warranty?	Bieten Sie eine Garantie an?
Is this device available in black?	Gibt es dieses Gerät in Schwarz?
Can you show me how this works?	Können Sie mir zeigen, wie das funktioniert?
Does this come with a charger?	Ist ein Ladegerät dabei?
Can I return this if it doesn’t work?	Kann ich das zurückgeben, wenn es nicht funktioniert?

B) At Home

English	German
How do I connect this device?	Wie verbinde ich dieses Gerät?
The washing machine is not working.	Die Waschmaschine funktioniert nicht.
Can you help me set up the Wi-Fi?	Können Sie mir beim Einrichten des WLANs helfen?
Where is the remote control?	Wo ist die Fernbedienung?
The battery needs to be charged.	Der Akku muss aufgeladen werden.
I need to replace the light bulb.	Ich muss die Glühbirne austauschen.
Is the printer connected to the network?	Ist der Drucker mit dem Netzwerk verbunden?

🛠️ 3. Tips for Buying and Using Electronics in Germany

1. Voltage Compatibility: Germany uses 230V electricity with a Type F plug. Make sure your electronics are compatible or use an adapter.

2. Warranties: In Germany, electronic devices typically come with a 2-year warranty (Garantie).

3. Return Policies: Always check the store’s return policy (Rückgaberecht) before purchasing.

4. Energy Efficiency: Look for products with the EU energy label (Energieeffizienzklasse) to save on electricity costs.

5. Recycling Old Electronics: In Germany, it’s required to dispose of electronics properly at recycling centers (Wertstoffhof).

Read our related post, essential German words and phrases for troubleshooting tech issues.

🎓 4. Practice Exercises

Try translating the following sentences into German:

1. I would like to buy a new washing machine.

2. How much does this microwave cost?

3. Can you help me connect the television?

4. My smartphone battery is dead.

5. This speaker has excellent sound quality.

Answers:

1. Ich möchte eine neue Waschmaschine kaufen.

2. Wie viel kostet diese Mikrowelle?

3. Können Sie mir helfen, den Fernseher zu verbinden?

4. Der Akku meines Smartphones ist leer.

5. Dieser Lautsprecher hat eine ausgezeichnete Klangqualität.

✅ 5. Conclusion

Mastering the German names for common household electronics will make your everyday life much easier, whether you’re living in Germany, shopping for new devices, or simply trying to troubleshoot an issue. With these 50 essential terms, you’ll be able to navigate electronic stores, set up your devices, and communicate effectively with service professionals.

Next time you set up a new device or visit an electronics store, try using some of these terms in conversation. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)