Home appliance buying advice

Cordless vacuums

• Runtime: headline figures are usually on the lowest setting. Check the boost-mode runtime.
• Battery: a removable battery lets you add a spare or replace it later.
• Carpets and pets: look for a motorised brush head and anti-tangle design.
• Bin: larger bins and one-step emptying make a real difference in busy homes.

Read our full cordless vacuum guide →

Robot vacuums

• Navigation: LiDAR or camera-based mapping cleans more efficiently than random-bounce models.
• Self-emptying dock: very convenient, but adds cost and needs replacement bags.
• Mopping: check whether the mop lifts over carpets, or you'll need to set no-go zones.
• Running costs: factor in brushes, filters and bags over a year.

Air fryers

• Size: roughly 3–4L suits one or two people. Families usually want 5L or more.
• Single vs dual basket: two drawers let you cook two foods at different settings at once.
• Counter space: dual-basket models are wide, so measure first.
• Cleaning: dishwasher-safe baskets save time every day.

Coffee machines

• Type: pod machines are simplest, bean-to-cup is convenient with fresh beans, and manual espresso gives the most control.
• Running costs: pods can cost far more per cup than beans over a year.
• Milk: decide whether you want an automatic milk system or a manual steam wand.
• Cleaning: check descaling and cleaning requirements. Hard water areas need more maintenance.

Kettles & toasters

• Power: a 3kW kettle boils faster than lower-powered models.
• Limescale: a removable filter helps in hard water areas.
• Minimum fill: a low minimum fill line saves energy when you only need one cup.
• Matching sets: kettle-and-toaster bundles aren't always cheaper than buying separately. Compare both.