2025 shonky awards
Our favourite Shonkys of all time
CHOICE staff members look back on 20 years of the Shonky Awards and reveal their favourite lemons.
dishwasher detergent
What's the best: Tablets, gel, sheets or powder?
washing machines
Five things you should know about front loaders
Latest reviews
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                    Electronics and technology Smartphones
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                    Home and living Fridges
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                    Home and living Dishwasher detergent
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                    Babies and kids Trampolines
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                    Outdoor Pizza ovens
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                    Food and drink Vanilla ice cream
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                    Home and living Portable air conditioners
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                    Home and living Ice cream makers
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Latest stories
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                                AI increasingly invading medical privacy as regulation struggles to keep upPatient scans shared without consent, AI scribes recording doctor visits – medical professionals' AI use is raising big concerns.
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                                DoorDash, Milkrun and Uber Eats grocery prices compared: What’s the cost of convenience?A CHOICE investigation finds you could be paying 40% more for some items.
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                                Is the new Dyson PencilVac stick vacuum worth buying?Dyson's new hard floor vacuum is slim, but how well does it really clean? We tested it to find out.
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                                CommBank needs to refund unfair fees, say AustraliansCHOICE poll finds 88% of people want the bank to refund low-income customers.
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                                Everything you need to know for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025What to expect during this year's sales.
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and know the products to avoid
Cooling
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                                The best ceiling fans for bedroomsAs the weather warms up, here's how to choose a ceiling fan that will give you a peaceful night's sleep.
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                                What size air conditioner do I need?How to decide on the right kW based on your room size and other important factors.
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                                Six portable air conditioners to avoidKeep your cool and steer clear of these loud and lousy units.
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                                Spring-clean your air con to save money this summerA little maintenance goes a long way in keeping the mercury and your energy bills down.
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                                The ceiling fans you shouldn't be buyingDon't lose your cool with these poor performers.
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We should all be able to switch on the lights at a fair price, but the burden of navigating various complex plans, offers and contracts to get a fair deal is often difficult, and sometimes impossible. That’s why we’re calling for a new consumer duty for energy products and services, which would require energy providers to do what’s right by consumers – no ifs, buts or loopholes. Sign the petition for fairer, simpler energy now.
Life admin
Handy tools and comparison services from CHOICE
Shop smart
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                                The robot vacuums you shouldn't be buyingNeed some help around the house? Don't count on these below-par bots.
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                                DampRid vs dehumidifiersWe look at how effective the moisture-absorbing product is compared to using a dehumidifier.
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                                Six fridges to avoid buyingThese not-so-hot fridges have chillingly low scores.
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                                The best top-loader washers on a budgetThese top-loaders topped our tests: They'll blitz your washing but not your wallet.
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                                Should you buy an Ikea mattress?The pros and cons, plus the best Ikea mattresses we've tested.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
Learn more- 
        DEC 2024Meta to crack down on investment scam adsMeta introduces a requirement that financial advertisers are verified to help prevent fake celebrity investment scam ads on Facebook and Instagram. 
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        NOV 2024Buy now, pay later loophole to closeReforms pass to regulate buy now, pay later loans under the Credit Act. Companies will need to ensure they’re not selling unaffordable loans and provide support for those facing financial hardship. 
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        NOV 2024First part of privacy reform passesReforms introduce the right to sue after a serious privacy breach, extra enforcement powers for the privacy regulator, and algorithm transparency obligations. 
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        NOV 2024Overhaul of merger lawsNew rules grant stronger powers for the ACCC, to stop big businesses from squeezing out competitors to capture a larger percentage of the market. 
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        NOV 2024Bunnings’ facial recognition ruled illegalPrivacy Commissioner finds that Bunnings broke privacy laws by using facial recognition in 63 stores without customer consent. Bunnings has to delete all sensitive data, and not repeat or continue the practice. 
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        OCT 2024A free way to pay rent in NSW and VictoriaReforms to rental laws in both states establish a right to pay rent for free through direct debit, landing a blow against RentTech payment platforms, which add additional fees. 
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        OCT 2024Unfair business practices to be bannedThe government commits to a new ban on unfair business practices. The new law could cover a range of traps like dynamic ticket pricing, gym memberships that are almost impossible to cancel, and pre-checked extras at online checkouts. 
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        OCT 2024Stronger refund rightsThe government announces plans to introduce strong penalties for businesses that flaunt consumer laws by unfairly denying people their consumer guaranteed rights to a repair, refund or replacement. 
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        SEP 2024ACCC action on supermarket pricesColes and Woolworths face court for allegedly misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ discounts on hundreds of products, when they were the same or higher than the previous regular price. 
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        AUG 2024Improved flight rightsNew government reforms strengthen airline consumer rights, including a new independent Aviation Ombuds Scheme. This replaces the current industry-funded Airline Customer Advocate that's so bad, we gave it a Shonky Award in 2021. 
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        JULY 2024Infant sleep products now saferNew mandatory standards introduced following rigorous testing and advocacy by CHOICE. The standards reduce the risk of death and injury from sleep products. 
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        JULY 2024CHOICE becomes a designated complainantThe government appoints CHOICE as one of the first ‘designated complainants’, allowing us to make ‘super complaints’ to the ACCC on significant and systemic consumer problems. 
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        MAY 2024New Fuel Efficiency StandardsNew vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards aim to reduce vehicle running costs and increase vehicle choices, including electric vehicles. 
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        MAY 2024Toppling furniture standards introducedThe ACCC introduces a new information standard for toppling furniture to reduce incidents, that requires warnings and information for consumers. 
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        MAY 2024Energy companies warned about HelpPayAustralian Energy Regulator warns energy retailers that promoting HelpPay might be against the law. 
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        MAR 2024Bloomex fined $1 millionThe online floristis ordered to pay a $1 million fine for misleading advertising. This comes after CHOICE gave a Shonky Award to Bloomex in 2022 for poor service. 
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        FEB 2024Support for Youpla/ACBF victimsThe Government announces $97 million to the Youpla Support Program to assist some victims. Thanks to ongoing advocacy by First Nations advocates, policyholders, and community organisations. 
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