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  Topic

  Warm up to winter

  From the best heaters and electric blankets, to air fryers, slow cookers, comfort food and even home entertainment, we've got all the hottest tips for staying warm and cosy this winter.

Heating advice

A guide to gas, electric and reverse cycle AC and more, to help you find the most efficient and affordable option.

• Home and living

  How wood fires compare to other forms of heating

  Considering switching away from wood-fired heating? Here's how it stacks up against the alternatives.
• Home and living

  Best bargain electric heaters under $100

  These budget buys performed well in our tests and even beat some pricier models.
• Home and living

  What does a dehumidifier do and is it worth getting one?

  For damp, musty homes or those affected by floods or leaks, this appliance could be your saving grace.
• Home and living

  What's the cheapest way to heat your home this winter?

  We'll explain how to keep your electricity costs down, regardless of how you heat your home.
• Home and living

  10 home heating mistakes costing you money

  Are you burning cash on these heating fails? We reveal the everyday errors to avoid. 
• Home and living

  How to find a great portable electric heater

  Fan, radiant, oil column, convection or panel – which heater is right for your home? Plus, we look at running costs, safety tips and more.
• Home and living

  How to buy the best heating system for your home

  Electric, gas or reverse-cycle air conditioning – which is right for you? We explain the options.
• Home and living

  Best heating options for renters

  From portable electric heaters to the humble door snake, you won't need your landlord's permission for these heating options.
• Home and living

  Reverse-cycle air-conditioners to avoid – for heating

  The models that rate lowest for cooling and for heating in our small-size air con review.
• Home and living

  Air conditioner energy usage and running costs

  Which is cheaper to run: a split-system air conditioner or a portable air conditioner? The answer might surprise you.
• Home and living

  Six ways to keep warm this winter

  Simple changes you can make to keep the warmth in and the cold out.
• Home and living

  7 things you should never do with an electric heater

  How to heat your home while keeping your family safe this winter.

Happy homebodies

Get set up for home entertainment and those nights and weekends spent indoors.

• Electronics and technology

  Find the best TV streaming service

  What you need to know about plans, data, internet speeds and how to access Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and more.
• Home and living

  What to know before buying an electric blanket

  Feeling the chill? An electric blanket might be your ticket to a cosy night's sleep.
• Electronics and technology

  The best and worst rated TVs for watching sport

  Our experts sort the winners from the losers in our latest lab test. 
• Electronics and technology

  E-reader reviews

  We test ebook readers in the CHOICE labs, including models from Kobo and Kindle as well as some models using colour e-ink.
• Health and body

  How to create your own gym at home

  Working out at home has never been easier – or less expensive.
• Electronics and technology

  How to connect your soundbar to your TV

  We show you how to connect your soundbar to a new or old TV, and how to get the best possible sound quality out of it.
• Electronics and technology

  How to buy a great TV

  LCD or OLED? HD or 4K? What is HDR? Our expert guide will help you find the right TV for your budget.
• Home and living

  Do you need a dehumidifier?

  If you've got damp air in your house, a dehumidifier could be the answer. Here's how to find the best for your home and budget.
• Electronics and technology

  How to buy the best turntable or record player

  Want to get the best sound quality out of your new turntable? There's a lot to understand, but it's worth it.
• Home and living

  How to buy a great clothes dryer

  Are you a budding dryer buyer? We show you how to choose the right one for your needs.

Kitchen inspiration and comfort food

Set the menu with our reviews of air fryers, slow cookers, espresso machines and more, plus taste tests and shopping guides.

• Home and living

  Dutch ovens vs slow cookers: Which is best?

  We put these two kitchen favourites head to head in a slow cooking face-off.
• Food and drink

  Best herbal tea

  Which herbal and fruit teas do people drink most, and why?
• Home and living

  Slow cooker, multi-cooker or pressure cooker?

  Our experts review these appliances and share the pros and cons of each one to help you decide.
• Food and drink

  What's the best spaghetti?

  We review spaghetti from Barilla, San Remo, Zafarelli and more for nutrition and cooking performance.
• Home and living

  Foods to cook in your air fryer

  CHOICE kitchen expert reveals which recipes work best in the popular appliance.
• Food and drink

  What's the best hot chocolate?

  We review hot chocolate from Avalanche, Cadbury, Lindt, Jarrah and more.
• Food and drink

  Meal delivery boxes: Hello Fresh, Marley Spoon and more

  We review popular meal delivery services for ease of ordering, freshness, recipe accuracy and more.
• Home and living

  Find the best breadmaker

  We test models including Breville, Panasonic, Sunbeam and Morphy Richards
• Home and living

  What to know before buying a coffee machine

  Automatic or manual? Pods or capsules? Our expert guide will help you choose.
• Home and living

  Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker review

  This space-saving appliance makes Belgian waffles, and less mess.
• Home and living

  Best slow cookers under $50

  How a slow cooker can save you money in the kitchen. Plus, the top-scoring budget slow cookers from our tests.
• Food and drink

  Chicken soup review

  Cheapest, lowest salt, gluten free? As winter closes in, we compare chicken soups.

Remedies for winter colds, flus and blues

Beat the seasonal slump with these tips – from meds for coughs and fevers to reviews of tissues and humidifiers.

• Health and body

  Telehealth and other online e-health services

  What are your options when you can't get to the doctor? 
• Health and body

  How to buy the best cough, cold and flu treatments

  Some remedies work better than others, depending on your symptoms and their ingredients.
• Home and living

  Do humidifiers help with colds and allergies?

  Although they're tipped to ease a host of health ailments, experts say the evidence isn't there. 
• Health and body

  Will a lozenge cure my sore throat?

  We look at how effective the ingredients in cough lollies really are.
• Health and body

  Where to find the cheapest paracetamol, ibuprofen and more

  We compare the price of common over-the-counter medication from supermarkets and pharmacies.
• Health and body

  Do weighted blankets from brands like Gravity and Calming Blanket work?

  Makers claim weighted blankets can ease anxiety and improve your sleep, but experts warn buyers to be wary.
• Home and living

  Tissue reviews

  Our lab tests will tell you which tissues are the most effective through softness, absorption, puncture and wet tear strength.
• Health and body

  How zinc acetate can shorten the common cold

  A 2016 study finds zinc lozenges can help stop sniffles sooner, reducing the duration of the common cold by almost three days.
• Health and body

  Vitamin D deficiency

  If there are so few symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, how can we know if we’re getting enough?
• Home and living

  How to get rid of mould

  How to clean mould yourself, and when you should call the pros.

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