• Topic

  It's sales season! 

  From Boxing Day onwards, there are great deals to be found in the sales, but there are also plenty of duds. Follow our expert tips and check our product reviews to make sure you're getting the best value for money. 

Advice from our experts

• Splurge vs save: Cheaper dishwashers that outshine expensive ones

  We test models with vastly different price tags to see which one really performs best.
• Buying a mattress? We bust 5 shopping myths

  We separate fact from fiction to reveal which myths you should ignore when shopping for a new mattress.
• Splurge vs save: The cheaper air fryers that rival expensive ones

  Our tests show some budget buys can outperform models more than twice their price. 
• Springfree model tops trampoline test as others face safety concerns

  Only one trampoline out of 10 passed all safety tests. 
• Is it worth buying a home espresso coffee machine?

  We compare the cost and convenience of caffeinating at home versus visiting a cafe. 
• Buying a fridge? We bust 7 common myths

  Our experts cut through the sales spin to help you buy better.
• Should you buy a Dyson vac, fan or dryer? Our verdict

  Is the cult brand worth the hype and higher price? Our expert reveals how they compare against other brands in our tests. 
• Is a Thermomix worth it? We test to find out

  Whether you’re forking out for the original or a competitor, this is no impulse buy. We help you decide if this machine is for you.
• Top 10 tips for sales season

  Avoid sales fails with our top tips for the sales season.
• Best and worst electronics stores 

  Our survey results reveal the best shops and online stores for electrical appliances.

The products to avoid

• The baby monitors that rated lowest in our tests

  If you want peace of mind, we suggest you give these a miss.
• 'Worst fridge ever': Smeg model rates lowest in CHOICE test history

  Smeg's new $3990 retro fridge flunks our lab test with dismal 22% rating. Here's why.
• Grounded! The coffee machines that failed

  Our barista experts tested more than 50 popular models. These are the ones that rated lowest. 
• Stick vacuum cleaners to avoid buying

  If you want clean floors and carpets, steer clear of these suckers. 
• Noise-cancelling headphones to avoid

  If you're looking for headphones that deliver both sound and silence, listen to our experts and give these a miss.
• Reverse-cycle air conditioners to avoid 

  These models rated lowest for cooling and heating efficiency in our review.
• Mattresses to miss if you want a good sleep

  Sweet dreams aren't made of these poor performers in our latest mattress test.
• 3 barbecues to avoid buying

  Set yourself up for a summer of brilliant barbecues by avoiding these duds.
• Smeg appliances: best buys and what to avoid

  Should you buy something just because it's from Smeg? It's complicated.
• Ceiling fans to avoid

  Don't lose your cool this summer with these poor performers. 
• The worst-rated TVs to watch out for

  Keen for a new screen? Our lab tests reveal the models to steer clear of. 
• Soundbars to avoid buying

  Check 1, 2? These models set the bar lowest in our lab tests. 
• Three fridges to avoid buying

  Beware these subpar shockers that rated lowest in our lab tests. 
• 3 robot vacuum cleaners to avoid

  Want some help around the house? Don't count on these poorly-performing robot vacs.
• Worst washing machines

  Looking to buy a new top loader or front loader? These models failed to impress in our tests.
• Dishwashers to avoid buying

  We dish the dirt on the poorest performers in our latest lab test.
• Should you buy a Kmart Anko vacuum cleaner?

  You may be enticed by the low price, but some of the worst-performing vacuums in our tests come from Kmart. 
• Worst laser and inkjet printers we've tested

  Poor prints, slow speeds and expensive ink are just some of the flaws we saw in these low scorers.
• 6 products you shouldn't buy in the EOFY sales

  Save yourself sale regret: CHOICE experts name the products that just aren't worth the cash.
• The Kogan brand products to avoid

  Beware these Kogan buys that rated low in our lab tests.
• Worst electric heaters to avoid

  Don't count on these to keep you warm this winter.

CHOICE reviews

• Air conditioners

  We compare over 200 air conditioners, including models from Daikin, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, LG and more.
• TVs

  CHOICE rigorously tests the latest TV models from LG, Sony, Samsung, Hisense and more to give you the top brands, best picture and value for money.
• Washing machines

  We test both front and top loading washing machines in the CHOICE labs, including models from Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Miele, Samsung and Simpson.
• Mattresses

  How do the online bed-in-a-box mattresses from Koala, Ecosa and more, compare to brands from bricks and mortar retailers?
• Coffee machines

  We test manual, semi-automatic and pod coffee machines in the CHOICE labs, including Sunbeam, Breville, Kmart, DeLonghi and Nespresso.
• Fridges

  We test the coolest new fridges in the CHOICE labs to help you find the best one for your home, including models from Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Samsung and more.
• Dishwashers

  We dish the dirt on the most popular dishwashers from Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Miele and more.
• Clothes dryer reviews

  See which dryers are high flyers – we test top models from Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Simpson, Miele and more.
• Multifunction and basic printer reviews

  We review inkjet and laser multifunction and basic printers from Canon, Brother, Epson, HP and more.
• Ovens

  Our test lab tells you which electric ovens cook best and are easiest to use.

Where to shop

• Kmart Anko: Best buys and what to avoid 

  We reveal the products that impressed in our tests – and the duds that disappointed.
• Shopping at Aldi: best buys and what to avoid

  Should you just buy everything at Aldi? Well, no. We look at ski gear, TVs, coffee machines, nappies and more.
• Big W Contempo best appliance buys

  We reveal the products that impressed, and those you might want to think twice about before adding to your cart.
• The Kogan brand products to avoid

  Beware these Kogan buys that rated low in our lab tests.
• Ikea: Best buys and what to avoid

  From mattresses to ovens to the dodgiest fridge we've seen, our experts reveal the retailer's best and worst rated products.

More tips for bargain hunters

• 5 times cheap products outperformed expensive brands

  That awkward moment when a $700 no-name fridge outperforms a $2700 Miele.
• Is it worth signing up for Amazon Prime or eBay Plus?

  We compare Amazon Prime and eBay Plus to see which has the best deals.
• Should you buy a Dyson fan?

  Our lab experts weigh up the cult brand's price versus performance for cooling and heating. 
• Know your consumer rights

  Faulty product? Buyer's regret? Your right to a refund.
• Expert tips for TV shopping in-store

  What to look out for when faced with a wall of screens.
• Freight-forwarders compared: ShopMate, Shipito, US to Oz and more

  What are your postage options when US retailers won't ship your purchases to Australia?
• Five products to think twice about before buying from overseas

  Shopping for these products on foreign shores could end in disappointment, injury and even arrest.
• What's the problem with buying cheap appliances?

  A great bargain or just suspiciously cheap? Here’s what you need to consider before buying a budget appliance.
• Click Frenzy online sale: deal or dud?

  Here's how to shop smart when the sale kicks off this Tuesday 10 November.