Buying Guide
Need some help choosing? Click on one of the product sections to find out all there is to know.
Laundry
Washing, drying or a bit of both? Here's everything you need to know about laundry appliances.
Spin speed
The faster the spin speed, the drier your clothes are when the cycle is done. The lowest spin speed is 1000rpm. Expect to pay a little more for faster spin models.
Load capacity
The standard capacity is 5kg. Bigger families could go for a 6 or 7kg load capacity. To put this in real terms, a 5kg load will hold up to about 17 cotton T-shirts, and a 7kg load will hold up to about 25.
Energy ratings
Every appliance carries an industry-standard energy efficiency rating label. Just like at school, A is the best both for your utility bills and the environment.
Programmes
Quality is the key – not quantity. Choose a machine with only the programmes you need and save a bit of money and hours trawling through the instruction book.
Dimensions
Most manufacturers work to standard sizes. Just for the record, the standard size for washers is 60cm wide by 85cm high. When you're ordering, just check the dimensions to make sure you're buying the right size for you.
Tumble dryers
Like washing machines, these come with 5, 6 or 7kg load capacities. There are two ways the machine gets rid of moisture. One way is by venting the moisture outside via a tube. The other is by condensing within the machine.
Washer-dryers
Great for space saving, these have all the features of a washer and dryer in one.
Most can wash or dry separately, but remember to look at the drying capacity as this is one of the most important features.
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Dishwashers
Integrated or free-standing, normal, slimline or table top, here's the low-down on dishwashers.
Size and place settings
Full-size dishwashers (60cm wide) have room for 12 or more place settings. Slimline dishwashers (45cm wide) can fit 8 or 9 place settings. A place setting consists of a cup, a saucer, a bowl, a side plate, a dinner plate and cutlery.
Energy rating
Every dishwasher carries an industry-standard energy efficiency rating label. Just like at school, A is the best both for your utility bills and the environment. Dishwashers also have a separate rating for drying efficiency. A means super-dry plates in no time.
Noise level
The better the dishwasher the quieter it will be. Noise levels around 53dB are pretty good, but some go as low as 42dB, which is as quiet as a boiling kettle.
Programmes
Look for a dishwasher with the features you need, not necessarily the one with the most. Pre-wash, quick wash or glass-care programmes are usually pretty handy.
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Cooking
Let us help you make the right choice, from simple slot-in cookers and range-style cookers to integrated ovens and hobs, powered by gas, electric or both.
Fuel type
Gas, electric or a bit of both, the choice is yours. If you don't want the hassle of calling a plumber or electrician, things like availability of gas and electric supplies might make your mind up for you.
Oven capacities
This is all down to what you cook and how you cook it. Cookers with 2 or 3 ovens are great for entertaining, but if you haven't got the space, try to go for one with a separate grill compartment.
Hobs
Gas hobs are still a firm favourite and haven't changed much for decades. Electric hobs, on the other hand, have changed beyond belief. Thanks to modern ceramic design or ceramic technology, halogen and induction technology, they now look amazing and perform outstandingly. Whoever thought a hob could be such a talking point?
Cooker hoods
Here, design is often as important as function. Cooker hoods all work in pretty much the same way, so it comes down to looks. Check out the latest stainless steel and glass chimney combinations.
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Refrigeration
Individual fridges and freezers or combined. Free-standing or integrated. Here's what to look out for.
Frost Free
The air is circulated around the appliance to stop any build up of frost. So no more scraping ice off your freezer elements and your fish fingers. We'd always recommend going Frost Free.
Stayfresh
If you've not bought a fridge freezer for a while, Stayfresh might be new to you. It's a separate compartment kept just above freezing point and some manufacturers say it can double the life of fresh food.
Energy rating
Every appliance carries an industry standard energy efficiency rating label. Just like at school, A is the best both for your utility bills and the environment. Freezers tend to use slightly more energy than fridges and fridge-freezers use the most.
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