In big news for bargain hunters, Aldi is selling the Ecovacs Deebot Neo 2.0 robo vac on Saturday 7 March for the discounted price of $279. This model is exclusive to the supermarket as a Special Buy and available for a limited time only.

It’s the second Ecovacs centre aisle offering from Aldi in recent months – the Deebot Neo 2.0 ‘Plus’ model was a December Special Buy for $379. The two models are essentially the same, but the ‘Plus’ product includes a self-emptying dock. 

Currently, the non-Plus model is being sold on Ecovacs’ official website for $699, so scoring it for less than half price sounds like a steal. 

But is it a big deal, or best left on the shelf? To find out, we asked CHOICE vacuum expert Adrian Lini.

Ecovacs Deebot Neo 2.0

Before we dive into the Aldi automaton’s cleaning chops, let’s take a look at the features it comes with. 

Info on the supermarket’s Special Buys page is surprisingly sparse, but the Ecovacs website does offer a fuller picture of what you get with the Neo 2.0.

Key features include:

• vacuuming and mopping function 
• automatic carpet recognition
• claimed 180-minute battery life
• 400mL dustbin and 300mL water tank 
• app functionality with room mapping, clean scheduling and ability to add virtual boundaries (so you can block off a room, for example).

Are Ecovacs robot vacs any good?

Over the years, Adrian and his team have reviewed plenty of Ecovacs models in comprehensive lab tests that include sprinkling 100 grams of sand on various surfaces and measuring how much gets picked up (we’re very meticulous – learn how we test). 

Unfortunately, CHOICE hasn’t specifically tested the Ecovacs Deebot Neo 2.0. That’s because we focus on the most popular models sold in Australia and this one is a rarer Aldi exclusive sold via their Special Buys sales and the Ecovacs website. 

That said, our experts have taken 13 different Ecovacs Deebot units for dust-busting test drives in the past, so Adrian can definitely share insightful intel on the brand’s cleaning credentials.

“Ecovacs have been selling robot vacs in Australia for well over a decade now, so they’re a fairly common and popular brand here,” says Adrian.

“At CHOICE, we’ve tested multiple Ecovacs models in our lab that have ranged in price from $399 to $2499. Unfortunately, their track record has been quite hit and miss, with overall performance ranging from good to very poor across the models. Consistency is a big issue, particularly with their cheaper, entry-level bots.”

He points out the brand’s newer, more expensive-tier units (costing over $1500) have definitely improved their game, but in general, budget robots just don’t have the build or software smarts to do a dependable job.  

“A cheap robot vacuum that cleans well is the dream, but often price does play a big role in performance,” he explains. 

“The best performing robots are often expensive because they’re incredibly sophisticated pieces of hardware with precision sensors, lasers and software. By comparison, cheaper bots are far more basic and can really underperform.”

Rating the mop function

Most current robot vacuums can now mop as well as vacuum, making them a helpful one-two cleaning combo. 

Adrian says the best mopping models use hot water with added detergent and employ spring-loaded pads that spin and apply pressure to the floor for a better clean. Their docks then clean and dry the dirty pads before the bot’s next patrol.

Sadly, the Deebot Neo 2.0 features a far more basic, older-style mop design, which is not unexpected for the cheaper price point.

“While we haven’t looked it over in the lab, you can see from the product’s photos and user manual that it doesn’t use detergent with the water and cleans using a thin, velcro-clipped mopping pad.”

“In our experience, this style of mop acts more like a wet cloth and is usually far less effective. You also have to take it off and wash it yourself once it gets dirty.”

Should you buy it? Our expert’s verdict

At the bargain basement price of $279, Aldi’s discount droid certainly sounds tempting. 

While we haven’t reviewed this model specifically, the brand’s track record across the 13 models we’ve tested to date has been middling and inconsistent, depending on the specific model.  

“We’d all love more help with housework and $279 might seem like a great price for some robot reinforcements,” says Adrian. 

“However, from our previous tests, we’ve found Ecovacs’ cheaper models have generally under-performed as floor cleaners. They are better on hard floors, but seriously struggle on carpet and rugs, and picking up pet hair. 

“If you don’t want to be cleaning up after it, when it should be the other way around, you might be best to save the money and put it toward a competent stick or barrel vacuum you can count on.”

Robot vacs vs other vacuums: How do they compare?

Despite robots’ futuristic promise, our lab tests have continually found they don’t clean as well as more hands-on stick, barrel or upright vacs you use yourself. 

It’s not surprising given they have smaller motors that can’t generate as much suction, smaller bin receptacles and their brushes don’t agitate surfaces like a manual cleaning head might.

“A good robot vacuum can definitely help around the house – especially if you have pets – but they’re still not a complete substitute for a stick or barrel vacuum just yet,” says Adrian.

“If your home has a lot of carpet or rugs, a robot vac might not be for you. They do much better if you have mostly hard floors, with relatively open and clear spaces.”

“If you’re happy for your bot to do a quick clean every day that you then follow up with a thorough clean yourself once a week or so, you might be happy with it,” says Adrian.

The post Is Aldi’s cheap Ecovacs robot vac Special Buy worth it? appeared first on CHOICE.

But they’re only worth buying if they actually do a good job. While CHOICE experts are generally big fans of multi-cookers, for example, when we put wall ovens with an air fryer functions through their paces we got mixed results.

But what of microwaves that promise the benefits of air-frying?

If you’ve been eyeing off an air fryer with its handy crisping capabilities but you also appreciate the reheating and cooking power of a microwave, then a convection microwave that combines the two could be the space-saving answer you’re looking for. 

CHOICE kitchen appliance expert and home economist, Fiona Mair says: “We’ve reviewed a few convection microwave models that double as air fryers – in addition to their standard functions, they have an air fryer mode that can be used to brown, crisp and reheat frozen foods.” 

Many of these appliances will also come with air fryer-style accessories such as racks or an air fryer basket, which you’ll need to use in order to get the most out of this function. Because they are smaller than conventional ovens, convection microwave ovens are ideal for smaller spaces, such as kitchenettes, caravans, campervans, holiday homes and granny flats.

They would also suit smaller households, people cooking smaller quantities of food, or large families that need extra oven space.

“If you choose a convection microwave over an air fryer, you will have a microwave, a grill and an oven all in one, so it’s very versatile,” Fiona says.

Convection microwaves vs air fryers

The main difference between a regular air fryer and a convection microwave is that an air fryer has the element and fan positioned on the top of the unit whereas with a convection microwave, they’re on the back wall. 

Convection microwaves can cook similar foods to air fryers, but they have a slightly larger capacity than many standard single-compartment air fryers so you can cook larger quantities in one go.

“They do take up a bit more bench space and you will need a dedicated permanent spot with good ventilation around it. Running costs may also be slightly higher than with an air fryer, but why have more appliances in your kitchen than you need?” says Fiona.

Although convection microwaves can be slightly more expensive to buy than air fryers, there are options to suit different budgets. You can pick up an air fryer for under $100 but the top-of-the-range models cost around $600. The cheapest convection microwave we’ve tested is a Kmart model for $169 but other brands can cost $1000 or more. 

As with many appliances we review, our testing of convection microwaves has found that spending more doesn’t necessarily always get you the best performing product, so be sure to check our reviews before you buy.

The best convection microwaves with air-fryer functionality

When testing convection microwaves, our experts give each model a score that reflects its cooking performance as well as how easy it is to use. We perform some specific cooking tests to assess each appliance’s reheating and defrosting functions, by measuring how well they perform tasks such as cooking broccoli, melting chocolate, baking scones (at a high temperature) and roasting a chicken, as well as other tasks to assess each model’s baking and grilling capabilities.

We have only tested how well each model performs as an air fryer when it has a pre-set function or manual setting that aligns with our air fryer testing method. If we have results on the model’s air-frying abilities, they’re detailed in the profiles below.

Our detailed convection microwave testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. Below, CHOICE members can view the top performing convection microwaves in our review that have an air fryer functionality.

If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to our expert, independent reviews of microwaves and air fryers, plus hundreds of other products, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which microwaves with air fryer functionality are rated the best by our experts.

If you’re interested in stand-alone air fryers, you can view our air fryer reviews.

The post Best microwaves that can air-fry appeared first on CHOICE.

A good pillow can help you bounce out of bed refreshed, but a bad pillow can ruin your day before it’s even begun, leaving you with sore shoulders, a cricked neck and the feeling that you got up on the wrong side of the bed.

But pillows aren’t forever: even if you think you’ve found The One, you need to accept that it’ll never be a long-term relationship (or if it is, it’s pretty unhealthy!).

Eventually the honeymoon period will pass and you’ll start dreaming about new, perky pillows that are unsullied by drool stains and sweat marks.

So whether you’re planning a big bedroom refresh or shopping the sales for a bargain, here are some good reasons why you might want to give your old pillow the flick.

And, if you do decide it’s time for a new one, CHOICE experts have put over 50 pillows to the test in our accredited labs, ranking them based on aspects such as how they perform when weights are applied to the surface and when the pillows are compressed. CHOICE members have access to our expert pillow reviews.

1. It doesn’t pass the fold test

If you’re not sure if your pillow is past its use-by date, our experts recommend this simple DIY test:

1. Put your pillow on a flat surface and fold it in half.
2. Hold it down for 30 seconds to a minute.
3. Let go. If your pillow bounces back into its original shape, then it’s still good.
4. If it doesn’t spring back, then it’s probably time to buy a new one.

We recommend testing your pillow approximately every six months to make sure it’s in tip top shape.

2. The filling is at the end of its lifespan

Different pillow materials deteriorate at different rates, so depending on what your pillow is filled with, you might need to replace it more often. 

• Memory foam: 5–10+ years
• Latex: 5–10+ years
• Feather and down: 5–10+ years
• Polyester: 6 months to 2 years
• Cotton and wool: 3–5 years

3. It’s getting old

Some pillows come stamped with a recommended use-by date. 

Pillow manufacturer Tontine started this trend in 2010, by stamping its pillows with a two-year replacement date. 

At CHOICE, we’re fairly sceptical of pillow use-by dates. We were unable to find any scientific evidence to say why a use-by date should be applied, and neither Tontine nor any other source we could find had any evidence as to why there should be a use-by date.

But if nothing else, it gives you an idea of how old your pillow is and can serve as a good reminder to check your pillow health (using the fold test). Whether or not your pillow has a use-by-date, if it’s getting on in years it’s worth giving it a check-up.

How is a use-by date decided?

We previously asked John Cotton (the company that owns Tontine) how it came up with a specific use-by date. The company implied it that it had once had data on how much dead skin, dust, sweat and other organic material accumulates on pillows (and other bedding), but it no longer had the data so we weren’t able to verify this.

The company told us its consumer research indicated that most people were keeping pillows for roughly seven years, but it recommended replacing pillows within two to three years of first use.

4. You’re waking up in pain

Started waking up with a sore neck every morning? There are a few potential causes: poor posture, “tech neck”, or just ageing. But if you think your pillow might be the culprit, it could be time to hit the shops for a new one. 

Whether you’re a back or side sleeper, your pillow should support your head and neck so they’re in a neutral or midline position (check out our advice on how to buy the comfiest pillow for your sleeping style). 

If you find you’re having to fold your pillow in half just to get the comfort you used to, it’s probably on its last legs. 

5. It’s out of shape

Look, we all change shape as we age, and it’s no different for pillows. But while you’re just as loveable no matter what shape you are, the same can’t be said for your pillow. 

If your pillow is getting lumpy, is sagging, or has lost its firmness, there’s no amount of shaking, fluffing or pummelling that’ll fix it. 

It can be hard to part with your favourite pillow, but sometimes you just need to admit that they’ve changed and move on with your life (and a new pillow). 

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The post Signs it’s time for a new pillow appeared first on CHOICE.

We test a lot of pillows in our expert labs and one thing we’ve noticed is that these essential slumber aids can come labelled with more promises to help you sleep than sheep counted while trying to fall asleep.

From perfect firmness and temperature, to “space technology” and “anti-gravity” foam to give your head “a feeling of weightlessness”, claims commonly found on pillow packaging range from ordinary to over the top.

They’re obviously designed to get your attention (and your cash), but which promises can you trust and are any of them actually worth paying for? We investigate.

CHOICE regularly tests pillows, rating these bedroom staples on how much comfort and support they provide, as well as how they hold up over time. For expert advice on your next pillow, check out our latest review and buying guide.

On this page:

• Firmness
• Space tech
• Anti-gravity powers
• Physio-endorsed
• Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
• Cooling
• Ethical, organic and sustainable

Claim: Firmness

The bare minimum any of us expect from a pillow is for it to be able to support our head for hours at a time.

Our wide range of personal preferences and sleeping styles has led to many pillows claiming to offer different levels of support and density, labelling themselves as soft, medium or firm.

But CHOICE experts have found these firmness claims don’t always stack up in the real world.

“There are no clear standards on what counts as ‘firm’ or ‘soft,’” says our pillow tester Matthew Tung. “Pillow companies might have their own definitions of firmness and how to measure it.”

This means that buying a pillow purely based on its firmness claim could leave you disappointed.

Inconsistencies are laid bare in our “sink test”, which measures how far a 5kg weight sinks into a pillow to get an idea of how well it might support your head.

In one recent round of tests, the weight sank further into some pillows claiming to offer “medium” firmness than it did into those marketed as “soft”.

In another, a pillow marketed as the “world’s softest” wasn’t any more absorbent of our 5kg weight than other models.

“Anyone looking to get a new pillow should actually go and feel it before they buy, to make sure it will give them the right level of support,” Tung says.

“Everyone has a different interpretation of what firm and soft feels like, but our sink test results give you a good point of reference to work with,” he adds.

“Compare the sink scores in our review to get an idea of how much support a pillow is actually going to offer.”

Can you trust it?

No – “Medium” pillows may offer less support than those marked as “soft”. Get hands-on experience with the pillow before buying or check our reviews to gauge firmness rather than relying on manufacturer claims alone.

Claim: Space tech

Some pillow makers feel the need to go the extra mile in attempts to firm up their claims to providing the right amount of support.

In recent tests, we’ve come across pillows from Tempur claiming to use “certified space technology”.

Tempur’s claims are actually valid – several of the company’s pillows are made with viscoelastic foam, a material invented by NASA for use in its rockets.

But their off-this-planet backstory doesn’t mean these pillows are guaranteed to give you a better night’s rest.

Their foam composition means they’ll mould to your head and neck, so they might leave you feeling uncomfortable if you’re someone who tends to toss and turn during the night.

What’s more, these pillows are among the most expensive we’ve seen on the market. Recent models have retailed for as much as $479, hundreds of dollars more than most other pillows we test.

So check our reviews and get a feel before you buy a Tempur pillow to make sure its space tech is for you. 

Can you trust it?

Yes – Tempur pillows are made with material first developed for use in space, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a superior product – make sure their design suits you before buying one.

Claim: Anti-gravity powers

Tempur isn’t the only brand to try to use the mystique of space to sell pillows.

Sleeping Duck tells customers its pillows are made with “anti-gravity foam… designed to give your head a feeling of weightlessness throughout the night”.

While these pillows do score well in our sink and comfort tests, their performance isn’t exceptionally different to that of pillows made without “anti-gravity” materials.

Therefore, we’re sceptical of their claims. “This seems like more of a marketing gimmick than an actual solid claim,” says our tester Matthew Tung.

As part of his review process, Matthew measures how comfortable a pillow will be if you’re sleeping on your back and side. 

See whether Sleeping Duck’s products will suit your snoozing style by checking our latest review.

Can you trust it?

Probably not – Sleeping Duck’s pillows do perform well, but we can’t verify their claims of having “anti-gravity” properties.

Claim: Physio-endorsed

Other claims proclaiming better body support are more reliable.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) endorses pillows whose claims of providing levels and types of support beneficial for physical health have been confirmed by its members, who are qualified physiotherapists.

“We submit products to an appropriate physiotherapist for their review,” says APA member experience general manager Andrea Johnson.

“They provide their review against the claims that product is making and make a recommendation to the APA around whether the product is suitable for endorsement.”

Pillow manufacturers can then pay the APA a fee to be able to use its endorsement on their packaging.

You can expect APA-endorsed pillows to meet any claims around providing appropriate neck support, neck and spinal alignment and appropriate sleep posturing, Johnson explains.

Can you trust it?

Yes, but consider your own needs – APA approval only means that a pillow’s specific physiotherapeutic claims have been confirmed by a physiotherapist. These benefits may not suit you. If you have specific physiotherapeutic needs, we recommend consulting a physio yourself for more personalised advice.

Claims: Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial

Humans aren’t the only living organisms tempted by a nice soft pillow – dust mites and mould have been known to make a home for themselves among the layers of these bedroom staples.

Beyond the immediate ick factor, these unwanted sleeping buddies can trigger reactions for people with asthma and allergies. Certain materials used in the pillow itself can also bring about a reaction.

Pillows promising to be hypoallergenic should be made of materials less likely to cause an allergic reaction. 

Meanwhile, those describing themselves as antimicrobial should have been treated with chemicals that stop microbes, such as mould (another risk for allergies and general health), from growing within.

However, there’s no third-party regulating the use of these terms, so manufacturers can use them without having their claims tested first.

“We have a product advisory panel made up of different medical experts and specialists,” explains NACA Sensitive Choice business development manager Adele Taylor.

“They have to see clear evidence that a product offers a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies before they’ll approve the product [as Sensitive Choice].”

Adele says the “really rigorous” process requires pillow brands to submit test results from independent labs backing up their hypoallergenic or antimicrobial claims.

As with APA endorsements, these companies pay a fee to be able to display a product’s Sensitive Choice approval.

Sensitive Choice pillows should have a thicker outer layer to stop any inner fillings that could trigger allergies from slipping out, should not be made of latex and must be washable, among other criteria.

Any chemicals used in antimicrobial treatments should also not trigger any allergies or reactions.

Can you trust them?

Yes, but look for third-party approval – Sensitive Choice-approved pillows have been reviewed and found to help people with asthma or allergies.

Claim: Cooling

A lot of pillows promise to give you somewhere cool to rest your head throughout the night.

These companies claim to use built-in gel pads, specially designed surfaces or materials that “draw away body heat”.

Some brands like Koala even put a firm figure on their cooling powers, promising their carefully crafted designs make their products exactly 2.7°C cooler than normal.

We don’t test the insulation properties of pillows, but we are starting to see mattresses live up to their cooling claims.

Our tester Matthew says he does notice that some materials used by pillow-makers in the outer covers of their products do make a difference to surface temperature.

“We don’t measure how much pillows hold or change temperature, but certain pillows with a “summer” side that you can rest your head on to enjoy a cooler sleep certainly do feel cooler to the touch,” he says.

Can you trust it?

Possibly— we don’t test pillow cooling claims, but we do test those of mattresses and are seeing these products starting to live up to their promises of delivering a cooler sleep. If a pillow proclaims to have cooling properties, check to see if the manufacturer has provided any information backing up that claim, such as its choice of materials.

Claims: Ethical, organic and sustainable

Many products are keen to trumpet their organic credentials or tell you they’ve been produced in an ethically and environmentally friendly way.

Want to make sure your pillow isn’t made with products that are bad for you or the environment? Look for CertiPUR-US® or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifications.

These globally recognised markers confirm pillows aren’t made with any foams or textiles containing materials that can be harmful to human health.

If a pillow claims to be organic, check to see if it’s signed up to the Global Organic Textile or Latex Standards.

These separate schemes (one for latex products, the other for textile goods) certify that components have been grown and processed in an ethically and environmentally sustainable way.

Can you trust them?

Yes, as long as they’ve been third-party certified under schemes such as those listed above.

Cut through the fluff

Our findings highlight that while some pillow promises are backed up by third-party experts, others appear to be nothing more than insubstantial marketing jargon.

Consider this next time you’re looking to freshen up your sleeping situation and check our buying guide for more tips on finding the right pillow.

The post The pillow claims you can and can’t trust appeared first on CHOICE.

Need a new mattress? Aldi is selling its bargain mattress-in-a-box range on Saturday 7th March as part of its Special Buys sale.

The prices are $149 for a single mattress, $179 for a king single, $199 for a double, $239 for a queen and $279 for a king. Both the double and queen mattresses are priced $20 lower than they were when the mattresses last went on sale in July 2025, and there is a king mattress on offer this time. The low prices are certainly enticing, especially when you consider that prices for mattresses from other brands can stretch into the thousands. 

CHOICE hasn’t reviewed these particular mattresses yet. But while we can’t weigh in with specific Aldi mattress results, we have been testing and rating mattresses for years, so our experts have a pretty good idea of what to look for. Our most recent mattress review includes our expert round-up of 55 mattresses, including 23 mattress-in-a-box models.

To help you decide whether you should pick up one of these Aldi buys, we speak to CHOICE mattress expert Peter Zaluzny about the pros and cons of mattress-in-a-box products and how to weigh up Aldi’s offer compared to other brands on the market.

Mattress-in-a-box mattresses: What you should know

Mattress-in-a-box mattresses are deoxygenated – enclosed in vacuum-sealed packaging – making it possible for them be transported in a box, earning them their nickname. 

Here are some things we’ve noticed over the years we’ve been testing mattress-in-a-box products.

Price

This type of mattress first entered the market in response to the often eye-watering mark-ups made on traditional mattresses sold in bricks-and-mortar stores. 

But although they used to be cheaper than conventional mattresses, usually costing no more than a thousand dollars for a queen-size mattress, we have noticed that bed-in-a-box prices have crept up and even surpassed the retail prices of some models sold by traditional retailers.

There are still some affordable products available, however, the Aldi mattresses are significantly cheaper than most of the models we’ve tested (the mattress-in-a-box products we review range in price from $349 to $1895 for a queen size).

Performance

Back when we first started testing mattresses, our results found that old-school spring models were the way to go. Then mattress-in-a-box models came along and wiped the bedroom floor of traditional retailers with consistently higher scores. But now, both categories are fairly evenly matched.

Of the 18 mattresses we currently recommend, seven are from bricks-and-mortar retailers and 11 are delivered or available roll-packed in a box. Some of the most well-known bed-in-a-box brands that we’ve tested include Sleeping Duck, Koala and Ecosa.

“This is great news for consumers,” says CHOICE mattress expert Peter Zaluzny. “There’s a range of CHOICE Recommended options of various types, materials, and builds such as foam or spring, so you can really find a good-quality mattress that feels right for a solid sleep.”

“One person’s idea of the perfect comfy mattress may differ from another’s, but we’ve found that a mattress that costs $1000 or less can be just as comfortable, and perform just as well over its lifetime, as one priced at $3000–$5000.”

Convenience

One of the key advantages of buying a bed-in-a-box is being able to buy them online (without having to deal with a pushy salesperson instore) and trying them at home. 

The free trial period often lasts up to 100 nights, with some running to 120 and even 365 nights. If you don’t like the mattress, you can usually return it easily at no extra cost if you live in a metro area. (Unfortunately if you live in a rural area you may have to pay to return it.)

“Mattresses-in-a-box tend to use more foam and foam-like materials than spring mattresses, so they may not be for you if you prefer the feel of a traditional spring mattress. But that’s what the free trial period is for,” says Peter. 

“However, we’re seeing more and more spring mattresses from these manufacturers. You can no longer assume that a mattress-in-a-box is made of foam which is why we include the core type and construction information in our test.”

Returning the Aldi mattress to store if you aren’t satisfied with it will be much more difficult, however (more on this below). 

Increasing competition

While the mattress-in-a-box market used to be dominated by just a handful of online-only brands, there is now much more competition in this category.  

“A couple of traditional mattress retailers with bricks-and-mortar stores have jumped on the bed-in-a-box market,” says Peter. 

“For example, Snooze sells a small selection of Bedgear models in a box and Ikea has rolled mattresses that you can buy instore (alongside regular mattresses that aren’t vacuum packed). These are similar to mattress-in-a-box except they’re rolled up and vacuum sealed.”

The online retailer advantage

The online-only mattresses-in-a-box retailers still have the advantage over instore retailers with their home trial offers. 

Many mattresses that are sold in bricks-and-mortar stores don’t offer a trial period or, if they do, it’s quite short: many are around 30 days.

And some mattresses-in-a-box offer adjustable firmness, allowing you to customise your mattress at home by adding or removing foam layers that are included in the box. 

We haven’t come across any retail models that have this level of customisation yet.

Become a CHOICE member to access our full reviews and test results of mattresses-in-a-box brands and see who comes out on top. 

What’s to like about the Aldi mattress-in-a-box? 

So how does Aldi’s bed-in-a-box compare with those we’ve tested?

We are currently testing an Aldi queen mattress and will be revealing the results as soon as they are available. In the meantime, we asked several CHOICE staff who have purchased Aldi bed-in-a-box mattresses in the past what they thought of them – you can see their feedback below.

And here’s our feedback based on our expertise in these types of mattresses: 

With the Aldi queen mattress-in-a-box coming in at just under $240, it’s one of the cheapest mattresses on the market. It’s much more affordable than the cheapest bed-in-a-box we have tested (the Zinus Support iCoil Pocket Spring Eurotop, which is $349).

So, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s a tick. And no haggling with a salesperson required. 

60-day guarantee 

If you happen to get it home and you’re not happy with it, Aldi has a 60-day returns or refunds policy on Special Buy items. You must have your receipt though, and the original packaging is preferred, which is a bit of a problem with this one (see ‘What’s not to like’ below). 

Keep in mind that it takes at least a few nights to adjust to a new mattress. Most bed in a box retailers recommend trying a mattress for 30 days to determine if it’s right for you.

Comfort 

The Aldi mattresses has a medium firmness feel and combines a memory foam pillow top comfort layer with pocket springs. Some people prefer this over a spring mattress as it moulds to the body for added comfort. 

But comfort is obviously subjective and some people don’t like that sinking in sensation. The benefit of these types of bed-in-a-box mattresses that combine both spring and foam is that it can be said you’re getting the best of both worlds. 

Early mattress-in-a-box models were mostly made of foam. But these days, spring and hybrid models are widely available as well. Remember to double check the materials before you buy, to match your comfort preferences.

What’s not to like? 

Potentially limited availability

Snapping up one of these mattresses involves heading instore and hoping that your local Aldi has stock in the size you are after, and it’s often a case of first in, best dressed. 

You can’t try before you buy 

This is a big one as you can’t try it instore. You’ll have to save the ‘lie down and see how it feels’ test for when you’ve already bought the mattress, taken it home and unpacked it. 

It’s bulky and heavy, and Aldi doesn’t deliver 

Though Aldi hasn’t specified the weight for the mattress in this Special Buy, previous models weighed around 38kg. It’s fair to assume that the new one will be the same, or very similar.

It’s a heavy boy, in other words, so you’ll need a friend to help you transport it, and an appropriate-sized car. The box does come with wheels and carry handles though. 

Returning it will be a pain 

The product is a compressed mattress that expands when unpacked so it can’t be repacked into the box, and you’d have to lug it back to the store yourself. Other online retailers such as Koala, Sleeping Duck and Eva will come and collect your unwanted mattress for no extra charge within the trial period. 

Limited one-year warranty 

When you consider the fact that many mattresses (admittedly at a much higher price point) usually have a minimum 10-year warranty, one year seems short, and could be an indication of the manufacturer’s faith in their own product.

Similar bed-in-a-box offerings have 10-, 15- or even 25-year warranties. 

What CHOICE staff say

Although this product hasn’t been formally reviewed by CHOICE yet (although testing is currently underway), we spoke to two of our staff who bought the Aldi mattress when it was on sale in previous years, and here’s what they say.

On getting the mattress home:

• “Getting the queen mattress home wasn’t too difficult. It was quite heavy, but nothing my partner and I couldn’t handle. It fitted nicely into the back of our small sedan once we put the seats down. Opening the mattress was kinda fun. We’d never bought a bed-in-a-box before, so it was quite remarkable that the manufacturer was able to pack a plush mattress into a much smaller box. Watch out for the rapid expansion and leave enough space, as the mattress becomes large and heavy surprisingly fast.” 
• “I’d organised to borrow a van to transport the mattress home in, but I didn’t consider how heavy it is. We got some help instore, thankfully, but definitely don’t try to buy this and get it home on your own.” 

On comfort:

• “We have it on our guest bed, so I’ve only slept on it a few times myself and I liked it. All my guests have thought it was comfortable, even one who stayed for three months (I made sure to check!).” 
• “I sleep on it every night and I never really think about it being uncomfortable. There are no lumps and it fits to the contour of my body. It feels plush and soft without being wishy-washy. I always get a good night’s sleep. I normally prefer harder mattresses but I like this one. Considering how little we paid for it, this is fantastic. My only small gripe is that the edges are quite soft, which can make moving around on the bed slightly more cumbersome over a mattress with hard edges.” 

Would you recommend it?

• “Definitely. For price, convenience and quality.”
• “Yes I would. Who knows what it’ll be like in a few years time, but for the price, it’s been perfect for our needs.” 

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The post Is Aldi’s mattress-in-a-box worth buying? appeared first on CHOICE.

Here’s a guide to what you can and can’t safely wash in your dishwasher so you never have to wonder again whether your great-aunt’s silver-plated teaspoons will survive the cycle.

(Hot tip: you’re better off washing them by hand if you want them to stay silver.)

On this page:

• Dishwasher safe symbols explained
• Crockery, cutlery and tableware
• Cookware
• Appliance parts
• Baby and kids’ items

Dishwasher safe symbols explained

Unlike care labels on clothes, there’s no universally agreed-upon set of symbols to indicate whether something is dishwasher safe, so you may need to do a little detective work to find out if something can go in the dishwasher or not. 

The images above are some commonly used dishwasher-safe symbols that you might come across on your crockery or containers.

They’re not the only ones out there, but they’re all generally variations on a theme, so look for a picture of plates and/or glasses under drops of water or a shower.

Just to make things even more confusing, there’s no official definition of what ‘dishwasher safe’ really means. Manufacturers all have their own definitions and processes for determining whether something can be put in the dishwasher.

Bear in mind, too, that some items that are labelled ‘dishwasher safe’ can still degrade when washed in the dishwasher over long periods of time – they’ll just take longer to deteriorate than products that aren’t dishwasher safe.

Dishwasher safe – top rack only

Items on the bottom rack of the dishwasher sit just above the heating element, which means that they’re subjected to more heat than those on the top rack.

For plastic and glass, the top rack is a better option as it’s a lower temperature and has a less intense washing action.

Dishwasher safe glassware

Glass can be fragile and prone to breakage, so the dishwasher isn’t always the safest place for delicate glassware.

Plus, the harsh chemicals in dishwasher detergent can cause haziness.

The dishwasher safe glassware symbol means an item will stand up to the rigours of the dishwasher. 

Not dishwasher safe

A dishwasher safe icon with a line through it means an item cannot be safely washed in the dishwasher.

An illustration of a hand in a bucket of water, in the context of cutlery and crockery means the item should be washed by hand.

Can I wash it in the dishwasher?

It’s tempting to chuck every single thing in the dishwasher to save on handwashing, but unfortunately there are some items that won’t fare well in the dishwasher.

CHOICE kitchen experts weigh in on whether or not the following items can be washed in a dishwasher.

Crockery, cutlery and tableware

Everyday tableware

Dishwashers are great for pretty much all everyday plates, cups and cutlery, so given how much time and water savings you’ll save, racking them in the dishwasher instead of stacking them by the sink is a no-brainer.

And because your dirty plates are out of sight, you can wait a couple of days till the machine’s full before you run it for even more savings.

Plastics

A hot dishwasher can warp or damage some plastics, and squeezing plastic items into small spaces may also cause warping – so while you can put them in the dishwasher, they should go on the top shelf.

Plastics also have a low thermal mass, so they don’t dry especially well in your dishwasher.

Wine glasses

Fragile glassware can scratch or break easily. So if you value your stemware then wash it by hand instead. (And just to be on the safe side – and avoid breakages – maybe wash them the next morning if you’ve had a few glasses too many!)

Even durable drinking glasses can fall foul of the dishwasher and develop a white haze over time. 

Alkaline detergents slowly dissolve the glass itself (silicate filming and etching), leave tiny crystal formations (devitrification), and abrasives in the detergent can physically scour your glassware. (This gets worse with cheaper powder detergents).

If you’re washing in hard water then you may even find cloudy calcium deposits on your glass, though unlike other causes of hazing, this can be removed.

All that said, some manufacturers are going to great lengths to ensure their dishwashers are safe for delicate stemware, and some also include special racks to hold wine glasses safely, so we’re definitely seeing improvements in this area.

Sharp knives

Dishwasher-wise, your good knives don’t make the cut – carbon steel corrodes rapidly in your dishwasher’s harsh, alkaline environment, and bouncing around with other items will dull carefully honed cutting edges.

Plus, emptying the dishwasher is a far riskier proposition with a 12″ lobster-splitter somewhere inside.

Can you put lead crystal in the dishwasher?

Leave your nan’s lead crystal glassware in the display cabinet next to the teaspoons, because your dishwasher’s high temperature and alkaline detergent can convert the lead into a soluble form.

You don’t want to drink that down with your crème de menthe!

Crockery, cutlery and tableware: What can and can’t go in the dishwasher

Cookware

Don’t want to scrub that dirty baking dish? Fair enough. But before you put it in the dishwasher and cross your fingers that it’ll be fine, give this list a quick scan to make sure it will survive.

Pots and pans

Modern dishwashers do a surprisingly good job cleaning even heavily soiled stainless steel pots and pans and ceramic baking dishes. Combined with a good quality detergent, your dishwasher may clean away burned-on cheese and food particles that would pose a challenge when washing by hand.

Many dishwashers also have foldable or removable tines to make it easier to fit bulky pots, and some even have an intensive zone, designed specifically to give cookware an extra-thorough going over.

However, you should still handwash non-stick, cast-iron, copper and fine aluminium cookware because they can be damaged by the dishwasher.

Non-stick cookware

Non-stick coatings will deteriorate rapidly in your dishwasher – follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to extend their life. (And maybe ask yourself if they’re really non-stick, why is there anything to wash off in the first place?).

Cast iron

Your dishwasher won’t damage the cast iron itself, but it will strip off the layers of precious seasoning that protect your pan from rust and make it virtually non-stick.

But your skillet shouldn’t go near the sink either – just wipe it out with paper towel to clean it, and remove stubborn cooking remnants with salt and elbow grease.

Cookware: What can and can’t go in the dishwasher

Appliance parts: What can and can’t go in the dishwasher

Can you put your Thermomix parts or air fryer baskets in the dishwasher? Check the table below to find out.

Baby and kids’ items: What can and can’t go in the dishwasher

Let’s face it: kids can be messy. Can a dishwasher help make cleaning up easier?

Here are the baby and kids’ products that are okay to put in the dishwasher, and the ones you shouldn’t.

The post Can you put it in the dishwasher? appeared first on CHOICE.

While air fryers have just one job – air frying your food – multi-cookers have a whole host of features, allowing you to roast, grill, slow cook, saute, pressure cook, steam and cook rice. Sounds a bit like one of those TV infomercials, right?

But wait, there’s more: some multi-cookers now also have an air fryer mode!

That’s right – for the low, low price of $500 to $700, you get one machine that replaces up to 14 different kitchen appliances, including an air fryer. 

And if you buy one today you’ll also get a cupboard full of accessories, including a cook and crisp basket, steaming basket, grill tray, trivet, measuring cup, serving spoon, condensation cup and more!

But what if you don’t want something that complicated? A straightforward air fryer can cost much less (under $50 for a Kmart Anko cheapie) and may do exactly what you need it to – and nothing you don’t.

So is it worth paying the extra for a multifunctional marvel? Or are you better off just buying an affordable air fryer and sticking with your existing appliances?

We’ll tell you everything you need to know to decide if a multi-cooker (with air fryer mode) or a standalone air fryer is the right appliance for you.

What do multi-cookers and air fryers do?

Multi-cookers

Perhaps a better question would be: what doesn’t a multi-cooker do? 

Some boast as many as 14 functions, from air frying and baking through to more niche functions like yoghurt making and sous vide cooking. 

But do you really need that many functions? Or will you end up only switching on your whizz-bang new appliance when you need to air fry?

Depending on exactly what you want to do with it and how much you want to pay, you could opt for a model with fewer functions – after all, just how often do you think you’ll be making yoghurt from scratch or dehydrating your own jerky?

But the flipside is that a multifunction machine can replace multiple appliances, giving you your cupboard space back and streamlining your kitchen. 

“Multi-cookers can replace appliances such as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sous vide, air fryer, and oven for roasting meats and vegetables. Some can also grill and sear and can be used instead of a cooktop,” says CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair.

“The type of functions available will vary between models, so choose one that has functions that suit your style of cooking.”

Air fryers

Some air fryers now have multiple functions, too.

“We are starting to see air fryers with a steaming function which is perfect for steaming vegetables, chicken, fish, dumplings, and more,” says Fiona. 

Even without a steam function, air fryers aren’t just for cooking chips and nuggets: you can use them to make banana bread, soft-boiled eggs, pizza, roasted nuts and chickpeas, and more. 

Here are seven weird air fryer recipes that we trialled to see if they work.

Air fryers: Pros and cons

Pros:

• Quick to heat up so you can have dinner on the table faster
• Simple to use
• Good for smaller households
• Can be used as an alternative to an oven for very small kitchens, caravans, granny flats, etc
• No bulky accessories to store
• Smaller models take up less space than multi-cookers

Cons:

• May not have a large enough capacity for bigger households
• Can be tricky to clean
• Not set and forget: you need to regularly shake the food for maximum crispness
• Depending on the configuration, they may not fit as much food as you expect
• Larger models can take up a lot of bench space

“If you’re wanting to replace your oven with an air fryer or reduce the amount of cooking in the oven then I would recommend you invest in a larger air fryer, perhaps with dual drawers so you can cook different foods at the same time,” says Fiona.

“Air fryers that have shelves and look like little ovens are great for one-shelf cooking but are not the best for food that requires shaking unless it has a rotating basket. This type is harder to clean and can come with accessories that are annoying to clean and store.”

Multi-cookers: Pros and cons

Pros:

• Versatile
• Replace multiple appliances
• Larger capacity
• Can be left unattended in slow cook mode
• A good multi-cooker can do lots of tasks well
• Many models come with air fryer mode so can replace a standalone air fryer

Cons:

• Can be tricky to clean – especially the steam valve for the pressure cooker
• Lots of accessories to store
• Large footprint
• Heavy and bulky
• Steeper learning curve, especially when using pressure cooker mode

“A multi-cooker isn’t the nicest-looking bench appliance, so you may want to store it away when not in use,” says Fiona.

“However, if you think you’ll use the air fryer function often, then it might be easier to leave out on the bench – they’re not easy to haul in and out of the cupboard every time you want to use them.

“While you might like the idea of an appliance that can do everything, have a think about whether an all-in-one multi-cooker is the best option, or whether you’d be better off having a standalone air fryer that stays on the bench plus a multi-cooker that doesn’t air fry in the cupboard.

“There are pros and cons to both scenarios.”

Do multi-cookers with air fryer mode work as well as standalone air fryers?

Some product mash-ups have been wildly successful – think phones and cameras, and touchscreen laptops that double as tablets. Others are more questionable: ever heard of the Evian water bra? There’s a reason for that. 

And the jury is still out on the Dyson Zone Absolute+, which is an unusual combination of headphones and an air purifier. (Rumour has it that the company had to clarify that the product was not, in fact, an April Fool’s joke.)

So is combining air frying with yoghurt making a good idea, or will you just end up with an appliance that does both poorly?

Fortunately these multifunction machines are one of the good mash-ups. 

“We’ve found the results to be very good to excellent,” says Fiona. “They tend to perform just as well as any standalone appliance.”

And while they might cost more upfront than single-function appliances, it could actually save you, too. 

“When you consider the cost of these appliances separately, you could be paying a lot more,” says Fiona. “And you’d have to find room to store all the standalone appliances if you buy them separately.”

A tale of two appliances

Having an air fryer or a multi-cooker in your kitchen will make life easier – but what about having both?

“I have a Ninja multi-cooker with an air fryer function which does about a hundred things and also works great as an air fryer, but it is very heavy and bulky,” says Pru, CHOICE’s audience and engagement editor and busy parent of two.

“I don’t want to leave it on my benchtop but it’s annoying to get in and out of the cupboard.

“To me, the best aspect of an air fryer is having food that’s perfectly cooked and ready to go quickly, so I wanted a smaller air fryer I could just keep on the bench and pop things in while I’m cooking dinner for the kids.”

Pru uses her multi-cooker more often in winter for pressure cooking, slow cooking and as a rice cooker, so she says it doesn’t make sense to keep it on the bench year-round.

“I bought a smaller, lighter air fryer and it just lives on our bench. It’s much easier to move around and clean, and is great for chips and nuggets for the kids, fish fillets, drumsticks, crispy kale and cauliflower, and more.”

What to consider when buying a multi-cooker or air fryer

Just as every household is different, so is every home cook. Make sure you’re clear on what you want from a kitchen appliance before you start looking for something that does everything under the sun. 

Here’s what Fiona suggests you ask yourself before you buy.

1. How many people are you cooking for?

Air fryers can be great for singles and small households, but may not have the capacity for cooking for crowds. (And if you need to make big batches, you already have a large air fryer in your kitchen: your oven.) 

Multi-cookers hold a lot more, so if you’re a one- or two-person household, they might be overkill for air frying small quantities of food.

2. How do you like to cook? 

You can only cook one meal or one type of food at a time in a multi-cooker, so think about whether that suits how you tend to cook. 

For instance, if you’re using your multi-cooker to slow cook a meal for eight hours, you won’t be able to whip up a batch of chicken nuggets to feed the kids until it’s done.

It’s much the same for air fryers, though: you can only really cook one type of food at a time, unless you have a dual-drawer air fryer (like this Kmart twin air fryer) or one with a flexi zone that lets you cook using two different times and temperatures. But obviously an air fryer has far fewer functions than a multi-cooker.

3. How big is your kitchen? 

Multi-cookers are generally quite large, and their round shape can make them awkward to store. Plus, you’ll need somewhere to keep the accessories, some of which can be quite bulky. 

However, they can replace multiple appliances so you’ll need much less storage space than if you had a standalone slow cooker, air fryer, pressure cooker and so on.

Some air fryers do have large footprints, but if space is at a premium you can opt for a smaller size, or even a stacked two-drawer model like the Ninja DoubleStack XXXL.

4. Where will you put it? 

Multi-cookers can be large and heavy, so they’re not the kind of appliance you’ll want to haul in and out of the cupboard every time you want to cook. 

You can pick up an air fryer that’s lighter and smaller than a multi-cooker if you want something to use every day. But if batch-cooked meals are in high rotation in your household, you might decide that your multi-cooker more than earns the space on your benchtop.

“If you want an air fryer, it’s best to use it as a permanent bench fixture so you can access it easily for quick heating and cooking,” says Fiona.

“A twin basket with a steamer makes the air fryer more versatile, which is something to consider.”

5. What kind of foods do you want to cook? 

If you just want crispy food, then you only need an air fryer – and there’s not much point paying for all the extra functions in a multi-cooker if you’re not going to use them. 

But if you want to cook a variety of meals using a range of different cooking techniques, a multi-cooker is the way to go.

Air fryers and multi-cookers compared: Which is best for which task?

Here are the benefits of a multi-cooker over an air fryer:

• You can batch cook, which is a great way to save money and time
• They’re very versatile so you can use them for many different dishes and ways of cooking, while air fryers only do one thing
• Slow cooker mode means you can prep meals ahead of time and come home to an already-cooked dinner
• Buying multiple appliances in one is cheaper than buying each one separately – and you’ll only need to store one appliance rather than several

Here’s where air fryers have the edge over multi-cookers:

• They can be cheaper
• Since they only have one function, they’re easier to learn how to use
• Some have a smaller footprint than multi-cookers
• There are a range of sizes to suit different households – whereas multi-cookers are generally all quite large

Expert verdict: air fryer or multi-cooker?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here: it depends on how you like to cook and what’s important to you in a kitchen appliance. 

“I think a multi-cooker can be a good option for someone who has limited bench space, or a small kitchen with very few appliances,” says Fiona. 

“If you don’t already have a slow cooker, pressure cooker, air fryer, and rice cooker but you’re interested in using these cooking methods, or if you want to consolidate a number of appliances into one, then I would definitely consider a multi-cooker with air fryer mode. 

“But if you just want crispy food, then you’ll only need a standalone air fryer.”

The post Air fryer vs multi-cooker: Which one should you buy? appeared first on CHOICE.

It’s hard to tell from price alone whether you’re backing a winner. Some of the top performers in our test outclassed products that were far more expensive, so it’s worth doing your research to make sure you’re buying the right blender for you. 

Here are our tips for choosing a blender. Plus, for CHOICE members only, we’ll reveal the top scoring blenders from our rigorous lab tests.

If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews. 

If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.

What kind of blender should I buy?

From a single-serve model suitable for smoothies for one, through to high-powered machines that can whip up hot soups from raw ingredients using blade friction alone, there are so many options when it comes to blenders. 

So which kind of blender should you buy? It depends on what you want to do with it. 

“If you want to reduce the amount of processed foods you buy, then a high-performance blender is worth considering,” says Fiona Mair, CHOICE’s kitchen expert. 

“It really depends on what you want a blender for. If it’s just for making shakes, smoothies and cocktails, then a standard or personal blender is all you need.”

Do you even need a blender?

If you’re deeply committed to daily green smoothies, milling your own flour or whipping up a batch of nut butter, you’ll need a blender that can handle everything you throw at (or into) it.

But if you’re only making smoothies from fruit, whizzing up milkshakes or blitzing veggies in soup, a stick blender may well do the job.

Here’s what to know before buying a stick blender.

What different blenders can and can’t do

Not every blender is up to the task of liquefying kale or chopping nuts, so before you buy, take some time to think about how you plan to use your new blender.

Once you’ve decided what you need, check our test results – just because a blender is advertised as being able to liquefy even the toughest veggies doesn’t mean it’ll be good at it!

Portable and personal blenders

These small-sized blenders don’t have the power needed to tackle kale or other heavy-duty tasks.

Because of their small capacity, they can’t take on larger jobs like a full-sized blender can.

But they are a handy and affordable space-saving appliance for basic smoothies for one.

Stick to fresh and frozen fruit and make sure you add liquid before you blend. They can generally handle a few ice cubes if you want to cool things down.

You can also use them to make protein shakes and milkshakes, salad dressings and pureed baby food.

Standard blenders

Regular-sized blenders aren’t all created equal. 

Some are up to the challenge of chopping hard veggies like carrots uniformly (without turning them to mush), effortlessly blitzing kale into submission and crushing ice to the perfect consistency.

But others will struggle with some of these tasks.

Paying a bit more for a standard blender can often mean more functions, such as auto programs, more speed settings, countdown timers, accessories and more. 

Of course, a more expensive blender won’t necessarily do a better job than a cheaper one, so don’t base your decision solely on the price tag.

High-performance blenders

These are the VIPs of the blender world – Thermomixes fall into this category. Powerful and versatile, they’re far more than just milkshake makers.

Aside from the usual blender tasks, they have a myriad of other uses, including:

• Milling flour
• Grinding nut butters
• Making spice pastes
• Finely crushing ice
• Grating parmesan cheese
• Making hot soup (the friction from the blade creates heat)
• Mixing pizza dough

Our experts put high-performance blenders through their paces in our kitchen lab, assessing their abilities on most of these tasks.

All 18 of the high-performance blenders in our current review nailed crushing ice, dry milling nuts and grating parmesan cheese, and most of them crushed the nut butter test.

Most people associate these super-powered blenders with green smoothies, but a surprising number of them didn’t impress our testers in this domain. Less than two-thirds of them turned out excellent green smoothies, and only four of them scored above 80% for blending kale.

And spending more won’t necessarily give you better results, either: the $949 Blendtec Designer 625 CTB1 was rated as ‘borderline’ for blending kale, while the $200 Ninja Nutri Ninja BL642NZ scored a perfect 100%.

Make sure you check our detailed reviews to find the best high-performance blender for your kitchen.

Which are the best blenders for smoothies and meal prep?

We independently test and review dozens of small appliances each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which blenders are real whizzes in the kitchen.

The post The best blenders for smoothies and meal prep appeared first on CHOICE.

A microwave is a kitchen workhorse that can cost less than $100 or as much as $1000.

And like most modern appliances, they are increasingly complex, with lots of different functions and settings. But while many of these added features can be useful and help make your microwave more versatile, most of us just want something that we can rely on. 

While our testing lets us assess how appliances perform in our labs, it’s also useful to find out how different brands of microwaves perform in the real world, which is why we recently surveyed more than 2000 Australians to ask about their experiences.

Measuring reliability

We wanted to understand how satisfied consumers were with their microwave purchase and also how reliable the product was. 

We looked at a variety of well-known microwave brands, including Kmart Anko, Panasonic, LG and more, and gave each brand a score based on how satisfied customers were with that brand’s microwave and how reliable it was over time. 

We also gave each brand a separate reliability score that indicates how likely that brand’s microwaves are to develop faults over time.

Simply speaking, the higher the score, the fewer people reported having problems in the previous 12 months.

The most reliable microwave brands

Our survey found that the most reliable microwaves came from Panasonic and Kmart Anko. These brands achieved reliability scores of more than 90%.

Sharp and Samsung were not far behind with scores of 90% and 89%, respectively. LG scored 85%, and Breville 84%. 

More than four in five (81%) respondents who owned a Panasonic microwave have never had any problems since purchase. The brand was frequently praised for its overall reliability and even cooking, and many reported that their appliance had “lasted many years” without any issues. 

Kmart Anko microwaves also earned high scores for reliability, and 79% told us they had never had any problems with their appliance. These appliances were praised for their simple ease of use, and owners noted how satisfied they were given the price point.  

Both LG and Breville got the lowest reliability scores, and the incidence of problems is higher than average. Of those microwaves that had a problem, around a third had a major problem, and the majority of these (79%) occurred within five years of purchase.  

Only a small percentage of respondents had contacted the manufacturer for service or support. Most who had sought help told us there was no cost, and about half had their issue resolved within a month.

However, a higher than average proportion of LG owners had contacted the company for support and service of their microwave, and many reported a negative experience. 

Complaints included:

• difficulty in getting LG to acknowledge the problem
• lengthy repair processes that did not fully fix the issue
• being told there was no way to resolve the problem and that the only option was to purchase a new microwave.

Very few told us that the problem was satisfactorily resolved.

Standard vs convection

Most people we surveyed owned a standard microwave, but 12% owned a convection model. Convection microwaves, also sometimes called combination ovens, combine the functions of a microwave but also let you brown and crisp food like a standard oven. 

Convection microwave owners were more likely than standard owners to report problems with low power, slow cooking, or the microwave stopping mid-cycle. They were also more likely to report that their microwave turned off unexpectedly.

Given these results, it’s perhaps no surprise that owners of standard microwaves had higher scores for satisfaction than those with convection microwaves but there wasn’t much in it: 87% versus 85%.

Common microwave problems

Only one in four microwave owners reported problems with their purchase, which means 75% never have any issues. This makes microwaves one of the most reliable appliances in our surveys. 

Of those who did report issues, the most common problems were related to the light (3%), rust (3%), the LCD display (2%), and uneven heating or cooking or not heating or cooking at all (2%). Similar numbers complained of paint wearing off, noisiness, or that their microwave simply stopped working.

Common complaints from those with LG microwaves, which earned some of the lowest reliability scores, included dissatisfaction with not being able to access some controls unless the door is open, the 10-second timer increments, and the fact that the whole microwave moves when opening the door. The tune the microwave plays at the end of cooking (and the fact that it continues until attended to) also earned complaints.

Don’t buy based on brand alone

It’s important to note that while this survey provides useful, real-world feedback that adds to the data we capture in our lab testing, it doesn’t replace the need to consider models individually rather than buying based only on brand. 

Variation between models from the same brand means some Panasonic microwaves earn a recommendation from our experts, while others don’t.

Likewise, while LG ranked lower for reliability than some of the other brands, we find many of their microwaves perform very well in our testing, so they shouldn’t be ruled out. 

About our survey

There were a total of 2384 respondents to our survey, which was carried out between 27 August and 29 September 2025. The survey included questions on microwaves, coffee machines and dryers, and respondents could qualify for all or only some sections of the survey.

The post Panasonic and Kmart Anko most reliable microwave brands: CHOICE research appeared first on CHOICE.

That’s pretty much like washing up manually, just with added steps.

This is why we test dishwashers in our state-of-the-art labs: to show you which is the best so your money doesn’t end up down the drain.

For our latest dishwasher reviews, our experts tested models from Smeg, Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, Beko, Haier, LG, Westinghouse, Electrolux, AEG and more. 

After days of ‘doing the dishes’, they uncovered some impressive cleaners and some serious under-performers.

How do we test them? Well, it’s a dirty job that involves crusty crockery identically stained with foods such as oats, egg yolk, rice starch, spinach, baby cereal and more. 

We leave the dishes out overnight, then analyse how well each dishwasher gets them clean. Learn more about how we test dishwashers.

The lowest rated dishwashers from our tests

Omega ODW101W

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 58%
• Price: $799

The worst performer in our test overall, this half-size benchtop model does about half the job we’d hoped for.

It performed poorly for both washing and drying, meaning you’ll be reaching for that wash cloth and tea towel once its long cycle has finally finished.

(Hot tip: if your dishwasher isn’t great at drying, try cracking the door open a few centimetres just after the cycle has finished and leave it to settle for half an hour or so – it’ll generally give you dryer dishes than if you left the the door closed or unpacked the machine straight away.)

On the upside, the Omega is cheap to run (which is good because you might need to run it twice to get the wash you want) and it won’t require any modifications to your cabinetry to install, as you can just plug it in. This also means that you can take it with you if you move out.

But don’t let this model put you off benchtop units altogether: it is possible to find a smaller dishwasher that performs well.

We’ve come across some benchtop models that punch well above their weight and even outscore full-sized dishwashers. Unfortunately this just isn’t one of them.

Read the full Omega ODW101W review.

Haier HDW13F0S1

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 62%
• Price: $749

This freestanding dishwasher achieved a dismal washing performance score of 51%, which was the lowest of all the models in our latest testing.

This is the part of the test where we assess how well the dishwasher removes foods like oats, egg yolk and spinach that have been dried on plates overnight. How each model performs in this test makes up the majority of the score (because if your dishwasher can’t get your plates clean, it’s clearly a waste of space).

To add insult to injury, our testers found this model is relatively noisy and very expensive to run, destined to set you back over $1500 in running costs over 10 years.

Read the full Haier HDW13F0S1 review.

Haier HDW15F2S1

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 64%
• Price: $999

Not only is this dodgy dishwasher relatively expensive to operate, it bombs out on washing performance with a score of 55%, which means it’s going to be a dreary sight when you open that dishwasher door.

It also has no option for a ‘light’ or ‘fast’ wash, meaning you can’t expect a quick turnaround if you need to reuse your plates and cups quickly, and there’s no ‘rinse-only’ program either, which can be annoying if your dirty plates are starting to smell but your dishwasher’s not full enough to run yet.

It did perform well at drying those poorly washed dishes though, and includes a feature where the dishwasher door opens automatically at the end of the cycle to aid drying performance.

The dishwasher is Wi-Fi connected, which means you can control it remotely, but whether that’s more useful than actually getting clean dishes is debatable.

Read the full Haier HDW15F2S1 review.

Inalto IDW604S

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
• Price: $449

It’s dirt cheap to buy and to run, but this model’s low price comes with similarly low performance scores. 

It delivers very good energy efficiency, but you’ll have to use all your energy drying the dishes after this Inalto is done with them.

It’s also pretty basic, lacking many features that come as standard with other dishwashers, such as anti-burst hose, rinse-only program, half-load option and time-remaining display. 

Not only is it relatively noisy, it has a very long cycle time, so you’ll have to put up with the noise for a full 183 minutes. 

Read the full Inalto dishwasher review.

Artusi ADW4501X

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
• Price: $949

It scores exactly the same as the Inalto above, but somehow this Artusi machine costs nearly twice as much. 

If you’re looking for a slimline dishwasher you’ll find there are slim pickings. Most models are the standard 60cm wide, so your options are limited from the get-go. And unfortunately these narrower dishwashers don’t come with a slimline price to match: the 45cm-wide models we’ve tested range from $699 to $1549. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for an expensive but ultimately disappointing model like this.

The difference between this Artusi and its diminutive peers is that all of them performed better – even the cheapest model.

And this one lacks even basic features such as an anti-flood/anti-burst hose, time-remaining display, rinse-only program and half-load option. Plus it has a painfully long cycle time of nearly three hours!

Since you’ll be paying a premium for a petite machine regardless, we suggest you don’t put your money towards this one.

Read the full Artusi ADW4501X review.

Fisher & Paykel DD60SCX9

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
• Price: $1699

Accommodating just seven place settings, this built-in single-drawer Fisher & Paykel costs twice as much as some dishwashers that fit twice as many settings, so you’re getting less but paying more.

You’ll also pay more in bills: it uses similar amounts of water and electricity to wash half as many dishes as a full-size unit.

Our experts scored its energy efficiency per plate at just 55%. By comparison, the most energy-efficient models we’ve tested score 70% and higher.

Fisher & Paykel does make some good dishwashers, but unfortunately this isn’t one of them. If you’re looking for a single-drawer machine, we suggest you look elsewhere.

Read the full Fisher & Paykel DD60SCX9 review.

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