CHOICE experts see hundreds of products go through their labs each year, testing everything from high-end to budget-friendly appliances.
We're always curious to learn which products not only perform well, but also give great value for money, so we can tell you which appliances you need to splash some cash on and which you can grab for a bargain price.
So whether you're looking to nab something in the sales or pick up some early Christmas pressies, these are 10 products products CHOICE experts say deliver in terms of performance and value for money.
Why you can trust CHOICE reviews
CHOICE experts scientifically and independently test products in our labs and rate how they perform, to help you buy better. We test across over 200 categories, and our full reviews are available exclusively to members. You'll never waste your money on a dud again.
A cheap way to upgrade your TV.
1. Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 75%
- Price: $99
Streaming devices plug into your TV so you can access your favourite movies, TV shows, documentaries and more. Although almost all home entertainment tech supports video and music apps, there's still plenty of use for a streaming device. It can update an old TV, bring smart functions to offline devices, allow you to access a variety of apps (some of which may not be available on your smart TV) and stream while travelling.
CHOICE test coordinator Elias Plastiras says they're a great way to give a slightly older TV an upgrade.
"The Google Chromecast is a great little dongle to give your old TV a smarter interface and access to all the latest streaming services. It's perfect for streaming services you have to pay for, or for using the free-to-air apps for live TV and catch-up services. It performs well and even comes with a little remote."
For the full Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K review.
A cut-price knife that delivers.
2. Anko Triple Rivet 20cm Chef's Knife
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 75%
- Price: $8
A good kitchen knife is a kitchen essential and we've tested models ranging in price from $8 right up to $400. The recommended products from our kitchen knives test all cost upwards of $100 and if you're an avid home chef you may be intrigued by these options.
But, although it didn't quite meet the mark to be recommended, Elias is a fan of this Anko knife.
"If it's value for money you're after, you can't go past the Anko Triple Rivet 20cm Chef's Knife, which is available from Kmart and Target," he says.
It's the cheapest knife we tested at only $8 and performed well overall in our test.
"Its initial sharpness is very good, but you may need to sharpen it more frequently as our testing found it blunts quicker than the more expensive knives we tested."
Read the full Anko Triple Rivet 20cm Chef's Knife review.
An entry-level air fryer that impresses.
3. Anko 3.75L air fryer
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 84%
- Price: $69
Air fryers continue to be all the rage and the enthusiasm for this appliance seems to be unwavering.
CHOICE home economist and test kitchen expert, Fiona Mair has tested a lot of air fryers over the years, and she thinks this one is pretty good value.
"If you're new to the air fryer game and only looking to cook small amounts of food, rather than feeding a larger family, this 3.75L option from Kmart gives great bang for your buck."
It doesn't prompt you to turn or shake the food and it has no viewing window but otherwise, it was rated excellent on performance. It also has features you'd expect to see in more expensive models such as pre-programmed settings, touch controls and a digital display.
Read the full Anko 3.75L air fryer review.
An all-rounder rice cooker.
4. Anko 10-cup rice cooker RC-10CD003
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 86%
- Price: $39
A rice cooker is a godsend if you eat rice often or struggle with the stovetop method, and they can be an extremely handy meal-prep partner. The top scoring rice cookers in our test cost over $150, but we've found that even the simplest of rice cookers can be a great performer, so it's possible to bag a cooker that does the job for a bargain price.
For only $39, this 10-cup rice cooker packs a punch, performing excellently for cooking brown and jasmine rice. You can sauté in the pot and it also comes with a steamer basket as well as pre-set functions for white and brown rice.
"You can spend as little as $14 for a rice cooker that will perform well and get the job done, but for $39 you're getting extra functionality," says Fiona.
Read the full Anko 10 cup rice cooker RC-10CD003 review.
A slow cooker with high end features.
5. Russell Hobbs Searing Slow Cooker RHSC650
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 83%
- Price: $100
Slow cookers are a convenient and versatile, set-and-forget appliance. If you live in a busy household where time for meal prep is limited, then chances are you already have a slow cooker or you have one on your wishlist.
Of the eight slow cookers we recommend, five cost under $100, so you don't need to spend much to get a good performer. This 6L searing slow cooker from Russell Hobbs gets a special mention because it's the only one of these five to have a cooking bowl that's suitable for searing and sautéing, a handy feature usually only seen on more expensive models.
You can use the cooking bowl on gas or electric cooktops (not on induction), meaning less cleaning and no need for separate pots and pans for searing and sautéing. It performed very well overall, it's very easy to use and had a perfect result for slow cooking on the low setting.
Read the full Russell Hobbs Searing Slow Cooker RHSC650 review.
We recommend four other slow cookers under $100 – check the CHOICE slow cooker review to find out which models are recommended by our experts.
A stroller that ticks all the boxes.
6. Anko Layback Umbrella Stroller
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 76%
- Price: $65
Strollers aren't cheap. You can easily spend over $500 for one, with the most expensive models we've tested costing over $2500.
However, you can pick up the cheapest model we've tested for only $65 and what's even better is that it passed all the key safety and durability requirements in our testing.
If you're on a budget but looking for a stroller that's light, compact and easy to carry, the Anko Layback Umbrella Stroller ticks all those boxes.
Read the full Anko Layback Umbrella Stroller review.
A high-scoring high chair.
7. Kmart Prandium High Low Chair
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 88%
- Price: $29
If your bub is being introduced to solids for the first time (or if you just need somewhere for them to sit so you can prepare dinner and keep an eye on them at the same time), you'll need a high chair. First and foremost, it needs to be safe, but it should be practical and easy to clean too.
The Kmart Prandium High Low Chair is one of the top performers from our high chairs test, outperforming models that cost as much as $799.
It's also one of the cheapest we've tested, passing all our safety tests. It has a simple design, making it easy to clean and light to move around. It has a removable tray as well as height adjustment to convert it into a low chair.
Read the full Kmart Prandium High Low Chair review.
A solid all-rounder that's easy to use.
8. Philips 3000 Series DST3031/29 Iron
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 89%
- Price: $80
If you have the right iron, pressing your shirts might seem like less of a chore. Some of the steam irons we've tested cost as much as $300, but three of our top performers cost under $100, proving you don't have to spend big to get smooth results.
The Philips 3000 series is one of those – excellent at ironing silk, wool, cotton, denim and linen and very good at ironing organza. It's also lightweight and very easy to use. That ticks lots of boxes in our book!
Read the full Philips 3000 Series DST3031/29 review.
A toaster that delivers perfect toast, slice after slice.
9. Kambrook The Smarter Choice KTA120WHT Toaster
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 76%
- Price: $39
You want your toaster to consistently toast your bread cycle after cycle. Kambrook's The Smarter Choice two-slice toaster does just that. It browns evenly, is good at toasting frozen bread and is very easy to use.
CHOICE expert, Adrian Lini (who toasted dozens of slices of bread for our latest roaster review) says, "this toaster is perfect for small households or if you're limited on bench space, and it's a bargain, too".
If it's a 4-slice toaster you're after, the Russell Hobbs Legacy RHT455WHI was an impressive performer too and you can pick one up for $80.
Read the full Kambrook The Smarter Choice KTA120WHT review.
A no-frills kettle for under $20.
10. Big W Contempo Kettle 1.7 Litre K511CN
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 77%
- Price: $15
A kettle is an essential everyday item, but it certainly don't need to be fancy to get the job done. For only $15, this kettle from Big W, does the job and it comes highly rated by CHOICE experts.
And to prove that price doesn't always equal performance, this cheap and cheerful kettle performs better than the most expensive kettle we tested which costs an eye-watering $645.
Read the full Big W Contempo Kettle 1.7 Litre review.
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