The 50 Best Household Appliances

2. Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand food mixer
This classic mixer is solid, reliable and impressive. It’s solid because it’s all-metal and it has a powerful motor, which is adjustable to 10 speed settings. The mixing action, called “planetary movement”, is fast and efficient, and there are accessories such as a wirewhisk and more. The head tilts up and it’s easy to use and clean. It’s pretty silent in use and looks so great you won’t want to put it out of sight.
Where: KitchenAid (01737 231000; www.kitchenaid.co.uk)
How much: £359

3. Electrolux Inspiro oven
An intelligent oven is an appealing idea and the Inspiro is technologically advanced. Put the food in and select a category such as roasting on the touch-sensitive control, choosing whether you want it rare or well done and so on. Then the Inspiro will sense howmuch meat there is and decide how best to cook it and for how long. It can change methods as it goes along – roasting at first to seal a joint then fan cooking and then at the end crisp the outside. Available from the autumn, but start licking your lips now.
Where: Electrolux (08705 950950; www.electrolux.co.uk)
How much: £1,000

4. Bosch WAE24467 washing machine
Bosch washing machines are reliable, exceptionally easy to use and well-priced. They also deliver very good results, including strong easy-care options so you can clean woollens or set the machine to “hand wash”. There are a lot of options here, but it’s always easy to find what you need. The drum holds 7kg of washing and this Exxcel washing machine is speedy, efficient and impressive. The door is big and folds all the way back for extra convenience.
Where: John Lewis (08456 049 049;www.johnlewis.com)
How much: £399

5. Smeg FAB28 fridge
Smeg’s fridges have become bywords for stylish kitchen icons. This model was launched over 10 years ago in cream and now comes in 11 colours and two special editions, including a striped version and aUnion Jack-fronted model (though these cost more at £929). Inside, there’s an ice box and glass shelves, with storage compartments for bottles, cartons and dairy produce in the door.
Where: Buyers and Sellers (0870 300 2578; www.buyersandsellersonline.co.uk)
How much: £766

6. Domotec Roomba 530 vacuum cleaner
The Roomba is a robot. You can’t dress it like a butler and it can’t turn against you and take over the world, but it can do the vacuuming for you. Apart from the joy of not having to do the vacuuming yourself, the 9cm-tall machine can scoot happily under beds and into hard-to-reach areas. Of course, it can’t tackle the stairs, but it’s good on carpets, rugs and wood floors and it uses a bumper to redirect itself when it hits obstacles. All you have to do is empty it.
Where: John Lewis (08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)
How much: £199.99

7. Dualit classic toaster
Simple is best when it comes to toast and they don’t come any more simple or effective than Dualit. Unlike other toasters, which spring the toast up, this model keeps the bread warm until you take it out. You turn the browning dial by hand to set the time and eject the toast by pressing a lever – these things may seem basic, but they’re what make the Dualit so efficient and reliable.
Where: Amazon (0800 279 6620; www.amazon.co.uk)
How much: from £114.99 

8. Antony Worrall Thompson Professional breadmaker
This silver-coloured breadmaker is easy to use (though be careful with your ingredients – amounts are critical and if you stray from them the resulting loaf can be as heavy as lead). There are lots of functions, from a rapid-bake feature to settings to brown the crust or make the bread crispy. You can delay the start time, so the bread is baked just in time for breakfast and an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser makes it easy to try more challenging recipes.
Where: Amazon (0800 279 6620; www.amazon.co.uk)
How much: £69.97

9. Siemens SN26M6 90GB dishwasher
This dishwasher from Siemens has a special feature useful for larger families – instead of the 12 place settings of almost all other models, this one has space for 14 sets of plates, dishes and so on. If you have less stuff to clean, there’s a half-load setting. Alternately rotating upper and lower spray arms make sure water and power are used efficiently and a sensor checks how dirty the dishes are after the prewash to pick the right temperature.
Where: Siemens (0870 840 3300; www.siemensappliances.co.uk)
Cost: £550

10. Weber Q200 gas barbecue
Weber’s gift is creating a barbecue that’s easy to set up, reliable, efficient and enjoyable to use. This gas grill lights easily, heats up quickly and grills evenly. It’s a solid piece of equipment, so its cast-aluminium lid will withstand a winter outside, unlike some. There are fold-out trays for your food and tools and it’s easy to clean to boot. Weber has now introduced a version of this successful barbie that’s charcoal-powered too.
Where: Weber (01756 692600; www.weber.com)
How much: £200 

11. Vax V-028 PET Rapide 12 Philips Azur GC4444 iron Power Jet Pet carpet washer
Vax carpet washers use powerful jets of water mixed with a concentrated cleaning liquid – first it sprays the carpet and then vacuums it up, so you can leave it to dry. Aspecialisedwash brush is good for stubborn stains, and tired carpets look refreshed after a treatment with Vax. It’s a satisfying process. The Vax range is extensive, but this mid-range option is particularly good for households with pets and their regular coat-shedding.
Where: Vax (0870 606 1248; www.vax.co.uk)
How much: £189.99

12. Philips Azur GC4444 iron
This iron uses Ionic Deepsteam technology which, it’s claimed, gives smaller steam particles that penetrate more thoroughly. Along with other top-end features like a system to stop drips, a large water tank, steam in the tip and automatic shut-off, the GC4444 has 2400w of steam – among the highest available. It also has variable steam output and a steam-boost function.
Where: Comet (08705 425425; www.comet.co.uk)
How much: £79.99

13. Neff B8762 CircoSteam combination oven
It’s easy to see what you’re doing on this oven, thanks to the electronic controls with Clear- Text. The brushed stainless steel oven can combine hot air and steam to suit the food you’re cooking. The steam is generated outside the cooking area until it’s the right temperature when it’s injected into the chamber from all sides. Because it’s introduced intensively it seals the food quickly. There’s also an indicator to show how the oven’s heating up, so you know when to put the food in.
Where: Neff (0870 513 3090; www.neff.co.uk)
How much: £999

14. Miele T8422C Honeycomb tumble dryer
Miele’s tumble dryers are splendid – quiet, powerful and with lots of options so you can choose from extra-dry or machine-iron settings. The sensors then do the rest of the work for you, with reliably good results. The drum has a honeycomb pattern inside, which Miele claims creates a cushion of air between clothes and drum for protection of the garments and better drying. The condenser drawer captures all the moisture removed and indicators light to tell you if you need to empty it. There are also start-delay programmes, plus ones for hand-care items and synthetics, for instance.
Where: Miele (01235 554455; www.miele.co.uk)
How much: £650

15. LG GWP227YSQA side-by-side fridge freezer
The opulently styled LG side-by-side fridge has a front panel that swings down at the gentlest press to reveal the home bar section. You can use your elbow if your hands are full. On the left door is a dispenser for crushed or cubed ice and ice-cold water. There are liners that use silver-ion-coated surfaces to protect against bacteria. There’s also a system that ensures that the right amount of moisture is retained to keep food best.
Where: LG (0870 607 5544; www.lge.co.uk)
How much: £1,099

16. Henry HVR 200 bagged vacuum cleaner
Those cute little eyes may look innocent enough, but Henry vacuum cleaners are powerful and efficient. They pick up dirt very effectively and are as good for professional as for home use. This one is the basic model but is still excellent. There’s a variable power control to suit different jobs and the wide head has side-suction channels to clean right up to the edge. An extra long crush-proof hose is good for cleaning the stairs and Henry’s capacity (9 litres) is enormous.
Where: Numatic (01460 68480; www.numatic.co.uk)
How much: £99.99

17. SodaStream fountain jet drinks maker
SodaStream began in 1903 as a large machine used by butlers in country houses. How times change. With this SodaStream you can take tapwater and turn it into sparkling water – cheaper and perhaps more environmentally friendly than bottled water. Of course, you can add flavours if you like, too. Each gas cylinder (two are supplied) can carbonate up to 60 litres. SodaStream’s flavours include dandelion and burdock, lemonade and more, many sugar-free.
Where: SodaStream (0800 085 8373; www.sodastream.co.uk)
How much: £39.49

18. Zanussi ZKT
Cooking by induction uses magnetism to heat food – so a pan is only heated when it’s actually in contact with the hob. This makes it as fast as gas but easier to control and to clean. Induction cookers are mostly very expensive, but this model is relatively affordable. There are booster areas to increase power and a child-safety lock keeps kids protected. When you’ve finished cooking, a residual heat indicator lets you know which bits are hot.
Where: Zanussi (08705 727727; www.zanussi.co.uk)
How much: £599

19. LG WM1437BFD washing machine
This 8kg washer comes in black (other colours are available, too) so you can choose it to match your décor. It’s a good environmental choice, too, with low water consumption. It uses steam to clean the clothes, which makes them easier to iron. What’s more, if you’re in a hurry, there are several quick-wash settings, which deliver a full load in 45 minutes. LG’s washing machines are easy to use and this one has a large LCD screen that’s simple to read.
Where: Comet (08705 425425; www.comet.co.uk)
How much: £799.99

20. Karcher K254MR+ pressure washer
Pressure washers are great for cleaning patios and more with high-pressure jets of water that remove dirt effectively and use lesswater than a regular garden hose. This model comes with several lances for different jobs, so the rotary lance blasts dirt off and the variable lance can be adjusted to gentler flows for more delicate surfaces, like washing down decking or cleaning the car. It’s easy to assemble and straightforward in use.
Where: Argos (0870 600 1010; www.argos.co.uk)
How much: £79.99

21. Electrolux Cyclone Power ZSH730 vacuum cleaner
The ZSH730 cylinder is bright, bright orange. The other cylinders in the range are also unmissably coloured (magenta and deep blue), but this top-of-the-range model has a powerful 2000-watt motor and an extralarge 1.7-litre dust container. There’s a turbo nozzle to suck up pet hairs and micro filtration with the washable filter means less dust in the air. A hard-floor nozzle makes it suitable for those with carpets and hard floors and it’s light enough to carry easily.
Where: Electrolux Floorcare (08706 055055; www.electrolux.co.uk)
How much: £79.99

22. Russell Hobbs 10810 sandwich maker
Of course, for basic toasted sandwiches, Breville is still the name that springs to mind – who can resist the Daisy model jauntily decorated to resemble a cow? But for something more sophisticated, this panini press, with toughened glass cover, offers a heating element that warms up fast. And, afterwards, you’ll be glad of the nonstick coated surface, making it easier to scoop out overflowing cheese and so on.
Where: Comet (08705 425425; www.comet.co.uk)
How much: £49.99

23. Zanussi ZNF31 microwave and grill
This built-inmicrowave and grill uses both traditional and microwave cooking features to speed up cooking without reducing taste. So you can bake and roast faster than normal thanks to Zanussi’s Thermaflow technology. This uses a fan that ensures even cooking. The controls are simple to operate and the drop-down door is user-friendlier than conventional side-hinged models. It’s capacious (38 litres) and efficient, with a1000Wmicrowave. Looks neat, too.
Where: Zanussi (08705 727727; www.zanussi.co.uk)
How much: £599  

24. John Lewis JLWD1408 washer dryer
John Lewis’s own-brand range of appliances has been extraordinarily successful. A large drum(7kg) is useful, though as with other washer-dryers, the capacity for drying is less than for washing – in this case 3.5kg. The drying can be timed or set to automatic so the machine works out how long to dry for, using its sensors to decide when it’s dry enough. Thismachine is good for both the washing and drying parts of the cycle.
Where: John Lewis (08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)
How much: £499

25. Electrolux Brita ENB40405S fridge freezer
Built into the door of this fridge freezer is a four-litre Brita water tank, so you can dispense chilled, filtered water direct from the fridge. There’s no need to defrost this model’s freezer either – it’s frost-free. Electrolux’s Coolsense systemmaintains a constant temperature inside, and there are details like a humidity mat in the vegetable drawer to keep salads fresh for longer, a wine rack designed to save space and a fast-freeze programme.
Where: Electrolux (08705 950950; www.electrolux.co.uk)
How much: £549 

26. Electrolux steam gun cleaner
Cleaning and sanitising with steam is straightforward and satisfyingly effective. This model heats up fast, ready to use in three minutes. There are tools and attachments for different tasks, including a glass wiper, textile brush and more so it will clean carpets, upholstery, tiles, windows and even curtains. There are no chemicals involved and it works by the heat of the steam, softening the dirt’s adhesive.
Where: Argos (0870 600 1010; www.argos.co.uk)
How much: £39.79

27. Breville Brita Aluminium Spectra kettle
This kettle includes a Brita water filter, which claims to make the water taste better by reducing water hardness and chlorine. There’s a built-in light show that changes colour as the water heats, and a keep-warm system means the water’s always hot enough to be used. It’s cordless, of course, and the element is rated at 3kw, so thewater boils fast.
Where: Breville (0161-621 6900; www.breville.co.uk)
How much: £59.99

28. AEG-Electrolux multifunction and steam oven
This oven has both steam and regular oven functions so you can steam food as well as cook conventionally. And if you opt to steam your food you can choose from specific programmes, includingVigorous Steam, Interval Steam and more.Automatic weight programmes make things simpler, too. There are also settings for low temperature and slow cooking. Safety features include shelves that don’t tip.
Where: AEG Electrolux (08705 350350; www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk)
How much: £900

29. Bosch SGS45C02GB dishwasher
This Bosch dishwasher comes up with sparkling results, even when you use the environmentally friendly Eco programme. Aquickwash takes just 29 minutes, the LCD screen is easy to read and you can set it to run only a half load if you don’t have enough dirty dishes, although, frankly, how often does that happen?
Where: Bosch (0870 727 0446; www.boschappliances.co.uk)
How much: £340

30. Hozelock 3-in-1 3000 Clear-water and Fountain Pump
Garden ponds need to be kept clean and part of that job can be done effortlessly by means of a fountain that aerates the water. This one goes further, thanks to an ultraviolet clarifier to get rid of green water and a filter to sieve out solids. The fountain itself looks neat enough and the low-voltage system is a cinch to install. Goldfish love the rainwater effect of a fountain, too.
Where: Hozelock (01844 292002; www.hozelock.com)
How much: £129.99

31. Dyson Ball DC24 vacuum cleaner
This new version of Dyson’s successful Ball upright is designed to steer easily in every direction because it has a ball instead of wheels. This new model is much smaller and lighter (5.2kg) than the earlier Ball and has an adjustable handle. Like all Dysons, its suction power stays the same, no matter how many rooms you scoot through. A washable HEPA filter reduces the bacteria released into the air after it’s expelled from the Dyson.
Where: Dyson (0800 279 5127; www.dyson.co.uk)
How much: £239.99

32. Siemens Porsche Nespresso TK911N2GB coffee machine
The simplest coffee machines use coffee in prepared capsules, such as Nespresso’s handy pods, which are tasty and come in so many different flavours you’ll probably find one you like. This stylishly designed machine in aluminium finish has a water hardness setting, a cup-warmer plate and a frothing nozzle for those cappuccino moments. The water tank holds over a litre, so you can have plenty of top-ups. Siemens makes a range of Nespresso machines, though this is the most deluxe.
Where: John Lewis (08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)
How much: £599

33. LG MC8087ARS WaveDOM microwave
The rounded interior of the silver WaveDOM means that heat is reflected better inside, so that food cooks faster – up to 30 per cent faster. The curve is also designed to make cleaning easier too. The full-glass frontpanel is stylish enough for the most modish of kitchens. This combination oven includes a 900-watt microwave and a fan-assisted oven with Quartz grill. So, along with microwaving, you can bake, roast and brown your food. There are auto-weight cook and defrost programmes.
Where: Comet (08705 425425; www.comet.co.uk)
How much: £169.99

34. AEG T59800 tumble dryer
The T59800 collects water in a condenser drawer efficiently so the room around it doesn’t feel damp. This model uses a special heat pump, which offers energy efficiency – so much so that it’s the only tumble dryer rated A for energy consumption. Drying takes place at a lower temperature so delicate fabrics can be dried and the T59800 is quieter than most. The capacity, at 6kg, is also usefully large.
Where: Buyers and Sellers (0870 300 2578; www.buyersandsellersonline.co.uk)
How much: £377

35. Pure Digital Oasis radio
The company that broke the DAB radio mould is Pure. The Oasis is a great garden radio because it has a rechargeable battery and it’s weatherproof. So you could also have it in the bathroom (not too near thewater, mind) or on the beach. It’s made from aluminium and rubber tomake it look good and protect it respectively. No FM, however, so check that you can receive DAB where you live by going to Pure’s website.
Where: Pure (01923 277488; www.pure.com)
How much: £119.99

36. Samsung Silencio SC9540
All right, so it’s not actually completely silent, but Samsung’s bagless cylinder claims to be quiet enough to make watching TV and vacuuming at the same time a possibility thanks to a quieter motor and the reduction of high-frequency noises from the machine. A multi-chamber system traps dust particles in the biggest chamber and smaller particles in the other six.Thedustbin uses silver to prevent the build-up of bacteria and odours. Looks cool, too.
Where: Samsung(0800 521652; www.samsung.co.uk)
How much: £199.79

37. Cuisinart Ice Cream Professional
This is a stainless-steel all-in-one ice-cream maker – easy to use and good-looking enough for the most chic of kitchens. This sophisticated system has a compressor that chills the bucket and the ingredients inside. Whisk the ingredients and ideally chill the mixture first. Then pour into the bucket, set the timer and that’s it. Everything else is automatic, though if you want to add chocolate chips, say, there’s a window through which to pop them. Delivers excellent results.
Where: Cuisinart (0870 240 6902; www.cuisinart.co.uk)
How much: £279

38. Cuisinart Cook and steam rice cooker
This tabletop cooker steams and cooks at the same time. Its neat styling features a stainless-steel casing, though the handles are designed to stay cool even during cooking. It has a steam vent built in and an automatic cookingtime monitor. The rice pot is nonstick and there’s an automatic keep-warm facility. All in all, it adds up to excellent rice cooking.
Where: Cuisinart (0870 240 6902; www.cuisinart.co.uk)
How much: £49.95

39. Whirlpool SCW1012 washing machine
What sets this machine apart is the huge drum capacity – where mostwashing machines vary from 5kg to 7kg capacity, this one manages a whopping 10kg. So you can do a lotmore washing in the same time.Remember, though, that the machine takes upmore space: 97x69x80cms.Thedrumis tilted tomake it easier to reach into and the detergent drawer has an anti-bacterial surface.
Where: Sainsbury’s (0870 11 222 02; www.sainsburyskitchenappliances. co.uk)
How much: £643

40. John Lewis JLFFW 1808 fridge freezer
John Lewis’s own-brand products are effective, reliable and keenly priced. This fridge freezer looks good in its stainless-steel livery and has anArating for energy. It uses air circulation to keep temperature constant inside. There’s a storage rack for five bottles of wine in the fridge and the freezer has a quick-freeze feature, which lowers the temperature so that freshly added food freezes quickly. Excellent.
Where: John Lewis (08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)
How much: £549

41. Vax Spot Scrubber carpet cleaner
If you need to clean only a small part of the carpet or upholstery, thisV035SpotScrubber uses a spray nozzle with Vax’s spray cleaning solution to loosen stains and has a rotating brush to shift them better. It’s lightweight and has a long cable to reach the mucky spot, even if it’s on the stairs. Cleaning carpet can remove ingrained dirt that vacuuming leaves behind and the effects with thisVax can be dramatic.
Where: Vax (0870 606 1248; www.vax.co.uk)
How much: £49.79

42. Phillips whole fruit juicer
Good for juicing fruit and vegetables, the Philips brushed-metal machine has a large chute so you can cram a whole apple, for instance, into it. It’s fast, with frothy juice delivered in less than a minute, with a juice capacity of over a litre and a pulp container that holds two litres. There are two motor speeds, so it’s good for both hard and soft fruit. It’s quieter than some juicers, too.
Where: Argos (0870 600 1010; www.argos.co.uk)
How much: £99.96 

43. Gaggenau BX280 double oven
Need more cooking space? Consider a double oven like this one with two full-size models stacked vertically – apparently the largest double oven on the market. It has a capacity of over 200 litres. There’s a core-temperature probe, side-opening doors, and programming functions to delay the start of cooking. Best of all, there’s a pyrolytic system where the oven locks the door and heats the oven to 485 degrees C to clean itself.
Where: Gaggenau (08701 254500; www.gaggenau.com)
How much: £4,000

44. Hotpoint WD860 washer dryer
Available in either graphite or polar (yes, that’s right, grey or white), the WD860 has a 6kg drum. Where many washer dryers can only dry half their washing capacity, here the proportions are better and the Hotpoint dries up to 5kg of washing – unusually high and great if you don’t quite fill the machine, as you won’t need to empty any washing out before you press on to the drying part. It’s energy-efficient and a quick wash can be done in just half an hour.
Where: Argos (0870 600 1010; www.argos.co.uk)
How much: £429.79

45. Fold Flat Barbecue Charcoal
If you want an ultra-portable appliance to cook up a storm in the garden, the Fold Flat BBQ is made from pressed steel and has an 18 x 12 inch cooking area. The sides provide a handy wind break, and it squeezes into the flattest space when it’s snapped shut. It even has legs to keep it off the ground and a shoulder strap to make it easy to carry.
Where: I Want One of Those (0844 573 7070; www.iwantoneofthose.com)
How much: £19.95   

46. Dyson DC016 Animal
With the Animal you can zap a small domestic disaster with a handheld cleaner that uses the same cyclone technology of Dyson’s bigger machines. It delivers effective suction, so biscuit crumbs shoot satisfyingly into the extra-wide nozzle. It’s good at picking up animal hairs, too. Emptying the debris is easy: the bin has a trigger that springs open to let the rubbish out. Looks cool, too.
Where: Dyson (0800 279 5127; www.dyson.co.uk)
How much: £99.99

47. Tefal Quick Cup
This neat device provides hot water fast. It’s not boiling water, mind, but it can deliver a cupful of hotwater in three seconds. Because it only heats the water you need, it’s energy-efficient and it’s claimed that it uses a third of the energy a regular kettle eats up. A water filter means that you can use it as a regular water filter for cold water, too.
Where: Amazon (0800 279 6620; www.amazon.co.uk)
How much: £49.95

48. Panasonic stainless steel microwave
Panasonic’s reputation for reliability and ease of use continues with this microwave (the NNST477SBPQ model), which looks great and works well. Its power is up to 900watts, enough for all cooking jobs, and includes features like a turbo reheat mode to deliver extra power during reheating and multi-stage cooking where you can vary power settings for different parts of the cooking.
Where: Comet (08705 425425; www.comet.co.uk)
How much: £149.99

49. AEG-Electrolux F80872
AEG is doing its bit for quieter kitchens with a series of appliances designed to behave quietly. This is the world’s quietest, so that if you’re entertaining in the kitchen you won’t be disturbed. The lower noise is achieved thanks to engineering the machine to reduce vibration. The dishwasher automatically judges how much stuff is in the machine and how little water it can use. Impressive.
Where: AEG Electrolux (08705 350350; www.aegelectrolux. co.uk)
How much: £399

50. Gaggenau Vario Cooling RC 472
This fridge has stainless steel on its inside, too, which makes it look especially classy. The glass shelves are adjustable and one is even motorised so it’s easy to get to the back of the shelf even when it’s stuffed with food. Cool air is channelled around the interior to make sure the temperature stays constant, including on the hygienic aluminium door racks. A charcoal filter keeps smells out.
Where: Gaggenau (08701 254500; www.gaggenau.com)
How much: £4,500

1. Dyson DC23  vacuum cleaner
Dyson’s bagless vacuum cleaners are powerful thanks to Root cyclone technology. They’re also easy to empty and the lack of bags make them cheaper to run aswell. This Stowaway Animal cylinder model has a system where the hose wraps around the body to pack away neatly and the motor in the brush head removes extra dirt and is especially good on pet hair. All full-size Dysons come with a five-year guarantee and are noticeably more stylish than most vacuum cleaners.
Where: Dyson (0800 954 0152; www.dyson.co.uk)
How much: £329.99