Consumer experts reveal the best and worst budget buys from Kmart's Anko range - and it's bad news if you have the popular $69 air fryer
- CHOICE revealed exactly what to buy and what to avoid from Kmart brand Anko
- The experts have offered their verdict after putting popular items to the test
- To help you with shopping, the experts have rounded up the best and worst buys
- Some of the products tested include a coffee machine, air fryer and pie maker
Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has revealed the best and worst budget buys from Kmart after putting popular items to the test.
The experts examined a range of household items from the retailer's own label Anko and found a mix of duds and high performers.
To help shoppers make informed decisions, the experts rated budget Kmart products including a coffee machine, pie maker, vacuum cleaner and air fryer.
Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has revealed exactly what to buy and what to avoid from Kmart after putting popular items to the test (picture of the carry-on suitcase, vacuum cleaner, coffee machine, pie maker and the air fryer)
BEST BUYS
If you're looking to make your own brew at home, CHOICE recommends the $89 coffee machine saying it will 'certainly deliver bang for your buck'.
The experts found the budget product outperformed a $949 high-end coffee machine on flavour and pumped out consistently hot coffees.
'It's a bit fiddly to use and doesn't have all the features of a high-end espresso machine - but if you're on a budget and you have your heart set on a manual machine, it's an option worth considering,' CHOICE said.
Share this article
Tick of approval: The experts recommended the $89 coffee machine and $29 pie maker
The experts recommended the $49 soft carry-on suitcase and the $49 digital blender - as both products outperformed the high-end products in its own reviews
The $29 pie maker has taken the cooking world by storm for taking just minutes to create four golden pies with your choice of filling, no oven required.
'It's easy to use and gives good results, cooking four pies fairly evenly to lightly golden in eight minutes,' CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair said.
'It takes five minutes to preheat, which is quicker than an oven, and once the pies are cooked you can simply pop them out with a spatula.'
Of the 32 products tested, the $49 soft carry-on suitcase outperformed luxury brands costing upwards of $500 after scoring a perfect 100 per cent in the 'lift and drop' test and earned a CHOICE rating of 86 per cent.
The experts said another product worth buying is the $49 digital blender.
The budget buy received a stellar 90 per cent performance score after beating high-end brands, including a $2,200 model.
PRODUCTS TO AVOID
What to avoid buying: Surprisingly, the experts said the $69 air fryer (left) and the $49 bagged vacuum cleaner (right) are items to think twice about
Despite its legion of fans who swear by the $69 air fryer, CHOICE said this is one product you should think twice about.
Of the 18 air fryers tested, Kmart's product scored the lowest rating of 64 per cent.
The experts pointed out the air fryer is significantly cheaper than most brands on the market but they found it performs many functions your oven already does.
'Not only did it receive a low score in our testing, but the Kmart air fryer is also fairly large and heavy, and not very easy to use,' Ms Mair said.
After testing 48 models, the experts found the $49 2000W bagged vacuum was among the lowest scoring product when it came to giving your carpet a thorough clean.
Despite its affordable price tag, the bagged model scored just 59 per cent after it was tested on carpet and hard floors.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kmart for comment.
