Home Appliances Worth Buying (and Ones You Can Skip)
Appliances promise to save time, but only the right ones do. Ask yourself a simple question: will I use this at least weekly?
Worth it for most homes
- A good vacuum, robot or cordless.
- An air fryer if you cook often for one to four people.
- A programmable coffee machine if you drink coffee daily.
Situational
- Air purifier: useful in dusty rooms or busy-road homes.
- Robot vacuum: great for open floors, less for cluttered ones.
Often skippable
Single-purpose gadgets that duplicate something you own, like a sandwich maker if you already have a good pan.
Our top picks
Best for busy households
Robot Vacuum Cleaner
An automatic vacuum that cleans floors on a schedule, keeping dust and crumbs under control with very little effort.
- Scheduled cleaning via app
- Automatic return to charging dock
- Obstacle and cliff sensors
Pros
- Keeps everyday dust and crumbs under control
- Saves time on daily floor cleaning
Cons
- Needs a tidy floor with cables and socks out of the way
- Dustbin and brush still need regular cleaning
Best for quick clean-ups
Cordless Stick Vacuum
A lightweight cordless vacuum for fast clean-ups of floors, stairs and furniture without dragging a cable around.
- Detachable handheld mode
- Multiple suction levels
- Wall-mounted charging dock
Pros
- Quick to grab and use anywhere
- Converts to a handheld for stairs and car interiors
Cons
- Battery runtime drops on the highest power setting
- Smaller dustbin needs frequent emptying
Best for dusty or stuffy rooms
HEPA Air Purifier
A room air purifier with a HEPA filter designed to capture dust, pollen and other airborne particles.
- HEPA filtration
- Multiple fan speeds with quiet mode
- Filter replacement indicator
Pros
- Can reduce airborne dust and pollen in the room
- Quiet night modes on many models
Cons
- Replacement filters are an ongoing cost
- Only cleans the room it is sized for
Before buying, check storage space and cleaning effort. An appliance you dread cleaning will end up in a cupboard.
FAQ
Should I buy the cheapest model?
Not always. Look at filter and replacement part costs as well as the purchase price.
Home product researcher. We read the reviews so you don’t have to.