Heard of the saying 'buy cheap, buy twice'? Well, cheap appliances can often fall victim to this category (although NOT if a bargain when they are, for example, in the Black Friday sale, which isn't too far away now).
It's natural to look for a bargain, and gosh don't we know it, but when it comes to appliances you should always be willing to spend as much as your money can stretch to, even if it means saving for that bit longer. Appliances are not only the heavy-weights in the kitchen, they are can often take a heavy chunk out of the wallet so it's important that you get the right machine for you which you will feel confident with.
Prominence Support – who offer cover for mechanical and electrical breakdowns as well as accidental damage cover on appliances – have shared their expertise with us about the five appliances you should never buy on the cheap. Keep scrolling to see what they are, and where you can get the best of the best of each sort of appliance.
1. A cheap washing machine
Washing machines are a vital appliance for any home. When buying one, you may want to consider how durable they are, how easy they might be to fix should anything go wrong, and if they are environmentally friendly. A cheap washing machine is more likely to score poorly on each of these points. They are more likely to break down sooner and are not easy to service, so saving on the initial purchase may mean you are paying out for a replacement before long. Best option? Buy one on our list, below.
- Best washing machine: our top 10 washing machines for very budget
2. A cheap fridge
Buying a good-quality fridge is so important, as a broken fridge can also mean a lot of food wastage if a quick repair is not possible. Buying a cheap fridge may also mean running the risk of higher food shopping costs, as it may not keep your produce as fresh as a high-quality product.
- Best fridge freezer 2020: our top 10 upright and integrated models
3. A cheap oven
If you’re a family that likes to cook every day, buying a cheap oven could add a lot of unnecessary stress and additional hours onto mealtimes in your kitchen. In addition, a cheap oven with a higher propensity for faults and breakdowns could leave you without the ability to cook for a substantial period, disrupting your daily routine and racking up expense.
- Best oven 2020: 11 top range cookers and built-in ovens for all budgets
4. A cheap boiler
Your boiler is your principal source of heat and comfort at home, making it vital to invest in a good-quality product. Cheap boilers are often not very efficient, meaning you could be faced with expensive energy bills. They often come with shorter warranty periods and can be a noisier and bulkier presence in the home than pricier models.
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5. A cheap dishwasher
If you buy a cheap dishwasher you are likely to sacrifice many of the handy options and programs offered by more expensive products, such as lower temperature washes for delicate glassware, child locks, and silent modes. What’s more, as with any cheap appliance you run the risk of being saddled with an unreliable product needing frequent repairs or replacement parts, which can be difficult to source in older models.
- Best dishwasher 2020: 5 top freestanding and integrated dishwashers
Our bargain-finding guides:
- Washing machine deals: save £££s on cheap washing machine buys
- Coffee machine sales: bag a cheap coffee machine when you shop these fab deals
- Cheap vacuum cleaners: save £££s when you shop vacuum deals and vacuum sales
Jennifer (Jen) is our Large Appliances Editor on the Homes eCommerce team. Jen is constantly on the look out for the latest tech which claims to revolutionise how we wash our clothes, rinse the dishes, keep our food chilled and our floors dust-free. When she's not doing this she can be found at home in her Victorian terrace which she has lovingly (patiently) been renovating with her husband over the past few years. Jen also likes tea and homemade cake, very much.
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