The Kmart shopping guide you can't miss! Discover the best and worst products
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Ah, Kmart. The mecca of bargains and all things budget-buys!
There's no denying that most shoppers think of Kmart as the ultimate destination when it comes to finding affordable products.
But while we all love a good deal, unfortunately, not all Kmart products are created equal.
And with the cost of living constantly on the rise, it's crucial to be savvy and make sure that you're not wasting your hard-earned cash on something that won't meet your needs or expectations.
Fortunately for us, consumer advocacy group CHOICE has taken on the task of thoroughly testing and ranking Kmart products so that shoppers can make informed decisions about what to buy.
The group has recently published a report detailing the best and worst-rated budget products from Kmart's ANKO range.
CHOICE has thoroughly tested and reviewed all of the products in their labs, giving us confidence that their results are trustworthy and based on scientific data.
So, without further ado, here’s the list of Kmart’s best and worst products:
Keep cool with Kmart Pedestal Fans
Looking for a budget-friendly fan to keep you cool during hot summer days? Look no further than Kmart's Pedestal Fans!
Despite initial doubts about their quality, CHOICE gave the Kmart fans a big tick of approval after putting them through rigorous testing in their labs.
With prices ranging from $12 to $99, these fans offer an affordable yet good-quality option for those on a budget.
Avoid heaters
If you're thinking ahead and getting ready for the cold winter months, you might want to look somewhere other than Kmart for your heat sources.
According to CHOICE, Kmart electric heaters have consistently scored poorly for four years in a row.
The ANKO convection heater, in particular, received the worst rating a heater has ever received since 2014, with only a 45% satisfaction rating.
In 2022, the column heater also failed to heat a small room by 10°C in two hours, earning it a scathing review as a ‘warm doorstop’ from the CHOICE team.
‘Some of the poorest performing electric heaters we've ever seen have come from Kmart,’ the group’s director of reviews commented.
The product is currently not available on Kmart’s website.
So, if you're looking for a reliable and effective heater to keep you warm, it might be worth checking out other options.
Bad news for air purifiers
When it comes to air purifiers, you might want to steer clear of Kmart's offerings.
While the retailer’s air purifiers may seem affordable at $159, CHOICE's testing reveals that they are not very effective at purifying the air, with a rating of only 66%.
If you're willing to spend that amount of money, it might be better to invest in a more effective air purifier, with CHOICE suggesting that you should spend at least $500 for the appliance. That way you can rest easy knowing that your air purifier is actually filtering the air as it should be!
Washing machines — not worth it
If you're in the market for a washing machine, you might have noticed Kmart's range of affordable options.
However, according to CHOICE, you may want to reconsider before making a purchase.
While the price tags on Kmart's washing machines, like the seven-and-a-half kilo Front Load Washing Machine at $439, might be tempting, CHOICE warned that ‘what you save in money you'll likely lose in increased energy costs, huge water usage and short lifespan’.
In other words, you may end up spending more money in the long run due to high energy and water consumption, not to mention the need to replace the machine sooner than expected.
So, it might be best to avoid cutting corners with your washing machine purchase and invest in a more reliable, energy-efficient option.
Vacuum cleaners are no-go zones
Let's move on to vacuum cleaners — unfortunately, there isn't any good news here either.
Kmart offers a range of vacuum cleaners, from $20 to $160, but none of them seems to be a good investment.
CHOICE noted that all of the upright models were ranked among the lowest performers when it comes to cleaning carpets, which is a pretty disappointing result if you ask us.
If you're on the hunt for a reliable vacuum cleaner, it's best to look elsewhere.
Steam mops may be worth it
While there may be some hope for Kmart shoppers in the steam mop department, it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
CHOICE has given a mixed review of Kmart's two steam mops, priced at $49 and $89 respectively.
While the cheaper option received a thumbs-up from the advocacy group, the pricier model failed to meet their expectations.
So, it's a ‘yes and no’ situation, and the effectiveness of the steam mops may depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Irons will give you bang for your buck
Let's take a look at some good news! If you're in need of a good iron, Kmart has got you covered.
According to CHOICE's iron tests, the budget-friendly options from Kmart all performed exceptionally well.
Air fryers: Mixed reviews
Kmart's twin air fryer may be a hit on social media, but CHOICE's review didn't reflect the same sentiment.
Despite being one of the most affordable models, it received a low score and was criticised for its large, heavy, and complicated design.
However, Kmart's five-litre air fryer did perform better in the cooking of crumbed chicken. So if you're a fan of schnitzels, it might be a better choice for you.
Coffee machines are a letdown
According to CHOICE, the Kmart Espresso Machine priced at $95 is not a good choice for coffee enthusiasts as it only received a score of 60% in their taste test.
However, if you're in search of an affordable coffee machine, CHOICE recommends considering a pod machine instead.
Microwaves are a must-have
According to the experts at CHOICE, the ANKO microwave from Kmart is a great buy at just $109.
It was rated ‘excellent’ for cooking performance and received perfect scores for cooking vegetables and defrosting mince.
So, if you're in the market for an affordable and reliable microwave, the ANKO microwave from Kmart is definitely worth considering.
Toasters: Not worth it!
CHOICE revealed that Kmart's ANKO toaster range fell short of expectations, receiving a poor score.
While toasting bread may seem like a simple task, the report suggested that a good toaster can make all the difference for toast lovers.
Despite being affordable, Kmart's ANKO range did not perform well in the tests, so you might want to look elsewhere if you’re searching for a good toaster.
Cookware: Hit-and-miss
When it comes to Kmart's cookware, the results are mixed. The 24cm frypan performed well in tests, holding up to the standards of more expensive brands. However, the non-stick version of the same size was disappointing and underperformed.
On the other hand, the Kmart cast iron casserole pot priced at $30 proved to be a worthy competitor to big-name brands such as Le Creuset and Staub.
If you're a budget-conscious baker, the good news is that Kmart's $3.50 cake tin outperformed other cake tins that were priced much higher.
So, it's best to do your research and choose carefully when it comes to Kmart's cookware range.
So there you have it - your ultimate Kmart shopping guide.
Members, it's important to do your research and find products that are worth paying for. Hopefully, this list has been a good guide for you to make better buying decisions when shopping at Kmart.
Have you ever experienced a product from Kmart that was a total letdown? Better yet, do you own a Kmart product that you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
There's no denying that most shoppers think of Kmart as the ultimate destination when it comes to finding affordable products.
But while we all love a good deal, unfortunately, not all Kmart products are created equal.
And with the cost of living constantly on the rise, it's crucial to be savvy and make sure that you're not wasting your hard-earned cash on something that won't meet your needs or expectations.
Fortunately for us, consumer advocacy group CHOICE has taken on the task of thoroughly testing and ranking Kmart products so that shoppers can make informed decisions about what to buy.
It is best to know which items from Kmart are worth purchasing to make the most out of your budget. Credit: Shutterstock.
The group has recently published a report detailing the best and worst-rated budget products from Kmart's ANKO range.
CHOICE has thoroughly tested and reviewed all of the products in their labs, giving us confidence that their results are trustworthy and based on scientific data.
So, without further ado, here’s the list of Kmart’s best and worst products:
Keep cool with Kmart Pedestal Fans
Looking for a budget-friendly fan to keep you cool during hot summer days? Look no further than Kmart's Pedestal Fans!
Despite initial doubts about their quality, CHOICE gave the Kmart fans a big tick of approval after putting them through rigorous testing in their labs.
With prices ranging from $12 to $99, these fans offer an affordable yet good-quality option for those on a budget.
While the pedestal fans (left) received positive remarks, Kmart’s air purifiers (right) were said to not meet expectations. Credit: Kmart.
Avoid heaters
If you're thinking ahead and getting ready for the cold winter months, you might want to look somewhere other than Kmart for your heat sources.
According to CHOICE, Kmart electric heaters have consistently scored poorly for four years in a row.
The ANKO convection heater, in particular, received the worst rating a heater has ever received since 2014, with only a 45% satisfaction rating.
In 2022, the column heater also failed to heat a small room by 10°C in two hours, earning it a scathing review as a ‘warm doorstop’ from the CHOICE team.
‘Some of the poorest performing electric heaters we've ever seen have come from Kmart,’ the group’s director of reviews commented.
The product is currently not available on Kmart’s website.
So, if you're looking for a reliable and effective heater to keep you warm, it might be worth checking out other options.
Bad news for air purifiers
When it comes to air purifiers, you might want to steer clear of Kmart's offerings.
While the retailer’s air purifiers may seem affordable at $159, CHOICE's testing reveals that they are not very effective at purifying the air, with a rating of only 66%.
If you're willing to spend that amount of money, it might be better to invest in a more effective air purifier, with CHOICE suggesting that you should spend at least $500 for the appliance. That way you can rest easy knowing that your air purifier is actually filtering the air as it should be!
Washing machines — not worth it
If you're in the market for a washing machine, you might have noticed Kmart's range of affordable options.
However, according to CHOICE, you may want to reconsider before making a purchase.
While the price tags on Kmart's washing machines, like the seven-and-a-half kilo Front Load Washing Machine at $439, might be tempting, CHOICE warned that ‘what you save in money you'll likely lose in increased energy costs, huge water usage and short lifespan’.
In other words, you may end up spending more money in the long run due to high energy and water consumption, not to mention the need to replace the machine sooner than expected.
So, it might be best to avoid cutting corners with your washing machine purchase and invest in a more reliable, energy-efficient option.
Vacuum cleaners are no-go zones
Let's move on to vacuum cleaners — unfortunately, there isn't any good news here either.
Kmart offers a range of vacuum cleaners, from $20 to $160, but none of them seems to be a good investment.
CHOICE noted that all of the upright models were ranked among the lowest performers when it comes to cleaning carpets, which is a pretty disappointing result if you ask us.
If you're on the hunt for a reliable vacuum cleaner, it's best to look elsewhere.
CHOICE warned against Kmart washing machines (left) while giving mixed reviews for steam mops (right). Credit: Kmart.
Steam mops may be worth it
While there may be some hope for Kmart shoppers in the steam mop department, it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
CHOICE has given a mixed review of Kmart's two steam mops, priced at $49 and $89 respectively.
While the cheaper option received a thumbs-up from the advocacy group, the pricier model failed to meet their expectations.
So, it's a ‘yes and no’ situation, and the effectiveness of the steam mops may depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Irons will give you bang for your buck
Let's take a look at some good news! If you're in need of a good iron, Kmart has got you covered.
According to CHOICE's iron tests, the budget-friendly options from Kmart all performed exceptionally well.
Air fryers: Mixed reviews
Kmart's twin air fryer may be a hit on social media, but CHOICE's review didn't reflect the same sentiment.
Despite being one of the most affordable models, it received a low score and was criticised for its large, heavy, and complicated design.
However, Kmart's five-litre air fryer did perform better in the cooking of crumbed chicken. So if you're a fan of schnitzels, it might be a better choice for you.
Coffee machines are a letdown
According to CHOICE, the Kmart Espresso Machine priced at $95 is not a good choice for coffee enthusiasts as it only received a score of 60% in their taste test.
However, if you're in search of an affordable coffee machine, CHOICE recommends considering a pod machine instead.
Kmart air fryers (left) may be worth purchasing, depending on the shopper’s needs. Meanwhile, CHOICE gave a thumbs up to microwaves (right). Credit: Kmart.
Microwaves are a must-have
According to the experts at CHOICE, the ANKO microwave from Kmart is a great buy at just $109.
It was rated ‘excellent’ for cooking performance and received perfect scores for cooking vegetables and defrosting mince.
So, if you're in the market for an affordable and reliable microwave, the ANKO microwave from Kmart is definitely worth considering.
Toasters: Not worth it!
CHOICE revealed that Kmart's ANKO toaster range fell short of expectations, receiving a poor score.
While toasting bread may seem like a simple task, the report suggested that a good toaster can make all the difference for toast lovers.
Despite being affordable, Kmart's ANKO range did not perform well in the tests, so you might want to look elsewhere if you’re searching for a good toaster.
Cookware: Hit-and-miss
When it comes to Kmart's cookware, the results are mixed. The 24cm frypan performed well in tests, holding up to the standards of more expensive brands. However, the non-stick version of the same size was disappointing and underperformed.
On the other hand, the Kmart cast iron casserole pot priced at $30 proved to be a worthy competitor to big-name brands such as Le Creuset and Staub.
If you're a budget-conscious baker, the good news is that Kmart's $3.50 cake tin outperformed other cake tins that were priced much higher.
So, it's best to do your research and choose carefully when it comes to Kmart's cookware range.
So there you have it - your ultimate Kmart shopping guide.
Members, it's important to do your research and find products that are worth paying for. Hopefully, this list has been a good guide for you to make better buying decisions when shopping at Kmart.
Have you ever experienced a product from Kmart that was a total letdown? Better yet, do you own a Kmart product that you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
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