Unlock the secret shopping list: The best and worst of Kmart's Anko range
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Everyone loves a good bargain, and for many, Kmart is the go-to destination for affordable homewares and appliances.
But with so many choices on offer, how do you know what's actually worth buying?
Experts at consumer advocacy group CHOICE has the answer. They put dozens of Kmart's Anko-branded products to the test over the past year and identified the best and worst ones, helping you make smart choices for your next Kmart shopping trip.
Most savvy shoppers go to Kmart for affordable laundry and cleaning product options. Among the Anko range, CHOICE has identified the best value for money.
For one, reviewers said the 1300W Steam Mop is worth its $49 price point. It is easy to use and leaves minimal water residue. It even holds its own against far more expensive products.
Ironing is undoubtedly one of the most dreaded household chores. For those who dislike the task, the last thing they want is to spend a small fortune on a quality iron.
Luckily, reviewers shared that the retailer’s $29 2400W Steam Iron and $39 Cordless Iron performed impressively in CHOICE’s tests.
While Kmart offers a $7.50 option, it remains untested, so the group can’t say if it’s worth buying.
Meanwhile, the $39 Hand Held Garment Steamer and $55 full-sized Garment Steamer performed adequately overall, though not without some caveats.
For instance, the handheld model had difficulty removing creases from cotton, linen, and poly-cotton. Similarly, the full-sized model was not able to perform well on linen.
Moreover, the handheld version lacks an auto shut-off feature, so the user must be mindful of turning it off after use. Additionally, its small tank size would require constant refilling if you have a large pile of clothes to steam.
In their cookware selection, the reviewers mentioned several worth buying, like the $19 24cm Frypan, the $14 24cm Aluminium 3 Layer Non-Stick Frypan and the $15 24cm Aluminium 4 Layer Non-Stick Frypan.
Kmart's 4L Cast Iron Casserole, priced at $30, stood toe-to-toe with renowned brands like Le Creuset, Chasseur, and Staub in recent tests of casserole pots and Dutch ovens.
Fiona Mair, CHOICE Kitchen Expert, vouched for the 1.2L Food Processor, priced at $55.
‘The Kmart food processor is a very good performer that's great for chopping, slicing, mixing and emulsifying,’ she said.
‘It is a compact unit, so it's easier to store, and all blades are stored in the unit. It is quite noisy, though,’ she added.
The reviewers also praised the retailer's $55 Induction Cooker and $49 20L Microwave as good value for the money.
‘If you're looking for a basic compact microwave that reheats well and is great for cooking and defrosting, then the Anko 20-litre model is all you need,’ Fiona stated.
‘It is, however, only a 700W microwave, so reheating times will be a little slower than for a 900W or 1000W microwave,’ she explained.
According to CHOICE reviewers, Kmart's slow cookers exceeded the reviewers’ expectations. While they may not have the same features as pricier brands like Sunbeam, Breville, and Cuisinart, they still perform admirably.
They particularly recommended the $29 3L Slow Cooker and the $45 6.5L Digital Slow Cooker.
Among the appliances, however, Kmart's toasters fall short of expectations. Despite their budget-friendly prices (with the priciest model at $39), they lack the performance and quality expected.
CHOICE experts stated that exploring other toaster brands will likely yield better results.
If you're considering grabbing a budget-friendly bench mixer from Kmart, CHOICE reviewers said that it might be wise to hold off and save up for a higher-performing model.
While Kmart's Bench Mixer is attractively priced at $75, its performance may not match your expectations.
Additionally, the retailer’s $59 Vacuum Food Sealer earned a mediocre overall score of 67 per cent on their tests.
While it fared better than some pricier options, their experts advised against purchasing it or any other vacuum sealer.
CHOICE reminded shoppers of the importance of considering the longevity of cheaper appliances despite some of the appliances tested performing well.
Often crafted with inexpensive materials and offering shorter warranties than their pricier counterparts, cheap appliances may pose durability concerns.
Moreover, sourcing replacement parts for these appliances can be challenging, if not impossible, and their design may hinder repair efforts, ultimately contributing to a shorter lifespan and potentially more waste in landfills.
While a budget-friendly appliance may seem like a steal initially, frequent replacements due to breakdowns can significantly inflate costs over time.
In such cases, opting for customer service from established brands may provide more reliable support compared to discount retailers. Remember, while a cheap appliance may save you money upfront, it could cost you more in the long run.
How about you members? What are your best and worst buys from Kmart? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
But with so many choices on offer, how do you know what's actually worth buying?
Experts at consumer advocacy group CHOICE has the answer. They put dozens of Kmart's Anko-branded products to the test over the past year and identified the best and worst ones, helping you make smart choices for your next Kmart shopping trip.
Most savvy shoppers go to Kmart for affordable laundry and cleaning product options. Among the Anko range, CHOICE has identified the best value for money.
For one, reviewers said the 1300W Steam Mop is worth its $49 price point. It is easy to use and leaves minimal water residue. It even holds its own against far more expensive products.
1300W Steam Mop, $49. Image source: Kmart
Ironing is undoubtedly one of the most dreaded household chores. For those who dislike the task, the last thing they want is to spend a small fortune on a quality iron.
Luckily, reviewers shared that the retailer’s $29 2400W Steam Iron and $39 Cordless Iron performed impressively in CHOICE’s tests.
While Kmart offers a $7.50 option, it remains untested, so the group can’t say if it’s worth buying.
Meanwhile, the $39 Hand Held Garment Steamer and $55 full-sized Garment Steamer performed adequately overall, though not without some caveats.
For instance, the handheld model had difficulty removing creases from cotton, linen, and poly-cotton. Similarly, the full-sized model was not able to perform well on linen.
Moreover, the handheld version lacks an auto shut-off feature, so the user must be mindful of turning it off after use. Additionally, its small tank size would require constant refilling if you have a large pile of clothes to steam.
In their cookware selection, the reviewers mentioned several worth buying, like the $19 24cm Frypan, the $14 24cm Aluminium 3 Layer Non-Stick Frypan and the $15 24cm Aluminium 4 Layer Non-Stick Frypan.
4L Cast Iron Casserole, $30. Image source: Kmart
Kmart's 4L Cast Iron Casserole, priced at $30, stood toe-to-toe with renowned brands like Le Creuset, Chasseur, and Staub in recent tests of casserole pots and Dutch ovens.
Fiona Mair, CHOICE Kitchen Expert, vouched for the 1.2L Food Processor, priced at $55.
‘The Kmart food processor is a very good performer that's great for chopping, slicing, mixing and emulsifying,’ she said.
‘It is a compact unit, so it's easier to store, and all blades are stored in the unit. It is quite noisy, though,’ she added.
The reviewers also praised the retailer's $55 Induction Cooker and $49 20L Microwave as good value for the money.
‘If you're looking for a basic compact microwave that reheats well and is great for cooking and defrosting, then the Anko 20-litre model is all you need,’ Fiona stated.
‘It is, however, only a 700W microwave, so reheating times will be a little slower than for a 900W or 1000W microwave,’ she explained.
According to CHOICE reviewers, Kmart's slow cookers exceeded the reviewers’ expectations. While they may not have the same features as pricier brands like Sunbeam, Breville, and Cuisinart, they still perform admirably.
They particularly recommended the $29 3L Slow Cooker and the $45 6.5L Digital Slow Cooker.
6.5 Litre Slow Cooker, $45. Image source: Kmart
Among the appliances, however, Kmart's toasters fall short of expectations. Despite their budget-friendly prices (with the priciest model at $39), they lack the performance and quality expected.
CHOICE experts stated that exploring other toaster brands will likely yield better results.
If you're considering grabbing a budget-friendly bench mixer from Kmart, CHOICE reviewers said that it might be wise to hold off and save up for a higher-performing model.
While Kmart's Bench Mixer is attractively priced at $75, its performance may not match your expectations.
Additionally, the retailer’s $59 Vacuum Food Sealer earned a mediocre overall score of 67 per cent on their tests.
While it fared better than some pricier options, their experts advised against purchasing it or any other vacuum sealer.
CHOICE reminded shoppers of the importance of considering the longevity of cheaper appliances despite some of the appliances tested performing well.
Often crafted with inexpensive materials and offering shorter warranties than their pricier counterparts, cheap appliances may pose durability concerns.
Moreover, sourcing replacement parts for these appliances can be challenging, if not impossible, and their design may hinder repair efforts, ultimately contributing to a shorter lifespan and potentially more waste in landfills.
While a budget-friendly appliance may seem like a steal initially, frequent replacements due to breakdowns can significantly inflate costs over time.
In such cases, opting for customer service from established brands may provide more reliable support compared to discount retailers. Remember, while a cheap appliance may save you money upfront, it could cost you more in the long run.
How about you members? What are your best and worst buys from Kmart? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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