Appliance shopping advice

Check out our top tips for smart shopping before you buy your next appliance.

With retailers fighting for your dollars and the price of imports likely to rise, now could be the right time to shop for new appliances.

But before you hit the Christmas sales, check out our advice on how to get the best deal on your next big purchase.

1. Find the best performers at a good price

Make sure you check our test results, recommendations and checklists before you shop, and arm yourself with knowledge. See our Appliances section for a list of the products we've looked at.

2. Look for the most reliable brands

A cheap but unreliable appliance is likely to be false economy. Check our Appliance reliability ratings to find out which brands last the longest.

3. Buy energy efficient

Energy-efficient models can be a lot cheaper to run and can save you money long term. Check the ratings within our test reports to find the products that scored well for energy efficiency, and look for labels such as Energy Star.

4. Shop around

Use our prices as a guide and ring around the retailers for the best price. Don't forget to check online - on individual retailer websites or price comparison sites such as Priceme.

5. Negotiate - hard!

Retailers should be keen for a sale so see what deals they're prepared to offer. Expect a discount for cash.

6. Don't buy an extended warranty

In most cases there's no need to spend money on an extended warranty when you're already covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. See our Extended warranties report for more information.

7. Buy a floor model

Retailers will often offer a considerable discount on items that are shop-soiled or cosmetically damaged.

8. Think about the features you really need

Would a cheaper, basic model meet your needs? Use our buying checklists to learn about the features to look for, and our test results databases to see which models have the features you need.

9. Consider second-hand

Buying second-hand from websites such as Trade Me, second-hand shops or newspaper advertisements is another option. You do need to choose carefully as your legal protection is limited - see our advice on Second-hand goods for more information.

For more information see our full reports and buying guides in our Appliances, Computers and Legal Rights sections.