Small Appliances

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years — and for good reason. They cook food significantly faster than a conventional oven, use less energy, and produce crispy results with little or no oil. They are particularly good for chips, roasted vegetables, reheating leftovers, and cooking from frozen.

If you find yourself using your main oven for small everyday meals, an air fryer will almost certainly save you time and money on energy bills. For larger households cooking big batches, a larger capacity model or a dual-basket air fryer is worth considering.

Air fryers circulate hot air at high speed around the food, producing fast, crispy results. They are compact, quick to heat up, and energy efficient. Best for everyday cooking of smaller portions.

Mini ovens work more like a conventional oven — they bake, grill, and toast, and are better suited to baking, cooking pizzas, or anything that benefits from a larger, more even cooking environment. They take longer to heat up but offer more versatility for certain dishes.

Many households find an air fryer covers 90% of their small appliance cooking needs. A mini oven is worth considering if you bake regularly or want a true oven alternative.

Food processors chop, slice, grate, blend, and puree. They are the go-to for savoury prep — chopping vegetables, making pastry, blending soups, and processing large quantities quickly. If you cook from scratch regularly, a food processor will save significant time.

Stand mixers are designed primarily for baking — mixing dough, whipping cream, beating eggs, and making cake batter. They are more powerful and precise for these tasks than a food processor. If you bake frequently, a stand mixer is a worthwhile investment.

The two do different jobs well, so the right choice depends on whether you cook more savoury dishes or bake more. Many keen cooks eventually end up with both.

Fan heaters heat a room quickly and are portable and affordable. Best for short bursts of heat in small rooms. Not ideal for sustained use as they can be noisy and dry out the air.

Oil-filled radiators heat up more slowly but retain heat well and run quietly. Better for heating a room over a longer period — a good choice for home offices or bedrooms.

Convector heaters heat the air efficiently and are slim and easy to wall-mount. A practical choice for consistent background heat in living rooms or hallways.

For most rooms, an oil-filled radiator or convector heater will be more energy efficient and comfortable than a fan heater for regular use.

A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air, which helps prevent condensation, damp, and mould — common issues in UK homes, particularly in bedrooms, bathrooms, and older properties.

Signs you might benefit from one include condensation on windows, musty smells, or visible damp patches on walls. They are also useful for drying laundry indoors during winter without making the room feel cold and damp. Running a dehumidifier regularly can make a home feel warmer and healthier.