Back in July we asked for your comments on the products that make your blood boil. Clearly there are a lot of awkward and difficult-to-use products out there, as we were flooded with feedback.
From radios to phones and kettles to microwaves, some products frustrate the hell out of you.
We’ve rounded up the easiest to use home and technology products in the October issue of Which? Magazine, including star buys and cheaper alternatives. Which? members can also go online to see even more products that are a doddle to use, including washing machines and laptops. But before you head off to find a stress-free product, take a look at these comments – I bet a lot will resonate with you…
Difficult-to-use products
Which? Convo regular Wavechange told us:
‘I had a Panasonic cordless phone with multiple handsets and the numbers have to be programmed into each handset, which is time consuming and really annoying since I’m the only user.’
Bechet shared his opinion on gadgets as a whole:
‘Incompatibility between gadgets drives me up the wall. Most modern gadgets have built-in obsolescence.’
And it’s not just tech products, home appliances can be a pain too. Irwin said:
‘The Dyson DC24 vacuum cleaner hose is too short to reach anywhere easily and is springy so you always seem to be fighting against it.’
Karen gets irritated by a couple of products:
‘Tassimo coffee maker that you have to move all the way across the worktop to access the water tank. It’s the same with the Bosch instant cup machine that you have to twist to get the water tank off.’
Ben isn’t happy with his microwave:
‘I have a Sharp combination microwave that I purchased mainly because of the large cavity. Frankly, I am considering selling it off, at quite a loss. What drives me up the wall? It is the stupid feature that switches off the display after only a minute or so of lack of input.’
Easy-to-use product shout outs
It’s not all bad news – we’ve also had some positive feedback about products you love. Susan recommends the John Lewis Spectrum radio:
‘It has the minimum number of buttons/dials and is really robust. Since I last bought one in 2011, John Lewis has extended the number of colours it comes in, so you can choose to suit your room! At £34.99 it is a bargain.’
And we’ve had numerous emails about cordless vacuum cleaners. Sheila said:
‘I bought a G-Tech cordless vacuum cleaner a few months ago and I am delighted with it. It is very light to lift and use, its performance is very good, it is easy to empty.’
So that’s some of the good and the bad – I now want to hear from you about both the easy- and the difficult-to-use products you live with.
Have you stopped using a product altogether because it was difficult to use?
Yes (68%, 740 Votes)
No (32%, 356 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,097
