Experts from the Australian consumer organization CHOICE have listed the best and worst products in the Kmart catalog.
Dozens of Anko products have been put to the test to determine whether they are worth buying or not.
From vacuum cleaners to deep fryers, baby products, suitcases and kitchen utensils, some exceeded expectations while others disappointed.
“While some Anko purchases offer superior performance at low prices, others are really not worth the (admittedly small) price,” said one CHOICE said the expert.
YES – WORTH BUYING
steam mops
The product that topped the list was the 1300W Steam Mop, priced at just $49.
‘This is an appliance that Kmart does right!’ the experts revealed.
The affordable cleaning product convinced professionals with its ease of use and low amount of water after cleaning the floor.
Dozens of Kmart Anko products have been put to the ultimate test to determine whether they are worth buying or not.
Microwave
Kmart microwaves also received expert approval with an excellent rating for their cooking performance.
The 20-liter microwave, priced at $49, received perfect scores for cooking vegetables and defrosting ground meat.
“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,” said Fiona Mair, kitchen expert at CHOICE.
“However, it’s only a 700W microwave, so reheat times will be a little slower than a 900W or 1000W microwave.”
clothing streamers
Both the $39 Handheld Garment Steamer and the $55 Garment Steamer “performed solidly in tests,” but didn’t earn an expert recommendation.
“They do have some wrinkles to remove, however, the handheld model struggled to remove wrinkles on cotton, linen and polycotton, while the full-size model failed on linen,” the experts said.
“The portable version doesn’t have an automatic shut-off and its small tank means you’ll have to run back and forth to the sink to fill it if you have a big pile of clothes to steam.”
Luggage
If you’re looking for affordable luggage, the $40 4-Wheel Hardside Carry-on Case ranked well alongside other expensive brands.
“You could buy the carry-on from Kmart for $40 plus return flights from Sydney to Melbourne, and you still wouldn’t have spent as much as the most expensive suitcases in our test,” said luggage tester Matthew Tung.
The $99 Anko Premium Hard Case with 8 Wheels (72cm) is also a suitable carry-on option that also received rave reviews.
While the Kmart slow cooker is top-notch compared to more expensive purchases on the market, it performed well (3 liter slow cooker pictured)
slow cookers
While the Kmart slow cooker isn’t that great compared to other expensive purchases on the market, it worked well.
But experts noted that the products lack certain features.
However, experts recommended the $29 3-liter slow cooker and the $45 6.5-liter digital slow cooker.
NO – NOT WORTH BUYING
vacuum cleaners
Anko vacuum cleaners are the only type of product that customers should avoid at all costs.
While it is tempting to buy a cheap vacuum cleaner for a fraction of the cost compared to other brands, experts strongly recommend against it due to its poor performance.
All Anko vacuum cleaners tested earned low ratings overall, with the highest performance score being 67 percent.
Customers should also avoid purchasing Anko vacuum cleaners and bassinets.
Moses
When it comes to purchasing baby products, there’s one purchase parents shouldn’t skimp on: bassinets.
The $159 Kmart Anko Canopy Bassinet scored just 49 percent when tested due to a “lack of continuous breathing zones around the edge of the bassinet.”
There is currently no Australian safety standard for bassinets, so CHOICE had to create safety tests based on the Australian standards set for cots and cot carriers.
bench mixer
Big brand kitchen mixers can cost hundreds of dollars, while Kmart sells one for just $75. However, it’s not worth it.
“Unfortunately, with this $75 tabletop blender you get what you pay for,” the experts said.
The product simply underperformed versions costing $300 or more.
Big brand kitchen mixers can cost hundreds of dollars, while Kmart sells one for just $75. However, it’s not worth it. Kmart’s Anko toasters didn’t make the cut either
Bicycle
Customers looking to buy a new bike should resist Kmart’s options, experts say.
When tested, the bikes were “poorly assembled, rusted quickly, had defective parts, needed more replacement parts more quickly, and needed to be serviced more frequently.”
“When you add up the maintenance costs of a cheap Kmart bike, it quickly becomes a much more expensive ride,” the experts said.
Over time, maintenance costs for a Kmart bike will add up quickly, so customers are better off opting for higher-end versions.
Toasters
Kmart’s Anko toasters also didn’t make the cut and fell on the “not worth buying” list.
CHOICE has tested more than ten Kmart toasters, but none impressed the experts and could burn your toast.
“You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good toaster, but you’ll get a better product if you shop elsewhere,” the experts said.
