Must-have appliances for 2021

The new year is a perfect time to revamp your home with new appliances. After a spring clean or a few missed items on your Christmas wishlist, it might be time to treat yourself to a few new gadgets around the house. But if you’re having trouble deciding whether to invest in an air fryer or new microwave, look no further.

To make your job a little easier, the Finder Retail Awards have recently named the best-rated appliance brands for 2020/21. So whether it’s tastier food, better coffee or just time for an upgrade, here are some of the must-have appliances for 2021 – as voted by thousands of Australians.

The hottest home appliances you’ll want to get your hands on this year

The air fryers Australia loves

Air fryers are one of the hottest appliances on the market at the moment. Whether you want to cook a no-fuss meal or reheat leftovers without getting that microwave sogginess, an air fryer is a great gadget to have in the kitchen. Cooking with an air fryer also has health benefits. When compared to cooking in oil, air fried foods can be lower in calories, lower in fat and possibly lower in the harmful compounds associated with deep frying.

Best rated brand in this category: Kmart

Price: $49–$119

Level up your morning coffee

It’s no secret that Aussies love their coffee, so if you’re craving the taste of barista-made coffee at home, a manual coffee machine is just the thing. This product allows the brewer to be in control of their coffee every step of the way. You can control the coarseness of the grind to the frothiness of the milk so that every cuppa is just how you like it. Treat yourself with an additional selection of ground coffees so you can start experimenting with your brew.

Best rated brand in this category: Breville

Price: From $269

Back to basics with a new stand mixer

If you’ve found baking to be more than just a quarantine pastime, it might be time to upgrade your stand mixer. A well-mixed batter is the foundation of any good bake so being able to perfect the basics of your sponge or sourdough is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. Besides, the more you bake, the more you get to eat! What you bake will play a huge role in choosing your stand mixer so be sure to consider things like the types of attachments you need, the power and speed settings available, as well as the size and capacity of your machine.

Best rated brand in this category: KitchenAid

Price: From $599

Freshly made juices for summer

There are few things more refreshing than a cold juice on a hot day and adding a juicer to your kitchen gives you the freedom to create whatever taste you want. Not only is fresh juice delicious, but it’s a great way to sneak a few more vitamins and minerals into your diet or the kid’s diets. From the basic models to those that are a bit more high tech, you can find a juicer for pretty much every budget. When making your purchase, you’ll want to consider factors like size, ease of cleaning and the settings you would like, such as cold-pressed or multiple speed settings.

Best rated brand in this category: Breville

Price: From $329

Cut down on cleaning time with a robot vacuum cleaner

In 2021 we want to spend more time doing what we love, and for most of us, that probably doesn’t include vacuuming. If you’re going to cut down your chore time without sacrificing on cleanliness, a robot vacuum cleaner could be the answer to your prayers. Robot vacuums are a set-and-forget cleaner that patrols your home looking for dust, using sensors to avoid colliding with walls or furniture. These smart home products can come with a hefty price tag so you’ll definitely want to weigh up cost vs convenience before you buy.

Best rated brand in this category: Samsung

Price: From $399

Decking out your kitchen and home with a few new appliances will give it a much needed new year feel. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, so use these new additions to get everyone back in there and add some extra convenience to your house this summer and beyond.

Written by: 

Bessie Hassan

Bessie Hassan is a Money Expert at finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything. She regularly appears on national radio, TV, and throughout online publications sharing her best money-saving tips and property advice. She’s passionate about helping Australians make more informed decisions so they can improve their quality of life.