Below, I've rounded up a selection of products and services that you should probably steer clear of. All of my picks are backed by extensive Which? research guaranteed to save you money.
News, deals and stuff the manuals don't tell you.Our expert says:
'One of the perks of my job is having access to our independent research. Because we're always on the lookout for the products and services that offer the best value, I get a heads-up when our experts have uncovered something interesting.
If you're already a subscriber, you might know some of these six already. For everyone else – I hope this helps.'
Which? Tech Magazine1. Antivirus software
At a glance:
Hear me out. I'm not saying you shouldn't install antivirus software – you definitely should. Instead, what I'm saying is that you don't necessarily need to pay for it.
As part of our rigorous antivirus software tests, we check to see which options effectively protect against viruses, ransomware and phishing attacks designed to compromise and steal your data.
Interestingly, the top-scoring antivirus uncovered by our testing is completely free and offers a level of malware protection we'd expect to see in paid-for software. It also has minimal ads, something that can be annoying with free software.
Considering that some antivirus software packages cost close to £100, you can see why we feel so strongly that you should stick to our free top-scoring software.
Our guide to the reveals which programs will keep your data secure.2. An 8K TV
At a glance:
Netflix took three years to start supporting 4K content – but even that requires at least 25Mbps to get a reliable stream, and 8K streams could potentially demand double that.
Our pick of the reveals models that have aced our picture and sound quality tests.3. The latest iPad or MacBook
At a glance:
Apple products have a reputation for quality, which is why it’s a big deal in the tech world when a new version is launched.
However, what the canny buyer knows is that this means the previous generation is about to drop in price. For most of us, that previous-generation model is more than good enough for what we need it to do. Often, it’s only professionals who need the immense power of the very latest iPad or MacBook.
iPad
MacBook
On all our product reviews, you can see up-to-date information on the cheapest reputable retailers – see our and .4. Adobe Photoshop
At a glance:
Unless you’re a professional, you probably don’t need Photoshop. There are several paid-for plans available, but none of them are particularly cheap – the cheapest is £9.98 for the first three months, then £21.98 for another nine months. Consider saving your money and trying Paint.net instead.
Windows users will feel right at home, as Paint.net is based on the old Paint tool that Microsoft bundled with its operating system. It has a powerful set of tools, including a clone brush, support for layers and you can undo mistakes as many times as you like.
Download Download Now. Free Download NowLove photo editing? You need a decent screen – we reveal the5. Unbranded electronics, healthcare or baby and child products on online marketplaces
At a glance:
We’ve been exposing dangerous products on online marketplaces for years, and while some platforms have improved in keeping these goods off sale, it’s not nearly enough.
Our expert research leads us to one simple conclusion: avoid any potentially dangerous items if they’re unbranded. That includes electronics, healthcare and products for babies or children.Find out and avoid dangerous products.6. Printer manufacturer ink
At a glance:
If your printer accepts third-party cartridges, you shouldn’t be buying own-brand ink. Based on our research, you can cut your ink costs by as much as 62%, depending on your printer.
The average printer lasts about 13 years, according to our survey, and a typical user buys two sets of cartridges a year. Taking the average cost of £62.74 for cartridge sets for two popular printers from Canon and Epson, this means you’d pay £1,631.24 on ink over 13 years. But after taking the average cost of compatible cartridge sets from well-known third-party ink suppliers, we saw that you could have paid just £613.34 – a £1,017.90 saving.
We know that many people are put off third-party ink as they’re worried it might damage their printer or they’re worried about the quality. That’s why we survey thousands of printer owners to find out about the ink they recommend, and then conduct our own lab tests on top.
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