And our rigorous lab tests can give you all the information you need to make sure you don't waste your time with a duff purchase.
Below, we've rounded up time-saving products suggested by our experts.
1. A fast charger for your smartphone
These devices work by delivering more watts (W) to your phone, which increases the speed of battery charging – the higher the wattage, the faster the charge. A reliable fast charger could be a smart investment if you have a hectic schedule that keeps you constantly on the move.
Terminology varies depending on the brand, but here's an overview of charging speed categories:
'Slow' or 'standard' charging 'Fast charging' 'Super fast charging'Some brands, including Oppo and OnePlus, offer even faster charging, in some cases upwards of 100W.
To find out how much of a difference a fast charger makes, our experts conducted some tests.
We saw that charging an iPhone 14 for 15 minutes with a standard 5W charger brought the battery up to just 10%.
Using a 20W fast charger boosted it to 31% in the same period. The fast charger also reduced the time to reach a full charge from zero, cutting it from 3 hours 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
: We explain how they work, where to buy them and what to avoid.Our expert says:
'Our tests prove that a fast charger can significantly decrease the charge time of your smartphone. However, think about whether it's really worth the expense of buying a super-fast charger – we think 20W-25W is the sweet spot.
'If you do opt for a higher wattage, buying a charger that's "too fast" does somewhat future-proof the purchase, and you might be able to use it to power other devices depending on their capabilities.'
Amy Axworthy, mobile phones expert2. An air fryer for quick cooking
Air fryers cook food rapidly by blowing hot air around the cooking chamber. They are also much smaller than ovens, so cook faster.
To see how air fryers compare with built-in ovens, our experts prepared a variety of food in both: roast chicken, chips, jacket potatoes and cake, measuring energy use, energy costs and cooking results along the way.
When preparing roast chicken, for example, we found the air fryer took 53 minutes, while the built-in oven took 76 minutes – and used more energy.
To see our cooking comparison test results, check our guide.Our expert says:
'Our research reveals that air fryers can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to built-in ovens, especially when preparing small portions.
'However, the energy savings diminish if you need to cook in batches. Since air fryers have less cooking space than standard ovens, you might find yourself batch cooking for larger meals, making the oven a more cost-effective option.'
Steph Kipling, science team leader Head to our expert for more advice on the right model for you.3. A robot mower to help with garden maintenance
While a robot mower might not cut your lawn quicker than a manual model, handing that job to an AI-powered assistant frees up your time. Rather than collecting grass, the mower will cut it up finely and leave it on the lawn as mulch.
These smart machines navigate around areas defined by border wire and many use on-board sensors to avoid obstacles. Some models can maintain plots of 5,000sqm or more, making them a suitable choice for anyone with a lot of ground to cover.
Robot mowers don't come cheap, though, which is why you need to be certain you're spending your money wisely. Most models cost more than £500, but prices can rise beyond £1,000 or more – and our rigorous tests prove a high price tag isn't always a guarantee of quality.
The best robot lawn mower we've testedThe worst robot lawn mower we've tested To see which models suit your budget, visit our guide to the4. A high-scoring kettle for quick cuppas
We measure the speed of every kettle that arrives in our test lab to help you choose the best model for your budget. In fact, speed accounts for 20% of our total review score.
We test each kettle three times to get an average boiling time and temperature. We've found the fastest models can boil a litre in 2 minutes 18 seconds, while the slowest can take nearly twice as long.
Alongside speed, we also test ease of use, noise levels and the quality of the limescale filter.
The best kettle we've testedThe worst kettle we testedOur expert says:
'As a keen tea drinker, I understand the importance of choosing a kettle that boils quickly. I work closely with our labs to ensure all kettles are tested to the same high standards.
'Most kettles now have a wattage of 3kW, but we've found that kettles with similar power levels don't always boil at the same speed. Make sure you consult our reviews to secure a speedy one.'
Fran Roberts-Thornton, senior researcher/writerGet your cuppa quicker with our guide to theBoiling water taps are also worth considering
You might find a boiling water tap is a quicker and quieter alternative to your kettle, considering they can fill a mug of tea at the touch of a button. They can also help you save water and free up space on the kitchen counter.
Boiling water taps don't come cheap, though – prices start from several hundred pounds and rise beyond £2,000. Our research shows installation can be a pain, as well, so you might want to call in a plumber.
.5. A dehumidifier for drying laundry
If you don’t have a tumble dryer and it’s too chilly or wet to hang your clothes outside, a dehumidifier can help dry them indoors.
Not all dehumidifiers are equal, though, which is why you need to consult our expert reviews before choosing a brand.
The best dehumidifier we've tested The worst dehumidifier we've testedOur expert says:
'We put dehumidifiers through a full set of tough scientific tests to find the ones that excel in key areas – water extraction, quietness, ease of use and humidistat accuracy.
'During testing, we also measure the energy consumption of each dehumidifier at normal room temperature while we’re carrying out our water extraction tests.'
Patrick Gallagher, researcher/writerWe've tested dehumidifiers from Meaco, Ebac, Pro Breeze and more. See our guide to the .6. A smart speaker for managing your day
Making a smart speaker part of your daily routine can save you time. For example, you can set timers and ask for instant information without having to track down your phone and run a web search. Plus, you can easily add items to a shopping list using your voice – and that list will be accessible on your mobile when you head out.
You can also use a voice-activated speaker to control other wi-fi-enabled gadgets around the house. Various systems, including Alexa and Google Assistant, let you create a custom routine – so simply saying 'good morning' to your speaker could turn on multiple lights and other wi-fi devices (including coffee machines, smart blinds or heaters).
You can use the 'broadcast' feature to make announcements if you have multiple devices linked to the same Alexa account. In other words, you don't need to leap up off the sofa to relay a message to somebody in a different room.
In our test lab, we review smart speakers to see how good they sound, which music streaming services they're compatible with and whether they support parental controls.
Our expert says:
'Most people only scratch the surface of what smart speakers can offer. Your device can easily host a game of trivia, play songs and act as a convenient kitchen timer, but it’s capable of far more.
'You can get a smart speaker for as little as £50 now, but keep your eyes open for a sale and you can halve this price.'
Oliver Trebilcock, senior researcher/writer.7. A clothes steamer for removing stubborn creases
Choosing a Best Buy clothes steamer will offer you a quicker, more convenient alternative to ironing.
With a steamer, you don't need to drag out your ironing board from the cupboard and set it up — instead, just hang your garment and start steaming. Steamers also typically heat up faster than irons, which is good news if you're in a hurry.
We've tested handheld clothes steamers from popular brands including Argos, Philips, Tefal and more. Our Best Buy selection features steamers that excel at quickly and effectively removing creases from various materials. Plus, they're a breeze to use.
The best clothes steamer we've tested The worst clothes steamer we've testedOur expert says:
'To find the best clothes steamers, we buy the most popular models and put them through various tests. Our reviews analyse crease removal, ease of use, build quality and durability. We also measure the heat-up time and steam rate of each model. Use our reviews to choose wisely.'
Sabrina Sahota, senior researcher/writerundefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/best-time-saving-gadgets-for-busy-people-asewH0p5uEo7