By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Buy-it-to-last tech brands – and the big names that could let you down
A certified smartphones, tablets and wearables whizz, Adam's been hands-on with tech for more than six years, sharing expert knowledge and buying advice.
With over a decade of experience at Which?, Tom covers everything from tech advice to money-saving tips, and highlights the best deals during major sales events.
You don't want to splash out on tech only to find the hardware creaking after a couple of years. Software matters, too, as dwindling security updates can eventually force you to upgrade. Major brands are now offering longer support, but will their devices last the distance?
As part of our annual tech reliability survey, we analysed the long-term experiences of 15,755 gadget owners across a massive 43,027 products. We tracked how often standard devices fail, when the glitches start, and how much hassle they cause when things go wrong.
The good news is that modern consumer devices manage around five years of daily wear and tear before developing their first major fault. But scratch beneath the surface and a massive gap opens up between the market leaders and the stragglers.
On this page, Which? members will have exclusive access to:
- Our best overall and value brand picks.
- Detailed results for Apple, Google, Hisense, Samsung and more.
- Models worth considering based on our expert testing.
If you’re not yet a member, you can get instant access by joining Which?. You will also get access to all our full product reviews.
At a glance: Which brands come out on top?
| Product category | Best overall brand | Value alternative brand | Most common fault |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVs | Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | ||
| Mobile phones | |||
| Tablets | |||
| Laptops | |||
| Printers | |||
| Smartwatches and fitness trackers | |||
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member?
Log in
Based on a March 2026 survey of 15,755 Which? Connect panel members and members of the public for 43,027 products.
Give your devices a second life
Battery failure is the most common hardware headache across our entire survey. It was the top reported fault for phones, laptops and tablets. Because new models aren’t being released as frequently as they once were, and software updates are lasting longer, replacing a tired battery is a great way to extend your device’s life.
Fortunately, giving a device a second lease of life is cheaper than buying new. And a recent Which? member survey revealed that 87% of smartphone owners, 84% of laptop owners and 80% of tablet owners who went ahead with a repair were satisfied with the result.
Repairs needn’t be expensive – official manufacturer battery replacements cost around £79 for a Samsung Galaxy handset, between £99 and £199 for an iPad, and typically between £159 and £245 for a MacBook. Reputable third-party repair services may charge less.
Other simple components are equally easy to revive. Swapping a snapped smartwatch strap or fixing a cracked tablet screen can instantly salvage an otherwise perfectly fine piece of technology. Before sending your tech to landfill, check whether a quick repair can restore it to full health.
Learn how to recycle electrical items – whether you're getting rid of a broken toaster or a bulky washing machine, make sure you dispose of it correctly.
The software support trap
Digital reliability is no longer just about how well a device is built – it’s increasingly defined by its software. New consumer laws mean tech brands must now tell you exactly how long they will support their products, but many buyers are still getting caught out. Our survey highlighted a frustrating issue: functional gadgets being cut off from updates unexpectedly, leaving them practically useless.
Motorola is a prime example in our mobile phone results. Despite making generally reliable hardware, some of its devices launch with very short update guarantees. Owners told us that their phones became unable to run critical banking and navigation apps because the software was out of date.
Functional gadgets are being cut off from updates unexpectedly, leaving them practically useless
A similar problem is hitting laptops, where owners note that older but highly capable machines – even from otherwise reliable brands like Lenovo – are being locked out of vital security updates and transitions to Windows 11. In TVs, Philips can support sets with software updates for just a couple of years, compared with eight years for Hisense.
When shopping for your next tech upgrade, checking a brand’s software lifespan is now as critical as inspecting the physical device – it’s the best way to ensure true long-term value, permanent security and a gadget that works for years to come.
Use our phone support calculator to see how long the handset you own has left.
Become a Which? member
A Which? membership offers far more than you might expect – from personalised expert advice to Great Value and eco-friendly recommendations.
- Product reviews you can trust All our test results, reviews and recommendations are our own. We buy every product that we test.
- Ask Which? for buying advice Chat online with us for personalised one-to-one buying advice on any product we’ve tested.
- We’re not-for-profit Every member subscription helps to fund our charity’s campaigns to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone.
- Which? magazine on your doorstep Your monthly read for expert consumer advice, investigations, articles, news, views and more.
If you're not yet a Which? member, you can join Which? for access to the benefits above.
