I’m a first-time buyer - here’s how I decided which appliances to buy

Getting the keys to your first home is a uniquely exciting feeling. Unfortunately, realising that it looks very different from when you viewed it, and that actually, the whole place needs repainting, is disappointing.

Thankfully, this gave me a full month of extra time to research the appliances I would need, and luckily for me, I’ve always enjoyed deeply researching the things I’m buying (maybe it's because I’m a Virgo?). 

As a principal scientific adviser here at Which?, I knew I had to fully utilise all the data we have, particularly our Great Value and Eco Buy endorsements.

Kamisha Darroux, Which? principal scientific adviser

In the market for new appliances? See how to buy the best kitchen appliances, according to the experts

Choosing a washing machine

This was my moment to feel empowered. My rental flat had a washing machine that only washed at 20°C or 40°C – not ideal when all your gym-wear requires washing at 30°C. Finally, I could choose a washing machine that would suit all my needs. 

I decided a washer-dryer would actually be the best bet for me, because I don’t use a tumble dryer for my clothes, but I do want to get my towels and bedding washed and dried as quickly as possible.

So, I used Ask Which? to check what drying capacity I’d need for a double bedding set (one duvet cover, one bed sheet and two pillow cases), and it advised me I’d need a drying capacity of at least 5-6kg. (With washer dryers, remember that it’s the drying capacity that matters here. If you’re buying a regular washing machine, you only need to worry about the washing capacity.)

Then, I searched our washer-dryer reviews for a model with a 6kg drying capacity so that I might be able to chuck a towel in there alongside my bedding.

Other non-negotiables I had included:

• Freestanding My kitchen doesn’t have integrated appliances. Plus, the recess is 600mm wide, so I needed to make sure it fit in the space (don’t forget to measure this before you start researching).
• Quiet I work from home most of the time, so I don’t want to be disturbed.
• Energy efficient Energy costs are only rising, so I wanted to do all I could to reduce my energy consumption.

Which washer-dryer I chose, and why

In the end, I chose a Hisense washer-dryer that’s extremely similar to a model that we’ve tested, but with a slightly smaller washing capacity since I live alone.

It has the 6kg drying capacity I’m looking for, an energy efficiency rating of A and is decently quiet.

The price is very reasonable, and it’s only 1% shy of our coveted Best Buy recommendation. Checking the specifications, including annual running costs on each of our washer-dryer reviews was so helpful.

Log in our join Which? to find out which washing machine Kamisha chose. We wash and dry more than 1,300kg of laundry a year to help you discover the best washer dryers.

Choosing a fridge freezer

I’m a meal-prepper, because I like to be efficient with my time and energy. So I needed a fridge freezer with a sufficient amount of shelves and space to store the various containers of pre-prepared meals. I also like to cook with a lot of vegetables, so having a good vegetable tray was important. 

Again, I wanted a white, freestanding model. Ideally, the fridge would have plenty of adjustable door storage, and a frost-free freezer. Energy efficiency was important too.

Which fridge freezer I chose, and why

I chose a Hisense model that ticked almost all my boxes. It’s affordable, sleek and one of the rarer products with all three endorsements - Best Buy, Eco Buy and Great Value. Perfect!

The one thing I decided to lower my expectations on was the two-star rating for vegetable storage. Initially, this was important to me, but I figured I usually buy fruit and veg as and when I need it, so I assumed it would be fine - and it is sufficient, thankfully.

Log-in or join Which? to find out which washing machine Kamisha chose. We test almost 100 models a year to help you discover the best fridge freezers.

Choosing the right cooking appliances

As I mentioned, the previous owners left the gas hob and oven. However, I live alone and I’m a pescatarian, so most of the time I cook a lot of one-pots on the stove and roast only a couple fillets of fish. This means the amount of time and energy it takes to preheat the oven and cook small amounts of food just isn’t worth it, so I decided to buy an air fryer.

As a minimalist, I wanted something portable that I could easily tuck away in a cupboard when I don’t need it. I was also looking for an oven-style air-fryer, as I never cook chips or anything that requires turning, so I wanted something with flat trays or shelves that act like a typical oven, with lots of space.

I also wanted something easy to use. I’ll have less patient members of my family staying with me while they visit the UK (love you, mum), so I needed something simple and intuitive to use.

Which air fryer I chose, and why

This all led me to choose a Best Buy model that ticked all the boxes. It’s amazing - fast, efficient and quiet, and it only costs £70.

It really saved me during the summer heatwaves when cooking was barely an option - this air fryer expels minimal amounts of heat, which is something I didn’t know I needed.

Log-in or join Which? to find out which air fryer Kamisha chose. Read our guide to air fryers vs ovens to weigh up the pros and cons. 

To buy, or not to buy a dishwasher?

Fortunately, this wasn’t a decision I needed to make, since the sellers left their dishwasher behind, which I was so grateful for.

It’s a slimline model instead of a full-size one, which suits me fine as I don’t have a family and would have found it frustrating waiting for enough dirty dishes to justify running it. 

I’m not a fan of washing up, so I’d likely be looking for one if the house didn’t have one.

If you’re looking for a dishwasher, I’d recommend finding one that has good cleaning ability (of course) but also easy access to things like the salt reservoir, filter and spray arms. You’ll need access to these to keep the dishwasher running smoothly and poor design makes these chores even less appealing.

We put more than 60 models through rigorous testing every year to help you find the best dishwashers.

Other essentials I bought for my new home

One last thing that was important to me, was to try and reduce plastic usage inside my home, where feasible. This impacted my decision-making process on many other home appliances and necessities, including the below.

Log in or join Which? to find out which other home essentials Kamisha chose.

A kettle

I bought a fantastic kettle that’s both a Best Buy and an Eco Buy. It’s fast and relatively quiet and looks fabulous in my kitchen. It’s also fast and relatively quiet. There’s a matching microwave, but we hadn’t tested it. I have to be honest though – while I’m dedicated to our reviews, in the name of aesthetics, I took a gamble and bought it!

We've tested hundreds of models for quietness, speed and ease-of-use to find the best kettles.

A water filter jug

Another purchase I’m pleased with is my water filter jug. The one I chose didn’t actually score that well, but in the name of avoiding plastic, it fit the bill. I love its sleek design, but this definitely comes at a premium. I kept an eye on it and waited for the sales, and the price dropped a significant amount.

Discover the best water filter jugs from our rigorous testing.

Plastic-free washing-up sponges

I also opted for some eco scourers. Again, these didn’t score brilliantly in our tests, but I didn’t mind that as I wanted an eco-conscious option. Testing flagged that it can leave loose fibres behind when used on a rough surface, but I haven’t found this to be an issue and, as our testers found, it’s not detrimental to its cleaning powers anyway.

We've found the best washing-up sponges for keeping your plates sparkling clean with ease.

A food waste caddy and bags

Living on my own means I’m in charge of bin duty – a task I dread. So I need the best of the best to make light-work of it. I bought our highest-scoring food caddy and some ultra strong food waste bags which stood out in our testing. Both are Best Buys, and both significantly improved my life (yes, I am dramatic).

Conquer your weekly bin collection with the best food waste bins and food waste bags.

Setting a first-home appliance budget

When figuring out my budget, I made a list of all the non-negotiable appliances I needed, then figured out the average cost of these. I’m definitely a frugal girl, but I decided I wouldn't compromise on quality, reliability and energy efficiency over price, so I was willing to spend a little over the average price if necessary. 

Thankfully, the previous owners left behind the gas hob, oven and a dishwasher – they had only bought the dishwasher the year before and, when I looked it up, I saw it cost around £400, so that saved me a lot.

Everything else was gone and I wanted to buy new. I decided to buy everything at once, as I knew that once I was out of this high-spending phase, I’d go back to my frugal lifestyle and would struggle to make certain purchases.

One thing I absolutely didn’t factor into my original budget was delivery costs. One piece of advice I’d give is to try to order as many things from one retailer as possible, to lower delivery costs.

I ordered my fridge freezer and washing machine both from Curry’s and paid a little extra to choose the delivery day that suited me. I also paid for installation which saved me having to do anything myself (I knew my home insurance wouldn’t cover any self-inflicted damage).

There are a lot of decisions to make when buying appliances and other essentials for your first home, but I’d say try to enjoy the process. Have your non-negotiables, make lists, find bargains and then enjoy the spoils of your research.

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