Just Tested: the latest products and services reviewed by Which? experts

At Which?, we’re constantly testing products to help you get the best value for money, whether you're upgrading your phone, shopping for an affordable washing machine or comparing vacuum cleaners.

But with so much going on behind the scenes, it’s easy to miss exciting developments. Our Just Tested page brings together the latest products recently tested by Which?, so you can see what’s new at a glance.

Just tested: Knife sharpeners | Cholesterol monitors | Fridge freezers | Built-in ovens

What's new?

Knife sharpeners that scored a flawless 100% in our tests

Struggling with a dull knife when you’re trying to prep dinner can be frustrating and time-consuming. To help you slice and dice with ease again, we’ve tested 20 knife sharpeners, from electric and manual pull-through models to rolling sharpeners that glide an abrasive disc along the blade.

Using a measuring scale designed specifically for knife edges, we can pinpoint exactly which sharpeners will bring tired blades back to life. We also know a sharpener needs to be easy to use to earn a permanent place in your kitchen drawer, which is why we mark down models that are fiddly or require you to pore over the manual before getting started.

After putting some sharpeners through their paces, we uncovered two that scored a perfect 100% in our tests for sharpening ability and ease of use. If you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen kit, either is an excellent choice.

Of the knife sharpeners tested recently, these scored the highest overall. Click on the product link to visit our reviews:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best knife sharpeners.

Don't Buy cholesterol monitor that costs hundreds

If you want to keep an eye on your cholesterol without booking a GP appointment, at-home testing kits promise quick, convenient results using a simple finger-prick blood sample. But our tests show that not all of them give readings that you can rely on.

To separate the accurate from the unreliable, we've just tested 12 cholesterol monitors and send-away lab kits, comparing the results against hospital-grade clinical analysers.

While some of the kits delivered accurate readings and detailed reports, with one impressive enough to be named a Best Buy, we also uncovered some Don’t Buys. In fact, one of the poorest performers costs hundreds of pounds and gave inconsistent results compared with clinical reference measurements, proving that a high price doesn’t guarantee high quality.

However, our testing also uncovered some top-performing options, including a Best Buy that gave clear, detailed results for less than £40.

We uncovered a Best Buy cholesterol monitor shown below, plus several that we've marked with Test Pass*, including the following:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best cholesterol monitors.

Which? Best Buy fridge freezers uncovered by latest tests

In our latest round of testing, we found two new Which? Best Buy fridge freezers. By consulting our expert reviews, you can avoid models that are let down by poor chilling and freezing power, inaccurate thermostats or unstable temperatures that could cause food to spoil sooner than it should.

The first high scorer holds around 13 bags of shopping and impressed our lab experts with accurate thermostats, excellent thermal stability and quiet running.

The second, more affordable Best Buy, freezes food quickly and efficiently. It comes from a brand that received the full five stars for value for money in our survey of fridge freezer owners.

Of the knife sharpeners tested recently, these scored the highest overall. Click on the product link to visit our reviews:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best fridge freezers.

Impressive yet affordable built-in ovens

Whether you’re baking a showstopper cake or crisping up a Sunday roast, a reliable oven makes all the difference.

We test more than 50 built-in ovens a year, scrutinising everything from heat distribution and thermostat accuracy to grill performance and ease of cleaning.

In our latest round of testing, one model in particular stood out. It’s both a Which? Best Buy and an Eco Buy, maintaining accurate temperatures at 150°C and 180°C, heating up quickly and with an excellent grill. Almost all the bread we placed underneath emerged an even golden brown.

We also uncovered some Great Value alternatives – always helpful if you want solid performance for less.

Of the built-in ovens tested recently, these scored the highest overall:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best built-in ovens.

Also on test

The dog and cat food that owners rate most highly

On a mission to uncover the dog food brands that pooches love most, we surveyed more than 1,400 owners about the foods their dogs enjoy. The results span everything from veterinary brands to supermarket options and boutique luxury foods. Topping the table was a brand that scored highly for both dogs’ wellbeing and their reaction to the food.

For our feline friends, we also spoke to owners and three independent veterinary nutrition experts. In our cat food brand ratings table, one stood out. It was one of only two to earn four or five stars for both the cats’ reactions to the food while eating it and their overall wellbeing.

Explore our guides to the best dog food brands and best cat food brands.

Durable paints that stand up to sticky fingers

If you’re looking for a paint that can stand up to everyday life, you’ll be pleased to hear we’ve just tested 12 durable paints, from high-end brands such as Farrow & Ball, Frenchic and Little Greene to more affordable options from B&Q, Crown and Dulux.

One of these paints earned a flawless 100% Which? test score. It looks excellent after two coats, even obscuring a bright yellow primer, and proved highly durable in our cleaning tests. Scrubbing off crayon, coloured pencil, melted chocolate and permanent marker didn’t pose a problem for this tough paint.

Explore our guide to the best washable paints.

Stargazing made simple: beginner telescopes put to the test

To find the best telescopes for beginners, our experts put popular models through rigorous lab tests. We assess optical quality to ensure sharp, distortion-free views, check that the finderscope lines up accurately with the main telescope and rate how easy it is to achieve precise focus. We also consider how simple each model is to assemble, adjust and transport.

Topping our tests was an outstanding reflector telescope capable of delivering stunning views of both planets and nebulae. It impressed for clarity, ease of use and overall performance.

Explore our guide to the best telescopes for beginners.

Decking stains that can weather the storm

Our experts have just tested Cuprinol, Ronseal, Sadolin and more to find out which decking stains can survive scuffing, scrubbing and winter weather.

At the top of our results table is a decking stain that scored top marks for durability, water resistance and appearance after two coats. If you're after a hardy stain to protect your wood against the elements, it doesn't get much better than this.

Explore our guide to the best decking stain.

Become a Which? member

A Which? membership offers far more than you might expect – from personalised expert advice to Great Value and Eco Buy 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 fund our charity’s campaigns to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone.
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If you're not yet a Which? member, you can join Which? for access to the benefits above.