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.
Same score, different price: 6 products that prove pricier isn't always better
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.
It’s easy to assume spending more will get you a better product, but a higher price doesn’t necessarily guarantee better performance.
In fact, our testing has uncovered six pairs of products with identical Which? test scores, despite some being hundreds of pounds apart in price. In the most striking example, there’s a difference of more than £700.
So what are you actually getting for the extra money? From newer technology and extra features to cosmetic differences, we’ve dug into the differences to help you decide whether it’s worth spending more – or whether you can get everything you need for less.
1. Smartphones: newer doesn't always mean better
When it comes to phones, it’s worth considering whether you really need the latest model, as an older model can sometimes offer similar performance for less.
In our tests, we found two Best Buy smartphones that achieved exactly the same overall score despite a £60 price difference. They have plenty in common, including the same processor and battery capacity, while both impressed in our battery, camera, display and durability tests.
The newer model did perform better in our speed test, charges more quickly and comes with an extra year of security support. However, even the older phone has more than five years of security updates remaining, so you're unlikely to miss out on support if you typically replace your phone within that timeframe. Even so, it couldn’t pull ahead of its older rival in our overall scoring.
If you’re shopping on a budget, looking at the previous generation can be a simple way to save money without making big compromises. Older models often fall in price after their replacements arrive, so you could get much of the same experience for considerably less.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
2. Lawn mowers: going cordless can cost more
Two very different lawn mowers achieved exactly the same 80% score in our tests and earned our Best Buy recommendation, despite one costing around £60 more than the other.
One is a petrol mower designed to make light work of large lawns, while the other is a newer cordless model powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and better suited to medium-sized gardens. Put them to work and there’s little to separate their cutting performance, with both earning five stars for grass-cutting ability and ease of use.
Look beyond those results and each has its strengths. The petrol mower was better at collecting clippings, while the cordless model was much quieter, easier to store and also earned our Eco Buy recommendation.
There’s more than the upfront price to consider, too. A petrol mower needs fuel and more ongoing maintenance, while keeping a cordless model running is largely a case of keeping its battery charged.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
3. Fridge freezers: smart features can inflate prices
Smart features can push up the price of a fridge freezer, but paying more doesn’t necessarily mean better performance where it matters most.
We found two Best Buy fridge freezers with exactly the same 79% test score, despite a whopping £700 difference in price. The more expensive model connects to wi-fi and can be controlled through an app, while its flexible freezer compartment can be switched between different temperature settings.
It also impressed for energy efficiency, costing around £17 less a year to run than its cheaper rival. But the hefty saving gets harder to ignore when you look at our other test results. The cheaper fridge freezer actually did a better job of freezing food and was quieter, while both performed equally well at chilling.
It’s a good reminder to think about which extras you’ll actually use. If app controls and flexible temperature zones aren’t high on your list, spending hundreds more might not get you a better fridge freezer for your needs.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
4. Tumble dryers: reputation for reliability may come at a premium
Spending more on a tumble dryer doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better performance, or even a bigger drum for your laundry.
We found two Best Buy heat pump tumble dryers that also earned our Eco Buy recommendation and achieved the same overall score in our tests, despite a sizeable difference in price. In fact, the cheaper model has a larger 9kg capacity, compared with 8kg for its pricier rival.
There are reasons you might consider spending more, though. The more expensive model is better at keeping creases to a minimum and costs around £4 less a year to run. It also comes from a brand that was one of the top performers in our latest tumble dryer reliability survey.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
5. Mattresses: specialist comfort can cost more
Mattresses can vary considerably in price, even when they're made by the same brand. Paying more might get you additional springs, layers and materials designed to offer particular types of comfort and support.
For example, we found two mattresses from the same manufacturer that achieved the same overall score in our tests, despite a sizeable difference in price. The more expensive model has a more elaborate construction and performed particularly well for back sleepers, but the cheaper mattress actually offered better support for people who sleep on their front.
Both also impressed in our durability tests, earning five stars, so spending more doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a longer-lasting mattress.
Ultimately, the best mattress for you will depend on your sleeping preferences, budget and the features that matter most to you. Our expert reviews can help you decide whether it's worth paying extra.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
6. Printers: sometimes the difference is just cosmetic
Sometimes a different model number doesn’t mean you’re getting a different product. Manufacturers can sell exactly the same device in different colours or finishes, giving each version its own model number, and the price can still vary between them.
We found two versions of the same printer that share a 79% Which? test score and our Best Buy and Eco Buy recommendations. One comes in black and the other in white, but that's the only difference between them.
We tested one version and applied the results to the other, meaning both have the same ratings for printing, scanning, copying, ease of use and ink costs. Yet at the time of writing, there’s around £20 between them.
If you’re not fussed about the colour of your printer, checking the price of both versions could save you money without sacrificing anything in performance.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal these Best Buy products.
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 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.
