Home & living

Our comprehensive guides and product reviews help you make informed choices that suit your budget and lifestyle, so you can spend more time enjoying your home and less time worrying about whether you've made the right purchase.

Latest in home & living

Front loader vs top loader washing machines: Which is better?

Trying to choose between a front loader and top loader washing machine? We compare cleaning performance, water use, running costs, reliability and convenience.

5 ways a pellet burner is better than a wood burner

The most and least reliable fridges in NZ

3 heaters to avoid – and 2 cheap heaters we love

Why we love vented clothes dryers and which ones are best

Baby & child

Washing machine safety regulations tightened to avoid child deaths

Washing machine safety regulations are changing to improve child safety.

NZ's outdated safety laws aren't protecting kids from Temu and Shein risks

Bring your own device: how to choose a laptop, Chromebook or tablet for school

Your consumer rights if you own sand recalled for containing asbestos

Do toys from Amazon, eBay, Shein and Temu contain unsafe heavy metals?

See all baby & child

Building & renovation

It’s the perfect time to get your home ready for winter

Find out if you’re eligible for an insulation or heat pump grant with Warmer Kiwi Homes to get your house sorted in time for winter.

Building inspections are crucial – can you trust them?

How to protect your home from flooding

Garden maintenance

Home improvements: The healthy homes standards five years on

See all building & renovation

Garden & outdoor

6 tips to keep your spa pool safe from Legionella bacteria

Learn how to keep your spa pool or hot tub safe from dangerous Legionella bacteria.

Hardest and easiest to use lawn mowers

Best and worst portable BBQs

Potting mix and compost: How to keep safe from dangerous bacteria

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a lawn mower

See all garden & outdoor

5 ways a pellet burner is better than a wood burner

Pellet fires are easier to use, they don’t require manual labour, and pellets produce less smoke than wood. Learn why you should consider installing one.

3 heaters to avoid – and 2 cheap heaters we love

Best and worst ways to heat your home on the cheap

3 air purifiers to avoid

Recall urged for Daikin air conditioning system

See all heating, cooling & air

Home energy

Best and worst ways to heat your home on the cheap

We calculate the cost for different methods of heating based on the latest fuel cost data, and also look at renewable and non-renewable forms of energy.

30+ ways to make your home more energy efficient

How much power do your appliances use?

Powershop customers question higher bill estimates after new app launch

How to save money on your hot water bill without risking your health

See all home energy

Household essentials

The 3 places in your home that Legionella bacteria may be lurking

Discover where Legionella bacteria can lurk in your home, the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, and how to reduce your risk.

Why you need to consider the support policy when buying a security camera

3 marketing tricks to ignore when buying batteries

How to clean your windows

Yeah, Nah Awards: Pams sticky plasters that don’t really stick

See all household essentials

Kitchen

The most and least reliable fridges in NZ

Find out what the most reliable fridge-freezer brand in New Zealand is.

How long will food last in the fridge once it is opened?

Kitchen appliance brand Smeg is coming back

Your wins: Nespresso subscription payment problem

3 dishwashers to avoid – and an affordable one we love

See all kitchen

Laundry & cleaning

Front loader vs top loader washing machines: Which is better?

Trying to choose between a front loader and top loader washing machine? We compare cleaning performance, water use, running costs, reliability and convenience.

Why we love vented clothes dryers and which ones are best

Best auto-dosing washing machines in NZ (and the detergents to use)

Best and worst cheap clothes dryers

Washing machine safety regulations tightened to avoid child deaths

See all laundry & cleaning

Vacuums & floorcare

Is the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum cleaner worth buying?

Find out if Dyson’s first robot vacuum cleaner sold in New Zealand is any good.

Is the Kmart robot vacuum cleaner any good?

Will a third-party vacuum cleaner bag kill your vacuum?

Is this the best hybrid mopping robot vacuum: Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Track S?

11 products to make summer even better

See all vacuums & floorcare