Gimmicky gadget graveyards
New research[1] out today has revealed the worst household gadgets ever according to Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance.
The shower radio has come top of the list of worst gadgets, with almost half (49 per cent) of women polled agreeing this invention definitely isn't music to their ears!
41 per cent of women voted the electric candle as the second worst gadget, closely followed by the electric nail file which came in with 38 per cent of the votes.
Although they were a phenomenon back in the eighties, the soda stream also gets the thumbs down from over a third (37 per cent) of women polled.
Other unusual items which failed to impress women and are cluttering up kitchen cupboards up and down the country include pancake makers, fondue sets and electric popcorn makers.
Over half (58 per cent) of women surveyed said that recommendations from friends or family had enticed them into buying many of their most useless household gadgets and 48 per cent admitted to parting with their cash just because an item was in the sale or seemed like a great bargain at the time. Around one in 14 (seven per cent) women polled said they'd been persuaded to buy a new gadget through one of the many television shopping channels.
Shockingly, nearly one in four (23 per cent) women polled have admitted to buying a gadget that has remained in its box and never seen the light of day!
The survey also revealed some of the best household gadgets ever invented with 79 per cent of women voting the television as number one, with every girl's 'must have' - a set of hair straighteners - featuring firmly in the top ten.
Jacky Brown, spokeswoman for Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, said: "Women love following fashion and trying out new fads - especially when it comes to time-saving gadgets that can help them to tackle the daily challenge of juggling careers and family life. But many new gizmos that appear incredibly useful at purchase, just end up collecting dust and taking up cupboard space before too long.
Out of sight often means out of mind, but homeowners shouldn't forget about the dust gatherers in their homes when valuing their contents for home insurance. An unused gadget is just as much part of a contents inventory as the most relied upon appliance. You may not use it but you should still include it."
Top 20 worst household gadgets
- Shower radio
- Electric candles
- Electric nail file
- Soda Stream
- Teasmaid
- Pancake maker
- Fondue set
- Electric fluff remover
- Facial tanner
- Egg slicer
- Deep fat fryer
- Hair crimpers
- Electric popcorn maker
- Waffle iron
- Electric carving knife
- Digital photo frame
- Back scratcher
- Electric can opener
- Electric facial massager
- Mini disc player
Top 20 greatest household gadgets:
- Television
- Microwave
- Vacuum cleaner
- Hair dryer
- Kettle
- DVD player
- Hair straighteners
- Mobile phone
- Telephone
- Laptop
- Television remote control
- Digital camera
- Alarm clock
- Electric toothbrush
- Computer
- Bathroom scales
- Toaster
- Electric shower pump
- Iron
- Mp3 player
- ends -
Sheilas’ Wheels press contacts:
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@sheilaswheels.com
Notes to Editors:
(1) SWNS conducted an online research survey for esure via Onepoll which interviewed a random sample of 3000 women aged 18+ between 7th - 10th September 2009.
About Sheilas’ Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and female targeted product enhancements. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance with product enhancements including alternative accommodation (buildings and contents cover) in the event of loss of utilities in the home (terms and conditions apply), new for old cover on clothes (contents cover) and family legal protection cover which also includes assistance in finding emergency registered childminders while the insured person is attending jury service, and legal representation for a customer's child if they do not gain entry to the school of their choice (terms and conditions apply).
Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: "The weather you can never choose, but Sheilas’ Wheels is all good news!"
