AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini can quickly recommend tech products, but Which? has investigated whether these suggestions offer the best value for money. The consumer champion asked ChatGPT to recommend affordable tech across six categories and compared these with results from its independent lab tests.
For smartphones, ChatGPT's recommendations ranged from under £200 to almost £500. While some picks were popular, Which? experts noted that rigorous tests suggested better options and identified drawbacks such as grainy photos or a face-unlock feature that could be fooled in some recommended models.
Regarding TVs, ChatGPT's suggestions were criticised by Which? experts for providing little detail on actual performance, instead focusing on features lifted from manufacturer websites. Independent tests uncovered disappointing results among some of the AI's recommendations.
For laptops, ChatGPT's top pick, the Asus Vivobook Go 15, was flagged for lacking specific version details. Which? experts warned that without more guidance, consumers could buy a laptop with underpowered processors and limited storage, despite having the same name as a potentially better configuration.