Consumer champion Which? has identified 10 expensive products that underperformed in its independent tests. These products either failed to impress, struggled in tests, or were deemed too expensive for their features.
Among the items highlighted is the Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker, which scored 51% and was described as 'style over substance'. Which? tests found its sound to be 'flat' and its battery life 'significantly less' than the claimed 24 hours.
The JBL Live Flex 4 earbuds, priced at £180, scored 53% due to 'poor sound quality and noise cancelling' and sound leakage. Similarly, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 3202dn printer, released in 2024, scored 59% and was noted for lacking Wi-Fi connectivity and USB ports, alongside high running costs.
The Kenwood KDWD16T25 dishwasher received a 'Don't Buy' rating and a score of 45%, with Which? stating it left dishes dirty and was 'incredibly noisy'. The Gtech AirRAM Platinum cordless vacuum, scoring 54%, was found to blow dust and allergens back into the air despite having powerful suction.