Things you're holding off buying because you don't know if they're worth it

[Insidelaurashed]

I've been holding off buying a hand held steam cleaner (I have a chronic pain condition so if it helps make cleaning physically easier, great!) as I'm not sure if they're as good as the Tiktok reviews I keep seeing say they are. I thought Mumsnet would be good to ask as everyone is very honest on here, and then I thought maybe a thread where we post the thing we're unsure of so others can say yeah actually that's decent, buy it-or not-might be a good idea?

Anyone using a steam cleaner, are they decent? Anyone else got things they're unsure if they're worth the cost that they'd like an opinion on?

I don't have a slow cooker or airfryer, can't decide if I would just be duplicating the oven. Any info welcome.

For dry brittle hair you need moisture rather than protein or bond builders. They don't need to be really expensive, try "It's a 10" miracle hair mask or check out Abbey Yung on YouTube or insta for specific recommendations for your hair type/price range.

I can't think of anything at the moment!!

However I do have:
-steam cleaner (old Vac one that you can use as an upright or as a handheld). V handy for cleaning things and keeping floors in good nick.
-robovac (got Eufy ones with spin mops). Floors are cleaned everyday (sometimes twice a day). They're fab.
-Kindle - I love mine and wouldn't want to be without it.
-heated airer (dribuddy thing). Bloody brilliant. Cheaper than tumble drier and it heats the room up too.
-Ebike - makes me feel like I'm 18 again (I don't die going uphill)!! The thing that worries me is leaving it chained up. I'm scared of it getting nicked (it is insured and I have v good chains etc for it). I'd use it for the commute to work, but no safe place at work for me to chain it up.

I used to have a water flosser and it was crap. Heavy, and really messy to use. Normal floss and interdental brushes I found much better.

Assuming you have a suitable skin colour (I think it doesn't work on some) it's been such a great investment for me. No bikini line bumps on holidays, no ingrown hairs. I hardly ever have to shave now which saves a tonne of time in the shower. No regrets.

Yes, the Lumea works on all kinds of body hair. It's a real game changer!

Look on Amazon for reconditioned kindles. I got a paperwhite for £40 and it’s immaculate and works perfectly. Also comes with a warranty.

An LED face mask. My menopausal skin is a mess!!

@Insidelaurashed I have a steam cleaner that's designed for cookers , grout , fiddly things and while it is ok its heavy to hold with one hand and not really that great. I won't replace it if it breaks.

@hollyblueivy robot vac- absolutely, mine is only a basic eufy 11s but I'd replace it ASAP if he died. I've had it about 6 years and other than first cost and new brushes snd filters about once a year he's cost me nothing but saved me loads of time.

Head phones , yep , I have 2 noise cancelling, 1 set of earbuds ( all soundcore , highly recomend ) and a sleep head band .

Clothes I can't help you with.

I’ve got a sleep headphone band, it’s great, covers my eyes and ears and stays put.

I use the Kindle app on my phone. It has rendered my Kindle obsolete.

Yep, me too-it's going dusty in a drawer! My phone is always with me, it's lit so I can read in bed, the screen is clear and big enough to read on-it's a game changer.

Mine would botox in my hairline and forehead where the sweat glands are because I have a condition where I can't monitor my body's temperature and the slightest exhertion makes me sweat profusely to the point it drips off me just walking down the street or round a shop. I have it all over my body, but my forehead, scalp and face are the worst parts for me because I can't hide them with black clothing like everywhere else.

It's at least 200 per area of the body. It doesn't work for everyone and it doesn't last forever. It needs redoing between 3 to 6 months if it does work for you, depending how long it lasts. It's also not available on the NHS here so would have to be done privately at a clinic. It's also v painful so I've heard cos they have to do iodine and look for the sweat glands to jab them and if there's a lot apparently it can be even more money.

Not for me, I never use my actual kindle now phone batteries are so much better. People say easier on the eye with a kindle but makes no difference to me and I don't have any concerns about screen light close to bedtime, I sleep like a log even though I use my phone at bedtime routinely.

I've had a Kindle for many years now. I don't use it very much as I get headaches staring at it too long and I prefer the feel of a physical book. I had no problem borrowing library ebooks while on the Kindle and could also borrow magazines and newspapers online for free from the library.
I am curious about how useful airfryers are. Some people seem to love them while other people I know hardly ever use them. Do they require a lot of regular cleaning?

We got a cheap air fryer when cooker electrics were gone - and have been very surprised how much we use it - especially if there is only one of two or us. Basiclly does cripsy things well and takes less time than the oven.

Had slow cooker for years - never been wowed by it - though have recently found a recipy for whole chicken that's good. DH before marraige use to cook a stew then reheat for most of the week - mainly use it to make stock from bones.

I hate my sleep earphone headband (snoozeband), blue light might not disturb my sleep but the feel of the snoozeband certainly does, I always end up pulling it off as I drift off to sleep because the feel of it is annoying

Long (back bra strap length) fine strands but a lot of it so quite thick in that and wavy/curly with a lot of frizz. Think Hagrid from Harry Potter!

Just been to the hairdresser this morning and she was impressed at the condition my hair is in. I got the dryer for Christmas and wouldn’t have bought it myself but that anti frizz attachment is just amazing. Especially with a little product on to help smoothing like a hair oil. I use a Kerastase one but can’t remember the name. It’s a gold colour bottle!

@OperationalSupport

I would like to know if the electric scrubbing brushes for bathrooms are any good? Especially the long handle ones. I live in a hard water area and have a shower cubicle and I hate having to get in there to clean it

They're...okay. I find with the long handle that I can't get enough 'purchase' on it, and when I turn it on it sends both me and the brush bouncing along the wall😂The short brushes are better because you can lean your weight onto it a bit more to get a good scrub.

I have a Dyson hairdryer and i can honestly say it's one if the few items i own that truly makes my everyday life that little bit better. I have thick hair though and wash it most days.

Debating a steam cleaner but use the kindle everyday!

I LOVE my steam mop - it’s the Vileda one with a triangular mop head. Heats up within 30 seconds, easy to use, no cleaning products needed.

I don't know about other makes, but this one comes with (washable at 90 degrees) microfibre cloths which velcro onto the mop head. So the dirt stays in the cloth!

Always very satisfying to see how much it lifts after a proper run over the hard floors.

Surprised that so many people find them useless!

Thank you! I live on my own, and I'm always trying to fill the oven when I'm cooking, as it feels wasteful to have the oven on when it's half empty! And the soup maker - well I've been reasoning I have a big pan and a stick blender, but I like the idea of it all being 'done' without me having to intervene at all. Off to look online now ...!

I had the very first generation robot cleaner back in the day and it wasn’t very good, but I have been thinking more and more about getting a modern one that includes hard floor washing. I’m concerned it will be too complicated to set up though. I am prone to back pain so think this could be a good buy. Do I just carry it upstairs (like a small pet 😁). It seems better than lugging a full hoover up and downstairs.

I have a Lumie. I was very sceptical, but it actually does work. These days, I wake up naturally feeling fairly refreshed instead of dragging myself out of bed and feeling groggy all morning like I used to.

Infrared sauna blanket. I want one but they are quite pricey. If anyone has got one can you let me know if it’s worth it!

Personally yes, I had a kindle fire and would get distracted by notifications or decide I wanted to do something else and look at another app and would get irritated by the lack of apps I wanted on the kindle fire ui or the limitations of what their was.

Same with the app on my phone, I get distracted by the urge to check an app, or doom scroll or see the notifications.

The better idea is the ereader without bells and whistles so you can read without distractions and get emersed in books like we used to without the constant distractions, personally.