End-of-financial-year sales are just around the corner, and while it’s worth taking advantage of the deals, some products should be avoided at all costs.

Consumer group Choice has released its annual list of products that consumers should steer clear of this sale season, based on the “Expert Rating” they were given by judges.

“The end of financial year sales can be a great time to nab a bargain if there’s something you’ve been meaning to buy, but it’s important to do your research to make sure you don’t end up with a dud product,” Choice editorial director Mark Serrels said.

Say no to top loaders

Choice has a few washing machines they suggest people avoid this EOFY, but it’s not just because they are top loaders.

The Westinghouse WWT8084J7WA, which is priced at $1149 and has a Choice “Expert Rating” of 59 per cent, and the Speed Queen AWNA62, which also has a rating of 59 per cent, but is priced at $3295, are on the list.

“Our experts said the Speed Queen model had very poor water efficiency, was expensive to run, and didn’t show the time remaining on your cycle,” Serrels said.

“The Westinghouse model is not very gentle on your clothes, and both machines received very poor results for their ability to remove dirt.”

Top-loader washing machines are not generally recommended by Choice.

Lowest-scoring washers in the Choice test

• Westinghouse WWT8084J7WA (Choice Expert Rating: 59 per cent; Price: $1149)
• Speed Queen AWNA62 (59 per cent; $3295)
• Fisher & Paykel WA7060G2 (60 per cent; $1099)
• Samsung WA90T6250BW (61 per cent; $849)
• Haier HWT60AA1 (61 per cent; $609).

The coffee machine and TV to avoid

Priced at $795, the TCL 65P745 is one of the cheapest TVs tested, but it is not worth the savings.

“Our experts found this TV had very ordinary picture quality and so-so sound,” Serrels said.

“If you’re looking for a big screen on a budget, there are better options around.”

Lowest-scoring TVs in the Choice test

• Bauhn (Aldi with WebOS) ATV40UHDW-0124 (Choice Expert Rating: 61 per cent; Price: $329)
• TCL 65P745 (67 per cent; $795)
• Bauhn (Aldi) ATV50UHD-1120 (67 per cent; $1899).

Serrells said manual coffee machines will generally outperform pod machines, but it will usually come down to people’s preference.

There is one Nescafe machine he suggests people pass up – the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS 9781 ($89) – as it was poorly rated.

“It’s difficult to use and doesn’t automatically stop once the coffee is poured. Instead, you have to manually stop it at the desired amount. We recommend avoiding grabbing this one in the sales,” he said.

Lowest-scoring coffee machines in Choice test

• Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS 9781 (Choice Expert Rating: 41 per cent; Price: $89)
• Breville Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus (46 per cent; $149)
• Sunbeam Café Barista EM5000 (47 per cent; $299).

This Nescafe pod machine was rated poorly by the Choice expert panel.

Stay away from the ‘Dirt Devil’ and poor-performing fridges

If you’re in the market for a new cordless vacuum cleaner, steer clear of the Dirt Devil Cordless Vacuum DSV22G2 EC223602245.

Although only $99, it has an expert rating of 50 per cent.

“Our experts warned it does a poor job of cleaning most surfaces and has difficulty picking up dirt, sand, pet hair and pebbles. We recommend giving this model the flick,” Serrels said.

Lowest-scoring stick vacs in the Choice test

• Dirt Devil Cordless Vacuum DSV22G2 EC223602245 (CHOICE Expert Rating: 50 per cent; Price: $99)
• Dyson Omni-Glide (for hard floors only) (55 per cent; $749)
• Makita 18V Mobile Vacuum Cleaner Kit DCL180 (57 per cent; $229)
• Kmart Anko Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner (59 per cent; $149)
• Kmart Anko Cordless Stick Cleaner 42923558 (63 per cent; $129).

Choice noted that fridges are often “grudge purchases”, as you never really buy a new one until your current one dies.

During the EOFY sales, beware of poor-performing fridges with big price tags.

“If you shop without researching, you could end up with a fridge that’ll cost you more in the long term in the form of big power bills and food that’s gone off too quickly,” Choice warned.

Lowest-rated fridges in the Choice test

• Haier HRF420BEC (Choice Expert Rating: 37 per cent; Price: $1199)
• Smeg FAB32RPB5AU (43 per cent; $3990)
• Haier HRF420BHC (43 per cent; $1299)
• Bosch KFN96VPEAA (43 per cent; $3099).

Tips for shopping the sales

Serrels said there have been several instances where scammers have set up fake websites that look to be that of real major retailers, all to steal people’s money and personal information.

“If you’re unsure how to spot a fake website, check to see if the URL is unusual, if the prices seem too good to be true, if there’s any important information missing, or if it has unusual payment methods,” he said.

When people make a purchase, they will sometimes be asked if they would like to buy an extended warranty.

Often they have the same or weaker protections than the already exisiting rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

If you feel pressured to purchase an extended warranty, simply ask ‘What rights will this give me beyond the consumer law?’, Serrels said.

Choice also put dryers, air fryers, dishwashers and mattresses to the test.

Here were the worst performing.

Dryers

Bosch WQG24200AU (57 per cent; $1499)
Fisher & Paykel DE7060G2 (Choice Expert Rating: 66 per cent; Price: $659)
Haier HDV70E1 (67 per cent; $799).

Air fryers

Kitchen Couture 3.4L Air Fryer 301465 (Choice Expert Rating: 66 per cent; Price: $149)
Kmart Anko 9L Twin Air Fryer AFD2906 (67 per cent; $129)
Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer BT7200 (69 per cent; $299).

Dishwashers

Omega ODW101W (Choice Expert Rating: 58 per cent; Price: $699)
Haier HDW15F2S1 (64 per cent; $899)
Fisher & Paykel DW60FC2X2 (67 per cent; $1099)
Inalto IDW604S (68 per cent; $499).

Mattresses

Art & Science Night & Day Adjustable Pillow Top (Choice Expert Rating: 60 per cent; Price: $1349)
Sealy Back Support Harmony (62 per cent; $999)
Sealy Atlanta (62 per cent; $599)
Original Mattress Factory Refresh (62 per cent; $2946).