If you know a frozen drinks fan then the perfect Christmas gift just dropped for you to snap up: the Ninja Slushi Insulated Bubble Cup with Lid & Straw (£19.99 via Ninja).

The popularity of the Slushi, which is now available in a myriad of pastel colours, shows no sign of slowing down and with entertaining season now well and truly upon us it's no surprise that Ninja has dreamed up the perfect accessories to go with it.

I'll admit that before I tried the Slushi I thought it was more of a gimmick than a must-buy but if you love to host, you'll love this party-ready appliance and these new cups solve my biggest gripe with it – the drinks melting too fast as you're hosting. Plus, if you pick up the Slushi right now for £249.99 via Ninja, you get a pair of cups thrown in.

This affordable Slushi accessory is already a hit with Ninja's loyal followers with nearly all of the colours of the Bubble Cup already selling out. Whilst the Purple, Yellow, Sea Glass and Bright blue shades are no longer available, you can still (for now!) snap it up in Grey, Black and Denim Blue.

Each of the Bubble Cups features an insulated cup and a domed lid with a straw. All of the parts are dishwasher safe (as well as many parts of the Slushi) which is good news for easy cleaning up.

This collectible accessory range matches Ninja's new Slushi colours too. Whilst most of the limited edition shades are sold out via Ninja's website, there are a few other retailers where you can snap up a colourful machine. I've listed the colours still left and where you can buy them below.

With a month of entertaining ahead, it's well and truly Slushi season now!

I love Anthropologie – after all, who doesn’t? Pretty much everything in the brand’s homeware offering is so stylish and pretty, including the beautiful lamps and light fixtures. The one downside? Their pieces tend to also be pretty spenny – that’s why I’m so excited for Anthropologie’s lighting Black Friday sale.

Anthropologie is one of the best places to buy lighting around. But truth be told, given the high-end pricing of the lamps, I would personally only ever buy them on offer as my budget doesn’t allow me to indulge in them at full price.

So since the brand’s offering Black Friday deals on the majority of its lighting collection ranging from 25% to 40% off all the way up to midnight on Tuesday 2nd December, these are the living room and bedroom lighting ideas I’m currently eyeing up.

I’ll figure out where to find the space for an extra lamp later…

Top Anthropologie Black Friday lighting picks

Which one do you have your eye on? Even though the sale is running until Tuesday the 2nd, if you’re thinking of investing in one of these pretty lamps, don’t wait around – as great products with good Black Friday deals don't tend to hang around for long. Better snap it up now.

Cast your mind back just a few years to 2022 and one product was at the top of everyone's wishlist on Black Friday: the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer.

The big problem was, however, that it sold out pretty much everywhere (I would know, I ran a live blog on where you could actually find it in stock for months) which meant prices on it rarely ever dropped from over the £200 mark.

If you resisted the allure of this über-bestselling air fryer at the time then maybe you were wiser than all of us, because a) it's now under £100 via Argos and b) it's still one of the top-rated picks I've ever tested.

How this deal is still in stock I'm not sure, but what I do know is that this pick of the best Ninja air fryers isn't going anywhere in air fryer rankings lists. Here's why.

This air fryer was released in 2020 but we got our mitts on it to test in 2021 with our 5-star review following in 2022. So you could say we were a trendsetter when it comes to the popularity of this particular product.

The things we loved about it during our review process still ring true now: it's got enough space to feed a family, it has the power packed in needed to shave huge amounts of cooking time off your favourite foods and it's fairly stylish (as far as air fryers go).

So, if this air fryer is so great, why has there been such a huge price shift on it? Well, Ninja never stops innovating their star products which meant the OG Foodi Dual Zone was quickly followed by the FlexDrawer, DoubleStack and Crispi – each of which has a very distinct USP.

That led to less demand for the two-drawer Foodi air fryer, meaning the price on it has drastically dropped over the years. But that's not to say the quality of it has dropped off – I reckon it's still the best dual zone air fryer out there.

In fact, at least three of our editors have this air fryer in their kitchens and use it almost daily.

As far as deals go, this is definitely the standout price I've seen this Black Friday – on a product I can guarantee is worth your cash. Seems that this product is one that only gets better with age! But if you're after another, these air fryers are also on sale right now.

One of the best ways to stay warm in winter is by snuggling up under a heated blanket, and I’ve just spotted the most luxurious one yet at The White Company. The Super Soft Faux Fur Heated Blanket is currently on sale for £120, but you’ll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on one, as it has already sold out in one colourway.

When the temperatures drop, investing in one of the best heated blankets and throws is a sure way to keep yourself warm during winter. Cheap to run, these game-changing winter warmers heat the human, not the home, helping take the strain off your heating bills. They are also known to help with pain relief from sore muscles and joint stiffness.

The White Company’s Super Soft Faux Fur Heated Blanket will not only keep you warm, but looks incredible, too, making it an excellent Christmas gift or present to yourself this winter. Here’s why I think it’s worth investing in.

This season, faux fur has been everywhere as more and more of us have been embracing Cosymaxxing at home. And in an effort to make my living room feel more cosy, distracting me from the freezing temperatures outside, I’ve been on the hunt for the best faux fur throw for my sofa.

Which is why I can’t believe I’ve only just learned that The White Company sells a heated blanket. Where has this luxury been all my life? The Super Soft Faux Fur Heated Blanket is a White Company bestseller, and it’s easy to see why.

The blanket is made from recycled fibres for a super-soft faux fur feel and look, while the underside is made from faux suede, which again adds to the softness. It features a detachable heat control with six different temperatures, so you can choose a heat that feels most comfortable. It’s also machine washable, making upkeep easy, too.

The blanket warms up quickly, reaching your desired temperature in just five minutes. Plus, it has an automatic switch-off timer, so you can relax with peace of mind. It’s also pretty big - measuring W130cm x L160cm, making it large enough for two to snuggle up underneath. The blanket also arrives in a drawstring bag to make storage easier over the summer months.

In general, electric blankets are cheap to run, costing around 4p per hour to run on average (based on a 150W blanket). The White Company’s blanket is 85W, so it is even cheaper to run than average.

At £150, this blanket is a more pricey option. However, right now, with the code ‘WHITE20’, you can save £30, with the blanket currently costing £120. It is still an expensive blanket; however, it is cheap to run, very highly reviewed and looks incredibly luxurious, making it a worthy investment in my opinion. The blanket has hundreds of positive reviews from customers as well.

‘Expensive but so far worth the investment. Very cosy and luxurious. I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while and finally treated myself. Had to be done with the 20% off code,’ said one.

‘This is the softest, most luxurious throw I have ever owned, and that’s before you turn the heat on. It is pure luxury and worth every penny. If you can invest in this beautiful throw, you will not regret it,’ said another.

Alternatively, I’ve tracked down a few more highly-rated heated blankets at cheaper price points. However, I do think the White Company heated blanket is a worthy investment or gift if you can afford it.

I’ve raced to purchase the White Company heated blanket. But given that one colourway has already sold out, I really don’t think it will be on the shelves for long. So if you want one, run, don’t walk.

Black Friday deals have been lingering in the background for the past few weeks, but if you’ve waited until the big day to pull the trigger on Shark’s bestselling cordless stick vacuum, I’m sorry to say that it’s already completely sold out at Shark. But don’t worry, I’ve found a secret stash of the Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Pet Pro, reduced from £479.99 to just £241.41 on Amazon.

Topping the charts as one of the best Shark vacuum cleaners you can buy, it doesn’t surprise me that the Shark Stratos has already been so popular. As Ideal Home’s Vacuum Expert, I’ve seen it sell out during every sale event for the past few years, as everyone knows that this vacuum is the ultimate all-rounder for homes of all sizes and cleaning requirements.

Plus, who can resist a 50% discount?! But if you want to ensure you bag this bargain for yourself this Black Friday, I’d seriously consider snapping it up. After all, it’s impossible to know what Amazon’s stock levels are like until the last few are remaining - and with even more shopping set to happen across the weekend and through to Cyber Monday, I predict they’ll be gone soon enough.

The Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum IZ420UKT (to give it its full, and very complicated, name) certainly isn’t the brand’s newest vacuum. But the one thing everyone should know before buying a Shark vacuum cleaner is that newer doesn’t always mean better.

In fact, the Shark Stratos has topped our best cordless vacuum guide for the past couple of years because it’s just THAT good. And its main selling point is that it comes with two batteries, so you can get up to 120 minutes of running time.

It also offers Shark’s best-ever hair pickup power thanks to the impressive Anti Hair Wrap Plus technology, which not only uses its powerful suction to remove embedded hair from carpets and rugs, but also removes it from the brush roll, so you don’t have to. This makes it perfect for pet owners and long-haired humans alike.

During our testing of this bestselling vacuum, it was this pickup power that seriously impressed us. But more than that, we loved how the pickup power was adjustable. That’s because the intelligent Clean Sense IQ technology automatically senses dirt and debris that are invisible to the eye and adjusts the cleaning power accordingly, ensuring that floors are left sparkling.

I could talk about the Shark Stratos until the cows come home, but I’m conscious that the last remaining stock at Amazon could be selling out as I type. So, let me quickly tell you that this cordless vacuum also comes with a flexible wand to reach underneath furniture, it folds down for easy storage, comes with four attachments, and Anti-Odour Cartridges that release a delicious scent as you vacuum.

And if you’re worried about taking the plunge, you can rest easy knowing that the Shark Stratos also comes with a 5-year guarantee when you register with Shark directly, and a 2-year warranty for the batteries.

But as this Shark vacuum has already sold out on the Shark website, I really wouldn’t wait around any longer.

Alternative Black Friday vacuum cleaner deals

Run, don't walk to snap up the remaining stock of this epic Black Friday vacuum deal!

Unless you've been living off-grid for the past month, you've probably noticed that Black Friday discounts are in full swing.

It feels like every retailer under the sun is shouting about Black Friday deals at the moment, and that's probably because... they are.

However, as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I keep an eye on where to buy bedding all year long, and I know that at many of the big brand retailers, this year's Black Friday discounts aren't *actually* that much cheaper than discounts offered throughout the rest of the year.

That's why I'm bypassing the big brand names this year. Instead, I'll be shopping the Black Friday sales at these three under-the-radar independents, where the Black Friday deals really *are* the real deal. Here's my little black book of bedding brands you may not have heard of... yet.

Piglet in Bed

Thanks to its beautiful linen bedding in an array of muted colourways, Piglet in Bed is the bedding brand loved by every interior stylist in the business. Plus, there are the gingham fitted sheets and striped pillowcases to mention.

However, its bedding is usually well beyond my budget, and the brand doesn't discount that often. That's why the current 25% off EVERYTHING at Piglet in Bed is a very welcome treat. I've even found some hidden gems that have up to 40% off.

Woolroom

Having tested every type of duvet filling under the sun for Ideal Home's best duvet guide, I'm fully converted to wool bedding. As a hot sleeper, it's the best duvet filling for me thanks to its fantastic temperature regulation and breathability. It really does keep me cosy in winter and cool in the summer.

I currently use the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Duvet in a medium weight on my bed year-round. But I love it so much that whilst Woolroom is offering 35% off its bedding this Black Friday, I'm considering investing in a summer and depths-of-winter version too.

Bed Threads

Bed Threads is another independent retailer I discovered this year, and although its linen bedding is definitely an investment, I love its clever mix-and-match bedding bundle builder, and its one-of-a-kind colourways.

I currently have the Lagoon Blue linen bedding set on my bed, but I've been weighing up whether to invest in another colourway (or two), and Bed Threads' 20% off Black Friday discounts are definitely the time to do it. There's also 35% off bedding bundles.

And more...

And whilst I should probably (read, definitely) stop there with my Black Friday spending, these three Black Friday sales are also taking up real estate in my mind.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Every home has its own unique smell, and while you should have no problem smelling other people’s houses, the chances are that you don’t know what your own house smells like. In fact, experts say that we’re all guilty of being ‘nose-blind,’ and our homes could be a lot stinkier than we think.

There are so many ways to make a home smell good, but often these candles, diffusers, and air fresheners are short-lived, and their scents diminish over time. What’s worse is that we can also become nose-blind to these scents, not noticing that other odours - such as smelly shoes or dampness - can overwhelm them before too long.

Your guests will notice, though, and if you want to make sure your home smells amazing in the run-up to hosting season, I’ve asked the experts how to cure your nose blindness and make your home smell fresher than ever.

Why we become nose blind in our homes

When you spend so much time in one space, your senses become comfortable with your surroundings. And that’s why Katie Jones, Founder of UK home fragrance brand Hunter and Walker says we become nose blind to our homes.

She says, ‘I spend a lot of time understanding how scent behaves in real homes. One thing I notice often is how quickly people become used to the scent of their own space, while visitors tend to pick up on it immediately. It’s something that surprises people, but it’s completely normal and comes down to how our senses adapt.’

‘We stop noticing the scent of our own homes far more often than we realise. When you’re in the same space every day, your brain filters out familiar smells, so you don’t always notice what guests pick up straight away,’ she adds.

Because of this, it’s important to pay more attention to the things that could be making your home smell without realising it. And oftentimes, bad odours are a result of our own habits - or lack of them.

How to prevent bad odours and make your home smell amazing

1. Clean more than you’d think (especially in winter)

I may be biased as Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor, but I think it’s so important to maintain a regular cleaning regime - and I tend to favour short, daily cleaning tasks over big, weekly cleans. That’s because everything from blocked sinks to dirty bathrooms and even dusty living spaces can result in bad odours if left for a few days.

This is especially true in the winter months, when homes are more likely to be damp, which is why having one of the best vacuum cleaners to hand at all times is essential. Monika Puccio, Interiors Expert at Sofa Club, explains, ‘Dust, fibres and pet hair that gather in sofas and rugs can hold onto moisture.’

In turn, this can lead to mould and mildew, which can make a home smell damp and musty and will only get worse if left unaddressed. It’s also a good idea to use something like this Scrub Daddy Damp Duster, £3 at Amazon, to get into the smaller nooks and crannies of your home. And if you already have mould, this HG Mould Spray (£4.66 at Amazon) works wonders to remove it.

However, not all vacuum cleaners are created equal, so if you want to cure your nose blindness and keep your home as clean and odour-free as possible, you need to choose your vacuum cleaner wisely. I’ve popped my top choice below.

2. Use odour-busting tools

It’s often impossible to avoid bringing smells into your house, especially with smelly clothes and shoes. But you can prevent them from permeating throughout your space and making your house smell as a whole, and there are so many odour-busting tools to do that.

My favourite comes in the form of the best air purifiers. Most people don’t realise that, when you buy the right type and use it in the correct way, air purifiers can remove smells from a home. Daikin’s residential property manager, Hamid Salimi, explains, ‘Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can help eliminate unpleasant odours, such as cigarette smoke, cooking smells and household chemicals or pet odours.’

To get the best results and avoid nose blindness that makes your home smell, place the air purifier as close to the area of concern as possible, then move it around the home as you see fit. But there are other products and tools you can use around the home to banish these odours before they take over your home’s smell.

These Boot Bananas Original Shoe Deodorisers, £14.99 at Amazon, are bestsellers on Amazon and ideal for ponging shoes, and this Neutradol Slow Release Gel, Air Freshener and Odour Eliminator (£6.44 at Amazon) comes very highly reviewed as it doesn’t just mask odours - it works to break down and neutralise them.

3. Switch up your fragrances

Many people like to give their homes a signature scent and rely on the same candles and room sprays to keep them smelling nice. And while these offer a delicious short-term waft of fragrance, the reality is that they don’t all work to cure your nose blindness and can even make it worse.

And while there’s nothing wrong with sticking to one scent if it’s something you really love and will refresh it regularly, fragrance expert Katie says that we should be switching up our fragrances to combat nose blindness once and for all.

‘A simple way around it is to switch up your fragrances every so often and use something with a bright top note to break through any lingering background scent. Even a quick burst of fresh air, followed by a scent that carries well, can reset a room in minutes.’

What to shop

It’s a well-known fact that sofas aren’t cheap. Which is exactly why it’s so beneficial to choose the time you invest in a new one wisely and strategically as many sofa and furniture brands offer sales during certain times of year – but when is the best time to buy a sofa then?

As a Room Decor Editor, I look at and write about some of the best sofas day in day out. So I see the fluctuating sofa prices first hand. So why not take advantage of price drops and big sale events like Black Friday? That way you can get your favourite sofa for a little less and save yourself some money.

It should be said that the key to getting the right sofa for you at the best price possible is to go into these sale events prepared – know exactly what sofa style, size, configuration and fabric you’re after, stick to it and look for the best price on that particular sofa.

‘Sofas are a long-term investment, so it’s important not to be swayed by a tempting discount alone,’ says Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery at DFS. ‘Before sales season hits, take time to consider exactly what you’re looking for – from size, material and colour to preferred shapes and styling details. Having a clear checklist means that when major sales events like Black Friday or the winter promotions arrive, you can act quickly and confidently, securing a sofa you truly love for less.’

Black Friday and Cyber Week sales

Even though today is technically Black Friday, Black Friday deals have been dropping all week long – and some early Black Friday offers could be spotted from mid November. And there are some great sofa deals available at the moment as we find ourselves in the midst of one of the best times to invest in a new sofa.

‘There are definitely better times of year to buy a sofa, both in terms of price and product availability,’ says Keiran Hewkin, Swyft founder and CEO. ‘Black Friday is a great moment because you’ll often see the biggest range of styles included in the sale, so you’re more likely to get the exact model and fabric you want at a saving.’

Best Cyber Week sofa deals

Boxing Day to January

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a new sofa this Black Friday, you will have another opportunity quite soon in the Boxing Day sales right after Christmas which tend to stretch into January sales – also sometimes referred to as the winter sale or start of the year sale.

‘The Boxing Day and January sales are another strong window. It’s when people naturally refresh their homes, so retailers prepare by offering attractive promotions. The benefit here is that many core pieces, like best-selling models or fabrics, are usually back in stock after the Christmas rush,’ Keiran at Swyft says.

End of summer

A lot of sale events take place just before the seasons are about to turn as retailers generally - not just when it comes to sofas - aim to sell old stock and make space for the new collection for next season. That’s why the end of summer is another prime time to be shopping for sofas.

‘The end of summer is an underrated time to buy. People start thinking ahead to cosy season, so it’s a great moment to upgrade your living room. You’ll often find good deals, and importantly, quicker delivery lead times before the peak autumn rush,’ Keiran at Swyft says.

But at the end of the day, since a sofa is such an investment piece, it’s important to know exactly what you want, even if you’re taking advantage of discounted prices. So if you’re still not sure by the time a big sale event comes around, don’t make any hasty decisions and don't give in to the pressure.

‘Your sofa is the centrepiece around which you will build your scheme, so it pays to invest time in finding the perfect match,’ concludes Julia Bilotta, creative stylist at Sofology.

Are you thinking of investing in a new sofa this Black Friday or in the coming sales?

Every good cook knows the value of having a decent cast iron casserole cooking pot in your cookware lineup. This two piece set from Salter is very reasonably priced, so-much-so that I’m wondering if it’s too good to be true, with both dishes setting you back just £59.99 thanks to Black Friday deals this weekend.

Some premium branded cast iron cookware can set you back hundreds of pounds. Arguably it’s a worthwhile investment, because unlike some other pots and pans, cast iron cookware will usually last a lifetime. But Salter appears to be offering the same look and functionality at a fraction of the price, so I’m all ears.

I tried this set at home, using both pieces multiple times. And, spoiler alert, I was really impressed. If you’re looking for cast iron cookware that doesn’t break the bank, read on to see what I cooked in this set and why I think it’s a great buy.

In a nutshell

The set includes a 30cm wide shallow 2.8 litre capacity pot and a taller 3.4 litre pot with a smaller 24cm diameter. These enamel coated cast iron pots come with lids that have little bumps on the underside to promote self-basting.

I reviewed the cream set, but it also comes in a dark green colour, or you could buy each of the two pots individually. But of course, it’s more cost effective if you buy them together in the set. They’re suitable for all hob types, as well as oven cooking, but they’re not dishwasher safe.

I enjoyed using this set, they performed exactly as I hoped, whilst also looking good enough to use as serving dishes, and being easy to clean. Despite the pale cream colour, not even a curry, or blackberries stained the inside of the pot.

On the whole, I was impressed that for under £80 (RRP) Salter has delivered a set of two cast iron pots that are up to the job of slow cooking, sauteeing, and simmering all of your favourite dinners. If you ask me, it’s a bargain.

Who tested this set?

Product specs

• Materials: enamel coated cast iron
• Metal utensil safe? yes
• Dishwasher safe? no
• Pan Diameters: 24cm and 30cm
• Warranty: lifetime guarantee
• RRP: £79.99

Unboxing and first impressions

The two casserole dishes arrived together in one large, heavy box. I was pleased that all the packaging was paper or cardboard, not a hint of plastic or polystyrene. Once I’d removed them from their individual boxes, I was impressed with the quality.

At first glance, they look and feel far more premium than the price tag might suggest. They appear every bit as sturdy and well made as the more expensive, premium brands.

I already own two very similar size and shape casserole dishes and one thing I immediately noticed was that the wide, shallow dish has much more substantial handles than my current one. I can comfortably get my hands in the handles, which makes for easier lifting.

The handles aren’t quite as generous on the taller pot, but they’re perfectly functional. Both pots look nice enough to use as serving dishes, so you can take meals from oven to table and save on the washing up.

They’re heavy, and will be pretty weighty when full of food. But, that’s just the way it goes with cast iron cookware, you can’t escape the fact that this style of cookware requires a bit of muscle. Having said that, it’s also one of the reasons you should buy it, the thick cast iron will hold on to heat, so it’s perfect for slow cooked dishes that benefit from a few hours of low, slow heat.

Cooking in the 2.8 litre pot

Veggie lentil bolognese

As previously mentioned, I already own a wide, shallow cast iron pot, and I frequently use it to cook my veggie lentil bolognese. So naturally, I had to make this staple meal in the Salter pot to see if it was up to the job.

To start, I sauteed onions over a medium heat, before adding diced mushrooms, followed by peppers and garlic. The vegetables softened nicely without any sticking. You do get some browning on the enamel, but that’s all flavour that gets de-glazed as soon as any liquid is added.

After I’d added tinned tomatoes and lentils, I left it to simmer for the best part of an hour on a medium heat. It cooked perfectly, but it’s also nice to know that if I needed to pop out, the oven safe pan could be transferred to the oven for a low, slow cook instead.

Unlike other styles of cookware, the handles on both the pot and the lid get hot during cooking. Plus these pots are heavy when full, so you do need to take care when moving from the hob to the table.

Nachos

The wide, shallow design of this cooking pot lends itself really nicely to grilling up some tasty nachos. It’s the perfect size for a big bag of tortilla chips. I topped them with cheese and jalapenos then put it under a hot grill to melt the cheese.

Once grilled to perfection and taken to the table, the pot stayed warm and kept the nachos warm while we loaded it up with extra toppings like salsa and guacamole. You just have to take care when reaching in for a handful of nachos in case the rim of the pot is still very hot from the grill.

Pasta bake

I’ve got a new obsession with making a healthier version of pasta bake. I swap out pasta for butter beans and chickpeas, don’t worry though, I still load it up with cheese on top.

For this bake, I sauteed vegetables in the pot and added a spicy mexican style paste for a bit of a twist. Then I added my butter beans, chickpeas, sweetcorn, and tinned tomatoes. I topped it all with a generous helping of cheese, which included cheddar, feta, and mozzarella.

It went in the oven at 200C for around 30 minutes until the cheese was golden. I love the fact that I can saute the vegetables on the hob, oven cook the bake, and take it to the table all in one pot. It’s great for minimal mess, low fuss dinners.

Cooking in the 3.4 litre cooking pot

Three bean chilli

For my first use of this pot, I made a three bean chilli. I started on the hob, sauteeing onions, carrot and peppers. Then once these were softened I added all my spices, followed by my tins of beans and tomatoes.

Once everything was in the pot, I popped the lid on and moved to a preheated oven set to 120C and left it to bubble away for four hours. I checked it two or three times during its stint in the oven, giving it a bit of a stir and adding extra seasonings, but on the whole I left it to slow cook.

At the end of the four hours it had reduced to a thick, rich bean chilli. It was packed with flavour and the sauce was the perfect thickness.

A fair amount of liquid had escaped, which was fine by me as that’s what made it thicker and richer. But, it does show that the lid isn’t a very tight seal, so it won’t suit every recipe, especially the ones where you’re looking to lock in moisture.

Slow cooked chicken madras

Next up, I made a slow cooked chicken madras curry. My approach was similar to the chilli, I sauteed ingredients on the hob and once everything was added to the pot, I put the lid on and popped it in the oven.

My oven was set to 140C and I left the curry to cook for three hours, stirring it a couple of times. At the end, the sauce was thickened, rich, and deeply flavourful, and the chicken was soft and tender. The curry had a much richer flavour than if I’d only simmered it on the hob for a short while.

For both the curry and the chilli, I filled the pot quite full and was able to make enough for six portions. This capacity makes it a great size for most households.

Sourdough loaf

Lots of people who bake bread at home do so inside a cast iron pot, it helps lock in steam for the first half of the bake, then removing the lid allows the crust to brown and crisp up during the second half. I baked a loaf of sourdough in the taller pot to see if it was up to the task.

My loaf cooked nicely, with a good rise and a crisp crumb. The only caveat being that the pot is on the smaller side, so my loaf only just fit in, and ended up squishing to a rounder shape than normal. It’s totally fine though, if you’re happy with a round shape and you’re not trying to make an extra large loaf.

I should also say that I cooked the bread at 240C for the first 20 minutes, which is the upper temperature limit recommended for this pot. And as expected, it coped well with this very hot oven temperature, with no visible impact on the pot, lid, or the enamel.

Fruit compote

At the time of writing it’s late autumn and I’ve been gifted a glut of homegrown apples and blackberries so I’m trying to use them up before they spoil. One of the things I made was a simple sugar free apple and blackberry compote to have for breakfast with oats and yogurt.

This involved adding blackberries, peeled, diced bramley apple, and a splash of water to the pot then simmering until all the fruit was soft and delicious. It cooked well without any sticking and once cooked, I left the mixture to cool for a few hours while I went out for the morning.

I was intrigued to see whether this vibrant fruity mixture would stain the pot, especially as I’d left it sitting for several hours. But after I’d spooned it all out into a tupperware and washed the pot, it looked as good as new.

What's it like to clean?

Despite not being dishwasher safe, cleaning these casserole pots was quick and easy. Nothing that I cooked left a mark or discolouration on the cream enamel. After every use, both pots came clean easily with just hot soapy water, no scrubbing required.

The only thing that required a bit of effort was manhandling these heavy pots in the sink, but that’s par for the course with this style of cast iron cookware. Though it’s also worth noting that you should take care with enamelled cast iron, while it is usually very sturdy, you can chip the enamel if you bash it about too much.

What's it like to store?

It’s worth having a bit of a think about where you’ll store the casserole set. There’s no getting around the fact that these are heavy and bulky pots. However, they’re nice enough to have out on show, if you have open shelving.

You could sit the smaller pot inside the larger one, if you use a pan protector in between to avoid scratching it. But that’ll still leave the larger lid to be stored separately.

How does the set compare?

One of the best known cast iron cookware brands is Le Creuset. You’ll pay more for this leading brand (though there's a great deal on 2-piece set from QVC right now for £175) but on the plus side, it’s dishwasher safe. What’s more, it comes in a plethora of colours and sizes, so you can choose a colour to suit your kitchen as well as the perfect size for your household or favourite recipes.

If you like the idea of a set, but space is at a premium, the Staub La Cocotte 3-Piece Cast Iron Pot Set (available at Borough Kitchen for £379) is a clever space-saving stacking set. It’s pricey, especially in comparison to the two piece Salter set, but for the money you get three different size pots that nestle into each other and still manage to look good on the kitchen counter.

Should you buy the Salter Chester Cast Iron Casserole Set?

Based on the price as well as the performance, I think this set is a great buy. If you’re new to cast iron cookware and want to try it out without committing hundreds of pounds to a premium brand, this is a fantastic entry-level set that should see you through for many years.

The combination of the two different size and shaped pots offers plenty of versatility in terms of what you can cook in this set. The pots were easy to clean and produced excellent meals, I can’t really think of a reason not to buy them.

I would wager that December is the month that those of us who own sofa beds get the most use out of them, and if you're planning on hosting guests this Christmas season, there's one Black Friday deal you *need* on your radar.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've tested dozens of the best sofa beds on the market, and the one thing I can say for sure is that 99.9% of them require a good mattress topper to help your guests sleep comfortably.

Luckily, Black Friday has just delivered a bargain on one of the best mattress toppers I've tested, the Panda Topper, which is now reduced to £74 at Very.

Not only is this one of the best mattress toppers we've put through Ideal Home's testing process, but it also has over 6000 5-star reviews on Very's own website, with happy owners singing its merits as the saviour of an overly-firm sleep surface.

'Great product. Really comfortable. Much improved sleeping experience,' sums up one 5-star review. 'Really pleased and would recommend.' 'Absolutely brilliant,' says another happy owner. 'Makes a sofa feel like a bed.'

'My husband and I first experienced a Panda topper staying with a relative,' shares another 5-star reviewer. 'We had the best night’s sleep ever and came home to order one for ourselves.'

Why is this topper so good? Well, firstly, it's made from memory foam, which adds a layer of 5cm cushioning to any sleep surface it's laid over. As sofa beds can be notoriously firm affairs, this is exactly what hips and shoulder joints need for a more comfortable night's sleep.

Secondly, this isn't just your standard memory foam, which can be prone to trapping heat and causing a hot and sweaty sleep. Instead, this is Panda's 'HydroFoam', which is infused with cooling micro gel capsules designed to combat the natural heat retention of memory foam.

As one 5-star reviewer explains, 'We bought a really great mattress, but the caveat is that it’s really hot. The night we put this topper on was INSTANT relief. My bed is a little squishier for it as well, and it’s lovely and cosy, but also I’m not boiling at nighttime anymore. I LOVE this topper.'

That's why we rate this as one of the best cooling mattress toppers you can buy.

Third, unlike many mattress toppers, the Panda Topper comes in a wide range of sizes. Sofa beds rarely have the same sleeping area as a standard mattress, so this variety of size options means you're far more likely to find a size that fits your sofa bed neatly.

And lastly, compared to most mattress toppers on the market, this topper is great value, even at full price, but Black Friday deals have just made it an even better buy.

If you own a sofa bed and you don't own a mattress topper, I would certainly be snapping up the Panda Topper at Very today. I've checked prices of the Panda Topper at Argos, and multiple other retailers, and, as of writing, Very seems to have the best deal on the smaller sizes. ALTHOUGH, Argos does have the lower prices for the larger king and super king sizes.

It's also worth noting that if you buy the Panda Topper direct from Panda, you can take advantage of the brand's 30-night sleep trial to test out if it's right for you before you commit to keeping it, and there's still a decent 15% off discount.

And, of course, this isn't the only mattress topper that has some great Black Friday deals available. I've included three more alternatives below.

Shop alternatives

If you have been in the market to add a bean-to-cup coffee machine to your kitchen, but have been unable to justify the price tag, consider this your lucky day, as Argos is selling the Breville Barista Max Espresso Coffee Machine for £264.

The best bean-to-cup coffee machines usually come with a price tag upwards of £400. The RRP of the Breville Barista Max Espresso Coffee Machine is usually £449, but it is generally on sale for £300 at Argos, which is already a great price. But this year is the first time I've seen the price drop below £300, making it one of the best value machines on the market right now.

Now, don't let the low price make you question the quality, as Breville make some of the best coffee machines in the UK. It's also the same coffee machine that I've been using in my kitchen for the last five years.

My brew of choice is a cow's milk latte, and this Breville coffee machine has been a part of my morning ritual for the last five years as I've perfected my latte art. It has the look of a more expensive coffee machine (many people have mistaken it for a Sage coffee machine) and works a treat, too. It even has the seal of approval from my best friend's partner, who is a professional barista and tasked with coffee duty every time they're round for breakfast.

It has its downsides; the grinder can be a little messy, and the coffee quality is a little unreliable because it doesn't have an auto coffee ground dosing feature or a temperature sensor for steaming the milk. Essentially, don't expect your first (or second) coffee to be great; it's going to take a bit of practice.

However, after testing a new, more expensive coffee machine in my home over the last few months, I've found this to be the downside of most bean-to-cup machines. Unless you're able to afford an expensive, fully automatic coffee machine like the Ninja Luxe Café, you are going to have to practice a little to get cafe-worthy results.

At this point, I'm sure you're still wondering what the catch is, why it's so much cheaper. The simple reason is that it's an older model. It's been replaced by several newer models that look slicker, more modern and include more automated features to make it easier to brew up a great cup of coffee.

But if you're happy to forgo the automated aspects, you will not get better than this coffee machine at this price point.

Alternatives

As Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor, the best part of my job is testing new and exciting cleaning products and tools. And while my postman definitely doesn’t enjoy the number of parcels that arrive on my doorstep every month, I love taking these cleaning innovations for a spin around my dedicated testing facility (aka my house!)

And while I have a soft spot for bigger cleaning tools like the best vacuum cleaners and the top-rated steam cleaners, I’m always on the lookout for newness to add to my list of the best cleaning products, too. These are the smaller - and much cheaper - everyday products we all need to use to leave kitchens, bathrooms, floors and everything in between sparkling and germ-free.

This month, I’ve had the pleasure of testing tonnes of new products, from multi-surface cleaners to stain removers, condensation-busting tools and even laundry scent boosters. After testing them all, I’ve whittled them down to the 12 products I think are really worth adding to your cleaning caddies. The best part? All of them are under £12 - and most are under £5!

My favourite cleaning products November 2025

Honorable mentions

The next few products aren't under £12, but they still seriously impressed me this month - and I still think they're well worth the investment (especially as some are on sale for Black Friday).

So, there you have it! Those are my picks this month as Ideal Home's Cleaning Editor. Will you be trying any of these cheap cleaning products?

As Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor, I like to think that I know what I’m talking about when it comes to cleaning. I write about it day in and day out, and I also have the pleasure of testing all kinds of cleaning products and tools in my home. But my home wouldn’t be nearly as clean as it is without one trusty appliance: a steam cleaner.

In my opinion, too many people are sleeping on the best steam cleaners and mops, and too few people are taking advantage of the impressive and non-toxic cleaning power of this cleaning tool. There are so many ways to use a steam cleaner around the house, and I genuinely credit it for all of the compliments I get about my clean home.

The good news? Many of the steam cleaners and mops that myself and the rest of the Ideal Home team swear by are now discounted for Black Friday - which means there’s never been a better time to pick up a bargain (and make your home cleaner than ever!)

Personally, I use two steam cleaners in my house - I have the Vileda Steam Mop Plus (was £74.99, now £59.99 at Amazon), which I use to steam clean my carpets and leave my hard flooring sparkling.

Then, I have the Minky Opti-Clean Steam Cleaner (£119.99 at Amazon) that I use for all of my handheld jobs, like cleaning my curtains, refreshing my mattress, cleaning my bathroom, and restoring the grout in my tiles to its former glory.

And while I prefer having two different models for two different purposes, it is possible to find one model that offers it all in one, including the Steam Fresh Total Home Steam Cleaner. This is a steam mop that also comes with a range of attachments for smaller tasks. Plus, it’s been reduced from £159 to £84 in the Very Black Friday sale.

What I love most about steam cleaning is that you don’t need to get on your hands and knees and scrub. It’s a natural cleaning hack that requires very little effort; you simply aim the steam towards your target, and it blasts away dirt, grime, grease and more.

It also does so without the need for any chemical cleaners, too, as the high pressure and temperature of steam will kill up to 99.9% of household germs and bacteria, which is especially important during the colder months when seasonal germs and allergies are making the rounds.

This is echoed by Lisa O’Hanlon, interior expert at The Shutter Store, who explains, ‘Steam cleaning is an underrated method for keeping allergens at bay and maintaining a clean home overall. This chemical-free technique uses high-temperature steam to kill bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens. Chemical products can cause extra irritation for those with allergies, so steam cleaning is a great alternative.’

It’s this non-toxic, bacteria-busting ability that makes steam cleaners and mops ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms, and I’m not the only one who loves the versatility of a steam cleaner. Our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, also can’t get enough of her BISSELL SteamShot Handheld Steam Cleaner (now £39.99 at Amazon) and uses it constantly in these rooms.

In fact, she had the whole team shocked when she showed us the before and after pictures of deep cleaning her oven with a steam cleaner, and she isn’t shy about how much she loves it.

She told me, ‘My steam cleaner has become a staple in my cleaning caddy. I use to clean all of the nooks and crannies that are typically hard to reach or scrub, like between tiles, around my taps and plugholes, and even in my toilet. It gets to work in seconds, and leaves everything shining.’

However, it’s important to note that steam cleaning isn’t the solution to everything. There are certain things you should never clean with a steam cleaner, as the high temperature and moisture could prove damaging. But if you use it on the right things, I guarantee that you won’t need half of the cleaning products and tools you’d normally buy!

And with so many steam cleaners and mops on offer for Black Friday right now, I’d suggest snapping one up while they’re at this bargain price.

My top steam cleaner picks this Black Friday

So, don't sleep on steam cleaners!

If you've ever wondered why your houseplants look a little droopy in winter or worry you've over-watered your monstera, it's your lucky day, as there's an app and gadget for that. Enter the Willow starter pack, RRP £36.99, exclusively at Willow.

I care deeply about my indoor jungle and try to keep everything alive as best I can, but sometimes houseplant care can feel a lot like guesswork (if, like me, you don't quite know everything there is to know about each plant). Which is why I bought into Willow's very clever tech without hesitation.

Here's why it should be on every plant lover's gift wishlist and would make an ideal last-minute gift idea.

So how does Willow work? Well, the brand is a British plant-care startup bringing data-driven precision to the world of houseplants. I am using it to track a Monstera that needed a little bit more care since moving from another room.

Its clever, slimline sensor slots into the soil and tracks things like moisture, light, temperature and humidity, which then sends live readings to a Wi-Fi connected hub and the companion app.

This app gives you real-time alerts like ('your monstera is thristy'), trend charts and a plant happiness score that tells you exactly how well your home environment is suiting your beloved greenery. It's the sort of tech I can get behind.

Once paired and placed in the pot, the low sensor takes moisture readings every 15 minutes and light readings every minute, building a surprisingly accurate profile of a plant's day-to-day needs.

It's especially timely as we all head into winter, which is a tricky season for houseplants, thanks to darker days, central heating dryness and fluctuating temperatures.

The app's alerts take the guesswork out of watering and positioning, making it easier to keep your plants alive and thriving, so you'll look like the perfect plant parent.

The Hub can support up to 40 sensors, making it a smart starter gift for someone building out their own outdoor jungle. The starter pack includes a smart sensor, WiFi hub, USB power cable and a pre-installed battery.

This will get you started, with the idea that you can invest in more later for a fully connected plant network. Or if you struggle to care for a particularly fussy specimen, the starter pack is all you'll need to keep an eye on it.

Whether it's for the plant-obsessed friend, a new homeowner or someone who kills every plant they own, I think it's the sort of present that's thoughtful, techy and genuinely useful.

Shop these alternative plant gadgets

After giving it a whirl myself, I know I'll be investing in one for my mum.

It's an easy win for anyone looking for something actually helpful, as well as a bit different.

Last year, Nigella Lawson's 'list of Christmas presents for the food focussed' gave me so much inspiration for shopping ahead of the festive period. Now, my favourite recommendation from that series, Nigella's Judge Small Electric Rice Cooker, is reduced just in time for payday, dropping from £34.99 to £23.60 via Amazon.

A rice cooker may seem like a strange choice for a Christmas gift, but as Nigella says via her Instagram post, this is a 'supremely useful and reward-yielding' buy that your recipient will actually use all year round. After I gifted one to my sister last Christmas, it easily became her most used appliance in the kitchen.

Here's why this particular Judge rice cooker (which is one of the best rice cookers around) is such a steal if you're looking for a present for your foodie friend or family member.

As Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, I find myself recommending cooking gadgets all the time (even when I'm not on the clock!) but a lot of them prove too fussy or too expensive to be adopted by my family friends.

The humble rice cooker, however, is the exception. Even those in my family who shun air fryers and fancy coffee machines have climbed onboard the rice cooker train, mainly because they're so easy to use. My rice cooker of choice is the Lakeland Digital Rice Cooker (£44.99 at Lakeland) which takes just two buttons to operate and yields perfectly fluffy rice every time.

Nigella's choice of rice cooker is much smaller than mine, with a 300ml capacity, but this compact size makes it much more gift-able. As Nigella says in her post, it's an ideal pick for 'someone who lives alone or in a couple' as well as students or those getting into cooking for the first time.

This particular Judge cooker certainly proved a hit on Nigella's Instagram last year, with many commenters remarking that they took up the chef and cookbook writer's recommendation both for themselves and for their nearest and dearest.

I'm an avid Nigella fan – so much so that I asked for her most loved cookbooks, including How to be a Domestic Goddess (available at Amazon), for my birthday this year – so I'm really hoping she revives her gift series again on Instagram this year. If you're feeling inspired to pick up a rice cooker for a perfectly practical present, here are some of our other favourites here at Ideal Home.

Could you get onboard with this slightly eccentric gift idea?

Retro appliance maker Smeg have just launched a coffee machine I've never seen before; an espresso machine and cold brew maker in one appliance (for £499.96 via Smeg).

After a week of tests, I've found it a brilliant espresso machine with lots to recommend it. However, I'm not sure the cold brew function works as advertised.

In a nutshell

Cold brew is on the rise in Britain. Rather than forcing pressured water through coffee grounds, this method of brewing coffee steeps cold water in coffee grounds for hours. The idea is that this gentler process produces sweeter, less acidic coffee that's gentler on your stomach.

The drawback with cold brew is that it can take up to a day to brew, and dedicated cold brew cafetières can take up a lot of room in a fridge.

Smeg aims to remove these issues with the new Smeg Cold Brew Espresso Coffee Machine, which can make both espresso and cold brew.

But Smeg appliance always come with a high price tag. A £500 espresso machine had better be worth it, so I put this machine to the test for a week to see how it fares in a real home.

I've found that this machine makes genuinely good espresso, and it has one of the best steam wands I've every used, and it's perfect for making cappuccinos.

However, that cold brew function isn't really cold brew. It's a glorified iced coffee function, and while it's fine for hot summers day, there are much better iced coffee makers out there for a fraction of the price.

Smeg Cold Brew Espresso Coffee Machine product specs

• Type: Espresso
• Water tank capacity: 1.4 litres
• Bean hopper: 275g
• Pressure: 15 bar
• Dimensions: H 36.4cm x W 20ccm x D 29.5cm
• RRP: £499.96

Unboxing and first impressions

This is a fairly straightforward espresso machine. It has a steam wand and comes with a tamp, filters for single and double shots of espresso, two more filters for cold brew, and a portafilter. It also includes a a brush.

There is a space on top of the machine to hold some espresso cups and keep them warm for coffee, and the drip tray is removeable, which hides some handy storage for the filters and brush.

However, here I found the first issue with setup. There's a QR code to help you set up the machine but I couldn't get this to work; the code is printed in light grey against against a dark grey background, so I couldn't get it to scan, which was a little frustating.

You have to wash all the parts, which is quick, though they aren't dishwasher safe.

After that, you must flush the machine through five times, but this was very straightforward and fast, as was flushing through the wand. It's fast to heat, too.

What is it like to use?

This machine is easy to use, so it's a good choice if you want to make homemade espresso but you're new to the process. You switch it on at the side, then the three buttons pulse white to let you know it's heating up. Once it's at temperature, the buttons glow solid white. All you need to do is press the desired shot quantity and it will dispense espresso.

It's a similar process for steaming milk - you just press the steam button, wait for it to hit temperature, then pull down the lever for steam. The water tank holds 1.4l, so I found that you rarely need to top it up.

I love the sturdy portafilter but the most striking thing is the tamper. It's a solid lump of steel weighing in at 445g (15.7oz), so it's easy to get a perfect puck of coffee. The only potential issue here is that I noticed that the portafilter handle is at a slight angle, not 90 degrees, which makes for a slightly angled puck. If you don't use a WDT tool to distribute the coffee evenly you can end up with two mismatched shots of espresso.

An incredibly minor problem with ease of use is the 50s-style pressure gauge on the front of the machine. It's useful but it doesn’t show pressure in bars, just ‘espresso’, so if you want to dial in the pressure you’re out of luck. However, only truly obsessive coffee drinkers will miss this - most domestic coffee machines don't include this information.

Espresso

I mentioned above that the portafilter makes for a slightly angled puck, and this showed in my first espresso test.

My first time using this machine, I used it as a beginner might, loading up the portafilter, tamping it, then pulling a shot. However, the slight angle on the ground coffee led to two mismatched shots, because it extracted a lot more on one side than onto the other. The coffee was good, but there was a good shot of coffee on the left with a smooth, rich taste, and a poor shot on the right, which was watery and a little bitter.

However, I found that using a WDT tool like this from Amazon solves this problem. For the uninitiated, a WDT tool is just some needles attached to a handle. You stir it through ground coffee to whisk it up and break up any clumps, which makes it easier to tamp.

After using a WDT too, I hugely improved the quality of the espresso. It was thick and rich with a good crema. It was quiet too, maxing out at 56.6db and averaging 52.4db.

In short, if you're a beginner, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve with this. Pros, however, might find it a little basic.

Cold brew

The USP of this particular machine is that unlike other espresso machines, this can make cold brew. Smeg marketing says that the company has 'worked closely with coffee consultants to develop a faster, easier method' for cold brew that takes the waiting out of cold brew.

However, I was sceptical. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee in a fridge for hours, so I was a little mistrustful of a machine which says it can make cold brew in a matter of minutes. Cold brew also takes a different ratio of coffee to water (1:8) to espresso (1:2).

To find out, I selected the cold brew menu by tapping the switch menu button on top of the machine and then brewing a double shot of cold brew.

It's a mildly annoying process. Bursts of coffee come out with a squeal every 20 seconds or so. It's not too loud - around 50 db - but it's an annoying, repetitive noise. It's not one to have in the background while you're on work calls, my partner found it annoying while she tried to work, and it isn't the nicest way to wake up in the morning.

It takes a while, too. Of course, the four and a half minutes is much faster than the usual hours it takes to steep traditional cold brew, but it's fairly long by coffee machine standards. The manual says to dispense it over ice but it takes so long that a decent amount of ice has melted.

That long process is made more frustrating by the yield. One of the good things about cold brew is that you can make it big batches to dilute later, but this only makes 100ml of 'cold brew', which is fairly inefficient.

Process aside, it makes good coffee, but it's a little bitter. It's pretty good black but it definitely tastes much better with some caramel syrup and milk, which is how I imagine most people would drink it.

In the end, this is good iced coffee, but purists won't think of it as cold brew. The ratio is slightly off - it took 16g of coffee for around 100ml of cold brew, so it's a 4:25 ratio rather than the usual 1:8. On a hot summer's day you probably won't care about the difference, but purists might not like that it isn't really cold brew.

Cappuccino

However, the steam wand is excellent. It makes a really good indulgent microfoam that’s feels fluffy and indulgent without ever becoming cloying or thick. The steamed milk is good too, smooth and velvety. Topped with some cinnamon, I could make an incredibly nice cappuccino.

It is, of course, a lot of faff compared to an all in one machine like the Smeg BCC13BLMUK bean-to-cup machine. You need to pull your shot, add it to the mug, steam the milk, pour the steam milk into the cup, then add the milk foam on top. However, this is part of the fun, and if you know what you're doing, it doesn't take that long.

The wand can move 360 degrees, which is helpful, and it’s easy to keep clean with a damp cloth.

The only slight issue I found with the steam wand is that it’s easy to flip the steam wand back too far to dispense water instead of steam, which would ruin your cappuccino.

What's it like to clean?

Cleaning this machine is simple but frequent. Everything can be hand washed in minutes, and you can keep the finish clean with a damp cloth or some mild detergent spray.

However, you have to do this fairly often to keep it look its best. The stainless steel finish is a magnet for finger prints and marks, and it drips between uses, so I found I was wiping the drip tray clean almost every time I used it.

I also found that it discharges excess steam into a reservoir in the drip tray, which is prone to leaking. This means you have to clean out the storage underneath the machine to keep everything hygienic. It's hardly a difficult task, but other machines don't have this issue.

How does it compare to similar models?

The problem with this Smeg machine - as with most Smeg machines - is that it's way overpriced. The espresso from this machine is great, but it's not a huge step up from cheaper machines. You can make essentially the same coffee in a Casabrews 3700 (£110.99 via Amazon) for at least £350 less, depending on sales, or the Sage Bambino, which is a little more attractive than the Casabrews for a little extra money as per our review. Sure, you don't have the Smeg build quality, but you save a lot. If it's just retro style you're after, you can hundreds by buying something like the Swan Retro Espresso Coffee Machine.

It doesn't have to be compared to competitors, either; the functionality is basically the same as the Smeg espresso machine, which is usually around £200 cheaper. If you wanted to spend more, you could get Smeg's Espresso Coffee Machine with Grinder, which unsurprisingly has a coffee grinder for fresh beans.

All this means that you're essential paying £200 for an extra cold brew function that really just makes iced coffee. It's pretty good iced coffee, but probably not worth another £200. If you bought a standard Smeg espresso machine you could make basically the same iced coffee by pouring the shot over ice and topping it up with cold water.

In short, the 'cold brew' function is a cool idea, but it doesn't taste much different to iced coffee. It's up to you if you think it's worth £200 extra over a Smeg standard espresso machine.

Should you buy this coffee machine?

I think this could be a great coffee maker for anyone who isn't that fussed about coffee. I don't mean that as an insult - if you want good coffee at home that's a step above a pod machine this is all you need - you can make pretty great espresso at the touch of a button. You don't need to know how to faff around with grind size or extraction or the specific gravity of different kinds of milk. This makes good coffee without much fuss.

I think it's could be worth buying for the style. You can't beat Smeg for retro 50s glam, and if you want to compete a set of Smeg appliances with a coffee maker, this could be the one.

However, coffee obsessives should definitely look elsewhere, because it's a fairly limited machine for the price. There are cheaper machines that can make better coffee.

Cold brew lovers also may be disappointed. If you've made the shift to cold brew for taste preference or because it's easier on your stomach) you're far better off with a dedicated cold brew machine like the Toddy Cold Brew System (£59.99 via Amazon).

About this review, and the reviewer

Alex has tested coffee machines for years at a variety of publications, including Ideal Home's sister publication Homes & Gardens. Not only does he drink coffee every day, but he has tried dozens of appliances to help you find the very best.

Argos' bestselling sofa bed has just been reduced to only £99 in the brand's Black Friday sale.

Yep, the Argos Home Patsy Fabric 2 Seater ClicClac Sofa Bed is already a super affordable buy at the best of times, with a normal retail price of £189. But as of today, that price has been dropped to just £99.

And the even better news? You can still get it delivered in time to host Christmas guests.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've been keeping an eye on prices of the best sofa beds all month, and this is definitely the best Black Friday deal I've seen. In fact, it's the best sofa bed deal I've seen all year.

Now, I haven't been able to test the Patsy sofa bed in person, and admittedly, it does look a little basic compared to more expensive options. But one thing I know about Argos shoppers is that they're nothing if not brutally honest with their review feedback.

So the fact that this sofa bed has over 800 reviews, and more than 600 of those are 5-stars and nearly 800 are 4-star or above, convinces me this sofa bed is a worthwhile investment.

In general, this sofa bed is praised by owners for its comfort, sturdy build, and great value for money.

'This is a very solid, sturdy, comfortable couch,' says one 5-star reviewer, 'and it's a very comfy bed as well. Worth the money, wish I had room for another, they are amazing.'

'Really easy to put together, stylish and very comfortable,' shares another happy owner. 'Would recommend this to anyone who needs an occasional spare bed.'

'Cheap but surprisingly good,' sums up another 5-star reviewer. In fact, 'better than expected' seems to be the overall verdict on the Patsy sofa bed, which is great news for anyone in need of an affordable hosting solution before Christmas.

On the downside, owners do note that in bed form it's smaller than a small double bed, so although it can seat two in sofa form, this sofa bed can only sleep one guest comfortably at a time. Argos states that the sleeping area measures 108 x 179cm, whilst a standard small double bed measures 120 x 190cm, and a single bed measures 90 x 190cm.

Owners of the Patsy sofa bed also mention that it can feel firm and requires a mattress topper when used as a bed.

However, in my experience, this is par for the course with most sofa beds, especially ones of this price point, and it's nothing one of the best mattress toppers on the market can't solve. I recommend adding the memory foam Panda Topper for added cushioning.

I certainly think that at £99, this sofa bed is a fantastic buy, and there's a choice of either the Patsy Sofa Bed in Charcoal Fabric or the Patsy Sofa Bed in Faux Leather to opt for at this reduced price.

Alternatively, the Patsy Sofa Bed in Rust or the Patsy Sofa Bed in Green are still budget-friendly buys at their normal £189 price tag.

I've rounded up some of my tried-and-tested alternatives below, but as you'll see, there's nothing that can compete with this Argos Black Friday bargain price-wise!

Shop alternatives

I needn't introduce these viral rechargeable bobbin lamps - you've likely already seen them all over your Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, in anywhere from bedrooms to home offices and kitchens. Addison Ross launched their colourful lacquered bobbin lamps earlier this year and it's safe to say the Ideal Home team has been obsessed ever since.

Almost every editor on our team has bought one of these bobbin lamps in different shades to suit our individual tastes. And now that their Black Friday sale has started, I'm planning on buying a few as Christmas gifts.

With 20% off with the code 'BF20', the bobbin lamps go down to £100 from £125. Still a splurge, but if you're looking for a special Christmas gift for a loved one, or want to treat yourself to a pretty but ever so practical pressie, it's the time to hit buy.

Addison Ross has been famed for their bobbin salt and pepper mills for years, helping to continue to popularise the bobbin trend in an array of shades to suit any kitchen colour scheme. Their rechargeable bobbin lamps were the perfect addition to their collection, and make the ultimate addition to any room.

I own the burgundy bobbin lamp, which most commonly sits on my dressing table to illuminate my getting-ready station in the evenings and early mornings. However, as the lamps are rechargeable, I also often bring mine downstairs to add ambience to the kitchen while cooking or to act as a centrepiece on the dinner table when hosting. It's the most versatile piece of homeware I own, and always get plenty of attention from guests.

It's no secret that Addison Ross' bobbin lamps are more of a splurge, but their Black Friday sale is the perfect chance to save a little bit of money. With 20% off, taking them down to £100, it makes it slightly more justifiable to spend on a special gift for a loved one or for yourself.

They're also perfect for a Christmas tablescape - I would centre the burgundy or dark green lamps on a table for a warm glow that lasts all night (the battery lasts for approx 10 hours). Ambient lighting and a stylish design that adds a playful touch to your home decor, what's not to love?

Shop Addison Ross bobbin lamps

Choosing a colour will be the hardest task, but a lamp poses the opportunity to try out a bolder tone that you might not commit to elsewhere in your home. You might be surprised at how versatile an 'out-there' colour choice ends up being.

There's a new air fryer design on the market, one which which offers not one or two, but three different cooking zones and a whopping 13.6L of cooking space. It even offers 9 different cooking programmes.

There aren't many people out there who don't own one of the best air fryers now, but in case you need any convincing, it's a great investment if you hate waiting for your oven to preheat, and if you want to speed things up. Some air fryers, like this one from Cuisinart, also double as a toaster, a grill, a dehydrater and more — so there's heaps of versatility there.

This innovative Cuisinart air fryer (which is reduced for Black Friday down to just £123.49 via Amazon) ticks all our boxes, and it even has a cooking tray for pizzas, cookies and more. It's ideal for families, as you can use it to cook 3 things at one time, and the best part? All accessories are dishwasher safe. With all of the added bells and whistles — viewing lights, a shake food reminder — it's super intuitive, and it has definitely earned a spot on my kitchen countertop. Here's what I've used it to cook...

In a nutshell

If you've got the countertop space, the Cuisinart AirTwin XXL Dual-Zone Air Fryer is a total game-changer, whether you're a budding chef or you'll be using it for fish fingers and frozen chips. Design-wise, it offers 3 drawers for cooking, two glass viewing windows and a light.

One drawer sits at the bottom of the unit and is a tray, which is perfect for cooking things like pizza, cookies, toast and more. All parts of it are dishwasher-safe, too, even the drawers. It boasts a shake reminder, as well as a 60-minute timer.

What about cooking? It offers 6 functions, from air fry to roast, grill, bake, dehydrate and max crisp for its baskets. Then, there are a further 3 cooking programmes to choose from for its tray. Its touchscreen controls are intuitive, and I didn't even have to refer to the manual. Better yet, it alerts you to shake your food halfway through cooking, plus it preheats while your food is in the baskets.

There are some things I didn't like about this air fryer, but they weren't enough to put me off keeping it in my kitchen. It does make a loud humming noise while it's cooling down after cooking. I do think this is smart, because it ensures that you switch it off at the socket for safety. Also, when you open one of the drawers, all of them automatically pause, which can be a little annoying.

Product specs

• Type: Tri-zone
• Dimensions: ‎D42.2cm x W39.9cm x H40.4cm
• Cooking area: W16.5cm x L23cm x H 12cm (baskets)
• Weight: 13.6kg
• Maximum temperature: 230°C
• Cooking modes: 6
• Power: 2400W
• Size: 13.6L
• Colour: Steel & Black or Black
• Material: Metal, Plastic (PFAS-free)

Who tested this air fryer?

Unboxing

This air fryer arrived in a very large box that was quite heavy, and inside that box was another box. In this box was the air fryer, all its parts and the manual. The packaging was, admittedly, excessive — each accessory was inside a plastic foam bag, which is recyclable, but depending on your local authority.

These definitely could have been packaged inside a cardboard sleeve, in my opinion. Otherwise, all of the drawers were taped shut, and there were lots of stickers to remove on the main unit, which was inside a plastic bag. The cord was wrapped in a bag, too.

My first impressions were overall positive. It is large, but it offers a lot of cooking space, hence its size. The bottom basket is undeniably handy, especially for cooking pizza, and it just feels high-quality.

It did have a subtle chemical odour, so it suggests cleaning all accessories and baskets before first use, in soapy water. I did just that, and then dried them all and put them back in the machine. I did struggle to fit the bottom tray back, as it felt and looked like I was putting it in wrong — the manual was pretty useless, so I looked at photos online to see what I was doing wrong. Luckily, I found an unboxing video on the Cuisinart website, and I realised that the crumb tray sits underneath the heating element.

Otherwise, the manual doesn't say that you have to use this air fryer before the first use, so it's ready to go once it has been washed and dried.

You'll also find information in the manual explaining where to safely put your air fryer in your kitchen. BTW, these are the worst places to put your air fryer, which could potentially be a fire hazard.

Testing

I used this air fryer to cook various foods, fresh and frozen. I loved that it has 3 different compartments, so I can cook several meals at one time. It's very easy to work — I didn't even need to refer to the manual.

The maximum temperature for this air fryer is 230°C. The maximum time limit you can set is 1 hour, or on the dehydrate setting, it's 12 hours.

There are 6 preset programmes available for the two smaller cooking baskets. These are:

Air Fry
Roast
Grill
Bake
Dehydrate
Re-Crisp (or Max Crisp)

For the cooking tray, there are 3 options:

Toast
Pizza
Manual

Chips
I first tested this air fryer with frozen chips. They cooked so fast and so well — they were lightly browned and crispy. They did take a little longer to cook than the packet instructions recommended; however, after around 15 minutes in the air fryer, they were perfectly cooked.

I also made homemade chips — chopped potatoes, olive oil, salt — and cooked them for 18 minutes at 180°C. After 18 minutes, the chips were perfectly cooked. Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside and slightly browned.

Bacon
We usually test the ability of an air fryer by cooking bacon. I managed to fit three rashers in each basket, so I could cook 6 at one time over the two baskets.

I cooked this bacon according to the packet instructions, and it was definitely cooked when the timer alerted. I also appreciated the shake reminder to alert me to flip the rashers.

Once they were cooked, I wanted them just a little more crispy, so I turned the setting to Max Crisp for a few minutes, and the result was perfect.

Other foods
I used this air fryer in place of my other model, which is four tiers. So, I also used it to cook fish fingers on several occasions, which I found cooked fast thanks to the high wattage of the air fryer.

I also cooked frozen chicken nuggets, which again cooked in good time, according to the packet instructions.

I also used it to cook sausages as well as Mediterranean vegetables. The sausages took longer to cook than their packet instructions, perhaps because I cooked 8 in one basket and they were quite chunky. Alas, the result was impressive, and both effort and cleanup were minimal. I then cooked the vegetables in the tray next to the sausages, which took around 20 minutes. The basket was quite full. I did shake them several times while cooking, and overall, they turned out evenly cooked.

Tray
I used the bottom tray and the toasting function to toast a bagel which had ham and cheese inside. The timer was set on 8 minutes, and it was perfectly cooked — melted cheese and a lightly crunchy bagel.

I used this pan for my toast, the entire time I was testing it, so I've cooked several pieces of bread in it, and every time, they've come out well-toasted. You do need to flip bread, and there isn't a shake food reminder for the bottom tray, just an FYI.

I also used this tray to cook a mini pizza, and it cooked in the time it would take in the oven, of course, without needing to wait for preheating. You could definitely fit a regular-sized pizza in here, but obviously, you can only use it to cook one pizza at a time.

Cleaning

All parts — except the main unit — of this air fryer are dishwasher-safe. Even the drawers can go in your dishwasher! I washed all parts by hand several times, and I had no issues! The same goes for dishwashing — the parts even fit in my slimline dishwasher, and I definitely wouldn't hesitate to put them in my dishwasher again.

You can wipe the exterior down with a cloth, if needed. There's also information about cleaning the interior in the manual — use a damp cloth and a mild soap solution.

How does it compare to similar models and its predecessors?

There are 6 different air fryer models to choose from at Cuisinart, with this one being the most expensive, at £199.99.

Starting with the most affordable option, the Cuisinart Compact Max Air Fryer is £99.99. It's PFAS-free, and it offers one drawer of cooking space that's 7.6L in total — that's enough for 8 portions. It has 7 programmes, while its accessories are dishwasher-safe.

Next up, the PFAS-free Cuisinart AirTwin XXL Dual-Zone Air Fryer at £149.99, which is black. With 2 baskets to feed up to 12 people, it offers 10.4L of cooking space. You can match cook these baskets, and there are 7 programmes. It's also dishwasher-safe, its baskets and trays, and it heats to 210°C, with a 60-minute auto-pause timer if you need it. This also comes in a steel and black combination, for £159.99.

The Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer is £150, and for this price tag, its capacity is admittedly small. It's only 5.7L and has just one basket, while it has just 5 cooking functions. Its basket features a handy viewing window. It's not clear whether this is PFAS-free, but its accessories are dishwasher-safe.

Should you buy the Cuisinart Tri Zone 13.6L Air Fryer & Oven?

If you're after an easy-to-use air fryer for a family, then this is a great choice. Especially if you've got the worktop space. Thanks to its 13.6L of cooking space, it could easily replace your oven, and it offers so much versatility thanks to its tray, which can double as a toaster.

Its feature range is impressive, and the shake food reminder is handy. As are the viewing windows and interior lights. There are 6 programmes for the two cooking baskets and 3 for the tray. All accessories are dishwasher-safe for convenience. I found that this air fryer cooked foods both evenly and fast, thanks to its high wattage, and it could fit an impressive amount of food in each basket — I cooked 8 sausages in one basket, at one time, and then 3 rashers of bacon in one basket, too.

If you've got the money and the countertop space, it's great. Just bear in mind that it does make a slight humming noise while in its cooling-down period, so you'll want to switch it off at the socket when not in use (which is recommended anyway). And, when you remove one of the baskets from the main unit, all others will automatically pause cooking, which can be a little frustrating.

If you're currently thinking about buying a sofa bed, then the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sofa bed could well be on your radar. This sofa bed has been one of the brand’s bestsellers for years now, and for good reason.

However, whilst its selling points can definitely give the best sofa beds on the market a run for their money, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS does have some downsides. Plus, whilst IKEA sofa beds *are* worth the investment, the brand generally doesn't offer much in terms of Black Friday deals.

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve spent the last four years visiting stores across the country putting sofa beds to the test, and in that time, I've come across three IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS alternatives that I think are well worth considering. Even better, my three alternative suggestions all have hefty Black Friday discounts this week.

Now, don't get me wrong, the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sofa bed does have a lot going for it. Firstly, you can pick up this sofa bed in store before Christmas, plus, it’s affordable (in sofa bed terms), it sleeps two, comes with a choice of three mattress types, and it comes with a removable cover that can be washed or replaced if you want to change its look.

However, in my opinion, it’s not the most stylish design. In some product imagery, IKEA shows it cleverly styled in a living room as the main living room seating, but in reality, I’m not sure that most of us would choose its fairly basic look to be the focal point of our home.

Plus, whenever I’ve tested it in store, or slept on it at a friend's house, I haven’t found it *that* comfortable. Certainly not so comfortable that I’d want to use it as my main living room seating.

Compared to other sofa beds I’ve unfurled, I also find the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS a little heavy and cumbersome to change from sitting to sleeping and back again.

And let’s not even get into the struggle of getting that cover back on the sofa singlehandedly. It may look simple to fit, but it’s most definitely a two-person job, and even then, I find it's a bit like trying to squeeze a wriggly and reluctant toddler into a winter coat.

So what are the options if you want to shop for an IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sofa bed alternative? Below are my top three recommendations.

Alternative 1: Habitat Fabric Chairbed

Now, admittedly, this £85 Habitat Fabric Chair Bed can only sit and sleep one, and it's aimed at kids, not adults. But I find the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is most commonly used in kids' bedrooms or playrooms to accommodate sleepovers, and that generally means only one sleeper at a time.

Plus, considering the price point of this Habitat chair bed, you could buy two (or even three) of these Habitat chair beds for less than the price of the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS and push them together to make a sofa. This fabric chair bed is also far simpler to transform from chair to bed, so kids can do it themselves without any risk of trapped fingers.

The downsides are that you can't wash or replace the cover, and your guests will be sleeping closer to the floor. But depending on your needs, this could be a viable (and far more affordable) alternative to the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS.

And the best part? There's currently 20% off the Habitat Fabric Chair Bed using code FURN20 at checkout as part of Habitat's Black Friday deals. Plus, order soon, and Habitat promises it will be delivered in time for Christmas.

Alternative 2: Habitat Roma Sofa Bed

A more grown-up alternative to the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is the Habitat Roma sofa bed. This is a 'click-clack' sofa bed where the backrest folds flat to form the sleeping area alongside the seat. Again, I found it much easier to transform from sofa to bed than the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS, and personally, I think it looks a lot more stylish than the IKEA option.

In terms of seat comfort, both make for acceptable occasional seating, and in bed form, both will benefit from the addition of a good mattress topper. There isn't that much in it, in terms of comfort.

The Roma is also cheaper. However, where Habitat's option does fall short is in sleeping space. The Roma comes in three size options, and the largest 'double' only offers a 121 x 190cm sleeping area compared to the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS's 140 x 188cm mattress. For reference, a regular double bed measures 135cm in width.

If you don't need to sleep two guests at a time, you can shop the Habitat Roma Sofa Bed with 20% off this Black Friday thanks to that FURN20 discount code, and if you *do* want to host two guests at a time, read on for my third LYCKSELE LÖVÅS alternative.

Alternative 3: Innovation Living Cubed Sofa Bed

Yes, this Innovation Living sofa bed is more expensive, but I found it a lot sturdier in person than IKEA's LYCKSELE LÖVÅS when I tested it in my local John Lewis store, and far easier to transform into a bed. Plus, it offers a generous 140 x 200cm sleeping area that rivals that of the 140 x 188cm LYCKSELE LÖVÅS.

That means you can easily sleep two guests at a time whilst still benefiting from the Cubed's small footprint thanks to its armless design. Tall guests will even get more leg room.

I also think the Cubed 140 looks a *lot* smarter than the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS. IKEA's option is great for a kids' room, but if you want a smart, grown-up sofa bed for a home office or spare guest bedroom, in my opinion, the Cubed looks a lot more refined.

And whilst it is definitely more of an investment than IKEA's sofa bed, if the Cubed ticks your boxes, then now is the time to shop. John Lewis' Black Friday sale is currently delivering a 20% discount on the Innovation Living Cubed 140 Sofa Bed in selected colourways.

Will you be snapping up one of these Black Friday deals instead of the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS?

The White Company isn’t one to regularly have sales. Which, of course, makes it all the more exciting when the rare occasion to shop the brand with discounts arises. This week is one of those rare opportunities, as The White Company’s White Week sale has officially started with 20% off the entire site. This is the only time of the year you can get The White Company’s bestselling Christmas range for discounted prices.

The White Week sale is The White Company’s answer to Black Friday deals – which are currently also in full swing as retailers are starting early ahead of the official Black Friday, which falls on the 28th November this year. All you need to do to take advantage of the site-wide 20% off is apply code WHITE20 at checkout, and you’re all set.

While you have until Monday 1st December (also known as Cyber Monday) to shop the sale, I wouldn't wait around as I predict many of the brand's bestsellers will be sold out by then.

As a Room Decor Editor here at Ideal Home, I look at all the Christmas collections from all the brands and retailers from the middle of summer all the way up to Christmas itself. So I know which are the best artificial Christmas trees to invest in, where to shop for Christmas decorations and more. The White Company is a brand I rate highly for classic and timeless decorations that I always recommend to friends and family.

So these are The White Company deals from its Christmas offering that I think are worth it and that should be on your radar this White Week…

Top picks

Which deals do you have your eye on this Black Friday and White Week?

It’s Black Friday madness at Ideal Home HQ, as we’re hunting down the best deals for you to browse, and I’ve just found a cracker. IKEA’s Black Friday sale is about to go live, and here you can snap up a sofa for a little as £50.

With so many sales to muddle through, finding the best Black Friday deals can feel like a full-time job (it is!). But one you should be browsing is IKEA’s Black Friday event, which goes live tomorrow (24 November).

With sofas reduced to just £50 to a sleek acacia wood dining table reduced to £29 from £129, there are huge savings to be made. This is everything you need to know.

IKEA has said this is one of their most ‘dramatic discount events ever.’ Running from Monday until 1 December, shoppers can snap up key furniture and home accessories at a bargain price - ideal for anyone looking to update their home on a budget.

The standout deal is the BACKSÄLEN 2-seater sofa in the versatile Hallarp Grey colourway, which will be reduced from £399 to just £50 - a huge reduction of 87%. It’s a simple, two-seater sofa whose neutral colourway will suit most living room colour schemes.

However, when Sara Hesikova, Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor and Certified Expert on Furniture, tested the sofa for herself, she was left unimpressed by how thin the cushions were. So while one of the best sofas, the BACKSÄLEN 2-seater sofa may not be, for £50 I still believe it is a good deal, especially for students or if you’re working to a small budget.

Instead, the IKEA sofa worth investing in is the IKEA VIMLE, which is £530 for a two-seater. It’s modular, comfortable and offers deep seating so you can kick back and relax.

Other bargain Black Friday sofas

If you're in the market for a sofa, but not a fan of the IKEA BACKSÄLEN, I've picked out six more sofa deals worth checking out this week.

The rest of the IKEA Black Friday sale

The other deal I’m excited about is the NACKANÄS Dining Table, which will be reduced by 78%, going down from £129 to just £29. In my book, snapping a dining table (that isn’t second-hand) for under £30 is practically unheard of.

Made from durable and beautiful acacia wood, this Shaker-inspired table seats two to four people comfortably. Its round shape also makes it well-suited for small dining rooms, as it can squeeze into most spaces.

Also on offer is the PORTLAKMÅLLA bed linen, which will be reduced from £20 to an incredible £3 - I’m not sure you’ll find bedding anywhere cheaper. Decked out in stylish green and white stripes, it’s certainly a bold choice, but without doubt a funky one, too. I’ve said it before, IKEA is the new Urban Outfitters, and this bedding is proof of this all bar price.

‘At IKEA UK, our goal has always been to make everyday life better for the many people. That’s why, this Black Friday, we’re excited to offer our customers meaningful savings on well-designed, quality home furnishings. Whether you’re refreshing your space for the new season or finding the perfect gift, we invite everyone to shop smarter and more affordably with IKEA this Black Friday,’ said a Spokesperson for IKEA UK.

With items such as plant pots, candle holders and storage starting at as little as 25p, IKEA is where I’m heading to grab a bargain this Black Friday. What about you?

As someone who has tried the range out, I already knew that ProCook's coffee machine range offers phenomenal value but now (thanks to early Black Friday deals) the price of their most capable espresso machine has dropped even further. So if you're on the hunt for a coffee machine deal, I'd recommend the ProCook Barista Elite Bean to Cup Espresso Machine for £479, down from £599 in a heartbeat.

ProCook's first coffee machine collection was released back in February – when I tried out the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Coffee Machine (which is the spec down from this one on offer) in my review, I was amazed to find such impressive features for the machine's pricetag.

Here's the full details of this fantastic offer which is only running until the 23rd of November.

This is the Elite model in ProCook's coffee range for a few reasons. The upgrades it has on the mid-level machine include the full colour display screen, which can walk you through the process of pulling your shot of espresso and steaming milk, and an automatic milk frother which can create the kind of microfoam you need for latte art as well as cappucinos or flat whites.

For these kind of features you would usually expect to pay a lot more than the original RRP of this machine (which is £599). By comparison for example, Sage's espresso machine featuring a touchscreen, the Sage Barista Touch Impress, will set you back £1,199.95. If you're on a budget, it's not hard to see which of these machines will be more appealing.

While I loved testing out the mid-level version of this machine, if I was picking a machine for my kitchen then I'd be swayed by the automatic milk frother settings on the Elite model.

It's by far my favourite feature on my current coffee machine, the Ninja Luxe Café and makes impressing your guests by whipping up a latte or a cappuccino (with almost no skill needed!) so easy.

Coffee machines we love on sale for Black Friday

This offer is part of a host of deals from ProCook now available ahead of Black Friday, but if you want to snap up this particular coffee machine you'll need to do so before it expires on the 23rd of November. Or if you're open to assesing your options, these are some of our other favourite bean-to-cup picks.

Happy shopping!

Back Friday is nearly upon us, and if you’re looking for the best places to shop, then Lidl definitely needs to be on your radar, boasting some of the best deals we’ve seen on kitchen appliances, dehumidifiers and more.

It can be a bit of a minefield knowing where to find the best Black Friday deals, with every brand seemingly offering discounts and sales over the course of the event. But I’m here to tell you that Lidl is one place that’s worth your browsing time if you’re looking for a bargain this year.

Going live in store on Sunday (23 November), Lidl is offering up to £600 worth of savings compared to high street alternatives on everything from the cult KitchenAid Stand Mixer to the super comfy Emma mattresses. Here’s everything you need to know.

Lidl KitchenAid deal

The first deal to jump out at me was the KitchenAid 4.3L Classic Stand Mixer in Black. It will be marked down from £448.99 to £249, which is the lowest price we’ve seen this year.

An ideal gift for bakers, or yourself, this mixer is incredibly powerful and unparalleled compared to other mixers we’ve tried. Alternatively, the KitchenAid mixer is on sale for £280 at Argos right now if you don’t have a Lidl local to you.

Lidl Black + Decker Dehumidifier deal

Another item you should consider snapping up during Black Friday is one of the best dehumidifiers. While the top models can be pricey, they are a godsend when it comes to absorbing damp and moisture and drying laundry indoors during the winter months - I’d go as far as to say every home needs one.

Landing in the Middle Aisle will be the Black & Decker 12L Smart Dehumidifier, £79.99, down from £129. The Black & Decker Smart Dehumidifier can be controlled from your phone, Alexa or Google Home and has four modes to choose from, including a dedicated laundry mode. It also allows you to select your desired humidity for optimum comfort.

Lidl Ninja cookware deal

Shoppers should also be excited to pick up discounted Ninja cookware, including a saucepan (£19.99, down from £28.99), saute pan (£29.99, down from £48.99) and a frying pan (£14.99, down from £23.99). If you want to grab a bundle, the Ninja 5-piece pan set is £93.31, down from £139.99 at Argos.

It’s no secret that we love Ninja cookware at Ideal Home, with these products frequently ranked as some of the best pans you can buy. And while Lidl don’t have the cult air fryer on sale, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer is currently £99.99 down from £199.99 at Argos - which is the cheapest we’ve EVER seen it.

Lidl Emma mattress deal

Lastly, if you planned on using Black Friday to snag one of the best mattresses, Lidl is selling the Emma Original Double Mattress for £279 and the Emma Original King Mattress for £299. Rated four stars in our review, this Emma mattress received praise for its excellent cushioning, affordability and notes it’s a great choice for side sleepers.

However, if it is a little awkward for you to pick up a mattress in store and get home, B&Q is selling the Emma Hybrid Original Roll Packed Mattress in a double for £249 (down from £299). Or, Argos is selling the Emma Original Memory Foam Mattress for £316 (down from £528).

Lidl is also selling its sell-out reformer Pilates machine for £199 and even a human pet bed as part of its deals. With so many bargains to be had, a trip to Lidl should certainly be on your Black Friday agenda.

I've been testing out the upgraded version of Ninja's sell-out espresso machine, the Luxe Café Pro Series, for about five months now and it's an understatement to say that it's become one of my household staples.

It's by far the most popular appliance in my home – not only loved by my family and I but also by guests who get to choose from a full menu of coffee shop drinks when they come over. Without a doubt it is one of the best coffee machines I've ever tried but the £150 price difference compared with the original Ninja Luxe Café machine (which I also think is a five star buy) might seem hard to justify at a first glance.

But the long and short of it is, if you have it to spend and you're choosing between the two, the upgrade is definitely worth it. Here's why.

What the Pro version does better than the original Luxe Café

1. The milk wand

If you're an Americano or espresso lover then you might not see the value in my favourite feature of the Luxe Café Pro which is the milk frother, unless you're a very generous host who would be prepared to pay the extra to impress houseguests.

The automatic milk wand on the Pro is miles better than the one on the standard version. Overall, it's much thicker which is good news for a few reasons: stronger steam power, faster heating and much easier cleaning.

Add the improved milk wand design to the impressive 5 automatic frothing presets available on the Pro series machine and you've got a readymade latte and cappuccino station waiting for you every morning when you roll out of bed. If you're looking for a coffee machine to curb your Blank Street spending habit then this milk wand is the key.

The milk jug on the Pro is also large enough to carry enough milk for frothing two drinks at once, so morning coffees for you and a partner or for entertaining is much easier to do. And with a quick wipe down of the frother with a microfibre cloth, clean up is very minimal as opposed to the sometimes hard-to-handle frother on the original machine.

2. The integrated tamper

One of my bugbears with the original Luxe Café machine was the fiddly nature of the manual tamping process. Though the tamp was stored cleverly and had a high quality design, manually applying pressure to a puck could be pretty hit and miss.

That's why the transformation of tamping with the Luxe Café Pro makes a huge difference. Rather than a manual endeavour, there's an in-built tamper operated by the pull of a lever on the left side of the machine (sometimes referred to as a one-armed bandit like on a slot machine).

This new tamping system eradicates a lot of the potential mess of the old one and makes the process of pulling your shot of espresso much faster too. It also makes the machine look much neater and sleeker on the worktop too.

3. The hot water dispenser

While the milk frother upgrades might not appeal to black coffee fans, the added hot water dispenser with the Luxe Café Pro version just might. As Brits we are of course very dependent on our kettles which led to me to initially think that a hot water spout wouldn't really add much to this machine, but I was wrong.

My partner's drink of choice is an Americano and I've found it much easier over time to use the machine for this all-in-one function over boiling my kettle separately. And if the Americanos are a little short for your liking you can also use the additional hot water button to top your drink up.

Where the original Luxe Café wins

1. The price

While both of these machines offer phenomenal value, the simple fact is that the Ninja Luxe Café is a lot more affordable. It's been subject to some fantastic deals since its release last year and with Black Friday just around the corner there's already some unbelievably good prices available on it in the run up to this Christmas, including this incredibly good value Barista Bundle at Very.

2. The colour options

There's been a real shift towards matching the look of ones kitchen appliances to the existing colour scheme of a kitchen and Ninja is doing an excellent job of offering so many options of the Luxe Café (but not the Pro version) for discerning customers who want to make that a reality.

Even better, lots of those shiny colourways of the Luxe are now on sale early for Black Friday. Here's a look at them and where you can find the best prices.

If you're looking for a quality at-home espresso machine, Ninja's really is worth saving for given the number of features packed in for the price point. For relatively kitted out machines from De'Longhi or Sage, for example, you'd be looking to pay a lot more!

Ninja's ever-popular espresso machine the Luxe Café is currently on sale as part of a bundle deal via Very for just £469, down from its RRP of £614 and (I think this is the best bit) featuring two excellent add-ons: the Ninja Sip Perfect travel mug and a coffee grounds knock box.

Of course, we're getting to the time of the year where it pays to be very suspicious of 'deal' prices, but this one is really the best price I've seen on this product yet from a reputable retailer. The Luxe Café is also my coffee machine of choice and Ideal Home's best coffee machine of all time.

So, if you've had your eye on the Luxe Café to buy as a gift, then this is why I reckon this Barista Bundle from Very is the best early offering I've seen yet (and it is my job to hunt for worthwhile deals!).

While my five-star Ninja Luxe Café review has the full details the bottom line is that this is the machine I recommend to family and friends who are looking to save money on takeaway coffees by making their own at home. That's because even at full price it's packed full of features that you'll pay far more handsomely for with other brands (like Sage and De'Longhi).

The in-built tech that recommends the ideal grind size for your coffee beans combined with the automatic milk frothing settings go such a long way with this machine to help make a home barista out of anyone. Seriously, it took less than a week to convert everyone in my house to being able to use this machine seamlessly from being complete beginners.

I've also tried the Ninja Sip Perfect cup that you get thrown in as an extra with this deal. The selling point of this flask is that it adjusts the temperature of your hot drink so that it's not too hot to immediately start drinking from, a godsend for those days when you're facing a long commute.

The other extra with this deal is the Ninja Coffee Knock Box, which you can use to shake out your old coffee puck before starting a new drink without causing a mess. It's great for keeping a tidy coffee station.

This current price is by far the cheapest I've personally seen the original Luxe Café at – the previous record low I covered was £479 via Amazon way back in the summer and that was without any added accessories.

For full disclosure, according to the very useful Amazon price checker CamelCamelCamel the lowest ever price was £435.53 back on the 20th of June so this doesn't count as the product's 'lowest price ever' but considering the great freebies on offer, I'd say it gives it a good run for its money!

I'm a firm believer in investing in little luxuries to make your day-to-day that much more enjoyable – for me, that means a well-stocked at-home coffee station. If you're on the lookout for a way to bring that same barista feel in your own kitchen, this Cuisinart Fully Automatic Coffee Machine deal (now £249.99 down from £399.99) might be just the ticket.

This capable buy, which I previewed in my first look at Cuisinart's new coffee range, was only first released in October so this is a huge discount on a brand new coffee machine – just in time for Black Friday gifting season.

Here's everything I like about this machine after using it at home, as well as other coffee machines available from Cuisinart with a hefty discount right now.

If you can never decide on your go-to coffee order or if you like to switch up what you're having depending on the time you have, the range of choice with this machine will appeal.

In one touch you can have an espresso, double espresso, americano or cold brew at your fingertips as well as the option for lattes, cappuccinos and long iced coffees with the neat frother on the right of the machine. The milk wand is manual, which means you'll need to get practicing your latte art skills at home, but works well for all kinds of frothy drinks.

The main draw for me is how neatly contained it is. My usual coffee machine of choice, the Ninja Luxe Café, definitely has more wow-factor in terms of features (including automatic milk frothing settings) but its huge footprint leaves a lot to be desired.

By contrast, this Cuisinart machine is a winner for more compact spaces or for those who like less visual fuss on their worktop.

It's also true that this automatic machine is far less work than a semi-automated version – it really does take just one press of a button to deliver you an espresso in the morning, if you're always in a rush.

The ability to set your favourite coffee settings with this machine is also a win for those who are time-poor. That sits alongside the automatic descaling function too, which can keep clean-up time to a minimum.

All in all there's plenty to like about this machine especially with this limited-time £150 discount if you shop through the Cuisinart website. Here's the other recently-released coffee pick from the brand also currently reduced in price.

Could you see yourself investing in a machine like this for your kitchen? If you're in the market to browse different tried and tested Ideal Home picks, here are some of our other favourites.

With a bean-to-cup machine like this in your kitchen your mornings will definitely run a lot more smoothly.

It’s cold, it’s wet, and it’s a little miserable, three key signs that dehumidifier season is upon us. And if you haven’t already got your hands on these essential appliances (why not?), then don’t worry, as I found an amazing secret sale at Debenhams, including one of Ideal Home’s best-rated models.

The best dehumidifiers are a winter essential. Period. They are highly effective tools that suck excess moisture out of the air, helping prevent damp, mould and condensation. However, there is also no denying that some of the best models come with high-ticket price tags - which is why I’ll always share the best deals I find with you.

And my highlight from the Debenhams sale is the Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier (was £309.99, now £230), which Ideal Home’s expert reviews rated as the best high-capacity dehumidifier on the market.

In the run-up to Black Friday (yes, it seems to get earlier every year), now is the time to start thinking about snapping up appliances while they are on offer. I have spotted the Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Dehumidifier is only £191.24 at Amazon; however, Debenhams has dozens of Pro Breeze models on offer if you’re looking to shop around.

The Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier (as the name suggests) extracts a whopping 30L of moisture per day, meaning you don’t have to worry about needing to empty it all the time. It has one of the highest extraction rates on the market, making it great if you want to get rid of damp in larger rooms.

It offers Smart App controls, which means it connects to WiFi and can be controlled via the Pro Breeze App or connected to your Alexa or similar voice-activated devices. Additionally, with an automatic humidity sensor, you can simply select your desired humidity level, turn the dehumidifier on, and let it do its job.

This dehumidifier does not have a dedicated laundry function, but our Pro Breeze 30L dehumidifier review found it was still helpful at drying wet washing inside faster. However, we did find the Pro Breeze 30L Dehumidifier could be a little noisy, heavy and used a lot of energy to work.

‘This well-packaged product comes with a useful app; this will save a lot of time going back and forth to operate the dehumidifier if you aren't close to it all the time. I can even operate it from work! It absorbs a huge amount of water and is easy to empty. We are using it in a cellar, which we don't use daily, so the noise volume isn't an issue; however, it is noticeable when you're in the room with it. If it's on its low setting, it doesn't lower the humidity, more so maintain it, but it is a lot quieter,’ said one review.

‘The 30L dehumidifier is very good. I could not survive this winter without it. Our house is pretty modern, but in winter it gets over 70%,’ said another.

Alternatively, here are a few more Pro Breeze dehumidifiers to snap up in Debenhams.

It is genuinely worth investing in a quality dehumidifier in winter, as it will make a huge difference to damp in your home. However, I appreciate that they are expensive, which is why it’s worth taking advantage of the many sales this month.

Shark has quietly released its cheapest-ever cordless vacuum cleaner, the Shark Freestyle Pro, for just £149.99. The good news? It’s been reduced even further to just £99.99 in Shark’s Black Friday Sale. The bad news? It’s already selling like hot cakes…

A sub-£100 price point is unheard of when it comes to the best Shark vacuums, so it’s no wonder that shoppers are racing to pick up Shark’s brand-new cordless vacuum. After all, even amidst all of the early Black Friday deals I’ve spotted so far, I’ve yet to find anything close to this affordable price.

While I haven’t had a chance to test out the Shark Freestyle Pro just yet (watch this space), this budget-friendly model certainly has a lot to shout about. This cordless upright promises to be both lightweight and powerful, offering two speed options for different floor types.

It also features an impressive 0.69L dust capacity, positioning it right in the middle of the best cordless vacuum cleaners. When you’ve filled it up, the hands-free emptying process should be a doddle, and then you can finish by placing it on the designated charging docking station.

Of course, you often need to make a few sacrifices when buying a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner, and it’s worth noting that the Shark Freestyle Pro does have a maximum run time of just 20 minutes. And while this should be ample for smaller homes or grab-and-go cleaning, it may not be enough for larger homes that will need a longer run time.

In my opinion, though, the £149 price point is its major selling point, and the fact that it’s now reduced to just £99 is too enticing a deal to pass up - even if you just buy it as a secondary vacuum to the one you already have.

In fact, I’m a huge supporter of having two vacuums in the house, and I personally keep one downstairs and one upstairs so I always have one available and don’t need to lug them up and down the stairs.

But if this new Shark vacuum doesn’t quite suit your needs, there are so many Black Friday vacuum deals already live. Many of them are also price-locked, which means they won’t go down in price when Black Friday comes around on the 28th November. So, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve got the best deal there is.

Best early Black Friday vacuum deals

If you want to snap up this deal, I wouldn't hang about!

If there's two things I love it's finding bargains and decorating my home. So this week I took it upon myself to see if I could find everything I need to add top-to-toe festive style to my living room this weekend without going over my very strict £100 budget.

Black Friday home deals are just about everywhere right now, but my eye was drawn straight to H&M Home. With up to 40% off, there are some pretty impressive offers available, and aside from the value what's so great about the brand is the neat balance of trend-led and timeless Scandi sensibilities.

Bear in mind that the sales are only slated to last until midnight on Saturday, so if you want to benefit from top deals make sure you make your choices soon.

With that in mind here's what I picked out....

The H&M Home Christmas buys

Coming in at a grand total of £92.80 (leaving me over £7 left in my spending pot) these nine buys will add instant festive vibes, colour and scent.

If you've yet to decorate for Christmas, it seems that H&M Home has just about everything you need without blowing the budget.

In the battle of Ninja vs Tefal air fryers, there's a lot to like, with both brands producing high-quality appliances that will go the distance in your kitchen.

While neither of these brands enjoys the accolade of being the first brand to sell an air fryer (that belongs to Philips), both have made significant steps in the design and performance of these appliances.

So, as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, I felt it was my duty to put them head to head to establish which has the best air fryer offering.

And the good news? Whichever brand you ultimately decide to shop, you're guaranteed a great quality buy.

Tefal vs Ninja

Here are the main points of comparison you should know about before you invest, all gauged from our extensive testing of both Ninja and Tefal air frying products.

Which brand has the best product range?

Tefal has a more varied range of air fryers than you might think, ranging from small single-drawer models to dedicated pizza-sized products.

The brand also sells an air fryer with a steam function, which our reviewer tried out in our Tefal EasyFry 3-in-1 air fryer review as well as a countertop oven-style product as showcased in our Tefal Easy Fry Multifunction Oven review.

Tefal's products, similarly to Ninja, pack a lot of functions into one appliance which saves you countertop space and money long-term, as you won't feel the need to splash on another buy down the line.

By far the most popular Tefal air fryer we've tried is the Tefal Easy Fry Dual Air Fryer & Grill, the star of Jamie Oliver's Air Fryer Meals TV show. Our expert reviewer and home economist Helen McCue was very impressed with it in our review, saying that it was far more useful than she anticipated.

Its quirk is that it has one 2/3 sized drawer and one 1/3 sized drawer. Helen wasn't expecting to enjoy its design, but found that it was actually pretty useful for mealtime cooking. She also made space for an entire chicken in the larger drawer, which something that Jamie Oliver showcased on TV too.

Let's now take a look at Ninja's product range, which is endlessly being updated with innovative new air fryer designs. The original sell-out model from them is the Dual Zone air fryer, which has two drawers and cooks everything fantastically fast. Though we love the Dual Zone, the air fryer that took over from it in our list of air fryers is the Ninja FlexDrawer, which is the most versatile product on the market in my opinion.

You can read about Helen's adventures in testing this air fryer in our Ninja FlexDrawer review, but the bottom line is that the ability to switch between one large cooking zone and two smaller ones makes this product unbeatable.

As far as functionality goes, Ninja takes the biscuit there too. Whether it's oven style models (like the Ninja MultiFunction Oven) or products with the ability to slow cook and saute (I'm looking at you, Ninja Combi), there's no doubt this is the brand doing the most.

WINNER - Most product choice - Ninja

Cooking performance

The performance of Tefal's air fryers across our tests has been solidly good, with 4 and 4.5 stars given across the board. In general, the takeaways that our expert reviewer gleaned from her tests were that Tefal products have good, family-sized capacities and are easy to use.

Our highest scoring review of a Tefal air fryer (the Easy Fry Dual) saw Helen comment that this was 'ultimately a decent air fryer that cooks well', adding that 'it was nice to be able to air fry a whole chicken without cramming it in or having to buy the smallest chicken I could find'.

Importantly, the build quality of all of the Tefal air fryers we've tried has been impressive. The brand has a recognisably good reputation in the UK (A YouGov poll found that 95% of answerers knew of the brand and a huge 75% of those had a positive opinion).

Ninja's performance in our tests has also been impressive across the board. To date we've tested 8 different standalone air fryers and plenty more multicookers from the brand with an air fryer setting.

Along with the FlexDrawer, one of the brand's other top-scoring products is the Ninja Air Fryer MAX PRO AF180UK. It earned 5 stars in our review, with Helen remarking that it was a great find for a two-person household. It's a winner if you're looking for something with a small footprint but still packs a punch. Helen still squeezed a small chicken in it.

All in all, I think that the air frying performance of both of these brands is exemplary. However, thanks to the innovation of the features available with Ninja air fryers, I think they just take the crown on this one.

WINNER - Performance - Ninja

Price

A brand could be producing the greatest air fryers in the world but if they're overpriced, then many people won't be able to access them.

Ninja and Tefal are two brands that I would say take up the more expensive end of the air fryer pricing spectrum, but both also have the quality that makes investing more worth it. After all, you get what you pay for when it comes to appliances.

Going off RRPs, Ninja's most expensive air fryer is the FlexDrawer (£269.99), while Tefal's priciest pick is the Easy Fry Oven (£250.00). On the other end Ninja's cheapest is the AF100UK (£99.99), while Tefal goes as low as (£80.00).

On the whole, I think Tefal's selection is the more affordable, not taking into account sales discounts. Therefore, it gets my vote for affordability.

WINNER - Price - Tefal

Should you buy a Ninja or a Tefal air fryer?

Ultimately I think that if you pick a Ninja or a Tefal air fryer for your kitchen, you're in safe hands.

The brand that will suit you will depend on your price range and how many people you need to cater to and catching any of these products on sale is a great way to invest for less.

Wondering 'Does Next do Black Friday?' Well, you've come to the right place. In a bid to help you plan your shopping wisely, we're bringing you all of the top Black Friday deals as well as focussing on the most popular homeware retailers' sales. This way, you can figure out exactly where to put your money, and when the best time is to hit 'buy'.

Next homeware is a firm favourite on the Ideal Home team and seeing as the brand is known for their huge Boxing Day sale, you might be wondering if they're equally as committed to Black Friday, too.

Whether you want to stock up on Christmas decorations for less or want to make a saving on one of the best sofas, there's so much for you to get your hands on. And if you can save money, then even better.

Does Next do Black Friday?

Although Black Friday isn't officially until the 29th November 2024, most retailers have launched their sales early this year. Some by weeks and some at the very start of November. Despite some high street stores still holding out for the official Friday start date, we thought it was suspicious that Next hadn't yet launched any discounts, and we were right.

Next are tapping out of Black Friday deals this year - we're gutted that we won't be able to get hold of any bargains ahead of Christmas but this does mean that the Boxing Day sale will be bigger and better than ever.

Black Friday is the perfect time to treat yourself to something you've had your eye on for a while and also well-positioned for Christmas shopping, however sometimes the discounts aren't as substantial as you'd hope. By Next sitting this Black Friday out, we're hoping this means we'll be rewarded by big discounts after Christmas.

Does Next do Boxing Day sales?

Next is well-known for attracting bargain hunters come the 26th December and tales on the Ideal Home desk from pre-online shopping days confirm that the Next Boxing Day sale was a huge affair. For a long time, the Next Boxing Day sale would result in lines snaking around retail parks and 5am starts to be the first in the door, however, things have been a little different in recent years.

In 2021, Next decided to close its doors on Boxing Day to give staff a break from the chaos and instead took the Boxing Day sale online. In previous years the sale began online on the 26th of December and started in-store on the 27th of December, so we can expect a similar structure for 2024.

This means you can enjoy Boxing Day from the comfort of your sofa (a tin of Quality Street is essential), prep your basket online and be ready on the morning of the 27th to start shopping. It's the perfect solution for shoppers and Next staff.

Our favourite Next Home picks

While the Next sale hasn't yet started, there's no harm in getting your basket prepped just in case. It's famously a mad rush to score the biggest bargains on the day itself, so having an idea of what you like beforehand will make it a less stressful experience.

All that's left to do is browse through the website to your heart's content, or get in line in-store on the 27th.

Fortunately for us, former Love Island-er and influencer Zara McDermott isn’t afraid to show off her luxurious kitchen. She regularly shares drool-worthy cooking videos on Instagram, but her most recent video caught our eye as it features one of our top-rated pans - which is currently at the lowest price we’ve ever seen it.

Of course, no kitchen would be complete without some good ol’ pots and pans (or five). And while there are many brands out there, Zara’s favourite has topped our list of the best non-stick frying pans and our list of best pans for induction hobs. The brand in question? Hexclad.

However, it’s fair to say that this Zara McDermott and Gordon-Ramsay-approved brand (the Michelin-starred chef has officially partnered with Hexclad) has only really catered for people willing to splurge on what many consider to be expensive products. But now we’ve come across a rare Hexclad Black Friday sale, making them more affordable than ever.

The social media star and documentary maker often gives us a glimpse into the stunning home she shares with Made In Chelsea alum and I'm a Celebrity... Unpacked co-host Sam Thompson. From the beautiful wood panelling in her kitchen to the glass partition walls, her whole house screams quiet luxury.

And in a recent video shared on Instagram, she can be seen cooking up a delicious garlic parmesan pasta with crispy chicken in this beautiful kitchen. But while her striped plates and giant candle (and the food itself) made their mark, it was her 30 cm HexClad Hybrid Pan with Lid that really stole the show.

This isn’t the first time Zara has shown off her love of Hexclad, as she’s posted other cooking videos (like this shepherd’s pie recipe) of her using Hexclad pots, too. So, it seems as though she’s become a Hexclad convert and bought a bundle rather than just the frying pan on its own.

Although buying a bundle rather than individual pieces can save you money in the long run, the brand doesn’t typically offer discounts. They rightly believe that their products are worth the price tag and tend to stick at the RRP throughout the year. But in a rare turn of events, Hexclad is currently running a Black Friday sale that has reduced the price of these bundles even further.

Our Ideal Home reviewer, Helen McCue, has personally tested the 7-piece Hybrid Cookware Set Zara may have bought, and she loved it so much that she gave it a perfect 5-star review. In fact, she raved that the brand has brought ‘game-changing innovation into the cookware market’ and that she ‘loved cooking in these pans, and they definitely live up to the hype.’

That’s because Hexclad isn’t a brand that pays celebrities and professional chefs to endorse their products for the sake of it. Hexclad prides itself on creating hybrid cookware that ‘brings together the performance of stainless steel, the durability of cast iron, and the convenience of nonstick. The result is cookware that performs to Michelin chef standards, with the cleanup convenience you need at home.’

It was these easy, non-stick qualities that Helen loved, as we all know that cleaning pots and pans can sometimes be a nightmare - especially when the food sticks to the bottom and leaves burnt residue. But this wasn’t something that Helen had to worry about when using her Hexclad set, even when she made her own caramel from scratch.

She said, ‘These pans are undoubtedly very well designed and cook foods brilliantly. I really love the combination of the hardwearing stainless steel with the non-stick for effortless cooking and cleaning. The design really is very clever and all foods glide across the surface of these pans.’

It’s not just Zara and our tester who love these pans, though. Gordon Ramsay himself uses them at home and work, and he has been so impressed with them that he has decided to become an official partner in the business. And there have been some very happy customers, too.

At the time of writing, the 6-piece, 7-piece, and 13-piece sets all have 5-star reviews on the website, with customers calling them ‘The best pans I have ever had!’

The only downside that Helen (and other customers) have noted is that they are typically a lot more expensive than other non-stick pots and pans on the market - something that would put the average home chef off the products.

But considering some of these Black Friday discounts have slashed the price of Hexclad bundles in half, now really is the time to buy, as we don’t know when prices will be this low again.

Just be warned that these bundles are selling quickly, which not only means that you’ll have to act fast but also that there may be a slight delay in shipping. But that’s a small price to pay, right?

However, if this Hexclad Black Friday sale is still a teensy bit too pricey for you, there are a few alternatives worth mentioning:

• Ninja Ceramic 5 Piece Pan Set : was £219.99 now £146.99 at Amazon
• Stellar Eclipse 3 Piece Set  was £330 now £247.50 at Stellar Kitchenware

In our eyes, though, this is one Black Friday deal you don't want to miss.

It's cold outside, and if I wasn't already snuggled up under one, I would definitely be making the most of today's Black Friday deals to invest in a heated blanket.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've been keeping track of prices on the best electric blankets I've tested and there are currently some great savings to be had, including my top recommendation, the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw which was £69.99 and is now reduced to £49.99 in John Lewis' Black Friday sale.

I've now tested multiple Dreamland products and have always been impressed by their performance. This throw is no exception, and it's currently the best-value Dreamland heated blanket I've found.

When the cold weather hits it's the first thing I reach for. It's the ideal way to snuggle up on the sofa during winter.

Plus, if you have a little more budget to play with, there's also the faux fur versions to consider. I currently have the Hygge Days Luxury Faux Fur blanket on my sofa, but there are three more faux fur designs to consider too, all of which are in the Black Friday sales.

Each one offers a super fast heat-up time – they reach maximum temperature in just five minutes – and has six temperature settings to enable you to find just the right level of warmth. The controls are super intuitive and easy to use, and I love the fact that you can easily detach the cables so you can use them as a normal throw during the warmer months of the year.

I think they also make the perfect Christmas gifts, so it's well worth snapping one up in the Black Friday sales to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.

Plus, if you'd prefer an electric underblanket for the bed instead, there's also the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Heated Mattress Protector and Dreamland Scandi Sherpa Electric Underblanket to consider. I was impressed by both when I tested them out

They're not cheap, but they are the best performing electric blankets I've tried, and Black Friday discounts make it the perfect time to shop.

If you, like me, love making a decadent WFH lunch then I think you'll want to know about this somewhat niche Ninja appliance. Ninja's 3-in-1 Toaster, Grill and Panini Press is capable of turning your kitchen into a fully fledged cafe and I am so here for it.

On sale at plenty of places thanks to Black Friday sales but at its lowest price over at QVC for just £109.96, I tried this toaster out to see what it's capable of and to establish if it's something you should splash your cash on in the sales.

Let's just say that as far as the best toasters go, this one is very kitted out. And if you too want to master the art of the Joe & the Juice Tunacado at home, you'll want to keep reading.

Is the Ninja toaster worth it?

The first thing that surprised me about this toaster is how big it is. At 40cm long, it'll take up substantial space on your worktop, but it'll also be able to deliver when it comes to toasting speciality bread.

For those looking to toast ciabatta, sourdough and baguettes, this toaster will be a winner. Another thing I wasn't expecting is that this toaster has just one slot. That makes more sense when the toaster is in grill and panini mode, but also explains the reason for the length of the slot, as it's designed for you to fit two slices side-by-side.

The next quirk about this toaster is that it has two modes corresponding to which function you need to use. Upright mode is for when you want to do everyday, straightforward, toasting and this product functions exactly as you'd expect (in other words, you press down on the lever to toast).

To use the other two functions, you spin the toaster onto its side and pull the lever down, where it will automatically lock into place.

That's where the panini press element comes into play. Complete with a handle, it slots in to grill whatever you pop inside - Ninja's included recipe book recommends filled croissants, leftover pizza and of course, paninis.

I tried the panini setting out with a shop-bought sandwich to check the credentials of this toaster.

Once you pop the sandwich in, you pick the function and the toaster auto-sets the temperature and time it grills your sandwich for.

After just a couple of minutes, my sandwich turned panini was perfectly crisp, with the bread lightly browned to perfection and the cheese melted nicely.

I was shocked at just how impressive the results with this toaster were. This was just the first of the tests I'm going to undertake with this toaster and the StayPerfect kettle and I'm excited to see what using them long-term is like. If they've already ticked your boxes, then there's also a great Black Friday deal on the set below.

When it comes to Black Friday shopping, it can be tricky to cut through the noise and figure out how to shop smartly. With so many deals across homeware, figuring out what to hit 'buy' on can be overwhelming, which is why I'm focusing on the items I've had on my wishlist for months.

Top of my list? Pooky's range of rechargeable lamps and wire-free wall sconces. Black Friday deals have officially begun, so I knew it was best to hold out until Pooky decided to join in on the deals before I hit 'buy'. Luckily, they've announced a sitewide sale so my top picks are included.

Living in a rental means you have to get a little bit creative with lighting - plug sockets aren't necessarily in the right spots and wiring lights is a no-go, and Pooky is one of few retailers looking to fix that problem.

While lots of retailers are following suit with portable lamps that can be moved around your home, Pooky was one of the first to create them - and it's safe to say they're beautiful. It's no secret that they're on the pricier side though, so I've been patiently waiting for Pooky's Black Friday deals to begin.

Pooky Black Friday Deals

Pooky's Black Friday deals are here and considering that the retailer very rarely holds sales or discounts, it's definitely the best time to stock up on any lighting you've had your eye on.

There is 15% off sitewide and 20% off if you spend more than £350 - the discount is applied at checkout too, so you can easily browse the entire site with the knowledge that everything is included.

Whether you're looking for a wireless lamp to add to a cosy corner of your kitchen, a new lampshade for your living room ceiling light or a wall light to perfect your bedtime reading routine, Pooky will have something to fit the bill.

Wall lights have been a big hit this year and while we've seen some hacks that turn wired lights into a wireless design, Pooky has one of the best wireless wall lights we've seen. It's perfect for rented living and has been top of my wishlist for a long time now - the antique brass finish is hard to find at other retailers to the same standard.

Ideal Home's Content Editor, Sara Hesikova, agrees. 'Whenever I look for lighting that's that little bit more stylish and elevated than what the high street has to offer, I go straight to Pooky. And I've been eyeing the Twinky rechargeable wall light for a while - and Black Friday might be the time I finally invest.

'I love wall sconces but as a renter, there's no way I could install any regular ones in my flat. But this Pooky light is completely renter-friendly, no holes needed, yet you'd never know it's a wireless, rechargeable design because it looks so luxe,' Sara adds.

Another big hit is Pooky's rechargeable table lamps. Our homes are such multi-functional spaces that it doesn't always make sense to have lighting plugged in specific areas - instead, focusing on flexible lighting that can be moved around will give you so many more options.

Maybe you need some extra illumination for winter work-from-home days or you want to add ambience to evenings spent entertaining in your kitchen - whatever it may be, you won't regret adding a wireless lamp to your home.

Alongside the wall lights to go beside my bed, I've been eyeing up the ernest rechargeable table lamp in antique brass to go on a new side table in my living room. It's perfect for a slightly vintage vibe with the modern fixings of being rechargeable and wireless. I love how it looks with this marbled paper lampshade, too.

Are you looking to spruce up your kitchen lighting ideas or set ambience through living room lighting?

Whichever is your goal, start prepping your basket now...

Black Friday is here, and with it comes an opportunity to bag some fantastic discounts on some of the most sought-after dehumidifiers.

The best deal we've seen so far among the many discounted offerings? One for the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier, which is currently up for grabs for just £99.99, down from £184.99, on Debenhams of all places! This is a whopping 46% discount, and considering it's one of the best dehumidifiers we've tested at Ideal Home, we can in good faith say it's a worthwhile investment.

Dehumidifiers have quickly risen in popularity as the must-buy of the season, earning their spot in many homes for their ability to deal with damp issues and make drying laundry indoors far less of a pain during the wet, winter months. Therefore, it only makes sense that shoppers everywhere are scrambling to get their hands on a Black Friday deal for a top-rated dehumidifier.

The features that made the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier that won over our reviewer, Rachael, when we tested it were its powerful extraction rate, relatively low energy consumption and and its compact build; just to name a few. If you're concerned about costs, this device is among some of the cheapest dehumidifiers to run. While its energy usage is still higher than the sellout MeacoDry Arete range at its 12L sizes, the Pro Breeze is a lot cheaper to buy upfront with this current discount and easier to get your hands on right now amidst the Black Friday chaos.

The Pro Breeze dehumidifier also has some handy features such as an automatic humidity sensor, meaning the device will turn on and off as it sees suitable (less monitoring needed for you, which is always a plus) and a 24-hour timer allowing for convenience and more control to choose when you want it running if you need to dry out a damp room.

Its 12L size makes it most suitable for smaller rooms of up to 15m², and it immediately gets to work at removing excess moisture in the air. One thing you should note, however, is that the water tank is a bit on the smaller side, so if you have major damp issues, you may find yourself emptying it more frequently than not to keep up with its powerful extraction rate. It also doesn't have any smart features, but rest assured its sleek interface provides more than enough control, customisation, and monitoring.

That said, if you have a small space in your home that needs that little bit of TLC to fight off minor damp issues, we can attest to the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier being a great buy – especially at this stellar sub £100 price point.

With winter firmly making its mark on the UK, it's more important than ever to keep cold-weather issues such as damp and mould at bay. Luckily, the Ideal Home team have the perfect solution – using a dehumidifier!

Whether you're looking to make your first dehumidifier purchase, or are in the market for an upgraded model with the latest technologies, you've hit on the exact right time to shop thanks to Pro Breeze.

That's because from now until December 31^st, you can use our exclusive Pro Breeze discount code to enjoy an extra 10% off the whole Pro Breeze site. And here's the best bit, you can even use this discount on top of existing Black Friday offers, meaning you'll be getting the best deal possible on your new appliances.

So why should you be considering a Pro Breeze dehumidifier? Well, they've been a leading name in air treatment since 2013 and have already sold over three million of their innovative products to many happy customers. But that's not all, our experienced testing team even included two of Pro Breeze's designs in our best dehumidifiers guide thanks to the rave write ups our reviewers gave them.

Pro Breeze dehumidifiers are the best gift for your home this Winter. Help your space stay free from damp and condensation, protecting the structure of the building, your belongings and, of course, your health. Another huge benefit is how they can help dry your laundry quicker, so even when it’s too wet to dry your clothes outside you can avoid using the costly tumble dryer or putting on the heating unnecessarily.

Our Pro Breeze dehumidifier picks

Between the amazing Black Friday deals live on the Pro Breeze site and the extra 10% off you can take advantage of using our exclusive discount code, it’s never been a better time to grab a Pro Breeze dehumidifier.

Here are some of our favourite dehumidifiers from Pro Breeze to help you decide what to buy…

Discover more about dehumidifiers and enjoy generous Black Friday savings by heading to Pro Breeze today, and don't forget to use our exclusive code to benefit from an added 10% off your purchase.

Black Friday deals are well and truly here and with that comes the perfect opportunity to finally hit 'buy' on things you've had your eye on. While it's a great time to get Christmas shopping done early and treat yourself, you might be saving your pennies to install a new kitchen in the New Year.

January is the perfect time to go through a kitchen reno - hosting season has subsided and the busyness of summer is yet to begin, so why not start planning for your brand new cooking space now? If you've been thinking about upgrading your cabinets, then these fitted kitchen Black Friday deals will be ideally timed.

In the past, Black Friday was mainly adopted by supermarkets and high street retailers who would discount their stock but as the event has gotten bigger and bigger, retailers of all kinds have hopped on the bandwagon. There's no beating around the bush, a new kitchen costs a lot and while this means you'll want to sit on it before committing, you'll also want to save money where possible.

We've rounded up the top kitchen retailers participating in Black Friday sales and explained what these offers entail, so you can make a thoughtful and considered purchase for your home.

Fitted Kitchen Black Friday Deals

1. Magnet

We're starting with the best and biggest Black Friday deal we've seen on fitted kitchens. Magnet is a top retailer when it comes to kitchens and they've got the biggest blanket discount on units at 50% off.

On top of the 50% off deal, there's an additional 30% off selected kitchen collections such as the Duxbury in Arboretum and the Wardley in Limestone.

It doesn't stop there - there's an opportunity to get a free NEFF oven with Slide & Hide technology (just like the ovens on The Great British Bake Off) with a purchase, as well as 10% off NEFF appliances and up to £1,100 cashback. It's worth noting that Wren is running a similar cashback offer on NEFF appliances, but with smaller discounts across the board.

Buying a kitchen is no small decision and while it should be carefully considered, it's also reassuring to know that Magnet kitchens come with 0% APR for up to 7 years.

2. Wren

Wren is a big name when it comes to fitted kitchens, so we certainly expected them to have a big Black Friday sale to match. It's safe to say we're pleased with what we've found, with a multi-buy fully built kitchen unit offer and cashback offers against appliances. This sale has already started, but we expect to see new deals introduced closer to the actual Black Friday event.

When you buy 6 or more fully built units there is a 60% discount running which is a no-brainer if you're purchasing an entirely new kitchen. There's also a variety of smaller offers across other features you need to complete a kitchen scheme, such as 50% off quartz worktops and a Quooker Flex 3-in-1 Boiling Water Tap for £499 as opposed to £1,250.

'As long as you have an idea of the sort of layout you are looking for, what kitchen features and appliances are important to you and a rough drawing showing the measurements of your kitchen space, experienced kitchen designers will help you create the kitchen of your dreams,' explains Darren Watts, showroom development director at Wren Kitchens.

'At Wren, you will even be able to see your new kitchen in life-like virtual reality to make sure it meets your every need. You don’t even have to worry about the finances, we have many options - including up to 7 years interest-free credit - that best suit your situation. To avoid waiting and be sure of an appointment on Black Friday, pre-book online.'

3. Harvey Jones

Harvey Jones is a British kitchen manufacturer producing handcrafted, high-quality kitchens. If you're looking for your forever kitchen then Harvey Jones is a safe bet, and they'll work with you to create your dream space.

From the 25th November to the 2nd December, Harvey Jones will have 30% off kitchens as well as a £1,500 discount on appliances. Specialising in Shaker cabinetry which can set you back a pretty penny, 30% off is a substantial discount.

It's worth noting that the discount is applicable on cabinetry only and your new kitchen must be ordered before 2nd December 2024.

4. Wickes

While Wickes doesn't have any specific Black Friday sales, they do have a variety of different offers that you can make the most of. Their 'The Big Kitchen Spend & Save' includes varying money off kitchen units depending on how much you spend, with a minimum spend of £1,500 required.

Ranging from 15% off £1,500 to 50% off when you spend £4,000 or more on kitchen units if you're already looking at purchasing a Wickes kitchen then it's a great chance to save some money.

To complete your kitchen scheme, there's 15% off all worktops (with no minimum spend) and a variety of cashback offers on NEFF and Bosch appliances. The details are a little more complicated on the appliances offer but the cashback ranges from £250 with the purchase of 3 qualifying NEFF products to £1100 for 7 built-in NEFF appliances including an oven.

5. SCHMIDT

SCHMIDT isn't using Black Friday wording on their autumn/end-of-year sale but the discounts are just as sweet. It's the first time that the brand has launched a 20% across all SCHMIDT furniture which covers kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, so if there are other room makeovers you're working on then it's a prime time to save some money.

It's already started and is running until 15th December, so you have plenty of time to sit on your potential purchases before deciding pre-Christmas. Whether Christmas prep has inspired you to reconfigure your whole kitchen or revamp a utility room, 20% off can go a long way.

Many of these fitted kitchen Black Friday deals run past the typical Black Friday cut-off (2nd December) so don't worry about rushing a purchase. Take this time to get your kitchen renovation plan finalised, decide on a kitchen colour scheme and plan for your new appliances.

Your new kitchen is just around the corner.

Are you suddenly feeling cold? While temperatures have plummeted, Dunelm's Black Friday Deals are bringing the heat as they have slashed the prices of heated airers and blankets.

You’re probably well aware of the sudden temperature drop across the UK. You may have even been lucky enough (or unlucky) to wake up to snow on your doorstep. So, Dunelm’s Black Friday deals couldn't have come at a better time, offering affordable ways to keep your house warm in winter.

The sale officially starts today (20 November) and has a range of products available from winter essentials to kitchenware, bedding and furniture. But it was their winter warmers that stuck out the most. In particular, Dunelm’s Heated Airer has been slashed by 35% from £75 to £49, if you’ve been looking to invest in one of the best heated airers.

Here are our top picks from the sale to keep you warm this winter.

Dunelm Black Friday winter warmer deals

The rest of the Dunelm Black Friday Sale

It's not just winter home essentials that caught our eye, either.

If you’re looking for bargain home essentials, Dunelm’s Black Friday Sale is worth a browse. The sale is on until the end of the month, but if you want to beat the drop in temperatures we'd recommend pouncing on these deals now.

tableclothsFor every stylish host with the most, creating the perfect Christmas tablescape to elevate the festive occasion is the thing to look forward to. But for that, you need the best Christmas table linens to pull the whole table scheme together.

Seasonal tablecloths, placemats, napkins and table runners are the Christmas table decoration ideas that help inject some texture, colour and pattern into your tablescape and in turn make it feel cosy and inviting for your family and guests.

‘Christmas tablecloths, placemats, and napkins are essential in creating a festive and stylish dining atmosphere,’ says Alex Stubbs, Flitch interior stylist. ‘Our homes often showcase our finest linens for the season, crafting a warm and inviting setting that feels a step above everyday dining. Quality linens contribute a luxurious touch, becoming cherished elements of family tradition and making them a worthwhile investment.’

I've hunted through the high street, Christmas press shows and shops to find the best Christmas table cloths, napkins, placemats and more to invest in this season. Plus, the best news? This weekend there is plenty of Christmas table linen discounted in the Black Friday sales. Here's what and where to shop.

Best Christmas tablecloths

Google Trends reports that ‘Christmas tablecloth’ is a breakout term with over 5,000 searches over the last two weeks. And while a tablecloth might seem too traditional or even old-fashioned to some, it’s making a comeback this festive season to create a truly celebratory feel – it’s also the perfect country Christmas table idea, especially if you opt for something like a gingham pattern as cottagecore is one of the biggest Christmas decor trends for 2024.

‘Christmas tablecloths are certainly making a stylish comeback, though some might see them as traditional. A well-chosen tablecloth adds depth and a sense of occasion to the table, making even casual gatherings feel festive. Classic Christmas hues like deep greens, reds, and whites are always elegant, though neutral or metallic tones work beautifully for a modern aesthetic. Linen or cotton blends make excellent choices, being durable and offering a soft, draping quality,' Alex at Flitch says.

Opting for timeless patterns or colours rather than over-the-top prints also ensures you’ll be able to use your tablecloth year after year, and even outside of the Christmas season. I recommend classic stripes, the aforementioned gingham or solid Christmas colours – you can then layer on the prints with a table runner or napkins if you so wish.

Best Christmas table runners

If you want to bring some fun seasonal prints and patterns to your tablescape, then a table runner layered on top of a simple tablecloth is the perfect opportunity. However, if you opted for a patterned tablecloth, it might be best to stick to a solid colour on your runner.

‘For those who prefer minimalism, a table runner can provide a subtle yet polished alternative to a tablecloth,’ Alex presents an additional idea.

As for popular motifs, Alex elaborates on this year’s Christmas table trends, ‘This season’s trending themes include "Winter Woodland," "Traditional British," and "Modern Metallics," each bringing a distinct vibe to the table. Winter Woodland leans on earthy greens and browns, enhanced by linens with natural textures, while Traditional British draws on classic reds, greens, and plaids for timeless charm. Modern Metallics introduces silver, gold, and charcoal tones; pairing a metallic runner with neutral napkins creates a sophisticated, contemporary look.’

Best Christmas placemats

Alongside Christmas tablecloths, ‘Christmas placemats’ are also a breakout term on Google with searches steadily rising since the end of September. But to create a cohesive Christmas colour scheme, remember to align your placemats’ design either with your tablecloth or your Christmas table centrepiece idea.

‘Placemats should ideally align with the tablecloth or reflect key elements on the table, like the centrepiece, to create a cohesive look. Coordinated linens provide an elegant, polished feel and help unify the entire dining area. By choosing mats that complement the decor, the table becomes more visually harmonious,’ Alex says.

And in line with this advice, many of the chosen Christmas table linen is available as coordinated designs – for example, Anthropologie’s Celine Bow Embroidered Napkins can be matched with the coordinating placemats.

But placemats also make for the perfect opportunity to indulge in the aforementioned ‘Modern Metallics’ trend – why not go for a luxurious-looking, glittering mat in silver or gold?

Best Christmas napkins

The design of your Christmas napkins doesn’t necessarily need to be elaborate as often the way you fold them or adorn them is what truly elevates them – whether that’s with a fun napkin ring or a bow and a piece of seasonal foliage.

‘While napkin patterns and colours can subtly enhance the table’s theme, the charm often lies in creative folding or display. A red or green napkin folded as a Christmas tree, or a simple linen napkin tied with ribbon, can add a unique festive element,’ Alex says.

But if you don’t want to fold your napkin into a Christmas tree shape and want to focus more on its own design, there are many beautiful ones to choose from.

Similarly to pink Christmas decorations, pink Christmas napkins are currently trending too. As are vintage Christmas napkins with many feeling nostalgic for the past and nostalgiacore looking to be a popular Christmas decorating theme this year – which is something I can fully get behind. And if you want to get yourself a vintage set of Christmas napkins, then Etsy is the place to go.

Now I can’t wait to set my own Christmas table and create a stylish festive tablescape with the help of some of these table linen picks.

November is here and that means one thing - Black Friday sales. We've already spotted a star buy in the Argos Black Friday Sale with the Kenwood kMix stand mixer reduced from £420 to a purse-friendly £180.

Argos dropped its Black Friday 2024 deals early, and they've started off strong. Our Ideal Home testers named the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer the best stand mixer in our buying guide, beating the cult Kitchenaid to the top spot.

This five-star stand mixer is usually more of an investment at over £400, but right not you can snap it up for one of the lowest prices we've seen. Even better, Argos has re-introduced its price promise, which means prices won't drop any further between now and Christmas day.

Our Ideal Home’s reviewers already loved that the kMix Stand Mixer delivered plenty of power, with a lower price tag than other stand mixers. Now it's even more affordable for budding bakers.

Ideal Home's team of reviewers even ranked the kMix Stand Mixer higher than the iconic Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer. While the iconic Kitchenaid mixer might beat the kMix when it comes to looks, on all the other fronts including value for money the kMix won out.

The mixer itself is incredibly powerful and easy to use, with a generous bowl size and all attachments can go straight into the dishwasher - after all, cleaning whisks by hand can be a pain.

The kMix colourways are already limited and it is only the black and cream colourways that are available in the sale. While it may not be as exciting as the bright red and sage green colourways available on the market, the two hues are timeless and will work in any kitchen.

The Argos sale is filled with plenty of other bargains. We've spotted the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute reduced by £150 to £600. We have also spotted the Ninja Creami is currently available for under £100 with a special Ninja discount code.

If you've been considering adding a stand mixer to your kitchen the kMix has it all: retro looks, plenty of power and all the accessories you'd need to cook up a storm. And now is the time to strike while the price is low on one of it's most versatile colourways.

Ninja products are always notably innovative, with features to help you cook at home with less stress and in a quicker time.

Of course, the best Ninja air fryers are the first example that springs to mind, but did you know that the brand also has a knife range?

Inevitably, the Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block, which is currently on sale down from £169.99 to £104.99 on Amazon, thanks to Black Friday, is no ordinary set either. As it's a Ninja product, it has the quirk of also doubling as a knife sharpener, with an integrated section that allows you to refine your blade any time it needs a refresh. Intrigued? Here's the lowdown on why this Ninja product is a true fan favourite, with a phenomenally high rating from customers.

The Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block on sale for Black Friday

If you're here because you were intrigued by another Ninja product you might not have heard of yet but are a little apprehensive about spending £100+ on a knife block, then I'd say that's pretty reasonable.

In my time as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, I've tested my fair share of the best chef's knives and learnt that if you want a quality knife, you're going to have to pay a little more for it. Plus, then you have the headache of learning how to sharpen your knives, and the tools you need to do that.

Once you start factoring in the price of paying for a singular quality chef's knife along with a sharpening block, the price of Ninja's offering starts to seem pretty reasonable, especially as you recieve 5 different knives in this set. It includes a chef's knife, bread knife, slicing knife, utility knife and paring knife. Now it's on sale, there's an argument that this is the best time to shop if you want to get your kitchen in order before Christmas.

Between myself and our resident home economist and product tester Helen McCue, we've pretty much tested every Ninja product out there. This is one of the only ones that we haven't managed to get our hands on just yet, but I did see this knife block up close on a recent trip to Ninja's HQ in Frankfurt, and was impressed by the demo I saw.

Add in the fact that this knife block has one of the highest Amazon customer ratings I've ever seen (4.8 stars from over 1000 ratings) and you can see why this is one of the most sought-after products right now.

Will you be snapping this one up?

The White Company is one brand that we return to time and time again, for luxe homewares, elegant decorations and seasonal fragranced. Since there's always something on our wishlist, The White Company deals are some of our favourite words to hear.

After a great run of White Company deals from Black Friday to Boxing Day, we thought it would be a while until we saw more discounts hit the sight. But oh how we were wrong - The White Company has just launched their mid-season sale which includes up to 50% across homeware, bathware, candles and fragrances. It's the perfect time to upgrade ahead of spring.

Whether you're in the market to pick up some of the best bedding or want to explore some of the best bath towels on the market, we'll be keeping you in the loop with what and when to shop.

The White Company deals

The White Company mid-season sale has arrived, which has up to 50% across bathroom-ware, furniture, candles and fragrances and home decor. Spring is right around the bend and while we're busy decluttering our homes, it's also the best time to upgrade some of your essentials ahead of a new season.

We've handpicked our favourite White Company items in the sale and those which are the best value, so you can bag a bargain. Mother's Day is also only a few weeks away, so if you're in the market for a special gift then now is the time to buy.

What to shop

• Bedroom: luxury bed linen and bedding
• Fragrance: candles, diffusers, and room sprays
• Home Decor: accessories, furnishings, and furniture
• Furniture: beds, seating, and storage furniture
• Beauty and spa: perfumes, hand, and body lotions
• Gifting: stocking fillers, hampers, and gift sets
• Christmas: Christmas decorations and artificial trees

When to shop The White Company deals

As you can't reliably find The White Company year round, we've here to let you know when the best times are so shop in order to make top savings on your wishlists.

Boxing Day and January deals

The end of the festive season doesn't have to feel lacklustre - it's the next best time to score The White Company deals. Boxing Day and the January sales will bring a whole new load of discounts and it's often a great time to stock up on Christmas scents and gifts at a lower price. The White Company's Christmas scents return year after year, so snapping them up in the sales will mean you're guaranteed a treat for next year.

Whilst post-Christmas sales don't usually see site-wide discounts like we witnessed during November's 'White Weekend', the discounts that are available on selected items are usually much bigger.

During this time of year finding up to 50% off discounts on selected lines isn't uncommon, with our shopping experts noting savings of up to 60% by the end of January. Although, waiting this long to shop does mean you run the risk of products selling out before you 'add to basket'.

Black Friday

While The White Company doesn't officially participate in Black Friday, they tend to offer their own twist on the sales event instead, which they coin 'The White Weekend'. For 2024 this saw 20% off sitewite, making it the widest reaching discount period of the year.

If this goes ahead agin next year, we can expect the next White Weekend to fall Friday 28th November-Monday 1st December 2025.

The White Company Bank Holiday deals

Finally, you might also find The White Company deals during end of season events.

Sometimes these deals tie in with the spring and summer Bank Holidays, or sometimes they can be dependent on the weather, with the brand discounting seasonal lines to sell through before the change of season.

During seasonal sales you'll be less likely to find discounts on the brand's core ranges – you're much better shopping during November's 'White Weekend' for that – but they can mean some great The White Company deals on lightweight summer bedding, summery fragrances, and seasonal decor, so it's well worth using the opportunity to stock up on spring/summer products for next year.

We'll be keeping this page updated with all of the best picks from The White Company deals, so keep checking back for more.

If your cordless vacuum cleaner is on its last legs or you're looking to add another to your floorcare family, you'll be happy to know that there are always so many amazing cordless vacuum cleaner deals to be had.

And as someone who has tested the best cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, I can understand why you'd want to save as much money as you can on top brands such as Dyson, Shark, Miele, Hoover, VAX, and more. After all, cordless vacuums can be expensive.

That's why I've put together the ultimate guide on finding the best cordless vacuum cleaner deals - from the prices you need to know to the features you should be paying attention to and how to know if you've actually found one of the best cordless vacuum deals... or if it's all smoke and mirrors.

Where to find the best cordless vacuum deals

• Amazon: a great selection, including Shark and Dyson
• AO.com: save on many top-rated cordless vacs
• Argos: shop Dyson, Vax and Shark
• Currys: find Miele, Bosch and more
• Dyson: impressive Dyson deals straight from the source
• John Lewis: shop Hoover, Dyson and more
• Shark: shop Shark's best models straight from the retailer
• Very: for brands including Dyson, Vax and Shark

When to shop for the best cordless vacuum deals

While worthwhile deals on cordless vacuums can appear anytime, there are certain sales periods that it is worth bookmarking if you're saving up to bag one of these appliances at a better price. Below you'll find the different sales periods worth keeping an eye out for.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day cordless vacuum deals are always impressive, with the online retailers offering you the chance to pick up a cord-free appliance for less - sometimes for even as little as around £100 if you're really looking for a bargain.

The free, super-fast delivery is also a huge perk if you want to start using your cordless vacuum as soon as possible. Thankfully, Amazon has increased both the frequency and the length of its Prime Day events to ensure everyone is able to pick up the deals they want.

Just be warned that you'll need to be a Prime member to take advantage of these deals, so it's well worth signing up if you have your eye on a cordless vacuum.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

In November, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are everywhere. This event is typically held on the last weekend of November, but in recent years big retailers and brands have started their deals events earlier and earlier - sometimes even offering Black Friday deals across an entire month.

Big cordless vacuum brands such as Dyson and Shark, as well as retailers like John Lewis & Partners, historically launch great sales at that time of year. In fact, it's one of the best times to buy appliances, as these big purchases are often so much cheaper.

Bank holidays

Over the past few years, many retailers have started to add bank holiday vacuum cleaner deals to their roster. This takes advantage of the days off that customers have to shop online and in-store - especially around the summer months, when these bank holidays coincide with hot weather and school holidays.

Because of this, it's well worth keeping your eyes peeled for cordless vacuum cleaner deals over the bank holidays. Especially as vacuum retailers often heavily discount their stock to make way for new models.

Boxing Day

Historically, Boxing Day was a time for rest and recuperation after Christmas. But in recent years Boxing Day has kickstarted a huge sales period that spans well into the New Year. As a result, many cordless vacuums are on sale for you to pick up at a discounted price.

This time of year is particularly popular for electrical and appliance discounts, making Boxing Day another great time to pick up a cordless vacuum cleaner. So, it's well worth researching which one you like the look of before Christmas to ensure you can pick up a deal quickly.

January sales

The time between Christmas and the New Year is rife with deals, and that doesn't stop when we get into the month of January. However, buying a vacuum cleaner in January does come with a few risks, as it may have already sold out over the Christmas period.

As many businesses slow down over Christmas, you may find that your chosen vacuum doesn't come back in stock for a few weeks - and then it may have gone back up to full price. However, most retailers adjust their stock levels for this, so it may still be possible to snap a cordless vacuum up.

Cordless vacuum cleaner shopping advice

When shopping around for a good cordless vacuum, make sure you compare the key specs of each deal such as size, dust tank capacity, run time, weight, ease of use, as well as crucially, the price. We always say that a deal is only a good deal if the product is good.

Have a look at the reviews if it isn't a cordless vacuum you have seen in person and coveted. A good starting point is to think about what you need out of the vacuum. For example, do you need a cordless vacuum that also doubles as one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair? Or maybe you have a budget in mind, and know that you don't want to spend over a certain amount.

However, if you spot an amazing cordless vacuum deal that feels too good to be true, it probably is. Minimise the risk of being scammed by shopping from reputable retailers, and avoid unfamiliar sites or sellers. You'll know you've got a good deal when you've found a high-spec cordless vacuum for a competitive price at a retailer you trust.

We've been ahead of the curve reviewing a host of cordless vacuums according to our rigorous testing protocol for over two years now, with a particular emphasis on finding models that provide truly great value for money. So, it's worth checking out reviews from unbiased reviews from expert product testers, too.

FAQs

Furniture deals are great news if you're looking to overhaul your interior or furnish a new home from scratch, there are plenty of discounts to make the most of in the summer sales. The biggest discounts are likely to occur over the bank holiday sales in August, however, the brands that have kicked of a mid-summer sale already are good ones to bookmark for even bigger discounts later on.

Whether you're looking to score a bargain on a big-ticket item like one of the best sofa beds, find a saving on a one of the best sofas, or source a discounted dining room table, bed frame, or some essential storage furniture, you're in the right place.

We've rounded up your key list of where to find the best furniture deals including Argos, Barker and Stonehouse, Habitat, Heal's, and many more big name retailers so you can find all the best prices in one place. We've also revealed our editors' secrets to shopping for less, including all the key sales dates to add to your calendar.

Where to find the best furniture deals

• Amazon: From office furniture to chic seating
• Argos: For both Argos own brand and Habitat
• Anthropologie: Upholstered pieces and maximalist lighting
• Barker and Stonehouse: A wide range of designs for the whole house
• Bensons for Beds: Stylish and versatile bedroom furniture
• Cox & Cox: Sideboards, storage and outdoor furniture
• Darlings of Chelsea: Their sofas, sofa beds, and armchairs are an investment worth making
• Dreams: For ottoman storage beds and both upholstered and wooden bed frames
• Dunelm: Affordable pieces from desks and armchairs to bedside tables.
• DUSK: Luxe-look for less on sofas, beds, dining tables and more.
• Furniture and Choice: Dining room, living room, and bedroom furniture at affordable prices.
• Furniture Village: Own-brand and names such as Ercol, G Plan, and the Lounge Co.
• Heal's: Investment sofas and other furniture
• John Lewis & Partners: From sofas and armchairs to dining sets and accent furniture.
• La Redoute: A go-to destination for on-trend and affordable homeware.
• Marks & Spencer: Stylish accent chairs, nesting tables, bedroom furniture, and much more.
• Oak Furnitureland: Regular sales make this a great, affordable option.
• OKA: Investment timeless furniture combining classic British style with global inspiration.
• Sofa.com: Best-selling sofas in styles and colours to suit every space.
• Swoon: From decorative side tables to practical storage cupboards.
• Swyft: You'll find great sofa-in-a-box options with super quick delivery on its flat-packed furniture. 
• Very: A good selection of furniture for every room of the house.
• Wayfair: Something for everyone and every home.
• West Elm: For sleek dining tables, bed frames, storage and accent furniture.
• The White Company: Timeless mirrors, rugs and lighting to accessoise your space.

When to shop for the best furniture deals

Although good discounts can crop up at any time of year, most retailers tend to follow a pattern when running promotions, with the biggest furniture discounts likely to fall at a few key times of year.

Black Friday. The sales event sees some hefty discounting with savings to be found at pretty much all the major retailers – from John Lewis & Partners to Sofa.com and M&S. The next Black Friday will be on 28th November 2025.

Boxing Day. In recent years, Boxing Day furniture deals have started well before Boxing Day itself, with stores increasingly offering discounts as soon as their pre-Christmas shipping dates have passed.

January sales. If a retailer wants to shift stock for the new season, then January furniture deals on end-of-line products can also get bigger as the month continues. However, if a piece is being discounted because it's a discontinued line, then waiting does run the risk that the product may sell out before it drops to its lowest price.

Amazon Prime Day. The brand's yearly price-slashing event – can mean some great Prime Day furniture deals. Amazon usually runs two a year, one in June or July and the second in October.

Bank holidays. From the end of June into July, and often throughout August, retailers may cut prices again. August Bank Holiday furniture deals can see particularly low prices, as the last UK Bank Holiday of the year is often a key time for consumer spending.

Furniture sale shopping – our top tips

The golden rule of sale shopping is to only buy pieces you really want or need. It's all too easy to get seduced by hefty savings and urgent marketing messages imploring us not to miss out, but a bargain is only a bargain if it's a saving on an item you will truly appreciate day in and day out.

It's well worth looking to pay for more expensive items, like furniture, using a credit card. Anything you buy with a credit card that costs between £100 and £30,000 is protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, this makes your card provider as liable as the retailer if something should go wrong with your purchase. For example, if an item arrives faulty, or perhaps even never arrives, you'll be able to claim a refund through your credit card company. This also applies if you pay a proportion on your credit card (say, a deposit) but the rest in cash or on a debit card.

It's also well worth knowing your rights should you end up with a big-ticket item that doesn't perform. Have a read of your consumer rights when buying a sofa, which can equally apply to most furniture investments.

As dehumidifiers continue to grow in popularity for their ability to help tackle damp, mould, and condensation, they're quickly becoming a must-have appliance for the home. However, the best models don't often come cheap, so knowing how to shop dehumidifier deals can make all the difference.

The Ideal Home team has spent countless hours testing these moisture-extracting devices to compile our guide to the best dehumidifiers on the market, so you can rest assured that we know our stuff when it comes to the best brands to shop and the models to snap up when they go on sale.

Below, we've explained where you should be looking for dehumidifier deals, the best times of the year to shop and other shopping advice.

Where to find the best dehumidifier deals

• Amazon: a wide range of Pro Breeze options
• AO.com: for DeLonghi and Black + Decker
• Appliances Direct: find the much-lauded Meaco Arete
• Argos: competitive pricing on a range of brands
• Currys: find deals on Meaco, Daewoo and more
• Lakeland: look for sales on DeLonghi and their own range
• Meaco: seasonal sales on top-rated models
• Pro Breeze: shop popular dehumidifiers
• Very: discounts on brands like Russell Hobbs and Silentnight
• VonHaus: seasonal offers on dehumidifiers

When is the best time to get dehumidifier deals

Although you can get low cost dehumidifiers (you'll find our tried and tested favourites in our guide to the best dehumidifiers under £100), a cheap dehumidifier can lack power. That's why sale periods can be a great time to browse for top quality dehumidifier deals as they offer the opportunity to snap up a high performing dehumidifier for less.

October to January, when the weather gets cold and wet, are when dehumidifier sales peak, so if you can time your purchase 'out of season' during the summer months then you're more likely to find the cheapest dehumidifier prices. Key discounting events, like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, are also a great time to look for reduced dehumidifiers.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Whether you love it or hate it as a concept, Black Friday can bring some seriously good deals you can take advantage of. Last year, Black Friday dehumidifier deals were fairly thin on the ground due to such high demand, but you could still make impressive discounts on top brands like Meaco, Pro Breeze, VonHaus and more.

The next time Black Friday will roll around will be 28th November 2025.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day – the brand's yearly price-slashing event – can mean some great Prime Day dehumidifier deals. For the last couple of years there have been two of these events, and in 2024 these happened in June and October, seeing discounts on both the ProBreeze Amazon storefront and Russell Hobbs Amazon storefront.

Generally, you need to be a Prime member to take advantage of the biggest discounts on Prime Day. Usually, new Prime members can also access a free 30-day membership trial to test out its perks.

End of season sales

As we've mentioned, if you can manage to make your dehumidifier purchase when demand is low, you've a better chance of scoring a good deal. May-August is usually a solid period to keep your eyes open.

Sale shopping advice

The demands of modern life mean that our homes are constantly being pumped full of moisture thanks to the regular cycle of bathing, cooking, washing and cleaning – all of which use gallons of hot water and can create steam. Let that steam and moisture build up and it will cause dampness, which can stain your walls, and, left unchecked, could cause long-term damage to your home, as well as your health.

If you struggle to properly ventilate your home by opening windows or using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom, or you're employing one of the best heated clothes airers to dry washing over winter, then a dehumidifier can be a useful ally in tackling excess damp and condensation.

A dehumidifier can be more economical than a tumble dryer when it comes to drying wet washing indoors. You just need to compare how much it costs to run a dehumidifier with how much it costs to run a tumble dryer to see the difference in electricity costs!

How can you tell if you've found good dehumidifier deals?

Price really isn't everything with a dehumidifier. The most important thing you can do is to check out the features. After all, a low-cost option which doesn't do what you need it to do will just be a waste of time, effort and money. Here's what you need to consider:

• Extraction rate: This tells you how much moisture a dehumidifier can suck from the air. It's generally measured in litres per hour, and is a useful way to compare dehumidifier performance levels.
• Room size: Most dehumidifiers will tell you the maximum area they can successfully filter in the specifications. This tends to be measured in m³ which takes into account the room's length, width, and height. The larger the space the dehumidifier can filter, the more expensive it's likely to be, and more powerful appliances are also likely to be heavier and bulkier. However, it's important to invest in a dehumidifier that's powerful enough to cope with your space if you want it to eliminate moisture successfully.
• Noise levels: Most dehumidifiers use a fan to suck air into the unit and pass it through a series of filters to extract the moisture before expelling the air back into the room. This means that dehumidifiers can be noisy, so if peace and quiet are important to you then you'll want to check out the dehumidifier's noise levels before you shop. These are measured in dB with dehumidifiers ranging from around 15dB on their lowest settings to 50dB on max.
• Other features: Depending what's important to you, you may require a machine with a timer, a sleep function or a special laundry mode. Consider where and how you're planning on using your device to craft your list of needs.

Bedding deals are great news if you're looking to upgrade your boudoir for less, with big savings on bestselling duvets, pillows, mattress toppers, bed linen, and much, much more.

We've spent a lot of time testing and getting to know the best duvets, pillows and so much more so we know how to advise you on the top materials, fillings and other features to look out for.

Top quality bedding like this can come at a price (although we do rate some bargain buys too!), so we've broken down when, where and how to shop to make sure you're getting the best deal possible.

Where to find the best bedding deals

These brands are where we recommend looking for bedding deals on duvets, pillows, mattress protectors, mattress toppers, bed linen, and more.

• Amazon: find discounts on brands like Simba and Silentnight
• Argos: for deals on everything from pillows to bed linens
• Bedeck: sales on linens from Joules, Sanderson and more
• Debenhams: save on duvets, bedding sets and mattress toppers
• Dunelm: great prices year round
• Emma: the brand regularly discounts their bestsellers
• Furn: deals on trendy patterned and coloured linens
• Habitat: for own brand, Silentnight and Slumberdown deals
• House of Fraser: save on brands like Ralph Lauren and Sheridan
• John Lewis: find deals on toppers, pillows and more
• Kally Sleep: for savings on ergonomic pillows
• La Redoute: snap up discounts on stylish linens
• M&S: look for their popular Goode Feather & Down collections
• Panda: save on their eco-friendly bamboo designs
• Piglet in Bed: for deals on luxe bed linens
• Silentnight: discover reduced electric blankets
• Simba: regular deals on mattresses and pillows
• Soak and Sleep: save on luxury linens and duvets
• Very: for low-cost bedding sets and blankets
• Wayfair: regular sales on all types of bedding
• The White Company: luxury linens discounted for seasonal sales
• Woolroom: save on the brand's wool bedding

When is the best time to find bedding deals?

Finding the cheapest prices on bed linen, pillows and duvets can all come down to knowing when to shop. There are a few key dates to bear in mind to help you to time your search for the best bedding deals with the times that retailers are most likely to be slashing their prices.

• First Black Friday, the biggest sales event of the year. In previous years, Black Friday bedding deals have delivered some hefty discounting, with sales at John Lewis & Partners and The White Company (although the retailer brands its own event as a 'White Weekend' instead), up to 40% off at M&S, up to 70% off at DUSK, up to 50% off at La Redoute, and a whole host more savings. The next Black Friday will occur on 28th November 2025.
• Amazon Prime Day is another key event. For the last couple of years this has happen twice, in June and in October. Expect to see deals on brands like Simba and Silentnight.
• Then there are the seasonal sales, especially end of summer, the January sales and Boxing Day. The discounts for the latter can often start well before Boxing Day itself, with online retailers increasingly offering discounts as soon as their pre-Christmas shipping dates have passed, although January can often have even better deals on offer thanks to most people reigning in their spending that month.

FAQs

What bedding should I buy to improve sleep?

There are lots of ways to overhaul your sleep set-up. These are some of the key items of bedding that can make all the difference between an average and an excellent night's sleep, and as such, are well worth snapping up whilst there are sales on.

• Sleep better under one of the best duvets money can buy
• Avoid neck pain with one of the best pillows under your head
• Add extra comfort to your mattress with one of the best mattress toppers
• Overheating at night? One of the best cooling mattress toppers could help
• If you've already invested in the best mattress for your sleep style, make sure to protect your purchase with a mattress protector
• Prepare for winter by snapping up one of the best electric blankets
• One of the best weighted blankets could help you relax and sleep more soundly

If there's one kitchen appliance I find it hard to imagine ever living without, it has to be my air fryer. Whether you're looking to pick up for your first ever one of these modern kitchen essentials or are looking to upgrade to benefit from the latest technology, finding tasty air fryer deals means you can get what you want for a bargain price tag.

As Ideal Home Kitchen Appliances Editor, I've got you covered to explain where and when you should be shopping for air fryers from Ninja, Instant, Tower, Phillips, and more, with these discounts ongoing at all of our favourite retailers, from John Lewis to Amazon. I've been testing and rating the best air fryers for years now, so I'm well-placed to tell you which models to pick up with a nice, hefty discount. Here's how!

Where to find the best air fryer deals

• Amazon: discounts on Tower, Ninja, Tefal and more
• Argos: shop air fryers from £40
• Currys: a great range of deals on dual zones
• John Lewis: up to £100 off selected air fryers
• Lakeland: shop name and own brand for less
• Robert Dyas: save on Daewoo, Salter and Tower air fryers
• Very: save up to £80 on Ninja air fryers

When to find the best air fryer deals

As with so many things in life, finding the best air fryer deals is all about timing. There are a handful of periods over the year when you are most likely to be able to get the best savings.

• Amazon Prime Day: For the last couple of years Amazon has put on its massive two dales sales event twice in a year, usually in June/July and October. You have to be a Prime member to benefit but you can usually snag amazing deals on air fryers, often including some Amazon exclusive bundles and colourways.
• Black Friday: This imported US sales event is celebrated every year on the Friday that follows Thanksgiving. It's the prime time to bag an air fryer deal if you're in the market. Many retailers offer discounts the whole month if you want to bag one as an early Christmas present too.
• Boxing Day: This isn't as big a sale day for air fryers (it's amazing for sleep essentials!) but you can still manage to find some great deals from key retailers. The sales typically start on Christmas day or even Christmas Eve but are mostly an online affair these days.
• January Sales: Like Boxing Day, this isn't the biggest sales period for air fryer deals, but as many retailers are wanting to clear out stock for the year ahead you have the chance to snap up some good discounts if you want to start the year afresh.

How can you tell if you have found a good air fryer deal?

When shopping around for an air fryer, compare the key specs of each deal such as size, capacity, programs, as well as crucially, the price. I always say that a deal is only a good deal if the product is good.

The first thing you should do is check the reviews if it isn't an air fryer you have seen in person and coveted until sale time. Don't be lured by a super low price and have the false economy of having to replace the appliance after barely any use. You'll know you've got a good deal when you've found a high-spec air fryer for a competitive price.

If you spot an amazing air fryer deal that feels too good to be true, it probably is. Minimise the risk of being duped by shopping from reputable retailers you trust, and avoid unfamiliar sites or sellers.

I've been reviewing a host of air fryers according to our rigorous testing protocol for over two years now, with a particular emphasis on finding models that provide truly great value for money. I've tested, and continue to test, all of the air fryers from popular brand names, such as Ninja and Instant, alongside lesser-known brands such as COSORI and Dreo.

What is a good price for an air fryer?

The price range for air fryers (and appliances in general) varies a lot. Because there are so many types, capabilities, performance and manufacturers, it is hard to come up with a reliable benchmark for air fryers.

Prices tend to start from around £60 for a basic model but can ramp up to more than £200 for the largest and most-capable appliance.

My advice is, know your budget, bring your expectations in line and then shop around for the best model you can get for that budget.

Though there are air fryers available for the lowest prices (we're talking extremely cheap) we'd always recommend choosing a reputable brand over one you've not heard of before. We've tested a few from COSORI, which are available on Amazon and of great quality, as well as great picks from Instant (best known for their Instant Pots!).

FAQs

How much does an air fryer cost?

If you're new to air frying and want something budget-friendly to get you started, we recommend the Instant 4-in-1 air fryer. While it's small it's also affordable, and it's of excellent quality. This air fryer shows what the hype is all about, but if you go for a cheaper brand that comes in at around £20, you may not get to experience all the added cooking functions and sensitive temperature controls that make us love air frying in the first place.

Premium air fryers can cost as much as £300, like the Ninja FlexDrawer Air Fryer, so the festive period is a great excuse to upgrade to something capable of keeping up with busy family life if you see a breakout deal. After all, many air fryer owners are such big fans that one air fryer is not enough!

What types of air fryer are there?

There are two main types of air fryer, a basket air fryer, or an oven air fryer. In America, people also use toaster ovens, but those are less common in the UK market.

Basket air fryers

Most of the top air fryers we've tried were basket air fryers. This means there is a central heating element with a basket that can simply be inserted into place. You can use the handle on the basket to pull out your chips or veggies and give them a shake midway through your cooking cycle, which is very helpful for keeping your hands safe when cooking.

Basket air fryers sometimes come with a removable insert that separates food from any liquid or fat that drips away during cooking. This insert can usually be lifted out to allow you to cook in the flat base of the air fryer, particularly in Ninja and Instant air fryers, but other models like Swan and Cosori will depend on the model. The removable insert has its pros and cons, because while it can make your air fryer more multi-functional, it will also make it harder to pour out your food without also pouring out the liquid that's gathered at the bottom of the fryer.

Oven air fryers

We've reviewed a few oven air fryers from Tower and Breville, and they are more of a cross between a regular oven and a drawer air fryer. The drawer air fryer will only have one cooking compartment, but an oven air fryer can distribute numerous shelves through the inside of the cooker.

Our favourite oven air fryers which we've tried are detailed in our Lakeland Digital Air Fryer Oven review and our Sage Smart Oven Air Fryer review. These two air fryers proved useful for cooking different elements of a meal in one go, and also make cleaning easier thanks to their tray systems. Convection ovens circulate hot air in the same way an air fryer does, so in many ways, an oven air fryer is more of a mini convection oven.

So now you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision on when and where to shop the best air fryer deals around. And if this is for the first purchase of these appliances, then welcome to the air fryer fan club!

The majority of Black Friday deals have ended, but that doesn't mean that there isn't still the opportunity to save some money on Christmas decorations ahead of the festive season. Argos Christmas deals are here with 25% off selected seasonal decor, so you can get your Christmas ideas up and running before the big day. 

From outdoor Christmas decor to Christmas tree ideas that take centre stage in your home, there are so many ways to create magic for the holidays. Shopping the sales for Christmas decorations is the best way to save money for spending on gifts, but often discounts on decor don't start until the New Year - so make the most of Argos' 25% discount to stock up on baubles, a new tree and lights while you can. 

Argos Christmas deals

Argos' Black Friday furniture sale saw some huge discounts on our favourite pieces, such as the Habitat Kota sofa bed that features in a few of the Ideal Home team's homes. And the discounts don't stop there - from Wednesday 29th November until Sunday 24th December, Argos has 25% off selected Christmas trees, lights and decorations so you have almost an entire month to get your home prepped.  

We've rounded up our favourite buys to transform your living room Christmas decor so that come the 25th, your decor will be fully festive (and bought for less).

How to shop Argos Christmas decorations

• Argos Christmas trees: 6ft artificial trees for under £50
• Argos Christmas lights: warm fairy lights and outdoor path finders
• Argos Christmas tree decorations: kit out your tree with delicate decorations
• Argos wreaths and garlands: the perfect finishing touch to your door

What to buy

Christmas decorations will stay in your collection for years to come, so buying in the sale will help you save some pennies while stocking up your festive decor for the long term. What are you adding to basket first?