You see the same brands everywhere in Australian appliance stores: Breville, Sunbeam, Kogan, and Bosch (German but huge here). But which one should you actually buy? After six months of testing 12 appliances across four categories — air fryers, toasters, kettles, and stick vacuums — we have a clear answer. It depends entirely on the category.
Category 1: Air fryers
Winner: Sunbeam DuraCeramic ($129)
Why: The ceramic coating is genuinely non‑stick and scratch‑proof. It cleans in 10 seconds. Temperature accuracy is mediocre (±15°C), but for frozen chips and chicken wings, that doesn’t matter. Breville’s air fryer is actually an oven ($549) — better for roasting, worse for quick fries. Kogan’s $119 unit works but rattles after 4 months. Bosch’s air fryer ($299) is well‑built but overpriced for what it does (same performance as Sunbeam).
Rank: 1. Sunbeam, 2. Bosch, 3. Breville (different category), 4. Kogan.
Category 2: Toasters (2‑slot, wide slot for thick bread)
Winner: Breville the Bit More (BTA820) – $129
Why: The “Bit More” button adds 30 seconds without resetting the cycle. This seems minor, but it solves the eternal toast problem: too pale at setting 3, burnt at setting 4. With the Bit More, you start at 3, then add 15‑30 seconds as needed. Sunbeam’s toaster ($79) is fine but uneven — one side darker than the other. Kogan’s toaster ($45) is terrible: thin bread burns, thick bread stays doughy in the middle. Bosch’s toaster ($149) has excellent evenness but no Bit More button and costs more.
Rank: 1. Breville, 2. Bosch, 3. Sunbeam, 4. Kogan.
Category 3: Electric kettles (stainless steel, 1.7L)
Winner: Breville the Compact Kettle (BKE820) – $79
Why: Boils 1L in 2 minutes 40 seconds. Quiet for a kettle (68 dB peak vs Sunbeam 78 dB). The lid opens wide for descaling. Sunbeam’s kettle ($59) is louder and the lid hinge feels flimsy after 6 months. Kogan’s $29 kettle is a fire hazard — the plastic base overheats. Bosch’s kettle ($99) is beautifully made but takes 3 minutes 10 seconds for 1L, and the handle is uncomfortable for large hands.
Rank: 1. Breville, 2. Bosch, 3. Sunbeam, 4. Kogan (dangerous — avoid).
Category 4: Stick vacuums (cordless, for hard floors and low‑pile carpets)
Winner: Sunbeam MultiReach (SV1700) – $199
Why: Light (2.2kg), easy to empty, battery lasts 35 minutes in normal mode, and the battery is user‑replaceable (generic 18650 cells inside). Breville does not make a competitive stick vacuum (their handheld is weak). Kogan’s stick vacuum ($129) lost suction after 3 months — the cyclone separator is poorly designed. Bosch’s unlimited series ($399) is more powerful and has a better wall mount, but it costs twice as much and the battery is glued in.
Rank: 1. Sunbeam, 2. Bosch, 3. Kogan (cheap but short‑lived). Breville not ranked.
Overall brand summary after 6 months across categories
– Breville wins in toasters and kettles, plus coffee machines (not in this comparison). Their air fryer is an oven — great but different. Avoid their vacuums.
– Sunbeam wins in air fryers (ceramic coating) and stick vacuums (repairable batteries). Their toaster and kettle are mid‑pack.
– Kogan only wins in price. Their air fryer is acceptable for 12 months. Their kettle is dangerous. Their toaster is frustrating. Buy Kogan only if you are renting and need a disposable appliance.
– Bosch is consistently good but rarely best in class for these categories. Their toaster and kettle are overpriced for the performance. Their stick vacuum is excellent but expensive.
What would we buy with our own money today?
– Air fryer: Sunbeam DuraCeramic
– Toaster: Breville Bit More
– Kettle: Breville Compact
– Stick vacuum: Sunbeam MultiReach (or Bosch if budget allows)
Avoid Kogan for anything with heating elements or motors. Their air fryer is the only Kogan product in this test that did not actively annoy us — but we still expect it to fail before 18 months.
This comparison will be updated in December 2026 with dishwasher and washing machine tests.
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