A basic certified HDMI 2.1 cable under £15 carries 4K HDR and 120 Hz perfectly. Premium £60 versions deliver the same signal — your eyes won't tell the difference.

Skip no-name smart plugs

If a smart plug doesn't carry a UKCA or CE mark and a named brand, don't plug it into your wall. Mains-current devices are not where you save £4.

Avoid ultra-cheap power banks

Sub-£10 power banks usually overstate capacity and skip thermal protection. A £25 Anker / INIU pack lasts five times longer and won't bulge in your bag.

Don't fall for fake "was £99" discounts

Amazon's strike-through price often reflects a brief listing high, not the real market rate. Cross-check with a price-history tool before celebrating a deal.

Avoid first-gen products at launch prices

Hardware quietly drops 15-25% within three to six months of launch once reviews settle and supply catches up. Patience pays — unless you genuinely need the feature today.

Don't pay extra for "premium" Ethernet cables

Cat6 from a known brand under £8 saturates any home broadband connection. Gold-plated, oxygen-free "audiophile" Ethernet is marketing — the bits arrive identical.

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Honest verdict

Decision in seconds

Value-led, not hype-led