In the minds of consumers, high-end products are often linked to high prices, but it does not mean that high-end products are necessarily easy to use. There are some major appliances that feel like they have hit a technical bottleneck, and there seems to be no more room for innovation. Some brands have developed features that seem premium but are not practical in order to sell them at a high price, and you better think twice about these appliances, because the end result may not be as good as you expect.
1. Zero cold water gas water heater
The "zero cold water" function advertised by some gas water heaters seems to be very gimmicky, and you can enjoy hot water immediately when you turn on the shower, with zero waiting time. But those who have actually used it know that the vast majority of users may not use this "zero cold water" feature several times a year. On the one hand, the water heater will keep heating and consume natural gas after turning on zero cold water, which is quite expensive to use. On the other hand, because the effect of zero cold water is not satisfactory, it is easy to pollute the cold water pipes, and the water temperature is not stable enough, which is embarrassing to use. Suggestion: If the distance between your kitchen and bathroom is more than 5 meters, you can reserve a return pipe during the renovation, and then consider installing a zero cold water gas water heater later. If one of the two does not meet the conditions, it is still recommended to choose an ordinary gas water heater.
2. Large-screen refrigerator
Large-screen refrigerators are a new trend in recent years, not only installing a huge screen on the refrigerator, but also adding an operating system. However, after using it, you will notice that this large screen is used very infrequently, and you can almost think back to how many times in the past year you have actually operated the settings panel on your fridge. For some irresponsible manufacturers, this screen may also become a tool for them to remotely place ads, lifting users high and becoming the manufacturer's ATM. Suggestion: When buying a refrigerator, the most unnecessary pursuit is that screen, only the one that can display the number is enough, and even the color screen may not be needed. Because most of the time, it's just a big black lump that is off the screen, and the bigger it gets, the more bloated it becomes.
3. Curved screen TV
The curved design of the TV screen is called "immersive viewing". However, when you actually use it, you will find that it is difficult for everyone else to see the picture clearly, except for the person sitting in the middle, who may feel "immersed". In addition to the sense of immersion, curved screen TVs don't have many practical advantages. A TV is a shared screen for the whole family to watch, unlike a personal computer monitor. The edge angle of the curved screen is limited, easy to deform, and the screen ratio is different from the usual picture, and the look and feel is poor. Suggestion: TV screens are still dominated by 16:9 straight screens, and it is not a good idea to change the shape and ratio of the screen. Therefore, although the screen is also straight, some products with special ratios such as 16:10 and 15:9 are also recommended not to buy.
4. Double membrane water purifier
Some families have purchased a dual-membrane water purifier with both an RO membrane filter and an ultrafiltration membrane cartridge. However, when it is actually used, it is found that the "ultrafiltration membrane" itself is a big IQ tax! The "advantage" of the ultrafiltration membrane is that it does not need to discharge wastewater, but the filtration accuracy is relatively low. The water quality after using ultrafiltration membranes is almost no different from tap water, and the effect is worrying. Suggestion: When buying a water purifier, you only need to pay attention to the "RO membrane", whether it is a single ultrafiltration membrane or a double membrane water purifier, it belongs to the IQ tax. When buying a water purifier, you only need to choose "RO membrane", don't be confused by too many types of filter elements. Avoid purchasing excess filter types to reduce the cost of later replacements.
5. Washer-dryer
The appearance of the washer-dryer does not look much different from that of a regular washing machine, but it has an independent drying function. However, in practice, very few people use the drying function. The drying principle of the washer-dryer is condensing, which is very different from the heat pump drying principle of the traditional dryer - the condensing drying temperature is high, the speed is slow, the damage to the clothes is great, and it is easy to leave wrinkles on the clothes after drying. Tip: If you often need to use the drying function, it is recommended to choose a separate dryer. The price of a washer-dryer is not much higher than that of a washing machine, so if you don't rely too much on the drying function, you can choose to have a spare one. But for users who need to dry frequently, stand-alone dryers are more practical.
The high price of these appliances does not necessarily mean better performance and user experience. When purchasing, consumers need to rationally judge the actual needs of the product and avoid being confused by some seemingly advanced but impractical features. Different families have different needs, and choosing the right home appliance for you is the wisest decision.