Experts at CHOICE push boundaries in thoroughly evaluating products on your behalf
CHOICE: A Comprehensive Approach to Product Testing
CHOICE, a well-known consumer advocacy organisation, takes an extensive and innovative approach to product testing. Based in Marrickville, Sydney, the organisation conducts a significant portion of its testing in-house, using accredited laboratories to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.
Each year, CHOICE tests hundreds of products, ranging from common household appliances like fridges, washing machines, and dishwashers, to less expected items such as lawn mowers, nappies, electric bikes, trampolines, chocolate, and toilet paper. This broad spectrum reflects the organisation's commitment to providing consumers with comprehensive data and expert reviews.
To evaluate the performance and safety of these products, CHOICE employs rigorous testing methods. For instance, when testing dishwashers, they dirty plates and cutlery with a variety of foods such as oats, egg yolk, spinach, baby cereal, margarine, tomato juice, and tea. This replicates real-life use and helps to ensure the reliability of the results.
CHOICE's testing methods are not limited to standard procedures. They have also incorporated creative approaches to simulate real-life use conditions. For example, to test vacuum cleaners, they import artificial household dust from Germany, and when testing washing machines, they use swatches from the Netherlands embedded with "Aussie dirt."
The organisation's testing methods are not only practical but also scientifically valid. They utilise industry-recognised testing standards for product safety, durability, functionality, and user experience. This approach generates robust, data-driven insights that guide their reviews.
In addition to in-house testing, approximately 30% of the tests are outsourced to external labs. However, these tests are overseen and verified rigorously by CHOICE's in-house team to ensure accuracy and consistency.
CHOICE's commitment to providing consumers with reliable information is evident in their testing methods. From smearing high chairs with baby food, Weetbix, spaghetti, and tomato sauce, to spending dozens of hours watching water boil to test rangehoods, CHOICE leaves no stone unturned in its quest for comprehensive product testing.
In the kitchen, CHOICE's kitchen expert, Fiona Mair, has cooked over 8000 scones during her time with the organisation. This dedication to testing extends to other areas as well. For instance, to test air fryers, they use approximately 10kg of frozen chips, 10kg of chicken nuggets, 15kg of pork belly, and 15kg of chicken wings.
CHOICE's testing methods are not limited to physical products. They also test items like robot vacuums and even the durability of non-stick surfaces on frypans using a mechanical scrubbing arm.
In summary, CHOICE's product testing methodology is rigorous, largely internal, and involves accredited labs, expert oversight, and real-world use simulations across a broad product range. This approach delivers meticulous data and informed expert reviews, helping consumers make confident buying decisions.
In alignment with their comprehensive approach to product testing, CHOICE also evaluates the performance and privacy protection of smart-home devices and gadgets. For example, they analyze the data collection practices outlined in the privacy policy of these technology products to ensure consumer privacy is respected.
To help consumers make informed decisions about their purchases, CHOICE tests the efficiency and user-friendly nature of various smart-home devices, such as voice-controlled speakers and connected thermostats, in a realistic lab environment that mimics everyday use.
