Watchdog issues urgent ‘do not buy’ warning for 4 ‘worst’ products of 2026

From dangerous child car seats to useless tech, consumer watchdog Which? has named four products that have not passed their rigorous safety tests and labelled them as ‘do not buy’ products. Their independent laboratory tests have uncovered serious safety concerns in several products from popular brands.

Harry Rose, Which? Magazine editor said: “Shoppers shouldn’t have to gamble on whether a product will perform as promised. Our 2026 Don’t Buys show that a well-known brand or premium price tag is no guarantee of quality, safety or performance. Independent testing is more important than ever, helping people avoid wasting money on products that simply don’t make the grade.

“With household budgets already stretched, people expect – and deserve – products that deliver on their promises. Whether it’s a product that could put a child’s safety at risk or one that simply doesn’t do the job it was bought for, shoppers shouldn’t be left out of pocket because a product falls short.”

Kinderkraft Mink Pro 2 and Mink FX 2 Isofix Base (£79)

This car seat received a score of zero in tests performed by Which? who reported that the seat shell detached from the Isofix base during crash tests, demonstrating a serious risk of injury in a collison. Although it is yet to be recalled, KinderKraft are offering concerned customers a replacement or refund.

A spokesperson for Kinderkraft said: “We declare full compliance of the Mink Pro 2 and Mink FX 2 with the requirements of Regulation R129, which is confirmed by numerous verification tests conducted both before the product was launched at the beginning of 2025, as well as after its introduction.

“[We are] offering customers the opportunity to exchange the product or receive a full refund. Customer safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding customer expectations, even though our product fully complies with R129 standards.

“To facilitate this process, customers can contact us via our dedicated email address safety@kinderkraft.com, which is handled with the highest priority. We would like to assure you that we take this matter very seriously, and the safety of children remains our top priority.”

For alternatives, Which? recommend the Maxi-Cosi Pebble S and FamilyFix S Base (£260), which earned an 83 per cent Best Buy rating for its excellent crash protection and simple, secure installation.

Red Kite Push Me Explor Stroller (£95)

The Red Kite stroller scored 43 per cent after one of its wheels detached during durability testing on uneven surfaces. It also proved difficult to push over gravel and sand. Instead, Which? recommened the Joie MyDrift (£250), which costs more but scored 74 per cent.

A spokesperson for RedKite said: “We take product safety extremely seriously and were concerned by the Which? test result for the Red Kite Push Me Duet pushchair.

“The product has previously passed independent testing to BS EN 1888 standards, and we have received no reports of issues in everyday use. We are nevertheless investigating urgently, including further independent testing and a full product review. We will take any necessary action based on the outcome of our investigation.”

Braun ExactFit 5 Connect Blood Pressure Monitor (£80)

The ExactFit 5 Connect monitor received a Test Fail after failing to meet both the AAMI/ISO Universal Standard and the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) accuracy criteria. The experts warn that false high or low readings could lead to unnecessary anxiety or potential misdiagnosis.

Instead, Which? recommended the Boots Multi-User Blood Pressure Monitor (£35), which is both cheaper and passed their tests.

A Braun spokesperson said: “We feel your analysis does not accurately represent the reality of the rigorous and independent testing we put our product through. Our clinical testing follows the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol to ensure its quality and accuracy.

“This product has been on the market for more than six years and undergoes simulation and static-pressure testing on the production line. We also regularly monitor consumer complaints to ensure that consumers are satisfied with the performance of their devices, with a complaint rate related to accuracy of less than 0.05%.”

Konsung Pro Dry Biochemical Analyzer At-Home Cholesterol Monitor (£450)

This at-home cholesterol monitor was branded a ‘Test Fail’ after its data consistently failed to align with clinical reference measurements.

Instead, the consumer watchdogs recommend the London Medical Laboratory Cholesterol Test (£39), a ‘Test Pass’ and ‘Best Buy’ postal kit they said provides highly reliable, complete lipid readings within 48 hours.

Silentnight Airmax 800 Air Purifier (£69)

This air purifier scored 37 per cent after performing poorly in Which?’s air purification tests. Although quiet to operate, it struggled to remove small particles from the air compared to other products in this category.

Offering an alternative, Which? suggested the Blueair Mini Max (£59, Amazon), which achieved a 65 per cent Great Value score.

A Silentnight spokesperson said: “The Silentnight Airmax 800 Air Purifier is designed to remove airborne particles using a HEPA filter. It has never been marketed or claimed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which require a dedicated activated carbon filter that this product does not contain.

“Our packaging, instruction manual and product information accurately describe the product’s capabilities, and we are confident consumers are given clear information about what the product is designed to do. We have shared this information with Which? and hope they will review their assessment in light of the product’s intended specification.”

House of Marley Jammin Speaker (£30)

Which? gave the speakers a score of 42 after discovering its sound lacked clarity and depth, especially when compared to other speakers in the same price range. Instead Which? recommends the Tribit XSound Plus 2 (£49.98, Amazon).