Shonkys
Our 2025 Shonky Award winners revealed
We bring you the lemon products and businesses of the past year.
kitchen
The best bottom-mount fridges
Latest reviews
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Travel
Domestic travel insurance -
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Electronics and technology
Smartphones -
Home and living
Air fryers -
Home and living
Dishwasher detergent -
Babies and kids
Trampolines -
Outdoor
Pizza ovens -
Food and drink
Vanilla ice cream
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We reveal the worst products and services of 2025.
Shonky winners 2025
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Commonwealth Bank
The Shonky Award for making bank off the back of Australia's poorest. -
Temu
The Shonky Award for being an unsafe haven for dodgy sales tactics and fast fashion. -
Handy Heater Turbo 800
The Shonky Award for a plug-in heater that doesn't plug in (or heat anything). -
Energy retailers
The Shonky Award for pricing tactics designed to confuse. -
HCF
The Shonky Award for a price rise in disguise.
Take action
Sign the petition to refund unfair fees now
Call on CommBank to refund $270 million in unfair fees it charged to millions of low-income customers who were eligible for low-fee accounts.
Cooling
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The best ceiling fans for bedrooms
As the weather warms up, here's how to choose a ceiling fan that will give you a peaceful night's sleep. -
What size air conditioner do I need?
How to decide on the right kW based on your room size and other important factors. -
Six portable air conditioners to avoid
Keep your cool and steer clear of these loud and lousy units. -
Spring-clean your air con to save money this summer
A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping the mercury and your energy bills down. -
The ceiling fans you shouldn't be buying
Don't lose your cool with these poor performers.
Life admin
Handy tools and comparison services from CHOICE
Shop smart
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Travel insurance policies to avoid
Being prepared for a holiday includes sorting out the best value travel insurance. Don’t let a dud policy ruin your break. -
Kmart vs Philips air fryers
Budget buy or established brand? We put these two popular players head-to-head to help you choose what's right for you. -
Three air fryers to avoid buying
These not-so-hot air fryers will leave you underwhelmed. -
Dyson vs LG stick vacuums
We compare these top performing stick vac brands for price, accessories, features and more. -
The prams you shouldn't be buying
These prams from Kmart Anko, iCandy, Silver Cross and Pouch failed our safety tests.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
Learn more-
DEC 2024
Meta to crack down on investment scam ads
Meta introduces a requirement that financial advertisers are verified to help prevent fake celebrity investment scam ads on Facebook and Instagram.
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NOV 2024
Buy now, pay later loophole to close
Reforms pass to regulate buy now, pay later loans under the Credit Act. Companies will need to ensure they’re not selling unaffordable loans and provide support for those facing financial hardship.
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NOV 2024
First part of privacy reform passes
Reforms introduce the right to sue after a serious privacy breach, extra enforcement powers for the privacy regulator, and algorithm transparency obligations.
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NOV 2024
Overhaul of merger laws
New rules grant stronger powers for the ACCC, to stop big businesses from squeezing out competitors to capture a larger percentage of the market.
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NOV 2024
Bunnings’ facial recognition ruled illegal
Privacy Commissioner finds that Bunnings broke privacy laws by using facial recognition in 63 stores without customer consent. Bunnings has to delete all sensitive data, and not repeat or continue the practice.
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OCT 2024
A free way to pay rent in NSW and Victoria
Reforms to rental laws in both states establish a right to pay rent for free through direct debit, landing a blow against RentTech payment platforms, which add additional fees.
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OCT 2024
Unfair business practices to be banned
The government commits to a new ban on unfair business practices. The new law could cover a range of traps like dynamic ticket pricing, gym memberships that are almost impossible to cancel, and pre-checked extras at online checkouts.
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OCT 2024
Stronger refund rights
The government announces plans to introduce strong penalties for businesses that flaunt consumer laws by unfairly denying people their consumer guaranteed rights to a repair, refund or replacement.
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SEP 2024
ACCC action on supermarket prices
Coles and Woolworths face court for allegedly misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ discounts on hundreds of products, when they were the same or higher than the previous regular price.
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AUG 2024
Improved flight rights
New government reforms strengthen airline consumer rights, including a new independent Aviation Ombuds Scheme. This replaces the current industry-funded Airline Customer Advocate that's so bad, we gave it a Shonky Award in 2021.
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JULY 2024
Infant sleep products now safer
New mandatory standards introduced following rigorous testing and advocacy by CHOICE. The standards reduce the risk of death and injury from sleep products.
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JULY 2024
CHOICE becomes a designated complainant
The government appoints CHOICE as one of the first ‘designated complainants’, allowing us to make ‘super complaints’ to the ACCC on significant and systemic consumer problems.
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MAY 2024
New Fuel Efficiency Standards
New vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards aim to reduce vehicle running costs and increase vehicle choices, including electric vehicles.
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MAY 2024
Toppling furniture standards introduced
The ACCC introduces a new information standard for toppling furniture to reduce incidents, that requires warnings and information for consumers.
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MAY 2024
Energy companies warned about HelpPay
Australian Energy Regulator warns energy retailers that promoting HelpPay might be against the law.
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MAR 2024
Bloomex fined $1 million
The online floristis ordered to pay a $1 million fine for misleading advertising. This comes after CHOICE gave a Shonky Award to Bloomex in 2022 for poor service.
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FEB 2024
Support for Youpla/ACBF victims
The Government announces $97 million to the Youpla Support Program to assist some victims. Thanks to ongoing advocacy by First Nations advocates, policyholders, and community organisations.
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