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    We Tested 15 Investment Items And Here's Whether They're Worth It

    Featuring a spendy carpet cleaner and that hair tool everyone's talking about.

    Jessica Brunt
    by Jessica Brunt

    BuzzFeed Staff

    🌟 I love a bargain, but sometimes even the dupes just can't compare to the real thing. Before you splurge your hard-earned cash on investment buys, though, it's good to know whether they're really worth the coin. I decided to round up some of my friends and colleagues and put them to the test! 🌟

    1. The Shark Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

    Lucy Sutton / BuzzFeed

    If there's one item I think is worth spending a little more on, it's a vacuum cleaner. I've had many a cheap appliance that merely drags hair and fuzz around the floor, spitting it back out in an unsatisfying puff once it's turned off.

    My friend Lucy is obsessed with this Shark cordless stick vacuum cleaner saying it's one of the best vacuum cleaners she's tried thanks to its powerful suction. The only draw back she mentioned is that it's quite heavy to carry upstairs.

    Price: £238.00.

    2. The Dyson Airwrap

    Kasey Taylor / BuzzFeed

    One of my friends uses the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler and swears by it. It's been on my wishlist for ages, but the price tag makes me wince A LOT.

    She did admit you need to get the hang of this gadget before you can appreciate how good it is, which is something I've also heard on TikTok. It grabs the hair without you needing to do too much work, and the results give a bouncy blowdry style finish to your 'do.

    My friend created this look in ten minutes from wet to dry as proof of how quickly it styles your hair, but you can comb out the 'do for a slightly for a less put-together look. She did admit that for some styles you might want to invest in add-ons like the extra-thin barrel (which was used here) and does up the cost.

    Price: £479.00.

    3. Tineco Carpet Cleaner

    Jess Brunt/ BuzzFeed

    I tried out the Tineco Carpet One Pro smart carpet cleaner (pictured) to see if it could help rid my fairly-new carpet of the beige tint my dog's paws have left all over it.

    Now, you might balk at the price tag (and I completely get it) but I should just say that when you consider hiring a carpet cleaning machine and tot up the cost for doing it a few times a year, it starts to look like a more attractive investment. I can't lie either, my carpet does look as good as new and once you get the hang of it, it's easy to use.

    I've linked the slightly cheaper Tineco Carpet One smart cleaner that boasts many of the same features, including a powerful 130AW suction, a heater and temperature controller to maintain water temperature, and a very clever iLoop smart dust sensor. This nifty feature detects how dirty the carpet is and automatically applies optimal suction power and water flow for a more effective clean.

    Price: £499.00 for the carpet one version.

    4. Dr Martens Jadon Boots

    Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

    I've been lusting after a pair of Dr Martens for years and after hearing my colleague Valeza's review, I'm massively tempted.

    She said 'I bought these Jadon Hi Dr. Marten boots in March, have gotten LOADS of wear out of them since then, and see myself wearing them for years to come! I’m most excited to style them now that autumn is finally here, as they go with just about every cold weather fashion piece I have in my wardrobe – from knitwear to denim.

    I will say that they take some time and effort to break into, but once you’re in, you’re in (I’ve owned my first pair of Doc Martens for over ten years and they only get more comfy with time!). I love the platform style of the Jadons which gives me extra height without the discomfort of heels.

    Whilst Valeza's exact boots are currently sold out on Office, these similar Jadon ones are currently in stock.

    Price: £189.00 – they're available in UK shoe sizes 3-8.

    5. Dr Martens Double Doc Socks

    Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

    At £10 a pair, these are one pair of socks you wouldn't want to lose in the wash! However,  Valeza reckons they're worth spending the extra on thanks to the cushioning they provide...

    'Remember how I spoke about breaking Doc Martens in? Yeah, it’s not a fun process. I don’t recall having much trouble breaking into my first pair of Docs, but the Jadons, with their stiffer leather, high ankle design, and stubborn platform base, felt like walking in two buckets full of dried cement! 

    Luckily I discovered these genius socks that are specially designed to cushion your feet while you get through those crucial first few wears. They basically act like double-layered socks which protect the most blister-prone parts of your feet (simply wearing two pairs of socks will NOT cut it – trust me, I’ve tried). Yes, they’re a bit pricier than regular socks, but are they worth it? Absolutely.'

    Price: £10.00 – they're available in sizes S/M and M/L.

    6. UGG Ultra Minis

    Jess Brunt / BuzzFeed

    Speaking of footwear, I tried out one of this season's most lusted-after shoes, the UGG ultra mini boots. Normally, I don't buy into trend pieces, instead opting for classic items that I can reach for year after year.

    However, these cute shoes (which I've linked in the black as my shade 'chestnut' is often super low in stock) can actually be styled so many ways, which I didn't realise until I did a deep-dive on Pinterest and TikTok. They've also been on-trend for the last couple of seasons, and I love their laid-back vibe. 

    Would I normally spend £100+ on a pair of shoes? Definitely not regularly, but you can believe the hype IMO – they are seriously comfy – almost slipper-like in fact!

    Price: £125.00 – they're available in UK shoe sizes 4-8.

    7. Joseph Joseph expandable dish rack

    Elizabeth Cotton / BuzzFeed

    The BuzzFeed shopping team (myself included) are huge fans of Joseph Joseph. I must admit, originally I found it hard to get excited about a dish rack, but my colleague Liz has me converted. 

    This expandable dish rack is great for saving space thanks to its extending design and draining spout. It still seems quite spendy to me, however, as a Joseph Joseph stan, I can imagine the durability and longevity of the product will be great. It also looks more aesthetically pleasing than tons of others on the market.

    Price: £69.99 – it also comes in other colours.

    8. SodaStream Art

    Jess Brunt / BuzzFeed

    I'm partial to the odd fizzy drink, but as a sparkling water hater, I'd never considered a SodaStream Art. However, I hadn't realised that you can buy different branded mixers to make up your fave fizzy beverages, so it's ideal for impromptu gatherings!

    It also looks like a pretty swish piece of kitchenware, thanks to its sleek black design and lever handle (that makes me feel like I'm a professional in a bar!)

    Just make sure you read the instructions properly and don't overfill it like my fiance did or you might end up with water up your walls! If you're sick of buying huge plastic bottles filled with fizzy drinks, then this could be the investment buy for you. Plus, I love the fact it's something you'll use all year round.

    Price: £117.99.

    9. GHD Max Styler Hair Straighteners

    Lucy Sutton / BuzzFeed

    I've been an avid GHD fan for ages and have had my current hair straighteners for over ten years! My friend Lucy also adores hers saying 'My hair is extremely thick, so these wide-plate GHDs are a life-saver to straighten my hair as they take half the time that the thin plates would. They take seconds to heat up, making them perfect for when you’re in rush to sort your hair and get out the door!'

    This is one brand where I definitely think it's worth spending the extra £££.

    Price: £159.20.

    10. Ooni Pizza Oven

    Elizabeth Cotton / BuzzFeed

    I won't lie, I was very tempted by a pizza oven this summer, but I wasn't sure how much I'd use it VS the cost. 

    My colleague Liz has this Ooni Koda 12 one however and reckons it's great if you can't be bothered to cook in the summer, saying 'we got this pizza oven as it’s perfect for family get-togethers! It cooks the pizza in 60 seconds which is ideal if you’re as impatient as me when waiting for food. I also love the size of it, it’s small enough to store away when not in use so it doesn’t cause any clutter.'

    Overall, if, like me, you think BBQ's are overrated (yes, I did just say that!) then it could be a great alternative, but as with anything spendy, give some thought to how often you'd use it as the UK's summers can be hit and miss weather wise.

    Price: £299.00.

    11. Instant Pot

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    My colleague Amy swears by the investment-worthy Instant Pot. You basically chuck your ingredients in, and it acts like a slow cooker, creating you a tasty meal while you work or relax!

    That isn't all though, because what sets this clever gadget apart is that it's actually a seven-in-one buy. It can be used as  a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, yoghurt maker, steamer, and food warmer. 

    Given the functionality of the Instant Pot, it sounds like it justifies the heftier price tag.

    Price: £89.99 for one in a 5.7L size – it's also available in other sizes.

    12. Trunki Kids Case

    Lucy Sutton / BuzzFeed

    When it comes to kids' things I know many parents (understandably) aren't keen to invest as children grow fast and their interests change. 

    My friend Lucy uses the Trunki kids' case for travelling with her little girl, and she says 'The Trunki is ideal to take on holiday with you to store snacks, toys, nappies, and a change of clothes. My daughter Willow loves to sit on it and be pulled along around the airport which entertains her when there's lots of waiting around. We even use it when we are abroad for her to ride around on at the hotel etc.'

    While there are definitely cheaper bags on the market, products with multiple uses are often worth the investment for the fact they give good bang for your buck and save space.

    Price: £31.99.

    13. The Our Place Always Pan

    Amy Glover/ BuzzFeed

    I've definitely been hit with the 'buy cheap buy twice' stick when it comes to pots and pans. And let's face it, the 'cheap' ones aren't usually that cheap either. There's also few kitchenware brands as beautiful as Our Place so that also goes in its favour.

    The beauty of the Always Pan is that it isn't just style over substance as my colleague Amy was eager to point out. It replaces a whopping eight traditional pieces of cookware, meaning if you live alone or have limited cupboard space it would be ideal. Whilst it is expensive, if you consider you won't need to buy a number of other pieces of kitchenware, it could save you money (and cupboard space!) in the long run.

    Price: £125.00 – it's available in multiple different colours.

    14. Jo Malone Candle

    Jess Brunt / BuzzFeed

    I am slightly biased as I have a real soft spot for Jo Malone fragrances and candles. Let's face it though, these days there are some great affordable candles around, but in my opinion, if you're looking to treat someone (or yourself!) to a lovely gift, then everything from the packaging to the scent of this pomegranate noir one feels luxe.

    Since it isn't something I'd usually treat myself to, it's definitely one that goes on my Christmas wishlist. You can also add engraving (albeit for an extra cost) to give someone a personalised pressie, FYI.

    Price: £55.00 for a 220g size.

    15. NEOM Organics Diffuser Pod

    Nairi Booloozian / BuzzFeed

    My friend Nairi swears by the NEOM Organics diffuser pod for scenting her home. It's an Instagram sensation, but is it actually worth the £££ price tag?

    Nairi says 'I LOVE the Neom diffuser! When I’m stressed I use calming scents like lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, and I go for fresh citrus smells in the summer.

    It’s so much fun to try out different essential oil combinations and it lasts a lot longer and have more reach than the many candles I have! Highly recommend!'

    Price: £95.00.