I'm a money-saving pro – six bargain buys that rival high end versions including a vac that's like Shark but £43 cheaper | The Sun

WHEN it comes to gadgets, appliances and cookware, there are a huge variety of options on the market, all with different price tags.

And according to money-saving expert Liz Edwards, who is editor-in-chief at price comparison site finder.com, some of the bargain dupes are just as good as the high-end versions, but cost a fraction of the price.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, she says: "There are plenty of no-name, or lesser-known, brands making great products that cost way less than their famous counterparts.

"The trick is to know where to look for great value."

Here, Liz shares six great value items that you've probably never heard of, but which have good reviews from testers or customers, or both – and several are less than half the price of similar, better-known versions.

But just remember, stock for these types of products can sell out fast when word gets around…

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Kettle: £16 vs £31

"If you know a student heading to uni – or you are one – you’re going to need a kettle," says Liz.

But rather than fork out on the high-end Breville 'IKT199 Illuminated Stainless Steel Jug Kettle' from Argos, which retails at £31, the money-saving whizz instead recommends snapping up Dunelm's '1.7L 3KW Black Kettle.'

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Priced at just £16, Liz notes that it'll save you a respectable £15 compared to the high-end version.

"This Dunelm black (or red or grey) £16 kettle can boil 1.7 litres, just like a rival version from Breville, which is nearly twice the price at £31," she explains.

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"And Dunelm’s customers rated this kettle 4.5 out of 5, based on more than 100 reviews."

Amongst the reviews include one happy customer who enthused: "Good kettle – very sturdy, great price, very modern, quick boil not noisy."

A second praised: "Great value, looks good boils fast , as long as it lasts will be a great purchase!"

2. Handheld vac: £37 vs £79.99

Liz notes that when Good Housekeeping tested budget handheld vacs, there were two that scored 94/100.

She explains that one of them was the 'Black + Decker Dustbuster WDC215WA-GB Cordless Wet & Dry vacuum,' which is currently priced at £37 from B&Q.

"You can try click and collect if it’s not in stock in your local B&Q," the money-saving pro advises.

Liz goes on to point out that its fellow top scorer, the Shark 'Classic Handheld Pet Vacuum CH950UKT', costs £79.99, which is more than double.

The Good Housekeeping review of the budget version reads: "Bringing you power for less than £40, this tied for performance with the Shark model [Shark Classic Handheld Pet Vacuum CH950UKT].

"On test, it was a stellar cleaner across all flooring and easily gobbled up everything from dust to crumbs to pet hair.

"Cleaning our test car was easy and effective, too."

Microwave: £59.99 vs £84.99

When it comes to microwaves, Liz says the £84.99 Currys 'Essentials Compact Solo Microwave CMW21' can heat and steam, and got a thumbs-up from Which?

However, she notes: "It’s worth knowing that its turntable is 24.5cm wide, which isn’t huge.

"I measured our Ikea dinner plates, which have a 26cm diameter, so they were too big.

"But our pasta bowls, at 22cm diameter, would fit perfectly."

Meanwhile, the money-saving pro says the similar Panasonic 'NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave,' also in white, is £84.99 – meaning it costs £29 more.

5. Casserole dish: £19.99 vs £225

As autumn arrives, we’ll all turn to thinking about food to warm us up on a chilly evening.

And according to Liz, from Sunday, 3 September, Aldi is selling a bargain range of cast iron casserole dishes.

"The 20cm round pot is just £19.99 and looks much like a pricey version from Le Creuset, which costs about £205 more," she says.

6. Dishwasher: £270 vs £1179

Liz points out that big ticket appliances are where you can see really dramatic price differences, depending on what brand you go for.

And she notes this is certainly true with dishwashers where you could end up paying over £800 more for a model from a well-known brand.

She continues: "Take for example the Miele G5310, which would set you back over £1,000 versus the Bush BFSSAE12B, which is available for just £270.

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"The Bush model is one of the highest rated by customers on Argos – 93% would recommend it.

"The Bush brand is owned by Sainsbury’s – the parent company of Argos."

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