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If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like chopping or changing tech or chasing fads, you might question whether the latest gadget is right for you.
When you do invest, you want simple and reliable technology that will make your life easier.
That’s where our experts can help. When they review a product, one of the key things they look out for is how easy it is to use.
We’ve selected the best simple tech below or, if you’re hunting for something in particular, try these links:
Basic phones | Simple smartphones | Blocking nuisance calls | Simple tablets | Simple laptops | Which? Tech Support | Simple security | Simple smart speakers | Simple ebook readers
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Basic phones
If you are shopping for a phone for yourself or an older relative that is – quite simply – just a phone, the hype around the latest apps and features can feel frustrating.
They are designed for basic mobile phone tasks such as making calls and sending text messages, with some going further and offering internet access via wi-fi or a 4G connection.
Which? phones expert Amy Axworthy
‘We test simple mobile phones that have extra accessibility features and are designed with ease of use in mind.
Simple smartphones
Choosing a simpler phone design can mean you end up paying less, as you avoid spending big on expensive gadgetry – such as hi-tech camera features.
Our mobile phone reviews can be filtered to find the best low to mid-range models.
In our analysis of the best smartphones, we’ve found some Great Value phones for under £300.
Our Great Value handsets score 60% or more in our tests and are at least 20% cheaper than the average price for all mobile phones we review.
They might not have the very best cameras or displays, but they’re solid performers and often have long battery lives, making them affordable gems worth considering.
If you are looking for something hi-spec but nonetheless easy to use, our experts say iPhones are known for their intuitive design, so don’t be put off from venturing into a store to test one, or see if a friend can talk you through theirs.
The drawback of iPhones is that they aren’t cheap, so consider if an older, less pricey device might suit you better.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro, for example, is extremely responsive, with a decent battery life, good cameras and a clear display. It is now often only available second-hand but, at around £520, costs less than half the price of more recent models.
Before you buy, read our advice on how to buy second-hand or refurbished mobile phone.
For more tips, read our guide on which Apple iPhone you should buy.
Blocking nuisance calls
Of course, mobile phones are all very well but landline phones are what many people grew up with – and continue to rely on.
The one drawback is that you can fall prey to nuisance calls – which is why it’s important to think about call blocking technology.
Which? expert on call blocking technology William O’ Connor
‘Cordless landline phones typically come with a lot of anti-scam caller stuff built in.
‘There are also a few models that let the user easily add numbers to a block list if the odd call does get through.’
See our reviews of the best call blocking home phones.
Simple tablets
Having access to the internet so we can pay bills, do shopping, watch films or connect with other people, has become incredibly important over the past few years.
But if you’re looking for a system that is easy to use, where do you start?
If you aren’t comfortable splashing out, consider whether a refurbished model might suit you better.
For example, if it’s an iPad you’re interested in, we’ve seen refurbished models that are around £200 cheaper than the newer versions. You can find out more in our piece on refurbished iPads.
Setting up a new tablet can also feel like a challenge, but our experts have some reassuring advice.
Which? tablets expert Martin Pratt
‘Tablet operating systems are now incredibly intuitive.
‘Initial setup is a simple step-by-step operation.
‘It’s not really something you can get wrong because you can always adjust anything you’ve selected during setup in the settings later.
‘The only thing I would recommend doing before starting the process is have your email address and password ready.’
If you’re seeking more tips on things you can do with your new purchase, consult our tips on 7 things to do with your new iPad or tablet.
All of the Which? Best Buy tablets and iPads we have tested currently score full marks for ease of use. Our tablet reviews let you filter to find the one that will suit your needs best.
Simple laptops
It can be difficult to understand the differences between tablets and laptops – the two have many similarities.
It depends, very much, on what your priorities are.
If you are looking for something light and portable so you can browse the internet, watch films and chat to family and friends, generally a tablet will be a good option.
However, if you are seeking a larger machine with a longer battery life and a more sizeable screen, you might want to think about a laptop.
You can compare the two in this piece on cheap vs pricey laptops and tablets, which looks at the key differences in more detail.
If you do decide on a laptop, what kind of features will make it easier to use?
Which? laptops expert Michael Passingham
‘Features such as backlit keys – which make the letters easier to read – a good responsive touchpad, a good number of ports for plugging in memory sticks and other devices, such as phones, and an easy-to-open lid can all make for a more straightforward experience.
‘Look for models such as the Samsung Galaxy Book 2, which has a large screen and is good for basic tasks, as well as being slim and lightweight enough to carry from room to room.’
You can filter our laptop reviews according to ease of use, to find the ones we loved that were also the most straightforward.
Which? Tech Support
Tackling a new device can be challenging, so having someone on hand to explain what some terms mean is always handy.
Which? Tech Support offers one-to-one technical advice for Which? Tech Support and Which? Computing members, so if you feel you’ll need some extra help with anything from fixing a laptop to setting up a new mobile phone, it would be worth talking to our membership team.
Until 3 January, we are offering 25% off a Which? Tech Support membership for the first year which you can buy for yourself or for someone else as a gift.
Book your appointment with Which? Tech Support or, if you don’t have a Which? Tech Support membership, call 029 2267 0005 Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm to find out more.
Simple security and smart homes
You’ve probably heard of smart technology – but is it something that could actually make your life any easier?
Basically, a smart home is one that has heating, lighting, security devices and other electronics that can be controlled from a distance, such as via your phone.
Smart gadgets are often designed to be uncomplicated and easy to set up.
A recent government report said smart technology could bring many benefits to people, such as improved quality of life, as well as security and health benefits.
You can start small – perhaps with something as simple as a doorbell.
Smart doorbells are a great security device that can tell you if a visitor has arrived or if there is suspicious activity taking place outside your home.
Which? smart doorbell expert Andrew Laughlin:
‘You usually have to use an app with a smart doorbell – which will mean you will need a smartphone or tablet to operate it – but many also support voice control.
‘Being able to see who is at the door and even answer it from your phone is much easier than a traditional doorbell.’
Read our reviews of the best smart video doorbells to suit all budgets.
Simple smart speakers
A smart speaker is simple to use and can be a really useful way to listen to music or find out information quickly – although being on first-name terms with an inanimate object can feel a little strange at first.
If you have a query – for example about the weather or travel conditions – you can simply ask your smart speaker, instead of searching on Google.
You can also use a speaker to time activities, such as baking a cake.
You can also use your speaker to listen to music – either via a streaming service such as Spotify or a radio station, although one frustrating aspect is that you may have to use quite specific commands to access radio stations. Read our helpful guide on Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa commands.
Popular models include Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
- The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), which comes with a screen for easy use, is the easiest-to-set up and use type of smart speaker.
- Alternatively, you could consider the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), which has fast and responsive voice controls and comes at a reasonable price.
According to our experts, once the speaker is set up – usually via a smartphone – it is very straightforward to use.
Which? smart speaker expert Oliver Trebilcock
‘It’s just a small learning curve on how voice control works.
‘Basically, every command needs to start with the wake word: ‘Alexa’ for Alexa smart speakers, ‘Hey, Google’ for Google Assistant smart speakers – you quickly get the hang of it.
‘For a non-technical person, the choice of voice assistant won’t matter much. For Alexa, you can buy from Amazon through it, and Google Assistant obviously links best with Google services like your Google Calendar.
‘But for a non-technical person, I would say Alexa is a little bit more intuitive to use.’
Our expert lab tests will help you find the best smart speakers.
Simple ebook readers
Ebook readers are simple electrical gadgets that are easy to get the hang of.
They give you access to millions of books, magazines and newspapers and can store thousands of titles at a time.
You can find models that allow you to adjust the screen for brightness and even waterproof ones you can read in the bath.
They start from around £85 and go up to £350, with models like the Kobo Clara 2E (which scored four out of five stars for ease of use) and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2021 (which got five stars in our tests) falling in the lower-to-middle end of this price bracket.
Which? ebook readers expert Amy Axworthy
‘You can store all your beloved books on a single device that, in itself, is lighter than a paperback.
‘Kobo ebook readers allow you to borrow library books – so you can have lots of free titles on one device.’
Read our expert reviews on the best ebook readers so you can find which ones we rate highly for ease of use.
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