Half of adults admit that they buy low-quality products to save money.

Research of 2,000 adults showed that millennials were more likely than older people to choose the cheapest option (45%) and those between 45-54 preferred quality over price (59%).

The average adult has two faulty or malfunctioning products in their home at the moment, and only 29 per cent are regularly buying premium items, hoping it’ll save them money in the long run.

Despite initial hesitation to spend the money, four out five millennials recognize a difference in the performance and quality of household electrical items such as chargers or kettles.

Natasha Bambridge from business improvement, product testing and standards company, BSI, which commissioned the research to highlight the importance of the BSI Kitemark said: “This research has really highlighted the thought processes people go through when buying a product.

“For those seeking reassurance and confidence in the quality, safety and durability of their purchases, looking for an independent certification logo such as the Kitemark can help when deciding which products to trust.

“Deciding between products with similar specifications and features can be confusing, so it’s important for consumers to do their research on what certification marks stand for so they can be assured of the testing standards the product that they’re buying have met.”

The study found 58 per cent of all adults are more likely to pay a premium to buy something that’s longer lasting and more durable than other options.

However, Gen Z adults (18-24 years old) were less likely to consider the product’s lifespan when making a purchase decision.

Kitemark indicates products’ sustainability

The cost-of-living crisis has driven some changes in habits, with 36 per cent of all adults spending more time researching a product’s durability to avoid purchasing products that aren’t likely to last long or stand up to everyday use.

According to OnePoll data 32% have waited to replace broken or inefficient items because of budget constraints.

25% of consumers will look for certification logos to ensure safety and quality when purchasing an electric product.

These certification logos may include the BSI Kitemark symbol, which can be used to identify a range products and services such as sofas and electric plug sockets. This symbol is used to indicate that they meet a superior standard in terms safety, quality, security and sustainability.

Natasha Bambridge, from BSI, added: “For consumers looking for extra confidence in the safety, quality, security or sustainability of products, they can look for a trusted and established certification mark, such as the Kitemark.

“Knowing products have been independently tested provides peace of mind to consumers who can have increased confidence in the products that they’re buying have been robustly tested to ensure they are safer, more secure, and better quality.

“With money being tight at the moment, it’s easy to understand why many will be looking to low-cost electricals made of less-durable materials when there’s less disposable income, but it could end up costing consumers in the long run.

“And there’s also the risk of buying something of a much lower quality, that you could end up having to replace it fairly quickly, which may lead to more products getting sent to landfills, damaging the environment by creating more waste.”