"THEY seemed like a good idea at the time, promising to become an indispensable addition to the home.
Now an estimated [pounds sterling]9.4billion worth of household gadgets are lying unused in homes across the country, a survey reveals.
Gismos such as foot spas and electric knives are languishing in cupboards and drawers, many still in their boxes.
Analysts say the majority of neglected goods are either impulse buys or unwanted gifts.
Sandwich toasters top the list of 'useless' gadgets. Almost half the population own one but never, or rarely, use it, according to a survey of 1,000 adults by online insurers esure.com.
The research suggests that up to 21.5million consumers have spent around [pounds sterling]315million on unused sandwich toasters, which typically cost [pounds sterling]35.
The second least used items are bathroom scales, which cost an average of [pounds sterling]40.
The survey found 31 per cent of those questioned - equivalent to 15million people - have bathroom scales which are destined for the back of the cupboard.
Close behind are coffee machines, costing between [pounds sterling]60 and [pounds sterling]150. They are neglected by 30 per cent of the population.
Around 22 per cent of adults admit to owning, but never using, a foot spa.
They vary in price but may cost around [pounds sterling]50.
The fifth most 'useless' gadget is the electric knife, owned but unused by 21 per cent.
The rest of the top ten most useless gadgets are electric tin openers, owned but unused by 16 per cent, bread makers (15.9 per cent), vegetable dicers and slicers (15 per cent) soda streams (13 per cent) and facial saunas (12 per cent).
One in five householders has more than [pounds sterling]500 worth of unemployed household gadgets and, on average, men spend [pounds sterling]361 on unused household items while women spend [pounds sterling]238.
Young people, aged 18 to 24, are most likely to be lured by gimmicky gadgets and one in four admit they would like to own a 'counting' bottle opener.
Nikki Sellers, esure's head of home insurance, said: 'Many of us are suckers for advertising and feel left out if we don't own the latest must-have gadgets.
'Cookery programmes are fuelling the desire for kitchen gadgets, but electric knives are sometimes more of a hassle than using an ordinary knife.'"
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