The prime 20 tech items Brits depend on to save lots of time – from air fryers to sensible meters
A poll of 2,000 adults found the top 20 time-saving inventions from this century, with air fryers, virtual banking and contactless payments making the top ten
Air fryers, virtual banking and contactless payments have been voted as the top time-saving tech inventions of this century by Brits, according to a recent survey. The poll, which involved 2,000 adults, also identified instant messaging apps and online appointment booking as significant time-saving advancements.
In the past year, three out of ten respondents haven’t set foot in a bank branch, opting to rely on technology instead. Meanwhile, 21% feel that smart tech aids them in better budgeting. Over half of those polled have reclaimed a few hours by opting for video calls over face-to-face meetings. Additionally, 35% value how technology has expedited their management of energy and utility bills.
Four out of ten participants admitted to relying on supermarket self-checkouts to streamline their daily routine, while one in five found voice-activated assistants useful for saving precious minutes. Other top 10 entries included internet shopping, smart meters and autofill features for online forms.
The study was commissioned by Smart Energy GB to emphasise the time-saving advantages of smart prepay meters, which enable users to top up online or via phone, eliminating the need to visit shops.
Lynn Beattie, a personal finance expert and busy mother of three, shared: “My absolute favourite time-saving invention is my air fryer. Not only does it save me half the time on cooking the jacket potatoes and chicken, but it saves on energy too.
“As a busy parent, anything that helps speed up mealtimes is a win it means less time standing over the hob and more time spending quality time together.”
“Finding small ways to save time can make a real difference,” said Lynn, “My smart meter means I no longer have to remember to submit meter readings, which is just one less thing to worry about.”
On average, Brits are saving just over four hours a week thanks to time-saving tech, which equates to more than 220 hours annually.
The survey revealed that 81% of the 200 smart prepay meter users surveyed believe the technology has saved them time in their daily routines. This is largely due to the convenience of using an app for top-ups, eliminating the need for manual meter checks.
Lynn, also known as Mrs Mummypenny, added: “As a parent, you quickly learn to appreciate anything that saves you a few minutes here and there.
“I’ve got smart plugs so I can use my phone to switch things on and off, including the kettle, and I always do the food shop online to avoid the supermarket dash.
“Using a smart prepay meter is another great trick it means one less thing for you to think about, and you can even top up from your phone when out and about.”
TOP 20 PIECES OF TECH THAT SAVES TIME:
- Online banking
- Contactless payments
- Online appointment booking
- Instant messaging apps
- Online grocery shopping
- Air fryers
- Self-checkout machines
- Autofill for online forms
- Smart meters
- Video calls
- Mobile payment apps (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Disney+)
- E-tickets and digital boarding passes
- Fast-charging technology
- Food delivery apps
- Cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, iCloud)
- Voice-activated assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Home)
- Digital music apps (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music)
- Smart home devices (e.g., smart thermostats, smart locks)
- Wireless earbuds
