5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on I’m queen of cheap family holidays – here are five ways I save money at airports from ‘free’ sunscreen to food cashback
GETTING through the airport without spending more than you’ve paid for your flights can be a bit of a challenge when you’ve got a young family.
Here’s my hacks for keeping costs down while not falling foul of security and airline restrictions.
GettyYou can get “free” suncream at the airport[/caption]
Grab a ‘free suncream’ at the airport
We all know suncream can cost a bomb abroad, but if you’re only traveling with hand luggage, you might not be able to carry a big bottle with you.
When I went through Stansted at Easter, the liquid allowance was still 100ml per bottle, although it’s due to be lifted at some airports this month after new scanners were installed.
But if you plan in advance, you could get a free suncream in the departure lounge once you’re through the security checks.
Before you travel, get the Recycle at Boots app and find five empty health or beauty items that can’t go in your kerbside recycling collection, like electric toothbrush heads or toothpaste tubes.
Take a quick snap of them and upload them to the app. Once they’ve been added, you can bag them up and drop them in the collection point at your nearest participating Boots, before scanning the QR code on the side of the box for a voucher to claim £5 worth of Advantage Card points when you spend £10.
If you store up your points until you get through airport security, you can spend them on suncream at Boots airside.
I got a bottle of Soltan at Stansted for £6.05, so you’ll need more points than you get in one recycling transaction, but there’s nothing to stop you doing it several times and getting lots of points on your card, ready to spend at the airport.
It’s also handy if you need liquids like Calpol or you’ve forgotten any essentials like toothpaste.
Local drop-off prices or free
Residents who live near Stansted Airport can pay a reduced charge at the express set down at the terminal of either 50p or £1 for up to 15 minutes, depending on whether they live within five miles or 10 miles.
There are similar schemes at other regional airports like Edinburgh and Manchester, which means that if you live near an airport or have family and friends who do, you might be able to avoid paying for airport parking.
We used the free drop-off and pick-up point in one of the long-term car parks, hopping on the shuttle bus to get us to and from the airport.
Food on flight
It’s worth giving a bit of thought to what you’re going to eat and drink while you’re at the airport and on your flight, as grabbing a quick bite can end up costing a fair bit otherwise.
I usually pack up a picnic of cut-price sarnies to dole out on the plane, but it would also be easy to bring a pot noodle and ask for some hot water from the cabin crew.
For just 70p a pop at Aldi compared to easyJet or Norse Atlantic Airways prices of £4.50 per pot, my family of five would save almost £20 with this easy hack.
We also like to bring reusable water pouches that pack flat and can be filled up once you’re through security.
There’s a water tap just inside the Wetherspoons at Stansted so you don’t even need to ask at the bar to top up your drinks bottles.
GettyMost Wetherspoons pubs at the airport have a free tap you can use[/caption]
Cashback cards
If you want to eat something a bit more substantial before your flight, it’s often the case that chains like Pizza Express exclude their airport branches from popular deals and discounts.
But there is a way you can enjoy a meal while saving a bit of money, if you use cashback sites like Quidco.
If you’ve got a bit of cashback saved up on your account, you can withdraw it in the form of an e-giftcard for various restaurants.
Cashing out as a gift card rather than straight into your bank account might mean you’ll get an extra amount on top of what you’re withdrawing.
You can get up to 15 per cent extra on some restaurant giftcards, so if you’re cashing out £10, you’ll end up with £11.50 to spend.
It can take a few days for the gift card to arrive in your inbox, so you’ll need to plan in advance of your travel date.
Luggage which doubles up
I’m not alone in suffering airport anxiety when it comes to making sure I don’t fall foul of luggage restrictions.
But there’s a couple of little tricks you could use to help yourself out if you need just a bit more space for your holiday essentials.
If you have a neck pillow that you use to sleep on your flight, you can take the inner cushion out and stuff the case with a rolled up towel or nightwear to save space in your bag.
And if you’re traveling with children, some airlines like easyJet allow you to check in extra equipment like booster seats free.
My sons have a booster seat that doubles as a backpack, so we put toys or books in there to make the most of the extra space.
You need to check what your airline says about checking in children’s equipment before you try this though, as you don’t want to end up paying extra once you arrive at the airport!
If you give some of these tips a go, you could end up with a bit more money to enjoy yourself at your destination, instead of splashing the cash before you’ve even set off.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Mum’s urgent warning after innocent UTI led to life-threatening condition – and all four of her limbs being amputated
KIM Smith’s hands and feet went black and had to be amputated after a common infection turned deadly.
“I woke up at 4am and I thought I was going to die,” the 63-year-old said in a TikTok video, recalling the day fateful day she woke up sick.
mediadrumworld/@kims2ndchanceKim Smith after her quadruple amputations.[/caption]
mediadrumworld/@kims2ndchanceDoctors diagnosed the mum with severe sepsis and put her into a coma[/caption]
The mum-of-two from Milton Keynes was on holiday with her family in Spain in 2018 when a simple urinary tract infection (UTI) spiralled out of control.
A UTI is a common infection where bacteria infiltrates parts of the body like the bladder, kidneys and urethra.
Familiar with the signs, Kim, then 56, saw a doctor on November 28 2018 and was prescribed antibiotics.
But the pharmacist did not have her prescription available for collection that day, so the former hairdresser returned to their hotel, where she quickly deteriorated.
“I had severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion. I was really really cold. I had a fever and I was shivering like mad,” she explained.
Kim was rushed to hospital in the early hours of November 29 where doctors diagnosed her with severesepsis – with the mum being put into a coma.
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, which occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection.
By the next day, her hands had already turned purple.
For weeks, Kim remained in the Spanish hospital, with her family getting more and more concerned.
Eventually, her daughter arranged an air ambulance to get her home, and two weeks after coming back to the UK Kim was brought out of her coma.
Waking up, Kim saw her limbs had blackened and died, with doctors telling her she needed them to be removed.
Once she recovered from the quadruple amputation, the mum spent 12 weeks in physical rehabilitation, where she regained her strength and learned to live without her limbs.
If you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself
Kim Smith
Now, the mum wants to raise awareness for the little-known risk associated with common UTIs.
“I want to tell you, if you need to go pee, go pee,” she said.
“Don’t hold it, that could cause you to get an infection and that could develop into sepsis,” she added.
SWNSThe hairdresser before she developed sepsis[/caption]
SWNSThe mum is now raising awareness about sepsis symptom[/caption]
“The symptoms are severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion I had that I didn’t pass much urine that day and I had a fever but I was really cold,” she said.
“If you get anything like that, if you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself,” the mum urged her followers.
She added: “Tell [doctors] something is not right and ask them to test you for sepsis.
“Ask for a second opinion if you have to. Do not leave if you feel something is wrong.”
How UTIs and sepsis are related
UTIs affect the urinary tract – including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
In the UK, 1.7 million people suffer recurrent UTIs (three or more a year). Around half of all women will get a UTI at some point.
Common symptoms are burning pain when peeing, needing to go more often, and cloudy urine, which can also signal dehydration.
Some may feel lower abdominal or back pain, fever, chills, or a dangerously low temperature below 36C.
Severe symptoms may mean a kidney infection, which can lead to life-threatening sepsis if untreated.
Globally, sepsis kills 11 million people a year. In the UK, it claims 48,000 lives annually.
Septic shock can cause blood clots that block oxygen to limbs which is when tissue dies, turning skin black.
Doctors may try removing dead tissue, but if that fails, amputation is needed.
UTIs are a leading cause of sepsis, known as the “silent killer” because symptoms mimic flu.
Key signs of sepsis include confusion, slurred speech, blotchy or blue-grey skin, difficulty breathing, and a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed.
Skin may be pale, cold, clammy, or show purple bruises.
Producing less urine or not peeing for a day is another warning sign, as sepsis lowers blood pressure and blocks blood flow to kidneys.
The NHS urges anyone with these symptoms to call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Sepsis - the facts
There are 47 to 50million cases of sepsis every year worldwide
At least 11million people die from sepsis annually
One in five deaths globally is associated with sepsis
As many as 40 per cent of cases are in children under the age of five
Sepsis is the number one cause of death in hospitals
It is also the most common reason for hospital admission
Up to 50 per cent of all sepsis survivors suffer from long-term physical or psychological effects
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on MTV VJ Ananda Lewis made desperate plea in final video message to fans before her tragic death at 52
MTV VJ Ananda Lewis made a desperate plea in a final video message to her fans, before her tragic death at 52.
Yesterday, it was revealed that Ananda, the Talk show and 90s MTV host, had died after a long battle with breast cancer.
Instagram/iamamandalewisMTV VJ Ananda Lewis made a desperate plea in a final video message to her fans, before her tragic death at 52[/caption]
Instagram/iamamandalewisThe star’s plea in a final video message resurfaced, which saw Ananda speaking to fans just over three months ago[/caption]
She said: “She’s free and in his heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.”
In 2020, Ananda revealed she had been diagnosed with stage three cancer.
She said she had not been getting regular mammograms due to a fear of radiation.
In 2024, the late TV host revealed her cancer had reached stage four after she went against medical advice and refused a double mastectomy.
Now, the star’s plea in a final video message has resurfaced, which saw Ananda speaking to fans just over three months ago.
She could be seen sitting in her pyjamas on her sofa, and told fans in the caption: “Prevention IS the cure If you’re in a healthy body, you’re holding a winning lotto ticket. PLEASE learn how to avoid cancer. Because you still can.”
And then in the video, she can be heard discussing cancer prevention, and says: “It doesn’t matter about the bad things going on with my body right now.
“What does matter is keeping you out of this club. There are things I wish I did differently 10 years ago to prevent cancer.”
She also encouraged people to grab an issue of Essence, and said: “You could learn something,” before saying: “Prevention is the cure because preserving your health is way easier than fighting to get it back.”
Ananda rose to fame in the late 90s when she landed a role as one of MTV’s VJ’s where she hosted the likes of Total Request Live and Hot Zone.
In 1999, The New York Times described her as “the hip-hop generation’s reigning It Girl.”
She left MTV in 2001 to host her own talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show.
Ananda grew to be one of MTV’s most popular hosts – interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Bob Kusbit, then MTV’s senior vice president for production told The New York Times: ”In the past, our talent was sometimes just pretty people who could read cue cards,”
”But when we brought Ananda to MTV, we decided we were going to do a lot more live television, and I was first and foremost interested in her ability to do live TV.”
GettyIn 2020, Ananda revealed she had been diagnosed with stage three cancer[/caption]
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Where is The Orkney Assassin Michael Ross now?
Collect shows Michael Ross shortly after he killed Orkney waiter Shamsudden Mahmood. He had just turned 16 years old. Spindrift Collect. A 1994 picture of Michael Ross, who has been found guilty of murdering Shamsuddin Mahmood at Glasgow High Court on 20 June 2008.Collect
THE Orkney Assassin, Michael Ross, was just 15 years old when he murdered waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood.
On June 2 1994, Ross shot the waiter while he served customers in an Indian restaurant in Orkney, an island located off the northern coast of Scotland.
The waiter was murdered at an Indian restaurant in front of terrified dinersPA:Press Association
Where is Michael Ross now?
Michael Ross, born on 28 August 1978, was found guilty of the murder in 2008 and is serving a life sentence in HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire, with a minimum of 25 years.
Ross was originally questioned by police six months after the murder of the 26-year-old waiter, but prosecutors ruled there was not enough evidence to charge the teenager.
In the following summer, Ross left the island of Orkney, where he was born, and 17 joined the Scottish regiment.
From there, he progressed through the ranks and became a decorated Black Watch sniper after serving a tour of duty in Iraq.
But on June 20 2008, he was brought to justice in the High Court in Glasgow.
PA:Press AssociationMichael Ross, accused of murder, arriving at Glasgow High Court.[/caption]
During his guilty verdict, Ross, dramatically tried to flee by jumping out of the dock and knocking over the security guard.
Now 47 years old, Ross has tried to escape HMP Shotts, one of Scotland’s highest security prisons, three times, including an attempt to scale the fence in 2018.
As a result, he was sentenced to two years in prison to run alongside his life term of which he has served 17 years so far.
What happened to Shamsuddin Mahmood?
The murder of Shamsuddin Mahmood took place on June 2, 1994 when he was fatally shot after a man wearing a balaclava entered Mumataz Restaurant in Kirkwall at around 7.10pm and exited the premises shortly after.
Shamsuddin had arrived in Orkney only six weeks before and had plans to return to Bangladesh to marry his fiancée.
Shamsuddin’s murder was the first to take place on the island in 25 years and during the original investigation, 2,736 statements were taken.
Ross’ mother Moira, recounted the time Michael came home from the police station when he was 16 years old.
She went upstairs and asked whether he had shot Shamsuddin six months before, which he denied.
During the investigation, Edmund Ross’ career as a police officer ended after he lied about the fact that he owned identical bullets to those used in the murder weapon.
Edmund Ross was subsequently jailed for four years in 1997 for perverting the course of justice.
It is reported that Michael Ross’ earliest possible release is in 2035.
How to watch The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles
Amazon Prime Video has released a special titled The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles, providing insight from law enforcement officers, eyewitnesses, journalists, and also interviews with Ross’ parents, who maintain his innocence.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on UK beach that’s ‘falling into the sea’ reveals drastic new plans to stop it disappearing forever
A UK beach that is at risk of disappearing has revealed new protection plans.
Montrose Beach in Scotland has struggled with erosion for years and consequently, lost centuries-old golf links into the sea.
Shutterstock EditorialMontrose Beach in Scotland has struggled with erosion for years[/caption]
GettyAnd now, plans have been proposed to protect the beach from disappearing further[/caption]
AECOM/Angus CouncilTwo 100-metre-long groynes are planned for the beach, 200 metres apart[/caption]
However, experts hope that new plans for two rock armour groynes will slow the loss of the dunes.
Montrose Beach currently stretches three miles to the North Esk River, with views south to Scurdieness Lighthouse.
However, parts of the beach have been impacted worse than others including the sand dunes, which have been eroded as much as 12 metres.
According to a planning submission, the beach has lost three metres a year since 2016.
And since 1995, the sea has reclaimed over 70 metres in total.
Now with recent acceleration the beach is disappearing even faster.
The Courier has reported that as a result, experts at infrastructure firm AECOM are developing the coastal erosion battle plan for Angus Council.
The two long structures – which are typically made of wood, concrete, or rubble and usually extend from the shoreline into the sea – will be designed to limit the movement of sand on the beach.
Each structure will be 100 metres long and 10 metres wide and they will be about 200 metres apart.
AECOM said: “This spacing has been assessed as optimal to provide the best amount of sediment capture.
AlamyThe large structures will also each be 10-metres-wide[/caption]
“The groynes initially tie into the existing beach levels at the shore end, increasing to one metre above beach levels at their outer extent.”
AECOM expects the build of the structures to take three months.
Proposals for the popular tourist destination are part of a wider, long-term approach to tackle the threat of flood corridors and the North Sea’s impact on the beach’s dunes.
The application now needs to be accessed by the local council.
Until then, you can visit the family-friendly beach which also has a promenade, as well as car parking.
For other things to explore, there is also a shop and an amusement centre.
For little ones, there is a Seafront Splash play area for children featuring pools, a pitch and putt and an ice cream parlour.
One of the nice walks to do is head along the length of the beach before returning via an inland route and visiting the North Water viaduct – which is now part of a cycle path.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on ‘Beauty and brains…’ – Paige Spiranac sends fans wild as she shares her US Open predictions in busty outfit
PAIGE SPIRANAC has given her US Open tips – but fans were too busy going wild for her busty outfit.
The influencer and former LPGA star believes golf stars are in for a difficult time at the tournament.
X @PaigeSpiranacPaige Spiranac, https://x.com/PaigeSpiranac/status/1932816942953545800[/caption]
X @PaigeSpiranacPaige Spiranac, https://x.com/PaigeSpiranac/status/1932816942953545800[/caption]
However, she also backed a couple of lesser-known stars to impress.
She said: “This is going to be a gruelling test of golf.
“Oakmont is well bunkered with firm, fast greens with thick rough, thicker than a bowl of oatmeal.
“This is going to be a true test from start to finish, every single shot.
“No surprise the favourites will be Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
“For some dark horses, I am looking at Harris English and Ben Griffin.
“I am looking for carnage this week and fingers crossed, we get an over-par winner.”
instagram @_paige.reneeShe has backed Scottie Scheffler to impress at the US Open[/caption]
Instagram @_paige.reneeShe sharted the tips with her followers on social media[/caption]
However, fans were far too distracted by her busty outfit, which was a floral white dress.
Fans flocked to social media to hail the look.
One posted: “Beauty and brains. A rare combination.”
A second wrote: “You are beautiful.”
A distracted third commented: “What she say?”
A fourth said: “She makes a boring sport appear sexy.”
InstagramPaige Spiranac has defended her sexy outfits and says she feels comfortable in them[/caption]
Instagram @_paige.reneeShe gains messages of support whenever she posts a new photo[/caption]
InstagramPaige promoted her golfing equipment wearing this tiny, pink leotard[/caption]
Instagram @_paige.reneePaige dressed as Harley Quinn for Halloween in 2022[/caption]
InstagramPaige showed off her bum in bright red hot pants to celebrate March Madness[/caption]
InstagramPaige has also shown her appreciation for baseball in the past[/caption]
InstagramPaige celebrated a previous US Open in a stars and stripes bikini, eating hot dogs[/caption]
InstagramIn an homage to Top Gun, Paige dressed as a sexy fighter jet pilot[/caption]
Paige has amassed a strong following across her various profilesInstagram/_paige.reneePaige used to be a professional golfer but turned into a social media starInstagram @paige.reneePaige shares a series of raunchy pics on a daily basisInstagram @_paige.reneePaige also talks about golf on her popular social media pagesInstagram / @_paige.reneeInstagram / _paige.reneeShe’s a firm believer in her golf advice[/caption]
instagram @_paige.reneeShe has plenty of followers online[/caption]
Instagram @_paige.reneeWith followers often seeing her on the course[/caption]
She regularly shares revealing snapsTwitter / PaigeSpiranac
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on ‘Brit survivor’ claims he walked away from Air India Gatwick plane crash after ‘jumping from flaming jet’
A MAN thought to be a Brit claims he survived the doomed Air India flight to London Gatwick that crashed and killed at least 204 people.
Ajay Kumar Vishwash, 40, claims he cheated death after jumping off the flaming jet – walking away with minor injuries.
TwitterVideo allegedly showing Brit survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh walking out of the crash[/caption]
HT PhotoVishwash in the hospital[/caption]
HT PhotoPicture allegedly showing his flight’s boarding pass[/caption]
XThe plane was seen disappearing behind buildings before the huge blast[/caption]
Footage shows Vishwash walking away from what is understood to be the crash site of the doomed Air India flight to London Gatwick.
Flanked by the locals, he can be seen walking towards an ambulance.
Follow The Sun’s live blog for all the latest updates
Footage later shows the man in a hospital being treated.
Vishwash, who still had his boarding pass, told Hindustan Times: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
The man revealed he had lived in London for 20 years with his wife and a child.
A picture of his alleged boarding pass shows he was sat on seat 11A – which is next to the emergecny exit, according to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s seating plan.
He added: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me.
“I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Gujarat’s police commissioner has now confirmed to The Sun that one person has miracoulously survived the fatal crash.
However, it is not clear if Vishwash is the only survivor.
Theplanewas headed to London Gatwickwith 232 passengers and 10 crew on board when it crashed just seconds after take-off.
The Dreamliner lost contact just seconds after take-off, according to flight tracking website Flightradar.
A final alert was last logged less than a minute after it started the journey from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
It had only reached 625ft at the time, officials believe.
Seconds before the crash, the Boeing was filmed flying low over the Meghani Nagar residential area with the pilots appearing to be in a desperate bid to keep the plane in the air.
Moments later it is seen disappearing behind buildings before a huge blast erupts in the distance.
Thick plumes of black smoke can then be seen pouring into the sky.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.”
King Charles also said both he and Queen Camilla are “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning”.
The US-built Boeing 787 is one of the world’s most advanced airliners and the accident is the first fatal crash involving the plane.
XHuge plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky[/caption]
Reuters The plane was seen wedged in a building[/caption]
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on 6 best beer dispensers UK 2025: we test pumps and machines to pour the perfect pint at home
UPGRADING your home entertainment with one of the best beer dispensers is a total game-changer in 2025.
Let’s be honest – nothing beats watching a perfectly poured, ice-cold pint fill your glass compared to swigging straight from a can, right?!
The market in 2025 is absolutely buzzing with incredible options – from sleek countertop machines to pro-level systems that’ll make your mates think they’ve walked into a proper pub.
That’s exactly why we’ve rolled up our sleeves and personally put the UK’s most popular beer dispensers through their paces.
We’ve tested everything from ease of setup to taste quality so you can find your perfect match.
Whether it’s a treat for yourself or you’re hunting for a gift that’ll seriously impress, our no-nonsense guide to the best beer machines will help you nail your choice.
Get ready to become the host everyone’s talking about!
Cons: Takes patience with 4-8 day brewing time; bulkier than expected
Rating: 4.5/5
Fancy pouring your own fresh draught beer without leaving the sofa? The Pinter is an absolute game-changer for beer lovers!
We’ve been busy brewing gallons of the good stuff and can confirm it’s a cracking gift for any mates who love a pint.
Each brew takes between four and eight days, but don’t worry – the instructions are very easy to follow.
It’s actually a brilliant weekend activity when you’re stuck indoors, and trust me, those first sips taste even better knowing you’ve made it yourself!
The brewing kits start at just £17.99 and pop right through your letterbox.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with flavours ranging from rich, dark stouts to tropical pale ales.
The new Active Pour Tap is a real winner, too – it gives you that perfect pub-quality pint every single time.
Capacity: 10 pints; Brewing time: 4-8 days; Refill cost: Brewing kits from £17.99; Size: 35.4 x 23.4 x 24.3cm; Weight: 2.65kg
Pros: Perfect pours every time; keeps beer fresh for a whole month; huge beer selection
Cons: Hefty price tag; takes up decent kitchen space
Rating: 4.5/5
Looking lovely in sleek black and silver chrome, the PerfectDraft machine is a real game-changer for any beer lover’s kitchen.
This beauty runs super quietly and delivers that perfectly chilled pint every single time – just like your local would serve!
With its impressive six-litre capacity (that’s over 10 perfect pints!), it’s an absolute winner when mates come round. Trust me, you’ll quickly become everyone’s favourite host.
The starter bundle lets you pick from loads of premium beers – Corona, Stella Artois, Leffe, Thornbridge and tons more. Whatever your taste, they’ve got you covered.
Best bit? Once tapped, your beer stays fresh for a full 30 days, meaning there’s zero pressure to finish it quickly. Perfect if you fancy taking your time or you’re enjoying it solo.
Pros: Pub quality pints; brilliant digital display; eco-friendly keg return system
Cons: Very heavy; requires 10+ hours cooling time before first use
Rating: 4/5
Setting up the PerfectDraft Pro is extremely simple, taking just minutes.
Top tip, though: cooling takes about 10 hours, so put it in the fridge beforehand to speed things up.
It’s a real beast weight-wise (needed two of us to lift the box!), but what it lacks in portability, it more than makes up for in pure style.
We love the customisable beer badges and a brilliant display showing both temperature and how much beer’s left in your keg.
Your first pour might come out a bit lively, but after that? Pure pub-quality perfection that’ll have your mates thinking you’ve hired a professional bartender!
The eco-friendly keg return system saves you a fiver on your next order, and with 30 days to enjoy your beer once tapped, there’s no rush to finish.
Pros: Works with any can or bottle; portable with battery option; quick setup with no waiting time
Cons: Beer taste not dramatically different; feels slightly gimmicky
Rating: 4/5
The size of your coffee maker but packing serious beer tech, this clever little gadget takes literally seconds to set up and won’t hog your precious kitchen space.
What’s brilliant is you’ve got power options – plug it in or put in some AA batteries for total portability. Perfect for garden parties or camping trips!
Unlike other beer machines, this machine works with any can or bottle – just pop it in and let the magic happen!
No special kegs needed, and no waiting around for hours while things cool down.
Fizzics says their fancy sonic wave technology transforms ordinary beer into pub-quality pints with better aroma and a smoother feel.
While we couldn’t spot a massive difference in taste, it’s handy being able to use whatever beer you fancy straight from the fridge.
Capacity: one can/bottle; Size: 26 x 15 x 43cm; Weight: 1.9kg
Cons: Seriously heavy and difficult to move around; requires 24 hours cooling time before first use
Rating: 3.5/5
This machine split opinions on looks in our house, but while we thought it was a bit industrial, our other half loved the temperature gauges, quality drip tray and visible keg.
It’s seriously heavy (needed two of us to lift it), but setup only takes about 10 minutes.
One crucial tip, though – you’ll need 24 hours of cooling time before that first perfect pint, so plan ahead for parties!
We’ve spotted these in actual pubs, and the quality doesn’t disappoint.
Each pour comes out restaurant-perfect and chilled to an ice-cold 2 degrees!
Your 8-litre keg stays fresh for 30 days (giving you 14 perfect pints at around £2.50 each), but the machine needs to stay plugged in.
The taste is absolutely spot-on, but that hefty price tag means it’s one only for serious beer enthusiasts.
Cost per pint: £2.50; Capacity: 8 litres (14 pints); Refill cost: £35 per keg; Size: 59 x 47 x 29cm; Weight: 17.6kg
How do draught beer dispensers work?
All draught dispensers work on one simple principle – pressure. The machines use either built-in pumps or CO2 cartridges to push your beer from the keg through the tap and into your glass.
Fancier machines like PerfectDraft have internal pumps that do all the hard work, while others need gas canisters to get things flowing.
Most importantly, these beauties keep your beer perfectly chilled – usually around 2-4 degrees – for that refreshing taste we all love.
Setting up a home system is easy compared to the complicated pub setups with miles of pipes and massive gas cylinders!
Different models have different features, but they all aim to deliver one thing – that perfect, cold, creamy-headed pint that makes you feel like you’ve got your own mini pub right at home!
How much do beer dispensers in the UK cost?
The price of beer dispensers in the UK ranges from just £30 all the way up to a whopping £499!
If you’re after something simple that adds extra fizz to your canned beers, like the Guinness Nitrosurge or the Fizzics machine, you’ll only need to shell out under £50.
When you fancy stepping up to a proper keg system, that’s when prices start climbing.
The Pinter brewing system starts around £99, while the popular PerfectDraft will set you back about £229.
For serious beer enthusiasts, premium models like the PerfectDraft Pro (£329) or the professional-grade Blade system (£499) deliver that perfect pub experience – but at a proper price!
It’s worth remembering that most keg machines work out at £2.50-£3.25 per pint, so you’ll soon make your money back compared to pub prices!
Where can I buy kegs for beer dispensers?
The most important part of getting a beer dispenser is the beer! But kegs can’t be bought from just anywhere, sadly.
Fear not, there are plenty of affordable, budget-friendly options to choose from online, including your favourite – or next favourite – beer.
PerfectDraft has a great selection of kegs, starting from around £30, and offers Tiny Rebel lager, Goose Island IPA, Corona, Leffe, Beck’s and Budweiser.
Amazon also does a selection of kegs, ranging from your standard lagers to your crafty numbers.
How do you clean a beer dispenser?
Every model needs slightly different care, so your first port of call should always be the instruction manual that came with your machine. No excuses!
Some systems are really low-maintenance – just a quick wipe to mop up any condensation that forms in the barrel, and you’re sorted.
For the fancier dispensers with pipes and taps, you’ll need to flush the system regularly.
Most manufacturers recommend doing this every couple of weeks to keep those pints tasting spot on!
If your machine comes with a cleaning kit, it’ll have everything you need. Otherwise, you can grab beer line cleaning solutions online for under a tenner.
Remember – a clean beer system means better-tasting pints and longer life for your machine.
How do you set up a beer pump at home?
Unlike setting up a full-blown pump that you’d get in a pub with gas cylinders and miles of piping, setting up one of these pumps at home is a doddle.
Most of the devices are plug-in-and-play, i.e. they don’t require anything other than a beer keg and a plug socket.
It’ll take a while to get your canisters to the correct pressure and to cool your beer, but the process doesn’t require a lot of input from you.
What is the best home beer dispenser?
After weeks of rigorous testing (and plenty of pints!), we can confidently crown the Pinter At-Home Beer Dispenser as the absolute king of home beer machines.
For value-seekers, the Guinness Nitrosurge offers a budget-friendly alternative at just £30, while the Philips PerfectDraft provides the perfect middle ground between quality and price.
If money’s no object, the PerfectDraft Pro delivers premium performance with its digital display and superior temperature control.
If you’re in a healthy body, you’re holding a winning 
