Sharp has unveiled a number of new product lines at its Sharp Xperience event. Its home appliances focus is on areas in which it already has expertise. The key product area is air treatment, and the watchword is affordability, with new appliances including a £109 air purifier, a £34.99 aroma diffuser, a portable air conditioner for £449 and two dehumidifiers priced at £229 and £279.
There will also be two accessible microwave ranges launched, with appliances starting at £74.
The affordable air treatment appliances will appeal to the increased numbers of people working from home or newly engaged in a hybrid working model. During the earlier stages of the pandemic, consumers became increasingly concerned with home air quality and showed themselves willing to invest in products to improve their quality of life at home.
Meanwhile, workers used to their office’s air conditioning will likely be amenable to buying an inexpensive air conditioning unit for home use to get them through the more miserable days of summer.
As a further buying incentive, some appliances will be available to buy with 5-year extended warranties.
The new products will be launching over the next few months in Europe and the UK.
PN1 air purifier
Sharp’s compact appliance is UK Allergy Certification Verified and has ion technology and a two stage filtration system to remove up to 99% of bacteria. It’ll be available in Q4 2021 for just £109.
UL-C10UA-E portable air conditioner
Sharp’s new portable air conditioner will be available to buy in time for summer next year. The appliance will have an LED display, auto swing function and three fan speeds. Window kits will be available to buy separately. The air conditioner will be released in the UK only for £449.
It’s one of a number of new air conditioning products aimed at the UK market, which hasn’t traditionally seen many such appliances. It’ll be competing with Russell Hobbs’ portable air conditioner, launched earlier this year with an RRP of £389.99.
Ultrasonic aroma diffuser DF-A1U-W
With a tank capacity of 200ml and personalised settings, the diffuser releases a fine mist into the air. It comes with a USB cable and AC adaptor and can be used with a voice control system and smart plug. It’ll be available to buy from December 2021 for £34.99.
Dehumidifiers
Sharp will launch two new dehumidifiers: one with a 16–litre and one with a 20–litre capacity. The dehumidifiers will feature an LED display, touch controls, a child lock, a laundry setting, air filters, two fan speeds and auto shutdown once the water tank reaches capacity. They’ll be priced at £229 and £279 respectively and will be available in early 2021.
Extended warranties
Sharp air purifiers bought during the promotional period from 1 October to 31 December 2021 can be registered with the Sharp website to extend the appliance’s warranty to five years.
Microwaves
Two new microwave ranges will also launch, with a focus on value for money and affordability. They’ll have flatbeds, rather than turntables, to maximise space and simplify cleaning. All microwaves will feature inverter technology. Prices will start at £74 and they’ll be available from Q4 2021.
