Simple technology: The best tech for non-technical people

If you're the type of person who doesn't like chopping and changing tech or chasing fads, you might question whether the latest gadget is right for you.

When you do invest, you want simple and reliable technology that will make your life easier.

That's where our experts can help. When they review a product, one of the key things they look for is how easy it is to use.

We've selected the best simple tech below or - if you're hunting for something in particular - try these links:

Basic phones  | Simple smartphones  | Simple tablets  | Simple laptops  | Which? Tech Support  | Simple security  | Simple smart speakers  | Simple ebook readers

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Basic phones

If you’re looking for a phone that just does the basics – for yourself or an older relative – the hype around the latest apps and features can feel more confusing than helpful.

But there are phones known as simple mobile phones that may be exactly what you are looking for, with features such as big, easy-to-use buttons and non-complex designs.

They're designed for basic tasks, such as making calls and sending text messages. Some go further, though, offering internet access via wi-fi or a 4G connection.

Which? phones expert Callum Pears

'We test simple mobile phones that have extra accessibility features and are designed with ease of use in mind.

'For example, on the Doro 8100, the home screen displays commands – rather than individual apps – which might be more intuitive to use for those less familiar with smartphones.'

Read our review of the Doro 8100 to find out how it compares against rivals in our tests. And read our full reviews of simple mobile phones here.

 Simple smartphones

Smartphones aren’t just for tech enthusiasts. There are models that focus on ease of use, making them a great choice for anyone who values simplicity over cutting-edge features. 

Choosing a simpler phone design can also mean paying less, as you avoid splashing out on expensive features such as advanced camera tech.

You can filter our mobile phone reviews to find the best low to mid-range models. In our analysis of the best smartphones, we’ve found several Great Value options under £300.

To earn our Great Value label, a phone must score at least 60% in our tests and cost 20% less than the average price for all the phones we review.

These handsets may not have the very best cameras or displays, but they’re solid performers – often with long battery life – making them affordable gems worth considering.

If you're after something hi-spec but easy to use, our experts say iPhones are known for their intuitive design. So don't be put off – try venturing into a store to test one out, or ask a friend to talk you through theirs.

The main drawback is the price, but an older iPhone could offer the same ease of use at a more affordable cost.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro, for example, is extremely responsive, with a decent battery life, good cameras and a clear display. It's now often only available second-hand but, at around £490, costs less than half the price of more recent models.

Before you buy, read our advice on how to buy a second-hand or refurbished mobile phone.

For more tips, read our guide on which Apple iPhone you should buy or check out the best iPhone deals.

Simple tablets

Staying connected has never been more important – whether it’s paying bills, shopping online, streaming films or keeping in touch with loved ones.

A tablet can be a handy, portable way to do all of that, especially if you’re looking for something more intuitive and compact than a laptop.

For most people, choosing a tablet means deciding between an iPad or an Android device.

Our tablet reviews let you filter by ease of use to find the one that will suit your needs best. All except one of the Which? Best Buy tablets and best iPads we have tested are rated five out of five stars for ease of use. Several Great Value options score similarly highly.

iPads are often praised for their intuitive, easy-to-use design, which makes them a popular choice for beginners – but they do tend to come with a higher price. Android tablets can vary more in terms of layout and features, but several of the best Android tablets offer a user-friendly experience at a more affordable price.

If you are after an iPad but aren't comfortable splashing out, consider whether a refurbished model might suit you better.

We've seen refurbished iPads around £200 cheaper than the newer versions. You can find out more in our piece on refurbished iPads.

If you're seeking more tips on things you can do with your new purchase, consult our tips on 7 things to do with your new iPad or tablet.

Which? phones and tablets expert Amy Axworthy

'Tablet operating systems are now incredibly intuitive.

'Initial setup is a simple step-by-step operation.

'It's not really something you can get wrong because you can always adjust anything you've selected during setup in the settings later.

'The only thing I would recommend doing before starting the process is have your email address and password ready.'

Consult our tablet reviews to compare models or get help exploring features with 8 surprising ways to use your iPad or Android tablet.

Simple laptops

Tablets and laptops share many similarities, so the best choice for you will depend on your priorities.

If portability is key and you mainly want to browse the internet, watch films or keep in touch with family and friends, a tablet is often the better fit. But if you’d prefer a larger device with a more generous screen – especially for typing or multitasking – a laptop might be a better option.

You can compare the two in this piece on cheap vs pricey laptops and tablets, which looks at the key differences in more detail.

A laptop’s built-in keyboard makes it much easier to type longer emails or documents than on a tablet.

Although tablets excel in portability and touchscreen convenience, some laptops also now include touchscreens – offering a more interactive experience.

If you like the sound of both, consider a two-in-one laptop. These versatile devices can switch between laptop and tablet modes, giving you the flexibility of a touchscreen with the practicality of a keyboard. You can filter for these models in our laptop reviews.

If you do decide on a laptop, what kind of features will make it easier to use?

Which? laptops expert Oliver Trebilcock

'Features such as backlit keys – which make the letters easier to read – a good responsive touchpad, a decent number of ports for plugging in memory sticks and other devices such as phones, and an easy-to-open lid can all make for a more straightforward experience.

'Some models, like the Samsung Galaxy Book 4, combine a large screen with a slim, lightweight design, making them well suited to everyday tasks and easy to move around the home.'

How did the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 perform in our tests? Read our review to find out.

You can filter our laptop reviews according to ease of use, to find the ones we loved that were also the most straightforward.

Which? Tech Support

Tackling a new device can be challenging, so having someone on hand to explain what terms mean is always handy.

Which? Tech Support offers one-to-one technical advice for Which? Tech Support and Which? Tech members, so if you feel you’ll need some extra help with anything from fixing a laptop to setting up a new mobile phone, it would be worth talking to our membership team.

Book your appointment with Which? Tech Support or, if you don't have a Which? Tech Support membership, call 029 2267 0005 Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm to find out more.

Simple security and smart homes

Smart technology is becoming more common in everyday life – but can it really make things easier?

Put simply, a smart home includes heating, lighting and security systems you can control remotely, often from your phone. We've got tips on how to set up a smart home, including expert recommendations for the best products to buy.

Smart gadgets are designed to be straightforward and user-friendly.

You can start small — perhaps with something as simple as a smart doorbell.

These devices can enhance your home’s security by alerting you when someone arrives or when unusual activity is detected outside.

Which? smart doorbell expert Patrick Gallagher:

'You usually have to use an app with a smart doorbell - which will mean you will need a smartphone or tablet to operate it – but many also support voice control.

'Being able to see who is at the door and even answer it from your phone is much easier than a traditional doorbell.'

Check out our reviews of the best smart video doorbells to suit every budget. And don’t forget – there are privacy laws to consider when installing them. Our guide, could your smart security camera be breaking the law?, explains what’s legal and what’s not. 

 Simple smart speakers

A smart speaker is easy to use and can be a handy way to play music or get quick answers to everyday questions – although chatting with an inanimate object might feel a bit odd at first.

If you've got a query - for example, about the weather or travel conditions - you can simply ask your smart speaker, rather than reaching for your phone or searching online.

You can even use it to set timers for things like baking.

Smart speakers also let you tune into music, whether that’s through a streaming service such as Spotify or a radio station. Just be aware that accessing certain stations can be fiddly, as some require quite specific voice commands. Read our helpful guide on Alexa and Alexa+ for more tips.

Popular models include Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

• The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), which comes with a screen for easy use, is the type of smart speaker that's easiest to set up and use.
• Alternatively, you could consider the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), which has fast and responsive voice controls and comes at a reasonable price.

Find out how they performed in our tests by reading our full smart speaker reviews.

According to our experts, once the speaker is set up – usually via a smartphone – it is very straightforward to use.

Which? smart speaker expert Oliver Trebilcock

'It’s just a small learning curve to master voice control.

'Basically, every command needs to start with the wake word - 'Alexa' for Alexa smart speakers, 'Hey, Google' for Google Assistant smart speakers - you quickly get the hang of it.

'For a non-technical person, the choice of voice assistant won't matter much. If you go for Alexa, you can use it to buy from Amazon , and Google Assistant obviously links best with Google services like your Google Calendar.

'But for a non-technical person, I would say Alexa is a little bit more intuitive to use.'

We've tested to find the best wireless, smart and Bluetooth speakers. And find 10 genuinely useful things you can do with a smart speaker

 Simple ebook readers

Ebook readers are simple gadgets that give you access to millions of books, magazines and newspapers. They can store thousands of titles at a time. 

On some models, you can adjust the screen brightness, and some are waterproof so you can read in the bath.

They start from around £85 and go up to £350, with models like the Kobo Clara BW and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite falling at the lower-to-middle end of this price bracket.

Which? ebook readers expert Callum Pears

'You can store all your beloved books on a single device that is lighter than a single paperback.

'Kobo ebook readers also enable you to borrow library books - so you can have lots of free titles on one device.'

Read our expert reviews on the best ebook readers so you can find which ones we rate highly for ease of use