Useless gadgets have been given the thumbs down in a new survey, which found electric nail files to be the most pointless product of all time.

The file, which supposedly gives 'technician' results to give a perfect shape and smooth finish, topped the poll of the top 20 most useless household gadgets.

In at second place were the laser-guided scissors, which claim to help you cut a perfect straight line. However, hundreds of people polled deemed the scissors useless as they don't help people with unsteady hands — the laser is attached to the scissors, so when the hand shakes so does the light.

The poll of 4500 Brits was commissioned by www.reevoo.com, the website which gives customers the opportunity to read reviews of thousands of products, written by real shoppers.

It revealed that electric or battery operated candles — which are supposed to be safer and last longer than the wax variety — are the third most pointless item, closely followed by retro eighties classic, the Soda Stream.

"Some gadgets are really useful but this poll proves that many of them end up being a waste of money," says Chris Winstanley, spokesperson for www.reevoo.com.

Foot spas, egg boilers, electric carving knives and face steamers also got a mention in the list.

The lifecycle of the average gadget is just over one year, largely because 62 percent of folk admit they frequently buy gadgets only to find they are completely useless.

The top 20 most pointless gadgets are:

  1. Electric nail files
  2. Laser guided scissors
  3. Electric candles
  4. Soda stream
  5. Foot spas
  6. Fondue set
  7. Hair crimpers
  8. Egg boiler
  9. Electric fluff remover
  10. Electric carving knife
  11. Trouser press
  12. Face steamers
  13. Teas made
  14. Mini disk player
  15. Facial tanners
  16. Egg slicer
  17. Electric tin openers
  18. Yoghurt makers
  19. Towel warmer
  20. Back scratcher