No vacuum of Shonky Award stars

An automatic vacuum cleaner that dumps dirt on the floor has won a gong at Australia's first annual Shonky Awards, presented to the year's most hilarious, unethical or poorly made products.

Washing machines that barely move with a full load and a baby's dummy that's a choking hazard also were named winners in the inaugural event showcasing the 10 worst products of 2006, according to tests by the consumer magazine Choice.

The awards, which were presented by comedic duo Roy Slaven and HG Nelson, are designed to highlight what Choice calls the worst products in the market.

"We wanted to reflect and give people a sense that shonkiness really comes in all shapes and sizes," Choice spokeswoman Indira Naidoo told Nine Network.

The much-loved consumer item the Apple iPod copped a beating for its cracked screens, dodgy sound and faulty batteries. "We've gone through 10 already," Nelson said. "We mail them back."

One "winner" is the iROBOT vacuum cleaner that empties its dirtload on the floor if bumped.

The pair gave a Shonky Award for consumer confusion to credit card companies in general, for adopting up to 10 different ways of calculating interest.

Among the other "winners" were a number of food items, including meat pies containing less than 25 per cent meat and Lean Cuisine's Purely Fish that is less than half pure fish.

A Seagers gin and tonic pre-mixed drink that contains neither gin nor tonic, but vodka instead, took the prize for Most Creative Product Name. "I don't mind a gin and vodka," Slaven said. "But it gives me the shits when I'm expecting a gin and tonic."

The duo capped off the ceremony by announcing they'd be back for next year's awards - provided shonkier hosts couldn't be found.

- AAP