Survey on the Actual Usage of "Professional-Grade" Products: Over 60% of Purchasers Report Difficulty in "Fully Utilizing" Them.
Monita, a consumer participation media operated by HADO Inc., conducted a survey on the actual usage of professional-grade products. Over 60% of purchasers responded that it was difficult to fully utilize them, highlighting a gap between expectations and reality for high-functional products.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 02:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 18:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 18:10 (8 min after Collected)
HADO Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Taiga Tanaka) operates the consumer participation media 'Monita'. In April 2026, Monita conducted a 'Survey on the Introduction and Usage of Professional-Grade Products' targeting 30 men and women nationwide.
### ■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, with the establishment of 'stay-at-home time' and the spread of creative activities via social media, general consumers have shown increasing interest in 'high-functional, high-quality' products typically used by professionals. Particularly among those in their 30s and 40s, there is a growing trend to choose expensive professional-grade products as a 'self-investment' to enhance their hobbies and household chores.
However, 'difficulty of use due to high performance' and 'early abandonment due to mismatch with living environment' are also not uncommon. This survey was conducted to visualize the 'gap between ideals and reality' in such consumer behavior and to extract issues to help users enjoy the true value of products.
### ■ Survey Results Summary
63.3% of adopters 'hardly use them now': Despite adopting them with high expectations for functionality, the majority of cases show that products do not fit into daily usage cycles and remain stored indoors (objectified).
Three 'barriers' preventing continuous use found: 'Physical load (weight/size),' 'cognitive load (difficulty of operation),' and 'maintenance load (cleaning/preparation)' hinder utilization, even before product specifications.
Gap between 'form-over-function' purchase motivation and proficiency: There's an expectation that expensive products 'compensate for skills,' but the reality that specialized equipment requires a considerable period of proficiency is a cause of frustration.
### ■ Survey Details: Actual Usage from 30 Responses
#### 1. Usage Status After Introduction
To the question, 'What is the current state of the high-functional items you introduced?', 63.3% (19 respondents) answered, 'They are currently stored and not in use.' Including those who 'struggle to keep using them but haven't fully grasped their functions,' approximately 70% of all respondents face the challenge of not fully leveraging the product's potential.
The current status of purchased items. It was revealed that over 60% cannot be utilized and have become 'objects' in the room.
#### 2. Original Survey Responses: Faced Challenges (Insights)
##### [Mismatch between Specialization and Usage Environment]
"The wall I hit was that the equipment was too much for professional use. First, the dedicated control software for the audio interface was as complex as a fighter jet's cockpit. Even after reading the manual, it was a storm of terms like 'routing' and 'phantom power,' and it took me a whole day just to get to the record button. Even when I finally managed to record, the excellent performance of the microphone became an issue. It was so sensitive that it picked up the sound of my family watching TV in the next room, the exhaust noise of motorcycles outside, and even the sound of my own stomach growling with surprising clarity. In the end, I ended up buying even higher-functional software to remove that noise, which was counterproductive." (Male, 30s / Professional audio equipment set / Status: Stored)
##### [Decreased Frequency of Use Due to Physical and Cognitive Load]
"First, the weight of the camera was a complete miscalculation. With the lens attached, it weighed over 3kg, and hanging it around my neck caused significant physical strain, leaving me exhausted by the time I reached the shooting spot. Also, because it was professional-grade, there were many operating systems, and I missed critical moments because I couldn't select settings in time for sudden photo opportunities. As a result, I found that photos taken with my smartphone, which is easier to operate, were more satisfying, and I keenly realized that mastering the equipment required a considerable learning cost." (Male, 40s / Full-frame single-lens reflex camera / Status: Stored)
##### [Trade-off between Functionality and Maintainability]
"Due to its multi-functionality, operation was complex, and menus were too subdivided, requiring me to consult the manual each time I used it. Even when attempting advanced cooking like bread making, the settings were critical, and it took time to achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the maintenance load, such as cleaning the oven interior after cooking, was high. As a result, it fell out of the daily usage cycle of 'easy to use,' and currently, it's difficult to utilize functions other than basic warming." (Female, 30s / Multi-functional steam oven / Status: Limited utilization)
Number of 'underutilized assets' by item. Kitchen appliances used daily and expensive camera equipment ranked highest.
### ■ Discussion
This survey found that when consumers introduce 'high-functional, professional-grade' products, they tend to focus only on the benefits of the specifications and underestimate the 'operational costs (learning, maintenance, physical load)' after introduction.
### ■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, with the establishment of 'stay-at-home time' and the spread of creative activities via social media, general consumers have shown increasing interest in 'high-functional, high-quality' products typically used by professionals. Particularly among those in their 30s and 40s, there is a growing trend to choose expensive professional-grade products as a 'self-investment' to enhance their hobbies and household chores.
However, 'difficulty of use due to high performance' and 'early abandonment due to mismatch with living environment' are also not uncommon. This survey was conducted to visualize the 'gap between ideals and reality' in such consumer behavior and to extract issues to help users enjoy the true value of products.
### ■ Survey Results Summary
63.3% of adopters 'hardly use them now': Despite adopting them with high expectations for functionality, the majority of cases show that products do not fit into daily usage cycles and remain stored indoors (objectified).
Three 'barriers' preventing continuous use found: 'Physical load (weight/size),' 'cognitive load (difficulty of operation),' and 'maintenance load (cleaning/preparation)' hinder utilization, even before product specifications.
Gap between 'form-over-function' purchase motivation and proficiency: There's an expectation that expensive products 'compensate for skills,' but the reality that specialized equipment requires a considerable period of proficiency is a cause of frustration.
### ■ Survey Details: Actual Usage from 30 Responses
#### 1. Usage Status After Introduction
To the question, 'What is the current state of the high-functional items you introduced?', 63.3% (19 respondents) answered, 'They are currently stored and not in use.' Including those who 'struggle to keep using them but haven't fully grasped their functions,' approximately 70% of all respondents face the challenge of not fully leveraging the product's potential.
The current status of purchased items. It was revealed that over 60% cannot be utilized and have become 'objects' in the room.
#### 2. Original Survey Responses: Faced Challenges (Insights)
##### [Mismatch between Specialization and Usage Environment]
"The wall I hit was that the equipment was too much for professional use. First, the dedicated control software for the audio interface was as complex as a fighter jet's cockpit. Even after reading the manual, it was a storm of terms like 'routing' and 'phantom power,' and it took me a whole day just to get to the record button. Even when I finally managed to record, the excellent performance of the microphone became an issue. It was so sensitive that it picked up the sound of my family watching TV in the next room, the exhaust noise of motorcycles outside, and even the sound of my own stomach growling with surprising clarity. In the end, I ended up buying even higher-functional software to remove that noise, which was counterproductive." (Male, 30s / Professional audio equipment set / Status: Stored)
##### [Decreased Frequency of Use Due to Physical and Cognitive Load]
"First, the weight of the camera was a complete miscalculation. With the lens attached, it weighed over 3kg, and hanging it around my neck caused significant physical strain, leaving me exhausted by the time I reached the shooting spot. Also, because it was professional-grade, there were many operating systems, and I missed critical moments because I couldn't select settings in time for sudden photo opportunities. As a result, I found that photos taken with my smartphone, which is easier to operate, were more satisfying, and I keenly realized that mastering the equipment required a considerable learning cost." (Male, 40s / Full-frame single-lens reflex camera / Status: Stored)
##### [Trade-off between Functionality and Maintainability]
"Due to its multi-functionality, operation was complex, and menus were too subdivided, requiring me to consult the manual each time I used it. Even when attempting advanced cooking like bread making, the settings were critical, and it took time to achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the maintenance load, such as cleaning the oven interior after cooking, was high. As a result, it fell out of the daily usage cycle of 'easy to use,' and currently, it's difficult to utilize functions other than basic warming." (Female, 30s / Multi-functional steam oven / Status: Limited utilization)
Number of 'underutilized assets' by item. Kitchen appliances used daily and expensive camera equipment ranked highest.
### ■ Discussion
This survey found that when consumers introduce 'high-functional, professional-grade' products, they tend to focus only on the benefits of the specifications and underestimate the 'operational costs (learning, maintenance, physical load)' after introduction.