Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide articles from January 1 2006

Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide archives from January 1 2006

MP3 players: these devices let you play music you've either downloaded from the Web or "ripped" from your own CD collection.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Portable MP3 players store digital music in their internal memories, on removable storage media, or a combination of both. You don't buy prerecorded discs or tapes but instead create your own digital files on a computer using software often...

Receivers: for a home-theater surround-sound system, look for a receiver that can decode both Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... The receiver is the brain of a home-entertainment system. It provides AM and FM radio tuners, stereo and surround sound, and switching capabilities. It's also the heart of the setup. Most of the devices in a home-entertainment system connect to...

Setting up a home theater.(Home Entertainment)
January 1, 2006... Adding surround sound to a TV can transform the viewing and listening experience even more than buying a bigger set. Most TV sound can be improved by adding external speakers; a pair of self-powered speakers is a simple, easy way to do that....

TV sets: flat panels, rear-projection sets, conventional TVs--you have more (and better) viewing choices than before, including HD models, at ever-lower prices.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... There's never been more variety in TV types, sizes, and shapes than there is right now. If you'd love a flat-panel set that's only a few inches thick, an LCD or plasma TV might be right for you. Want a really big picture? You can get a 60-inch...

Kitchen, bath & laundry: more style for less money.(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Creating the kitchen or bath of your dreams is more affordable than you may think. Manufacturers are adding upscale-looking style features like stainless-steel surfaces to midrange kitchen appliances. For the bath you'll find lower-priced...

Cooktops & wall overs: separate appliances give you the flexibility of two cooking areas, with burners placed just about anywhere you want. You also have the option of cooking with gas, electricity, or induction.(Kitchen, Bath, Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Like ranges, cooktops come in electric and gas versions. More consumers go for electric than gas, generally opting for glass ceramic smoothtops. There are fewer coil models from which to choose, but you may want to consider one if price is more...

Dishwashers: models selling for as little as $350 or so can excel at washing dishes, but they may not measure up to costlier models in quietness, water and energy usage, or features.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Spend $300 to $400 and you can get a dishwasher that does a good job cleaning dirty dishes without prerinsing, but with a bit of noise. To get the best of everything--cleaning prowess plus the quietest operation, convenience features, water and...

Lawn mowers: practically any mower will cut your grass. But you'll get better results with less effort if you choose a machine based on your lawn size, mowing preferences, and budget.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Mowing options range anywhere from $100 manual-reel mowers to tractors that cost $4,000 or more. If you have a small yard, a manual-reel or electric walk-behind mower is probably fine. Gasoline-powered walk-behind mowers are appropriate for...

Lawn tractors: if your lawn is larger than a half-acre, a ride-un lawn tractor could be your best option.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Heated competition among the big-box stores has lowered the price of a well-equipped automatic-drive tractor to as little as $1,000 or so. That's several hundred dollars less than comparable machines from only a few years ago. Big-name...

Mattresses: once you've settled on the size you need, shop around for the firmness and feel you like. Try each top choice for 15 minutes in the store.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Shopping for a mattress can be a nightmare. The reason is that shoppers are flying blind. It's hard to tell one box of metal, foam, fuzz, and fabric from another, making you vulnerable to a sales pitch. Model names differ from store to store,...

Mini-tillers: mini-tillers aren't just for ardent gardeners. The best of these machines can handle more-pedestrian chores such as tearing away crabgrass and whisking away weeds far more quickly and easily than a spade or hoe.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Several new models add faster starts and more digging power, courtesy of a four-stroke engine like the kind on mowers. They also run cleaner, since four-stroke tillers produce fewer exhaust emissions than two-stroke models--a prime reason most...

Paint, exterior: the best paint can improve your home's appearance and protect it from the weather for about nine years.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... While a fresh coat of paint on the siding and trim will give your house curb appeal, exterior paint isn't just for show. It provides an important layer of protection against moisture, mildew, and the effects of the sun. WHAT'S AVAILABLE...

Paint, interior.(wall paints shopping tips)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Plenty of high-quality, durable wall paints are available to brighten your rooms. And you won't need to endure as many fumes as in years past. A fresh coat of paint is an easy, inexpensive way to freshen a room. Today's paints are...

Power blowers: the best electric handheld blowers outperform their gas counterparts and cost less. But they aren't any quieter, and the power cord can be a hassle.(Home and Yards)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... These miniature wind machines take some of the effort out of sweeping and cleaning fallen leaves and other small yard and driveway debris. Many can also vacuum and shred what they pick up. But practically all available models still make enough...

Power sanders: these smooth operators save time and effort. More convenience and safety features for less money help account for their growing popularity.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Some of the latest power sanders can skim off as much wood in 5 minutes as you could in 30 minutes of continuous sanding by hand. Many are easier to use than older models. And nearly all have a dust bag--important considering the health risks...

Pressure washers: professional cleaning at a do-it-yourself price has helped move pressure washers beyond the tool-rental shop and into your local home center.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Pressure washers use a gas engine or electric motor, pump, and concentrating nozzle to boost water, pressure from your garden hose as much as 60 times. That lets them blast away deck mildew, driveway stains, and other grunge a hose can't touch...

Snow throwers: bigger, better, and easier to use describe the latest of these laborsaving machines.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Some of the newest snow throwers are larger, more capable, and easier to control. Many models also cost less, thanks to price pressure from major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears, which now account for about 60 percent of total...

String trimmers: an electric model can do a good job for many trimming tasks. But for tall grass and weeds, you'll need a gasoline-powered string trimmer.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... A string trimmer can pick up where a lawn mower leaves off. It provides the finishing touches, slicing through tufts of grass around trees and flowerbeds, straightening uneven edges along a driveway, and trimming stretches of lawn your mower or...

Vacuum cleaners: fancy features and a high price don't necessarily mean better cleaning. You'll find plenty of less-flashy performers at a reasonable price.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Which type of vacuum cleaner to buy used to be a no-brainer. Uprights were clearly better for carpets, while canisters were the obvious choice for bare floors. That distinction has blurred somewhat as more upright models clean floors without...

Humidifiers: using a humidifier can help ease dry skin and other problems associated with dry air. But choosing one involves trade-offs among efficiency, cost, noise, and convenience.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Who needs a humidifier? Anyone who suffers from uncomfortably dry or itchy eyes, throat, or skin, or whose asthma is a problem indoors during the heating season. Ideally, the indoor humidity should be 30 to 50 percent. But that level can drop...

Grills, gas: many people are choosing models that do more than just grill. Go high-end, and you can pay as much as you would for a pro-style kitchen range.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Getting a good grill is becoming easier and cheaper as competition heats up; some of the best we tested cost $200 or less. You'll also find $500 grills with the added style, space, and convenience of the much pricier models. Stainless...

Drills, cordless: many 14.4-volt drill/drivers pack all the power you need for a wide variety of chores. And higher-voltage drills can cost little more than less capable, lower-voltage models.(Home and Yard)
January 1, 2006... Battery packs with higher voltage and capacity allow today's cordless models to run longer and more powerfully per charge. The best can outperform corded drills and handle decks and other big jobs with minimum battery recharging. Recent tests...

Deck treatments: deck treatments that retain their appearance the longest are the ones that are the most like paint. Widely advertised clear finishes don't provide long-term protection.(Home and Yard)
January 1, 2006... Lumber, like skin, doesn't fare well when it's left unprotected. The sun's ultraviolet rays are always on the attack. Rain and sun alternately swell and dry wood, eventually causing it to crack and split. Moisture promotes the growth of mold...

Circular saws: circular saws are a mainstay for quickly cutting the two-by-fours and plywood used in many popular home-improvement projects.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... After drills, circular saws are the most common power toot in a home workshop. Battery-powered saws offer go-anywhere convenience, but there's a reason you aren't likely to see professional carpenters using them: Plug-in saws are far more...

Air conditioners: falling prices make individual room air conditioners an inexpensive alternative to central-air systems for cooling one or two rooms.(Home and Yard)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Once a high-priced convenience, relatively precise electronic controls with digital temperature readouts have replaced vague "warmer" and "cooler" settings on a growing number of lower-priced air conditioners. Added efficiency is also trickling...

Home & yard: more value for less.(consumer goods)
January 1, 2006... It's a great time to buy products for your home and yard. Fierce competition from the major retailers and big-box home centers has driven prices down in many categories. Meanwhile, innovations, often prompted by tougher state and federal...

Washing machines: front-loaders tend to give you the best of everything, but traditional top-loaders offer the best value.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... You'll find more variety in the washing-machine aisle when you visit an appliance store these days. Traditional top-loaders with agitators are going strong, but front-loading washers are gaining ground, thanks to their very good washing...

Toilets: even the utilitarian commode is getting a revamp as toilet manufacturers strive to make this most basic of bathroom elements more accommodating.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Some of the first low-flush toilets on the market earned a reputation for being problematic because they required two or more flushes to do their job--and often clogged in the process. Many of the newer models that were tested work quite well...

Showerheads: for a quick rinse, any old showerhead will do the job. But if you want a pounding stream of water to jumpstart your morning or a gentle spray to help you unwind at day's end, the right showerhead is a must.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... With hundreds of models on the market, from old-fashioned wall-mounted showerheads to oversized rain-shower styles to shower towers, there's bound to be a fixture to suit your style. Most sell for less than $100, though you can spend $1,000 for...

Refrigerators: get ready for more choices as refrigerator manufacturers refine existing designs and reprise old ones in the name of style and convenience.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... If you're shopping for a new refrigerator, you're probably considering models that are fancier than your current fridge. The trend is toward spacious models with flexible, more efficiently used storage space. Useful features such as spillproof,...

Ranges: choices can be confusing, but you don't have to spend top dollar for impressive performance with high-end touches.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... If you're in the market for a range, you're faced with several choices. You can buy a freestanding range that combines a cook-top and oven, or you can buy a separate cooktop and wall oven. The oven can be equipped with a convection feature. If...

Microwave ovens: you'll see larger capacity, sensors that detect doneness, and stylish designs.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Microwave ovens, which built their reputation on speed, are also showing some smarts. Many automatically shut off when a sensor determines that the food is cooked or sufficiently heated. The sensor is also used to automate an array of cooking...

Freezers: chest freezers cost the least to buy and run, but self-defrost uprights are the winners for convenience.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... If you buy box loads of burgers at a warehouse club or like to keep a few weeks' worth of dinner fixings on hand, the 4- to 6-cubic-foot freezer compartment in most refrigerators may seem positively Lilliputian. A separate freezer might be a...

Food processors & mixers: match the machine to the way you prepare foods. You may find you need more than one.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Which food-prep appliance best suits your style and the foods you prepare? Food processors are versatile machines that can chop, slice, shred, and puree many different foods. Mini-choppers are good for small jobs such as mincing garlic and...

Dryers: on the whole, clothes dryers do a qood job. More sophisticated models dry your laundry with greater finesse.(Kitchen, Bath, and Laundry)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Dryers are relatively simple. Their major differences are how they heat the air (gas or electricity) and how they're programmed to shut off once the load is dry (thermostat or moisture sensor). Gas models typically cost about $50 more than...

Home theater in a box: all-in-one systems that hook up to your TV and DVD player can minimize the setup hassle.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Good speakers and the components for a home-theater system cost less than ever. But selecting all those components can be time consuming, and connecting them a challenge--even for audiophiles. You can avoid some hassle by buying an all-in-one...

DVD players: these devices play high-quality videos and CDs, and prices are lower than ever.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... The DVD has come to dominate video even more quickly than the CD conquered audio in the 1980s. Along with changing what we watch--discs rather than tapes--DVDs are changing how we watch. The digital format makes it easy to go directly to...

Digital cameras: digital photography allows you to be more easily involved in the creation of the print than film photography.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Digital cameras, which employ reusable memory cards instead of film, give you far easier creative control than film cameras can. With a digital camera, you can transfer shots to your computer, then crop, adjust color and contrast, and add...

Camcorders: fine picture quality and easy editing have improved the functionality of these moviemakers, especially for digital models.(Home Entertainment)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Those grainy, jumpy home movies of yesteryear are long gone--replaced by home movies shot on digital or analog camcorders. You can edit and embellish the footage with music using your computer, then play it back on your VCR; you can even send...

Home entertainment: digital dominates.
January 1, 2006... Digital technology is now found in virtually all the hardware and software for creating, storing, and viewing images and sounds, from music to TV service and sets through cameras and camcorders. Especially notable is the digital dominance of...

Shopping strategies to get best values.
January 1, 2006... Are you a careful researcher, someone who takes the time to shop for the best price on whatever you're buying? Perhaps you're a time-saver, looking to get the best price as quickly as possible? Or do you window-shop? Whatever your shopping...

Protect your identity in stores and online.
January 1, 2006... It is hard to go shopping these days without worrying about identity theft. Credit cards, debit cards; personal checks, and registrations can put you at risk of joining the estimated 10 million people who have been victimized in the past year....

Buying advice at your fingertips.(methods of shopping)
January 1, 2006... The Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2006 is your handy one-stop source for making intelligent, informed, money-saving purchases for all your home and personal needs, Consult it before you shop, and bring it to the store to help you compare...

Computers, phones, & peripherals: portable and versatile.
January 1, 2006... Multi-tasking on the go continues to get easier as cell phones take on new roles and improved wireless networks untether laptop computers. Meanwhile, the power and versatility of today's laptops equal that of desktop computers. Both types have...

Cell phones: complex pricing schemes and incompatible technologies can make it hard to find the right calling plan and handset.(Computers, Phones and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... There are now more than 190 million cell-phone subscribers, more than one per household, on average. A small but steadily growing number of people use a cell phone (a.k.a. a mobile phone) as their only phone. Phone manufacturers and...

Cordless phones: two noteworthy trends: Phones use higher frequency bands, and a growing number can handle multiple handsets from a single base.(Computers, Phones and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... It's easier than ever to have a phone wherever you want one. The newest breed of cordless phones lets you put a handset in any room in the house, even if no phone jack is nearby. However, manufacturers still offer a bewildering array of...

Desktop computers: even the least-expensive desktop machines can deliver impressive performance.(Computers, Phones and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... The desktop computer has become just another appliance you use every day. Replacement sales--not first-time purchases--now drive the computer market. Fully loaded desktops selling for less than $800 are common, even among established brands....

Home networking: if you have broadband Internet service and more than one computer in your home, there's growing reason to link them to create a home network.(Computers, Phones and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... A network allows a single broadband account to be shared throughout the home. Unfortunately, such networking is impractical with dial-up Internet service--one of several reasons you might want to consider broadband. WHAT'S AVAILABLE ...

Laptop computers: a longtime companion at work, school, and on the road, the laptop has finally come home.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Laptops account for about 25 percent of sales. It's not hard to understand why. Small screens and cramped keyboards have been replaced by bigger, crisper displays and more usable key layouts. Processors have caught up in speed, and innovative...

Monitors: prices are dropping for larger CRT monitors, and for flat-panel LCD displays that free up space on your desktop.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Deciding whether to buy a flat-panel LCD or a standard, fairly fat CRT monitor comes down to this: Do you need more space on the surface of your desk or on the screen? If freeing up space on your desk is the priority, an LCD is the clear...

PDAs.(Personal digital assistants buyer guide)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... The Ratings tell you which models were easiest to use, had the longest battery life, and performed best overall. The table also indicates the models' major features. Quick Picks highlights good values that our experts consider full-featured or...

Printers.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... A standard inkjet remains the best all-purpose printer, and one model, the Canon Pixma iP8500, has even outpaced the inkjet-based 4x6 photo printers for snapshot speed. Multifunction inkjets are worth a look if you need to fit multiple...

Ranges.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... You'll find style and performance at a reasonable price among the nearly 50 ranges we tested. Several $400 to $800 stoves outcooked much pricier models, yet offer stainless trim, dual elements, and other features. Spending more buys more style,...

Refrigerators.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Nearly any refrigerator will keep your milk chilled and your ice cream frozen. Top-scoring models of each type tend to deliver the most even, consistent temperatures while often providing more energy efficiency and usable space. Some of the...

TVs, LCDs.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... The Ratings list models by performance. Quick Picks highlights sets you might want to consider based not only on test scores but also on factors such as price, features, and computer compatibility. [TABLE OMITTED] Guide to the Ratings...

TVs, picture-tube.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... The best picture-tube TVs produced crisp, bright, detailed images with accurate colors and rich contrast. TVs judged excellent for picture quality came closest to that ideal. Sets with very good scores fell short in one or more of those...

TVs, plasma.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... The Ratings list models by performance. Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based not only on how they scored, hut also on factors such as price and features. [TABLE OMITTED] Guide to the Ratings Overall...

TVs, rear-projection.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... The Ratings list models by performance. Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based not only on how the?, scored, but also on factors such as price and features. [TABLE OMITTED] Guide to the Ratings Overall...

Vacuum cleaners.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Carpets and floors remain a vacuum's most important challenges. The Kenmore (28) is the first canister to excel at both, and maintained good suction through the hose for cleaning with tools. But some other vacs fell down in at least one area,...

Washing machines.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... We recently updated our washing tests to better reflect real-life practices such as washing maximum loads and using less water for smaller loads. With our tougher scoring scheme, a washing score of very good or good would be fine for all but...

Product recalls.(Ratings and Reliability)(List)
January 1, 2006... Products ranging from child-safety seats to chain saws are recalled when there are safety defects. Various federal agencies, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the...

Brand locator.(Ratings and Reliability)(Directory)
January 1, 2006... BRAND LOCATOR Phone numbers and Web addresses of selected manufacturers. A Acura 800-382-2238 www.acura.com ACD Systems 866-244-2237 www.acdsystems.com Adobe ...

8-year index to consumer reports.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... This index indicates when the last full report on a given subject was published in CONSUMER REPORTS. The index goes back as far as 1998. In text below, bold type indicates Ratings reports or brand-name discussions; italic type indicates...

PDAs: besides serving as an address book, calendar, and to-do list, many personal digital assistants offer multimedia functions.(Personal Digital Assistants)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers, appointments, tasks, and notes. All models can exchange, or synchronize, information with a full-sized computer with PIM (personal information management) software. To do this, you connect the PDA to...

Printers: new, inexpensive inkjets print color superbly, and they do it faster than ever. Laser printers excel at printing black-and-white text.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Inkjet printers are now the standard for home-computer output. They can turn out color photos nearly indistinguishable from lab-processed photos, along with banners, stickers, transparencies, T-shirt transfers, and greeting cards. Many produce...

Scanners: a scanner is a simple, cheap way to digitize images for printing, editing on your computer, or sending via e-mail.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... You don't need a digital camera to take advantage of the computer's ability to edit photos. Continuing improvements in scanners have made it cheaper and easier to turn photos into digital images that you can enhance, resize, and share. And...

What's new for cars in 2006.(Autos)(Market overview)
January 1, 2006... Among the more than 240 models on the market, there are about 45 that are new or have received a major redesign. Designated as 2006 or early 2007 models, they will be introduced throughout the year against a backdrop of several ongoing trends...

5 steps to get the right car and best price.(Autos)
January 1, 2006... Buying a new car can be an exciting time. But many people are intimidated by the dealership experience, including the price negotiations and the high-pressure sales tactics that can be used to manipulate you into spending more than you need to....

Reviews of the 2006 models.(Autos)
January 1, 2006... This rundown of all the major 2006 models can start you on your search for a new car. You'll find a capsule summary of each model, often based on recent road tests that are applicable to this year's models. Most models include CONSUMER...

Rating the 2006 models.(Autos)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Included here are Ratings on more than 200 vehicles that CR has recently tested. Within each category, vehicles are ranked by their overall test score. Recommended models ([check]) not only tested well, but have shown average or better...

The best and worst used cars.(Autos)
January 1, 2006... This year 54 models made our CR Good Bets list of typically reliable models that have performed well in our road tests, compared with 50 last year. There are seven new entries on the list. But our 2004 list of CR Bad Bets, models that are...

Detailed reliability.(automobiles evaluation report)(Table)
January 1, 2006... In the following pages, CONSUMER REPORTS provides you with reliability information on more than 200 vehicle models. Based on 810,000 responses to our 2004 annual subscriber survey, these charts show you how 1997 through 2004 models are holding...

Product ratings and brand reliability.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... The product rating and brand reliability information that follows is designed to help you zero in on the model you want to buy. Start by reading the general buying advice for the product you're interested in. The page numbers for these reports...

Air conditioners.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... All the air conditioners in our tests should keep you cool. Top-scoring models perform the most efficiently and quietly. The Ratings rank models by overall performance within size groups. Once you determine the right size, consider that the...

Camcorders.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... You can expect a digital camcorder to deliver very good video, as our Ratings scores demonstrate. Many of the digital camcorders that record directly onto small DVD discs were ranked at or near the top of the Ratings. However, that doesn't...

Cell phones.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... We've grouped the tested phones by carriers to make it easier for you to find a phone once you've settled on a company for service. Overall, the phones are closely matched in voice quality and sensitivity. We found GSM phones have better talk...

Computers, desktops and laptops.(Ratings and Reliability)(Survey)
January 1, 2006... Below you'll find the results of surveys in which we asked subscribers about whether their computer has needed repair and what their experience was if they sought technical support--two very important things to consider when choosing which...

Cooktops & wall ovens.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... All of the electric cooktops performed well overall, but paying more doesn't guarantee a better cooktop. While the best gas models cost $1,200 or more, so did some lesser performers. Indeed, several capable gas cooktops we tested cost well...

Cordless phones.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... All the phones with excellent scores for voice quality use analog transmission. But the best digital models had very good scores and offer better security and slightly longer range. Interference problems are more likely to occur with both...

Dryers.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Dryers judged excellent for drying were noticeably better than lower-rated units at leaving a load damp for ironing and for drying delicates at low heat. Those that earned very good scores for drying should also satisfy most consumers. Because...

Freezers.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Most freezers, except those we've noted in the Ratings as Not Acceptable, performed to a high standard in our tests. After you've decided whether a chest freezer or an upright unit would better meet your needs, choose a model based on size,...

Gas grills.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2006... When it comes to gas grills, what you pay may have little to do with how well they cook. The best often cost $400 to $500, not $1,000 or more. Several grills that sell for $200 or less outperformed models that cost several times that price. ...

Lawn mowers.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Many self-propelled gasoline-powered mowers scored at least a very good, as brands such as Craftsman, Honda, Lawn-Boy, and Toro create new designs with better decks and controls. The best self-propelled models typically include easy mode...

Lawn tractors.(Ratings and Reliability)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2006... Nearly all of these machines are at least adequate at side-discharging clippings--the most-used mowing mode by far. Top-scoring models add more even cutting and better bagging overall. Several top-performing, automatic-drive models cost...