Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide articles from January 1 2007

Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide archives from January 1 2007

Buying advice at your fingertips.
January 1, 2007... The Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2007 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...

Shopping strategies to get best values.
January 1, 2007... 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...

Be a smart shopper in the supermarket.
January 1, 2007... It's easy to be casual in your approach to supermarket shopping. After all, we're not talking about SUVs or HDTVs here, just a bunch of small items you pick up every week that cost no more than a few dollars each. In reality though, you can...

Home entertainment: digital dominates.
January 1, 2007... Digital technology--the use of computer chips to create, store and play images and sounds--dominates more and more of today's home-entertainment choices. Traditional analog techniques of recording images on film or displaying them on a glass...

Camcorders: fine picture quality and easy editing have improved the functionality of these moviemakers, especially for digital models.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... You can do a lot more with videos shot on digital or analog camcorders than play them back, unedited, on your TV. You can edit and embellish them with music using your computer, then play your productions on your DVD or PC. Or even send them...

Digital cameras: digital photography allows you to be more involved in creating prints without the darkroom that film photography requires.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Digital cameras give you extraordinary control over images. You can transfer them to your computer, then crop, adjust color and contrast, and add textures and other special effects. You can make prints at home on a color inkjet or snapshot...

DVD players: these devices offer high-quality playback of videos and CDs, and prices are lower than ever.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)
January 1, 2007... Great picture and sound quality, plus relatively low prices, have made digital videodisc, or DVD, players, among the most successful consumer-electronics products ever. The vast majority of U.S. households have one or more DVD players. Prices...

HD televisions: HD sets can provide the best at-home viewing experience currently available, at ever-lower prices.(high definition television)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Today's gold standard for TV is high definition, or HD. This much-talked-about format offers images with lifelike detail and clarity. Digital programming, which includes HD, is available via cable, satellite, and over the air. To receive HD...

LCD TVs: once available only with small screens, LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs now come with bigger screens suitable for a household's primary set.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... The introduction of 37- to 50-inch sets has positioned LCD TVs as strong competition for flat-panel plasma sets. In fact, Sony has stopped offering plasma TVs for the consumer market, instead focusing its flat-panel effort on LCD sets. That...

MP3 players: the MP3 player continues its evolution from simple audio player to complex multimedia device.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... More and more players come with color displays and the ability to show digital photos transferred from your computer, sometimes while the music is playing. Such models usually also play music videos, TV shows, and short films. As digital...

Plasma TVs: plasma TVs make a blockbuster first impression. A maximum of 6 inches thick, these sleek flat panels display bright images on screens measuring about 3 to 5 feet diagonally.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... With more models 50 inches and larger now available, plasma sets have become an alternative to rear-projection sets for anyone seeking a jumbo screen. A plasma screen is made up of thousands of pixels containing gas that's converted into...

Kitchen, bath & laundry: more style, less money.
January 1, 2007... Slowing home sales have spawned a growing desire to make what you have work better and more stylishly. Home centers including Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears are fueling this ongoing home-improvement boom by driving down prices on everything...

Coffeemakers: most models make a good cup of coffee. Higher-priced versions usually have more convenience features and fancier styling.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)
January 1, 2007... The popularity of Starbucks and other specialty coffee shops seems to be driving demand for a new generation of coffeemakers that seek to replicate the coffeehouse experience at home. Customized brewing, integrated grinders, and thermal...

Cooktops and wall ovens: separate appliances give you the flexibility of two cooking areas, with burners and ovens placed just about anywhere you want. You also have the option of cooking with gas, electricity, or induction.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

: a countertop has to withstand considerable punishment over a long period of time. Fortunately, it's one product where beauty and practicality can coexist.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Falling prices for granite and other tony materials mean that you can now get a custom-look countertop for about what you'd pay for solid surfacing like Corian. You'll also see new products as high-end options hit the mainstream. ...

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 use, or features.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Dryers: on the whole, clothes dryers do a good job. More sophisticated models dry your laundry with greater finesse.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Food processors & mixers: match the machine to the way you prepare foods. But you may find you need more than one.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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. Mini-choppers are good for small jobs such as mincing garlic and chopping nuts. Hand...

Freezers: chest freezers cost the least to buy and run, but self-defrost uprights are the winners for convenience.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Microwave ovens: you'll see larger capacity, sensors that detect doneness, and stylish designs to complement your kitchen.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Ranges: you don't have to spend top dollar for impressive performance with high-end cooking features and stainless- steel styling.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... If you're in the market for a range, you're faced with several choices. You can buy a freestanding one that combines a cooktop and oven, or you can buy a separate cooktop and wall oven. The oven can be equipped with a convection feature. If...

Refrigerators: the trend is toward bigger and better as manufacturers add more space, more doors, and more options.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... If you're shopping for a new refrigerator, you're probably considering models that are fancier and more energy-efficient than your current fridge. Spacious models with flexible, more efficient storage space abound, and useful features that...

Showerheads: for a quick rinse, any 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 & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... With literally 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...

Toasters: toaster or toaster oven? The decision will depend on how picky you are about that morning toast.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... If you want perfectly browned bread, opt for the straightforwardness of a basic toaster. Toaster ovens generally don't toast bread as well. They leave tiger stripes on one side, and they take longer to do the job--4 to 6 minutes compared with...

Toilets: even the utilitarian commode is getting a revamp as toilet manufacturers strive to make this most basic of bathroom fixtures more accommodating and efficient.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Washing machines: top loaders are getting more energy-efficient, but front-loaders still tend to provide the best of everything when it comes to efficient washing.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... You'll find more variety in the washing-machine aisle when you visit an appliance store these days. Tougher new energy standards due for 2007 have led to the manufacture of more energy-efficient washers. While traditional top-loaders with...

Home & yard: more value for less.
January 1, 2007... Growing competition among retailers and independent dealers has made this an ideal time to upgrade your arsenal of indoor and outdoor home products. Besides driving down prices on an array of items, big-box home centers such as Home Depot and...

Air cleaners: even the best air cleaner may be a questionable investment, since there's little medical evidence that air cleaners alone reduce the effects of indoor pollutants for those with asthma and allergies.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... The air inside your home is more polluted than the air outside, according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But that doesn't mean it's unhealthy and needs to be cleaned--or that you need an air cleaner. Before you...

Air conditioners: low prices and high efficiency make individual room air conditioners an inexpensive alternative to central air for cooling one or two rooms.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Room air conditioners now cost as little as $100 and often include controls with digital temperature readouts instead of vague "warmer" and "cooler" settings. Added efficiency is also a plus. All models we tested meet the 9.7 Energy...

Circular saws: circular saws are a mainstay for quickly cutting the two-by-fours and plywood used in many popular home-improvement projects.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)
January 1, 2007... Indeed, circular saws are the most common home power tool after drills. Battery-powered saws offer go-anywhere convenience, but plug-ins are far more capable. WHAT'S AVAILABLE Black & Decker, Bosch, Craftsman (Sears), DeWalt,...

Cordless drills: many 14.4-volt drill/drivers pack all the power you need for a variety of chores. You'll also find higher-voltage drills that cost little more than less-capable, lower-voltage models.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Battery packs with higher efficiency 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 recharging. Recent tests show that you...

Deck treatments: deck treatments that look good longest are the ones that are most like paint. Clear finishes don't provide long-term protection.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Unprotected lumber doesn't fare well. Rain and sun crack and split wood by swelling and drying it, while moisture promotes mold and mildew. Even redwood, cedar, and pressure-treated wood can benefit from a protective coat. Our tests show that...

Flooring, wood and wood alternatives: natural-wood flooring offers warmth and the ability to be refinished more than once. But tougher copycats could be better for active families.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Real solid hardwood remains the premium choice for flooring and figures prominently on the list of talking points when homes are sold. More of it is sold with hand-scraped and other distressed finishes. But when it comes to real-world...

Gas grills: many people are choosing high-end models that do more than just grill. But you needn't spend a fortune for great grilling at your next barbecue.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Getting a good grill has become both easier and cheaper; some of the best we tested cost $200 or less. You'll also find $500 grills with the added style, space, and convenience of models that cost far more. Stainless steel tops the list...

Hedge trimmers: a gas or electric hedge trimmer can enhance your tool arsenal if your property includes lots of shrubs. Both types tend to be easier than hand clippers, since an engine or motor powers their blades.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... But using any powered hedge trimmer can still be hard work, since you're holding these devices in midair, often with arms out, for extended periods. That means your buying decision needs to factor in weight, balance, and vibration along with...

Humidifiers: using a humidifier can help ease dry skin and other problems associated with dry air. But choosing one involves trade-offs in efficiency, cost, noise, and convenience.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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 relative humidity should be 30 to 50 percent. But that level...

Lawn mowers: practically any mower cuts grass. But you'll get better results if you choose one based on your lawn size, mowing preferences, and budget.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Mowing options range from $100 manual-reel mowers to tractors that cost $4,000 or more. If you have a small, level 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-on lawn tractor could be your best option.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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 & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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 & Yard: More Value for Less)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Paint, exterior: the best paint can improve your home's appearance and protect it from the weather for about nine years.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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: 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.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... A fresh coat of paint is an easy, inexpensive way to freshen a room. Today's paints are significantly better than their predecessors in several important respects: They spatter less, keep stains at bay, and have ample tolerance for scrubbing....

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 & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Power sanders: these smooth operators save time and effort. More convenience and safety features for less money help account for their growing popularity.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)
January 1, 2007... 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 & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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 lmachines.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Some of the newest snow throwers are larger and more capable, yet easier to control. Many 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 sales....

String trimmers: some of the latest electric trimmers perform better than ever. But gas models are still tops overall for tall grass and weeds.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... A string trimmer can pick up where 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: high-priced, feature-laden machines don't necessarily deliver better cleaning. You'll find plenty of strong performers at a reasonable price.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Computers, phones, & peripherals: portable and versatile.
January 1, 2007... Faster. Lighter. More powerful. These are the constant imperatives for computing and mobile communications gear makers and users alike. The latest laptops and cell phones offer unprecedented connectedness that even James Bond would admire....

Cell phones: complex pricing schemes and incompatible technologies can make it hard to find the right calling plan to go with the right handset.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)
January 1, 2007... There are now more than 200 million cell-phone subscribers, an average of more than one per household. Of those, close to 10 percent use a cell phone (aka a mobile phone) as their only phone, and that number is steadily growing. Phone...

Cordless phones: two noteworthy trends: Phones use higher frequency bands, and a growing number can handle multiple handsets from a single base.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... It's easier than ever to have a phone where you want one. The newest breed of cordless phone lets you put a handset in any room in the house, even if no phone jack is nearby. WHAT'S AVAILABLE AT&T, GE, Panasonic, Uniden, and VTech...

Desktop computers: even the least-expensive desktops can deliver impressive performance.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... For most users, the desktop computer has become just another appliance you use every day. Replacement sales--not first-time purchases--now drive the desktop computer market. Fully loaded desktops selling for less than $700 are common, even...

Laptop computers: longtime companion at work, school, and on the road, the laptop has finally come home.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Bigger, crisper displays and more usable key layouts have replaced small screens and cramped keyboards. Processors have caught up in speed, and innovative new processors provide some real advantages. Fast CD and DVD recording drives are...

Monitors: prices are dropping for larger CRT monitors and for flat-panel LCD displays that free up desk space.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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 a priority, an LCD is the clear...

PDAs: besides serving as an address book, calendar, and to-do list, many personal digital assistants offer multimedia functions.(personal digital assistants)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers, appointments, tasks, and notes. All models can exchange, or synchronize, information with a full-sized computer. To do this, you connect the PDA to your computer via a cradle or cable. For models...

Printers: inexpensive inkjets print color superbly, and they do it faster than ever. Laser printers excel at printing black-and-white text.(inkjet printers)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Inkjet printers have become the standard for home-computer use. They can turn out color photos nearly indistinguishable from lab-processed photos, along with banners, stickers, transparencies, T-shirt transfers, and greeting cards. Many...

Scanners: a scanner is a simple, cheap way to digitize images for printing, editing on your computer, or sending via e-mail.(Computers, Phones, & Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Your inside track for new and used vehicles.(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... To get the right car at the best price you need to do your research. But how do you determine the quality of your information? More people turn to Consumer Reports for car-buying advice than any other publication or Web site. That's because...

Rating the 2007 models.(AUTO RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Included here are Ratings on more than 200 vehicles that CR has recently tested. Within each category, they are ranked by their overall road-test score. Recommended models ([check]) not only tested well, but have shown average or better...

Reviews of the 2006-07 models.(THE 2006-07 MODELS, car models)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... This rundown of all the major 2007 models can start you on your search for a new car, min-van, SUV, or pickup. You'll find a summary of each model, often based on recent road tests that are applicable to this year's models. Most models...

The best and worst used cars.(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... These lists guide you to the most reliable vehicles from model years 1998 to 2005 and alert you to those that have been problematic. Reliable Used Cars and Used Cars to Avoid include all models that showed above- or below-average overall...

Detailed reliability.(car reliability)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2007... The charts on the following pages give you a model's complete reliability picture for both its used versions (1998 through 2005) and the new one currently on sale. These detailed reliability Ratings are based on our 2005 Annual Car...

Product ratings and brand reliability.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Air conditioners.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Camcorders.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... 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. However, that doesn't automatically...

Cell phones.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... In the Ratings, we show approximate prices based on a two-year contract. Rebates or "instant savings" can reduce these prices substantially. Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile tend to rely more heavily on these supplemental discounts than other...

Desktop computers.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Workhorse desktop computers cost more than budget models but also offer more. A workhorse paired with a $200 to $300 media receiver would be your best choice for creating a basic, computer-based home-entertainment center. Either type of...

Digital cameras.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Based on our judgments of uncropped 8x10-inch prints, all the cameras produced images that were excellent. But if we had used only a small portion of the original image and enlarged it to 8x10, the higher-megapixel cameras would have produced...

Dishwashers.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... Almost all of the dishwashers we tested scored at least very good overall and are available with stainless-steel exterior styling. All are from historically reliable brands. While you'll typically pay more for folding racks and other...

Dryers.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Most of these dryers scored at least a very good overall in our tests. Dryers judged excellent for drying were noticeably better than lower-scoring models at leaving a load damp for ironing and at drying delicates at low heat. All tested...

DVD players.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Excellent picture quality is a hallmark of DVD players. For typical use with a conventional (as in standard-definition) TV, most people can safely purchase by disc capacity, features, price, and brand reliability. The Ratings cover a...

Gas grills.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Expect to spend between $200 and $500 for a grill that can handle most of your cooking needs. Spending more may get you more stainless styling and a few additional convenience features, but not necessarily better performance. While most...

Laptops.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... The Ratings rank models by performance and features. Quick Picks take into account not only performance but reliability, tech support, and value. All the major brands have had similar repair rates. Apple's tech support has been the best by...

Lawn mowers.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... You needn't pay a premium for superb mowing. You'll find many capable, self-propelled, gasoline-powered mowers as brands like Craftsman, Honda, Lawn-Boy, and Toro create new designs with better decks and controls. The best of these mowers...

Lawn tractors.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... All of these machines are at least adequate at side-discharging and mulching clippings. The best tend to distribute clippings more evenly, and add better bagging and easier handling for as little as $1,300. Note that the tested Toro LX420...

LCD TVs.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... On the best of the tested LCD TVs, picture quality was clear, crisp, and detailed, especially with HD content and progressive-scan DVD signals. Some of the newest LCD models are 1080p sets, with 1920x1080 resolution. They're capable of...

Microwave ovens.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Most models will do a capable job of basic microwaving chores, such as reheating leftovers or making popcorn. First decide whether you want an over-the-range or countertop model. If you opt for a countertop, also consider how large a unit...

MP3 players.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Like most digital devices, MP3 players perform very well at their key task. As the Ratings show, many MP3 players can produce near-audio-CD-quality sound out of the headphone jack, and the others were nearly as good. The headphones supplied...

Plasma TVs.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... The best of the plasma sets we tested have fine picture quality, with good brightness and contrast from any angle. Most plasma sets have 42-inch screens, but you'll increasingly find more 50-inch and larger screens. These larger-screen plasma...

Printers, all-in-one.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... If all you do is print, you can save money and space by purchasing a dedicated printer. But if there's any chance you might want to copy or scan, it's worth investigating an all-in-one. While most models are bigger than the typical new...

Printers, snapshot.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... There are three reasons to choose a snapshot printer over a full-sized inkjet printer: convenience, speed, and portability. Ease of use is unequaled--this is as close to one-touch printing as you can get. Getting images to print is also a...

Printers, regular.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... Standard inkjets are the best all-purpose printers for most consumers who want to print both text and color photos. They offer versatility, top print quality, and low-cost enlargements. They can print almost anything, including photos 8x10...

Ranges.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... You can find a high-performing electric range without breaking the bank. As the Ratings show, several of the models we tested in the $450 to $1,000 price range outperformed ranges costing $1,500 or more. Many of those moderately priced models...

Refrigerators.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2007... Most models we tested chill and freeze adequately and include pull-out shelves or bins, spill guards, and room on the door to hold a gallon of milk. Top-scoring models typically deliver more consistent temperatures. Once you know how much...