Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide articles from January 1 2008

Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide archives from January 1 2008

Digital cameras: your next electronic imager will let you shoot photos faster and better.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... If you're shopping for a digital camera, chances are it isn't your first. And if you're like many camera buyers, you're looking for a model that addresses the biggest gripes about your current digital camera. Many new point-and-shoot...

DVD players: while two high-definition DVD formats battle it out, progressive-scan DVD players add pseudo-HD.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... The transition from standard DVDs to high-definition Blu-ray and HD DVD discs is clearly under way, and more models have arrived over the past year. But many consumers aren't ready to buy a high-definition player, given their relatively high...

HD televisions: the challenge is to select the best type, screen size, and brand for you.(high definition television)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... With high-definition televisions flying off the shelves at ever-lower prices, you don't have to be wildly adventurous or extravagant to become a high-def household. Still, deciding which TV to buy and setting it up can be daunting. This section...

LCD TVs: slim sets with big screens challenge the plasma TV market.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Once available only with small screens, LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs now come with bigger screens suitable for use as a home's primary set. In fact, the introduction of 37- to 52-inch sets has positioned LCD TVs as a strong competitor to...

MP3 players: newer models with color screens display photos and videos.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... The digital music player continues its evolution from simple audio player to complex multimedia device. Most players come with color displays and the ability to show digital photos transferred from your computer, sometimes with accompanying...

Plasma TVs: more--and bigger--screens are adding variety to the category.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Plasma TVs make a blockbuster first impression. A scant 6 inches thick or less, these sleek, flat panels display bright images on screens measuring about 3 to 5 feet diagonally. With more models 50 inches and larger now available, plasma TVs...

Kitchen, bath and laundry: buy results, not hype.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Whether you're updating your appliances or planning a full remodel, seeing past the hype can be difficult as manufacturers and retailers compete in a tough market. You'll find refrigerators that play movies, faucets with weathered finishes, and...

Blenders, food processors and mixers: which food-prep appliance best suits your style and the foods you prepare? Answering that question is getting tougher as more brands blur the lines.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... You'll find $400 blenders that make smoothies, crush ice, and even spin fast enough to "cook" soup from scratch. Food processors can chop, slice, shred, and puree, while powerful stand mixers are ideal for cooks who make bread and cookies....

Coffeemakers: Starbucks and other specialty shops are creating a market for coffeemakers that promise to bring home the coffeehouse experience.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Customized brewing, integrated grinders, and thermal carafes are a few of the features manufacturers are using to justify premium prices. But our tests show that virtually any model can make you a good cup as long as you use decent coffee. ...

Countertops: kitchen counters have evolved from utilitarian work surface to stylish focal point.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... You'll pay as little as $550 for 55 square feet if you choose a low-priced material like laminate. Falling prices for granite and quartz also mean you can now get a custom look for about what you'd pay for solid surfacing. Newer trends...

Dishwashers: you can pay $800 or more for a dishwasher with a stainless- steel tub, hidden controls, digital displays, and special grime-fighting cycles. But when it comes to clean dishes, first-rate performance starts at less than $500.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Optional stainless exteriors and standard dirt sensors that adjust the water use and cycle length to the soil level have migrated to more low-priced models. While cycle times are longer as manufacturers strive to meet tougher federal energy...

Freezers.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Unlike refrigerators, dedicated freezers aren't equipped with through-the-door water, rapid-chill drawers, or high-tech multimedia players. But if you buy box-loads of burgers at a warehouse club or like to keep a few weeks' worth of dinners on...

Kitchen sinks and faucets: what do you get when you pay top dollar for a sink or a faucet? Our tests show the answer can be less money to spend on the rest of your kitchen remodel.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Despite all the hype, sink and faucet prices have little to do with performance. We've also found that who made your sink or faucet isn't as important as what it's made of. WHAT'S AVAILABLE Major brands for sinks and faucets include...

Microwave ovens: speed is being joined by smarts as the big brands heat up their microwave lines. Many now have sensors that automate a number of cooking chores beyond popcorn.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Sales-hungry manufacturers are also adding convection cooking and other features aimed at homeowners who want a second oven without having to remodel. WHAT'S AVAILABLE GE leads the countertop microwave-oven market with approximately 30...

Ranges, wall ovens, and cooktops.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Ranges still rule when it comes to cooking appliances. But a growing number of homeowners are seeking the added flexibility of a separate cooktop and wall oven, with burners or elements and ovens placed in just about any location. A wall oven...

Refrigerators.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Manufacturers are hot for your dollar as they load up their latest refrigerators with more style and features. Most now offer French-door models that add style and convenience by putting side-by-side refrigerator doors above the freezer. ...

Washers and dryers.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... While dryers have changed relatively little in the past 10 years, washers have become more efficient. But some new ones are having a tough time meeting new federal energy rules without sacrificing cleaning. Our latest tests found huge...

Water filters: a flood of new filters is making it easier than ever to remove impurities from your tap water. What's at stake may be more than just good taste.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... The federal Environmental Protection Agency requires all water systems to give their customers an annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR). Our recent analysis of CCRs from the 25 largest U.S. cities revealed that only three claimed no federal...

Toasters and toaster ovens.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Companies have tried to improve on the pop-up toaster since Toastmaster invented them way back in the 1920s. Yet this basic idea remains an unbeatable breakfast staple when it comes to perfectly browned bread. Toaster ovens can not only...

Toilets: even this most basic of bathroom fixtures is getting a revamp as manufacturers strive to make them more comfortable and efficient.(Kitchen, Bath and Laundry: Buy Results, Not Hype)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Trends include raising the toilet rim from the usual 14 inches to as much as 17 inches above the floor, which makes getting on and off easier. Heightened efficiency is another selling point, as major brands attempt to improve upon the 1.6...

Home and yard: reap the savings.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Banks and home builders aren't the only businesses affected by today's slower housing market. Sales-hungry home centers are making deals and manufacturers are adding more features as they chase after savvier homeowners and remodelers. Whether...

Air cleaners: according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is more polluted than outside air.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... There's little medical evidence that air cleaners alone reduce the effects of indoor pollutants for those with asthma and allergies, despite the more than $350 million per year people spend on these products. Some can even add more pollution in...

Air conditioners: low prices and high efficiency make room air conditioners an inexpensive alternative to central air for cooling one or two rooms.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Many now cost as little as $100. And all models we tested meet the 9.7 Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) now required for air conditioners below 8,000 British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.), and 9.8 EER for those with 8,000 to 13,999 Btu/hr....

Closet and garage organizers: telescoping rails, movable shelves, and other storage systems promise to make the often-elusive dream of an orderly closet and garage a reality.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Home centers and box stores sell a growing number of do-it-yourself systems that can match professionally installed systems for a fraction of the cost. But we found many install-it-yourself systems poorly designed, shoddy, and a nightmare to...

Cordless drills and drivers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are helping cordless drills add power and run time, with less weight for Li-Ion. Greener design is also a plus, since Li-Ion and NiMH batteries don't contain toxic cadmium, which...

Deck treatments: opaque treatments that look like paint still last longest overall. But you'll find a few semitransparent treatments and even a clear finish or two that last nearly as long while showing off your deck's natural wood grain.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... A more translucent treatment can also protect you and your family from arsenic found in some pressure-treated wood. Until 2004, most decks used lumber preserved with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to fend off rot and insects. But because...

Flooring.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Brazilian cherry, bamboo, and cork are among the growing array of flooring options as manufacturers push faraway names and "greener" claims. But you may want to stick with conventional hardwoods and other familiar flooring when it comes to...

Gas grills: more and more homeowners are choosing high-end models that do more than just grill. But you needn't spend a fortune for great burgers and dogs at your next barbecue.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Our battery of tests show that a higher price tag doesn't guarantee better grilling. Many lower-priced models now have at least some stainless trim, along with side burners and other perks once found only on the priciest grills. WHAT'S...

Hedge trimmers: powered hedge trimmers take some of the elbow grease out of keeping shrubs in shape.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... But using them can still be hard work, since you're holding these machines aloft for extended periods. That makes a trimmer's weight, balance, and vibration as important as its performance. Safety is also important given the number of injuries...

Humidifiers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Who needs a humidifier? Anyone who has uncomfortably dry or itchy eyes, throat, or skin, or whose asthma is a problem indoors during the heating season. While indoor relative humidity should be 30 to 50 percent, it can drop significantly in...

Lawn mowers and tractors: regular mowing is as vital to a healthy lawn as watering, fertilizing, and weeding. A bumper crop of easier-starting mowers and wider-cutting tractors is trimming some of the work from this weekly ritual.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Most gas-powered mowers we tested now start with just one pull of the rope, and some $400 models now offer electric starting for another $40 or so. Corded electrics cut more capably than before, and cordless versions run longer per charge...

Mattresses and toppers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Shopping for a mattress can be a challenge. It's hard to tell one box of metal, foam, and fabric from another, making you vulnerable to a sales pitch. Model names differ from store to store, making it hard to comparison shop. And prices vary so...

Camcorders: analog models have lost out to digital's quality and ease of use.(Home Entertainment: Digital Dominates)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... You can do a lot more with videos shot on camcorders than simply play them back on your TV. You can edit and embellish them with music using your computer, then play your productions on your DVD player or PC. You can also e-mail recordings to...

Home entertainment: digital dominates.
January 1, 2008... Digital technology dominates today's home-entertainment choices. Traditional analog techniques of recording images on film or displaying them on a bulky tube TV are taking a back seat to a flood of newer digital devices that use computer chips...

Comparing retailers.(appliance and computer stores)
January 1, 2008... Are you in the market for a new refrigerator or maybe a laptop? During our recent surveys, tens of thousands of CONSUMER REPORTS subscribers revealed what they thought were the best walk-in and online retailers for appliances and computers. ...

Green shopping can save you money.
January 1, 2008... These days, you don't have to look very far to find a headline, ad campaign, or Web site promoting the latest environmentally friendly product line. From Wal-Mart to the Ford Motor Company, some of the largest companies have discovered that the...

Buying advice at your fingertips.
January 1, 2008... The Consumer Reports Buying Guide for 2008 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...

Paints and stains, exterior.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... A fresh coat of paint or stain on the siding and trim adds more than just curb appeal. It also provides an important layer of protection against moisture, mildew, and the effects of the sun. Yet if you're among the roughly 85 percent of...

Paints, interior.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... A fresh coat of paint is an easy, inexpensive way to freshen a room. Today's paints spatter less, keep stains at bay, and have ample tolerance for scrubbing. They also resist mildew (important if you're painting a kitchen, a bath, or a basement...

Power blowers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... The best electric handheld blowers continue to outperform their gas-engined counterparts for less money. But both types take at least some of the grunt work out of sweeping and cleaning fallen leaves and other yard and driveway debris. ...

Pressure washers: professional cleaning at a do-it-yourself price has helped move pressure washers from rental shops to home centers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Today's cost as little as $90 for corded electric models and $300 for gas-powered machines, making both a tempting alternative to the $50 to $90 per day you'll spend to rent one. Pressure washers use a gas engine or electric motor, pump,...

Programmable thermostats: electronic programmable thermostats can take the hassle out of saving energy by automatically raising or lowering temperature at night and when you're away.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)
January 1, 2008... Today's include built-in energy-saving programs designed to cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent so you don't have to create those programs from scratch. But confusing controls on some can make it easy to burn more energy than you...

Snow throwers: bigger, better, and friendlier describe the latest snow throwers. Many also cost less, thanks to price pressure from retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears, which account for the most sales.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Best of all, you needn't buy the biggest snow thrower to get competent clearing. Honda and Toro are among the brands with smaller models that rival some larger machines. Other advances include better steering and chute controls, along with...

String trimmers: a string trimmer picks up where a lawn mower leaves off, providing the finishing touches as it whisks away grass around trees and flower beds, straightens uneven edges along driveways, and trims patches of lawn your mower or tractor can't reach.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)
January 1, 2008... What's more, getting a capable trimmer needn't mean spending $100 or more for a gasoline-powered model. Several of the latest plug-in trimmers provide fine trimming and edging for less. But gas trimmers are still tops overall for tall grass...

Vacuum cleaners.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... A rough-and-tumble market is also driving new designs and features as the humble vacuum goes high-tech. But as we've found, high-priced, feature-laden machines don't necessarily deliver better cleaning. You'll find plenty of strong performers...

Computers, phones, and peripherals: portable and versatile.
January 1, 2008... Faster. Lighter. More powerful. These are the constant imperatives for computing and mobile-communications gear. The latest laptops and cell phones offer the kind of unprecedented connectedness that even James Bond would admire. Chip speeds,...

Cell phones: if you thought choosing your last cell phone, service provider, and calling plan was a more confusing process than it had any reason to be, just wait until the next time you try.(cellphone services )
January 1, 2008... Not only are the plans devilishly difficult to figure out--sometimes even for the people selling them--but the phones themselves have become exponentially more complex. Digital cameras are now a common feature on even the most humble phones,...

Cordless phones: cordless phones are adapting to a world increasingly crowded with wireless and Internet-based devices. New phones can happily coexist with home networks or let you place calls over your cell-phone service or the Internet.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... One of the most promising developments is the arrival of phones that operate on a different frequency band than Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth, baby monitors, and other wireless devices. Skirting the congested 2.4- and 5.8-gigahertz (GHz) bands,...

Desktop computers: tech support and reliability can help you decide which model to choose.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... 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 $600 are common, even among established brands....

Laptop computers: built-in wireless capability and larger displays add to their appeal.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Bigger, crisper displays and more usable key layouts have replaced small screens and cramped keyboards on laptop computers. Processors have caught up in speed with desktop models, and innovative dual-core processors are also available. Fast CD-...

Monitors: LCDs are the most popular, but CRT monitors may offer advantages.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... In computer monitors as in TVs, models using LCD technology are becoming bigger, cheaper, and more dominant in the marketplace. Industry watchers report that the vast majority of monitors sold in the past year were lightweight, flat-panel LCD...

Printers: inkjet printers rule, but consider lasers for big jobs.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... 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 produce...

Scanners: scanners offer a simple, cheap way to digitize images for printing, editing on your computer, or sending via e-mail.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Continuing improvements in scanners have made it cheaper and easier to turn photos into digital images that you can enhance, resize, and share. And flatbed scanners are no longer restricted to printed originals. Our tests show that the...

Smart phones: the much-publicized iPhone breaks new ground for these handy combination advanced cell phones and electronic organizers.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Long used by corporate travelers to keep up with e-mail and appointments, smart phones are now catching on with the general public. Some want to tap out text messages on a QWERTY-style keyboard rather than the tiny keypad of a cell phone....

Your inside track for new and used vehicles.(Autos)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... This 80-page section is structured to be your all-in-one guide to buying a vehicle. Starting off on page 132, we detail the 5 Steps to Get the Right Car and Best Price. Buying a car can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time, but...

Rating the 2008 models.(Autos)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Included here are Ratings on 246 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 reliability and,...

Reviews of the 2007-08 models.(automobiles)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... This rundown of all the major 2007-08 models can start you on your search for a new car, minivan, 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...

Used cars: the best and worst available.(Autos)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... These lists guide you to the most reliable vehicles for 10 model years, 1997 through 2006, and alert you to those that have been problematic. Reliable vehicles and Vehicles to avoid include all models that showed above- or below-average overall...

Detailed auto reliability.(automobiles)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... The charts on the following pages give you a model's complete reliability picture for both its used versions (2001 through 2006) and the new one currently on sale. These detailed reliability Ratings are based on our 2006 Annual Car Reliability...

Product ratings and brand reliability.(Ratings and Reliability)
January 1, 2008... 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)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Fine cooling performance is a given. Top-scoring models are also energy- efficient and relatively quiet. Remember that the more off-center your window, the more an air conditioner's airflow matters. All models tested include a remote control....

Camcorders.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... You can expect a digital camcorder to deliver good or very good video. MiniDV models, which record on tape cartridges compatible with older models, win on price, making them the type to consider first. DVD models are for those who most want...

Cell phones.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... After choosing a carrier, your main decision is whether to buy a basic or advanced phone. Choose a basic phone if you're interested in no-frills, mainstream telephony. They usually have simple keypads for easy operation, and are often...

Cooktops.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2008... All of the electric cooktops performed well overall. Like gas cooktops, electric models can't match the quick heating and instant response of induction models. But as the price column shows, induction cooktops typically cost $1,500 or more. The...

Digital cameras.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Almost all cameras in our Ratings took decent pictures. Your choice will depend a lot on whether you want small size or extra photographic power and flexibility. Compact cameras, too big for a pocket but small enough to fit easily in a bag,...

Dishwashers.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2008... These models are very good or excellent overall performers. They clean well, aren't excessively noisy, and are easy to load. Like most of the tested models, they have a heavy- duty (or pots-and-pans) cycle. Adjustable racks and other features...

Dryers.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Nearly all the dryers we tested scored at least very good for drying performance. Those that scored excellent were better at drying delicate clothes at low temperatures and leaving loads damp enough for ironing. While our test scores are...

DVD players.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... As high-definition Blu-ray and HD DVD players come down in price, it's likely that many consumers will make the switch to a high-def player once the conflict between these two standards is resolved--or when more affordable "combo" players that...

Gas grills.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... You'll pay $300 to $500 for a grill that can handle most of your cooking needs. Spending more will get you stainless styling and additional convenience features, but not necessarily better performance. Several midsized models for less than $500...

Laptops.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... If you haven't shopped for a laptop lately, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you'll find in stores or online: a case with a red finish as glossy as a new sports car, a display that's brighter than ever, longer battery life, and lighter...

Lawn mowers.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Models at the very top can set you back $600 or more, but several capable mowers perform almost as well for as little as $370. Decide on a gas, corded, or cordless- electric mower with driven or nondriven wheels based on your needs. Then see...

Lawn tractors.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Many top-mowing tractors now cost closer to $1,000 than to $2,000. While zero-turn-radius mowers have fallen below the $3,000 mark, you might want a tight-turning tractor if you prefer a steering wheel and can live with a bit less agility. ...

LCD TVs.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... More TVs in this group had excellent picture quality for HD than in the past. That includes several 720p displays, which have a lot to offer, usually at a lower price than 1080p sets. While we highlight some of the best TVs in Quick Picks,...

Microwave ovens.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Most models did a respectable job of basic microwaving tasks such as defrosting meats, reheating leftovers, and making popcorn. Whichever unit you consider, you'll probably pay more for an oven with a large capacity, stainless-steel finish,...

MP3 players.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... As the Ratings show, buying an MP3 player doesn't end with choosing the brand and model; you often also need to select a capacity. Price rises with capacity, but performance, size, and weight should remain fairly constant within a model line....

Plasma TVs.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Most of the tested sets did very well, and a few are among the best ever. It's hard to make a bad choice in this group. The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U, the first 1080p plasma TV we've tested, sets a new benchmark for plasma performance. Several...

Printers, all-in-one.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... When you shop for a printer, first consider an all-in-one inkjet. Most all- in-ones match regular inkjets for photo and text printing, and can copy, scan, and sometimes fax. Prices are generally close to those of regular printers. Guide to...

Printers, color laser.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Lasers slow down when handling color, and the photo quality of those we've tested has been poor. They're also big, noisy, and comparatively pricey. We don't recommend any. Guide to the Ratings Overall score is based on speed and...

Printers, regular.(inkjet printers)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Regular inkjets are fine for printing text and photos. Some models are short on features such as LCD viewers, memory card readers, and PictBridge connectivity, so make sure the model you choose has the all features you want. If you print...

Programmable thermostats.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Programmable thermostats can help save energy by automatically raising or lowering temperatures at night and when you're away. But confusing controls on some can make it easy to burn more energy than you bargained for. The fact that some...

Ranges.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2008... You can buy a high-performing gas or electric range without spending a bundle. Several models we tested costing $450 to $1,000 outperformed ranges for $1,500 or more.Many moderately priced models also come in stainless steel or have...

Refrigerators.(RATINGS)
January 1, 2008... Most models we tested chill and freeze adequately and include pullout shelves or bins, spill guards, and room on the door to hold a gallon of milk. Top-scoring models usually deliver more consistent temperatures. Once you know how much space...

Vacuum cleaners.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... Nearly all full-size uprights cleaned bare floors quickly and neatly, but carpets are the toughest challenge for most machines. Top-scoring models deep-cleaned impressively and provided strong airflow through the hose for use with tools. ...

Wall ovens.(RATINGS)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... In electric wall ovens, as in many other appliances, price may have little to do with performance. The top-scoring Thermador is pricey, but several models cooked nearly as well for hundreds of dollars less. Most wall ovens are available with...