Great KITCHENS for less: 10 most-hyped products and what to buy instead.

Whether you're updating your appliances or planning a full remodel, seeing past the hype can be tough when everything looks so good. Mistakes can be costly as well as disappointing, because the most loudly hawked products are often the most expensive.

This year you'll find refrigerators that play movies, "professional" appliances from practically everyone, and flooring that's touted as "green" but might not hold up in busy kitchens. Our tests found that many of those products delivered less than they promised, and several were beaten by the old standbys that cost far less.

The good news: You needn't spend big on gadgets and gimmicks to get a kitchen that's stylish and functional. This Special Kitchen Section includes dozens of CR Quick Picks and other fine choices. For frequently updated products, you'll find Select Ratings that make those choices easier by focusing on models that deliver the most performance and value. Which products to skip and why? Check out our "More Hype" boxes throughout the section.

We also tell you the best way to find a kitchen designer and contractor, as well as the smartest way to finance a remodel. But first, here are our nominations for the 10 most-hyped kitchen products and the smarter options that beat them:

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1) PRO-STYLE RANGES "Create better meals--and fuel your passion for cooking," Wolf says about its "cooking instruments." Not to be outdone, Viking claims its range "captures the professional performance of a commercial range and places it at your command and in your home." Yet our tests continue to find that $4,000-plus pro-style ranges perform no better than less-expensive, conventional models. What's more, some professional-style ranges still lack common features and have high repair rates.