In past reports on dehumidifiers, Consumer Reports has advised a bigger-is-best approach, since dehumidifiers that remove 65 to 70 pints of water per day have always been more efficient than models claiming 30 to 40 pints per day. Based on our latest dehumidifier Ratings, that advice may be changing, as the effects of new federal efficiency standards start to be felt.

The new standard, effective for the 2013 season, calls for efficiency increases of 13 to 35 percent, depending on the size of the dehumidifier. The steepest increase applies to the smallest units, which also generate the highest sales. In 2012, for example, nearly 60 percent of the 2 million dehumidifiers sold were 30 pints or less, according to Ipsos, a market-research company. That's probably due to the fact that small dehumidifiers typically cost $50 to $100 less than larger models.      

We just finished testing two 30-pint models, the Danby DDR30A2GP, $170, and the Frigidaire FAD301NWD, $190. The results are encouraging, with the Danby earning excellent scores for energy efficiency and the Frigidaire scoring very good. Compare those results with our 2010 report, when efficiency scores for small dehumidifiers ranged from average to poor. The gains in efficiency can save you $50 in annual energy costs, assuming you run the unit six months of the year. What's more, the Danby and Frigidaire were both superb at removing moisture in our tests and their frost controls prevent evaporator coils from freezing—a good thing if room temperatures get chilly. 

We're in the process of testing three new small dehumidifiers from Sears, Soleus Air, and Sunpentown. If we see similar results for efficiency and performance, small dehumidifiers will become more prominent on our recommended list, especially for everyday use in smaller living spaces that can get damp. In more extreme conditions, such as big basements with high levels of moisture, we'll continue to recommend larger models, including our top-rated Haier, a Walmart exclusive that sells for under $200. Fortunately, the new efficiency standard applies to these units as well.

—Daniel DiClerico

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

If you're wondering what products are typically at their lowest price this month, wonder no more. Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have compiled a list of items that are typically discounted most deeply in August.

Many items are discounted toward the end of a season. With fall on the horizon, you're likely to find great deals on outdoor furniture. Some well-made sets are resonably priced, but you do have to know what to look for. 

If you're still feeling summer's heat, you'll be relieved to hear that retailers also consider this the end of the season for air conditioners. Just keep in mind that while prices are low, inventories are likely to be thin, so you may not find a wide selection. Our air conditioner guide (Ratings available to subscribers) will help you spot the right model for you.

Just in time for back-to-school shopping, backpacks also tend to be on super-sale in August. When you're picking one out, keep comfort, convenience, and safety in mind. Features to look for include wide, padded, contoured shoulder straps, an abdominal strap, and reflectors or reflective fabrics on the pack to add visibility when kids travel to and from school at dusk or dawn. These additional shopping and fitting tips will help you find the right backpack for your child.

August is also the month when you can find great sales on dehumidifiers, which can take that sticky feeling out of a damp basement or crawl space. Humidity is not just uncomfortable; levels above 50 percent can breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, which may worsen allergies and asthma. Our dehumidifier buying guide (Ratings available to subscribers) show that the best ones aren't necessarily the highest priced.  

If you like to plan ahead for winter's white stuff, you can find the best deals on snow blowers in August. There are many handy features to look for when you shop and saftey tips to keep in mind. For example, it's a good idea to check out floor samples. Make sure you're comfortable with the height of the handle and with the chute adjustment. Look for a critical safety feature that stops the spinning auger or impeller when you release the handlebar grips. For more, see our snow blower buying guide (subscribers will also find a link to our snow blower Ratings).

Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.

–Mandy Walker

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

More Wi-Fi enabled appliances are turning up in Consumer Reports’ labs. The sales pitch often goes something like this: We know your life is hectic and you’d rather be doing something else, so here’s how to be in two places at once. The GE PT9050FSSS electric wall oven, which can be controlled from a smart phone, comes with that promise. Here’s what our tests found.

Baking, broiling, and self-cleaning on the GE PT9050FSSS was impressive, and oven capacity is large, making this $2,600 wall oven very good overall and a recommended model. The convection feature can cut cooking time, especially for large roasts, and the big window and temperature probe let you keep a close eye on what’s cooking. GE wants to engage you, so a horizontal red light pulses during preheating and progressively lights up as timed cooking progresses. You get an idea of how much cooking time remains with just a glance.

The GE is the only recommended wall oven that lets you control oven functions from a smart device. We found the app was easy to download on our smart phone and made it possible for us to preheat, set and monitor cooking times, and change settings. The remote control works with your home's Wi-Fi network, not from some coffee shop. That’s a safety measure that makes sense. The GE video touting this wall oven doesn’t make sense. The woman uses her phone to remotely control her wall oven while she and her family play in what looks like a park.

CR Take: The GE’s performance and Wi-Fi capability is impressive, and handy if you want to preheat your oven while folding laundry or check remaining roasting time while you and the kids are in the backyard. But at $2,600, it’s the most expensive single wall oven in our list of top picks. Other top picks were even better in our tests and cost less, such as the Maytag MEW9530AW, $1,400, a CR Best Buy. Take a close look at our wall oven Ratings of single and double ovens to find the best wall oven for your budget.  

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Every day you probably get e-mail, texts, tweets, and circulars announcing great sales. The days of watching the calendar and buying products at the time of year when prices are lowest would appear to be over.

Or are they? Consumer Reports' product-research experts, who monitor prices, have found that deep discounts for some things still go by the calendar. Some sales are tied to the introduction of new models, while others are long-standing traditions, like January white sales.  

Use the month-by-month information below to see when you can typically find the best prices on a variety of products. But keep your eye on your apps, e-mail, and Sunday circulars, too, because there will always be exceptions. And bear in mind that the best time to save money isn't always when you'll find the best selection. Sales on some items occur when a season is coming to an end and inventories are thin.

Bedding

Linens

Swimwear

Toys

Treadmills and ellipticals

TVs

Winter clothing

Humidifiers

Indoor furniture

Treadmills and ellipticals

Digital cameras

Humidifiers

Small consumer electronics (MP3 players, DVD and Blu-ray players, etc.)

TVs

Winter sports gear

Laptop computers

Computers

Digital cameras

Lawn mowers

Spring clothing

Athletic apparel and shoes

Camping and outdoor gear

Carpeting

Cordless phones

Lawn mowers

Small consumer electronics

Camcorders

Carpeting

Computers

Indoor furniture

Small consumer electronics

Summer sports gear

Swimwear

Camcorders

Indoor furniture

Outdoor furniture

Swimwear

Air conditioners

Backpacks

Dehumidifiers

Outdoor furniture

Snow blowers

Bikes

Digital cameras

Gas grills

Lawn mowers

Shrubs, trees, and perennials

Small consumer electronics

Snow blowers

Bikes

Computers

Digital cameras

Gas grills

Lawn mowers

Winter coats

Baby products

Bikes

Camcorders

Gas grills

GPS navigators

Toys

TVs

Bikes

Camcorders

Gas grills

GPS navigators

Home appliances, large and small

Small consumer electronics

Toys

TVs

Want an even better deal? Haggle, haggle, haggle.

In a Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of 2,000 American adults about their haggling habits, 89 percent of people who said they haggled received a better price at least once.

To increase the odds you can negotiate a better deal, remember that nothing is off limits. You should always be polite. And make sure you know what constitutes a fair price before you start. For more tips on becoming an expert haggler, read our tips on effective bargaining.  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

You don’t have to watch horror movies to be afraid of chain saws; they cause roughly 30,000 accidents a year. Electric loppers, which mount the cutting apparatus two feet away within a pair of jaws that shield the user, are a good alternative. Consumer Reports recently tested two but both limit you to 4-inch branches and only one is worth a second look.

The Black & Decker LP 1000, $75, is the better of the two. It’s faster than the $120 Worx WG307 and, at just 7 pounds, weighs about 2 pounds less. That difference in weight could mean a lot if you have to reach to make a cut, especially if you’re using the five-foot extension pole sold as an option (about $36) for the Worx. We also found the Black & Decker’s scissor-like action more elegant than using the Worx, which requires you to push toward what you’re cutting.

With both models, it’s safe to cut above shoulder level—an otherwise risky move that's never recommended with traditional chain saws—or strip a limb of its smaller branches. And since these models’ 6-inch blades retract, they’re very safe for storage.

But even the Black & Decker is slow compared with a regular chain saw. Its tiny bar-oil reservoir requires frequent stops for refills. And getting to the recessed chain for service is a challenge on both.

The bottom line? Consider the Black & Decker LP 1000 if chain saws give you the willies and your work is strictly light-duty. But if you sometimes need to cut larger pieces, a corded-electric chain saw like the Worx WG303.1, $100, would be a better choice. Whatever you’re considering, be sure to read our buying guide before viewing our Ratings of two dozen chain saws.

—Ed Perratore

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

In an effort to give consumers easier access to car recalls, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a rule requiring automakers and motorcycle manufacturers to provide a free online tool to allow recall information to be searched by a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

The move will make it easier for consumers to find out immediately whether a vehicle is subject to a recall and if it has received the appropriate fix. This latter function will be helpful for used car shoppers looking to see if the vehicle they want to buy is or was subject to a recall.

Automakers must provide the information on their website and update the data weekly. Some automakers already have the VIN search functionality; others will have until a year from now to comply with the rule.

The search feature will also be available on NHTSA’s website: www.safercar.gov. Currently, car owners can only put in the make and model year of their vehicle, but a VIN search feature will be added.

Also, manufacturers are now mandated to share the type of powertrain and crash avoidance technologies vehicles have with the agency, so NHTSA can look at potential defects, trends, or safety issues related to those systems.

Combined, these measures will better inform consumers and could help raise automotive safety overall.

Consumer Reports currently provides an online tool for car owners to search for recalls by make and model year. There you will find not only the official description, but insights from trained mechanics that explain the recall and its impact.

Recalls can be searched from the main landing page, or browsed from the respective car model page.

–Liza Barth

For more news and articles about cars, subscribe to our feed.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

When the federal government announced in late 2007 that most screw-in incandescent bulbs would be phased out by 2014 because they use too much energy, it seemed light years away. But come January, remaining stock of the popular 60-watt bulb can be sold and then they're gone. Here's a look at some of the best 60-watt replacements for lamps and ceiling fixtures from Consumer Reports' latest tests as well as ways to save.

Pay now, or pay later. Incandescent bulbs are a bargain, until you turn them on. LEDs use about 80 percent less energy to provide the same amount of light and last much longer. Toss your 60-watt incandescent, screw in an LED, and save about $125 over the LED's 23-year life. A $20 LED pays for itself in about three years.
Consider these bulbs. The top-rated Samsung A19 60-Watt Warm White LED, $30, casts a warm yellow light. The Utilitech A19 13.5 60-W Warm White LED is $20, provides a white light, and can also be used in enclosed fixtures. Both LEDs are dimmable.

Keep an eye on price. New LED brands have increased competition and are helping to lower prices. Manufacturers told us that more $10 LEDs are coming next year.
Consider these bulbs. The dimmable 3M LED 60W gives off a white light and is $20. The new $13 Cree 60-watt replacement instantly provided a bright, warm yellow light in our initial tests and has an unusually long 10-year warranty. We'll add the Cree to the Ratings when testing is done.

Look for rebates. Check for offers from your utility and manufacturers. Many of the recommended LEDs and CFLs are Energy Star qualified, so search the Energy Star website for updates. The Star matters if you're looking for utility rebates.
Consider these bulbs. The Insignia A19 60-Watt Dimmable LED, $20, is also a top pick and casts a white light. Prefer a warmer light? The Great Value 14W 60W Soft White CFL from Walmart offers the warmest yellow light of the recommended bulbs, but it isn't dimmable and as with all CFLs, takes a moment to fully brighten. But CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than an incandescent so this $1.25 CFL can save you about $60 over its 9-year life.

LEDs and CFLs that make our recommended list offer impressive performance after 3,000 hours of testing—that's almost three years of the bulbs being on for three hours a day. We also test LED and CFL replacements for 75- and 100-watt incandescent bulbs, which have already been phased out, along with energy-saving flood/reflectors for recessed and track lights and outdoor lights. Our lightbulb Ratings show that some LEDs and CFLs are much better than others, so take a look.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Four-door refrigerators, which typically feature a middle drawer that serves as an additional fridge or freezer compartment, are a versatile option for busy households. Unfortunately, none of the ones tested by Consumer Reports performed well enough to make our recommended list—until now. With an impressive overall score, the Samsung RF31FMESBSR, $2,900, holds its own with all French-door bottom-freezers, and it's the clear favorite among four-door models. It's also the first refrigerator to feature a built-in sparkling water dispenser.

Novelties aside, the Samsung RF31FMESBSR made our list of recommended refrigerators by excelling at the important stuff. Temperature control is superb and its dual evaporators should help keep food fresh by maintaining optimal humidity levels in the fresh-food section. The Energy Star model also earned an excellent score for efficiency, so it will help keep operating costs in check. Inside, the refrigerator offers a roomy 19 cubic feet of usable capacity, made greater with such features such as adjustable shelves, gallon door bins, spill-proof glass shelves, and LED lighting that helps you find what you're looking for fast.

As for the middle compartment, this one features four temperature settings ranging from 29° F for meat to 42° F for party platters. Then there's the sparkling water dispenser, the results of a partnership between Samsung and Sodastream. If your household goes through a lot of carbonated beverages, the dispenser could be a money saver, and it will definitely cut down on the number of plastic bottles you use. 

—Daniel DiClerico

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Your monthly bill may be the only correspondence you get from an electric or gas company. But if you live in one of the dozen or so states (or Washington, D.C.) that offer competitive pricing for your gas or electricity, you may have also received a phone call or a flyer dangling low promotional prices or incentives such as free gasoline, airline miles, and cash for switching energy suppliers.

If you do, your utility will still be responsible for delivering electricity or gas to your home and maintaining the wires and lines that supply it. But the electricity or gas itself is being offered by a company that competes with the utility to offer you a better price. At least that’s the theory.

Energy prices fluctuate, so you generally won’t know in advance whether your choice  will actually save you money. Even if you can find out which company has been the least costly, it may not have the lowest prices in the future. Certain suppliers will guarantee a flat percentage savings off whatever the traditional utility will charge, though it can be difficult to verify whether you’ll actually get those savings. That’s because you’d have to find out what you would have been charged each month had you stuck with the traditional utility, then compare. Many utility and state regulatory websites are of little help, providing little more than basic instructions and a list of approved suppliers. Even the best websites with information on current and historical rates and interactive bill calculators left us scratching our heads about whether consumers would save anything at all.

Checking sample electric bills for 11 companies, prepared by the Public Service Commission in Washington, D.C., for example, we found that a household using 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month—about average in Washington, D.C.—might reduce its monthly bill by up to $5 compared with buying from the traditional electric company, a $60 annual savings. But the sample bills, according to the agency, didn’t include possible charges that some companies might impose, including the supplier that gave us the greatest savings. Just as frustrating, some of the other comparisons, which looked like they might save more, were good only for a single month because the rates are variable, making it impossible to estimate how much you’d save annually, if anything.

Bottom line. Even if you shop carefully, you could still end up paying more than you would if you stuck with a traditional utility. If you decide to shop suppliers, check the Better Business Bureau and the Internet for customer reviews and complaints. And as much as you may not want to, you should read all the small type in the contract to make sure you’ll get the savings you expect. Here are some gotchas to look out for:

• Low promotional rates that can climb significantly after the first month or two.
• Variable rates that change monthly or daily with market conditions.
• Contracts that are renewed automatically.
• Sign-on fees or high late-payment fees.
• Cancellation fees or any other penalties for switching to a new supplier or back to your old one.

For more energy-saving ideas read our Home Improvement Guide, which also has information on renovation projects and top-rated products.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Staying healthy at college is no easy task between busy schedules, limited budgets, and lots of germs. Here are six ways to maintain your well-being when you head back to college:

1. Get vaccinated. The Tdap vaccine (which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), HPV vaccine, meningitis vaccine, and seasonal flu vaccine are among those vaccinations we recommend to adults, which includes college students who are 18 years of age or older. Some states require additional vaccinations. Use the state requirement search from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make sure you’ve gotten all the vaccinations that your school’s state requires before heading off this fall.

2. Stay clean. Dorms, cafeterias, and academic buildings can carry lots of germs. To give yourself a fighting chance at avoiding infections, keep your things clean, as well as surfaces including door handles and light switches. Avoid wasting money and precious storage space on tons of products and instead stock your dorm room with some simple cleaning supplies such as disinfectant wipes or paper towel and some all-purpose cleaner. Bounty and Pine-Sol Original were both top performers in our paper towel and all-purpose cleaner tests, respectively.

Check out our ratings for microwaves and toasters, which can be serious time-savers when it comes to preparing meals for college students. 

3. Eat healthy for less. Underclassman heading back to dorm rooms will most likely have a meal plan. Prevent college weight gain by refraining from overeating at the all-you-can-eat facilities and by keeping only healthy snacks in your dorm room. For upperclassmen moving off campus, buying and cooking groceries will probably become a new responsibility. On the bright side, making healthy choices will be easier without all the greasy foods from the cafeteria tempting you. And you don’t have to spend a lot to eat healthy. Look for cheap proteins, such as beans and eggs, which cost less per serving than pasta. If you have space in your freezer, buy meats in bulk on sale and freeze them for later use. Frozen vegetables are another good product to buy in large amounts. For quick frozen meals, our testers recommend Birds Eye Voila Chicken Florentine, which was the best value and was rated very good for nutrition. Frozen waffles, like our top rated Trader Joe’s Multigrain, are another quick fix that can make a healthy breakfast option.

4. Drink to good health. Some schools have banned sales of bottled water on campus and have instead installed water bottle filling stations. If your school hasn't done so yet, consider investing in your own water filter and refillable water bottle. By cutting out all those bottled water purchases, you'll be saving money and the environment. You can easily fill up the water filter and keep it in the fridge in your dorm room or off-campus apartment. The Clear2O CWS100A, $23, was a Best Buy in our water filter tests. You can spend all the money you’re saving from your water filter on some much-needed coffee to get you through the semester! 

Visit our diet and nutrition page for more healthy and budget friendly tips.

5. Keep essential medications and supplies on hand. Before heading back to school, prepare a little first aid kit with the basic stuff that you might need during the semester, including pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic), ibuprofen (Advil and generic), or naproxen (Aleve and generic), skin cleansers and ointments, bandages, allergy medicines, heartburn drugs, antidiarrheal tablets, and cough lozenges. Take a look at our OTC medication guide to take the guesswork out of what to pick when you’re sniffling, coughing, fighting pain, or suffering from heartburn.

6. Protect yourself. Prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by being prepared with condoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 20 million new sexually transmitted infections each year in the United States alone and that worldwide, in 2008, there was a total of 110 million new and existing infections. While four of the infections analyzed can be easily treated and cured when caught early (Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis) they often show no symptoms. Untreated STIs can cause further health issues, such as an increased chance of infertility in women. And remember, there are STIs that cannot be cured. For more information on different STIs and how to prevent and treat them, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STI page.

—Ciara Rafferty

For more news and articles about health, subscribe to our feed.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

What’s the best way to clean granite?—Elizabeth Mendelsohn Arlington, Va.

Use a mild all-purpose cleaner, following the directions. Dry the surface, and disinfect as needed. Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner did well in our tests for a spray product; Pine-Sol was the top liquid.

If you're remodeling or considering putting new countertops in, know that granite is still among the most desirable or must-have kitchen features, according to a recent study from the National Association of Home Builders.

For more information, read about countertop materials that stand up to years of abuse, plus check out our kitchen and bathroom countertop buying guide and all-purpose cleaners buying guide and Ratings.

—Consumer Reports

For more news and articles about home products, subscribe to our feed. 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

They’ve had a good long run, 134 years, but come January most screw-in incandescent lightbulbs will have been phased out because they use too much energy. There’s no need to hoard bulbs. Our tests found that new LEDs and CFLs are light-years ahead of earlier versions.

Standard 60- and 40-watt bulbs are the last to be phased out, though remaining stock can be sold; 75-watt bulbs faded away in 2012 and 100-watt bulbs this year. Their replacement equivalents, compact fluorescent lightbulbs and light-emitting diode bulbs, are bright, use 75 to 80 percent less energy, and can save you $60 to $125 dollars per bulb in energy costs over their life, compared with a traditional 60-watt incandescent. Because homes have about 50 lightbulbs, the savings can be significant.

But so is the investment. LEDs are expensive, up to $60 a bulb for some floodlights in our lightbulb Ratings. Even at that price, an LED can save you about $170 over its lifetime compared with a similar incandescent. Increased competition is helping to lower prices. Manufacturers told us that more $10 LEDs are coming next year, and there are already several bulbs in our Ratings for $20 or less.

Starting at $1.25 per bulb, CFLs are a budget-friendly choice. They’re almost as energy efficient as LEDs but take at least 30 seconds to reach full brightness, don’t last as long, and most aren’t dimmable. Halogen bulbs, a type of incandescent, remain an option but will cost you more than twice as much to power as LEDs and CFLs and don’t last anywhere near as long.

LED technology is evolving rapidly. The Philips L Prize Winner A19 LED, $44, would have been our top 60-watt equivalent but was discontinued shortly after we completed our 3,000 hours of testing, though you may find it in stores and online. The new Cree 60-watt equivalent, $13, instantly provided a bright, warm light in our initial tests. We’ll add it to the Ratings when testing is done.

Such changes have made buying a bulb more challenging. Use our expert advice, plus tips we’ve received from other lighting pros, to find the right bulb for every room, and save money and energy.

Task lighting is tricky in the bathroom. Cool light is often recommended, but it can distort colors when applying makeup. So you may have to choose one characteristic over the other or consider halogen bulbs here. Decorative incandescents, such as some globe lights, aren’t part of the phase-out. Remember that lights over the sink can cast unpleasant shadows on your face; lights on either side of the mirror or medicine cabinet are better. Recessed lights designed for wet areas are fine over the shower.

Shopping tip. Excessive heat can shorten the life of LEDs and CFLs, so check our lightbulb Ratings for bulbs that can be used in fully enclosed fixtures. On/off cycling, common in bathrooms, will shorten a CFL’s life.

Bulbs to consider. The Ikea Ledare, $14, and EcoSmart 6-inch downlight, $25, have the best color accuracy of all the LEDs we’ve tested, though the Ikea is best for ceiling fixtures or fixtures where the bulb is facing downward because it casts most of its light from the top of the bulb. The EcoSmart can be used in wet areas.

Relaxation and romance are key. Dimmers and warm lighting can help, so look for bulbs in the 2700 to 2900 Kelvin (K) range. You’ll see this noted in our Ratings and on the bulb package. Consider cooler lighting, which has a higher Kelvin number, for reading lamps or fixtures. Position those higher than the bed to minimize shadows. Skip CFLs in lamps in children’s rooms, where rough-housing is more likely to lead to broken bulbs. CFLs release small amounts of mercury when they break.

Shopping tip. Reduce noticeable differences in the light color in a room by choosing CFLs or LEDs within a 200-degree Kelvin range of other bulbs in the room. Incandescents usually are 2700 to 2900K. When you’re replacing a few bulbs at a time in fixtures that are side-by-side, such as a row of floodlights, the new bulbs should have the same K number as the bulbs that are already installed.

Bulbs to consider. For lamps and enclosed fixtures the Feit Electric CFL, $2.50, casts a warm light and replaces a 60-watt bulb. The Samsung LED, $30, does too and can be used in a lamp or open shade.

Getting the lighting right in these rooms can be complicated because there are so many activities going on. Standard ceiling fixtures and recessed or track lights provide general lighting. Table and floor lamps deliver task and accent light. If your recessed lights or track heads are adjustable, they also can be used to accent art or concentrate light in a specific area. Aim accent and task lights away from shiny surfaces, such as TV screens and glass-framed artwork, to prevent reflected glare. Remember, most CFLs aren’t dimmable, though halogen bulbs and many LEDs are.

Shopping tip. For the biggest savings, replace the most frequently used bulbs first. Buy just one or two bulbs to try them out. If you like the light, buy more. If you turn that fixture on and off a lot, use an LED. On/off cycling will shorten the life of a CFL.

Bulbs to consider. The Samsung A19 LED, $30, and Great Value 14W CFL, $1.25, sold at Walmart, replace 60-watt bulbs in lamps and ceiling fixtures with open shades. The CFL can also be used in an enclosed fixture. If you prefer brighter light, use the Philips A21 17W LED, $31, in lamps and open shades instead of a 75-watt bulb. The Utilitech CFL, $2.50, sold at Lowe's replaces a 100-watt bulb for lamps and enclosed fixtures. The GE LED, $37, is a narrow-beamed floodlight for recessed or track lights. The Feit Electric LED, $18, has a wider beam.

Instant light is essential, so LEDs are the better choice for general lighting. LEDs are also great for hard-to-reach fixtures, often found in hallways and staircases, because they last for years and years. If you have fully enclosed fixtures, look in the ratings for LEDs that can be used in them; many LEDs can’t because high temperatures can shorten their life. CFLs are fine for accent lighting, say, in sconces. Dark shades absorb light, so consider brighter bulbs.

Shopping tip. Buy just one or two bulbs to try them out. If you like the light, then buy more. Energy Star qualified bulbs meet stringent standards that are independently verified and are often required to get utility rebates.

Bulbs to consider. Among 60-watt equivalents, the Utilitech LED, $20, sold at Lowe's, is claimed to last about 23 years, enough time to put away your ladder for a while. It’s suited for ceiling fixtures with open shades and lamps.

A centrally placed ceiling fixture or recessed lights usually provide general lighting here, supplemented by under cabinet lighting for tasks. A fixture or two over the island and the table boost general lighting, and dimming lets you switch moods and move from homework to dining. If you have recessed lighting, the color of the can’s interior, which surrounds the bulb, affects light output and light color. A shiny metal reflector casts the most light but increases glare. A black interior reduces glare but absorbs light, so you might need a brighter bulb.

Shopping tip. Some CFLs and LEDs are bigger or heavier than incandescents. Bring your old bulb with you when you shop to prevent getting a bulb that's too large.

Bulbs to consider. In addition to the living room choices, consider the EcoSmart LED, $25, for 6-inch recessed lights.

Safety, security, and ambience are important, but you’ll also need to consider climate. CFLs take longer to brighten the colder it gets and may not work in frigid temperatures. Check the packaging. On the other hand, cold temperatures don’t affect LEDs. Use floodlights or spotlights on the eaves or on the ground to illuminate dark areas for added security. Bulbs in the 2700 to 3000 Kelvin range emit a warm light that’s flattering to warm-colored exteriors, and cooler light 3500K or higher complements grays and can appear brighter.

Shopping tip. Save energy with a motion sensor or a photocell that turns lights on at dusk and off at dawn. The lightbulb Ratings show which bulbs work with those features.

Bulbs to consider. The Samsung PAR38 LED spotlight, $55, replaces a 75-watt bulb. The Utilitech Soft White Par38 CFL floodlight, $7.50, is as bright but is very slow to fully brighten.

CFLs and LEDs that make Consumer Reports' list of recommended lightbulbs offer impressive performance after 3,000 hours of testing—that’s almost 3 years of the bulbs being on for 3 hours a day. Compared with incandescent bulbs, CFLs use about 75 less energy; LEDs, 80 percent less. Both last much longer than incandescents. Most of our top picks are Energy Star qualified, but check the Energy Star website for updates. (The Energy Star designation matters if you’re looking for utility rebates.) Use the information here when you're buying bulbs.

CFLs

• Use about 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent.
• Claimed life ranges from 7 to 14 years at 3 hours per day.
• Brighten slowly, especially outdoors in cold temperatures.
• Most are okay but not great at accurately showing the colors of objects.
• Frequent on/off cycles shorten a CFL's life.
• Most don’t work with dimmers, photocells, timers, and motion sensors.
• Mercury is released when a bulb breaks.
• Recycle to keep mercury out of the environment.

Halogens

• Use about 25 percent less energy than a standard incandescent.
• Can be used in any location or fixture.
• Instant brightness.
• Dimmable.
• Accurately show the colors of objects.
• Usually white light.
• Short life of a year or two.

LEDs

• Use slightly less energy than a CFL.
• Claimed life ranges from 18 to 46 years at 3 hours per day.
• Brighten instantly.
• Many are dimmable.
• Many work with photocells and timers; some work with motion sensors.
• Most are OK but not great at accurately showing the colors of objects.
• Some can’t cast light in all directions.
• May be bigger or heavier than other types of bulbs.

Higher Kelvin (K) number = cooler light

• 2700K = warm yellow
• 3000K = white
• 3500 to 4100K = bright white
• 5000 to 6500K = bluer white

Lumens = brightness

• 450+ = brightness of 40-watt bulb
• 800+ = 60-watt
• 1,100+ = 75-watt
• 1,600+ = 100-watt

Higher Color Rendering Index (CRI) number = truer colors

This article appeared in the October 2013 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Stationary generators routinely check themselves and display any issues on their control panels. But what if there’s a problem while you’re away? We looked at three remote options from Briggs & Stratton, Generac, and Kohler that let you check on them remotely—and can even e-mail or text you or a servicing dealer if something goes awry.

Briggs & Stratton InfoHub. Optional on Briggs & Stratton, GE, and some other models, this add-on module monitors the generator and alerts your cell phone if service is needed. A smart-phone app also lets you check the generator and schedule service from afar. All this adds convenience. But you pay for it: $280 initially plus $13 a month ($10 monthly for a three-year deal).
Tested model. Power delivery on the Briggs & Stratton 40445, $2,200, was excellent and it was easy to use but the power quality was not as good as that of other models we tested.

Generac MobileLink. Like InfoHub, Generac’s $280 system uses cellular signals to send data. But it first goes to a secure Generac website that subsequently relays it to you via text or email. You can also check your generator's status yourself on the website. Service for the first year is free; after that, you pay $12.50 a month (or $100 per year in advance).
Tested model. The Generac 6237, $2,250, is a CR Best Buy. Power quality and delivery were both excellent and the controls were intuitive.

Kohler OnCue. At $475 up front, this is the cheapest option in the long run. But it’s the only one that requires a hard-wired Ethernet connection to a router or switch in your home. And it requires software (shown above) that works only on a Windows PC. The good news? You can still get text alerts by phone or e-mail.
Tested models. The Kohler 8.5 RES-QS7, $3,200, was our top small stationary generator and the Kohler 14RESAL, $3,700, was our top-rated large stationary generator. Both had excellent power delivery and quality.

—Ed Perratore

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

We recently invited Kenji López-Alt, chief creative officer of Serious Eats, whose weekly column The Food Lab explores the science of home cooking, to test a pair of Consumer Reports-recommended knife sets from Henckels and Ginsu. During the video shoot in López-Alt's studio (watch the video below), we also asked him about knives in general. Here's what López-Alt had to say.               

Where do you shop for knives?
Most of my knives are custom-made. I find them at flea markets and antique shops. I do also keep some branded knives on hand. The one of I probably use most is a Misono Santoku knife. It’s a Japanese knife made with Swedish stainless steel. I also have a couple Global knives, the ones with the all-metal construction and dimpled grips.

How do Japanese knives differ from Western ones?
Japanese knives have a flatter blade that’s better for chopping. Western knives have a wedge shape blade conducive to rocking and slicing. The Santoku is a modern Japanese knife that combines elements of traditional vegetable, meat, and fish knives. It's meant to handle all types of food relatively well. Most Santokus also have a Granton edge, with little air pockets on the side of the blade that keep foods from sticking.

Do you buy knives individually or by the set?
I only use two or three knives on a regular basis so a set doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather spend $75 on a high-quality chef's knife than get more knives of lesser quality. Once you become adept with a chef's knife, it will do most of what you need. Plus I like to pick and choose my equipment from different brands, since the company that makes the best chef knife or Santoku probably doesn't make the best bread knife or pair of kitchen shears.
    
What kind of metal do you look for in a knife?
I like carbon steel the most. A lot of knives are made out of stainless steel, meaning the steel has been forged with aluminum, chrome, or some other metal. That prevents rusting and pitting, but it also makes for a hard, brittle blade. Carbon steel is softer, allowing for a super-fine edge, though the blade will need to be sharpened more often.

How do you know when it’s time to sharpen knives?
I can feel the blades getting dull. There’s also the newspaper test, whereby you check the blade’s sharpness by cutting through a sheet of newspaper. An onion is another good test. If a blade is dull, it will slip off the onion before biting into it. The average home cook only needs to sharpen his or her knives once a year. I do it more frequently, especially my chef’s knife, but I’m using it all day every day.

What other maintenance is required to make knives last?   
You need to hone the blade. The honing steel doesn't actually take any material off the blade—it simply realigns it. So it's fine to hone before each use. As for cleaning, never put knives in the dishwasher, where their blades could get nicked or chipped. I always wash my knives by hand, then dry them right away before returning them to storage.

Any final thoughts on choosing the perfect knife?  
Knives are extremely personal, so you really have to go to a store and see how they feel. Most high-end cutlery stores will put out cutting boards for you to chop on. Remember, the best knife is the one that feels right in your hand.

You have a new book coming out early next year. Can you tell us about it?
It will be similar in spirit to my column, The Food Lab, which is all about food science for home cooks. I like challenging myths and preconceptions of cooking, for example the belief that you shouldn't poke a steak with a fork while cooking it. The amount of juice you lose from poking is negligible compared with other aspects of cooking—for example, overcooking the meat by a quarter degree will lose a lot more moisture. So the book has a lot of science and experiments, along with about 350 recipes.

—Interview by Daniel DiClerico  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Towel-snapping has been taken to a whole new level with a variety of new cooling towels that promise to beat the heat when dampened and draped around your neck. You may have seen the colorful towels used by such athletes as Serena Williams, Dwayne Wade, and Sergio Garcia. Consumer Reports compared two, the EnduraCool and Chill-its, to an ordinary towel and found that some of the claims were all wet.

The instructions for EnduraCool, $22, which the company claims “cools instantly” and has been “field tested,” by Serena Williams, tell you to wet the towel, wring it out and then snap it. Doing so, the packaging claims, cools the towel to 30°  F below the average body temperature. The so-called “proprietary performance fabric” is 90 percent polyester and 10 percent nylon and soft to the touch when wet or dry.

Chill-its, $12, are a little rougher around the edges and so are its ads, which feature construction workers on a hot day. Made of polyvinyl acetate, the towels feel like a soft chamois when wet but when dry look and feel like cardboard. We compared both to a typical smooth-weave dish towel (not terry cloth) that’s 100 percent cotton.

In our tests, Pat Slaven, our resident textile expert, wet all three towels with tap water then wrung them out and snapped them in the air to “activate” them as instructed. Using an infrared thermometer, she measured the surface temperature of the towels and also recorded the temperature of the air and the outdoor humidity.  In multiple tests at various temperatures and differing levels of humidity, all three towels cooled to within one to two degrees of each other.

“It’s the power of evaporative cooling,” Slaven said. “People have been doing this for millennia. It’s not new. It’s science”

Bottom line. All three towels cooled down when wet and can help you cool off on a hot day when relative humidity is low to moderate. They do not work as well when the humidity is high. As our tests show, a common kitchen towel will cool you just as quick but if you want to chill out like your favorite sports star, give a cooling towel a try.

—Izabela Rutkowski

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

When the power goes out, the Ascella LED, $15, automatically comes on thanks to a built-in battery. So you don’t have to stumble in the dark looking for a working flashlight. Simply remove the Ascella from the lamp (the bulb stays cool to the touch) and extend the base of the bulb so that it acts as a handle, and you’re good to go.

But the Ascella isn’t as bright as a typical LED flashlight, and its light fades over the three hours it stays illuminated. To have the light automatically come on when the power is out, you have to set the bulb's three-way switch to emergency mode, and the lamp it’s in must be turned on. When the fixture is on, the bulb charges itself. Recharging the Ascella takes three to four hours.

When the Ascella is recharging after being used in emergency mode, it doesn’t produce any light, so you can’t use the lamp for general light. Nor would you want to. The Ascella casts a very dim, bluish light. Although it met its brightness claim of 150 lumens, that’s less than half as bright as many 30-watt lightbulbs, which the Ascella is supposed to replace.

This LED's claimed life is about 18 years (based on usage of three hours a day), but here’s a brighter idea: Know where your flashlights are and check the batteries periodically.

The Ascella LED may be a novelty, but in Consumer Reports' lightbulb tests we found many reliable replacement lightbulbs for both indoor and outdoor fixtures. Seven of our top-rated lightbulbs scored a 99 out of 100, and many more did nearly as well.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

More brands associated with big-ticket appliances are eyeing the small-appliance market, where sales have been brisk. Frigidaire, known for major products such as refrigerators, ranges, and air conditioners, is getting in on the act with an expansive line of countertop wares. Based on the results of our latest toaster tests, Frigidaire could give brands such as Cuisinart, KitchenAid, and Hamilton Beach a real run for the money.

We rated nearly 60 two- and four-slice toasters in all, and recommended 10 models. Two of those picks are the Frigidaire Professional 2-Slice Wide Slots FPTT02D7MS, $60, and the Frigidaire Professional 4-Slice Wide Slots FPTT04D7MS, $80. Both models popped out very nice full batches of toast, whether you like it evenly browned or a bit on the light or dark side. They weren't quite as effective at one-slice toasting, so if you do a lot of that in the morning, you should consider one of our recommended models from Breville, Calphalon, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, or Magimix.

In terms of features and ease of use, Frigidaire gets a lot of things right with its entry into toasters. The bagel, defrost, and reheat settings are nice conveniences and the countdown timer tells you how long until your toast is done. A lift-out lever lets you remove toasted items without burning your fingertips and the stainless steel housing should look sleek on the countertop.

As for pricing, Frigidaire's toasters are about midrange, which is consistent with the brand's major appliance lines. You can spend less and still get very good toast, and you can spend more for slightly better results and a few more bells and whistles.   

—Daniel DiClerico

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Eggnog, office parties—and layaway? You may not think of buy-now, pay-later shopping programs as a holiday tradition, but Walmart is hoping you will. The retailer's holiday layaway program is back, and this time with a benevolent twist: It's free.

Among the key eligible items are electronics and toys, plus small appliances, jewelry, and select sporting goods. New items this year include car audio and infant toys.

Last year Walmart charged a $5 service fee to shoppers to take part in the layaway program. This year the fee has been waived, but you still need to spend at least $50 (with a $15 minimum price per item), and put down a deposit of either 10 percent of the sale or $10, whichever is larger. And there's a $10 cancellation fee, something Walmart didn't impose last year. (Cancellation fees don't apply in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, and Rhode Island.) Walmart's Ad Match policy will apply to layaway items, so the retailer will match any local competitor’s print ad for an identical item.

Walmart's layaway plan over the years

Information courtesy of Walmart

The layaway program kicks off Sept. 13 and runs through Dec. 13, but early-bird shoppers can get a two-day head start (Sept. 11 and 12) by becoming a Walmart Facebook fan.

According to Walmart, electronic items from top brands will include:

• Tablets, including the iPad, iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Google Nexus
• Smart phones such as the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III (prepaid only)
• PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game consoles (and games)
• Big-screen smart TVs, 60 inches and larger
• Kids' tablets and learning toys

To take part in the layaway plan, you need to open an account by visiting the Walmart.com services desk in any Walmart Supercenter or Walmart store. Once you've opened a layaway account, payments can be made at any store register for the duration of the program, and you'll get e-mail payment reminders and status updates to keep you apprised of your balances. For larger items too heavy or bulky to carry to a counter, you can just rip off a tear-pad slip near the item and take that to the Walmart.com Service Desk. 

In all, Walmart says 35,500 items will be eligible for the layaway program—1,000 more products than were included in the plan last year. Full details of the Walmart layaway program are available at www.walmart.com/layaway.

—James K. Willcox

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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

A blind-spot warning (BSW) system can reduce both stress and the risk of a crash by helping you keep tabs on vehicles lurking over your shoulder and out of sight. But until recently, the only way to get one was to invest in a new car.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, the ever-vigilant automotive aftermarket has risen to the occasion, and a handful of kits are now available to update almost any vehicle with the technology. And we purchased one to try.

The Goshers Blind Spot Detection system includes a sensor for each side of the rear bumper, a left and right side LED warning display, an audible alarm unit, a controller, and all the necessary wiring to link the whole thing together.

The suggested retail price is $250; we paid $200 from an online retailer. A Premium model with two more sensors for the front is available for $350.

Installation is somewhat complicated. It requires splicing into the car's wiring, holes in the rear bumper for the sensors, and removing and reinstalling various interior trim pieces to route the wires and keep them out of sight.

The company website stresses that professional installation is required, but it does not provide a list of installers or a cost estimate to do the job. Your local repair shop should be able to perform the installation, but get an estimate first if you decide to buy the kit. One of our staff certified automotive technicians needed about four hours to install the system in a Chevrolet Cruze test car.

Overall, we found that the Goshers system works as advertised; it consistently warned us of other cars in the Cruze's blind spots with both an audible and visual warning. If anything, the system was a little overzealous, at least until we set the adjustable sensitivity level to its lowest setting and it gives warnings only when a turn signal is switched on. Without making that adjustment, warnings were pretty much constant, as the Gosher system warned us of guardrails, roadside walls, tunnels, and other large objects.

What cannot be changed is that, unlike a built-in system that typically deactivates below a certain speed threshold, the Gosher kit operates at any speed.  

The Goshers system may not be perfect or have the built-in integration of one from the factory, but if you've been wishing for the added convenience and security of a blind-spot warning system, it might be worth a look. It's a lot less expensive than a new car. But even with this limited technology, these systems are not a replacement for common sense practices of glancing over your shoulder and checking your mirrors.

—Jim Travers

Updated: 8/23/13 based on further test findings.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Consumer Reports often gives glowing Ratings to used cars from manufacturers with high recall numbers. Shouldn’t recall statistics be factored in?—David Ramsay, Toronto

We don’t think recalls should be factored in. Though it would be great if cars could be designed without safety problems ever surfacing, we strongly encourage manufacturers to recall cars if need be.

There’s also a big difference in how an owner is affected by a reliability problem or a recall. Reliability problems require an unscheduled trip for repair or at worst, a tow truck. We encourage manufacturers to recall cars when safety issues are uncovered. A recall requires one planned trip to the dealer with no expense to the owner.

To find recalls for a used car you are considering purchasing, check out the latest car recalls, and to make sure you avoid a lemon, consult our used car buying guide.   

—Consumer Reports

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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.