Cookware and cutlery are popular holiday presents, but shiny things with a plug are much cooler gifts for the holidays, says Debra Mednick of the NPD Group, a marketing research company. “Giving a small appliance as a holiday gift doesn’t have the stigma it once did, and there’s a lot of cool stuff now.” We know. In Consumer Reports' labs are some blenders, juicers, toaster ovens, and espresso and coffeemakers that have become just a few of our favorite shiny things with plugs.

Blenders and juicers
Blenders have been around for decades, but Ninja and Vitamix really shook up the market. The Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, $60, is one of the best we tested and has an unusual top-mounted motor that you press down to operate. The blender comes with smaller chopping and processing containers, in addition to the 48-ounce blending jar. Tied at the top is the $450 Vitamix 5200, which aced our frozen drinks, purée, and ice crush tests. It’s one of the few blenders that makes hot soup and blitzes whole fruits and vegetables into smooth, creamy juice. “Juicing is growing like crazy, in part thanks to infomercials and promises of a quick fix for improved skin tone and weight loss,” says Mednick. The $80 Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650 juicer was impressive enough to be a CR Best Buy, but it’s noisy.

Espresso and coffeemakers
For coffee lovers there’s everything from pod coffeemakers to electric French-press models. Pop a sealed packet of coffee into a single-serve coffeemaker—also called a pod coffeemaker—and you’ve got yourself a cup of coffee without the fuss. Three DeLonghi pod coffeemakers are atthe top of our coffeemaker Ratings, including the DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T, $130. The DeLonghi EN680 espresso maker, $600, was very good at frothing and served an excellent espresso. And the iCoffee RCB100-BC12, $170, was the best of the three electric French-press coffeemakers we tested and was easy to use. Jets in the basket spritz and circulate the grounds in hot water—similar to a French press—before filling the carafe. Remington makes the iCoffee and claims this process eliminates the bitter aftertaste of drip coffee.

Toaster ovens and toasters
For faster, healthier cooking, the Cuisinart CSO-300 Steam & Convection Oven, $300, looks and works like a regular toaster oven except that it has a removable reservoir that you fill with water for steam cooking. The rice, broccoli and yams we made were tender and we saved time cooking a 4-pound chicken using the steam-bake mode set to 450°F. Devotees of the original Panasonic FlashXpress, $150, toaster oven, discontinued in 2006, will be happy to see this relaunched version. It looks basic, but its quartz and ceramic heating elements are said to cook more efficiently than conventional coil-heated ovens and don’t require preheating. Corn muffins and frozen pizza came out nicely and it's a capable toaster as well. Compact, it takes up less counter space than other models.

The Michael Graves bread-shaped toaster is certainly shiny and it performed well in our tests unless you're making just one slice. It’s not our top performing toaster but it certainly has style. Here’s to all shiny things with plugs.

—Kimberly Janeway

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

Verizon, the nation’s second largest provider of landline phone service, is joining other telecommunications companies by no longer providing free backup batteries needed to keep its digital voice telephone service operating during a blackout.

The company said that as of early as December, new FiOS customers who want a backup battery will have to pay a one-time charge of $29.99, buy it elsewhere, or do without.

During a blackout, FiOS customers without a battery, household generator, or other type of backup power system will lose their landline voice service, including access to emergency 911. (Read our generator buying guide.)

Verizon’s decision comes about 14 months after Superstorm Sandy knocked out power to millions of homes and disrupted cell phone service in widespread areas.

“We will no longer provide the free 12-volt lead-acid battery. We’ll begin the policy later this month or early January,” said Verizon spokesman William Kula. New FiOS business customers will continue to receive a free battery, at least for the time being.

Verizon joins other carriers, including Time Warner, Cablevision, CenturyLink, and, most recently, Comcast and Cox Communications, in requiring new customers who want a backup battery to pay extra for it.

AT&T, the nation’s largest provider of landline service, said it has no plan to begin charging customers extra for backup power equipment that is included with installation of its digital phone service. Telecommunications company RCN said it too will continue to provide free backup batteries, as well as replacing worn-out batteries at no charge.

The issue involves the nation’s transition from copper-line phone service to digital systems that run on fiber optic cable. Copper lines carry not only the communications signal but also the electricity needed to operate a standard corded phone, even during a blackout, a capability fiber-optic cables lack. The more than 5.5 million existing FiOS residential and small-business customers had free backup batteries included with their installation. The battery provides up to eight hours of standby time, less if phones are used to make or receive calls.

Verizon’s decision to eliminate the free batteries drew criticism from Edgar Dworsky, the former Massachusetts assistant attorney general who runs ConsumerWorld.org. Dworsky is a member of the Verizon Consumer Advisory Board. “I’m upset because I frankly think every telephone provider should provide backup batteries so that digital phone service will work in an emergency,” he said.

The Federal Communications Commission requires telecommunications companies to provide emergency 911 access to digital landline phone users, but it does not mandate that they provide a way to keep phones operating during power outages, when 911 access may be needed the most.

Read “Surprise! Your High-Tech Home Phone System Could Go Dead in an Emergency" to learn how prolong phone service when the lights go out.

Batteries aren’t important?

Verizon made the decision following a pilot program it conducted last summer in parts of Texas and Florida. Kula said 93 percent of the tens of thousands of new customers who were given the option to buy the battery decided against it, adding that no customers chose not to order FiOS because Verizon was not providing the battery for free.

“The customers expressed loud and clear that the battery wasn’t important to them,” he said. He noted that reducing the number of lead-acid batteries in customers' homes will be better for environment.

Dworsky said Verizon has reached the wrong conclusion from the Texas and Florida test. “It demonstrates that consumers are cheap,” he said. “My sense is consumers haven’t evaluated the risk of saving the $29.99 versus what would happen if they called 911 during a power outage and their phone was dead.”

Brian Fontes, CEO and executive director of the National Emergency Numbers Association, agreed that many people probably don’t understand the power limitations of digital landline phone systems, especially older people who are used to having working phones when the power fails.

But he stopped short of saying that telecommunications companies should be required to provide free batteries. He noted that many households have given up landline service and depend entirely on cell phones. However, he said, the federal government and telecommunications companies need to make sure people comprehend the power limitations of digital phone systems.

“It is critical they understand that this is not your daddy’s phone system,” he said.

What to do

When subscribing to or renewing phone service, insist that the carrier provide at least one backup battery. If that doesn't work, buy one or more batteries, but shop around. We found sellers on Amazon.com offering backup batteries that fit the Verizon systems for as low as $18, including shipping.

Also, keep an old-fashioned wired telephone handy because most cordless phones don’t operate in a blackout, although some do. Check our cordless phone buying guide for more information. If there’s a prolonged power outage, consider disconnecting the backup battery or, if possible, shutting it off so that it doesn’t drain while on standby. You won’t be able to receive calls, but you’ll maintain 911 access.

Finally, maintain a fully charged cell phone that works from your home. If you can change your cell phone battery, it’s also worth considering keeping a fully charged second one.

—Anthony Giorgianni

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

Getting the bathroom ready for company takes a little more effort than hanging holiday-themed guest towels. It’s time to polish the porcelain and scrub the tub. Fortunately, the experts at Consumer Reports are seasoned grime fighters who test cleaning products all year long. Here are some of the products they recommended this year and others you can skip.

Paper towels
Sponges can be magnets for bacteria and a bathroom is germy enough. Try cleaning with paper towels that you can then discard. In our tough paper towel tests, we measure absorbency, wet strength and how a paper towel holds up when used to scrub a rough surface. For everyday wipe-ups, Bounty Extra Soft was excellent for absorbency and very good for scrubbing and wet strength. But for bigger jobs use the Bounty DuraTowel, which was excellent on all three tests and the top-scoring towel in our tests by far. But it’s pricey so you may want to reserve it for tougher jobs.

All-purpose cleaners
Liquid Pine-Sol Original was the only all-purpose cleaner in our tests that didn’t leave streaks on a mirrored surface so that should be your go-to cleaner for the bathroom. It was also very good at removing soap scum and at cleaning up food stains more commonly found in the kitchen. In our tests, four spray cleaners were also very good at tackling soap scum but they all left streaks on the mirror. They include such familiar brands as Seventh Generation, Clorox, Just the Basics and Trader Joe’s. And if your grout is discolored, you’re better off relying on a tried and true cleanser like Ajax or Comet than on those as-seen-on-TV grout cleaners. In our tests of the Groutinator and Grout Bully, both about $10, they were tricky to apply and neither lived up to its claims. 

Vacuums
A cordless sweeper vacuum with wet and dry options sounds like a good option for a bathroom floor. But in our vacuum cleaner tests of the Dyson Hard DC56 and the Swiffer Sweeper/Vac, neither of the hybrids vacuumed as well as the best hand or stick vacuums in our tests. Both combine dry and wet cleaning with some suction. But In our testing so far, we mostly liked how the Swiffer, $40, and the Dyson, $330, picked up spills. Both cleaned more consistently with a wet-cloth refill than with a dry one and neither was very good at picking up fine dust.

Instead, try one of our top three hand vacuums, which were all excellent at cleaning bare floors and getting into edges. They include the battery-powered Shark Pet Perfect II, $60, and the corded Eureka Easy Clean, $50, and Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, $35. Our top stick vacuum, the Hoover Platinum LiNX, $150, was excellent at edges and very good at bare floors.

Toilet paper
If you're stocking up on toilet paper, you can’t go wrong with White Cloud 3-Ply Ultra Soft and Thick from Walmart, which was our top-scorer. It was excellent at softness, strength and disintegration. We also recommend varieties from Quilted Northern, Great Value and CVS, which all earned top marks for softness.

—Artemis DiBenedetto

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

In the ongoing quest to brew a perfect cup of coffee at home, some manufacturers are making electric coffeemakers that mimic the manual French press machines preferred by many aficionados. But leave it to Bodum—a long-time player in traditional French presses—to come out with a true electric French-press coffeemaker, complete with the popular plunger. We just added it to our Ratings of coffeemakers of this type.

Cleverly, the Bodum Bistro Electric French Press 11462, $60, doesn’t automate the entire process. It leaves the important last step, pushing down the plunger, for purists.  Here’s how it works: Fill the reservoir on the right-side of the machine with up to 17 ounces of water, then add ground coffee to the carafe on the left and snap on the lid. Once the hot water has soaked the grounds, remove the carafe from the warming plate and replace the lid with another that includes a built-in plunger. After four minutes of steeping time, gently push the plunger down to trap the grounds prior to pouring.

You might like the way the coffee tastes, and we found the pitcher balanced and easy to hold. But we weren’t enamored with the rest of the process. Both lids required aligning tabs with slots to keep them in place and we needed to wiggle the pitcher around to get it off the warming plate. And it’s not exactly a cinch to clean. The Bodum comes in a number of bright colors including the lime green one we tested, red, white, and black.

The French-press coffeemaker that did the best in our coffeemaker tests was the Remington iCoffee, $170, which uses an innovative process in which water jets swirl the grounds and water around. It made our list of top coffeemaker picks, which also includes top-performing drip and pod coffeemakers.

—Ed Perratore

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

A trip to the emergency room is no way to spend the holidays yet last year 15,000 people were treated in the ER for decorating-related injuries during November and December. Such mishaps have been on the rise since, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The holidays are also a busy time for fire departments responding to calls of blazes started by candles, faulty lights, and dried-out Christmas trees. Here are five surefire ways to ruin your holidays.

Fall while decking the halls

It may look funny in the movies but falling off a ladder is no joke. In fact, ladder accidents result in roughly 200,000 emergency-room visits and 300 deaths each year. If you’re decorating the house, have a buddy hold the ladder for you to keep it stable and then follow these tips:

• Make sure the ladder can support your weight.
• Angle straight ladders 75 degrees from the ground (1 foot for every 4 feet high).
• Always face a ladder when climbing up and down.
• Don’t climb to the highest step, and don’t reach more than 1 foot to the side.

Let the tree dry out

Trees ignited an average of 200 fires annually from 2009 to 2011 resulting in 10 deaths, 20 injuries, and $16 million in property loss, according to the CPSC. To avoid fire hazards, pick a fresh tree and cut an inch off the bottom to help it absorb water then follow these tips.

• Place the three three feet away from fireplaces, vents, and radiators.
• Keep the tree away from foot traffic and doorways.
• Monitor the water daily and keep the stand filled.
• When buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label.

Be careless with candles

Candle-related fires resulted in another 70 deaths, 680 injuries and $308 million in property loss from 2009 through 2011. The majority of the fires started because the candle was too close to combustibles like decorations and curtains. Try battery-operated or electric flameless candles or if using real candles do the following.

• Keep them away from children, pets, and any place where they can tip over.
• Use sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders.
• Never leave a candle unattended.
• Extinguish them before going to sleep or leaving the house.

Use old, damaged lights

Decorative lights cause an average of 170 home structure fires, 7 deaths, 17 injuries and $7.9 million in property damage each year. To stay safe, discard lights with broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Use an extension cord that’s been rated for the intended use and follow these tips.

• Replace lights that are more than 3 years old or have been used for more than 90 days.
• Look for the certification label of a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL).
• Keep children away from spare bulbs, a choking hazard, and light strands, whose cords may contain lead.
• Turn holiday lights off before you go to bed or leave the house.

Be foolish around fireplaces

Fires related to heating systems, including fireplaces, result in 50,100 fires, 150 deaths, 575 injuries, and $326 million in property loss annually, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area and do the following:

• Check to see that the flue is open.
• Use a metal or glass fireplace screen to keep sparks from hitting nearby carpets or furniture.
• Make sure the fire is out completely before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Avoid burning wrapping paper in the fireplace, it can cause a flash fire.

Home fires are often unpredictable, and they can be deadly. That's why you need one full-floor, multipurpose fire extinguisher on each level of your home and one in your garage, plus smaller, supplemental units for the kitchen and car.

—Artemis DiBenedetto

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

With only a limited number of buying days left until Christmas, you probably need to grab a few last-minute gifts. Those as-seen-on-TV products might catch your eye when you're at a chain pharmacy or a retailer such as Bed Bath & Beyond.Or maybe they stop you when you're flipping through the channels and come across one of those silly-yet-captivating high-energy infomercial ads during which a frenetic pitchman or pitchwoman tries to sell you on the fantastic claims about a product that will change your life—and all you have to do is buy in the next 10 minutes! 

Check the items below as well as our other reviews of as-seen-on-TV products to find out which ones live up to the hype and which aren't worth more than a lump of coal this holiday season.

Lint Lizard

Can a $10 "magic wand" make clothes dryer lint disappear? “It’s like a magic wand!” says the website for Lint Lizard, a clear, flexible tube designed to suck up dryer lint, which can cause a fire if too much accumulates. You thread one end of the tube through the dryer’s lint-trap opening and attach the other end to your vacuum cleaner.

Bottom line. It’s almost like a magic wand! Our reaching hands removed 8 grams of lint; a vacuum cleaner and crevice tool managed to suck up another 4 grams. And the Lint Lizard? Another 15 grams. Read more

Ninja Master Prep Professional

The Ninja Master Prep Professional claims it's an all-in-one kitchen appliance that can chop, blend, grate and more, so we put it to the test. Turns out, it can do a number of chores well, including chopping, blending, and grating.

Bottom line. This $60 combination food chopper and processor earned top scores among the models we tested. Note: This bargain buy's design differs from other blenders—the motor is on top in a separate housing. Watch video

Ooma

The oddly named "Ooma" is a (voice over Internet protocol) phone device and service. Though your calls will be traveling over the Internet, you need a computer only once, to register with Ooma online. After that, you just talk on the phone.

Bottom line. Ooma is a standout among VoIP phone services. It's reliable with very good voice quality, and gives you free domestic calls and dirt-cheap international rates. Setup is easy. The device costs $200 (Amazon.com and Costco), which breaks down to less than $6 a month when amortized over a three-year period. Watch video

Check our infomercial product guide for more reviews and our holiday guide for more great gift ideas.

Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair

The Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair has two lint-collecting, fabric-covered rollers that work together to "grab, lift, and trap hair inside." They're designed to work on pillows, bedspreads, car interiors, chairs, and such. We paid $5.59 for ours.

Bottom line. Take the Pledge. It worked fast to push lots of hair into the chamber behind the brushes. The other devices required constant stopping and replacement of sheets, and no single sheet collected much hair. Read more

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

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and Christmas coming fast, nearly one-third of Americans who plan to give gifts had yet to begin their shopping as of early December, according to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Poll*. Forty-nine percent were less than halfway finished.

But even with that procrastination, 64 percent said they have things under control and will be ready for the holiday. The remaining 36 percent said that preparing for the holiday had them at least somewhat stressed, including 6 percent who were so overwhelmed that they were unsure whether they'd be ready in time, and 3 percent who said they almost certainly wouldn’t be prepared for Christmas.

Most Americans—64 percent—said they have holiday spending under control, but the rest expressed concern about going over budget.

Saving money remains a priority, and the three most common tactics to economize this year were clipping coupons, a strategy used by 35 percent of respondents. Thirty percent of those surveyed used coupons distributed via e-mail, and 24 percent relied on discounts available through store credit cards.

Thirty percent said they’d do most of their shopping at walk-in stores of mass merchants such as Walmart and Target; 12 percent would do most of their shopping at department stores including Macy’s and Nordstrom; and 7 percent would give the bulk of their business to local independent retailers.

Thirty-three percent of respondents said most of their shopping would be online this season. Twenty percent expected to shop online more than they did in 2012, and 9 percent said they’d shop online less. Three out of four consumers surveyed said they didn’t expect to buy any gifts online this year.

Check out our Holiday & Gift Guide, and visit our Money page to find reviews of appliance stores, electronics stores, shopping websites, and much more.

This year's top gifts

As in past years, apparel, shoes, and fashion accessories remained the most-popular gift category, on the list of 62 percent of shoppers. Gift cards were second,with 45 percent expecting to give them, followed by toys (41 percent), books (34 percent), cash or check (28 percent), food or wine (27 percent), and jewelry (24 percent).

Eighty-two percent of respondents said they would rather receive practical gifts than luxury gifts (18 percent), and 60 percent would prefer cash to a gift card (40 percent).

Who are the toughest people to shop for? Thirty percent cited a spouse, partner, or significant other, 25 percent identified parents as the most difficult, and 12 percent said kids are the toughest to please. Ironically, the hardest people to shop for are also those who can expect to be treated the most generously. Children, not surprisingly, should make out the best. Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said they expect to spend more on children than anyone else. (If you need a gift for a tech-savvy child, check our review of the best tablets for kids.)

Holiday jeers

When it comes to etiquette, one of the worst ways to spread holiday wishes to friends and family is via an impersonal text message blasted to a multiple recipients; nearly seven in 10 surveyed said such a greeting was in at least somewhat poor taste. Others tactics to earn a high percentage of “inappropriates” include:

• A one-size-fits-all greeting on a blog, website, or social media page (cited as being in poor taste by 65 percent of respondents).
• A form-letter greeting emailed to multiple recipients (57 percent).
• Personal text message (42 percent).
• A form letter year-end update on family doings (39 percent).
• An e-greeting card (31 percent).
• E-mail (24 percent).

—Tod Marks

The Consumer Reports Holiday Poll, designed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, is a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 randomly selected adult U.S. residents who said they plan to shop for the holidays. It was conducted in December 2013.

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

One-third of holiday shoppers are concerned about going over their budget, according to the latest Consumer Reports holiday poll. The good news is that with Christmas fast approaching, stores and online retailers are offering discounts and free shipping so there are still bargains to be found. Fortunately, the experts in our labs are on the lookout for good deals all year long and have found some top-performing small appliance that cost $50 or less. Here are 10 to consider.

Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus DLC-2A food chopper, $40
Cuisinart’s 3-cup chopper combines very good value with solid performance. It was particularly adept at chopping almonds and onions in our tests, and at grating hard parmesan cheese. Pureeing of peas and carrots wasn’t quite what we measured with our recommended full-size machines, but the Cuisinart is still a top chopper in our Ratings.

Cooks 10-Speed HM820 hand mixer, $30
Exclusive to JC Penney, this 10-speed mixer combines excellent mixing and whipping time, outperforming much pricier models. It has a digital speed indicator, interchangeable beaters, and a separate dough hook. On the downside, its center-post beaters aren’t as easy to clean as the wire beaters found on some other models. And it doesn’t have the slow-start feature that’s helpful for containing spills and splatters.

Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT coffeemaker, $40
This 12-cup machine delivers great value and an even better cup of joe. The automatic drip machine gets the water hot enough to bring out the coffee’s full flavor, and we found it easy to set up, operate, and clean. Plus the spill-free carafe is helpful if you’re a bit clumsy before that first morning cup.

Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch omelette pan, $40
This skillet beat out models from All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Rachael Ray. It’s superb at evenly heating food, say, for an omelet or frittata. Plus it’s easy to clean and shrugged off our tough durability test in which steel wool is rubbed over a pan up to 2,000 times.

Hamilton Beach Digital 22502 toaster, $35
This two-slice toaster from Hamilton Beach is one the least expensive in our Ratings, but it managed to achieve one of the highest overall scores. Toast popped up evenly brown with nearly every batch, and the toaster offers very good control over color range, in case some in your household like toast dark and some like it light. Special features include a digital display, bagel and defrost setting, and slide-out crumb tray for easy cleanup. Its brushed-finish metal housing looks good on the countertop.

Holmes HFH436 space heater, $40
The Holmes was very good at heating an average-size room in 15 minutes but a little less so at spot heating a person in the room. Still, it was easy to use, has very good safety features and isn’t hot to the touch when it’s turned on. It has a fan and was so-so for noise, a consideration if you’re using it in a bedroom.

Rowenta Effective Comfort DW2070 steam iron, $50
The least expensive Rowenta steam iron we tested, this was also the best of that brand. It was excellent overall and delivered superb ironing and lots of steam. The surge button provides a burst of steam when trying to remove stubborn wrinkles and the vertical steam feature lets you remove wrinkles from hanging garments and drapes. The sole plate is stainless steel and the ready light indicates the iron is hot enough to use. There's a self-clean feature and auto-shutoff, which turns off the iron when left stationary for a short time.

Eureka Easy Clean 71B hand vacuum, $50
Eureka's corded hand vacuum was better suited for pickup on bare floors and at edges, but it was impressive overall and fairly quiet. Pluses include a spacious dust bin, onboard tool storage, and an electric rotating brush that adapts for vertical surfaces. As for minuses, the exhaust from the powerful motor can blow debris around before it can be picked up. And it was a bit on the heavy side for a hand vacuum.

Crane Penguin EE-865 humidifier, $45
This Crane Tabletop was very good in overall performance, and is intended to humidify areas up to 500 square feet. This model's moisture output was good. It was very good for convenience, and earned excellent scores for noise level, energy efficiency, and its output with hard water. Daily output was 1.69 gallons. The Crane comes in many other colorful child-friendly shapes.

Clear2O CWS100A carafe water filter, $23
Clear2O's carafe-based filter was superb at removing lead and organic compounds in our tests and costs relatively little per year to do it. There's also a filter-life indicator that tells you when it's time to change the filter. You fill the carafe by removing your kitchen faucet's aerator and connecting the attached hose to your faucet, which allows quicker fill-ups than you typically get from a carafe filter. The downside: The adapters may not be compatible with spray-type faucets, and you can't fill the carafe manually.

--Mary H.J. Farrell

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

A central question in the growing debate over electronic cigarettes is whether the battery-powered nicotine devices are safe not just for the people using them, but for those around them who might breathe in some of the "vapor" exhaled by the user. That's a likely prospect, since e-cigarettes are often allowed in places where cigarette smoking has been banned, such as restaurants and public parks. Now a new study has looked at just what's in that vapor and how it compares to secondhand smoke from cigarettes, which is known to be toxic.

Researchers in Buffalo, N.Y., and Poland compared vapors generated from three brands of e-cigarettes with tobacco smoke from regular cigarettes. Samples of each were measured for their levels of nicotine, airborne particles, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that might irritate the respiratory system and cause headaches or dizziness. 

They found that the e-cigarette vapor contained nicotine but not the particle pollutants and other, toxic compounds found in tobacco smoke, which are byproducts of combustion. And the level of nicotine in the vapor averaged only about one-tenth the concentration in the tobacco smoke. The authors concluded that using e-cigarettes in indoors would not expose nonusers to "toxic tobacco-specific combustion products" but would expose them to small amounts of nicotine. And they emphasized that more research is needed to determine the possible health effects of even low levels of nicotine exposure in vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and people with heart ailments. The study also didn't test for some of the other potentially worrisome components of secondhand vapor that some earlier studies have found, including propylene glycol and formaldehyde.  

Bottom line: This study adds to the evidence that vapor from e-cigs is probably safer to inhale secondhand than cigarette smoke—though that doesn't mean it's 100 percent risk free. If you're pregnant or have young children with you, or if you have a cardiovascular condition that might be aggravated by exposure to nicotine, you might want to politely move away if someone powers up an e-cigarette in your vicinity.

—Jamie Kopf

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

With all the recent storms, snow blowers may be getting scarce in the stores. But that’s no reason to settle for a model now that you’ll regret buying later. In Consumer Reports snow blower tests, we found a handful of models that might leave you adrift when you’ve got lots of snow to clear. In fact, we discovered that different models from the same brand can vary widely in performance. For example, while we like two beefy easy-turning two-stage models from Ariens, others from that brand were disappointing. Here are five models to avoid and what to buy instead.

Two-stage gas snow blowers
In addition to having a single-stage snow blower’s usual auger for scooping up snow, a two-stage model has an impeller in the back that provides more force in flinging the snow up and out the chute. But though the 30-inch Husqvarna ST230E  $1,300, and 24-inch Husqvarna 924HV, $800, were fine for both removal speed and throwing distance, awkward handling brought their scores down. On most snow blowers you grab controls such as the gear shift and move it where you need it. But with the two Husqvarna models, you must push down controls before adjusting them—something you don’t want to fuss with when you’ve got a driveway to clear. And the Husqvarna 924HV lacks a drive-wheel turning release, something an $800 model should have.

Better bets.  For lots of frequent snow, consider one of two Cub Cadets, the 30-inch Cub Cadet 31AH57SZ710, $1,500, or 26-inch Cub Cadet 31AH55SX710, $1,300; or either of two Ariens models, the 30-inch Ariens 921032, $1,300, or 28-inch Ariens 921030, $1,000. For less snow, or less room for storage, you might prefer a compact, 24-inch two-stage model like the Craftsman 88173, $680, or (from Ariens) the Sno-Tek 920402, $600.

Single-stage corded snow blowers
None of the corded single-stage models in our tests were effective at removing snow quickly or ramming through plow piles of the kind left by municipal snowplows. But if you don’t get a lot of snow or just need something for the deck or a walk, one might suffice. Just don’t opt for the 16-inch GreenWorks 26022, $150, or 18-inch Snow Joe SJ623E, $250. Although the GreenWorks is claimed to have a 14-inch impeller, that’s the width of the array of fins it has instead of the chute and it got rock-bottom scores for all snow-removal tasks. The Snow Joe outperformed the GreenWorks only with its impressive surface cleaning, which should be no problem for any single-stage snow blower.

Better bets. We didn't recommend any models in this category, but the top-scoring model (though only fair overall) was the Toro Power Curve 1800 38381, $300. For more oomph, you’d need a single-stage, gas-powered machine. Among those, the 21-inch Toro Power Clear 621 38451, a CR Best Buy at $500, was impressive for quick clearing and chopping its way through plow piles.

Single-stage battery snow blowers
Battery powered equipment may be the future, but try telling that to Old Man Winter. The battery-powered Snow Joe iON18SB, $400, made the corded electric snow blowers look good by comparison. It’s useful only for very light snow, and its run time was only 30 minutes. Want more power and speed? Think shovel.

If you're shopping for a snow blower, check our buying guide, the video below, and our Ratings of almost 100 models.

—Ed Perratore

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

Pretty soon we’ll all be monitoring our homes from smart devices that enable us to turn lights on and off, adjust the heat, and start the washing machine or dryer. And then we can put up our feet and watch robots vacuum the floor and clean the windows. Robots and Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, lights, and light switches are just some of the smart appliances that Consumer Reports tested this year. And we have to admit, most of them were pretty cool. Perhaps just the thing for the gadget lover on your list.

Robotic vacuums
The iRobot Roomba 760, $450, is the only robotic vacuum of the three robotic vacuums tested by Consumer Reports that picked up every piece of paper and all the cereal, sand, and rice we laid down on our test carpet. It also found its way out of tight spots and around extension cords. And, like other robotics, you can program it to run when guests or children aren’t around. A random pattern with more passes over the same spot helped account for its cleaning, though that also meant the Roomba roved around our 12x16-foot test area four to five times longer than the other two robotics before it returned to its charging base.

The LG Hom-Bot Square LrV790R proved to be the quietest and, at $800, the most expensive robotic vacuum we tested. Instead of cleaning in a random pattern like the Roomba, the LG Hom-Bot Square goes back and forth and typically covers a spot just once. A “turbo” mode kicks in on carpets, while a spot-cleaning mode lets the LG circle over a 4- or 5-foot area for several minutes. But it cleaned less thoroughly than the Roomba, picking up most of the rice and sand but simply pushing around some of the cereal. It couldn’t pick up the paper we dropped on bare floors. And it had trouble sidestepping power cords and narrow objects.

Winbot window-cleaner
The Winbot W710 and Winbot W730, $350 and $400, are 4.5-pound robots that claim to "clean your windows, glass doors, mirrors and more with just the touch of a button." In one pass, the Winbots run a pad dampened with cleaning solution over glass, squeegee it, and then dry it. The devices hold on by suction and use two antislip treads to move around. You can direct the devices with a remote control. The Winbots do windows, but not perfectly. Although they cleaned fingerprints, dust, and streaks, they didn't handle heavy stains, and they sometimes missed a spot. If you're a gadget junkie or if you have high windows that are hard to clean safely, a Winbot could make sense. Otherwise grab some glass cleaner and paper towels.

Nest learning thermostat
If you love interacting with electronic gadgets, consider the Nest thermostat. Different-looking than the other thermostats in our tests, the round Nest has a rim dial for making adjustments, much like classic round thermostats of years past. Program it or it will program itself based on changes you make the first week, and from then on it keeps on tweaking. The Nest is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, so it automatically installs software updates made by the company. You can control the thermostat from your computer, tablet, or smart phone and set the Nest to send you e-mail alerts. Next from Nest is a CO/smoke alarm that we’re testing now.

Belkin Wemo light switch
While the Nest helps you monitor your heat, the Belkin Wemo light switch, $50, lets you turn your lights on and off with a smart phone or tablet from home or afar. The Wemo replaces regular switches and connects to your home's Wi-Fi system with an app. With it you can program all the lights inside and outside your house including ceiling fans. While the company claims that setup is a snap, because it’s bigger than your typical light switch, it was a bit tricky. But once we installed one, it worked well at customizing a lighting schedule and sending e-mail alerts indicating if the lights are on or off.

Philips Hue LEDs
Hue takes lighting technology way past on, off, and dimmable, redefining what a lightbulb can do. The Philips Hue LED web-enabled system, $199, lets you switch the color of the LED bulbs from warm to bright white or to almost any color in the rainbow using any smart device in your home or remotely. The set comes with three web-enabled LEDs and a device that plugs into your wireless router. Additional bulbs are $59 each. Each system can control up to 50 bulbs using a free app with smart devices running on certain Apple and Android systems. Setting it up was a snap, and the app was intuitive and easy to use. In our early tests, the LEDs provided instant light and used even less energy than claimed. But there were some trade-offs between brightness and color temperature and accuracy. When the color of the light was warm, like an incandescent, the accuracy was great, but the light was only a bit brighter than a 40-watt bulb. 

Smart laundry apps
More appliances come with their own apps these days, including new LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool clothes dryers that let you track your laundry’s progress and even turn your machine on or off remotely. The Whirlpool model can send a text or an e-mail when the load is done. The Samsung and Whirlpool apps also let you start the machine remotely, but you have to manually set it up. The apps we tested were easy to use. Still, it’s not a good idea to run appliances when no one is home. And you may have privacy concerns: To use them sometimes involved providing an e-mail address, a cell number, or both. LG even asks for your birthday, sex, and other info.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

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

When it comes to brand performance—that is, how well on average each brand’s models perform in our Ratings—the results for front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading washers are mixed.

We’ve analyzed the data from our tests of front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading washers during the past three years. If you don’t find one of our recommended models at a retailer, use these brand report cards as a guide. Remember, manufacturing and design changes can affect performance of future models, and models within a brand can vary.

A number of brands stand out as solid choices, based on our tests over the last few years, but we’d urge some caution with half a dozen makes that have had hits and misses in our Ratings. For all other brands in our Ratings that are not mentioned below, we haven't tested enough models to address brand performance.

Please help us refine the information we present to you by taking this informal survey. There's no personal data to enter—just one question to answer and an open response page where you provide your feedback. Thanks in advance.

And don't forget to visit our in-depth washers coverage elsewhere on ConsumerReports.org.

Interested in a dryer? LG and Samsung dryers have received very good or excellent scores in our tests. We think that other dryers from those brands are likely to do as well. GE, Kenmore, Maytag, and Whirlpool dryers had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models, so for those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.

Rankings of front-loading washer brands

Kenmore, Maytag, Electrolux, and Samsung models have performed very well, with most rated very good or excellent. Given that record, we think that other front-loaders from those brands are likely to do as well. Whirlpool and LG front-loaders had some top-scoring models, though generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models. But even their worst performers were OK. For those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.

Some GE front-loaders were top-scoring models, though the brand generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models. But our latest product-reliability survey shows that its front-loaders have been repair-prone, so we suggest you avoid them.

Frigidaire front-loaders have performed inconsisitently and our latest product-reliability survey shows that they have been repair-prone, so we suggest you avoid them.

Rankings of high-efficiency top-loading washer brands

Samsung and LG and washers performed very well, with all of their models rated very good or excellent. Given that record, we think that other HE top-loaders from those brands are likely to do as well. Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, and GE generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring ones, so for those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.

When you're ready to buy your new set, visit our washing machines section. Our buying guide will fill you in on the myriad details on today's high-tech TVs. Our list of recommendend models and Ratings of dozens of front-loading and top-loading models will provide you specifics on models you're considering. And our frequency-of-repair data will tell you which brands are the least and most reliable.

Please help us refine the washing machine information we present to you by taking this informal survey. There's no personal data to enter—just brief questions to answer. Thanks in advance.

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

If you'd like to get the best deals on your holiday shopping this year, you’ll be happy to hear that Consumer Reports’ product research experts, who monitor the prices of many of the items we test, have found several that have gone down in price in the last 12 months. For each one we’ve provided a tip to help you cut your budget even more.

If you're in the market for one or more of these products, but you're not in a rush, it might be worth waiting until the end of December or January to shop. Prices might be even better after the holidays (though inventories may be thin).

Since last year the prices for many comparable models have been slashed by 15 percent or more, probably because more people use their cell phones or tablet to take videos. And prices may drop another 25 percent or more around the holidays. Know what to look for by reading our camcorder buying guide.

To save even more Consider an action camcorder. These are smaller, lighter models available with rugged housing and mounting brackets for attaching it to a helmet or other object (see the photo at right). Many come with high-definition resolution. Our recommended models (available to subscribers) from GoPro, Polaroid, and Sony were about one-third the price of many of our top-rated full-size HD models. Subscribers can also check out our Ratings.

When our experts recently checked the prices of frying pans, they were surprised to see that they had dropped 20 percent since last year, most likely because of increased competition from celebrity-chef lines. Those savings should extend to cookware sets and continue after the holidays.

To save even more Check what’s in a set. Utensils and even a cookbook are sometimes counted as pieces of a set. And don’t overbuy. A set that contains lots of pots and pans might not be the best choice if the person you’re buying it for will only cook with a few pieces while the rest gather dust in a cabinet. For more tips, read our buying guide; subscribers can also check out our Ratings. To learn how we test pots and pans, watch the video below.  

Point-and-shoot camera prices have dropped 10 percent or more since last year to lure back customers who now take more pictures with their phones and tablets. But digital cameras have better lenses that produce sharper pictures, especially in low lighting and zoom shots. And prices will drop even more around the holidays in the hope of clearing out inventory for new models, which are introduced in January and hit store shelves in March.

To save even more Don’t buy based on megapixel counts. More megapixels don’t produce better prints unless the person you’re giving it to blows them up to poster size. A Nikon 12-megapixel model was tops in our recent test of subcompact digital cameras, outperforming a Sony 18-megapixel model that cost $250 more. For more tips, see our buying guide and Ratings (available to subscribers)

Unlike many other products, food processors don’t change very often. Over time their prices tend to drop. Expect most models to be about 10 percent cheaper this holiday season than they were in 2012. For example, Cuisinart DLC-2011CHB (recommended in our recent test) was $200 last year and is now selling for $179.

To save even more Don’t buy based on price. In our tests we found that some recommended models from Cuisinart (such as the one mentioned above) outperformed other models that cost twice
as much. To help you find the best models, read our food processor buying guide. Subscribers can see the models that outperformed the pack in our Ratings.

Shredding personal documents and statements before you toss them is a great way to help avoid ID theft. These munchers have dropped in price by 10 percent or more since last year. As with food processors, the models don’t change often. And prices tend to drop even more from the fall through the spring tax season.

To save even more Shop at the big box stores. Shredders are typically 15 percent or so less at places such as Costco and Walmart. Before you go, check out our shredder buying guide. To see the models that did best in our tests, subscribers can see our Ratings.

The average tablet price dropped 15 percent in the first six months of 2013. The cuts are
probably due to an increase in sales of 7- to 8-inch models (now 60 percent of the market),
which cost less than larger tablets and include the popular Kindle and Nook. Two exceptions: Apple and Samsung tablets, whose prices remain constant.

To save even more Go with the crowd. You can get a great 7- to 8-inch tablet for $250 or less, while tablets with larger displays can run up to $1,000 or so. For more shopping tips, read our buying guide; subscribers should see our Ratings. If your looking for kid's tablets, see the video below.

Prices have dropped by 10 percent or more since last year, and TV models with larger screens have gone down most. You can get more features at lower price ranges. November through January are strong selling months, and the competition for buyers should result in added price cuts of 25 to 50 percent.

To save even more Check out our TV buying guide. And use shopping bots. Many Internet sites are one-stop shops where you can check prices for specific TVs at hundreds of retailers. You can sort the listings by price, including tax and shipping. Some sites to consider: BizRate (and its affiliate, Shopzilla), Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, and Shopping. com. You’ll also find a price-comparison and local-shopping link in our TV Ratings (available to subscribers).

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.

Days are numbered for procrastinators who haven’t yet started their holiday shopping. But you don’t have to venture into the mall if you don’t want to. Instead of buying a token gift, give your friend or neighbor something that costs you little and benefits them a lot—time. Buy a nice card and insert an IOU offering to walk their dog, do some yard work or home repairs, or drive them to an appointment. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Clear the snow
Maybe you have a snow blower and your neighbor doesn’t. If you’ve already bundled up to clear your own driveway, why not do theirs as well? In Consumer Report’s snow blower tests we measure removal speed, throwing distance, surface cleaning and plow pile removal. The best snow blowers in our tests get excellent marks on all tasks, including the two-stage Cub Cadet 31AH57S, $1,500, and Cub Cadet 930SWE 31AH95SU, $1,600. Even if you clear snow the old-fashioned way, with a shovel, it’ll be appreciated. Who knows, you might even find their daily newspaper under the white stuff.

Help with home repairs
Everyone has a loose towel rod or a picture that needs hanging. Ask your gift recipient to make a short list of small repairs and pledge to spend an afternoon fixing them. At Consumer Reports, we test drills for all skill levels. Our top general use drill/driver is the Hitachi DS18DSAL, $170, followed closed by models from Makita, Ridgid, DeWalt and Panasonic. For lighter tasks, try the Hitachi DS14DSFL, $140.

Make a meal
For a single working Mom or a family with children in lots of after-school activities, a homemade meal delivered to the door is a good thing. And thanks to Chinet, you don’t even have to ask for your dish back. In the supermarket, look for Chinet’s paper bakeware, which in our tests proved to be a tough baking dish that can be used in a regular oven and then migrate to a microwave oven.

Clean the house
Some people prefer to clean before company arrives and others like to clean up after they leave. Offer to expend some elbow grease vacuuming or dusting, or washing floors or bathrooms. In our tests of vacuum cleaners, many got excellent scores for bare floors, including the top-rated Kenmore Progressive 21714 canister, $400, and the Kirby Sentria, $1,350. But it’s the carpet and pet hair tests that separate the best from the rest. For cleaning the kitchen or the bathroom, our all-purpose cleaner of choice is PineSol Original, which was the only one in our tests that didn’t leave streaks on the mirror.

Do the laundry
With all the wrinkle-free fabrics these days, steam irons don’t get the workout they once did. But after the holidays there may be tablecloths or napkins to wash, iron, and put away. In our tests of steam irons, the Panasonic NI-W950A, $220, topped all others due to its prodigious steaming rate. It was excellent on all ironing tasks, including linen tablecloths. For laundry, our top laundry detergent is Tide Ultra plus Bleach Vivid White + Bright HE.

Walk the dog
The beauty of taking care of your neighbor’s dog from time to time is you can enjoy the companionship without the vet bills. Many working families have pets that, by necessity, are cooped up in the house all day. That’s where you come in, especially if you have a flexible schedule. There’s nothing like being greeted at the door by a happy pup.

Drive to an appointment
Next time your neighbor has to go to the eye doctor or dentist, offer to drive. That way if they have an eye-blurring exam or need pain killers for that dental work, they’ll get safe passage home. Take a book or enjoy the guilty pleasure of reading the celebrity magazines in the doctor’s offices. Win-win.

Mow the lawn
Once spring arrives, this seasonal chore will be necessary again. For your neighbor, it’ll be like Christmas in April. Our top mowers are champs at mulching and mowing and we also rate how they handle. Models from Honda and Toro top the list of self-propelled mowers and our top push mower is from Cub Cadet. For larger lawns, we liked tractors from Snapper and John Deere.

--Mary H.J. Farrell

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

Winter has arrived, and with the change of seasons comes the threat of nasty weather. Before winter strikes in full force, make sure you and your car are ready. As you head to the roads during this busy holiday travel season, following our tips can help ensure you get to your destination and back home safely.

Keeping up with car maintenance year-round is important, but it carries added significance in the winter when being stranded can be inconvenient due to holiday travel plans, as well as being downright unpleasant waiting at the side of the road. As always, try to time your routine maintenance ahead of long-distance travel. Putting off service today can turn into an expensive problem down the road.

As winter driving safety is so impacted by traction, it is key to make sure your tires are in top shape. Check tire pressure monthly, topping off as necessary. (Cold winter temperatures can lower tire pressure.) Inspect your tires for tread depth, an important factor in wet and snow traction. The tread should be at least 1/8 an inch, easily gauged by using a quarter and measuring from the coin's edge to Washington's head. Look for uneven tread wear, which typically indicates poor wheel alignment or worn suspension components. If you do invest in new tires, be sure to have your vehicle's alignment and suspension checked before having the tires mounted to avoid premature wear.

With the car prepped for travel, keep these 10 tips in mind:

• Clear off the snow and ice before driving. If snow has fallen since your car was parked, take the time to thoroughly brush it off the vehicle--including the roof--and scrape any ice from the windows. "Peephole driving" through a small, cleared spot on your windshield reduces your visibility and is quite dangerous.
• Accelerate slowly to reduce wheel spin. If starting from a standstill on slick snow or ice, start in second gear if you have a manual transmission or gear-selectable automatic so the vehicle is less likely to spin the tires.
• Reduce your speed and drive smoothly. In slippery conditions, tires lose their grip more easily, affecting all aspects of your driving: braking, turning, and accelerating. Keeping the speeds down will give you more time to react to slippage or a possible collision, and it will lessen the damage should things go wrong.
• Allow longer braking distances. Plan on starting your braking sooner than you normally would in dry conditions to give yourself extra room, and use more gentle pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't lock your wheels when braking. Locked wheels can make the vehicle slide or skid. If you have an older vehicle without an antilock braking system (ABS), you may need to gently apply the brakes repeatedly in a pulsing motion to avoid having them lock up the wheels. If your vehicle has ABS, simply depress the brake pedal firmly and hold it down. The shuddering sounds and pedal feeling is expected (don't lift off the brake); the system is doing its job.
• Perform one action at a time when accelerating, braking, and turning. Asking a vehicle to do two things at once--such as braking and turning, or accelerating and turning--can reduce your control. When taking a turn on a slippery surface, for instance, slowly apply the brakes while the vehicle is going straight.
• Avoid sudden actions when cornering. A sudden maneuver--such as hard braking, a quick turn of the steering wheel, sudden acceleration, or shifting a manual transmission --can upset a vehicle's dynamics when it's taking a turn. Rapidly transferring the weight from one end or corner to another can throw a car off balance. In slick conditions, this can cause it to more easily go out of control.
• Be ready to correct for a slide. Should the rear end of the vehicle begin to slide during a turn, gently let off on the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. This will help straighten it out. Electronic stability control will also help keep control in a slide situation. But remember, safety systems may bend the laws of physics, but they can't overcome stupid.
• Don't let four- or all-wheel drive give you a false sense of security. 4WD and AWD systems only provide extra traction when accelerating. They provide no advantage when braking or cornering.
• Be extra wary of other motorists. They may not be driving as cautiously as you, so leave extra space, avoid distractions, and be predictable, signaling clearly ahead of any turns or lane changes.

For more tips on winter driving, see our guide.

—Liza Barth

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

In addition to fast, precise heating, the Krups FBC4 Convection Toaster Oven is supposed to deliver “expert controlled cooking functions” and an “illuminated LCD control panel with easy to use controls.” However, we observed glitches with the appliance’s control panel on four separate samples. As a result, we’ve rated this $200 appliance a Don’t Buy: Performance Problem.

Our toaster oven tests include measuring how well each unit makes full batches of very light and very dark toast. The Krups had no trouble on the lightest setting. So we set it to the darkest setting and loaded in four fresh slices of bread. (Krups calls this a six-slice toaster oven, but we could fit only four without squishing the bread.) The LCD display indicated that our toast would be ready in about six minutes. All went well until roughly the two-minute mark, at which point the LCD display went blank.

The toaster oven did shut off at the end of the toasting cycle, which is why we haven't judged this to be a safety problem. But it was another minute or two before the display came back on and the toaster oven could again be programmed to the desired setting.

We experienced the same display failure with our second sample. With the third sample, the display malfunctioned and never worked again. Once that happened, the toaster oven’s convection fan began operating and stopped only when we unplugged the unit. Upon plugging it back in, the fan started up again, but the toaster oven itself would not work. Our fourth sample exhibited a defective display during formal testing. It then suffered catastrophic failure, similar to sample three, during filming of the video below, which was not part of any formal test.

If you own the Krups FBC4 Convection Toaster Oven, contact the manufacturer. The product is covered by a one-year warranty, including free repair or replacement if the unit is defective. In our case, we were told to return the unit for repair, which would take four to six weeks. Our advice: Insist on a replacement, or even a refund.

—Consumer Reports  

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

When buying holiday gifts over the next few days, you might want to verify retailer return policies, just in case they’ve changed from when you last shopped.

In its latest annual return-policy survey, Consumer World reports that while most retailers’ return policies have remained the same since last year, some have changed. Best Buy, Sears, and Toys "R" Us, for example, have decreased the amount of time you have to return at least some items. Other stores have made some items nonreturnable or imposed new restocking fees.  

Consumer World also mentions some unusual polices, such as the 30-day return policy at OfficeMax, which excludes refunds on items the store no longer stocks. And the site lists 14 retailers whose policies it consider generous, including  Kohl's, Target, and Walmart.

Remember, many stores extend their return periods during the holidays, letting you or your gift recipient take items back in January or beyond. So be sure to check. But don’t assume a retailer’s return policy is the same online as in its walk-in store. For advice on what to look for in a return policy, read our story “Be a Return-Friendly Gift Giver This Holiday.”

And if you receive a holiday gift that you want to return, read “5 Tips for Easy Returns of Unwanted Holiday Gifts” for advice on what to consider.

—Anthony Giorgianni

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

Still shopping? We’ve featured outstanding products in more than 20 product categories from our review of electronics, kitchen gear, and more. Top choices are pictured, followed by other good choices. Click on each product for more details.

And don't forget to check our Holiday & Gift Guide for shopping and entertaining advice.

LG BP-530, $120
Oppo BDP-103, $500
Panasonic DMP-BD89, $90

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Blu-ray players.

Advanced

Basic

Fujifilm FinePix S8400W, $300
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS, $250
Olympus Stylus SH-50 iHS, $280

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Digital cameras.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite with Special Offers (2nd gen.), $120
Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch GlowLight, $100
Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch, $80

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of E-book readers.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear, $230
Polk Audio Nue Era (in-ear), $100
SMD Audio Street by 50-ANC (noise-canceling over-ear), $280

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Headphones.

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display, $1,300
Samsung Ativ Book 8 NP880Z5E-X01UB, $1,200
HP Envy TouchSmart 14t-k000 Ultrabook, $750

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Laptops.

Roku 2, $80
Western Digital WD TV Play, $60
Hisense Pulse (Google TV), $75

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Streaming media players.

Apple iPad Air (16GB, Wi-Fi), $500
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch with Special Offers (16GB, Wi-Fi), $230
Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ (16GB, Wi-Fi), $150

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Tablets.

LCD TVs

Samsung UN50F6800 (50-inch), $1,200
Toshiba 58L7350U (58-inch), $1,300
Vizio E500d-A0 (50-inch), $680

Plasma TVs

Panasonic Viera TC-P60S60 (60-inch), $1,150
Samsung PN51F5500 (51-inch), $850
LG 42GA6400 (42-inch), $850

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of TVs.

Libratone Zipp (portable), $400
Marantz Consolette (home system), $600
Sonos Play:3 (home system), $300

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speaker systems.

Vitamix 5200, $450
Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, $60
Ninja Professional NJ600, $100

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Blenders.

Brew-and-dispense

Viante Brew-N-View CAF-05T, $140
Mr. Coffee BVMC-ZH1B, $50
Cuisinart Coffee on Demand DCC-3000, $100

Drip

Kalorik CM 38933, $60
Cuisinart Crystal SCC-1000 Limited Edition PerfecTemp, $200
Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT, $40

Pod

DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T, $130
DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Circolo, $150
DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo EDG200T, $100

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Coffeemakers.

Ridgid R86008K, $180
Hitachi DS18DSAL, $170
Makita LXFD01CW, $200

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Cordless drills.

Breville BFP800XL/A, $400
Cuisinart DLC-2011CHB, $180
Cuisinart DFP-14BCN, $180

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Food processors.

Eureka Easy Clean 71B, $50
Shark Pet Perfect II SV780, $80
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1, $35

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Vacuum cleaners.

Peg Perego Prima Pappa Best, $250
Mia Moda Alto, $100
Oxo Sprout, $250

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of High chairs.

Cookware sets

Swiss Diamond Reinforced 10 pc., $575
Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10 pc., $200
Calphalon Simply Easy System 10 pc., $300

Frying pans

Swiss Diamond Classic 10”, $90
Scanpan Classic 10¼”, $90
Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10” Omelette Pan, $40

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Kitchen cookware.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Professional “S,” $315
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Profection #33049, $600
Wüsthof Classic Ikon #8347, $400

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Kitchen knives.

Vornado iControl, $150
Lasko 6462, $65
Holmes HFH436, $40

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Space heaters.

Breville BEM800XL, $300
KitchenAid Classic (250 watts) K45SS[WH], $200
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics 6322[1], $180

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Mixers.

Crane Frog EE-3191, $45
Air-O-Swiss 7135, $180
Vicks V4500, $70

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Humidifiers.

Toasters

Cuisinart CPT-420, $80
Calphalon stainless-steel 2-slot HE200ST (1779206), $60
Cuisinart CPT-170, $70

Toaster ovens

Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL, $250
Breville BOV650XL, $180
Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P, $150

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Toasters.

Haier  WC200GS, $980
Electrolux IQ-Touch EI24WC65GS, $1,530
Vinotemp VT-46TS-2Z, $1,000

For more choices:

See our complete Ratings of Wine chillers.

This article appeared in the January 2014 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.

We are in the season of festivities, with many celebrations for the holidays and New Year's. But the sobering reality is that it's also a time of year when many people die on our roads due to drunk driving. Last year, 830 people died during the holiday season in these crashes.  

In 2012, 10,322 people were killed in alcohol-related car crashes, an increase of 4.6 percent over last year. These crashes continues to represent about a third of all traffic deaths, which has remained constant for the last 10 years.

One way to combat the problem is through ignition interlock devices. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that convicted drunk drivers with interlocks installed are 75 percent less likely to repeat the behavior than those who do not have interlocks. NHTSA has provided states with guidelines to encourage them to implement an interlock program to help protect sober drivers and make those convicted learn from their mistakes. Currently, 18 states have enacted these laws for first time offenders.

In an effort to curb dangerous behavior this festive time of year, there is a seasonal drunk-driving campaign "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" running nationwide now through the New Year. Police will be out in force conducting traffic stops to catch offenders and spread the word that drinking and driving don't mix.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you celebrate the holiday season.

• Have a designated driver. If you plan on traveling to a party, make sure you have a driver who will stay sober and be responsible for taking you home safely.
  
• Drop off your keys. If you don't have a designated driver, give someone your keys so you aren't tempted to get into the car after drinking.
  
• Pack a bag. If you plan to party hard and/or late, bring an overnight bag so that you are prepared to sleep over until you are sober and alert enough to drive home. In fact, make it part of your plans and everyone will sleep better.
  
• Use public transportation. Most cities with public transportation systems will have more buses and trains running throughout New Year's Eve to help party-goers get home safely. Organizing a cab or even share one to reduce costs.
  
• Walking isn't safer. You aren't necessarily safer if you decide to hoof it after a few drinks instead of getting behind the wheel. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the first day of the new year has the highest number of pedestrians killed than any other day throughout the year. If you must walk, go in a group and wear visible clothing, so that drivers can see you.
• Wear your safety belt. It is your best defense in a crash.
  
• Know where your children are. We've all heard that TV ad that says: "It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?" Make sure you keep tabs on your kids if they are going to be out with friends this New Year's. Coordinate with other parents to transport children home from parties and make sure they know the rules on drinking and driving.
  
• Coffee isn't the cure. It's a myth that coffee can help sober you up. Only time can do that, so stay put until you recover.

Have fun this holiday season, but do stay safe. For more on vehicle safety, see our special section and our report on how to reduce highway fatalities.

—Liza Barth

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

Staring at all those cans in the paint aisle, hoping to wind up with a really good interior paint, has become as frustrating as nailing the right color. Similar names, claims, and prices can be mind-boggling. Buy one of the cheapest paints and you may have to use more than one coat. But what do you get if you spend $105 for a gallon of Farrow & Ball?
 
Designers rave about it, and we have to agree that the colors are gorgeous. The paint is made and tinted at a factory in England, and you’ll find it online and at Farrow & Ball stores in the U.S. But despite the dreamy colors and names such as Slipper Satin (an off-white), and Drawing Room Blue, it was the worst of the 67 interior paints tested by Consumer Reports at hiding old paint. It took two coats of the Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell, $105, to do what the top-rated Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel did in just one. And the Behr is $34 a gallon at Home Depot. Farrow & Ball’s eggshell and semi-gloss paints also left a rough finish and lost most of their sheen after cleaning.

Our new interior paint Ratings can make choosing one easier. You’ll see how well a paint hides the old stuff, whether it leaves a smooth finish, and how well it holds up to scrubbing and stains. We toughened our stain tests to include both water- and oil-based stains, better reflecting real life. As anybody with children knows, flat finishes tend to stain easily.
 
—Kimberly Janeway

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