Like many holiday weekends, Presidents Day has become an occasion for sales. But after being stuck in the house for weeks because of all the bad weather, we’ll take it. Sears, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are all featuring sales on major appliances this weekend with discounts ranging from 10 to 35 percent. When we checked their websites, we found some of our top-rated large appliances at really good prices. Here’s a sampling of what we found but keep in mind that there may be different models on sale at your local store. (Click on the model name to see the results of our tests.)

Sears
Sears is featuring 10 percent off all large appliances and 35 percent off its own Kenmore line. Kenmore has been a reliable performer in Consumer Reports tests. Here are the store’s discounts on some of our top-rated appliances.

Kenmore Elite 72093 French-door refrigerator: $2,700  from $4,300
Kenmore 7160[3] French-door refrigerator: $1,500 from $2,120
Kenmore 79433 top-freezer refrigerator: $1125  from $1680
Kenmore Elite 41073 front-loading washer: $1,170  from $1,750
Kenmore 28102 top-loading washer: $630 from $950
Kenmore Elite 81073 electric dryer: $1,300 from $1,750
Kenmore Elite 6152[2] electric dryer: $900 from $1,300
Kenmore Elite 12793 dishwasher: $1,300 from $1,640
Kenmore Elite 12783 dishwasher: $1,080 from $1,420
Kenmore 74132 gas range: $630 from $900
Kenmore 94142 coil-top range: $430 from $630
Kenmore Progressive 21714 canister vacuum: $380 from $480

Home Depot
Home Depot is offering 10 percent off large appliances that cost $397 or more with free delivery and haul away. We found some of our top washers and refrigerators in the mix. You can find more online or at your nearest Home Depot.

LG WT1201CV top-loading washer: $989 from $1,099
LG WT1101CW top-loading washer (CR Best Buy): $646 from  $799
Samsung WA422PRHD[WR] top-loading washer: $547 from $799
Maytag Bravos XL MVWB725BW top-loading washer (CR Best Buy): $628 from $799
Whirlpool Duet WFW70HEBW front-loading washer: $628 from $799
Maytag Centennial MVWC425BW top-loading washer (CR Best Buy): $448 from $599
Maytag Bravos XL MVWB725BW top-loading washer: $628 from $799
Maytag Maxima X MHW4200BW front loading washer: $718 from $999                                         
Whirlpool Gold GB2FHDXW[Q] bottom-freezer refrigerator $988 from  $1,399
Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR bottom-freezer refrigerator: $3,056 from $3,999
Maytag M1TXEGMY[W] top-freezer refrigerator: $628 from $799                                 
LG LFX31925[ST] bottom-freezer refrigerator: $2,398 from  $3,199

Lowe’s
If you need a new washer or dryer, Lowe’s is offering 10 percent off laundry appliances that cost $399 or more. We found a number of our top performers at discounted prices and you can likely find more at your local Lowe’s.

Whirlpool Duet WFW70HEBW front-loading washer: $629 from $799
LG WT1101CW top-loading washer: $629 from $699
Whirlpool WTW4900BW top-loading washer (CR Best Buy): $539 from $599
Whirlpool Duet WFW94HEAW front-loading washer: $899 from $1,199
Maytag Maxima XL MHW6000AW front-loading washer: $809 from $1,099
Maytag Bravos XL MVWB880BW top-loading washer: $809 from $899
Samsung WA400PJHD[WR] front-loading washer: $629 from $699
Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8000BW top-loading washer: $674 from $749
Maytag Centennial MVWC425BW top-loading washer (CR Best Buy): $539 from $599
Whirlpool Duet WED94HEAW electric dryer: $899 from $1,199
LG DLEX8000[V] electric dryer: $1,349 from $1,499
LG DLE4870W electric dryer: $719 from $799

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

As winters go, we can all agree that this one has been pretty brutal trapping many of us inside for days on end. Not only is there cabin fever to contend with but the air inside a closed house can become stale, dry and sometimes too cool. While we can’t do much about the weather outdoors, there are some ways to improve your climate indoors by cleaning and humidifying the air and adding a spot of heat where you need it most. To help, here are some top-rated humidifiers, air purifiers, space heaters, and vacuum cleaners from Consumer Reports.

Humidifiers
A humidifier can relieve itchy eyes, sore throats, and cracked skin by adding moisture to dry air. Indoor humidity should be 30 to 50 percent but without humidification, that level can drop to 10 percent in winter because cold air holds less moisture and dries even more as it's heated. The two most common types of humidifiers are small tabletop models and larger, more expensive, console models.

In our tests of tabletop humidifiers, the Crane Penguin EE-865, $40, earned top marks for tabletop models along with a menagerie of other Crane models in whimsical animal shapes. With excellent output and quietness of operation, the Crane humidifiers are a good choice for a child’s room. They’re also energy efficient, which will save you money if you run it all winter. If the Cranes are too cute for more formal rooms, try the Sunpentown SU-4010, $80, which got excellent scores on all our tests and uses ultrasonic technology to humidify spaces of up to 500 square feet.

Our top-rated console humidifier is the Essick MA120, $120, which was very good in overall performance, and can humidify areas up to 2,500 square feet. The only drawback is that it’s noisy as were most of the console humidifiers we tested.

Air purifiers
There are two basic types of air purifiers. Portable models can be moved from room to room. Whole-house models are built into the ductwork of a forced-air heating or cooling system and filter the air in the entire house. If you don’t have that type of heating system, then a room air purifier is your best bet.

Our top-rated room air purifier is the Whirlpool AP51030K, $350, a CR Best Buy. It was one of the quietest portable models in our air purifier tests, especially when run at its highest speed, where it aced our smoke- and dust-removal tests. Annual operating costs are on the high side, but allergy sufferers might appreciate its performance nonetheless. It has filter indicators to remind you when to change both the HEPA filter and the charcoal pre-filter.

For a lot less you can buy the Holmes HAP756-U, $140, which is  the least expensive of our recommended portable air purifiers to buy and run. It was great at removing dust and smoke, but only at its highest speed. It also has filter indicators. And because it's EnergyStar-qualified, it's energy-efficient compared with non-qualified models.

Space heaters
The best space heaters in our tests can quickly heat you and an average sized room for as little as $40. Look for fast spot heating if you care about quickly heating one or two people and fast room heating if you’re heating an entire family room. Consider larger heaters if you like the look of wood and an electronic flame display.

Of the five recommended small space heaters in our tests, the Ambia ACH-120, $60, was the best at warming a room in 15 minutes. It was also best at spot heating. But it gets middling marks for noise, which might matter to you if you’re trying to listen to music or watch television.

Of the larger space heaters we tested, only the Duraflame 10HM4126-0107, $230, made our top picks list. It was very good at heating a room but only mediocre at spot heating. The Duraflame was very quiet and the console stays cool enough to safely touch when the heater is in operation.

Vacuum cleaners
Of course, one way to keep the dust and fur from flying is to vacuum regularly. To get the best results, match the type of vacuum to your cleaning. Uprights do best overall on carpets. Canisters are easier to maneuver, particularly on stairs. And if you have asthma or allergies, a bagless vacuum probably isn’t for you since emptying the bin can expose you to dust.

Our top upright vacuum is the Kenmore Elite 31150, $350, which does a very good job removing embedded dirt from carpets and is excellent at bare floors. Pet owners will appreciate its impressive pet hair pickup. At less than two-thirds the price, it’s brand mate, the Kenmore Progressive 31069, $200, was also impressive as was the Hoover WindTunnel Max UH30600, $180.

The top canister in our vacuum tests was also a Kenmore, the Kenmore Progressive 21714, $400, which was very good at carpet cleaning and and excellent at bare floors and in pet-hair pickup. The Panasonic MC-CG937, $330, did almost as well and also made our list of recommended vacuums.

--Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Fuel issues remain the primary reason a snow blower won't start when you need it most. But even if you keep up the necessary maintenance and have an extra belt and shear pins handy, you can still find yourself shoveling during a big dig like last week’s. The problem? A snapped pull cord.

For models with electric start, the pull cord might not get a lot of use. It’s more of a backup for when the push button gets you most of the way towards starting. Should you shrug off the need for electric start—trusting your routine maintenance—you’ll use the cord more often. And of course, the worn cord only breaks when you’re trying to start the snow blower. If you’re lucky, this will be when you’re changing the oil, checking the spark plug, fueling up, and giving it a trial start. Otherwise, it’ll break just when you need it for storm cleanup.

If you’re shopping for a new snow blower, consider a model with electric start, which means much slower wear on the pull cord. (Remember, though, that electric start can’t work magic on a neglected machine.) If you already have a snow blower without electric start and it gets lots of use, especially this season, consider having the pull cord replaced in the spring. This advice holds true especially for a unit that’s three or more years old or hasn’t had a cord change in at least three years.

Before checking out our Ratings of 99 snow blowers, view our buying guide for snow blowers, along with the videos below about how we test snow blowers.

—Ed Perratore

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The next time you buy coffee, the jolt you get may come not from the caffeine but the cost. The coffee futures market is heating up due to hot, dry weather in Brazil that’s harming the crop, according to the Wall Street Journal. That means the price of your morning cup could go up in the next few weeks. Even as prices rise, it’s still more economical to make coffee at home than to buy it in a coffeehouse, especially if you use one of the top-performing coffee machines and top-tasting coffees from Consumer Reports tests.

While pod coffeemakers have been growing in popularity over the last few years because of their convenience, in Consumer Reports tests the flavor of coffee made from pods, packs, or pouches hasn’t measured up to that of the coffee made in drip machines. If you want the speed of a single-serve machine but prefer a more robust brew, consider one of the brew-and-dispense models that did best in our tests.

Topping the list of brew-and-dispense models is the Mr. Coffee BVMC-ZH1B and at $50, it’s also a CR Best Buy. This 12-cup machine offers great brewing and convenient operation and we found its setup, operation, and cleanup fairly easy. The Viante Brew-N-View CAF-05T, $140, did nearly as well but cost almost three times as much. Still, we liked the clear water reservoir on this 10-cup model and that you can easily fill travel mugs. For $100, the 12-cup Cuisinart Coffee on Demand DCC-3000 had top-notch brewing and convenient operation and a gauge that tells you how much coffee is left.

We also tested several mug-to-go coffeemakers but none rose to the level of our top picks list and only one, the KitchenAid Architect KCM0402ACS, $100, got excellent marks for brewing performance. Its mediocre scores for convenience kept it from our picks.

Best brews
If you’re going to be spending more on coffee, you might as well get the best. In our coffee taste tests, Allegro Kenya Grand Cru sold at Whole Foods got top marks. Our tasters described it as bright and fruity with the aromatics associated with high-quality arabica beans. They also liked Kenyan coffees from Green Mountain and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. If you prefer Colombian coffee, our tasters liked Colombian from Gloria Jean’s and Newman’s Own. They also recommended Ethiopian coffee from Caribou and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. None of the coffee blends or coffee pods in our taste tests made our list of top coffee picks.

Whichever brew you prefer, it might be a good idea to stock up now before prices start to climb. The Wall Street Journal says it can take a few weeks for the higher prices to trickle down to the retail and coffeehouse level.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Want to save 50 percent, get a product free, or have a manufacturer’s warranty cover an expensive purchase for life? Of course you do, and advertisers know it. Federal and state laws generally ban the use of misleading or deceptive advertising, but regulators can’t monitor everything, and seductive half-truths and outright deceptions are common.

So it’s up to you to figure out what’s true, what’s false, and what’s pushing the envelope. Read the fine print to find out about limitations. And here are some advertising terms you shouldn’t take at face value:

Federal Trade Commission guidelines say that companies should use “satisfaction guaranteed” or “money-back guarantee” only if they’re willing to give full refunds to unhappy customers. The guidelines say that companies must disclose any conditions or limitations, such as a time limit.

Some companies’ satisfaction guarantees are friendly. The website of retailer Lands’ End says you can return any product you’re not happy with at any time for a full refund or exchange. But others are less so. Under Michelin’s 30-day satisfaction guarantee, if you’re not 100 percent satisfied with your new tires, you can ­return them—but for an exchange, not a ­refund. And if you’re not 100 percent satisfied with the replacement tires, forget it—the policy applies only to the first set. Return certain items under the 30-day satisfaction guarantee from the retail eyeglass website ­GlassesUSA.com and you’ll be charged a 20 percent restocking fee.

Check the shopping section of our money page to find the best retailers, including appliance stores, computer stores, electronics stores, outlet stores, and more.

New York City consumer officials recently fined a shop that sells rugs, antique furniture, and other items, accusing it of running a going-out-of-­business sale without a license. The company, operating under a slightly different name, had held a going-out-of-­business sale at the same location nine months earlier. But even at a legitimate going-out-of-business sale, don’t assume everything’s a deal. While checking out the Circuit City liquidation sale some years back, we found a copy of the weekly sales circular that would have been in effect had the chain had not gone belly-­up. A 50-inch plasma television being liquidated for $1,799 would have been on sale for $1,500. We also found a better price at a retailer that was not going out of business. Yet we saw lines of bargain-chasing customers snaking around the store.

The term “lifetime” has no legal meaning by itself. It can refer to a product’s lifetime, not yours, and that could mean the period of time a retailer carries the item, the manufacturer still makes it, parts are available, or you still own it.

So if you’re hoping to use that full lifetime warranty from Milgard Windows & Doors as a selling point when you market your home, you might be disappointed. In that case, “lifetime” means as long as you own your home. Sell it and the warranty for the new owners converts to 10 years from the date the original warranty went into effect. And the unconditional lifetime warranty at umbrella maker Davek requires customers to register the product and to pay $10 shipping and handling for a replacement.

Many stores guarantee they have the lowest prices, promising to match or beat a competitor’s price before or after you buy. But those promises often come with lots of restrictions in the fine print. Walmart stores won’t match online prices, and Sears won’t price-match Internet-­only retailers. Home Depot and Lowe’s guarantee that they will beat competitors’ prices by 10 percent, but online retailers are excluded.

The word “free” is like a powerful aphrodisiac, so it’s a favorite among retailers. FTC guidelines say that if you must buy an item to get something free, the price can’t be inflated to offset the cost of the free item. And all conditions must be disclosed. But think about it: The regular price must be pretty steep for companies to give away stuff and still make a profit. Another catch is being asked to pay something to get a free item, such as additional shipping and handling that may equal or exceed the item’s cost. Then there are “free trials” that aren’t free at all when the company winds up charging your credit card for a monthly service without telling you that it will, such as the delivery of weight-loss pills, if you don’t cancel in time.

Various sales tactics require you to use your judgment and question anything that doesn’t seem right before buying.

Always read store policies carefully before making a purchase. Whether it’s a warranty, satisfaction guarantee, or anything else, make sure you understand the limitations and requirements. For example, you may need to have your receipt to make a warranty claim.
Don’t blindly accept promises of low prices. Comparison shop by searching the Web for the product name and/or model number. If you do see a truly great price at a liquidation sale, try negotiating with a retailer that’s not planning to pull up stakes anytime soon. You might be able to get a deal that’s as good as or at least close to the one being offered by the disappearing store.
Check out any retailer you’re not familiar with. Search for a report at the Better Business Bureau. Look for at least a “B” rating, and examine the types of complaints customers have filed against the company, if any. And conduct a Web search using the retailer’s name and such terms as  “review” and  “complaint.”
Use a credit card when shopping. That way, if there’s misrepresentation, an unauthorized charge, or a similar problem, you can file a dispute.

This article also appeared in the March 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Lately we’ve been seeing a number of reports on our website and others about the multicolored Tide Pods leaving purple and blue stains on laundry. There’s even a litany of reports on the website of Procter & Gamble, Tide’s parent company, describing staining and the failure of the pods to dissolve properly. Tide Pods performed very well in Consumer Reports’ tests of laundry detergent so we wanted to get to the bottom of this. Here’s what came out in the wash.

“This product dissolves poorly and has ruined my son's pullover (cream colored) and left purple stains on the fabric,” wrote one of our readers in a user review. “It was a beautiful piece of clothing that is now ruined! I am not a happy customer!” Neither was another reader who wrote: “Tide Pods left bluish/purple stains on white towels, and other whites (socks, tee shirts, and pillowcases). This product should be taken off the market until they figure out the problem.”

So Consumer Reports contacted Tide and asked the company what caused the stains, how to avoid them, and what to do with clothing that’s already suffered in the wash. We heard back from Tracey L. Long, who handles inquiries about fabric care for P&G.

“The most common contributors to the development of a blue/purple stain on fabrics is not placing the pac into the washing machine drum BEFORE adding the clothes and/or overstuffing machine with laundry," Long wrote in an e-mail. "This is important to ensure machine has enough space to provide the agitation needed for the best clean and to maximize  contact with ‘free water’ in the machine.” Long went on to offer these tips.

• Do not place the pod in the dispenser drawer.
• Do not open the pod/pac or use for pretreating.
• Do not use Tide Pods in prewash cycles.

Long also made some recommendations for what to do with clothing that’s already been stained. “We expect any unintended fabric staining should be treatable by washing the stained item again via another wash load using either a Tide Pod or Liquid Tide laundry detergent,” Long wrote. If that doesn’t work, Tide recommends:

• Rinse the stain under hot water to remove as much as possible.
• Gently wring the excess water from the item and lay it out flat.
• Apply household rubbing alcohol to the stain, making sure it covers the entire stain. (Test on similar fabric or inside fold first.)
• Let the stain soak for at least 10 minutes—the longer the better.
• Using warm or hot water, rinse the fabric. This should remove the stain.
• If the stain has not been completely removed, repeat the steps above.

Of course, not all the comments about Tide Pods were negative. “I have NEVER had any 'stain' problems that some have referenced BUT you have to do one simple thing. POD GOES IN FIRST!,” wrote one satisfied customer. “If you can't do that you might have problems but I have had none in the years since it came out.”

If you’re not a fan of laundry pods or packs, we also found some top performing laundry detergents in the form of powders and liquids, including varieties from Tide, Wisk, and Kirkland Signature from Costco. If you have an opinion about Tide, join the conversation on our website or on P&G’s website or contact P&G customer service.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Finally, some good news about the bad weather. The frigid polar vortex has taken a toll on the stink bug population. In fact, in an experiment conducted at Virginia Tech, 95 percent of the stink bugs under observation were killed by the recent cold arctic blast. That may bode well for the warmer months, reports the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post. Here’s what happened.

Each fall, Thomas Kuhar, an entomology professor at Virginia Tech, and his team gather stink bugs and put about 100 into each of a number of insulated 5-gallon buckets that are then stored outdoors in a sheltered area. The containers mimic the places where stink bugs like to spend the winter such as your attic and inside the walls of your house. Apparently, the bugs are beasts at surviving cold temperatures. But not this time.

A few weeks ago, the Weather Gang reports, Kuhar pulled out his first set of buckets and found that the sustained frigid temperatures had resulted in a 95 percent kill rate. “There should be significant mortality of BMSB (brown marmorated stink bugs) and many other overwinter insects this year,” Kuhar told the Weather Gang. Let’s all join in and voice a collective “Yahoo!”

Virginia is one of the mid-Atlantic states, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, that has the largest and most damaging infestations of stink bugs. But the beetles have been found in 40 states, including Hawaii. Because they have no natural predators here, they’re on the USDA’s most wanted list of invasive species.

If the bugs have been finding their way into your home, try to locate the openings where they came in. Typically, stink bugs will crawl through cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings as well as you can with caulk or other suitable materials.

We’ll have to wait until the growing season to see how many stink bugs survived the winter. In the meantime, we can live in hope that there will be fewer of the smelly, buzzy pests when the weather warms. The Capital Weather Gang is forecasting another cold winter blast from the end of February into the beginning of March. We say, bring it on.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Today’s toaster ovens promise everything from perfect pizzas to fresh-baked cookies. Our latest tests of dozens of models found a few able multitaskers. But other ovens botched basic jobs. And if all you want is great toast, buy a toaster; it can pop out evenly browned slices for $35 or less. Here’s what Consumer Reports found out in its tests of toasters and toaster ovens.

Toasters top our toast tests. Though we’re still waiting for a model that does the job perfectly every time, toasters continue to brown more evenly and consistently than toaster ovens.

Toasting times depend on volume. Even the fastest toaster oven take twice as long as a toaster—4 to 6 minutes, versus 2 to 3 minutes on a medium setting. But if you’re toasting for a crowd, a toaster oven with a six-slice capacity can quickly make up for lost time. Four-slice toasters combine the best of both worlds

Convection doesn’t pay. There’s little proof from our toaster oven tests that this fan-driven technology enhances baking performance, probably because air circulation is less of a factor in a small oven.

Size can be deceiving. Some of the toaster ovens with the biggest exterior dimensions couldn’t fit six slices of toast. If you plan to cook frozen pizza, make sure the rack is at least 12 inches deep. If you toast rolls or bagels, look for variable or extra-wide slots in toasters.

Toaster tests
If all you want is toast, go with a basic toaster. Calphalon topped our toaster Ratings with its two-slot Calphalon Stainless Steel HE200ST, $60, and the four-slot Calphalon Stainless Steel HE400ST, $80. They made toast in any color range desired and also popped out even batches one after the other. The controls were a cinch to use and the toasters have bagel settings. A pair of toasters from Cuisinart was next on the list including the two-slot Cuisinart CPT-420 , $80 and the four-slot Cuisinart CPT-440, $100. Both were feature-filled and very good overall. For $35, you can buy the two-slot Hamilton Beach Digital 22502, which we named a CR best Buy. Its performance was very good overall and toast popped up evenly brown with nearly every batch.

Toaster ovens
Most toaster ovens can melt a cheese sandwich, broil a hamburger, or roast a 4-pound chicken. But they take up more counter space and cost more. Two of four of the toaster ovens on our recommended list are from Breville, the Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL, $250, which took the top spot and the Breville BOV650XL, $180.  Both were very good at baking and broiling but the Smart Oven edged out its brandmate on making a full batch of evenly-toasted bread. Our CR Best Buy is the Oster TSSTTVMNDG, $80, which got good marks on all cooking tasks but lacks a few convenience features.

Adapted from Consumer Reports' Kitchen Planning Guide

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Some ways to save energy require you to undertake a messy home improvement project or make such lifestyle changes as taking shorter showers or lowering your heat. But saving energy doesn't have to be a hardship. There are simpler ways to save by making small changes that offer big payoffs for years to come. Here are some money-saving secrets from our experts that’ll help trim your energy use and your utility bill.

Buy Energy Star-qualified appliances. Energy Star appliances are 20 percent more energy efficient than non-­Energy Star versions. And appliances with Energy Star’s “Most Efficient” designation are an additional 10 percent more efficient.  Trading a 10-year-old refrigerator for an Energy Star-­rated model can save about $100 a year. Replacing a pre-1994 dishwasher with an Energy Star model can save around $40 a year (and 10 gallons of water per cycle).

To find Energy Star appliances that did well in our tests, check our Ratings of refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.

Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs. Replacing your incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lightbulbs) can save you $24 a year just in your kitchen (based on four light fixtures). Each CFL bulb saves about $6 per year in electricity, so if you have 30 bulbs in your home, that’s $180 per year in your pocket. CFLs produce 75 percent less heat than traditional incandescents, so your home will be cooler in the bargain.

Choose LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs for undercabinet light­ing to save even more money. They cost $25 to $200 per unit, but Energy Star ver­sions should last 22 years based on 3 hours of use per day. To find the right lightbulbs for your fixtures, check the results of our tests of LED, CFL and halogen lightbulbs.

Match your pots to your burners. You can save $36 a year for an electric range and $18 annually on gas by using the correct­ sized pot for cooking. A smaller pot will require less energy to heat its contents, something to remember next time you consider using a 10­-quart stockpot to heat up a package of peas. Also, keep those pots covered: You’ll cook more efficiently and keep the kitchen cooler.

Before replacing your cooking equipment, check the results of our tests of electric, gas, and pro-style ranges. We also test cooktops and wall ovens.

Look out for energy rebates. When making energy upgrades, including buying new appliances, it can pay to check the website of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (dsireusa.org). According to a recent survey, Consumer Reports readers saved about $150 with rebates alone.

Tighten your envelope. Time to replace your windows? You’ll save some $95 per year by installing windows with the Energy Star label. Proper, gap-­free installation is a must. Energy Star-qualified windows can help improve your comfort, cut drafts, and reduce fading of interior furnishings. See the windows that did best in our tests.

—Adapted from Consumer Reports’ Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The housing market continues to heat up, a point reinforced by today’s S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which showed the largest year-over-year gain since 2005. Also out today is Your New Home, a special issue from Consumer Reports aimed at anyone with a new place to live, from first-time buyers to downsizing empty-nesters. If your plan is to stay put and create a dream house out of the home you have, you’ll also find plenty of value in the new publication.
 
Your New Home is packed with hundreds of top-rated appliances, materials, and products from Consumer Reports’ tests. Wondering which matching washer/dryer pair is best for your new upper-floor laundry room? We’ve got the answer. Want to amp up your new abode’s curb appeal? We’ll show you which roofing and siding products combine value, looks, and performance. The 136-page color guide also includes smaller projects to help you personalize your home and add to its value.
 
You’ll find Your New Home at assorted retailers, bookstores, and in the Consumer Reports Bookstore.

—Daniel DiClerico 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Good news for cost-conscious consumers: Our latest tests of more than 250 refrigerators reveal an expanding array of options, including roomier models designed to keep food fresher and make it easier to organize. Innovations in refrigeration make today’s models not only more energy efficient but more convenient. Here are the features to look for when shopping for a new refrigerator.

Digital controls with temperature readouts. These are more precise than dial controls and can include readouts in degrees for the refrigerator and the freezer compartments.

LED lighting. LEDs take up less space than incandescent lightbulbs, use less energy, and can be placed to uniformly light the appliance’s interior.

Special shelves. Adjustable door bins and shelves move to create room to fit tall items. Elevator shelves let you crank them up and down without removing their contents. Pullout shelves or bins improve access to items stored. Split shelves allow you to adjust them to different heights independent of each other.

Drawers that control humidity. Crisper drawers are available in all but basic refrigerator models, some with controls that maintain optimum humidity levels. Some models also have temperature-controlled drawers that you can set cooler than the rest of the refrigerator. (You might want to keep meat, fish, and cold cuts at lower temperatures.) Some drawers can also chill or thaw their contents quickly.

Dual evaporators. This feature helps maintain optimum temperature and moisture levels in the fresh-food section. It also prevents food odors from migrating between the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

A convenient feature that often needs repairs
Through-the-door ice and water dispensers are included in some French-door models and almost all side-by-side refrigerators. It’s a major convenience with a drawback: Our latest reliability survey indicates that refrigerators with this handy feature require more repairs than those without it.

If you do have a water dispenser, you’ll need a filter to remove small particles or contaminants such as lead and chlorine, and impurities that cause bad tastes or odors. These have to be replaced periodically. You may also want to add a filter to the refrigerator’s water-supply line.

Top refrigerators from our tests

• French-door: LG LFX28991[ST], $2,800.
• Side-by-side: Samsung RS265TD[WP], $1,300.
• Bottom freezer: Whirlpool Gold GB2FHDXW[Q], $1,200.
• Top freezer: GE Profile PTS22LHS[WW], $1,400.
• Built-in: Thermador Freedom Collection T36BB820SS, $7,400.

—Adapted from Consumer Reports' Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The case of the smelly washing machines spun forward this week when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed class-action lawsuits against Whirlpool, Sears, and Bosch to continue. At issue is the buildup of mold and musty odors in front-loading washing machines. We’ll spare you the legalese but basically the court refused to hear appeals from the companies and let consumers have their day in court.

The lawsuits contend that front-loaders have a design flaw that causes them to accumulate mold. The Internet is awash with complaints about this problem. The good news is that some front-loading washers have features that help prevent mold, including a separate cycle specifically for washing the inside of the machine and a fan-dry setting that can aerate a still-wet load until you transfer it to the dryer.

Even if your front-loader lacks these updated features, there are things you can do to prevent mold such as running a hot-water wash alone or with some chlorine bleach. Here are some other tips from the experts at Consumer Reports.

• When washing, use warm or hot water unless a load requires cold.
• Wipe the door gasket and glass dry once you're done.
• Clean the detergent dispenser and any attachments once or twice a month.
• Run a dehumidifier if your laundry room is damp.
• Keep the washer door ajar between loads to allow air to circulate. If you have small children, keep the laundry-room door locked.
• If none of this works, call the manufacturer for service and save all mold-related paperwork, even after the warranty expires.
  

Top front-loaders. Front-loaders are popular with consumers because of their large capacities and low water usage. During the spin cycle they extract lots of water so the laundry needs less time in the dryer. In our tests, the Maytag Maxima XL MHW8000AG, $1,450, was our top front-loader followed by models from Kenmore, Samsung and Whirlpool.

Best top-loaders. Because of the mold issue, some consumers have gravitated toward high-efficiency top-loaders, which also eliminate the need to bend down to load and unload the machine. Our top HE top-loader is the LG WT1101CW, $700, followed by models from Samsung, GE, and Maytag.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

It’s not often that one brand takes the top spot across all versions of a type of appliance in Consumer Reports’ Ratings. But in our latest range tests, LG is the top-rated electric smoothtop range, top double-oven smoothtop range, top gas range, and top double-oven gas range. You won’t find LG in our Ratings of electric coil, induction, or pro-style ranges, but only because they don’t make them. Here’s a look at what put LG on top.
 
Single-oven smoothtop. Superb simmering and fast rangetop heat helped put the LG LRE3083SW electric smoothtop on top. It’s $1,000 and available in white, black, and stainless steel. Two of the four elements are high-powered—handy for quickly bringing water to a boil or when heating a big pot of chili. The large oven was impressive at baking and self-cleaning, and was one of the few to excel at broiling. Timesavers include the oven’s convection option and a steam-clean feature for light cleaning.

Double-oven smoothtop. Among double-oven electric smoothtop ranges, the LG LDE3037SB was the only one to ace all tests, and at $1,300, costs less than most top picks. A top smaller oven is paired with a larger oven below. Features include two high-power rangetop elements, convection in the lower oven, and steam-clean option. This range comes in stainless, black, and white.

Single-oven gas. Looking for ways to save time? You’ll pay about $1,900 for the LG LRG3097ST gas range in stainless steel. It has five burners, including two high-power, and convection. The warming drawer is handy for holding dinner for hungry teens or cooking for a crowd. Simmering was superb and baking and broiling were impressive, but as with many gas models it was mediocre in our tough oven self-cleaning tests. It’s also available in white and black.

Double-oven gas. The LG LDG3037ST gas range pairs a smaller oven on top with a larger oven below. The larger oven is relatively low to the floor so it's a little inconvenient to use the lowest rack, but baking was superb and broiling, impressive. This range was excellent at simmering, but like most gas models, range-top heat wasn't very fast and self-cleaning was only fair. There are five burners, including two high-power, and a convection option in the larger oven. The steam-clean option is in both ovens. This $1,900 range comes in stainless steel.

Our Ratings of dozens of ranges include a variety of brands and prices, including a recommended Kenmore coil top for $430 and a very fast Frigidaire induction range that’s $1,800. Take a look.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew 49983, $90, is two coffeemakers in one: A drip-style with a carafe on the left side, and a single-serve brewer on the right. But the unit’s carafe-warming plate poses a potential hazard, and Consumer Reports has judged this product a “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk.”

The FlexBrew’s drip-side warming plate is on and hot, about 400 degrees without the carafe, even when you are only using the single-serve function. So you could inadvertently burn yourself on the drip-side warming plate while reaching for your mug of single-serve coffee if the carafe is, say, in the sink, not on the warming plate. We think it’s reasonable for a consumer to expect that the warming plate is cold when it’s not being used.

We’re not alone in our concern. As part of our assessment, we studied online user reviews. In all, we looked at more than 200 reviews at major retailers’ sites, including Amazon, Best Buy, Overstock.com, Sam's Club, and Walmart. About 10 percent of these either voiced concern regarding the hot surface or thought it important enough to mention in their review. A review of the government’s Saferproducts.gov database showed no consumer complaints reported for this model.

Hamilton Beach appears to be aware of the burn risk. A label in front of the warming plate displays the word “HOT” and turns red when the machine is in use. Another warning—that the warming plate is hot when brewing on either the carafe or single-serve side—is printed inside the fresh-water reservoir lid. The manual for the product also includes warnings. But Consumer Reports does not believe that the label and manual warning sufficiently protect against the burn risk posed by this product when only the single-serve side is in use and the carafe is not in place. We have contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission to alert it to our findings, and the agency told us it is following up.

In response to Consumer Reports’ raising this safety issue, Hamilton Beach responded that of the more than 91,800 2-Way FlexBrew 49983 coffeemakers sold, the company has received no reports of burn injuries attributable to the model’s warming plate. The manufacturer also emphasized its confidence in the safety of its product and said it had placed warning labels out of an abundance of caution. But should anyone wish a refund or an exchange for a product of equivalent value, Hamilton Beach says it will honor such requests.

We’ve tested other dual-use coffeemakers, but no currently Rated model heats up its warming plate when you’re not using the carafe side. That includes a dual-use machine from the same maker: the Hamilton Beach The Scoop 2-Way Brewer 49980, $80, which has a carafe side and a “to go” side that dispenses into a travel mug. The carafe’s warming plate does not heat up when you’re using the “to go” side, and the machine was a very good performer overall.

If you own the Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew 49983, we advise you to consider asking for a refund or exchange as the manufacturer has offered.

—Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

While snow blowers and shovels are pretty simple to use, as with so many other products, choosing the right one from among the myriad choices can be confusing. The same thing goes for ice melt, also known as rock salt, snow melt, deicer, and a few other monikers. That’s where the Consumer Reports ice-melt guide will come in handy. Based on input from experts nationwide, we’ll help you figure out which product to buy for deicing all around you house, keeping your family and pets safe without damaging your driveway, walkways, steps, and even your yard.

We looked at widely sold ice melts: calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride (rock salt), and urea (carbonyl diamide). Home centers, hardware stores, supermarkets, and other retailers carry some or all of these ice melts, and you’ll also find them at specialty stores—pet stores, in particular—and online. You can use most of them at home, though calcium magnesium acetate is intended only for heavy-duty commercial use. As you’ll see in our ice-melt comparison, there are pros and cons to each. (Download a PDF of the chart.)

One thing to keep in mind: Based on winter 2013-14, which has seen widespread shortages of ice melt at big-box stores in many regions and at online retailers—have you visited a Home Depot or Lowe's or checked Amazon lately?—you'd be wise to stock up. Store unused deicer in an airtight container or heavy-duty trash can out of reach of children and pets.

(Watch our snow blower and snow shovel buying guide videos.)

Step 1: Get rid of the snow

Clear any snow accumulations using a shovel or snow blower.

Step 2: Apply it right

If you have one, use a wheeled or handheld spreader to ensure that you apply ice melt ice melt in a thin, even layer. (Rinse the spreader between uses.) Otherwise, sprinkle it on using a cup or by hand. Always wear gloves if applying by hand. If you apply too much in an area, spread it out with a broom or flush it with water.

Ice melts work by breaking the pavement-ice bond so the ice can easily be removed. Some experts recommend that you apply the ice melt before a storm. 

Step 3: Protect surfaces

Most of the damage to paved surfaces is caused by using too much ice melt and, especially for concrete, the freeze/thaw cycle that they’re subjected to. So follow the application amount on product packaging. If you're concerned about surface damage and want to increase traction on your driveway or walkways, consider other options, such as kitty litter, sand, or sawdust.

Some ice melts can truly damage paved surfaces, says T. Carter Ross, ‎vice president for communications at the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

Magnesium in any form (PDF), especially magnesium chloride, is very damaging to concrete, and concrete can become unstable after the corrosiveness in chloride-based ice melts eats away at the rebar. Similarly, acetate ice melts can cause asphalt pavements to strip easily, breaking the bond between the aggregate and the asphalt binder.

Tips:

• Never use an ice melt on concrete that’s less than 12 months old because newly poured concrete needs time to cure and settle. Applying an ice melt can weaken the concrete and make it more susceptible to future damage. Opt for sand or gravel to add traction.
• Avoid spreading ice melt around plants and getting it on your lawn. You can try to save plants or grass by soaking the affected area with 1-inch applications of water three to four times in the spring or replacing the soil in a small bed, adcording to Margaret Hagen, agricultural field specialist at the University of New Hampshire’s Cooperative Extension.

Step 4: Protect your family

If your child ingests ice melt, don’t force her to vomit, says Miguel Fernández, M.D., a professor of emergency medicine at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio and medical director of the South Texas Poison Center. “Whatever is noxious going in, could be noxious coming up,” he said. Instead, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers (800-222-1222) before visiting the ER because they’re equipped to handle these exposures.

Step 5: Protect your pets

Always wipe your dog’s paws with a moist towel after walking outside on snowy days, says Louise Murray, D.V.M., vice president of the ASPCA Animal Hospital. Trim the hair between the dog’s toes to reduce mineral collection, or put doggie booties on all four paws as extra protection.

Don’t let your dog lick ice melt or drink from puddles or slush pools when its outside. Even very limited amounts of 100 percent sodium chloride can be lethal to dogs.

Consider using a salt-free ice melt, such as Safe Paws or Morton Safe-T-Pet. But even those products could cause issues. “People are better off using these, but just saying it’s ‘pet safe’ doesn’t guarantee anything,” Murray said. Even urea (carbonyl diamide), which is considered safe—and is an ingredient in Morton Safe-T-Pet and a modified ingredient in Safe Paws—can cause drooling and vomiting if ingested. Purchase an ice melt with colored pellets or granules to make it easier to identify in the snow.

If your pet ingests ice melt, contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680; $39 per incident), or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435; $65 per incident).

—Kaitlyn Wells

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Of course you want a countertop that looks good on the day it’s installed—but it should look just as good five years later. Before you buy, visit friends and note how their countertops have held up. Then think about your tolerance for stains and other signs of wear and tear. In addition to the obvious differences in appearance, Consumer Reports countertop tests found huge variations in performance among granite, limestone, marble, quartz, and soapstone. Some can take lots of abuse, and others need lots of TLC.

In our countertop tests, there was little difference among competing brands of each type of material, with the exception of recycled glass. That’s why we rate materials, not brands. Quartz, which doesn’t need sealing, was the clear winner, followed by granite, which does. Marble counters, on the other hand, were not as stain-resistant, scratched easily, and need to be resealed periodically to help ward off stains. Here are a few simple steps to keep your counters looking better, longer.

Pick the right professional. To be sure your contractor’s countertops stand the test of time, check references from jobs completed at least a year or two ago. That is especially crucial for concrete counters because most are made from scratch. To guarantee installation according to warranty standards, select a manufacturer-certified installer. Otherwise, the manufacturer might not cover the work if you have a problem.

Seal the surface. Stone, concrete, butcher block, and the grout between tiles require sealing and periodic resealing to resist stains. Put a few drops of water on stone that’s near the sink or another high-use area and let it stand for 15 minutes. If the water doesn’t stay in a bead, it’s time to reseal it.

Act fast. Clean stains as they happen and before they have a chance to set—even on stain-resistant materials. Follow care instructions; not doing so could void the warranty. Cut only on cutting boards. Taking a little extra time can keep your counters looking good.

—Adapted from Consumer Reports’ Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

More than almost anything else, a mortgage seems to put the “personal” in personal finance. There’s plenty of emotion and psychology surrounding the loan that secures the primary asset for many Americans. About half of older Americans still have a mortgage, according to the most recent Survey of Consumer Finances conducted by the Federal Reserve.

But the Internet teems with stories, often filled with exclamation points, from younger mortgage holders, vowing to pay off their loans aggressively, lest they repeat the sins of homeowners a decade ago and find themselves owing more than their property is worth.

Add to that urge a dollop of moral imperative. Isn’t debt, after all, what got this country in so much trouble recently? And isn’t a mortgage almost always the largest debt on one’s books? For those with the savings, writing one large but final check is an enticing way to relieve any anxiety of possibly not being able to make payments in future years.

The impulse to pay off your mortgage, especially in one fell swoop, often arises from an urge to simplify your financial life. There is irony in this, since the emotional dimension can complicate what should be a straightforward decision. After all, for a fixed-rate mortgage—the most popular way to finance a primary home purchase—the math couldn’t be clearer: The amortization schedule is the same today as when the first mortgage payment was made. You, the borrower, write a check for the same amount every month. As the years go by, the interest payments decrease and more of that monthly check is applied to the principal.

So why wait? Well, for a start, many—though far from all—financial advisers counsel against prepaying a mortgage. Although we enumerate the disadvantages below, they’re all intertwined.

• Less liquidity. By keeping your mortgage, and the cash you might have used to retire it, you’re creating a better personal balance sheet. Yes, it will be one with another liability (your mortgage) but also one with more in assets (cash). By eliminating your mortgage with the cash, you also limit your ability to address an unexpected expense or investment opportunity.

• Borrowing costs. If you decide to borrow against your paid-off home in the future, perhaps by taking out a new mortgage, it could very well end up costing much more. Interest rates, already at record lows for more than four years, are likely to go higher in the years ahead. A rise in interest rates from January’s 4.5 percent for a 30-year $200,000 mortgage by just one percentage point will result in a monthly payment that’s $128 more. And other forms of borrowing, such as home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, generally charge higher interest rates than traditional mortgages. Also, credit standards are much tighter than they were before the housing collapse that began in 2006. Ten years ago you could easily get financing with a FICO score in the mid-600s. Today the average score for completed mortgage loans is 732, according to the mortgage-technology firm Ellie Mae. If you need to tap home equity during your retirement, your credit score and income profile might be quite different from what it was in your preretirement years.

• Opportunity costs. Even if you consider your home as an investment, albeit an illiquid one, the long-term increase in residential real-estate values trails those of other traditional portfolio investments. For example, the historic returns on real estate have been less than that of stocks (not to mention investment-grade bonds, after the 1970s). Even before the housing bubble and subsequent crisis, home prices nationwide rose about 6 percent annually from 1975 though 2002, compared with a return of 14 percent for stocks. Putting that money to work in your brokerage account means that it’s more likely to outperform your home’s increase in value in 10 years.  

• Inflation hedge. You’ll be making payments on your current mortgage in future dollars, which will actually cost you less in real dollars in the years ahead. So, for example, if there’s an annual inflation rate of just 2 percent during the next 15 years, the last payment of $1,000 on a new 15-year fixed-rate mortgage will only “cost” $743 in today’s dollars.

• Taxes. Those who are near retirement are more likely to be paying less in mortgage interest—possibly so little that, barring other deductions, the mortgage interest and other itemized deductions are no longer more than the standard deduction. (Less than half of all borrowers use the mortgage-interest deduction, according to an analysis by the Pew Charitable Trust.) But if you live in areas where home prices are significantly higher than the national median ($196,200, according to the National Association of Realtors), you’ll still be making interest payments that will exceed the standard deduction until about the 23rd year of a 30-year mortgage, and likely getting the tax advantage that comes with it.

And more taxes

Have you maxed out your retirement contributions? The money you might tap to pay off your mortgage could instead be used to max out your tax-advantaged plans. This year individuals ages 50 and older can contribute $23,000 to a 401(k) plan and $6,500 to an IRA. For savers in the 25 percent federal tax bracket, contributing the maximum results in an extra $5,750 and $1,625, respectively, to grow unencumbered by federal taxes.

And the tax savings may compensate for those mortgage interest payments. We compared what would happen in two situations. In the first, a couple writes a $46,000 check to pay off the last four years of their $980 monthly mortgage payment, thereby saving $6,000 in interest. In the second, the couple continues to make their payments as scheduled and instead invests that $46,000 in their 401(k) accounts.

Since opposites attract, we had one spouse invest significantly more conservatively than the other. It turns out that asset allocation might influence your decision about whether or not to pay off a mortgage. After four years, the conservative spouse investing in a CD will have only about $2,000 in interest income to show for his $23,000. But the more aggressive partner who manages an 8 percent return will have earned $8,300.

So for extra-conservative investors—those who have two-thirds or more of their holdings in low-risk investments, such as cash and investment-grade bonds and bond funds—paying off a mortgage quicker might be the smarter move, since they most likely won’t realize a gain that’s in excess of the 3 or 4 percent interest rate that they’re paying on the mortgage. But for most investors, the reasons to stick with their mortgage loan make more sense in the long run.

Apart from the other disadvantages of prepaying a conventional mortgage, we think that a reverse mortgage should be a last resort for the cash-strapped. An extra layer of fees makes those compounding loans one of the more expensive ways to tap your home equity. And new rules from the Federal Housing Administration have made them more difficult to obtain. Prospective borrowers, who must be 62 or older, now must demonstrate that they will be able to cover the property taxes, insurance, and other costs of maintaining the residence.

Even if you still qualify for a reverse mortgage under the new, stricter guidelines, see if there are other less costly financing options first. Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, recommends looking into local government grants or an interfamily loan, where other family members advance the homeowner money and use the property as collateral. In essence, the latter would be a “private reverse mortgage,” allowing you to keep the home in the family.

This article also appeared in the March 2014 issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

You might think that because you faithfully compare prices online before buying, download coupons to your phone, and watch for deep discounts on yesterday's inventory as new models appear in stores, you're getting the best deals you possibly can.

Still, deep discounts for some products go by the calendar. Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have compiled a list of items that are typically discounted most deeply in March. 

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

—Mandy Walker

Digital cameras have better lenses than smart phones or tablets, which means they produce sharper pictures, especially in low lighting or when taking zoom shots. (Check out 5 reasons digital cameras leave smart-phone phototgraphy in the dust for more details.)

But buying a digital camera can be confusing. There are hundreds of cameras available at many different types of retail outlets (online and in traditional stores), with prices ranging from $75 to several thousand dollars. Some cameras are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Others are large and can weigh up to two pounds. Some are easy to use. Others look like you need an engineering degree to operate them.  

Check our digital camera buying guide and Ratings.

Scratchy throats and itchy eyes from dry winter air help put humidifiers on about 10 million shopping lists each year. Our top picks start at just $40 and include the Cow model from Crane (shown) and other flights of fancy.

Ideally, indoor humidity should be 30 to 50 percent. But without humidification, that level can drop to 10 percent in cold weather, because cold air holds less moisture and dries even more as it's heated. But our tests show that some models do little humidifying and could soak you with added costs.

Check our humidifer buying guide and Ratings to find the right model.  

If you are in the market for smaller consumer electronics such as an MP3 player, Blu-ray or streaming media player, or a home theater system, you should find some good savings this month.

Before you hit the stores, check out our shopping tips in our MP3 player reviews , buying guide, and Ratings. We've also got a buying guide for Blu-ray players and streaming media players and services, and one for home theater systems and sound bars. Check our Blu-ray player Ratings, streaming media player Ratings, and home theater systems and sound bars Ratings.

To get the deepest discounts on winter gear, make sure you time it right, say the editors at Shop Smart magazine. Kohl's fans, for example, should check out the "Gold Star Clearance" racks, where prices are slashed up to 80 percent on weekend nights. Every Wednesday, shoppers who are 60 years old and older get an extra 15 percent off.

At Target, women's clothing is generally marked down on Tuesdays, men's on Wednesday, and kids' on Mondays. Markdowns at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx usually happen on Wednesday.

With TV prices falling this time of year, you may be tempted to purchase a leftover 2013 set if you can get it at a significant discount. This can make a lot of sense—unless you're considering an Ultra HD (UHD) TV, which may not contain several new key features that will be included on 2014 sets. If you're considering a leftover 2013 UHD TV, we suggest asking the retailer or manufacturer whether the TV will be able to be updated to support these new features; some sets introduced at the end of last year can be upgraded to these new specs, but many cannot. (For more on UHD and OLED models from our test labs, see the video below.)

Our TV buying guide will fill you in on some shopping tips for all kind of sets. Check our TV Ratings to find find good choices in different size and price ranges.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

If your cell phone rings just once, don't simply call back an unfamiliar number. It could be a costly scam.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are warning about a nationwide rise in the so-called one-ring cell phone scam. 

It works like this: Scammers auto dial cell phone numbers at random, letting the phones ring just once before hanging up. They hope that would-be victims, being curious or believing the call was cut off, will call back. When they do, they hear a message telling them they've reached an operator and directing them to hold. In some cases the calls go to adult entertainment or other expensive services. While the victims wait, they're hit with expensive per-minute charges.

The calls have three-digit area codes that seem as though they belong to the U.S., although they're actually from other countries, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, and Grenada. The area codes include 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, and 876.

The Washington State attorney general reported that victims were charged $19.95 for an international call and nine dollars a minute.

To avoid being ripped off, don't automatically call back a number you don't recognize. Wait for the person to call back or use a web search to see whether you can get more information about the number, including the location of the area code. Carefully check your phone bill. Look for small amounts: scammers sometimes charge just a few dollars, hoping victims won't notice. Report any unexpected charges to your carrier.

— Anthony Giorgianni

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The following medical devices can warn you of health dangers, offer reassurance, and help you monitor chronic conditions that vary from day to day. Here’s a roundup of top health products, from Consumer Reports' expert testing.

Thermometers

Fever thermometers should be easy to use and comfortable for kids. That’s why our recent tests of fever thermometers measured accuracy and included comments from children about their comfort level with each model. The Vicks V977 is a Consumer Reports Best Buy. The Exergen TemporalScanner TAT-2000C is recommended.  

Blood pressure monitors

They’re essential for people with hypertension because blood pressure can vary throughout the day. That’s why frequent self-testing reveals far more about your blood pressure than occasional readings at your doctor’s office. In fact, between 30 percent and 40 percent of people with high blood pressure have ‘‘white-coat hypertension,’’ or elevated levels when health care professionals test them but not when they check themselves at home. Conversely, 5 percent of people who have normal pressure at the doctor’s office have higher “pre-hypertension,” or borderline levels, at home, a condition called “masked hypertension,” according to a recent study in PLoS Medicine.

Either way, home blood pressure monitors help patients and physicians decipher what’s really happening so they can weigh the best treatment options, from lifestyle changes to drug treatment. In our tests, the CVS Premium BP3MV1-3WCVS is a CR Best Buy. The Omron 10 Series BP785 is Recommended.

Blood glucose meters

Monitoring your blood sugar levels can be particularly important for people taking insulin or diabetes medication, anyone having difficulty controlling their diabetes, and women with gestational diabetes. Blood glucose meters can help you adjust your diet, exercise routine, and treatment plan as sugar levels fluctuate. Those steps can help lower the risk of complications from diabetes including seizures, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage. The models we tested were smaller, faster, and loaded with more features than ever before. In our tests, the Accu-Chek Aviva is Recommended. The Up & Up Blood Glucose meter is a CR Best Buy.

Scales

How much do you weigh? An honest answer demands an accurate bathroom scale. We tested 9 digital, and 2 analog models. All could handle a maximum weight of at least 300 pounds. In our tests, the Taylor 7506 is Recommended.

—Doug Podolsky

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.