A battery-powered string trimmer that has the oomph of a gas model is worth a look on that basis alone. Factor in that you can swap a blower, edger, or cultivator with the trimming head of the Ryobi RY40220, and it seems like a Home Depot deal that keeps getting better. But based on Consumer Reports' first look, this machine’s attraction depends largely on what you need from your outdoor power equipment—and how much green you’re willing to shell out for green gear.

While we haven’t expected cordless string trimmers to rival any but the lightest-duty gas-powered models, the Ryobi RY40220 is a head-turner. In limited testing in tall grass and weeds, its 40-volt lithium-ion battery and dual .08-inch lines appear to rival the power of midrange gas models such as the $100 Craftsman 71102, Craftsman 79102, and the Troy-Bilt TB22 EC. We also liked the Ryobi's bump-feed head, which allows for easy reloading without the need to remove the spool. One caveat is the Ryobi's weight, upward of 11 pounds, which is heavier than most battery-powered string trimmers in our string trimmer tests.

If you already have a Ryobi 40V battery and charger, the straight-shaft Ryobi RY40220 costs only about $100 online, about what you’d pay for a comparable gas model. But because the product line is fairly new, you're more likely to pay $180 at Home Depot for the total package with battery and charger, pricier than most of our recommended gas-powered trimmers but in line with most other cordless trimmers.

Choose attachments, and the price of your collection goes up. A curved-shaft trimmer attachment, the Ryobi RY15525, costs about $35. Curved-shaft trimmers tend to be lighter and easier to handle. A straight-shaft edger, the Ryobi RY15518, costs about $75 alone but is also sold online as a package with the trimmer (plus battery and charger) for about $240. A cultivator, the $90 Ryobi RY15550, should do for light garden weeding. But we’re less confident about the blower attachment, the $50 Ryobi RY15519, whose fan seems too small for anything more than clearing debris off your deck or walk.

Gotta go green? At first blush, this seems like a reasonable way to go. But a similarly priced gas-powered trimmer that scores well for edging in our tests, such as the above Craftsman and Troy-Bilt models, would cost $140 less than the Ryobi trimmer and edger. You can go a paler shade of green with a gas trimmer teamed up with a high-performing corded leaf blower such as the Toro Ultra Blower Vac 51609, which costs $25 more than the $50 Ryobi attachment but makes short work of leaf piles as well as debris. Check out our buying guides and Ratings for both string trimmers and leaf blowers before you shop.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

Warmer weather means more time in your yard—and, too often, time wasted dealing with mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, and other power equipment that won’t start or doesn’t cut it. Here are some tips from the experts at Consumer Reports that will get your gear ready for the long, hot summer.
 
Sharpen the blades. Mower blades should slice grass, rather than tearing it, which looks ugly and can invite lawn disease. Blades typically need sharpening once a month. You can do it yourself with a special file or grinding wheel after removing the blade. Got a lawn tractor or rider? Drive it up onto auto ramps so you can safely get under it and sharpen the blades on the machine. You can also have mowers and other tools professionally sharpened (about $10), including chain saws, which take more finesse. You’ll know a chain saw is dull when it saws more slowly and leaves powder instead of chunks as it cuts.
Quick tip. Save time by having an extra mower blade or saw chain on hand that’s pre-sharpened and ready to go.
 
Tune up the engine. Most mowers and other power tools have one, easy-to-reach spark plug. Change it each year using a spark-plug socket. Typically, mowers and tractors have a paper air filter that drops in like the one in your car; drop in a new one each mowing season. Chain saws, trimmers, and other handheld tools typically have a fabric screen you simply brush off with an old toothbrush. Most tractors and riders also have a fuel filter: Simply loosen the clamps, pull out the old filter, and clamp in a new one.
Quick tip. New spark plugs come with the correct gap right out of the box so just make sure you buy the right one.
 
Freshen the fuel. Gasoline can go bad in as little as a few weeks—and bad fuel is the culprit behind most no-start situations, followed by a fouled spark plug. Unless you’ve added a fuel stabilizer to last season’s fuel, start with fresh gasoline and some stabilizer, which should keep it fresh for up to a year.
Quick tip. Ethanol in fuel can harm small engines. While pre-mixed, ethanol-free fuel is pricey (about $8 to $10 per gallon at a marina or $6 to $8 per quart at a home center), it may be worth it for trimmers and other handheld power tools, which use less fuel than mowers.
 
Oil it up. Today’s mowers and tractors have four-stroke engines with a separate oil reservoir like the one in your car. If you didn’t change the oil at the end of the last mowing season, now’s the time. A 10W-30 or straight-30 weight oil is typical for summer; check the owner’s manual to be sure. Chain saws, trimmers, and other handheld tools (and some older mowers) have two-stroke engines, which typically use one part two-stroke oil to 40 or 50 parts gasoline.
Quick tip. Check the dipstick on four-stroke mowers and tractors after each mowing, and top off if the level is low. Don’t overfill, or you could get air bubbles (and subpar lubrication). For two-stroke tools, we suggest buying premixed fuel. Make sure you get the correct mix for your machine—40:1 or 50:1.
 
Load up your string trimmer. Plastic string-trimmer line tends to become brittle as it ages. Some models take a pre-filled spool of line. And most now accept aftermarket quick-load trimmer heads where you simply thread in a new length of line as the old one wears down. Check the manual for the right thickness, typically given in fractions of an inch (.080 and .095 are common sizes).
Quick tip. Before whacking away at your weeds, give the trimmer head a quick soak in a bucket of water to lubricate the line. And use the manual line-release on auto-feed trimmers if the line isn’t feeding out on its own.

—Bob Markovich

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

Bridal registries have gotten a lot more creative these days, with couples asking for contributions to honeymoons, home renovations, and even gifts to charity. But the most popular registry items continue to be such practical items as cookware, small appliances, and other kitchen gear, says Anja Winikka, site director for TheKnot.com. She reports that friends typically spend about $80 on a wedding gift while relatives spend about $150. Fortunately, Consumer Reports has tested many outstanding products with prices in that sweet spot—and lower. Here are some to consider whether you’re giving the gift or getting it.
 
Mixer
The KitchenAid Classic K45SS[WH] stand mixer is a perennial item on wedding registries but it costs $200. For half that, you can get our top-rated hand mixer, the KitchenAid KHM926, which comes in bright red among other colors. It was a whiz at whipping and mixing and  scored points for versatility, thanks to its dough hooks, whisk attachment, and liquid blending rod, which is designed to blend soups, smoothies, and more.

Frying pan
If there’s one pan to have, it’s the Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch Omelette Pan, a CR Best Buy at $40. Eggs slid out of the pan with ease and it was superb at evenly heating food. It’s simple to clean and stood up to our tough durability test. The frying pan can be bought separately or as part of the 10-piece Calphalon Simply Nonstick set, which costs $200 and is a CR Best Buy.

Coffeemaker
Pod coffeemakers are selling like hot cakes and offer the advantage of letting everyone make their favorite brew. Our top-rated pod machine is the DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T, $130, which earned excellent scores for brewing speed of the first and subsequent cups—meaning no wait for the water to heat. It was also consistent at filling the cups to the same level and keeping a steady temperature.

Combination blender/food chopper
At $60, the Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004 can satisfy all your blending and chopping needs. As a blender, it aced our icy drink, smoothie, and puréeing tests. And as a food chopper, it topped our cheese grating test and was very good at chopping nuts and vegetables. The Ninja features a top-mounted motor and comes with containers in different sizes.

Toaster oven
The Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P, $150, is a good choice for smaller meals. It looks fairly basic from the outside, but its quartz and ceramic heating elements are claimed to cook more efficiently than conventional coil-heated ovens and don’t require any time for preheating. Corn muffins and frozen pizza came out nicely in our tests, and it's a capable toaster as well.

Toaster
The Calphalon Stainless Steel 2-Slot HE200ST, $60, popped to the top of our toaster tests. Its ability to turn out evenly browned toast, batch after batch, was unsurpassed by the competition. It was particularly good at toasting at a range of intensities—ideal for folks with different preferences—and did a good job on a single slice too.  Special features include settings for bagels, warming and reheating, and defrosting. 

Microwave
The Sharp R-323TKC, $140, is another cooking convenience. Easy to use, the Sharp was among the fastest to heat water, and is relatively quiet when on high. A very good performer overall, it offers superb defrosting and very good heating evenness.

—Consumer Reports

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

Compared to Mother’s Day, gift-giving on Father’s Day is barely a blip on the retail radar. Many Dads are lucky enough to get a card although some might rate an afternoon at the ballpark. In the middle are the men who get such “guy gifts” as power tools and outdoor power equipment. And that’s where Consumer Reports comes in. Our tests of gas grills, lawn equipment, and other gear found some top-performing models that will help Dad—and you—speed through outdoor chores.

Lawn mowers. Electric mowers do away with the fuss of changing the gas and oil. Cord and cordless models start with push-button ease, produce no exhaust emissions, and require little upkeep beyond blade sharpening. The Black & Decker MM875, $240, is the electric to buy if capable cutting and a low price are worth the added hassle of a power cord. This 19-inch mower mulched and bagged impressively in our tests.
 
String trimmers. Whacking weeds with the Stihl FS 38, $130, is a breeze. The Stihl was a champ at defeating tall grass and left a beautiful edge along the sidewalk in our tests. Models from Husqvarna and Echo did almost as well.

Leaf blowers. Three Toros top our tests of electric leaf blowers including the top-rated Toro Ultra Blower Vac 51609, $75. This recently updated and long-time Ratings champ is still going strong, with superb sweeping and vacuuming and impressive loosening of embedded leaves and other debris. And neighbors hearing it from a distance shouldn't have much to complain about although we still recommend hearing protection for the operator.

Gas grills. Consider your Dad’s grilling style before buying a new gas grill. Is he the life of the party making burgers for a crowd? Is he a tailgater or is he just a fair-weather barbecue fan. Mid-sized grills are the most popular size and our top grill of that size is the Weber Spirit SP-320, $600. To go bigger, look at the Master Forge 3218LTN, $650, sold at Lowe’s, which can accommodate 30 burgers or more. If father is a football fan, consider the portable Weber Q 2200, $250.

Chain saws. Gas-powered chain saws are the best for cutting speed. Our top-rated model is the Stihl MS 180 C-BE, $230, which is also a CR Best Buy. At 11 pounds it was easy to start and manipulate. But if you want to stick with a non-gas model, try the corded electric Worx WG303.1, $100, which has very good cutting speed although not quite as macho as the Stihl.

Cordless drills. The Hitachi DS18DSAL, $170, a CR Best Buy, is an 18-volt drill that’s nearly as fast and powerful as heavy-duty models yet weighs just 3.4 pounds. For a more serious handyman consider the tougher Makita BHP454, $280, which has loads of speed, power, and run time. This relatively light, heavy-duty drill is perfect for decks and other big jobs.

—Consumer Reports

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

Summer’s insects can be more than annoying—they can also make you sick. Ticks carry Lyme disease and mosquitoes spread serious illnesses such as West Nile virus. Bill Gates has even declared the mosquito to be "the deadliest animal in the world" because it spreads malaria, which is linked to more than 700,000 deaths a year. While few of those deaths occur in the U.S., several other tropical, mosquito-borne diseases are heading this way, including dengue fever and a new worry this year, Chikungunya virus, or ChikV. It's now in the Caribbean and can cause fever, severe joint pain, and a crippling arthritis.

So how do you keep the bugs from biting? Our tests over the years have found that certain insect repellents, especially those with the chemical deet, can help keep mosquitoes and ticks away. But our safety experts worry that the products might pose risks to people and the environment.

“Deet and other chemical-based repellents should be used only if other safer methods don’t work for you,” Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., executive director of the Consumer Reports Food Safety & Sustainability Center, said. “People should first try safer ways of avoiding bugs, such as wearing protective clothing and avoiding scented products when outdoors.”

Here are 15 expert tips on keeping the bugs away without dousing yourself in potentially dangerous chemicals.  

For mosquitoes

• Stay inside or in screened-in areas during mosquito hours. The bugs like to come out during sunrise and sunset, and in early evening.
• Cover up. During mosquito heavy hours, put on long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes.
• Plug in a fan. It will help you keep cool and keep mosquitoes from landing on you when you’re outside on your deck or patio because the insects are not very efficient flyers, even in wind speeds of as low as 5 mph.
• Buy outdoor LED or yellow bug lights. Use them on your porch and around your house because they won’t attract pests like other lights might. (Read our light bulb buying guide.)
  
• Light citronella candles or tiki torches. These standbys work as mild insect repellents.
• Keep mosquitoes from breeding in your yard. Dump out any water-filled containers, such as birdbaths, tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools. Clear away decaying leaves and ivy on buildings and on the ground, because mosquitoes like cool, dark places to rest during the day.  

For ticks

• Wear light-colored clothes. They can help you spot ticks. Also stick with long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck your pants into socks, wear boots, and pull your hair back into a hat.
• Check your clothes and skin for ticks when you get inside. They have to be on you for at least 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Even if you see no ticks, it’s smart to shower and wash your clothes, or at least toss them into a dryer to kill any ticks.
• Inspect pets, too. Always examine your animals for ticks after they come into the house from being outside.
• Keep your lawn mowed. And try to let as much sun into your yard as possible. Ticks prefer long grasses and shady spots. (Read our lawn mower buying guide.)
  
• Consider putting up a fence. One way to keep the ticks away is to prevent deer and other large animals that can carry them from wandering around on your property.

For both pests

• Try a plant-based repellent first. Examples include Repel Lemon Eucalyptus (which has a synthetic version of a naturally occurring chemical) and Natrapel or other products that contain 20 percent picaridin (a chemical similar to a compound in black pepper). In our 2010 tests (Ratings appear below), both worked for at least 7 hours, though the Repel product has since been reformulated with less of the active ingredient and so no longer appears in our Ratings chart. The risk of side effects for both is low, but the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says not to use the Repel product on kids younger than 3.
• When you use deet, keep levels low. If a product with 15 percent deet keeps bugs away for 8 hours or more, as our tests found, one with 98 percent deet has to be even better, right? Actually, no. Off Deep Woods Sportsmen mini pump spray (98 percent deet) is claimed to provide maximum-strength protection for up to 10 hours. But products with 95 percent or more deet have been linked with serious side effects, including seizures, slurred speech, and coma. It can also cause eye irritation and allergic reactions. Our experts recommend using no more than 30 percent deet, ever. If you’re, say, on an overnight camping trip and need long-term bug protection, reapply a product with 15 percent deet (such as Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry spray) and use it sparingly. Each application will protect you from mosquito and tick bites for at least 8 hours.
• Think twice about using deet if you’re in a high-risk group. Children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems should use deet only with extra caution. The American Academy of Pediatrics says not to use it at all on infants younger than 2 months.
• Apply repellents outdoors, and only to clothing or exposed skin. Wash repellents off before you go to bed, and wash clothes before you wear them again.

What not to do

These products either don’t work well or aren’t worth the risks:

• Products with more than 30 percent deet, such as Jungle Juice 100. The potential side effects aren’t worth it.
• Off Clip-on, a device that attaches to your waistband or belt and uses a fan to circulate a repellent around your body. The active ingredient, metofluthrin, can pose risks to your nervous system, and our tests found that it didn’t work very well anyway.
• Wristbands with repellent claims.
• Garlic or vitamin B1 pills.
• Devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away.
• Backyard bug zappers. (They might actually attract mosquitoes.)
• Also avoid tight clothes (which mosquitoes can penetrate), dark
  clothes (where ticks can hide), and strong scents, which may attract pests.   

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

To find out which countertop materials last and which don’t, Consumer Reports stained, sliced, scratched, scorched, and nicked 16 materials from leading brands. Except for recycled glass, there was little difference among competing brands of each material. That’s why we rate materials, not brands. When you shop, pick the material, then get the brand that offers the color or pattern you prefer at the best price. Here are more shopping tips from our experts.

Think big. Tiny samples make it difficult to visualize what the material will look like in your kitchen. Though you’ll want to play with online design tools, such as the ones at DuPont, Lowe’s, and Silestone, always see the materials in person and take home large samples, even if you have to pay for them.

Mix materials. There’s no rule that says all of your counters need to be the same. Save money by using pricey materials on visually prominent areas such as the island or peninsula and less expensive materials on the perimeter. Or consider buying a remnant if your island or counter area is small.

Get an edge. Rounded edges on stone counters are less likely to chip. Straight and beveled edges give a modern look, and an S-shaped ogee curve offers a traditional feel. Add an ogee or bullnose edge to laminate counters, and that unappealing dark line disappears. Certain edges add cost, so ask.

Wander the stone yard. Natural stone’s color and veining can vary widely even within a slab, so if you find the slab you like, reserve it. Otherwise it might be gone when you return.

Be precise. Have the fabricator take final measurements, making accuracy his responsibility. Insist that the estimate and contract specify the material’s thickness and finish, and fees for cutouts for sink, faucets, and cooktop, edge treatments, and cost of the backsplash and removal of old counters.

Factor in finishes. Granite and quartz are sold with polished or matte finishes. In our tests both finishes were about the same at resisting stains that were left to dry overnight. Granites with proprietary sealers, such as Stonemark, performed no better than regular granite. There were real differences in butcher block depending on the sealer used. Matte and random grain finishes conceal scratches better on stainless-steel counters than on polished ones, but fingerprints are a given.

The best countertops from our tests
In our countertop tests, quartz withstood almost everything—stains, hot pots, abrasive pads, and knives—and unlike granite, it doesn’t need to be resealed. Its combination of beauty, durability, and easy maintenance makes it a great choice for busy kitchens. Granite performed almost as well. Both materials are a bit pricey. Laminate is still the budget-friendly choice. Its looks have improved, thanks to better printing. But those aren’t your only countertop options. See our full countertop Ratings and recommendations.

—Kimberly Janeway

Sinks, faucets, and more. Planning a remodel? Check our Ratings of flooring, sinks, faucets and other materials. Also find the best large and small appliances from our tests in our Kitchen Planning Guide.

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

Not sure what gift to give your dad for Father's Day, or a member of the graduating class of 2014? The suggestions below should be appreciated by them all. Better yet, our market research analysts, who track product prices year-round, have found that these products are at their deepest discounts this month.

Before you buy a Father's Day or graduation gift, check out our shopping tips, buying guides, and ratings so you'll know what to look for when you head to the store.  

None of these items exactly what you had in mind? For your father, consider a copy of "Golfing with Dad: The Game's Greatest Players Reflect on Their Fathers and the Game They Love," on sale for about $16 on Amazon.com. The site also has a great price on the perfect book for graduates: "101 Things To Do With Ramen Noodles" ($8.99).

––Mandy Walker

Today's full-sized camcorders are smaller and more lightweight than previous models. If you think a more compact model is more appropriate, you have two options: a pocket camcorder or an action cam. There are fewer new pocket camcorders available these days. But in their place, you'll find action camcorders, such as GoPro's Hero line of camcorders. Such models are very small and lightweight, and they often have rugged bodies, which might suit a graduate who's heading abroad for a backpacking adventure.

Use our camcorder buying guide to discover which features make the most sense for the person on your list. We also have Ratings based on our lab tests, plus camcorder reviews to help you choose the best model at the right price.

Laptops and even all-in-one desktops continue to get thinner and lighter, which could be ideal for the dorm-room-bound scholar, or the dad who likes the sleakest designs. As you're shopping around, you'll find Ultrabooks, which are laptops with Intel-mandated standards for thinness, performance, and other features. You'll also find thinner and lighter laptops with AMD processors, such as HP's series of Sleekbooks. And with its latest all-in-one iMac, Apple offers a desktop computer that measures just under 0.2 inches thick at its edge.

For tips on getting the right model, read our buying guide. To see which computers did best in our lab tests, check out our Ratings.

Need to get some chairs, dressers, or bedside tables for the dorm room? Could Dad use a new easy chair? Furniture is on sale this month.

Where you shop makes a difference. Catalog retailers, for example, have been around for several years, sometimes as an adjunct to a chain of stores. Mass-market retailers, including Ikea, Levitz, Value City, and Walmart, tend to stress price. Expect a fairly limited fabric selection on upholstered furniture.

We can help you find the best furniture stores, and check out this interactive guide, which includes details on upholstered furniture, styles, and furniture-care tips (you might want to forward that last one on to your grad).

Want to know what else is on sale this month? Read 8 products on deep discount in June.

Stores cut prices on pots and pans now to attract shoppers looking for gifts for brides and grooms. You can take advantage of these price cuts for the dad who likes to cook, or a grad moving into his or her own apartment.  

Consider nonstick pans for grads; they're best for easy cleanup. Uncoated pans are your best choice for Dads who do a lot of browning and braising. For more shopping tips, see our cookware buying guide, and read our Ratings to find the brands and models that did best in our tough lab tests.

If your gift recipient would be interested in some smaller consumer electronics, such as an MP3 player, Blu-ray or streaming media player, or a home theater system, now is a great time to buy.

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.

Now is a great time to find deals on summer gear for the outdoor sport enthusiast. If you'd like to get your grad a new bike, remember safety and comfort are the two most important factors, and finding one that fits is essential. So in this case, you'll want to shop with your grad (or Dad) so he or she can give the bike a try.

Stop by a bike shop. You'll pay more, but we think you're more likely to be satisfied. We've found bikes from big-box stores aren't always properly assembled. If the pedals or seat on a particular model aren't right, some bike shops will swap components at little or no cost.

We've also got a bicycle helmet buying guide and Ratings of the helmets that did best in our lab tests. And check out our Ratings of activity trackers; there's also a behind-the-scenes look at our activity tracker lab tests in the video below. Plus, see our Ratings of pedometers to find the best models.  

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

Faster cycles and an arsenal of grime-­fighting features help the latest dishwashers handle surprise guests and impromptu parties. Consumer Reports' latest tests of more than 90 dishwashers show that some do their work much less noisily, a plus for open kitchens. But you can also pay a lot and get a middling machine. Here’s how to navigate the options:

Speedier cleaning. Most normal cycles take at least 125 minutes. At 85 minutes, the Blomberg DWT54100SS, $750, is among the fastest we’ve tested and just missed our recommended list. A better bet: the Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, which was quieter, took only 10 minutes longer and costs $20 less. You can also pay $2,700 for the Miele Futura Diamond G5975SCSF and get a 50-minute express cycle—though less-than-stellar washing.

Quieter running. Less noise ranks right up there with washing performance, space, and speed on shoppers’ wish lists. Most of our top dishwashers proved reasonably quiet in our sound-level tests. The top-rated Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,350, is one of five on our winners list that’s exceptionally quiet. It also aced our washing and energy tests and holds 12 place settings. And as with our other picks, you can load it before dessert and set it to start after the party’s over.

A better way with spray. The best dishwashers should free you from hand-scraping and prerinsing, which slurps up more than 4,000 gallons of water per household each year. The GE Profile PDT750SSFSS, $1,100, has water jets designed for bottles. It’s a top performer. But the side without the jets washed bottles almost as well in a similarly equipped model. We also tested the Storm Wash feature on the Samsung DW80F 800UWS, $800, which sprays extra water on heavily soiled items. It worked well, though a poor ranking in our reliability surveys helped keep that model out of our picks.

Our advice for after-party messes: Choose the $1,200 Kenmore Elite 12783, which washes impressively and has a jet-spray “turbo zone” that worked well. Or opt for the Kenmore Elite 12793, which has a motorized spray arm that keeps moving—and spraying—if something blocks its path.

For full Ratings and recommendations of scores of dishwashers see our dishwasher buying guide.

—Ed Perratore

More appliance Ratings. To find the results of our tests of refrigerators, ranges, and more see our Kitchen Planning Guide. You can also find flooring and countertops that stand up to years of wear and tear.

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

Hiring the right kitchen contractor is arguably the most important decision you’ll make, especially on major remodels. While most home contractors out there are legitimate and do quality work, the rogues gallery of bogus builders, careless carpenters, and plundering plumbers is a vast one. Here are the rules to live by:

Don’t rely solely on user reviews. Online ratings services of pros can be convenient, but they’re not always impartial. For example, contractors on Angie’s List who buy advertising get increased exposure. For the site Porch, reviews are selected for posting by the professionals themselves.

Do use word of mouth. It’s always the best way to find reputable pros. If possible, inspect past projects in person to see how the work is holding up. And check the Better Business Bureau and your state’s attorney general’s office for complaints before making your pick.

Don’t fall for the lowball. Even if he’s not playing fast and loose, a contractor who underestimates project costs will have to make up the difference elsewhere—maybe on the installation.

Do shop around. Interview multiple contractors to gauge the going rate for your project. That will also help you find someone with whom you’ll have good rapport and communication.

Don’t allow for  “allowances.” Those are open-ended amounts in the contract that could end up blowing the budget. Once the work is under way, stick to the terms.

Do get everything in writing. The contract should include a complete description of the project, all associated costs, and a target completion date.

Don’t apply for your own permits. That is the job of the contractor. If he asks you, it could be a sign that he’s in poor standing with the local building department.

Do check the paperwork. That includes up-to-date license and insurance and workers compensation policies. Go to the Contractor’s License Reference Site, at contractors-license.org, for more information.

Don’t pay cash. That is a common tactic used by fraudulent contractors, who take the money and run. A reputable pro will accept a check made out to his contracting company or a credit card.

Do set up a payment schedule. It’s common to put down 30 percent upon initial delivery of materials. Make the final payment only when you’re fully satisfied with the work.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Planning a kitchen remodel? Find everything you need to know in our Kitchen Planning Guide including Ratings and recommendations for all major appliances as well as such surfaces as flooring and countertops.

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

If you're persnickety about your lawn, then the EGO LM2000 isn’t the mower for you. But if you care about being green and don’t mind a slightly uneven cut, then the top-scoring cordless electric from Consumer Reports’ mower tests is worth a look. Electric mowers aren’t known for their perfect cutting performance. Despite that, this one has a lot to recommend it, including great handling, easy storage, and other conveniences that Home Depot is betting homeowners will pay $500 for.

First, there’s storage. As with the Toro 20339, $360, a self-propelled gas mower, the EGO LM2000 can be folded and stored in a stand-up position, which is easier with an electric mower than a gas model since there’s no threat of spillage. The handle is adjustable and for storage, it telescopes down and flips forward so the mower can lie flat or stand along the wall of the garage or shed.

Ergonomically, you can’t do much better. In addition to the padded handle, the mower is fairly light—57 pounds including the 5-pound battery. As with most other electric mowers, you can adjust the deck height with a single lever. The EGO also comes with LED headlights in case you’re mowing at dusk. (But mowing at night is a no-no.)

The 56-volt battery, the highest voltage we’ve seen, ran for 35 minutes in our tests. A charge indicator on the mower tells you when it’s getting low, but no worries—recharging the battery only takes a half-hour. “If you need more time than that to mow your yard,” said Peter Sawchuk, who oversees our mower tests, “you probably should be looking at a self-propelled mower instead.” The five-year warranty is among the most generous we’ve seen in electric mowers.

Despite the manufacturer’s claims of “superior performance whether you are mulching, bagging or using the side-discharge chute,” the EGO LM2000 was mediocre on all three tasks. But in truth, great cutting isn’t the forte of electric push mowers. The Black & Decker CM1936, $400, the next-best model overall, was a notch better for cutting evenness in mulch mode. Another, the Lowe’s-exclusive Kobalt KM1940-06, $350, mulched comparably to the EGO and also has superb handling. But no model has done better than so-so in bagging or side-discharge mode.

If you want to spend less, prefer a gas model, or have a huge yard, check our mower buying guide for full Ratings and recommendations of mowers, tractors, and zero-turn-radius riders.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

Styles have changed since the last time you updated your kitchen. Fussy details have given way to cleaner lines and color schemes have lightened up. What hasn't changed is the need to plan ahead and to select top-performing products like the ones featured in Consumer Reports' Kitchen Planning Guide. To help, here's a cheat sheet to what's in and what's out in kitchen design.

Out: Tuscan and country styles
Instead: Contemporary and transitional styles

Out: Traditional cabinets with ornate detail
Instead: European-style frameless cabinets

Out: Countertop microwaves
Instead: Steam ovens

Out: Red, bronze, and terra-cotta color schemes
Instead: Gray, white, and off-white color schemes

Out: Solid surface countertops
Instead: Quartz countertops

Out: Pot fillers and oil-rubbed bronze finishes
Instead: Pullout faucets and polished chrome finishes

Out: Appliance storage compartments, aka “garages”
Instead: Pull-out trash/recycling bins

Out: CFL and incandescent lighting
Instead: LED lighting

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Planning a kitchen remodel? Here's everything you need to know to get the kitchen you want at a price you can afford including how to hire the right contractor.

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

We’ll make it easy for you. Father’s Day is Sunday June 15, and we’ve mined our Ratings and reviews to find 10 great gifts for dad to fit any budget. You can feel confident about quality because all of these products did well on our tests. So, go ahead—use our list to narrow your options. Wrapping paper not included.

In-ear headphones: Panasonic RP-TCM125, $10

Great for dad to use with his iPad, iPod, or cell phone. Sound quality as good as some much higher priced models, and we have found them for only $10. It has integrated function control, microphone, and call connect/disconnect.

Check our headphone buying guide and Ratings.

Bicycle helmet: Specialized Echelon, $60

A cycling dad can always use a new helmet. A CR Best Buy, this helmet was rated excellent for ease of use and for weight, and rated very good on impact absorption, ventilation (keeps your head cool), and accommodating various head sizes and shapes.

Check our bicycle helmet buying guide and Ratings.

Electric razor: Remington Pivot & Flex Foil F-5790, $55

What a buy for a close shave! A CR Best Buy, this model was rated very good for close shave, shaving difficult areas, ease of cleaning, and good for amount of noise.

Check our electric razor buying guide and Ratings.

Wireless charging pad: Duracell Power Mat for iPhone, $70 to $120

Make it easy for dad to recharge. This wireless pad recharges an iPhone through a technology called inductive coupling. Simply place the phone on the pad’s surface. $70 for the power mat and $50 for a compatible case.

Read more about wireless charging pads.

Juicer: Hamilton BeachBig Mouth Pro 67650, $80

Surprise dad with some fresh-squeezed morning juice—and put a bow in it for Father’s Day. One of our top-rated juicers, for a bargain price.

Check our juicer buying guide and Ratings.

Soundbar: Vizio S3821w, $160

If dad likes TV, he’ll like this 2.1-channel soundbar from Vizio. This 38-inch model, which Vizio recommends for TVs with 40- to 46-inch screens, delivers very good sound, and is a CR Best Buy.

Check our buying guide and Ratings for home theater systems and soundbars.

Point-and-shoot digital camera: Olympus Stylus SZ-16 iHS, $180

Smart phone cameras are not ideal for all photography.

Dad might want this point-and-shoot for its long zoom lens and wide-angle capability. It’s a relatively inexpensive superzoom that shoots very good photos and captures good quality video. It also has a fast start-up time.

Check our buying guide and Ratings for digital cameras.

Smart watch and activity tracker: Samsung Gear Fit, $200

Slim, sleek, and light, this hybrid smart watch/activity tracker will earn dad the designation of early adopter among his friends. It has a built-in heart-rate monitor, pedometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope, with which it tracks several kinds of exercise activities. With a compatible phone, the Gear Fit will give a brief vibration to alert to incoming e-mails, calls, texts, and updates from a variety of third-party apps.

Check our reviews of smart watches and activity trackers. 

Midsize gas grill: Char-Broil Red 463250511 (Home Depot), $400

Your dad likes to grill? This medium-sized gas grill aced all our cooking tests and costs hundreds less than other top-rated models. It's sold at Home Depot and has an electronic igniter, side burner, infrared main burner, and coated cast-iron grates, which tend to be better for searing and maintaining even grilling temperatures.

Check our gas grill buying guide and Ratings.

Rowing machine: Concept Model 2 D, $900

If dad has been talking about starting an exercise program, help him out. Our highest-rated rowing machine, this model scored excellent on user safety, ergonomics, and construction, and scored very good on ease of use. It has displays for time and stroke rate and it stands up for easy storage.

Add on the compatible Row Pro gaming system for $119.

See Ratings for rowing machines.

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

Refrigerators aren’t just where you store the goodies for your next party. Some of the latest models are part of the party, with Bluetooth-enabled sound systems, wine-chilling compartments, and even café-worthy dispensers that serve more than just water. Here are some of this year’s top trends:

Built-in music. The Whirlpool WRF991BOOM, $2,900, and Whirlpool WRF990BOOM, $2,700 French-door bottom-freezers, which will be sold exclusively at Lowe’s, can fill your kitchen with dance music on Saturday night—and late-breaking news over Monday morning coffee—via built-in Wi-Fi speakers. Called CoolVox, the feature may be expanded to additional retailers later this year.

Beyond ice and water. Superb temperature control and energy efficiency helped put the four-door Samsung RF31FMESBSR, $2,900, among our top picks. Care for a wine spritzer? The Samsung can serve sparkling water from its on-the-door dispenser. The GE Café CFE29TSDSS, $3,000, and GE Café CYE23TSDSS, $3,100, add to those choices with hot water for coffee, tea, or soup. Hidden door-within-a-door compartments, such as those on the high-scoring French-door LG LFX32945ST, $3,000, and the Kenmore Elite72193, $4,150, can also hold an extra six-pack on game day. Expect to see more of those extra doors on side-by-side models, including the ones in Samsung’s Showcase series, which we’re currently testing.

Forgot to chill that bottle of chardonnay before your guests arrived? The blast chiller compartment on the LG LFX31935ST French-door fridge, about $3,000, comes with a promise to do that in just 8 minutes. Opt for the newly tested Whirlpool WRX988SIBM four-door model, $2,600, and you get a middle drawer with adjustable temperature controls for everything from lettuce to beer. This Whirlpool narrowly missed our winners’ list but did well overall.

Go big. For $3,500, the four-door Samsung T9000 (top image) offers almost 23 cubic feet of usable space—the most ever in our tests. And unlike most four-doors, it lets you switch one of those compartments from freezer to refrigerator to cool extra beverages or hors d’oeuvres.

Or go slim. Column refrigerators, which range from about 18 to 30 inches wide and don’t include a freezer, fit spots too narrow for most refrigerator-freezers. You can also pair one with a column freezer, available in similar widths, for added flexibility. You’ll see several this year from such tony brands as Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking for about $6,000 and up—more than most refrigerator-freezers.

You don’t have to pay a cool six grand for slimmer storage, however. The new Kenmore Elite 79023, a $1,450 top pick, squeezes a bottom-freezer design into a svelte 30-inch width. The retro-looking GE  Artistry ABE20EGWS bottom-freezer, $1,100, adds 1960s-style horizontal handles, chrome trim, and an old-school logo plate. It didn’t make our Recommended refrigerator list because it lacks adjustable shelves, among other modern features. But consistent temperature control and impressive energy efficiency make it worth considering.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Replacing your appliances? If you haven't bought any new appliances in a few years, you'll be amazed at all the fancy features on today's models. Find out which ones work and which aren't worth the money in our Kitchen Planning Guide.

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

About 1.5 million homeowners will remodel their kitchen in 2014. Costs vary, but here’s a snapshot of four budgets, based on the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report (costvsvalue.com) and an analysis by Consumer Reports of what you might get for your money as well as the return on your investment.

Budget do-it-yourself
Cost. About $5,000
Time it takes. One month
What you get. DIY-painted cabinets and walls, and DIY-installed vinyl floor, laminate counter, entry-grade appliances, top-mount sink, two-handled faucet.
Return on investment. Depends on what your time is worth!

Minor midrange
Cost. About $19,000
Time it takes. Three months
What you get. Professionally installed standard wall oven and cooktop, vinyl floors, laminate countertop, midpriced sink and faucet; refaced cabinets; painted walls.
Return on investment. About 83 percent

Major midrange
Cost. About $55,000
Time it takes. Six months
What you get. Professionally installed semicustom cabinets, standard appliances, vinyl floors, laminate countertops, stainless-steel double-tub sink, single-lever faucet; painted walls.
Return on investment. About 74 percent

Major upscale
Cost. About $110,000
Time it takes. Six months or more
What you get. Professionally installed custom cabinets, stone counters, pro-style appliances, cork floor, backsplash, undermount sink with designer faucet, new lighting.
Return on investment. About 64 percent

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

The best products for your project. To find the best flooring, countertops, and appliances for your kitchen remodel check the results of Consumer Reports' tests in our Kitchen Planning Guide.

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

Think of portable air conditioners as the cooling choice of last resort. They’re better than a fan but not much. That’s what Consumer Reports discovered in its tests of eight portable air conditioners that, despite their claims, barely got a room below sweltering let alone the 78 degrees that’s considered the upper threshold of indoor comfort.
 
Portable air conditioners are intended for homes in which window configurations or building regulations prevent installation of window units. But getting one is a compromise you may not want to make because they’re typically bigger, noisier, more expensive, and use more energy. In fact, retailers report that many portable air conditioners are returned each season by dissatisfied customers.
 
How they work. Unlike a window air conditioner, all the mechanical parts of a portable air conditioner are sitting in the room you’re trying to cool. This contributes to the noise and less-than-capable cooling, as the portable unit is using conditioned air from the room to cool the condenser and exhausts the hot air out an ungainly exhaust hose that resembles a dryer vent. That creates negative pressure causing unconditioned warm air from surrounding rooms or outdoors to be drawn into the room you’re trying keep cool.

How portable? And it’s debatable how portable they are, since once the hose is connected to the kit in the window, you won’t want to move the unit, especially since they typically weigh 50 to 80 pounds. While they do have wheels, portable air conditioners can be difficult to roll on carpets and over raised thresholds between rooms.  They also need their space—the hose is 5 to 7 feet long and the air conditioner must be positioned away from any walls or furniture that may block its airflow.
 
How we test. In our tests, we measured how long it takes a portable air conditioner to lower the temperature in a room appropriate for its claimed size from 90 degrees to 75. But few made it to even 80 after 100 minutes. None made our list of recommended air conditioners but if you have no alternative, consider the Honeywell MN10CES[WW], $400, for its lower price. While only fair at cooling, it was a champ in our tests simulating brownout conditions, as were four other models.
 
While we test portable air conditioners the same way we test window units, most manufacturers don’t. The Department of Energy is reviewing the current industry test for portable air conditioner capacity and efficiency. The current test doesn’t account for what is often significant leakage and transfer of hot air into the space being cooled. One alternative being investigated by the DOE is that the industry adopt the window air conditioner test for portables as well, because it more accurately measures actual cooling. This would make it easier for consumers to compare portable and window air conditioners. In the meantime. don’t assume that a portable air conditioner rated at 5,000 to 15,000 British Thermal Units will cool like similarly rated window models.
 
If a portable is your only choice
Install it right. All portables come with a kit that you install in a window. Make sure all your connections are tight and seal any air gaps.
Get a ceiling fan. Create a cool breeze by running a ceiling fan.
Block the sun. Close the curtains and shades to keep the sun from overheating your room.

The best window A/Cs from our tests
When buying a window air conditioner, make sure you get the right size air conditioner for your room. Too small and you’ll be uncomfortable, too big and your room will cool too quickly without removing enough moisture from the air, leaving you cold and clammy. Here’s the top performer for each size.

• Small: GE AEM05LS, $210, a CR Best Buy
• Medium: LG LW8014ER, $240
• Large: LG LW1214ER, $350

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on twitter)

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

Washer capacities keep getting larger, dryers too—so much so that we’re running out of superlatives. “Big” doesn’t nail it anymore. Not when a machine holds 25 pounds or more of laundry. That’s 12 to 15 pairs of men’s jeans. These jumbo capacities let you do more laundry at once, but you’ll pay extra for the added capacity. So how large a washer do you need? The laundry experts at Consumer Reports weigh in.
 
Increasing capacities meant it was time to update the capacity scores in our Ratings of washers and dryers. A machine now needs to hold about 25 or more pounds of laundry to earn an excellent capacity score. “Most families can get by with a machine that’s rated very good or even good in capacity,” says Emilio Gonzalez, an engineer who leads our tests of laundry appliances. Very good indicates that the washer fits about 17 to 24 pounds of our laundry. That’s about 9 to 13 pairs of men’s jeans. Among recommended top-loaders the $950 Kenmore Elite 31412 scored very good in capacity, while the $600 LG WT1001CW, a CR Best Buy, scored good. It held about 16 pounds of our laundry. Both washers are high-efficiency (HE) models.

LG and Samsung lead this race of increasing size, and capacities are expected to get even bigger in the next year or so. Sure you can do more laundry less often, but wash times are much longer than they used to be. That’s because front-loaders and HE top-loaders use less water than top-loaders with center agitators. The best front-loaders we tested took 85 to 100 minutes, while the top top-loaders took 75 minutes, using the normal wash on heavy-soil setting.
 
And that brings us to the biggest capacities we’ve seen, so far. Among HE top-loaders, the Samsung WA56H9000AP had the largest and held about 28 pounds of our laundry.  And at $1,500, it’s the most expensive top-loader tested. It offers impressive washing, but wasn’t so gentle on fabrics—that’s true of most HE top-loaders we’ve tested. The top-rated LG WT5680HVA was better at washing and has a jumbo capacity too. It’s recommended and costs $1,200.
 
The Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,520, had the largest capacity of the front-loaders tested, about 28 pounds, and was impressive at washing. It made our top picks. Even better was the top-rated LG WM8500HVA. This front-loader delivered excellent washing and was gentler on fabrics, and yes, the capacity is mega-sized and so is the price—$1,600. See all the details in our ratings of washers and dryers.

—Kimberly Janeway

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

Love the look of granite but not the price? Ditto beautiful handcrafted cabinetry? Rust-Oleum claims its do-it-yourself coatings for countertops and cabinets can help transform stained laminate counters and worn wood cabinets. But can you really get the kitchen of your dreams from a box?

Countertops
Using Rust-Oleum’s Countertop Transformations to give a laminate counter the look of granite wasn’t easy. The process involves plenty of manual sanding using the diamond mesh sander that comes with the kit, applying an adhesive base coat, spreading color chips, sanding the chips, which was a tedious task, and adding a top coat. With a lot of practice, time, and attention to detail, the result was a good-looking, glossy, and dimpled surface that was softer than laminate. So it was less resistant than laminate to cuts, scratches, and chipping in our tests, but it resisted stains and heat well.
Bottom line. You wouldn’t mistake these resurfaced counters for granite, but if your laminate is marred yet  structurally sound, the kit is cheaper than having new laminate counters installed. Two small kits cover 60 square feet—a typical kitchen has 56—for $296. The $235 large kit covers 50 square feet. Always use a cutting board for food prep and a trivet for hot pots to protect the softer surface.

Cabinets
We used Rust-Oleum’s Cabinet Transformations in Pure White. The small kit costs $100 and covers 100 square feet, enough for the average home’s 17 cabinets. The process starts by removing the doors and drawer fronts from cabinets and removing hardware. Using a deglosser and scrub pad on exposed surfaces to give them a thorough cleaning was next. Typical furniture refinishing followed, taking care with the paint and avoiding drips. We applied the optional glaze, but it was the last step that was the most difficult. The top coat is a clear layer meant to protect the base coat and glaze. Even our paint expert wasn’t able to get a smooth, bubble-free surface.
Bottom line. Skip the kit and use a high-quality paint applied with good brushes to transform your worn cabinets.

Best from our tests
Quartz and granite top our tests of countertop materials. See our countertop buying guide for full Ratings and recommendations. We also have cabinet buying advice although we don't test individual brands.

—Kimberly Janeway

Kitchen products and projects. See the results of Consumer Reports' tests of all the appliances you need for a kitchen remodel as well as flooring, countertops, and more in our Kitchen Planning Guide.

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

Imagine having a vehicle big enough to cart around a Little League team, a washer big enough to clean all their uniform, and a refrigerator big enough for drinks and pizza after the game when they switch on the wide-screen TV. That’s the promise of the ever-expanding SUVs, appliances, electronics, and other products in Consumer Reports tests. When we tested them, we found huge differences.

What’s driving this growth? The folks at Samsung, which is one of the manufacturers that has been supersizing its appliances and TVs, attribute the jumbo models to the increase in household size. "There's been a growth in four to five person households, either multi-generational households or grown kids returning home. These households are already doing more laundry, so they want larger capacities,”  Dean Brindle, Director of Laundry Product Management, said.

With TVs, it’s simply a matter of why not? "When it comes to TVs, bigger is better," Shane Higbey, Samsung’s vice president of Marketing Home Appliances, said. "The price of components has come down so Samsung can deliver a larger TV for the similar price of smaller versions we sold a year ago.”  Recently, we took a tour of our labs to find the best of the biggest in our tests. Here’s what we discovered.

Jumbo large appliances

Refrigerators. The Samsung T9000 four-door refrigerator, $3,500, had been the biggest model ever tested at Consumer Reports, with nearly 23 cubic feet of usable capacity, until it was knocked off its perch by its brand mate, the Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, which has an additional .4 cubic feet of usable space, based on our initial measurements.

Samsung's new four-door, French-door refrigerator won't appear in our Ratings until full testing has been completed. But the Samsung T9000 has one of the highest overall scores in our Ratings, on the strength of its superb temperature control and energy efficiency, so we have high hopes for the larger one. The big capacity and innovation of the Samsung Chef Collection refrigerator is matched by its price tag, with a suggested retail price of $6,000.

Washing machines. The Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,520, had the largest capacity of the front-loaders in our tests and can wash up to 28 pounds of laundry. That’s 12 to 15 pairs of men’s jeans. It did an impressive job and made our list of top washer picks. Even better was the top-rated LG WM8500HVA. This front-loader delivered excellent washing and was gentler on fabrics, and yes, the capacity is mega-sized and so is the price—$1,600.

Among HE top-loaders, the Samsung WA56H9000AP had the largest capacity and also holds about 28 pounds of laundry. And at $1,500, it’s the most expensive top-loader in our tests. It too was impressive at washing, but wasn’t so gentle on fabrics, which is true of most HE top-loaders we’ve tested. The top-rated LG WT5680HVA was better at washing and has a jumbo capacity too. It’s a recommended model and costs $1,200.  

Pro-style ranges. Most pro-style ranges come in standard widths of 30, 36, 48, and 60 inches. Because the biggest pro-style ranges don’t fit a typical kitchen, we test 30-inch and 36-inch models. But based on their performance in our tests, we can guess how their larger brethren might perform. The champ of our 36-inch pro-styles is the dual-fuel KitchenAid KDRU763VSS, $6,000. Our top pick of 30-inch pro-style ranges is the KitchenAid KDRS407VSS, $4,000, which has a big brother, the 48-inch KitchenAid KDRU483VSS $9,000. Our tested model had superb simmering and fast cooktop heating and evenly browned cakes and cookies. Timesavers include convection and three high-power burners.

Bigger still is the 60-inch Wolf DF606, $16,000, which is the larger sibling of the dual-fuel 30-inch Wolf DF304, which was third in our tests of pro-style ranges, barely missing the list of top range picks. The tested model was very good at baking and broiling but cooktop high heat was only mediocre. Still, the Wolf has those beefy red knobs that have become a status symbol in the kitchen.

Grills as big as a couch

When we test grills we measure the actual cooking area, which is often different than the claimed cooking space. The Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB, $2,600, a recommended model, has 615 square inches of cooking space and 625 square inches of shelf space. It’s 77 inches wide, which is somewhere between the size of a loveseat and a couch.

The Vermont Castings Signature Series VCS524SSP, $2,500, has a cooking area of 610 square inches and 580 square inches of shelf space. Its footprint on your deck is 69 inches long by 26 inches deep. It comes with a lot of extras such as trays, racks, hooks, and lights and delivers delicious barbecue.

Outsized TVs

Over the last few years, the TVs in our tests have been getting wider and wider. The largest model we recommend is the 75-inch Samsung UN75F6300, $2,300, which made our list of top TV picks.  It was a cinch to set up and has excellent HD picture quality. (The 80-inch Vizio M801d-A3R, $3,500 didn’t make our list of TV picks.)

We also took a first look at two 84-inch sets that are part of the new breed of ultra-HD TVs, which have four times the resolution of their predecessors. We brought the LG 84LM9600 Ultra HD TV, priced about $18,000, into our labs and were able to spend a few hours with the Sony XBR-84X900 Ultra HD TV, which sells for about $25,000, at Sony’s headquarters. While there was a lot to like about each model, which are similar in many ways, we give the edge to the Sony in terms of overall performance, although it should be noted that we were able to spend a lot more time with the LG under test-lab conditions.

The largest mainstream model, meaning not insanely priced, available right now is the 90-inch Sharp LC-90LE657U, which sells for $7,000. Even bigger were the 105-inch models shown by LG and Samsung at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show and Vizio had a 120-inch model on display. Pricing and availability have not been announced but we expect the sticker prices to be stratospheric.

Wide-rider mowers

The lawn tractor in our Ratings with the largest deck is the Craftsman 28861, $2,800, which has a 54-inch deck and one of the fastest ground speeds of the mowers in our tests. This luxury tractor also has superlative bagging. Extras include large rear wheels, a bumper, a comfy high-back seat with arm rests, and a fuel gauge you can read from the driver’s seat.

For less, and a little less luxury, the Craftsman 28858, $2,000, also has a 54-inch deck. It offers wide cuts and competent mowing at a relatively low price and bagging is superb. We named it a CR Best Buy. If you have a tiny lawn but still want a macho mower, the Toro 20199, $1,000 has a 30-inch cutting deck, which is 10 inches wider than most walk-behind mowers. It was very good at most mowing tasks and has a lot of convenient features, which you’d expect for that price.

Behemoth SUVs

The newly revamped 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL seem to defy the forces of evolution. These are huge, old-school SUVs built on a full-sized pickup chassis in a world where nearly every other SUV has adopted carlike structures. Standing more than six feet, two inches tall, occupying almost 19 feet of parking space, and weighing close to three tons, these are the vehicles that make green enthusiasts see red.

Another biggie is the new Cadillac Escalade, which GM has positioned as its flagship SUV, with pricing to start at $72,000. Our model had a sticker price of $85,690, positioning it against such status machines as the Land Rover Range Rover or a Mercedes-Benz GL, and raising expectations. The new Escalade certainly looks the part, with chiseled exterior styling and a tastefully finished, leather-laden cabin. But in some ways this flagship misses the boat. Still, the sheer size and bulk of this tall ship is hard to ignore.

—Consumer Reports

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

Judging how much paint you need for a job isn’t easy, so buying extra an extra gallon might make sense. But if you never did actually open that can, store it right and its contents could last a decade or longer. “I’ve actually had paint last longer than the container!” Debbie Zimmer of the Paint Quality Institute, part of Dow Chemical, said. From PQI and our own experts, here’s how to keep unopened paint.

Whether it’s interior or exterior paint, keep it from freezing. For long-term storage, this means keeping it out of the garage and shed. A basement should suffice.

Should you open the can years after the initial paint job, don’t expect miracles. While it should go down fine after proper mixing, keep in mind that what you painted years ago likely has faded some. So new and old side-by-side coatings might not match.

Of course, sometimes there’s no salvaging the paint. If paint seems to have solidified to the degree that no stirring will smooth it out, forget about it. And if the paint has a strange or unusual smell, don't use it—the paint’s preservatives have probably failed. Check with your town or municipal office for how to dispose of unused paint.

Top paints from our tests
When it’s time to start your next paint job, choosing a top-enduring paint from our Ratings of more than 100 interior and exterior paints. You can find top-rated paints as close as your nearest home improvement store. Behr, sold at Home Depot, tops our tests of flat exterior and satin exterior paint and Valspar, which is sold at Lowe's, makes our top semi-gloss exterior paint.

Behr also tops our tests of flat interior and satin interior paint and Clark + Kensington, sold at Ace Hardware, is the winner of the semi-gloss finishes. For the latest trends in paint, check out our buying guide . And if you’ll be refinishing your deck, see our Ratings of more than 30 wood stains.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

Hundreds of homebuilders, economists, journalists, and other real estate professionals descended on Houston this week for the 48th annual conference of the National Association of Real Estate Editors. It was NAREE's biggest turnout ever, another sign of the improving housing market—that and the fact that new homes starts will be up 18 percent in 2014, according to the market research firm MetroStudy. But as the industry rebounds, there are some key changes happening with how our homes and communities are being built. If you’re looking to get into the market, it pays to be on the right side of the pendulum. 

Energy efficiency is everywhere
The tagline for this year’s conference was Uptown Energy, a nod to Houston’s bustling energy corridor, where the bulk of the city’s development is taking place. And energy was on the lips of many panelists and presenters, especially with regards to efficiency, which has become one of the most coveted features among home buyers. That’s true even at the upper end of the market, where wealthy homeowners don’t have to sweat steep utility bills, but still they want their homes to run at optimal efficiency. 

And you should too, no matter your tax bracket. As you search for a new home, look for signs of efficiency, such as Energy Star appliances, a well-insulated attic, and high-efficiency windows. You can also ask the seller to provide their last year’s worth of utility bills, to better understand how much the home will cost to run. 

Credit is king
Most Americans still can’t afford a mortgage, according to Anthony Hsieh, CEO and founder loanDepot. The average FICO score on mortgages stands above 750, compared with 710 in 2010. If you have solid credit, you’ll be able to take advantage of the still historically low interest rates. If not, you need to get your score up, and quick, since economists expect mortgage rates to tick above 5 percent in 2015. 

You might be able increase your score by 50 to 100 points fairly quickly with a few prudent moves. These include cancelling any credit cards that you don’t use regularly, increasing your monthly payments on cards with accrued debt, and resolving any past disputes with lenders.

If you already own your home, with a favorable locked-in interest rate on the mortgage, you might want to think twice about selling. That’s because the new rate on your next mortgage will almost certainly be higher, reducing how much home you can afford. Instead, it might make more sense to remodel the home you have.

Lifestyle amenities are appreciating
For the first time ever, today’s kids might have shorter lifespans than their parents, said Rachel MacCleery of the Urban Land Institute. And grown-ups aren't exactly models of perfect health, Indeed, 1 in 3 of us are now obese, compared with 1 in 8 in 1970. These facts are helping to highlight the profound impact our built environment has on overall health. 

As you’re assessing prospective neighborhoods, look for amenities that will promote a healthy lifestyle. A multi-modal transportation system, with various mass transit options, is perhaps the most important component of a healthy community. “People want to live closer to work and they’re looking for modes of transportation that don’t involve getting in their car,” said Bob Eury, executive director of the Houston Downtown Management District, referring to the burst of walkable residential development happening in his city. 

Other lifestyle amenities to look for are streets that promote walking through the presence of trees and smooth sidewalks, an extensive network of bike trails and lanes, access to nature, and playgrounds that aren’t walled off from the community. For more information, check out Charles Montgomery’s Happy City, which took home gold in NAREE’s 2014 Robert Bruss Real Estate Book Awards.     

Water efficiency is rivaling energy
Nearly 2 billion people are projected to live in scarce-water regions by 2015. In the U.S., groundwater depletion rates are accelerating at a rapid clip, and the western drought is creating severe stress for farmers and cities alike, according to the Counselors of Real Estate. That’s putting a premium on water efficiency, including water-smart landscaping, even for people who don’t live in a drought zone. In a Consumer Reports 2013 survey, almost a third of homeowners who made changes to their lawn the previous year reduced its size in some way, for example, replacing grass with patio space, ground cover, flower beds, or even artificial turf.

In addition to a water-smart landscape, your next home should feature water-efficient fixtures, including its toilets, faucets, and showerheads. The savings can be significant, as water costs continue to rise in many parts of the country.

Online real estate is exploding
If you’re buying a home (and even if you’re not) you’ve probably visited Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.org, or one of the many otehr real estate websites. And the sector is only getting noisier. Back in March, Auction.com announced a $50 million investment from Google. And new players are launching all the time, each with their unique claims and technologies. One of the latest is called Surefield, which creates virtual tours of homes using high-tech 3D video. That could mean an end to time-consuming home tours that eat up your weekend.

The shift to mobile is the other big shift. Every real estate site has one or more apps that allow you to access information from the field. Trulia has apps designed for homeowners and renters alike, as well one designed for real estate agents. That gets to a key question: with so much information available to consumers, do we still need agents? For now, agents aren’t going away. But the smart ones are learning how to pivot. “This is an opportunity for agents to reinvent themselves and figure out what their value proposition is for consumers on a go-forward basis,” says Rick Sharga, executive vice president at Auction.com. The same could be said for housing as a whole, as the industry continues to rebound.    

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on twitter)

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