To find our how well a vacuum picks up dirt, how much it retains, how easy it is to maneuver, and how noisy it is, Consumer Reports puts its vacuum cleaners through a tough set of tests. Comparing the results provides the most complete picture. Here are the details.

Carpets. We adapt an industry-standard test to lift embedded talc and sand from a preconditioned, medium-pile carpet. Before the test, which uses two samples of each vacuum, we adjust vacuums to uniform settings and weigh the soiled carpet and vacuum. After a sequence of 16 back-and-forth strokes across the test area, we weigh the carpet and vacuum again and derive a score from how much debris the vacuum picked up.

Bare floors. We use the same type of sand over a specified section of sheet vinyl, running each vacuum on its bare-floor setting for two strokes—one forward, one back—for about 1 second per stroke. We calculate the score by how much each picks up.

Tool airflow. We attach the vacuum’s accessory hose to a cylinder with a set opening and measure for pressure drops as we vacuum up 300 grams of wood flour—enough to gag some lesser vacuums.

Emissions. We test how much debris a vacuum retains using a sealed, climate-controlled room. Running each vacuum for a set period, we load the vacuum with 50 grams of wood flour. We then run the vacuum with the brush propped off the floor in order to measure the particle concentration released by the bag or the bin. Then we vacuum a carpet embedded with dirt.

Pet hair. We embed hair from Maine coon cats into medium-pile carpet. We pass each vacuum a set number of times over the carpet and measure how much gets entangled in the vacuum’s brush, wheels, and bearings. We also judge how much hair the vacuum left behind on the carpet.

Noise. We use a decibel meter. While ­vacuuming, we measure sound from where a user might stand (2 feet in front, 5 feet up) with a vacuum set to deep-clean at its maximum power setting.

Handling. We assess handling by two judgments: ease of carrying, which includes vacuum weight and handle height, and ease of pushing and pulling the model. Weight includes the vacuum and any onboard tools. In calculating a model’s overall score, we also judge a vacuum’s cord length, how much a bagless vacuum's bin holds, and more.

Top vacuums from our tests

Upright vacuums

• Top-rated: Kenmore Elite 31150, $350
• CR Best Buy: Kenmore 31140, $200
  

Canister vacuums

• Top-rated: Miele S 8590 Marin, $1,000
• CR Best Buy: Panasonic MC-CG937, $330

Stick vacuum

• Top-rated: Dyson DC59 Animal, $500

Hand vacuum

• Top-rated: Shark Pet Perfect II SV780, $60

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

It shows how competitive the refrigerator business has become that just one of 23 models from Consumer Reports' latest testing made our recommended list. We do set a very high performance bar, however, so it's not like all other 22 models are lemons (though some are). And in fact, a good number perfomed very well overall, while offering noteworthy innovations related to storage, style, and even entertainment. That makes features all the more important in your search for the perfect refrigerator. Here are the details from our latest refrigerator Ratings.

The Kenmore Elite 74033, $3,100, French-door bottom-freezer joins our top-picks list, thanks to its superb temperature control and energy efficiency. It also comes with a hidden door-in-door compartment, a storage feature we're seeing on more models that allows you to access beverages, condiments, and the like without reaching all the way into the fresh-food compartment. The top-performing Kenmore also comes with dual evaporators, which should help extend the life of your food by maintaining optimal humidity levels inside the fridge. 

It wasn't all good news for Kenmore. Subpar temperature control dragged the Kenmore 70333, $2,500, near the bottom of our the French-door bottom-freezer Ratings. That's a reminder that you can't buy by brand alone when shopping for a refrigerator—or any major appliance, for that matter. 

We saw uneven results from other brands. The Bosch 800 Series B22FT80SNS, $1,800, was judged very good overall, with excellent temperature control and efficiency. It would be a recommended model if not for the fact that it lacks certain convenience features, such as adjustable shelves and touchpad controls. Its cabinet-depth brand mate, the $2,700 Bosch 800 Series B22CT80SNS, fares worse among French-door bottom-freezers, due to an even lower ease-of-use score. But you might be willing to live with that in exchange for the flush-to-the-counter design, plus at 72 inches tall, this new Bosch makes a statement in the kitchen.

Our latest tests also include the Whirlpool CoolVox WRF991BOOM, $2,400, with built-in Wi-Fi speakers that allow you to stream your favorite music, the morning news, and more. Though it misses our picks list, the new Whirlpool earned very good marks across the board in our tests.  

Best refrigerators from our tests

Here are the other new models from our latest refrigerator tests, listed by category and in the order they appear in our refrigerator Ratings.   

French-door bottom freezers
KitchenAid KBFS22ECMS $1800
Kenmore Elite 74053 $3,900
LG LFX25974ST $2,200
Kenmore 72383 (Four-door) $2,400
Maytag MFF2258VE $1,500
Kenmore Elite 74023 $2,800
Kenmore 70343 $1,900
Kenmore 70443 $2,000
Whirlpool WRF540CWBM $1,800
Kenmore 70333 $2,500
Maytag MFT2574DEM $1,980
Maytag MFF2258DEM $1,550

Side-by-sides
Kenmore 51783 $1,250
Maytag MSF25D4MDH $1,260
Whirlpool WRS571CIDM $1,450
Kenmore 51793 $1,100
Whirlpool WRS576FIDM $1,350

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Day six and my range still isn’t fixed. It died unexpectedly, surrounded by family and friends. I was hoping it would make it to 15 years. But this 10-year-old range was inexpensive and if the repairs turn out to be steep then it’s time to buy a new one. The only good news is ranges are more stylish than they were a decade ago and there are more types and cool features. It’s no longer just a choice between gas and electric. Here’s what you’ll see in the range aisle.

Double oven ranges

With a double oven, you can use both ovens to simultaneously cook different foods at different temperatures, without aromas crossing over. Some ranges pair a smaller top oven with a larger oven below. You might wind up using the smaller oven for daily dinner and the larger oven when hosting parties. Other ranges have two same-size ovens, such as the $1,400 Frigidaire FGEF302TNF electric smoothtop.
Tip: Open the oven doors and get a feel for the range when shopping and consider how you would use it. For ranges with a larger lower oven imagine lifting a turkey out. What do you think?

Slide-in ranges

They’re stylish, give a custom look, and slide into standard cutouts. There’s no back panel; the oven controls are up front so your backsplash becomes more prominent. For most slide-in ranges the sides are unfinished so the range needs to be installed between cabinets and the cooktop overlaps the counter. You’ll see slide-ins in Consumer Reports' Ratings of double-ovens, electric smoothtops, induction, gas, and dual-fuel ranges. Did we mention they’re expensive?
Tip: Freestanding ranges are the most common type and the oven control panel is usually on the back. But some ranges described as freestanding look just like slide-ins, but their sides are finished. That gives you more leeway when placing the range. The $3,000 GE Café CGS985SETSS gas range is one example.

Dual-fuel ranges

Dual-fule ranged pair a gas cooktop with an electric oven, an ideal combo for some. You’ll see them in our gas range Ratings.
Tip: If you broil steaks and burgers be sure to note the broiling scores in our Ratings. Some of the dual-fuel ranges were impressive or even superb at broiling, like the Bosch HD18054U, a $2,300 slide-in dual-fuel.

Induction ranges

Precise simmering and control and faster cooktop heat are good reasons to consider induction ranges. In our tests, they heated a large pot of water 20 to 25 percent faster than a regular electric smoothtop, and the surface stays much cooler during and after cooking so cleaning up spills is easier. Prices are dropping but they’re still expensive. The Kenmore 95073 is $1,530 and the least expensive of the induction ranges in our tests.
Tip: Induction uses an electromagnetic field below the cooktop surface to heat and requires magnetic cookware. Use a refrigerator magnet to find out if your cookware is magnetic. If the magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, it’s induction friendly.

Pro-style ranges

The look is bold and commands attention, for a price. Our pro-style Ratings include 30- and 36-inch wide pro-styles, gas and dual-fuel, from major brands such as Viking, Wolf, Thermador, GE Monogram, and KitchenAid. Despite the high price—$3,000 to $7,500 for the 36-inch ranges—the pro-styles aren’t the best ranges we tested.
Tip: Take a close look at the oven capacity scores in our Ratings. Some pro-styles have small ovens, such as the Viking VGSC536-4G. It’s $7,200.

Ranges to consider that cost $1,000 or less

LG LRE3083SW, $800 electric smoothtop
Samsung FE-R300SB, $600 electric smoothtop
Frigidaire FFEF3018LW, $600 electric smoothtop
Kenmore 94142, $430 electric coil top
Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3032MW, $700 gas
Samsung NX58F5500SS, $900 gas
Kenmore 74132, $700 gas

Our range Ratings give you all the details. Check the brand reliability information to read what thousands of people had to say and the buying guide will tell you what features matter most.

—Kimberly Janeway  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Upright or canister? Bagged or bagless? Corded or cordless. These are just some of the decisions you'll have to make when buying a vacuum. If you have carpeting, you may want to consider an upright as they tend to do a better job at picking up ground-in grit. Got pet hair? Check the results of Consumer Reports' tough pet hair tests to find an upright or canister that excels at that job. Here are some recommendations from our experts for vacuums that do best on carpeting, bare floors, and pet hair.

Best for a carpeted home

It’s the challenge of deep-cleaning carpets that separates the winners from the also-rans. Of our picks, only the bagged-upright Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 bagged upright, $160, excelled in this tough test—it was also superior at keeping its emissions low. The Kenmore Elite 31150 bagged upright, $350, and Kenmore Elite 21814 bagged canister, $500, didn’t do quite as well for carpets but together scored near the top overall, aided by plenty of airflow for tools and low emissions.

Best for mixed floors

If you want neither the annoyance nor the expense of bags and don’t need the carpet-cleaning power of a bagged vacuum, these two bagless vacuums should fit the bill. The chief strengths of the Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120, $130 and a CR Best Buy, are its beefy tool ­airflow, low emissions, and ­superb pet-hair pickup. The ­upright Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A, $120, another CR Best Buy, matched the Hoover WindTunnel for emissions but slipped a bit in the other two tests. Neither vacuum, however, lets you shut off its brush roll, which could mar the finish of a wood floor and scatter debris. Two recommended canisters, the Kenmore 22614, $350, and the Panasonic MC-CL935, $330, both CR Best Buys, offer that capability and were top-notch for pet hair as well.

Top picks for pet hair

Neither bagged nor bagless models take a lead in picking pet hair off carpet, but the bagged-upright Kenmore 31140, $200, offers powerful tool airflow as well as great pet-hair pickup—and for a friendly price. The Kenmore Progressive 21714, $400, came closest among our picks for bagged canisters. So did the Kenmore Progressive 21614, $300, but for a lower price, earning it a CR Best Buy.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

House fires can happen to anybody at any time, but they occur most often in the winter, when people are using heating equipment, fireplaces, and space heaters. And carbon monoxide poisoning often occurs when people are asleep. Because of the colorless and odorless nature of the gas, many don’t realize they are being poisoned.

That's why you'll probably sleep more soundly knowing you have installed smoke detectors and CO alarms. People without functioning smoke alarms are almost nine times more likely to be injured in a fire; 15,000 visits to emergency departments are caused by CO poisoning every year. Yet only about one-third of U.S. homes have CO detectors. Sources of the gas include faulty furnaces, clogged chimneys, and electrical generators. Signs of poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness.

Find the best smoke detectors and CO alarms in our buying guide.

Install smoke detectors, $12 and up, and CO alarms, $30 and up, near bedrooms and on every floor of your house, including in the basement. Consumer Reports’ tests found that smoke alarms that use ionization technology were great at detecting a fast, flaming fire, such as burning paper, but poor at detecting a smoldering fire, as in a couch or mattress. The opposite was true of photoelectric smoke alarms.

But some combine ionization and photoelectric technologies to cover both types of fire, such as the First Alert 3120B, $30, and Kidde PI2010, $30, which were tops in our new tests. If anyone in your house is hearing-impaired, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration.

As for CO detectors, the First Alert CO615, $30, stand-alone monitor was excellent at detecting high levels of the gas.   

Here's what to consider before buying and installing smoke detectors and CO alarms:

• Mount smoke detectors on the ceiling or high on a wall. To avoid false alarms, don’t mount ionization smoke alarms in the kitchen, where burnt toast might set them off, or near sources of steam such as bathrooms or the laundry room.
• Make sure your alarms are up to snuff.
  
• Don’t install CO monitors in breezy areas, such as near a fan or an open window, where fresh air can cause a misleadingly low CO reading. Also avoid mounting the monitors in direct sunlight that can damage the units, in the kitchen or near any cooking appliance, in the garage, or near the furnace or water heater.
• The life expectancy of smoke detectors is generally 10 years, after which point their sensors can begin to lose sensitivity. The test button only confirms that the battery, electronics, and alert system are working; it doesn’t mean that the smoke sensor is working. To test the sensor, use an aerosol can of smoke alarm test spray (about $10) that simulates smoke, which is available online and in some hardware stores.
  
• Replace CO alarms every five to seven years. Check the label on the bottom of detectors and replace any that are older than that.
• Make a fire escape plan for your household and practice it. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible. 
  —Sue Byrne
   

This article also appeared in the January 2015 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

CFLs have improved over the years that Consumer Reports has tested them. Back in 2007 you could find CFLs that flickered when first turned on, cast a weird light, hummed, buzzed, and even smoked when they burned out. The older bulbs contained more mercury and prices were higher. And while CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Light or Lamp, you couldn’t blame a person for calling them Curlicue Flawed Lights.

But as Consumer Reports' lightbulb Ratings show, some CFLs are impressive or even excellent overall. They aren’t the top scoring lightbulbs—LEDs are—but they’re cheaper and the best CFLs we tested are bright, cast a warm light, are quicker to fully brighten, and aren’t greatly affected by frequently turning them on and off. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than the incandescent bulbs they replace and are claimed to last 7 to 10 times longer.

Here’s how to save money. Use less energy, and you’ll trim your electric bill. For about $1.25 you can buy a CFL that replaces a 60-watt incandescent yet uses only 15 watts. You’d save $63 in electricity and replacement bulbs over the CFL’s claimed life of 9 years, when used 3 hours a day. That’s based on the national average electricity rate. It takes you about six weeks to earn back the $1.25 you spent on the CFL. And a CFL that replaces a 100-watt incandescent would save about $100 over its 9 year life, and takes six weeks to recoup the $2.30 you paid. If you live where electricity is expensive—Alaska, California, Hawaii, and New England to name a few places—you’ll save even more money.

Need to know

Check our lightbulb Ratings. We test dozens of CFLs and LEDs.
Look for utility rebates. It’s another way to save. And thumbs up to Marylanders: You won’t have to pay the 6 percent sales tax on Energy Star CFLs and LEDs this weekend, February 14-16, 2015.
Choose Energy Star. CFLs that are Energy Star qualified must meet high standards for brightness, color, and energy use and the mercury content is capped.
Read the Lighting Facts label. It’s on the back of the CFL box and tells you the bulb’s light color—warm, cool—and more.
Use as directed. Most CFLs aren’t dimmable and note what kind of fixture the bulb can be used in and if it’s meant for outdoors. We indicate all of this in our lightbulb Ratings too.
Keep receipts. Energy Star CFLs come with a warranty of at least two years.
Be patient. CFLs take time to fully brighten. You’ll see the warm-up scores in our Ratings. Some take seconds while it may take up to several minutes for flood/reflector CFLs, especially when used outdoors in frigid temperatures. So don’t use CFLs where you need instant light.
Recycle. CFLs still contain small amounts of mercury and the bulbs should be recycled. This keeps the mercury from being released into the environment if the bulb breaks in the trash or landfill. If a CFL breaks at home follow the cleanup tips from the EPA.

Some top-pick CFLs for use in lamps

60-watt replacements 
Great Value 14W 60W Soft White CFL (Walmart), $1.25
Feit Electric ECObulb Plus 60W, $2.50

100-watt replacements
Utilitech 100W Soft White CFL (Lowe’s), $2.50
Feit Electric ECObulb Plus 100W, $2.33
EcoSmart 100W Soft White (Home Depot), $1.50 

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

When it comes to making healthy vegetables, cooked can sometimes be better than raw. Cooking can free up more nutrients for your body to absorb.

“Common wisdom says cooked food has lower nutritional value compared with fresh produce, but that’s not always true,” says Rui Hai Liu, a professor in the department of food science at Cornell University, who has studied how heat affects food. “Many nutrients in fruits and vegetables are bound in the cell walls,” he explains. “Cooking helps release them, so they’re more bioavailable and absorbed by the body.”

Here are five healthy vegetables that you should heat before eating, plus tips on how to unleash their full potential in terms of nutrition and taste:

Asparagus

A 2009 study in the International Journal of Food Science & Technology found that cooking these stalks raised the level of six nutrients, including cancer-fighting antioxidants, by more than 16 percent. Another 2009 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that cooking asparagus more than doubled the level of two types of phenolic acid, which some studies have linked to lower cancer rates.

Try this: Steaming asparagus is a good method to keep spears crisp and prevent nutrients leaching into the cooking water. Another option is this flash-cook microwave method from Pamela Braun, a recipe developer for MyMansBelly.com: Soak four paper towels in water and lemon juice, then wring them out and roll spears in them. Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes on high

Carrots

Cooking ignites this veggie’s cancer-fighting carotenoids. A 2008 study in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that boiling carrots until tender boosted their concentration of carotenoids by 14 percent. But hold the fry pan. Pan frying caused a dip in carotenoid levels by 13 percent.

Try this: To maximize the nutritional benefits, boil carrots whole before slicing. Cooking them that way keeps valuable nutrients from escaping into the cooking water. Bonus: Once cooked, they’ll be easier to cut. Top with a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup to bring out the natural sweetness of carrots, says Catherine Jones, co-author of “The Calories In, Calories Out Cookbook” (The Experiment, 2014).

Mushrooms

A cup of cooked white mushrooms has about twice as much muscle-building potassium, heart-healthy niacin, immune-boosting zinc, and bone-strengthening magnesium as a cup of raw ones. That’s according to the Department of Agriculture’s nutrient database. Even mushrooms considered edible can sometimes contain small amounts of toxins that can be destroyed through cooking.

Try this: Mushrooms are like sponges when it comes to soaking up fat, so go easy on the oil, Braun says. Because they release a lot of water when cooking, don’t overcrowd the pan, and let them cook down. For a flavor boost, Braun sautées mushrooms with garlic and sprigs of fresh thyme. They make a tasty side dish and are a great topper for pasta or burgers, she says.

Learn more in our Food & Drink Guide. And find out which gadgets make cooking a breeze.

Spinach

This leafy green is packed with nutrients, but you’ll absorb more calcium and iron if you eat it cooked. The reason: Spinach is loaded with oxalic acid, which blocks the absorption of iron and calcium but breaks down under high temperatures. One study found that cooking spinach quickly in boiling water, then plunging it into cold water, reduced oxalate content by 40 percent, on average, which was more effective than pan or pressure cooking.

Try this: Blanch a bunch of fresh spinach leaves in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge in ice water for a few more. Drain well and keep wrapped in the fridge, ready to add to omelets, soup, and other dishes. It should keep for a few days.

Tomatoes

Cooking tomatoes—whether they’re baked, fried, or even puréed into spaghetti sauce—increases a phytochemical, lycopene, that has been linked to lower rates of cancer and heart disease. It also gives red tomatoes their rosy color. According to a landmark study in 2002 by Liu, heating tomatoes for 30 minutes at 190.4° F (the temperature of soup simmering on a stove) boosted the levels of absorbable lycopene by 35 percent. Though cooking reduced the vitamin C content, Liu’s study found that it raised the total power of the disease-fighting antioxidant by 62 percent.

Try this: Instead of serving raw tomatoes cut up in a salad, try roasting them in the oven. Roasting concentrates their flavor, says Rene Ficek, a registered dietitian and lead nutrition expert at Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating, a meal-planning and delivery service based in Illinois. Arrange quartered tomatoes on a sheet pan in one layer; drizzle them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; sprinkle with garlic, salt, and pepper; then bake for about a half-hour at 200° F.

—Susan Perry

This article also appeared in the February/March 2015 issue of ShopSmart magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Concentrations of mercury in tuna caught in the Pacific near Hawaii increased at a rate of around 4 percent annually from 1998 through 2008, according to a new study led by a University of Michigan researcher. The study suggests that rising levels of mercury emissions coming from sources such as coal-fired power plants that pollute open ocean waters are to blame for mounting levels of the toxin in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna, also known as “ahi,” which is often used in sushi or for grilled tuna steaks.

As we noted in our special report "Can Eating the Wrong Fish Put You at Higher Risk for Mercury Exposure?" almost all seafood contains mercury in varying amounts, but higher levels tend to accumulate in swordfish, shark, and larger, longer-living predatory fish. Certain types of tuna, including yellowfin and big eye, are also high in mercury. In fact, Food and Drug Administration data show that many samples have levels comparable to shark and swordfish. 

When you eat seafood containing methylmercury—the form found in seafood—more than 95 percent is absorbed into your bloodstream. Getting too much of the toxin can damage the brain and nervous system. Risks are highest for fetuses, but children and adults also can suffer harmful health effects, including problems with speech, walking, and fine motor coordination.

Check our Food Safety & Sustainability Guide.

For the University of Michigan study on mercury in tuna, researchers reanalyzed data from four other studies that measured total mercury levels in the muscle tissue of yellowfin tuna that were caught in the North Pacific near Hawaii: 111 fish in 1971, 104 fish in 1998 and 14 fish in 2008. They found that concentrations of the toxin in Hawaiian yellowfins did not change between 1971 and 1998, but over the next 10 years, mercury levels shot up at a rate of 3.8 percent or more per year.

“While the sample size from 2008 is much smaller than the others and we would like to see more data from recent years to confirm this finding, this trend is highly concerning,” says Jean Halloran, director of food-policy initiatives at Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports.

A 2009 study led by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey and Harvard University found that mercury levels measured in the waters of the northern Pacific Ocean had risen about 30 percent over 20 years. But the Hawaiian yellowfin tuna study is the first to document a consequent increase in mercury levels of open-water fish, according to the study’s authors. Calling for more stringent reductions in mercury emissions, they warned that if mercury continues to be deposited into the ocean at current rates, mercury levels in the North Pacific will double by 2050. “Mercury contamination of ocean fish is a serious global health issue," they concluded.

The evidence from these studies provides yet another reason to heed Consumer Reports' advice on ways to protect your health by reducing your dietary intake of mercury. To get the benefits of seafood while minimizing your exposure to the toxin, see our recommendations of low-mercury seafood choices, such as wild and Alaskan salmon (either fresh or canned) as well as our advice on higher-mercury fish to watch out for.

Also check these resources and tools for making safer seafood choices, including the Got Mercury? calculator, which shows how much of a given type of fish or shellfish you can eat per week based on your body weight without exceeding the maximum acceptable dietary limit for mercury set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

—Andrea Rock

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

There's been a lot of turnover in the freezer market. So Consumer Reports is in the process of testing more than 40 new models from across the main categories: manual-defrost chest freezers, manual-defrost upright freezers, and self-defrost upright freezers. Testing is ongoing for the upright freezers, but we've posted freezer Ratings for nine new chest freezers, including models from Haier and Idylis that make our recommended list. The remainder will be posted soon.

Chest freezers tend to be more affordable than uprights and they're less likely to cause freezer burn. Our top-rated models combine superb temperature performance and energy efficiency. The higher-priced Haier HCM071AW, $270, adds a door lock, an important safety feature in homes with small children. We were less impressed with the new Kenmore 12702, which delivered subpar temperature control despite costing $50 more than the recommended Idylis ICM070LC, $190, a CR Best Buy.

Though it misses our recommended list, the Hisense Dual Zone FC-33DT1HA is notable because it's the only standalone chest freezer with a smaller soft-freeze chamber that can be set anywhere from 21° to 50° F. That's handy if you need some more storage space for frozen foods, plus a little extra something for cold beverages and the like.

The tradeoff with all chest freezers is that they tend to be harder to keep organized, because they're basically a big open box (though some come with adjustable bins). And you have to remember to defrost them by hand, or the ice build-up could make them less energy efficient. If you want the convenience and easier storage of an upright, check back soon for the top performers from our ongoing tests.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

This weekend is a good time to get a great buy on a large appliance. Home improvement and big box stores are offering 10 to 30 percent off some stellar kitchen and laundry appliances. We took a look at the websites of Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, and Best Buy and found some top-performers from Consumer Reports’ tests. Here are five top picks from each but you’ll find plenty more at the stores. Remember to ask about free delivery and haul away, which will add to your savings. (Sale prices are from the retailers’ websites.)

Home Depot

Home Depot is offering 10 percent off appliances that cost $396 or more plus featuring special buys that are 20 percent off.

Samsung NX58H9500WS pro-style range, $1,996
This slide-in range is typically priced higher than freestanding models. The Samsung offers super simmering and impressive baking, broiling, and self-cleaning. The oven is big and has convection and a temperature probe. There are five burners including two high-power that deliver fast heat.

KitchenAid KDTM354DSS dishwasher, $808
In addition to stellar washing, drying, and efficient running, this high-performing KitchenAid dishwasher boasts a self-cleaning, ultrafine filter that breaks food particles down throughout the cycle without noisy grinding. And it’s fairly quiet. Other pluses include a soil sensor, stainless-steel interior, ample flatware slots, and an adjustable upper rack and tines. In our tests, a normal cycle took 125 minutes and used only about 4 gallons of water in our tests.

Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW washing machine, $748
Already the least expensive of the top-pick front-loaders in our tests, the Maytag is also the fastest. Normal wash time using the heavy-soil setting is 75 minutes. This washer offers excellent cleaning and energy- and water-efficiency, and is gentle on fabrics. It fits about 22 pounds of our laundry but it's noisy. The matching dryer, the Maytag Maxima MED5100DW, is also on sale.

Maytag Maxima MED5100DW clothes dryer, $748
Superb drying, large capacity, and relatively quiet operation make this a winner. This dryer is Energy Star-qualified. Our test results are based on using the regular cycle. The energy-saving option should provide comparable performance while saving energy, but drying time is significantly longer.

Samsung RF28HDEDBSR 3-door, French-door refrigerator, $2,298
Samsung’s 36-inch-wide French-door bottom-freezer offers a spacious 20 cubic feet of usable capacity, and the space is well organized around several helpful storage features. These include adjustable shelves, gallon door storage, and spill-proof shelfs. The refrigerator delivers superb temperature control and energy efficiency. And its dual evaporators help keep food fresh by maintaining optimal humidity levels.

Lowe's

Lowe’s is offering 10 to 25 percent off major appliances that cost $399 or more.

LG WM8500HVA front-loader washing machine, $1,439
This top-rated front-loader has a jumbo capacity, holding about 24 pounds of laundry. The LG aced our cleaning tests, offers superb water efficiency, and does an excellent job extracting water so dryer time is shortened. But it took 90 minutes in our tests to do a normal wash on the heavy-soil setting; the TurboWash option offers comparable wash performance in less time. The matching dryer, LG DLEX8500V, is also on sale. Note that the washer and dryer are each 29 inches wide—2 more than usual—and available only in a graphite steel finish.

LG DLEX8500V clothes dryer, $1,439
An electric dryer, the LG has a jumbo capacity and is excellent at drying. It's relatively quiet too. Like the matching washer, it’s 29 inches wide—two more than usual, and only available in a graphite steel finish.

Whirlpool WRB322DMBM bottom-freezer refrigerator, $1,259
Whirlpool’s 33-inch-wide conventional bottom-freezer makes our recommended list on the strength of its excellent temperature control and energy efficiency. On the downside, it’s a tad noisier than other top models. Features include split shelves, which make it easy to store tall items, as well gallon door storage and touchpad controls.  

KitchenAid KDFE454CSS dishwasher, $1,349
Among the priciest in our tests, this KitchenAid dishwasher delivers some stellar performance. It aced our wash test, which uses a full load of very dirty items, and was among the quietest models during fill, wash, and drain. It was also especially energy- and water-efficient. Pluses include a soil sensor and stainless-steel interior. For flexibility, it has delayed start, ample flatware slots, an adjustable upper rack, and adjustable tines. A normal cycle took 140 minutes and used about 5 gallons of water in our tests.

LG LRE3083SW electric smooth-top range, $800
This top-rated electric smoothtop range was superb at simmering and delivered fast heat. In our tests, baking and self-cleaning were impressive; broiling was superb. The oven has convection and a steam-clean feature for light cleaning. There are four range-top cooking elements, including two high-powered.

Sears

At Sears, they are offering 10 to 30 percent off appliances including their own brand, Kenmore. Here are five Kenmore picks.

Kenmore 22614 canister vacuum cleaner, $250
Impressive cleaning, lots of airflow for tools, and fairly quiet running helped make this bagless canister a top pick. This Kenmore is also a great choice for picking up after cats or dogs. Key features include manual carpet pile-height adjustment (better for matching brush to surface), suction control (protects drapes when using tools), a brush on/off switch (safeguards bare floors and prevents scattered debris), and a retractable cord. But handling this vacuum's 23 pounds took some muscle.

Kenmore 32313 gas cooktop, $1,016
Fast heating and impressive simmering at a relatively low price make this 36-inch gas cooktop a recommended model. Two of its five burners are high-power. The continuous grates let you slide heavy pots across the cooktop rather than lifting them. Stainless trim is a plus for the price.

Kenmore 69313 bottom-freezer refrigerator, $799
If you’re looking for top value in a conventional bottom-freezer, this 30-inch-wide Kenmore is one to consider. And its narrow width is a good fit for smaller kitchens. In terms of performance, it combines superb temperature control, energy efficiency, and quietness. Just don't expect much in the way of convenience features.   

Kenmore Elite 12793 dishwasher, $1,050
In addition to top-notch performance, this Kenmore offers an industry first: a motorized spray arm that reverses direction if something inside blocks the arm's rotation. The model's other pluses include a stainless-steel interior. Flexibility options include an upper rack you can adjust with one hand. A normal cycle takes 145 minutes and used about 5 gallons of water in our tests.

Kenmore Elite 41073 front-loader washing machine, $1,199
Offering excellent wash performance and a jumbo capacity, this front-loader holds about 24 pounds of laundry. But the normal wash time, using the heavy soil setting, was 95 minutes in our tests. The Accela-Wash option offers comparable cleaning in less time. We also recommend the matching dryer, the Kenmore Elite 81073, which is on sale for $1,199. The washer and dryer are each 29 inches wide—two inches more than usual.

Best Buy

Best Buy is offering up to 25 percent off major appliances, including this quintet.

Samsung RS25H5121SR side-by-side refrigerator, $1,399
This 36-inch-wide side-by-side from Samsung sits at the top of our Ratings, thanks to its outstanding temperature performance, energy efficiency, and quiet operation. It’s also loaded with features, including an innovative ice and water dispenser and dual evaporators, which should help keep food fresh by maintaining optimal humidity levels.  
 
LG WT5680HVA HE top-loader washing machine, $949
This high-efficiency LG has a jumbo capacity and excels at cleaning. But like many HE top-loaders it wasn't so gentle on fabrics. Normal wash time is 75 minutes on the heavy-soil setting; the TurboWash feature cuts time without affecting performance. Features include a steam option and SmartDiagnosis that lets you transmit washer data by phone to technicians who will try to solve the problem without a housecall. The matching dryer, the LG DLEX5680V, is also impressive.

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal vacuum cleaner, $399
Overall this bagless model is a capable upright vacuum cleaner. In our tests, it was very good at removing embedded dirt from carpets and when cleaning surfaces such as kitchen and hardwood floors, the Dyson was excellent. At 19 pounds, it handles well and emissions were kept to a minimum. Other models are better at picking up pet hair.

Samsung NX58F5700WS gas range, $1,299
This top-rated gas range is stylish and unlike most gas ranges we tested offers fast cooktop heat and superb baking. Even broiling was impressive—not something most gas ranges ace. There are five burners, including two high power. The oven is large and has a convection feature and gliding oven racks. The warming drawer is a nice touch.

Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC dishwasher, $629
Already a CR Best Buy, this Bosch conventional dishwasher delivers top performance at a competitive price. It aced our wash test, which uses a full load of very dirty items, and was very good at drying plastic items. It was among the quietest models during fill, wash, and drain and was especially energy-efficient. For flexibility, it has delayed start, ample flatware slots, an adjustable upper rack, and adjustable tines. A normal cycle took 95 minutes and used almost 6 gallons of water in our tests. Bosch is among the more reliable dishwasher brands.

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

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Bathrooms can be germy places and you don't have to be a germaphobe to see the merits in a toilet that flushes hands-free. Some manufacturers have been attempting to bring the touchless technology seen in many public bathrooms into the home, with mixed results. In Consumer Reports' toilet tests, we have yet to find a touchless toilet that excels at its primary job: flushing waste. In fact, the best touchless solution we’ve seen is a $50 kit from Kohler that may work on the toilet you already own.

Like other touchless toilets, the gravity-fed Kohler Cimarron Touchless K-6418, lets you wave a hand over the tank to flush. The $350 model is WaterSense-certified, using only 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), and is fairly quiet. And its touchless design lets you wave a hand over the tank to flush. It was also adept at cleaning the front and sides of the bowl despite the miserly water use. But in our tests of how well a toilet removes simulated solid waste through the bowl and trap, the Kohler did merely so-so. It didn’t propel our simulated waste far either, which could result in drain-line clogs. The Kohler placed in the lowest third of our single-flush toilet Ratings.

Delta’s touchless toilet, the one-piece Delta Brevard C43903T-WH, $280, ranked lower still. Also a WaterSense-certified model, the gravity-fed toilet uses 1.28 gpf and performed a notch higher than the Kohler at cleaning the front and sides of the bowl. Like the Kohler, it’s a comfort-height model and was also fairly quiet. The good news ends there. We judged it only fair at removing simulated solid waste through the bowl and trap. Its small water spot won’t help it resist soil and odors.  Moreover, the Delta didn’t propel our simulated waste far, which could result in drain-line clogs.

The best touchless-toilet product we found also saves you the most money, time, and hassle. The only catch is that not all toilets can accommodate the aftermarket Kohler K-1954-0 kit, $50; this means no dual-flush, top-mount flush, pressure-assist, or ballcock-valve toilets. The retrofit kit installs in the tank; you can install a hand-icon decal to indicate where to wave.

The touchless module on the Kohler Cimarron Touchless K-6418 tends to close the flapper almost immediately after opening it, while the mechanism for the aftermarket Kohler K-1954-0 kit pauses about a second between opening and closing. This delay allows for a more complete flush cycle than we saw in the Cimarron. The kit takes 4 AA batteries, and the unit will beep to notify you when they’re running low. Included in the kit is an optional cap and bolt for the hole where the trip lever used to be.

Need a new toilet?

The best-performing toilets in our tests of more than 40 toilets, all single-flush and mostly gravity-fed, include the $240 American Standard Champion 4 Max 2586.128ST.020, the $270 Delta Riosa C43906 (both Water-Sense-certified), and the $275 Kohler Kelston K-3754. Before you shop,  check out our buying guide and toilet Ratings.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Replacing your kitchen countertops, just the countertops, seems like a reasonable, affordable way to give your kitchen a new look. All countertops look terrific when they’re new but not all can stand up to the a busy kitchen. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of some of the countertop materials that Consumer Reports tested. Warning: It’s not always pretty.

Who doesn’t want countertops that are easy to maintain, withstand daily abuses, survive parties, and last years, maybe decades? So we stained, sliced, scratched, and nicked 14 materials from leading brands and found huge differences in the materials, but little difference in competing brands, except for recycled glass.

Quartz

Pros. Some quartz countertops are beautiful. This combination of mineral, color, and resin is meant to mimic the look of stone yet doesn’t needed resealing. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains were no match for quartz, making it the top-scoring material.
Cons. Edges and corners can chip and you’ll need a pro to repair them.
Cost. $40 to $100 per square foot.

Granite

Pros. The real deal. It’s stone, so each slab is unique. Heat, cuts, and scratches didn’t harm granite in our tests. Polished and matte finishes resisted most stains when properly sealed.
Cons. Periodic resealing is needed to fight stains, and corners and edges can chip and must be repaired by a pro.
Cost. $40 to $100 per square foot

Soapstone, limestone, and marble

Pros. They’re not as common as granite countertops and they are stunning, at first. Soapstone was superb at resisting heat damage, and small scratches can be repaired by sanding finely and applying mineral oil. Marble and limestone offer a classic look and limestone resisted heat.
Cons. Soapstone nicks, cuts, and scratches easily and some stains are too tough to be washed away. Marble and limestone also have those drawbacks, and heat damaged the marble.
Cost. $50 to $100 per square foot for soapstone and limestone; marble, $50 to $150.

Check our full countertop Ratings to find out how the other materials did in our tests. You’ll see recycled glass, laminates, tile, solid surfacing, concrete, stainless steel, butcher block, paper composite, and bamboo. Plenty of choices for different budgets. 

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

While you're watching the finale of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this evening, consider this: All those breeders and handlers and other folks who make dogs their living get to deduct their dog-related costs as business expenses. 

And notably, many regular folks can deduct dog-related expenses, too, if those dogs are service animals. The IRS says the costs to buy, train, and maintain a service animal for someone who is visually impaired or hearing disabled, or has another physical disability can be considered deductible medical expenses. "In general, this includes any costs, such as food, grooming, and veterinary care, incurred in maintaining the health and vitality of the service animal so that it may perform its duties." says IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.

Welcome to the world of unusual medical tax deductions. According to Barbara Weltman, an attorney and contributing editor to J.K. Lasser's "Your Income Tax" book series, taxpayers often are not aware of all they can claim in medical expenses. Below are a few others.

• Wigs prescribed by a psychiatrist to deal with anxiety about hair loss

• Special bed or mattress to help your back or sleeping disorder if prescribed by a doctor

• Improvements to make your home accessible to someone with a disability

• New siding on a home where a resident is suffering due to mold on the old siding

• Remedial reading help for a dyslexic child

• Herbal supplements prescribed by a doctor for migraine headaches

• Hearing-aid batteries

• Laser eye surgery

• In-vitro fertilization treatments for someone who is infertile

• If your switch to a gluten-free diet is costing you more, the price difference between the old and new diets is also tax-deductible. Good thing, because as our recent report on gluten-free products shows, that's often the case.

Consumer Reports' Tax Guide offers wisdom on preparing, paying and saving money on your taxes.

Travel to visit a child in rehabilitation when the visit is recommended as a necessary part of the rehabilitation may be deductible, Weltman confirms. 

Keep in mind that you can only write off those qualified medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of your household adjusted gross income. For households where one filer is 65 or older, the cutoff is 7.5 percent, at least through tax-year 2016. 

And, in case you were wondering, a federal tax deduction for medical marijuana remains a pipe dream.

—Tobie Stanger (@TobieStanger on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Your refrigerator may not be the safest spot to stash fruits and vegetables. Refrigerators get dirty. A research team at the Tennessee State University found that vegetable drawers are the areas in a refrigerator most likely to be contaminated with bacteria. The researchers speculate that the reason is people dump produce in the bin and forget about it. Then later it turns to mush or ends up covered in mold. That isn’t just yucky; it’s also a food-safety hazard. Here’s how to avoid the biggest food-storage mistakes:

Clean weekly. Toss out spoiled food and sop up any spills or leaks in the refrigerator. And don’t reuse that sponge or cloth until you’ve washed it. Sanitize sponges in the dishwasher

Track the temperature. To keep perishable foods such as meat safe, keep your refrigerator at or below 40° F.

Chill cut produce. Refrigerate any fruit or vegetable once it has been cut, say the food scientists at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Bacterial risk goes up with peeling and cutting. Even in the refrigerator, don’t let cut produce linger too long. Some of the most dangerous bacteria, such as listeria, can grow there.

Avoid cross-contamination. To prevent contaminating other foods, keep cut items in plastic bags or covered containers. Keep drippy raw meat on the lowest rack, and make sure it’s on a plate and well sealed. Double-wrap, if necessary.

Toss unrefrigerated leftovers. Play it safe and discard food that has been sitting at room temperature for two hours or longer. And never put washed food back in its original container without also washing the container.

Limit what you buy. Most fruits and vegetables should be eaten in two to five days, so don’t buy more than you can eat.

What’s the best way to clean produce bins?

Bins are the most bacteria-laden areas in refrigerators, so clean them often. Take everything out, then remove the drawers and wash them with warm water and dish detergent in a clean sink. Rinse and dry with paper towels; finish by spraying drawers with a homemade sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Let stand for at least 15 seconds, but make sure to dry the drawers thoroughly with clean paper towels before returning them to the refrigerator.

Best refrigerators from our tests

3-door French door: GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,600.
4-door French door: Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $5,400.
Bottom-freezer: Kenmore Elite 79043, $1,510.
Top-freezer: GE Profile PTS22LHS[WW], $1,400.
Side-by-side: Samsung RS25H5121SR, $1,900.
Built-in: Thermador Freedom Collection T36BB820SS, $7,400.

–Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Single-serve coffeemakers from Hamilton Beach haven’t typically ranked in the top tier of Consumer Reports' coffeemaker tests. But from what we’ve seen so far in our tests of the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Generation 2 49997, the manufacturer is clearly raising the bar—at least for single-serve brewing.

At first blush, the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Generation 2 49997 looks ordinary with only a brew-strength selector on the exterior. Open the lid, and you see more: a filtered reservoir you can fill to an 8-, 10-, or 14-ounce level, plus a K-Cup holder that lifts out to expose a permanent filter for loose grounds. Each time you brew, the reservoir runs all the water through for that serving. And the drip tray adjusts to a higher height to prevent splashing when using a smaller cup.

Our tests of the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Generation 2 49997 won't be complete until we run expert taste tests of the pod coffee that all the most recently tested models brew. But from what we can see, this model looks like a winner. It delivered a first cup as quickly as the trio of top-rated DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines with the second cup almost as fast. Temperature and size consistency, were top-notch—something you can’t always say about single-serve coffeemakers. Where it fell short was in the convenience score, which took off points for such drawbacks as reservoir markings we thought hard to read.

Since the Hamilton Beach also brews loose grounds—its 14-ounce setting is meant just for that—we also tested it as a “to-go” single-mug coffeemaker. As a drip coffeemaker, it scored only fair overall, with mediocre scores for brew performance and convenience.

Need a new coffeemaker?

We’ve tested more than 90 drip coffeemakers, including the high-scoring Cuisinart Crystal SCC-1000 Limited Edition Perfec Temp, $200, and the Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT, just $40. Of the more than 30 single-serve coffeemakers tested, headliners include the DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T, $130, and the Starbucks Verismo 600, $150. We’ve also tested four electric French-press models, including the iCoffee RCB100-BC12, $150. Be sure to check out our coffeemaker buying guide before viewing our coffeemaker Ratings.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

If you just bought a treadmill as part of resolution to get in shape, you’re probably eager to get it out of the box and assembled so that you can start logging some serious miles. But as with any high-powered piece of equipment, operating a treadmill without setting it up properly and learning how it works can result in serious injury. In fact, treadmills cause tens of thousands of injuries each year, many involving children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Below are seven ways to minimize the risks while maximizing the benefits. And if you haven't purchased your treadmill yet, be sure to check Consumer Reports' treadmill Ratings, which evaluate machines by safety, as well as ergonomics, construction, and ease of use.                    

Clear the area. Some of the most dangerous treadmill accidents involve people who loose their footing and end up pinned between a wall and the machine, whose spinning belt can cause serious skin burns and shearing. Clearance requirements vary by machine, so always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. If that information isn’t available, a good rule of thumb, according to ASTM International, a standard setting organization, is to leave at least 6 1/2 feet of free space at the back of the treadmill and about 1 1/2 feet at either side.        

Use the safety key. Even with adequate clearances around the treadmill, you should always use the safety key that’s found on all machines. One end plugs into the console and the other end clips onto your clothing. If you fall, the key will pop out of the console and the treadmill should come to a safe stop. 

Straddle the deck. Avoid starting the treadmill while standing on the belt. The motion could catch you by surprise and knock you off balance, sending you flying. Get into the habit of straddling the deck and allowing the belt to start moving before stepping on it.  

Keep your head up. If you’re new to the treadmill, you may be tempted to look at your feet as you run. But looking down (or off to the side) can cause you to lose your balance and fall. Always keep your head up and look ahead at the console or another focal point in the room.

Don’t overdo it. Keep track of your heart rate while you exercise. Many treadmills have hand contact heart rate monitors or you can use a separate monitor with a chest strap. We prefer chest strap monitors because they’re generally more reliable and you don’t have to worry about holding onto contact sensors while running, which can present its own balancing challenges.  

For normal healthy people, working at a moderate level of intensity is recommended. That means a target heart rate of between 64 and 76 percent of maximum heart rate (which is 220 minus your age). To work at a vigorous intensity, you should have clearance from your physician or have been exercising for a while. If you experience any signs or symptoms associated with heart attacks (chest pain, left arm or jaw pain, or numbness or dizziness) stop immediately and seek medical attention. 

Come to a complete stop. Trying to save time by hopping off the treadmill before it stops is another possible cause of injury. Always let the belt come to a complete stop before dismounting. It’s also important for you to know where the emergency shut off button is located on the machine so that you can disable it immediately if necessary.

Keep children away. Children between the ages of 1 and 6 sustain more injuries from treadmills than any other age group. The injuries are often caused by falls leading to contusions and abrasions after the machine is accidentally turned on. Always remove the safety key and keep it out of reach when the treadmill is not in use. There have also been cases of children dying by asphyxiation after their necks become entangled in electrical wires hanging from the control panel. So the best policy is to keep children away from your home treadmill at all times.  

Best treadmills from our tests

In Consumer Reports treadmill tests, we evaluate construction, ease of use, ergonomics, exercise range, and safety. Here are the top two of the three types of treadmills we test.

Non-folding treadmills

• Landice L7 Cardio Trainer, $3,800
• NordicTrack Elite 9700 Pro, $2,200

Folding treadmills

• ProForm Pro 2000, $1,250
• Spirit XT485, $2,000

Budget folding treadmills

• NordicTrack C970 Pro, $1,000
• Xterra Trail Racer 6.6, $1,000

—Susan Booth

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Decluttering your kitchen countertops sounds great until you discover yet another new countertop appliance that’s faster, better, or turns out tastier or healthier food. Consumer Reports tested the Philips Digital Airfryer and the Ronco Ready Grill. Are they worth clearing space on your counters? Take a look.

Ronco Ready Grill RG1005BLGEN

What we paid: $120
What Ronco claims: Delicious, grilled meals in just 20 minutes! This new indoor, smokeless grill offers all of the delicious grilled flavor. It even cooks frozen foods straight from the freezer. The removable grill basket and drip tray make cleanup a snap.
The look: Like a toaster but taller (17Wx7Dx12H). It comes in silver with black, red, or blue trim. It can fit enough food for a single course for four, or a mix of foods for fewer. 
How it works: It’s a vertical broiler that uses two sets of heating rods to cook food in a basket from two sides. There’s no temperature control—the heating elements are on the whole time and the 30-minute manual timer will turn off the grill when time’s up. The basket can be adjusted to accommodate thick or thin foods, and the removable drip tray collects juices and fats.
Our tests found: We tested the Ronco by cooking chicken wings, frozen French fries,  sweet potato fries, steak, Tater Tots, potato wedges, chicken tenders, sausage, bacon, toasted cheese sandwiches, and burgers and found the Ronco grill preheated fast and cooks much faster than a regular oven and was even faster than a convection oven. Foods were nicely browned and tasty but not smokey, if that's what Ronco means by grilled flavor. Thicker steaks and burgers cooked more evenly than thinner foods like bacon. There’s no temperature control so you have to keep an eye on your toasted cheese sandwiches.
Need to know: It was easy to use and clean.The recipe book includes fewer recipes than the Airfryer’s so you have to try foods out to get a feel for the Ronco grill.

Philips HD9230/26 Digital Airfryer

What we paid: $349
What Philips claims: Fries, bakes, roasts, and grills with a tablespoon of oil or less. Faster cooking and perfect results. Easy to use.
The look: Bulky plastic, black or white. Capacity holds enough food for two hungry people, but a slightly larger model is also available.
How it works: There’s a digital touchscreen, electric heater, fan, and a compartment that holds the basket of food. The heater can be set from 150° to 390° F in 30° increments and the fan rapidly circulates the hot air. There’s a 60-minute timer that automatically shuts off the Airfryer and a ready signal that alerts you when time is up.
Our tests found: It quickly preheats and cooks much faster than a regular oven—the instructions suggest halving cooking times and reducing conventional oven temperatures by 70° F for pre-made packaged foods, so you’ll have to experiment. We cooked many of the same foods as we did in the Ronco. Using little or no oil, the sweet potato fries were very crispy and the frozen fries were better than those cooked in a regular or convection oven. The other foods were nicely browned and more evenly cooked than from a conventional oven. Testers were sad to see the Airfryer leave our labs.
Need to know: Recipes are included. We could smell the food cooking but didn’t see any smoke, a possible problem when cooking fattier foods. Cleaning can be a little tricky, especially the screen at the bottom of the basket, but the removable nonstick coated drawer and food basket are dishwasher safe.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

How many times have you left a load of laundry in the dryer overnight, leaving you with a wrinkled mess? That misstep used to mean a long session at the ironing board. Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus promises a simpler spray-on solution. Does it work? Consumer Reports laundry pros created the ultimate torture test to find out.

We filled a laundry basket with assorted fabric swatches, as well as several rayon-knit blouses, blended-fabric sweaters, and 100-percent cotton dress shirts. Next we added a 5-pound weight and let the items sit overnight. 

The next day, we hung the severely wrinkled items from hangers and followed the Downy directions, which say to spray garments until they’re lightly damp, pull and smooth as needed, and let dry. As promised, the wrinkles fell from swatches and garments before our eyes, far more so than when we sprayed them with plain water (though not as thoroughly as when we hit them with a hot iron).     

Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus takes about 5 to 10 minutes to dry, depending on the fabric (though in a pinch you could probably don slightly damp garments). And it leaves behind a fragrance that might bother sensitive noses. Also, the spray works best on synthetic and blended fabrics, though it should get the job done on button-down shirts and other cotton apparel.

And you don’t have to stop at clothing. Tablecloths, aprons, curtains, basically any fabrics around the house that are wrinkle-prone, are also worth a shot. Downy Wrinkle Release Plus also comes in travel-size containers, to keep you looking smooth and put-together when you’re far from home, especially if your clothes are kept stain-free with one of our top-rated laundry detergents.   

One final point of interest about Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus: though Downy is a Procter & Gamble brand, this particular product is licensed to Nehemiah Manufacturing Co, whose mission is to bring manufacturing jobs back to Cincinnati. You can read more about the company at its website.

Best irons from our tests

Prefer to get rid of wrinkles the old-fashioned way? Check out Consumer Reports' top-rated steam irons. We test irons for steaming rate, temperature consistency, and ease of use. Here are six picks.

• Rowenta Steamforce DW9280, $140
• Panasonic NI-W950A, $100
• Kenmore 80598, $75
• T-Fal FV4495 Ultraglide, $45
• Singer Expert Finish EF, $60
• Rowenta Effective Comfort DW2070, $50

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter) 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Many features common in today's kitchen started out in restaurants, including high-powered gas burners and the industrial look of stainless steel. Manufacturers are continuing to turn to professional kitchens for inspiration, as evidenced by the latest generation of pro-grade appliances aimed at the residential market. In this video, we highlight five favorites from the 2015 Design & Construction Week, the home industry's big annual trade show in Las Vegas. You'll have to pay a premium for these slick new wares, so we also offer lower-priced alternatives from Consumer Reports' appliance Ratings that give you similar performance for less.

Tested products in this video

• Cuisinart CSO-300 countertop steam oven, $300
• TurboChef 30-inch Double Wall Speedcook oven
• Mr. Coffee Smart Optimal Brew BVMC-PSTX91WE, $150
• The BakerStone Pizza Oven Box, $150
• GE PT9050SFSS wall oven, $2,600

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The weather is a popular topic these days as heavy snowfall and single digit temperatures break records in parts of the country. Add in howling winds and you start to notice how well the windows work in your house. Replacing them is expensive, but they’ll make your home more comfortable, less drafty, and quieter. Consumer Reports tested 25 double-hung and casement windows for air and water leakage and found big differences, but first a word from Rocco.

Rocco Panetta is a home improvement contractor in Fairfield County, Connecticut so he sees up close the mistakes homeowners make. “The windows have to be installed properly. That’s crucial,” says Rocco. “And stay away from really cheap windows but don’t spend too much. Most people shy away from clad windows and unless you’re that guy who’s always working on the house and keeping up with the painting, in three to four years the frames are rotting.” Clad window frames eliminate painting as the frames are covered in vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass.

You’ll want to think about the window type and where you’re placing them. Casement windows are hinged on one side, like a door, and a crank lets you open them outward. They offer an unobstructed view, but Rocco says he’s seen casement windows that when open cut into the space of a small patio or deck, and worse, placed where people can bump their head on them. And here’s another safety tip from Rocco. If you’re replacing windows in bedrooms be sure to check into egress windows. They provide an exit in an emergency.

So here’s an idea. Start by reading “How to find an expert window installer” then check our window buying guide. It tells you about window types, features, and brands. From there you’ll see our window Ratings of 21 double-hung and four casement windows from major brands, including Andersen, Marvin, and Pella. We tested wood, vinyl and fiberglass windows and found 12 that performed well enough to recommend, including four CR Best Buys. Among double-hung wood windows the Andersen 400 Series, $310, is a CR Best Buy and the $190 Reliabilt 3201 vinyl window from Lowe’s is too.

If you still have questions e-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org. It’s a good time to think about this project before contractors get into their busy season.

—Kimberly Janeway 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.