Power Tools
What a Blast: Top-Performing Pressure Washers
The first electric-powered pressure washers that have water-cooled motors have arrived.
Fueling Efficiency: Auto Trends 2013 & Beyond
Automakers are trimming excess vehicle pounds, downsizing their engines and adopting technologies such as turbocharging.
Consumers Digest’s 2013 Automotive Best Buys
Forty-three recommendations across 12 categories.
Certified Preowned Buying Guide
Haven’t thought about buying a certified preowned vehicle? Think again.
April 22, 2013—Apple iPhone 5 owners will have a new accessory option—a car.
April 16, 2013—Ford Motor and General Motors will co-develop nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions that the automakers plan to use in future vehicles.
Feature Attractions: Best Values in Microwave Ovens
New features appear to deliver limited cooking benefits.
Refrigerators: The Newest Space Stations
Enhanced versatility is the rule of the day.
Playing All the Angles: High-Performance Dishwashers
The latest dishwashers are quieter, use less water and have more wash options than older models did.
April 22, 2013—General Electric’s newest front-loading washing machine also can dry your clothes.
April, 12, 2013—What are the germiest kitchen products? You might be surprised by the answer.
Off the Charts: Hand-Held GPS & Two-Way Radios
New GPS receivers act as compasses and altimeters.
Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids
You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.
Streaming A/V Gear: Making the Right Connections
Streaming-video boxes deliver more features than ever.
May 6, 2013—U.S. Cellular will start to sell the Apple iPhone later in 2013, according to multiple news reports.
May 1, 2013—Internet companies increasingly take steps to block law enforcement or government agencies from getting access to your personal data, according to a report by an Internet privacy-rights group.
Affordable Kitchen Makeovers: What’s Below the Surface: Top-Rated Kitchen Cabinets, Countertops & Flooring
Makers of kitchen countertops and flooring have cooked up new features on their latest products.
Pouring It On: Innovative Kitchen Faucets & Sinks
The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.
Whole-House Air Purifiers: Efficiency Report
You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.
April 26, 2013—AT&T is the latest telecommunications company to launch a home-security and home-monitoring service.
April 10, 2013—Homeowners who reported foreclosure or loan-modification errors that were caused by mortgage-service companies will receive settlement checks beginning April 2013.
Medical Apps: Gambling With Your Health
Some medical mobile applications do what they claim to do, but others just siphon bucks from your pocket.
Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children
Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.
Home Fitness Equipment: A New Interactive Experience
Ellipticals • Exercise Bikes • Home Gyms • Treadmills
May 10, 2013—Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to consume Juices Inc. juice products or other beverages.
May 10, 2013—Three members of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee are looking into the safety of an ingredient that’s used in muscle-building supplements.
Waterparks: Is Public Safety Going Down the Tubes?
Because of a lack of nationwide regulation, waterpark visits might be an accident waiting to happen.
Amusement Parks: Top Attractions, Hottest Rides & Best Values
Excitement is on the rise. So are admission prices and fees.
Car Rental: How to Avoid Being Taken for a Ride
Disputes over damage claims and questionable tactics when companies rent recalled vehicles can spell trouble for you.
May 17, 2013—Viking River Cruises plans to expand to ocean and sea voyages in 2015.
May 1, 2013—A new study says 4,400 children are injured each year on amusement-park rides.
Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids
You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.
High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing
As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.
The Fleecing of America’s Elderly
Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.
May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.
March 11, 2013—Federal Trade Commission exposed another company for allegedly ripping off senior citizens.
Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve
You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.
Grass Seed: Turf Wars: Separating Fact from Filler
It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.
Grounds Keepers: Top-Rated Lawnmowers & Tillers
There are more zero-turn-radius riding models than ever before, and you’ll find more cordless electric walk-behind lawnmowers.
April 5, 2013—The first Cub Cadet electric-powered zero-turn-radius riding lawnmower will arrive in stores this month.
March 25, 2013—This spring, you can buy a riding lawnmower that cuts grass and saves gasoline—sort of.
Credit-Score Outrage
Why the Ultimate Numbers Game Is Out of Control
Reality Check: Third-Party Bill-Payment Services
Third-party bill-payment services, though desirable in theory, still are in their infancy.
Financial Forecast: Smart Money Moves for 2013
Expert Picks • Investments • Interest Rates • Real Estate
May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.
April 19, 2013—The wireless telecommunication industry’s voluntary guidelines that are designed to prevent cellphone users from getting unexpected overage fees appears to be effective, according to Federal Communications Commission.
Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children
Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.
Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance
A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.
Out of Control
It’s bad enough that Americans pay $18 billion annually in cellphone fees and taxes. Now state and local governments are diverting that revenue to plug budget holes.
Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.
You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.
Home > Home
Makers of kitchen countertops and flooring have cooked up new features on their latest products.
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The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.
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You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.
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Fine Reclining
Today’s Best Power Recliners & Other Motion Furniture
Ahhhh! Exceptional Values in Portable Spas
New energy regulations won’t increase the cost of a spa, but new models will run slightly more efficiently than they did before.
On Guard: Next-Generation Home-Security Systems
Monitor and control your home-security system from your smartphone.
The first electric-powered pressure washers that have water-cooled motors have arrived.
Rising wood costs mean that the prices on large wood sheds have jumped during the past 4 years.
Higher efficiency central air conditioners soon might appear at both ends of the price scale.
A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.
You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.
New models are more efficient than ever before.
More models than ever before have eye-saving features.
Manufacturers have added DC motors and variable-speed controls to help your everyday ventilation fan to run more efficiently.
Plus: Air Mattresses, Futons & Click Convertibles
It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.
New energy-efficiency standards mean that residents of northern states must purchase a more expensive furnace.
You might want to wait to buy long-lasting LED bulbs.
The addition of insulation to new garage doors might not deliver the intended benefits.
Manufacturers are changing the formulations of filters.
The latest in outdoor dining ups the ante on comfort.
You might want to use a magnifying glass to read the fine print that’s on power contracts for hidden fees.
Energy-savings additions to ceiling fans have a slow ROI.
New technology might not be ready for prime time.
Manufacturers struggle to introduce innovations.
Best Buys in Innerspring & Specialty Mattresses
More of today’s shredders have sensors that prevent paper jams and overheated motors.
Exceptional Values in Pillows, Comforters & Blankets
Smoke Alarms · CO Alarms · Fire Extinguishers
Today’s Best Power Recliners & Other Motion Furniture
Drills • Impact Drivers • Saws • Sanders
Manufacturers have improved the design and functionality of their outdoor fireplaces at all prices.
You’ll have to be sharp when you shop for kitchen cutlery.
Now you have a wider choice of how your sounds fit in with your outdoor living space.
Adding more-energy-efficient glass might be a waste.
Don’t assume that this is the perfect time to buy a home.
Monitor and control your home-security system from your smartphone.
The variety of fabric coverings for outdoor furniture has expanded in all price ranges.
New energy regulations won’t increase the cost of a spa, but new models will run slightly more efficiently than they did before.
Manufacturers now give consumers more variety in grills, but you’ll find higher prices as well.
Top-Rated Bathtubs, Whirlpool Tubs, Sinks, Toilets, Vanities, Faucets, Showerheads & Medicine Cabinets.
The latest options that are designed to help to keep you in your home can work against you.
Manufacturers say their products are winning the war against germs, but their claims are suspect.
Control your door with a finger swipe or via your cellphone.
Smart meters are supposed to give you more control over your energy use, but experts doubt that you’ll ever see the touted savings.
New nonstick coatings supposedly contain fewer toxic materials, but a lack of industry transparency gives consumers little assurance.
Insurers use credit scores and higher deductibles, and sell more policy add-ons to cull more cash from consumers.
Dozens of useless rooftop wind turbines have been introduced in the past 2 years as manufacturers dangle big tax breaks as incentive.
Don’t let tax credits for ultra-efficient models make you overlook less expensive options.
Today’s dinnerware brings fresh ideas to the table.
Outdoor Lighting That Earns Glowing Reviews
Desks · Chairs · Workstations · Closed Units
New models emit less pollution, and some are even more fuel-efficient. But they cost up to 20 percent more than older models do.
Much recyclable waste picked up at the curb ends up in the same place as the trash: the landfill.
Manufacturers agreed to a standard for measuring a deadbolt lock’s protection from break-ins by use of so-called bump keys.
Flat-panel mounts can hold bigger sets closer to the wall.
Paint companies lay it on thick when they tout the environmental friendliness of their products. But they don’t disclose the fact that “green” paint does not work well.
Customizing storage space in the home and garage is easy.
April 26, 2013—AT&T is the latest telecommunications company to launch a home-security and home-monitoring service.
April 10, 2013—Homeowners who reported foreclosure or loan-modification errors that were caused by mortgage-service companies will receive settlement checks beginning April 2013.
March 11, 2013—Federal Trade Commission cleared the way for mattress manufacturer Tempur-Pedic International to acquire rival Sealy.
Feb. 6, 2013—Home prices increased in the United States in 2012.
A new law that’s designed to keep shoddy drywall from being put into your home likely won’t protect you much at all.
Zuvo Water has the first cloud-connected water filters and faucets, but the products won’t tell you about fluoride that’s in your water.
If you are thinking of buying a home and have a lot of debt or are self-employed, you should consider buying in 2013 before rules go into effect.
In the wake of charging PPG Architectural Finishes and Sherwin-Williams with making false claims about the amount of volatile organic compounds that are in their paint, Federal Trade Commission wants manufacturers to “clearly disclose” what “zero VOCs” means on their paint labels.
Master Lock now has a lock that combines digital memory with both letter and number combinations and a hefty price.
May 23, 2013—Nourison recalled its I-Candi polyester shag rugs, because they fail to meet federal flammability standards and pose a fire hazard to consumers.
May 13, 2013—Meijer recalled the Touch Point Baseboard Convection heater, because the product can overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers.
April 24, 2013—Target recalled its Giada De Laurentiis ceramic lasagna pan, because the pan can break, which would result in sharp edges that pose a laceration hazard.
April 23, 2013—West Elm recalled its Industrial Overreaching floor lamp, because a failure of the lamp’s joint locking mechanisms can cause the lamp to collapse and the electrical cord to spark.


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