• Automotive
    • Automobiles
    • ATVs
    • Auto Electronics
    • Car-Top Carriers
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Previews & Trends
    • Shop Smart
    • Tires
    • Under the Hood

    Featured Automotive Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Fueling Efficiency: Auto Trends 2013 & Beyond

      Automakers are trimming excess vehicle pounds, downsizing their engines and adopting technologies such as turbocharging.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Consumers Digest’s 2013 Automotive Best Buys

      Forty-three recommendations across 12 categories.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Certified Preowned Buying Guide

      Haven’t thought about buying a certified preowned vehicle? Think again. 

    See All Automotive

    Automotive News

    • VW iBeetle will turn iPhone into car’s infotainment system

      April 22, 2013—Apple iPhone 5 owners will have a new accessory option—a car.

    • Ford, GM to create 9-speed transmissions in partnership

      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.

  • Appliances
    • Floor Care
    • Heating & Air Conditioning
    • Large Appliances
    • Small Appliances

    Featured Appliances Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Feature Attractions: Best Values in Microwave Ovens

      New features appear to deliver limited cooking benefits.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Refrigerators: The Newest Space Stations

      Enhanced versatility is the rule of the day.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Playing All the Angles: High-Performance Dishwashers

       The latest dishwashers are quieter, use less water and have more wash options than older models did.

    See All Appliances

    Appliances News

    • GE’s newest washer dries clothes overnight

      April 22, 2013—General Electric’s newest front-loading washing machine also can dry your clothes.

    • Study: Blenders, can openers harbor the most germs in your kitchen

      April, 12, 2013—What are the germiest kitchen products? You might be surprised by the answer.

  • Electronics
    • Audio
    • Auto Electronics
    • Batteries
    • Cameras & Camcorders
    • Computers & Accessories
    • Home Security
    • Navigation
    • Phones & Communication
    • Software
    • Streaming Audio/Video
    • Video

    Featured Electronics Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Off the Charts: Hand-Held GPS & Two-Way Radios

      New GPS receivers act as compasses and altimeters.

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Streaming A/V Gear: Making the Right Connections

      Streaming-video boxes deliver more features than ever.

    See All Electronics

    Electronics News

    • U.S. Cellular plans to sell iPhone

      May 6, 2013—U.S. Cellular will start to sell the Apple iPhone later in 2013, according to multiple news reports.

    • Internet companies improve efforts to protect your data from government

      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.

  • Home
    • Bathroom
    • Backyard
    • Bedroom
    • Buying & Owning
    • Doors & Windows
    • Furniture
    • Home Comfort
    • Kitchen
    • Power Tools
    • Security & Lighting
    • Sewing Machines
    • Storage
    • Water Filters & Softeners

    Featured Home Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Pouring It On: Innovative Kitchen Faucets & Sinks

      The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Whole-House Air Purifiers: Efficiency Report

      You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.

    See All Home

    Home News

    • AT&T enters home-security-system market

      April 26, 2013—AT&T is the latest telecommunications company to launch a home-security and home-monitoring service.

    • Homeowners start to get checks from mortgage-processing settlement

      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.

  • Health
    • Beauty
    • Diet & Exercise
    • Mobility
    • Doctors & Hospitals
    • Preventative
    • Treatment
    • Women

    Featured Health Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Medical Apps: Gambling With Your Health

       Some medical mobile applications do what they claim to do, but others just siphon bucks from your pocket.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children

      Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Home Fitness Equipment: A New Interactive Experience

      Ellipticals • Exercise Bikes • Home Gyms • Treadmills

    See All Health

    Health News

    • Beet and carrot beverages get FDA warning for botulism risk

      May 10, 2013—Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to consume Juices Inc. juice products or other beverages.

    • Congress questions safety of DMAA

      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.

  • Travel & Recreation
    • ATVs
    • Bicycles
    • Binoculars
    • Boats & Personal Watercraft
    • Campers & RVs
    • Camping Gear
    • Car-Top Carriers
    • Destinations
    • Exercise Equipment
    • Game Tables
    • Leisure
    • Luggage
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Music
    • Planning a Trip
    • Sewing Machines
    • Snowmobiles

    Featured Travel & Recreation Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Waterparks: Is Public Safety Going Down the Tubes?

      Because of a lack of nationwide regulation, waterpark visits might be an accident waiting to happen.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Amusement Parks: Top Attractions, Hottest Rides & Best Values

      Excitement is on the rise. So are admission prices and fees.

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    See All Travel & Recreation

    Travel & Recreation News

    • Viking to set sail for ocean, sea cruises in 2015

      May 17, 2013—Viking River Cruises plans to expand to ocean and sea voyages in 2015.

    • Amusement-park injuries for children reach 4,400 per year

      May 1, 2013—A new study says 4,400 children are injured each year on amusement-park rides.

  • Family
    • Baby Gear
    • Children
    • Education
    • Pets
    • Senior Living

    Featured Family Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    • test1 160 106 test3 The Fleecing of America’s Elderly

      Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.

    See All Family

    Family News

    • FTC to field consumer questions during identity-theft workshop for senior citizens

      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.

    • Telemarketers targeted seniors in medical-alert scam, FTC says

      March 11, 2013—Federal Trade Commission exposed another company for allegedly ripping off senior citizens.

  • Lawn & Garden
    • Outdoor Living
    • Snowthrowers
    • Yard Care

    Featured Lawn & Garden Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve

       You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Grass Seed: Turf Wars: Separating Fact from Filler

      It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    See All Lawn & Garden

    Lawn & Garden News

    • Cub Cadet introduces first electric ZTR lawnmower

      April 5, 2013—The first Cub Cadet electric-powered zero-turn-radius riding lawnmower will arrive in stores this month.

    • First hybrid riding lawnmower can double as portable generator

      March 25, 2013—This spring, you can buy a riding lawnmower that cuts grass and saves gasoline—sort of.

  • Money
    • Banking & Credit Cards
    • College
    • Financial Planning
    • Insurance
    • Investing
    • Real Estate
    • Spending

    Featured Money Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Credit-Score Outrage

      Why the Ultimate Numbers Game Is Out of Control

    • test1 160 106 test3 Reality Check: Third-Party Bill-Payment Services

      Third-party bill-payment services, though desirable in theory, still are in their infancy.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Financial Forecast: Smart Money Moves for 2013

      Expert Picks • Investments • Interest Rates • Real Estate

    See All Money

    Money News

    • FTC to field consumer questions during identity-theft workshop for senior citizens

      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.

    • Most wireless customers get overage alerts, FCC says

      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.

  • Special Reports
    • Consumer Protection
    • Dis-Services
    • Investigative Reports
    • Marketing: Behind the Scenes
    • The Green Consumer

    Featured Special Reports Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children

      Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance

      A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.

    • test1 160 106 test3 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.

    See All Special Reports

    Investigative Reports

    • How to Avoid Computer-Repair Ripoffs

      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.

    • Grave Concerns: Digging Up the Dirt on Cemetery Scams

      You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.

  • A-Z Article Index
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test1 500 313 test3

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.

Read More
test1 500 313 test3

Pouring It On: Innovative Kitchen Faucets & Sinks

The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.

Read More
test1 500 313 test3

Whole-House Air Purifiers: Efficiency Report

You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.

Read More
  • test1 139 77 test3 Makers of kitchen countertops and…

  • test1 139 77 test3 The latest faucets have higher…

  • test1 139 77 test3 You should be wary about claims…

Home Articles

What a Blast: Top-Performing Pressure Washers

The first electric-powered pressure washers that have water-cooled motors have arrived.

New Developments In Outdoor Storage

Plus: Best Buys in Large, Vertical & Horizontal Sheds

Rising wood costs mean that the prices on large wood sheds have jumped during the past 4 years.

Cool Aid: High-Efficiency Air Conditioners

Central • Room • Ductless Split Systems • Portable

Higher efficiency central air conditioners soon might appear at both ends of the price scale.

Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance

A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.

Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve

 You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.

Value on Demand: Top-Rated Tankless Water Heaters

New models are more efficient than ever before.

Material Innovations: The New Breed of Sewing Machines

Best Buys in Computerized • Noncomputerized • Quilting • Embroidery

More models than ever before have eye-saving features.

Breathe Easy: Today’s Best Ventilation Fans

Manufacturers have added DC motors and variable-speed controls to help your everyday ventilation fan to run more efficiently.

The New Breed of Sleeper Sofas

Plus: Air Mattresses, Futons & Click Convertibles

Grass Seed: Turf Wars

Separating Fact from Filler

It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.

Heat Waves: High-Efficiency Furnaces, Boilers & Heat Pumps

New energy-efficiency standards mean that residents of northern states must purchase a more expensive furnace.

Brighter Days Ahead: The Bottom Line on LED Light Bulbs

You might want to wait to buy long-lasting LED bulbs.

Open & Shut: Best Buys in Steel & Wood Garage Doors

The addition of insulation to new garage doors might not deliver the intended benefits.

Trickle-Down Effect: How Water Filters & Softeners Are Evolving

Manufacturers are changing the formulations of filters.

Going Out to Eat: Best Buys in Outdoor Dining Sets

The latest in outdoor dining ups the ante on comfort.

Power Games: The Charges Against Utility Companies

You might want to use a magnifying glass to read the fine print that’s on power contracts for hidden fees.

What a Breeze: Best Values in Ceiling Fans & Dehumidifiers

Energy-savings additions to ceiling fans have a slow ROI.

Flood Control: Today’s Best Sump Pumps

New technology might not be ready for prime time.

Material Changes: The Latest in Siding, Decking, Roofing & Fencing

Manufacturers struggle to introduce innovations.

Finding Your Comfort Zone: Best Buys in Innerspring & Specialty Mattresses

Best Buys in Innerspring & Specialty Mattresses

Keeping Your Edge: Top-Rated Shredders

More of today’s shredders have sensors that prevent paper jams and overheated motors.

Rest Assured: Exceptional Values in Pillows, Comforters & Blankets

Exceptional Values in Pillows, Comforters & Blankets

Life Savers: The Most Advanced Smoke/CO Alarms & Fire Extinguishers

Smoke Alarms · CO Alarms · Fire Extinguishers

Fine Reclining

Today’s Best Power Recliners & Other Motion Furniture

Today’s Best Power Recliners & Other Motion Furniture

Power Play: Tools That Deliver

Drills • Impact Drivers • Saws • Sanders

Bringing the Heat

Exceptional Values in Outdoor Fireplaces

Manufacturers have improved the design and functionality of their outdoor fireplaces at all prices.

Leading-Edge Cutlery

You’ll have to be sharp when you shop for kitchen cutlery.

Easy Listening

Innovative Outdoor Speakers

Now you have a wider choice of how your sounds fit in with your outdoor living space.

Making A Grand Entrance

Top-Notch Entry & Storm Doors

Adding more-energy-efficient glass might be a waste.

Homebuyer’s Guide

How to Get the Best Deals Now

Don’t assume that this is the perfect time to buy a home.

On Guard: Next-Generation Home-Security Systems

Monitor and control your home-security system from your smartphone.

Weather Beaters

Great Values in Outdoor Furniture

The variety of fabric coverings for outdoor furniture has expanded in all price ranges.

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.

All Fired Up!

Hot Picks in Gas, Electric & Charcoal Barbecue Grills

Manufacturers now give consumers more variety in grills, but you’ll find higher prices as well.

Affordable Bathroom Updates

Top-Rated Bathtubs, Whirlpool Tubs, Sinks, Toilets, Vanities, Faucets, Showerheads & Medicine Cabinets

Top-Rated Bathtubs, Whirlpool Tubs, Sinks, Toilets, Vanities, Faucets, Showerheads & Medicine Cabinets.

The Foreclosure Trap

How to Save Your Home

The latest options that are designed to help to keep you in your home can work against you.

Clearing the Air

Putting the Latest Air Purifiers & Humidifiers Under the Microscope

Manufacturers say their products are winning the war against germs, but their claims are suspect.

New Twists for Garage-Door Openers

Control your door with a finger swipe or via your cellphone.

Why Smart Meters Might Be a Dumb Idea

Smart meters are supposed to give you more control over your energy use, but experts doubt that you’ll ever see the touted savings.

A Sticky Situation

How Safe Are Your Cookware and Bakeware?

New nonstick coatings supposedly contain fewer toxic materials, but a lack of industry transparency gives consumers little assurance.

Premium Games

Paying More and Getting Less

Insurers use credit scores and higher deductibles, and sell more policy add-ons to cull more cash from consumers.

Wind Turbines

Blown Out of Proportion

Dozens of useless rooftop wind turbines have been introduced in the past 2 years as manufacturers dangle big tax breaks as incentive.

Performance Reviews

Replacement Windows: Making the Right Choice to Fit Your Needs

Don’t let tax credits for ultra-efficient models make you overlook less expensive options.

Setting the Table

Today's Best Dinnerware Values

Today’s dinnerware brings fresh ideas to the table.

Bright Ideas

Outdoor Lighting That Earns Glowing Reviews

Outdoor Lighting That Earns Glowing Reviews

Home Sweet Home-Office Furniture

Desks · Chairs ·  Workstations · Closed Units

Backup Plan

Best Buys in Portable Generators

New models emit less pollution, and some are even more fuel-efficient. But they cost up to 20 percent more than older models do.

The Great Illusion

Curbside Recycling

Much recyclable waste picked up at the curb ends up in the same place as the trash: the landfill.

Peace of Mind

Top-Notch Door Locks and Safes

Manufacturers agreed to a standard for measuring a deadbolt lock’s protection from break-ins by use of so-called bump keys.

Supporting Cast

Premier TV Mounts &?Stands

Flat-panel mounts can hold bigger sets closer to the wall.

Mixed Messages

A Fresh Look at ‘Green’ Paint

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.

A New Order

Home Storage Solutions

Customizing storage space in the home and garage is easy.

How our Best Buys are Determined

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