Best and Worst Products of the Year
Before you go and buy anything else for your home this year, you must check out ShopSmart Magazine's Best and Worst list!
I had the chance to talk with one of their editors who tested more than 60 products from from coffee makers and crock pots, to vacuums, treadmills, even chocolate! And now that I have your attention - CHOCOLATE - you may be surprised to discover, at least I was, that one of the least expensive generic brands on the planet Kirkland (Costco) Signature Belgian Chocolate was rated as every bit as yummy as those fancy high end chocolates, like Godiva and the like.
Here's the list of stand outs - and below you can listen to my interview with ShopSmart Magazine.
Coffee Grinder - Cuisinart Supreme Grind - $50 -Best-priced and really crushes coffee beans like the barristas at your favorite coffee joint.
Coffeemakers - Kalorik CM25282 $80 One of the best brewers in testing and easy to use.
Black & Decker DLX10508 $20 - Great deal and brewed almost as well as the Kalorik in testing.
Iron - T-Fal Ultraglide FV4370 $50 - Flattens stubborn creases and plastic cord extender to keep cord from dragging across your clothes.
Washer - Electrolux WaveTouch EWFLW65H(W) $1600 - Pricey yes, but ShopSmart found it scored high in genetleness and overall performance. Plus it's a frontloader making it more efficient and saving you around $125 a year on your energy and hot-water costs.
Vacuums - Dirt Devil Feather Bagless M0855845 $60 -- Great on pet hair, light and easy to use.
Hoover Platinum Bagged UH30010COM $400- Top scores for cleaning and has a canister mini vac.
Sewing Machine - Brother Innov-is 40 Project Runway Limited Edition $400 - Can't see Heidi Klum using this but who knows! And ShopSmart found it's ease to use stick selector and preprogrammed options great.
Cook pan - EarthPan with Sand Flow - 10 Piece Set $190- Coated with special sand anti scratch and eco friendly coating, beat all the other sets they tested.
Paint - Behr Premium Plus Interior Satin Enamel $24 - Half the price of many brands and is ShopSmart's top choice in stain and eggshell. Best at hiding darker colors in just one coat.
Rival Crock-Pot SCVC604H-SS $60 - IT can be programmed so dinner will be ready when you get home~ IT's also oven safe!
Treadmill - Bowflex Series 7 - $1500 - You've seen the infomercial, and ShopSmart says they tried it and found it sturdy and solid unlike other fold-up treadmills they tested.
Chocolate-Kirkland (Costco)Signature Belgian Chocolates - 1 lb box $12 - A third the price of other fancy schmancy chocolates and according to tests, just a yummy in the tummy~!
See the entire list at www.shopsmarmag.org.
And now for the duds or "L" Loser List - - ShopSmart found these to be not so much.
The Snuggie $14.99 - It may have a cult-like following but when you wash it, the blanket with sleeves gets bald spots.
ShamWow $19.95 - Spokesman Vince Shlomi may be laughing all the way to the bank, but in testing, it dieesn't absort better than a sponge and is far more expensive!
Hercules Hook $15- Go with a plain old regular hook instead for those heavy items!
Get a Grip handle $12.99 - It yanked tile off walls!
Ikea Sparsam CFL bulb E26 GSU111 $13 Five of 10 they tested fizzled before claimed lifetimes.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Cindy
Cindy@cindydole.com