Consumer Reports' Favorite Products of the Year
Oct. 5, 2010— -- With the temperature starting to drop, the race for the perfect holiday gift has already begun. But whether you're buying for someone else or just looking to upgrade some of the products you use daily, Consumer Reports' November issue can help you find the best of the best.
Consumer Reports senior projects editor Mandy Walker today gave "Good Morning America" a quick preview of some of the group's top picks. Check out the products below and 10 more, web-exclusive recommendations from Consumer Reports.
Coffee Machine: Cooks CM4221 ($40)
Because "Good Morning America" is a morning show, we can really appreciate the value of a good cup of coffee. To get the best at home, Consumer Reports recommends the Cooks CM4221.
Toaster: Hamilton Beach Digital 22502 ($40)
There are no shortage of options when you're looking to get your bread that perfect crispy brown in the morning. But the Cuisinart CPT-170 was actually rated higher than the Hamilton Beach Digital 22502 by Consumer Reports. It's also twice as expensive ($80). At one point below the Cuisinart in overall score, the Hamilton Beach product is a toasty deal.
Fire Extinguisher: Kidde FX340GW ($36)
A fire extinguisher may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think "appliance," but it could end up being the most important in time of an emergency. Consumer Reports said the Kidde FX340GW "was easy to use and discharged it's contents quickly," meaning more fire-stopping power.
Hair Dryer: Revlon Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist ($20)
As Consumer Reports said, the Revlon Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist may not have all the bells and whistles, but its panelists "liked its separate heat and speed settings."
Headphones: Panasonic RP-HC55 ($40)
Noise-canceling headphones do not have to be so big that they dwarf your head. Panasonic's RP-HC55 are as small as earbuds but still manage to cut down on outside noise.
Digital Camera: Casio EXilim EX-Z2000 ($190)
The Casio EXilim EX-Z2000 is actually No. 3 on the Consumer Reports list for digital cameras in the sub-compact category, but it's the top choice for less than $200. The solid rating and reasonable price keep it well within the realm of a good value, according to Consumer Reports.
LCD TV: 46-Inch Samsung LN46C630 ($990)
At nearly $1,000, the Samsung LN46C630 may seem pricey but Consumer Reports ranks the TV first in the 46-inch to 47-inch range, outpacing other televisions that are hundreds of dollars more.
