Best Products of 2009 From ShopSmart Magazine

Dec. 29, 2009— -- If you didn't get what you were wishing for this holiday season, you could always exchange your gift for one of the best products of the year.

ShopSmart magazine editor Lisa Lee Freeman shares some of the magazine's picks for their "Favorite Stuff of the Year."

Coffee Makers:

Splurge: Kalorik CM25282, $80
Freemain praised this choice as "our top coffee maker of the year."

Save: Black & Decker DLX1050B, $20
This more affordable model "also lso makes great coffee," Freeman said.

Vacuums:

Splurge: Hoover Platinum Bagged UH30010COM, $400
Freeman said this vacuum performed better than many others that were three times the price.

Steal: Dirt Devil Featherlite Bagless M085845, $60
This budget-friendly choice has "amazing performance," Freeman said, although she said it is louder than more expensive models.

Luggage:

Splurge: Tumi Alpha 22022DH, $595
"It was the most durable, Freeman said, "And it comes with a folding garment bag inside."

Save: Delsey Helium Fusion 22274, $77

Hair Dryers:

Splurge: CHI Pro Dryer GF 1505, $135
Testers found that this hair dryer "dried the fastest," and made hair shiny.

Save: Revlon Iconic Ceramic Pro Stylist RV484, $20
"It was fast but on the noisy side," Freeman said.

Irons:

Splurge: Rowenta DG5030, $130
"Steam is what makes ironing faster and easier," Freeman said, and the Rowenta "can go through piles of laundry very quickly."

Save: T-Fal Ultraglide FV4379, $50

More Picks From ShopSmart:

For the full list of more than 60 products, plus a list of the year's losers, pick up the latest issue of SmartShop magazine, a Consumer Reports publication, and visit ShopSmartMag.org.

Save: Asus Eee PC 1005HA, $350. ShopSmart praises this affordable laptop's keyboard and 7-hour-plus battery life.

For the full list of more than 60 products, plus a list of the year's losers, pick up the latest issue of SmartShop magazine and visit ShopSmartMag.org.