Beyond the hype in the kitchen

Learn about these products and find out what to buy instead

PRO-STYLE RANGES

Despite claims from manufacturers about the superior performance of their pro-style ranges, our tests continue to find that $4,000-plus ranges perform no better than less-expensive, conventional models. What's more, some professional-style ranges still lack common features and have high repair rates.

Smarter option: Faux-pro-style ranges from mainstream manufacturers combine stainless-steel style, performance, and reliability for thousands less.


SPEED COOKING

Found in some microwaves, ranges, and ovens, speed cooking combines microwaving with convection or baking and broiling to cut cooking time. But speed cookers have been slow to catch on. That isn't surprising, since performance was spotty in our tests. Some foods came out great, while others were undercooked.

Smarter option: Ovens and ranges with convection use a fan to circulate hot air, so you can bake and roast at lower temperatures for shorter times. Auto-conversion software on many of those models lets you punch in the standard recipe time and temperature, which the appliance converts to the correct settings for convection.


MULTIMEDIA REFRIGERATORS

Side-by-sides with TVs and calendars promise to help you organize your life as well as your leftovers. But none of the multimedia refrigerators we've tested out-cooled the best conventional fridges. You'll also find that a separate TV and sticky notes are easier and cheaper.

Smarter option: Save $2,000 or more by buying a top-rated refrigerator and a capable flat-panel TV.


TURBOCHARGED DISHWASHERS

Manufacturers tout the superior performance—without your having to scrub or soak dirty dishes—of their turbo cycles and high-pressure cleaning cycles. But we've found that most regular dishwashers do a very good job of cleaning dishes, even with baked-on food. What's more, some of those turbo cycles and high-pressure cleaning work only on dishes in part of the tub.

Smarter option: Pick a lower-priced dishwasher that blends top cleaning with quietness and shorter cycle times.


APPLIANCE DRAWERS

These drawer versions of refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves are touted as flexible, spacesaving, and stylish. Some can be covered with cabinet-matching panels to hide them from view. But our tests of models from each type show that their lower capacity, efficiency, and overall performance, plus their higher prices, negate those perks.

Smarter option: Choose a good French-door fridge if you want style and accessible storage. Run the rinse-only cycle on a regular dishwasher for small loads. And if you can live without a range hood's better venting, free up counter space with an over-the-range microwave. You'll see in our best kitchens review that each costs a fraction of what you'll pay for a drawer.


PRICEY FAUCETS AND SINKS

Makers of pricey faucets and sinks will look better longer and provide outstanding stain and corrosion resistance. But we've noted few performance differences between the least and most expensive versions of faucets and sinks from major brands in best kitchens review.

Smarter option: Faucets in chrome or with physical vapor deposition (PVD) finishes performed best regardless of price. And all our stainless sinks resisted dents, stains, scratches, and heat similarly, whether they were thick or thin.


TRENDY COUNTERS

Many companies claim that their concrete countertops require little or no maintenance beyond regular cleaning, while some makers of limestone counters promise supersmooth surfaces. But our tests found concrete to be fragile and susceptible to scratches, chips, and hairline cracks. You'll also need to reseal concrete periodically to resist stains. As for limestone, it might start out smooth, but our wear tests left it scratched, stained, and dinged.

Smarter option: If you crave the stone look, go for granite or quartz.


'GREEN' FLOORING

Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, cork is made of tree bark, and linoleum is made mostly of linseed oil and wood products. All are considered renewable alternatives to standard hardwood and vinyl flooring. But our tests show that some of these environmentally friendly options could disappoint you. Except for Teragren's Synergy solid bamboo and Armstrong's Locking Hardwood engineered bamboo, these floors didn't hold up to the usual spills, scratches, dropped plates, and sunlight in a typical kitchen.

Smarter option: Solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished several times, while plastic laminate and vinyl proved toughest overall, generally for less money.


ONE-STOP SHOPS

Kitchen remodeling is often messy and complicated, with all those products to pick and contractors to screen. So when a home center touts services that simplify the process—from designing your kitchen to picking out the products and hiring and supervising the contractors—it's tempting to sign on the dotted line. But our latest surveys show that no one retailer was impressive for design help, installation services, and product quality, selection, and price.

Smarter option: Check our Ratings (available to subscribers) for the stores with the attributes that matter most to you. And check each retailer's return policies before you buy. Also consider local independent stores and personal references as highly as any preconceived notions about price, quality, and convenience.