Oral-B sonic complete toothbrush kit

The experience: A tight fit between the plastic skin and cardboard thwarted scissors. Our tester grabbed a box cutter but hacked up the box as an unavoidable result. After removing the clamshell and opening the box, she had to dislodge parts from a foam case, yank off one plastic bag covering the power cord and another protecting additional components, then pop perforations on smaller clamshells shielding the toothbrush heads. Her work table was littered with sharp plastic shards.


Bratz sisterz

The experience: As the name implies, these dolls were difficult and unpleasant to deal with. They had about 50 restraints, including a cardboard and plastic box, tape, tabs, cardboard banner, plastic bags, rubber bands, hard-plastic bands, molded plastic covers, glue, wires, string sewing the hair to the cardboard, a plastic tab imbedded in the heads and pinning them to the cardboard, and a rigid plastic manacle around the arms of one doll, giving her a posture with attitude.


HONORABLE MENTION

Bright Effects compact fluorescent light bulbs	VTech V.Smile Joystick
Our testers had to work carefully to keep from cracking the bulbs and cutting themselves on plastic.	Clamshells for pricey, shop­lifted items are one thing, but for a $15 toy? We had to stab the package, then pull it apart with our hands.
Annie’s mac and cheese	Military Force Playset Aircraft Carrier
The paperboard can collapse if, as directed, you push a finger through the perforations near the bunny’s tail. Long nails help.	This warship comes with enough pieces to launch an invasion, secured with wires, ties, tape, plastic covers, and screws. One sailor went down with the ship when testers couldn’t release the screws holding his helicopter.