Fix it or nix it? The right answer could save you a fortune

Did your cooktop go kaput over the holiday weekend? Maybe you ran over an errant horseshoe with your lawn mower. Whatever the calamity, you're now wondering what to do: fix the damaged ware or purchase a new one. Well, here's some good news for you: today marks the release of the latest Consumer Reports Repair or Replace survey, in which 27,404 subscribers shared their experiences with 53,218 broken appliances, electronics, lawn equipment, and more.

Our general rule of thumb is that if the repair will cost more than half the price of a new product, consider a replacement. But there are many mitigating factors, including repair satisfaction rates, which can vary widely from one product to the next. Refer to our Repair-or-Replace Timeline charts, which break down the details for 33 separate products. If it turns out that you're better off replacing the gear, check our "What Breaks, What Doesn't" lists for some of the most and least reliable brands. Then use our individual product reports to find the highest-rated model within that brand. Reliability is one thing, but you also want your gear to deliver top performance.

—Daniel DiClerico