September 2020
Better living through technology
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(t)ec(h) INSIDE How to choose the right size online Buying tips for ultrabooks PLUS: What to watch, read and download this month
The best kitchen appliances available today
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September 2020
FROM THE EDITOR
When an upgrade is truly needed
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eptember is the month we get bombarded by new tech releases. Samsung released more details on its updated foldable smartphone Galaxy Z Fold 2 Sept. 1, and its “immersive virtual experience” Sept. 2 announced mobile, wearable, TV and home appliance product launches. Apple’s “special event” Sept. 8 promised four new iPhone models. The events are exciting, create headlines and awaken device envy in consumers. But, when does one really need to upgrade a smartphone, computer or tablet? Technologist Robert Rittmuller two years ago in Data Driven Investor advised asking these questions first: 1. Is the device still supported by the manufacturer? For example, last year Microsoft announced the “end of life” for Windows 7 would be Jan. 14, 2020, but people could — and do — still use it. This prompted a warning from the FBI Aug. 3 that it “has observed cyber criminals targeting computer network infrastructure after an operating system achieves end-of-life status,” and that “continuing to use Windows 7 within an enterprise may provide cyber criminals access into computer systems.” 2. Do you use the device frequently? If so, you might want to upgrade for better performance and security. But, only if ... 3. Will upgrading change how you use the device in a positive way? Do you need that new device’s latest camera or memory increase? Or is there really just a change to a color or presentation? Note that OS — or operating system — updates go out to all supported devices, not just that year’s model of phone or tablet. 4. Does the upgrade make financial sense? Does your cellphone provider’s contact entitle you to a free or low-cost upgrade every two years? If so, take it. Even with tech, the latest isn’t always the greatest. It’s important to allow security updates to devices, but you’ll get a better price on this month’s hot new devices in 2021. Best,
WHAT IS ION?
Lisa Glowinski Director, More Content Now Gannett ion@gatehousemedia.com
Technology is all around us. How can we use it to make life easier, not more complicated? ION’s mission is to help readers understand technology in order to use it to improve their lives. Find us on Facebook at /ionnewsmag and monthly in this newspaper.
STAFF Editor LISA GLOWINSKI Copy Editor MICHAEL TOESET Designer MICHELLE LAUZON Vice President, Content Innovation & Development STEVE DORSEY Vice President, Marketing LORI CATRON Ad Sales GERRY JOYCE Cover photo: Bigstock © GANNETT CO., INC. 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing. ION Magazine and Gannett Co. Inc. buy all rights to contributions, text and images, unless previously agreed to in writing. While every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct at the time of going to print, Gannett cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication. ION is a premium edition of Gannett. Due to the size and value of premium editions there will be up to a $9 surcharge on each date of publication. Rather than assess an extra charge for premium editions, we will adjust the length of your subscription, which accelerates its expiration when you receive these premium editions. There will be no more than two (2) premium editions published each month during the subscription term.
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3 common tech support questions — answered Eight out of 10 Americans experience some type of tech frustration every single day, according to a study by global technology support company Asurion. And it’s even worse now that our devices provide such a critical lifeline with work, school, family and friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve seen a giant surge of IT-related questions,” says Gina King, senior tech category moderator at consumer question and answer site JustAnswer. com. “As states start to reopen or even re-close, people are getting desperate for simple, affordable, on-demand IT support at home.” We asked several consumer tech support services to list the biggest daily dilemmas people are having with their personal gadgets and gear right now and then asked them to help us all fix them once and for all.
FORGOTTEN PASSWORDS
Forgotten passwords top the current list of most asked consumer tech questions. • The fix: “A password manager should be your secret weapon, especially if you’re kind of lazy about passwords,” Adam Levin, cybersecurity expert and founder of CyberScout, recently said in an interview with Yahoo. Top-rated password managers include 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane and KeePassXC. Then, “create unique passwords that use a combination of words, numbers, symbols, and both upper- and lower-case letters,” advises security expert Brian Krebs on his cybersecurity website. “Don’t choose passwords based upon details that may not be as confidential as you’d expect, such as your birth date, your Social Security or phone number, or names of family members or pets,” he says. These are so easy to crack that hackers won’t even break a sweat to get in.
ZOOM MICROPHONE PROBLEMS
“Zoom is huge for questions,” King said. “Most of them are about how to get the microphone working.” • The fix: “Just close the Zoom meeting and re-open it. When you do, simply choose to enable the microphone option,” says JustAnswer tech expert Jason Jones. Still can’t hear anyone? Check your sound settings. There’s a tiny arrow in the bottom left of the Zoom app for computers. Click it and it brings up some settings. Click the “Audio Settings…” option. That brings you to a menu of options. Next to “Microphone” click
the drop-down menu. That shows you all the working microphones in your current setup. Choose the one you want to use to talk.
MY TV IS NOT SMART ENOUGH
In these entertainment dark times, streaming video providers have come to the rescue. And that brought in people with questions about how to get Netflix to work on their TV. • The fix: Buy a streaming device such as the Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast or another set-top box with this feature. Netflix keeps a list of devices that deliver the service to the TV you have. They aren’t expensive. A Roku Express is priced at only $29.99 on its site. Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist. Email her at jj@techish.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferJolly.
SEPTEMBER 2020
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In this issue
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ON THE COVER Whether your fridge is on the fritz because the kids used it as an extra A/C this summer, or your oven or dishwasher just aren’t keeping up with all the homecooked meals you’ve found yourself making when everyone’s home, the experts at Reviewed.com have laid out their top picks for major kitchen appliances here. 24
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5 fridge trends we’re excited about for 2021
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The best refrigerators of 2020
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The best ranges of 2020
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The best dishwashers of 2020
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COLUMN
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What to read, watch and download now
GO GO GADGETS
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The best soundbars of 2020
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The best ultrabooks of 2020
instruction HOW DO I ... ?
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Buy the right size online
ALL PHOTOS STOCK OR FROM MANUFACTURER UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Tracy Beckerman: Parlez-vous Bluetooth?
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RECOMMENDATIONS S U N D AY
M O N D AY
T U E S D AY
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What to watch, read and download this month
September 2020
As TV networks push their fall debuts into October, streaming services are picking up the baton this month. A slew of original series and movies premiere on Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock and more. Also, it’s the start of a major release season in books, and some major sporting and award events will go on, minus the crowds.
7 Books released today include “The Invention of Sound” by Chuck Palahniuk, “What Can I Do?” by Jane Fonda and “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman.
LABOR DAY
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GRANDPARENTS DAY
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14 Miniseries “The Third Day” begins on HBO, starring Jude Law as a man who visits a mysterious island off the British coast and discovers a group of inhabitants intent on preserving their home.
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It’s a big day in publishing with a slew of new books released. Buzzworthy titles include “To Sleep in a Sea of Stars” by Christopher Paolini, “The Evening and the Morning” by Ken Follett, “Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, “Total Power” by Vince Flynn, “Battlegrounds” by H.R. McMaster and “Troubled Blood” by Robert Galbraith.
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The 72nd Emmy Awards air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, YouTube TV and AT&T TV Now.
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In perhaps the only “normal” thing about 2020, “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” begin seasons 32 and 19, respectively, tonight on Fox. Ahh, fall is here.
YOM KIPPUR
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Blockbuster books out today include “The Return” by Nicholas Sparks, “Stuff You Should Know: An Incomplete Compendium of Mostly Interesting Things” by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, and “The Meaning of Mariah Carey” by Mariah Carey.
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W E D N E S D AY
T H U R S D AY
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“Raised by Wolves,” the new sci-fi show from executive producer Ridley Scott, hits HBO Max. It focuses on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. Also, fans of NBC’s cancelled “A.P. Bio” will be glad to know Season 3 will air on new streaming service Peacock.
9 Hulu comedy “Woke,” about an African-American cartoonist on the verge of mainstream success when an unexpected incident changes his life, premieres.
Netflix original series “Julie and the Phantoms,” about a girl trying to rebuild a teen boy band, debuts.
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CONSTITUTION DAY AND CITIZENSHIP DAY
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S AT U R D AY
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Disney releases the live-action retelling of “Mulan” on Disney+ for $29.99. On Netflix, there are debuts for “Away” — an original sci-fi series featuring Hillary Swank — and original drama “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” adapted by Charlie Kaufman and starring Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons and Toni Collette.
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16 One of the biggest movies to release on Netflix this fall is “The Devil All the Time,” with a cast including Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson.
F R I D AY
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11 “Pandemic comedy” film “Coastal Elites” airs on HBO, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Paulson, Dan Levy and Issa Rae.
PATRIOT DAY
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“Ratched,” the Ryan Murphy project that reboots the Nurse Ratched character from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” debuts, starring Sarah Paulson. Also, Apple TV+ premieres “Long Way Up,” an original unscripted series starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they traverse the globe on electric Harleys.
ROSH HASHANAH
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Superpowers, royalty and rebellious teens collide in “Secret Society of Second-Born Royals,” an original Disney+ movie debuting today.
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Watch the rescheduled Kentucky Derby on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET (the race begins at 6:50 p.m. ET), or on the NBC Sports app, nbcsports.com/live, YouTube TV, AT&T TV Now, TwinSpires.com or horseracingradio.net (audio only).
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GO GO GADGETS
YAMAHA
THE BEST
soundbars OF 2020 By Lee Neikirk and Ryan Waniata Reviewed.com
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f you’re at all serious about sports, movies, TV or video games you’ll want to invest in a home theater system, and a soundbar is among the easiest investments you can make. Good soundbars are key for clearing up obscured dialogue and they can vastly improve cinematic sound, bringing everything you watch (or play) to life.
Our team of reviewers has spent countless hours over the years evaluating soundbars. Of all the bars on the market right now, Yamaha’s YAS-209 is our favorite, thanks to great performance, tons of features (including Amazon Alexa built-in) and easy setup all at a very reasonable price ($350 or less).
THESE ARE THE BEST SOUNDBARS WE’VE TESTED, RANKED IN ORDER: 1. Yamaha YAS-209 2. Sonos Beam 3. Vizio SB36512-F6 4. Razer Leviathan 5. Polk Audio Signa S2 6. JBL Bar 2.1 7. Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 8. Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
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BEST OVERALL YAMAHA YAS-209 Yamaha’s YAS-209 takes our award for the best soundbar for three basic reasons: It sounds great for the money, it’s easy to set up and use, and it’s absolutely loaded with features. Those features include everything from a spare HDMI input for your favorite gaming console or streaming box to Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant for controlling smart home devices and even basic playback commands. Don’t love Alexa? It’s easy to mute the microphones atop the bar and use the YAS-209 as a traditional soundbar. And that’s where this system really excels.
BEST VALUE POLK AUDIO SIGNA S2 While not one of our top picks, the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a solid value choice, hands down. This is a well-tuned soundbar and external subwoofer with handsome, glossy finishes and robust construction, all at a great price. It also checks off a lot of the right boxes where features are concerned. The soundbar and subwoofer come pre-paired right out of the box, and you’re getting a slew of common but useful functions: Bluetooth; different modes for movie, music or night audio (the latter masks high, sibilant frequencies and reduces bass); alternate volume rockers for the soundbar and subwoofer; and three different “Clear Voice” settings for use with TV/movie programming. Where audio quality is concerned, the Signa S2 does a solid job. The subwoofer definitely stands out: During one sampling period, we started streaming music from Spotify to the soundbar via Bluetooth and had to re-pair the subwoofer after checking if it was synced. Once the sub kicked back in, we immediately felt the familiar shaking warmth of bass presence filling the space, robust and distortion-free. It was striking for a system in this price range. Unlike some budget-priced soundbars, cranking up the volume on the S2 doesn’t introduce distortion or imbalanced frequencies. The S2’s frequency crossover between the subwoofer and bar is well balanced and even compressed streaming Bluetooth audio sounds very crisp. The S2’s rich sound signature can cause movie soundtracks to overpower dialogue at times, but the Clear Voice feature (which emphasizes the midrange where male and female voices exist) works well to stem any muddiness.
When it comes to sound performance, the 209 can’t match up with expensive, audiophile systems or bars with multiple upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos immersion, but it absolutely punches above its weight. Detail is impressive, bass response from the wireless sub is smooth and powerful, and dialogue is easy to make out thanks to the Clear Voice EQ feature. On that note, the bar offers multiple sound modes (including DTS:X Virtual Surround to expand the soundstage), making it easy to adjust the EQ to taste. You can also stream your favorite music or podcast over your choice of Wi-Fi (including Spotify Connect) or Bluetooth. We do bemoan the lack of an analog input — which makes plugging in legacy devices like turntables something of a pain — and multiroom audio, a feature that was supposed to be added after launch, but has yet to show up. Those quibbles aside, however, it’s hard to find much fault with this stealthy sound system.
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BEST FOR GAMING RAZER LEVIATHAN The Razer Leviathan is not your traditional TV soundbar: it’s designed specifically to be great for gaming. That said, you can still pair it with a TV (or PC monitor) for use with music and movies. It sounds good for most kinds of audio, but it’s especially well-suited for the footfalls, explosions and mixed soundscapes of video games. There are some drawbacks when comparing it to a traditional soundbar. For one, there’s no remote. That means you wouldn’t want to use it with a TV set across the room. This bar is made to sit close and provide powerful sound while you sit at your preferred gaming setup. The design is also pretty brash: decorated by Razer’s green snakes insignia, it may not integrate very subtly into your decor.
OTHER SOUNDBARS WE TESTED SONOS BEAM • Pros: Minimalist design; highly polished user experience • Cons: No Bluetooth; geared towards Sonos users
YAMAHA MUSICCAST BAR 400 • Pros: Loud, robust sound; tons of features • Cons: Expensive; boring design
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VIZIO SB36512-F6 • Pros: Powerful Dolby Atmos sound; Chromecast, Wi-Fi streaming; multiroom audio • Cons: Wired setup can be obtrusive; not as good for stereo tracks
POLK AUDIO MAGNIFI MINI • Pros: Compact; flexible features • Cons: A bit quiet; lacks bass
JBL BAR 2.1 • Pros: Stellar combination of sound quality, usability and ease of use for its price range • Cons: No satellite speakers, Wi-Fi streaming or smart assistant support
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SOUNDBARS In short, the point of a soundbar is to either replace a home theater speaker system with a less obtrusive device or, more simply, to replace your TV’s built-in speakers with something that actually sounds good. Because speaker (or driver) clarity depends so much on the vibration of moving parts within a confined space, modern super-thin LED and OLED TVs generally don’t have very good sound. You might think your TV sounds fine, but when you hear your favorite movies, TV shows or music through a good soundbar, your opinion will change. Soundbars aren’t your only option for improving your living room/home theater audio, but they’re by far the most affordable and convenient. If you live in an apartment or smaller space, or simply don’t want to shell out the considerable funds it requires to install a surround system or mounted speakers in your home, a soundbar is an impermanent way to greatly improve your TV audio experience. And because the vast majority of soundbars can read
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your TV remote for volume and power over HDMI ARC connection, it’s often a seamless transition.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SOUNDBAR The major things to look for when shopping for a soundbar are price, audio output and connectivity, the latter two usually being directly related to the first. If you’re on a tight budget, you likely aren’t going to get extras like Dolby Atmos, object-oriented speakers, or a huge range of decoding/pass-through options for advanced or lossless audio modes. However, you can expect to get multiple speaker drivers comprising at least a stereo (left/right) setup, and usually an external subwoofer. Tweeters refer to smaller speakers (drivers) assigned to the highmid and high (treble) frequencies of the audio spectrum. Woofers and sub-woofers refer to speakers (drivers) assigned to the midrange or bass/sub-bass frequencies of the audio spectrum.
REVIEWED / JACKSON RUCKAR
September 2020
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WHAT ABOUT A SUBWOOFER? Many soundbars offer what is known as a 2-channel or 2.1-channel configuration, meaning the sound is directed through left and right stereo channels with the possible addition of a separate subwoofer to handle lower frequencies (which makes up the “.1” of the equation). A 2-channel soundbar works fine for most content, and a soundbar without a subwoofer or one that has built-in woofers, rather than a separate cabinet, may even be preferred in smaller apartments. That said, if you’re looking for cinematic rumble, you’ll want to seriously consider a soundbar that includes a separate subwoofer. It cannot be underestimated how much this will enhance action scenes and other dramatic moments, while also helping thinner bars fill in some of the gaps their smaller drivers create in the frequency spectrum.
SURROUND SOUND AND DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X Some soundbars also take things even further, offering separate surround sound speakers that can be set behind you in a 5.1-channel configuration (including center, left, right up front and rear left and right channels). When fed content mixed in surround sound, these soundbars better immerse you in your favorite shows and movies, especially when the different channels are balanced properly. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X-enabled soundbars add upfiring speakers (either 2 or 4), which can bounce sound off the ceiling so that it appears to be coming from above, immersing you in a hemispheric globe of sound. While only effective with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X-supported content, Atmos-enabled soundbars offer the most immersive experience available, bringing you even closer to what you’ll experience in a high-quality theater. That said, you will pay a premium for this technology, and you’ll also have more speakers to spread around your TV room, so these concessions must be considered before making your choice.
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GO GO GADGETS THE BEST
ultrabooks OF 2020
By TJ Donegan, Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo and Whitson Gordon Reviewed.com
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ugging around a heavy laptop is annoying. If you’re constantly on the go but need a portable laptop that’s also powerful, that’s where ultrabooks come in. Ultrabooks usually weigh less than four pounds and are popular among business professionals and students. After a significant amount of testing, the HP Spectre x360 is our top pick because of its fantastic battery life and lightweight build.
THESE ARE THE BEST ULTRABOOKS ON THE MARKET WE TESTED, RANKED IN ORDER: 1. HP Spectre x360 2. Dell XPS 13 (7390) 3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (7th Gen) 4. HP Elite Dragonfly 5. Dell XPS 15 (7590) 6. Lenovo Yoga C940
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BEST OVERALL HP SPECTRE X360 13T TOUCH (13-AW0013DX) HP’s Spectre x360 is a premium laptop that screams quality, with an eye-catching angular design, a beautiful screen and plenty of ports — including both new USB-C ports and a classic USB-A port.
It’s slim, has a great keyboard and comes fully loaded with the latest 10th-gen Intel processors, Intel Iris Plus graphics and a battery that is good for nearly eight hours of juice in our custom battery test. Its entry-level model is competitively priced compared to the Dell XPS 2-in-1, and upgrading to a faster processor, more storage, more RAM and even a wireless LTE modem are all more affordable. If you want a beautiful laptop that can do just about anything, the Spectre is a great pick.
OTHER ULTRABOOKS WE TESTED DELL XPS 13 7390 (INTEL I7-10710U (6-CORE), 16GB, 512SSD, 3840X2160-TOUCH) • Pros: Minimalist aesthetic, bright display • Con: Struggles to run graphic-intensive games
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LENOVO THINKPAD X1 CARBON 7TH GEN (20QD-001TUS) • Pros: Lightweight, long battery life • Con: Expensive
HP ELITE DRAGONFLY G2 (2020) • Pros: Incredible battery life, awesome design, enterprise-level security • Cons: Expensive, pro-level features not for everyone
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DELL XPS 15 7590 (INTEL I9-9980HK, 32GB, 1TB SSD, NV1650, 3840X2160 OLED-TOUCH) • Pros: Powerful, great for video editing • Cons: Heavy, expensive
LENOVO YOGA C940 (81Q9002GUS) • Pros: Solid performance, convertible design, robust build • Con: Not designed for computer games
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WHAT IS AN ULTRABOOK? Some laptops have a chunky form factor and are difficult to lug around. High-powered gaming laptops, for example, can often weigh six pounds or more. Simply put, an ultrabook is a laptop with a thin profile. They’re usually lightweight but powerful, capable of handling workloads like videoconferencing and live streams. They make great business laptops and are also good for students or anyone who just wants to get work done on the move.
GENERAL THINGS TO CONSIDER • Performance: The CPU, graphics chip, RAM and storage inside your PC determine how well your computer can multitask, handle intensive tasks like gaming, and store all your files. The better the specs, the snappier the laptop will feel as you work. • Build quality: Not only do you want a laptop that can take a beating (since you’ll probably be lugging it around with you), but you want one with a well-built keyboard and trackpad since they’re your primary form of interaction with the machine. A poor trackpad or finicky keyboard can really kill the experience. • Touch screens, portability, features: 2-in-1 laptops have gained in popularity, but that touch screen and pen cost money to include. Similarly, cramming all those powerful components into a small, easy-to-carry package can often cost more than a larger laptop with fewer design constraints.
DISPLAY SIZE You’ll usually find laptops in one of three main sizes, measured by the diagonal length of the display: • 13 inches and under: These are great for carrying around, and more than suitable for light work like writing papers and browsing the web. • 15 inches: Mid-sized laptops are a bit less portable, and won’t necessarily work in space-constrained spaces like airplane seats. But the larger display is useful for photo editing and watching videos. • 17 inches: This is very large, and only recommended if you are doing video editing or other intensive work that requires a lot of screen — and you don’t mind lugging it around. There can still be varying sizes within those categories — for example, the XPS 13’s smaller bezels make it much smaller than most 13-inch laptops — and sizes in between, like the 14-inch Lenovo Yoga C930. But in general, picking a size range you’re comfortable with can help narrow down the field. You’ll also want to consider how many USB ports the laptop has, whether you need HDMI and Ethernet, and how comfortable the
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keyboard and trackpad are to use — this can vary quite a bit from model to model, and it’s important to get something responsive and durable.
OPERATING SYSTEM You’ll need to consider which operating system you need. Windows is still the dominant OS these days, and if you’re going to play games, edit photos and videos, or need certain software for work, you’ll probably stick with Microsoft’s offering. If you spend all your time on the web, though, a Chromebook may serve you better than you’d think — between Netflix, Gmail, Google Docs, and even online photo editors like Pixlr, you can do almost anything in a browser, and many of those web apps even work offline for those rare occasions you don’t have Wi-Fi. Chromebooks have the advantage of being cheaper (since they don’t need as much processing power) and virtually virus-free (since they run Linux under the hood).
UNDER THE HOOD Finally, you’ll need to consider the guts — the processor, graphics chip, RAM and storage that determine your laptop’s capabilities. For browsing the web and using office software, lower-power chips (like the Intel Core i5) are more than adequate. 4GB of RAM is usable in a Chromebook, though even web browsing can eat up RAM these days, so 8GB is recommended if you tend to open lots of tabs, use lots of browser extensions and want a laptop that’ll last you well into the future — I wouldn’t generally advise 4GB for most Windows users these days. If, on the other hand, you run more intense workloads — whether that means heavy photo and video editing or running the latest PC games — you’ll want something with a bit more “oomph.” Intel’s higher-end i7 processors will make those video encodes run noticeably faster, and a dedicated graphics card will ensure your games run smooth as butter. No matter who you are, we recommend erring on the side of more storage rather than less — people often underestimate how much space they’ll fill up with all their music, photos and videos over time. Storage can be expensive, though, so if you can’t afford a 256GB solid-state drive, consider buying a laptop with an SD card slot and using a high-capacity card for cheap, expandable storage. Keep in mind internal upgradeability, too — many modern laptops solder their components onto the motherboard, meaning you can’t swap in more RAM or a bigger storage drive down the line. So either buy a laptop that keeps its components separate or spend a bit more to buy the specs you’ll need in a couple of years, not just what you need right now.
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HOW DO I ... ?
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Buy the right size online By Patrice J. Williams Reviewed.com There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when you want to find the perfect fit online. From measurements to the choice of fabric, they all make a difference in getting the right size to your door.
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1. MEASURE YOURSELF, THE RIGHT WAY Take your measurements, including your bust, waist, hips and inseam. Sara Skirboll, shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot, advises shoppers to use a soft tape measure, similar to what you’d find at a tailor’s shop. “Depending what item you’re considering purchasing, measure with your undergarments on to get a better idea of how the piece of clothing will fit over them,” Skirboll says. This will give you a more accurate fit, compared to if you’re taking measurements while wearing clothes. But if you’re ordering outerwear, you may want to use measurements with your clothes on.
2. TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MODEL’S FIT Many stores feature their clothes on models who might have a completely different body type than you. Matthew Sebra, senior fashion director for Men’s and Kids at Macy’s, says to not let this fool you. Instead he suggests taking into account specific details that may determine if a garment will look great on your body type. “If you’re short and it looks cropped on the model, it will likely be just right for you,” he says. Some sites like Target’s are starting to share the stats of a model, including the size of the garment they’re wearing and their height, as well as showing multiple models wear ing different sizes, which can help you figure out the fit.
Sites like Target will give model stats to help you determine how the piece will look on you. TARGET
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Retailers like ASOS offer size guides to help pick the right size. ASOS
3. USE A RETAILER’S SIZE GUIDE
4. ACTUALLY READ THE REVIEWS
Even if you know your actual measurements or have a general idea of what size you typically are, don’t overlook the size charts that many major retailers offer. Answering a few of the site’s questions regarding your shape will help determine a more accurate fit. For instance, Zara has a feature that allows you to input your height and weight to suggest a fit, along with the percentage of people with similar stats who bought and didn’t return that size. ASOS has a similar fit assistant feature and can even compare your size in other brands to help you pick the right size.
Everyone loves a product that boasts thousands of reviews, but instead of just looking at the number, it’s key to actually read them — or at least a few. Skirboll says: “Pay attention to if people say the item runs big, small or true to size.” Also, if the site allows customers to upload photos, those can be even more helpful. Look at the pictures of customers who have similar body shapes to yours, which can serve as your visual representation of what the garment may look like on you. It’s sort of like someone else trying the clothes on for you.
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5. LOOK AT POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REVIEWS FIRST Those who are absolutely praising an item or who absolutely hate it are equally passionate and are more likely to share detailed opinions. A quick scan through these reviews usually shows any common pros or cons, whether a piece runs true to size, if the material stretches out over time or if the sizing is extremely off.
6. CONSIDER THE MATERIAL USED In addition to checking the actual measurements of a garment, it’s important to note the type of material, which can affect whether you size up or down. “Keep in mind that some materials will be more forgiving than others,” Skirboll stresses. “If you’re looking at denim with no elastane, know that they’re going to be a bit stiff and will require hours of wear and use before they start to have a little give. On the other hand, jeans made with elastane, also known as spandex or Lycra, will have plenty of stretch and you can be more flexible on the sizing.” Other materials to look out for are polyester, which is resistant to shrinking, and cotton, which can shrink and stretch out over time.
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7. WHEN IN DOUBT, SIZE UP When you just don’t know what size to order or if you think you’re in between sizes, it’s always a safe bet to go a size up. It’s much easier to work with a garment that’s slightly bigger than one that’s too small, if you don’t want to return it. Plus, you can make any necessary alterations if you’re handy with a needle or just take the piece to a tailor. That little bit of wiggle room makes an alteration far easier and cheaper than trying to add material to a small garment.
SizeCharter is a great resource for finding your size at a ton of retailers. SIZECHARTER
8. STAY LOYAL TO A RETAILER Unfortunately, size 10 J. Crew shorts are not the same size 10 at other retailers. Since there’s no universal sizing, one of the easiest ways to almost always get the perfect fit is to stick with the brands you know and love. “I won’t buy clothes online unless I know the brand and how it fits my body type,” Skirboll says. If you already know what size works best for you in a particular brand, you can use an online tool like SizeCharter, which will give you comparable sizing at other brands. Just enter your go-to size and the results will crank out for brands like Zara, ModCloth, Free People, and even luxury retailers like Gucci or Armani.
9. KNOW THE STORE’S RETURN POLICY Even if you’ve followed all these tips for a seemingly good fit, sometimes the size is off or the fit looks way different than expected when it arrives. Double-check the retailer’s return policy, as it can make the difference between an easy transaction and being stuck with a piece you’ll likely never wear. Free returns are great, but a policy that gives you some time to deliberate before returning is key, especially if you need time to send it back.
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COVER STORY
Home
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The best kitchen appliances available today e are in one of the best times of the year to buy appliances. Manufacturers unveil new models in September and October, which means older ones get discounted. There are also typically some sweet holiday sales at big box retailers over Labor Day (Sept. 7) and Columbus Day (Oct. 12) weekends. But if you miss out on those holidays or want to avoid crowds, good online prices can be found year-round. Whether your fridge is on the fritz because the kids used it as an extra A/C this summer, or your oven or dishwasher just aren’t keeping up with all the home-cooked meals you’ve found yourself making wth everyone at home, the experts at Reviewed.com have laid out their top picks for major kitchen appliances here. And if you can wait to buy a refrigerator, you won’t believe the technology improvements coming next year — and we’re talking way more practical than touchscreens and digital photo displays.
INSIDE 26 30 35 41
5 fridge trends we’re excited about for 2021 The best refigerators of 2020 The best ranges of 2020 The best dishwashers of 2020
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WHAT IS REVIEWED? Reviewed — part of the USA TODAY Network — is a team of product experts (geeks, in truth) that put in the hard work of testing products so you don’t have to. We built an entire test lab in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, just to make sure that when we say something is worth your money, we can back it up with good old-fashioned science. Our mission is to help you buy the best stuff and love what you’ve already got. That means we’ll have solid recommendations for you — no matter your budget — and we’ll teach you how to unlock the secret benefits of the things you already own.
FIND US AT: • Reviewed.com • facebook.com/reviewed • twitter.com/reviewed • youtube.com/c/Reviewedcom • instagram.com/reviewed • pinterest.com/revieweddotcom
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September 2020
fridge trends we’re excited about for 2021 By Mark Brezinski | Reviewed.com
September 2020
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hen it comes to technologies and innovation, appliances get interesting — refrigerators especially. Refrigerators have come a long way from the iceboxes of the 19th and early 20th centuries, so much so that lasting innovations are somewhat rare nowadays. New features often have a gimmicky, get-it-and-forget-it quality and then get dropped from future releases. It’s for this reason that we’re cautiously optimistic about what 2021 has in store for everyone’s most essential kitchen appliance. The tech trends for refrigerators aren’t just upgrading existing smart features (though that’s something we’ll discuss), they’re looking at fundamental problems with fridge design and tackling them piece by piece. Here are a few features that we expect to see more of next year.
GLASS DOORS Transparent food storage is one area we’ve seen gradually become more mainstream. The idea behind a glass door is simple: It allows you to see the contents of the fridge without opening the door first. This means more deliberate trips to the fridge and fewer instances of you gawking at its content while holding the door wide open. All this
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ensures your food spends more time at even temperatures. Glass doors can be implemented in many different ways. For example, the new Bosch 800 series has a separate beverage drawer with a glass front. It’s meant for storing wines, which typically want to be a bit warmer than safe fridge settings. The glass door allows you to peruse your wine collection without disturbing its temperature, which should help preserve your wines better. Also, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, the glass door on the Bosch 800’s wine drawer shows off its red oak shelf that cradles the wine bottles at the correct angle. While unexpected in a fridge, the wooden fixtures look gorgeous. Glass-door refrigerators are also neat because they can double as a see-through smart displays, another feature that’s been gradually rolling out to more LG fridges. While this gives you access to the functionality you’d expect, we’re more excited at the potential for augmented reality features that become possible with a transparent display. For example, this could allow users to point to a food item in their fridge and get an overlay displaying information about it, like how long it’s been in there, its expiration date or if someone’s reserved it for a planned meal. When coupled with inventory-tracking tech, the possibilities for these technologies may boom.
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Don’t you want a drawer of ice orbs? Like a winter wizard? LG
HIGHER QUALITY ICE, FASTER Based on the trends we’ve seen, your new fridge’s ice maker will likely produce ice of a much higher quality, at a significantly increased quantity, and/or just way more quickly. Two new Bosch 500 Series refrigerators feature the QuickIcePro System, which provides freshly filtered ice at a very rapid rate: up to 12 pounds per day. If you’re used to throwing parties and running out of ice before the night is over, this fridge will keep you well stocked. On the other side of the spectrum, one of LG’s newer fridges makes spherical ice. Not only do these globes look like something served at a trendy cocktail bar, they’re also just better at being ice than the traditional trapezoidal prism you’re used to — a sphere of ice has the lowest possible surface area, which means it melts more slowly compared to other shapes, keeping your drink colder for longer.
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AIR FILTERS THAT REMOVE ETHYLENE Ethylene: It’s the bane of crisper drawers everywhere. This chemical compound is a natural plant hormone given off by fruits. It encourages ripening and leaf drop, and it’s also why it’s a good idea to keep fruits and veggies in separate drawers. Otherwise, ethylene-emitting fruits will speed up the rate at which your veggies rot. Bosch has recently begun rolling out refrigerators that filter out ethylene and other unwanted gasses. While this is great news for mitigating the damage fresh fruits can wreak on other produce, it also helps prevent pungent odors from contaminating the flavor of your other foods.
AI POWER Artificial intelligence is one of the more interesting innovations that LG and Samsung have begun integrating into their refrigerators. While both companies will use AI in slightly different ways, the crux of the technology is the same: Internal cameras will be able to track different foodstuffs entering and exiting your fridge. This will allow your fridge to keep an inventory of what you have in stock, alert you when ingredients are about to go bad, suggest recipes based on what you have in stock, and generate shopping lists for you.
EVER-BETTER SMART FEATURES Let’s be honest: A lot of appliance smart features aren’t particularly useful. Sure, it’s nice to have a touchscreen where you can jot notes or be able to leave a video message for members of your household, but really, the main smart feature that’s essential in a refrigerator — in our opinion, at least — is the ability to get a text if the fridge door doesn’t fully shut or if the freezer door pops open because it’s just way too packed. Thankfully, this smart feature is trending for 2021 in new Bosch fridges as well as less expensive models from LG, Samsung and Frigidaire. Another practical smart application that’s becoming more of a staple? Diagnostics. Your fridge is better than ever at knowing what’s going wrong with it, and it can help you pinpoint problems before they worsen — or at least make the visit from a repair technician more efficient.
Ethylene can make your other fruits and veggies ripen much faster than they would otherwise— which means they’ll rot if you’re not careful.
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THE BEST
refrigerators OF 2020 By Jonathan Chan, Julia MacDougall and Kyle Hamilton | Reviewed.com
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hen you’re shopping for a fridge, a stroll through a home improvement store might overwhelm you with rows and rows of similar-looking boxes. How are you supposed to know which one to choose? Here at Reviewed, our experts have tested hundreds of French door, side-by-side, bottom freezer and top freezer refrigerators in our labs. We consider temperature consistency, storage capacity and ease of use to be the most important aspects of a good fridge. But typically, the fridge with the best of everything costs a pretty penny.
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HERE ARE THE BEST REFRIGERATORS WE’VE TESTED, RANKED IN ORDER: 1. Frigidaire Gallery FG4H2272UF 2. Kenmore Elite 72483 3. Samsung RF260BEAESR 4. LG LSXS26366S 5. LG LMXS30776S 6. Haier HRF15N3AGS 7. Samsung RF23J9011SR 8. Insignia NS–RTM18WH7 9. Whirlpool WRT318FZDB 10. Samsung RT18M6215SG 11. Kenmore Elite 79043 12. Samsung RH25H5611SR 13. GE GNE25JMKES 14. Frigidaire FFHT1425VV 15. GE Café CVE28DM5NS5
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BEST OVERALL FRIGIDAIRE GALLERY FG4H2272UF The Frigidaire FG4H2272UF really has it all. In addition to easily maintaining cold temperatures during testing, this beautifully designed French door fridge has so many storage options it’ll blow your mind. While most counter-depth fridges make you feel as though you had to give up storage space so its shallower profile will fit, the FG4H2272UF makes every cubic foot of space count. Not only does it have adjustable-width sliding bins on the door, but the fridge itself has a retractable shelf, a pocket “snack zone” that lives just below the crisper (and allows easy access for the shorter humans in your life), and an entire fourth compartment that can be used as additional fridge or freezer storage.
OTHER REFRIGERATORS WE TESTED KENMORE ELITE 72483 • Pros: Can maintain consistent temperatures; deli drawer; through-door ice and water dispensers • Cons: Nothing we could find
SAMSUNG RF260BEAESR • Pros: Can maintain consistent temperatures; deli drawer • Cons: No through-door ice or water dispensers
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LG LSXS26366S • Pros: Unique three-door design; can maintain consistent temperatures; door-in-door storage • Cons: Nothing we could find
SAMSUNG RT18M6215SG • Pros: Can maintain consistent temperatures; flexible temperature zone; black stainless steel finish • Cons: Have to stoop to access crispers; not much in the way of storage
LG LMXS30776S • Pros: Three crisper drawers; temperature-controlled drawer; recessed storage pockets at bottom of the fridge • Con: Fridge temperatures run a bit warm
SAMSUNG RF23J9011SR • Pros: Unique four-door design; flexible temperature area • Con: Limited freezer space
INSIGNIA NS-RTM18WH7 • Pro: Energy efficient • Con: Fridge temperatures can run a little warm
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KENMORE ELITE 79043 • Pros: Streamlined, singledoor interface; bright interior lighting; energy efficient • Cons: Greens won’t last long in the crisper drawer; fridge temperatures run a bit hot; no through-door ice or water dispensers
SAMSUNG RH25H5611SR
GE GNE25JMKES • Pros: Can maintain consistent temperatures; temperature-controlled drawer; retractable shelves • Cons: No through-door ice or water dispenser
• Pros: Door-in-door storage; through-door ice and water dispensers • Con: Fridge temperatures can run a little warm
WHIRLPOOL WRT318FZDB • Pros: Can maintain consistent temperatures; flexible storage options • Con: Crisper has trouble maintaining humidity
HAIER HRF15N3AGS • Pros: Slimmer profile for non-standard cutouts; consistent fridge temperatures • Cons: No through-door ice or water dispensers; limited shelf adjustability
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FRIGIDAIRE FFHT1425VV • Pros: Great size for smaller spaces; good temperature consistency • Con: No ice maker
GE CAFE CVE28DM5NS5 • Pros: Consistent temperatures; backlit interior; custom-temp drawer • Con: Less capacity than we’d expect
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A REFRIGERATOR • Your cutout: If you’re replacing a fridge with a very specific cutout (usually surrounded by countertops and/or cabinetry), measure carefully the height, width and depth of the cutout multiple times, then be sure to leave at least one to two inches between the top of the fridge and abovefridge cabinetry, as well as a couple inches between the back of the fridge and the wall. Leaving those extra inches behind the refrigerator is especially helpful for the fridge’s air circulation. Be sure to account for the depths of the fridge doors. If the distance your fridge sticks out from your cabinetry is not as wide as the thickness of the refrigerator doors, then you might not be able to open the fridge doors all the way.
manufacturer), they can be as much as six inches shallower. However, you lose interior storage space as a result of the shallower profile. A counter-depth fridge may cost more than its non-counter-depth counterpart.
• Depth: The standard depth for a regular, full-sized fridge is typically about 30 inches. If your fridge is surrounded by cabinets, it probably sticks out anywhere from four to six inches. This doesn’t bother most people, but if you have space restrictions or stylistic preferences that tend towards a refrigerator with a shallower profile, you might want to take a look at counter-depth fridges. While there’s no standard depth measurement for counter-depth fridges (it largely depends on the
• Efficiency: Consider the Energy Star rating for a refrigerator for an idea of what your utility bills might look like. Typically, the more complicated your fridge (in features and design), the more energy it uses.
• Through-door water and ice dispensers: Additionally, some of the more expensive refrigerators have options such as hot water or a builtin pod coffee maker. In lieu of through-door water dispensing, some fridges offer built-in water pitchers or interior water dispensers, in addition to interior ice makers.
• Price: Mostly, the price difference between high-end refrigerators and more affordable fridges is down to the number of available features, storage options and finishes.
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THE BEST
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By Julia MacDougall and Cassidy Olsen Reviewed.com
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hat is a range, you may ask? A range is a generic term for a kitchen appliance with a cooktop and an oven integrated into one unit. “Oh,” you’re probably thinking, “you mean a stove.” Or maybe you prefer the word “oven.” Depending on where you grew up, your terminology for this appliance may vary. We all agree on one thing, though: Whether you’re warming up canned soup or cooking a roast for a big party, your range is one of the heavy hitters in your kitchen, and it can really make or break your daily food preparation experience.
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There are four different types of ranges: gas, electric, induction and dual-fuel. While these different fuel types appeal to very different types of chefs, we’ve tested many, many ranges and judged them all on the same criteria: ease of use, speediness and cooking/baking abilities. After countless hours in the lab, we can say with certainty that we’ve found some of the best ranges out there.
September 2020
THESE ARE THE BEST RANGES WE TESTED, RANKED IN ORDER: 1. Best gas range: Samsung NX58K9500WG 2. Best electric range: Electrolux EI30EF45QS 3. Best dual-fuel range: KitchenAid KSDB900ESS 4. Best induction range: Frigidaire Gallery FGIH3047VF 5. Best double oven range: LG LDG4315ST gas range 6. Frigidaire FPEH3077RF electric range 7. Bosch HEI8054U electric range
8. Frigidaire FGIF3036TD induction range 9. LG LRG4115ST gas range 10. Samsung NE59J7850WS electric range 11. Samsung NE59M6850SS electric range 12. Samsung NX58H5600SS gas range 13. Frigidaire FPEF3077QF electric range
BEST GAS RANGE SAMSUNG NX58K9500WG This slide-in range has five sealed burners on top, ranging from 5,000 to 18,000 BTUs. An included griddle rests neatly on top of the oval-shaped burner in the center when you need it. Our tests found that the minimum and maximum temperatures weren’t record-breaking by any means, but it can water boiling quickly enough and the 120 degrees F minimum is enough for most kinds of cooking. If you need super-low simmers, you might want to check out an induction range. The Samsung NX58K9500WG is a baker’s delight thanks to a wonderful oven packed with useful features. It offers a true convection fan for even bakes. The time to preheat is faster than competing ranges. There’s also a warming drawer for pre-heating plates or keeping side dishes warm. The cookies, cakes and pork we cooked during testing all came out looking great.
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BEST ELECTRIC RANGE ELECTROLUX EI30EF45QS The Electrolux EI30EF45QS electric freestanding range has a lot going for it. Its sleek looks and versatile cooktop are definite crowd pleasers. The cooktop includes two simmer burners, a warming zone burner, one normal burner and one tri-ring burner that promises very tight temperature controls. As a result, between these five burners, they manage to cover a temperature range of 85 to 770 degrees F. While boiling times are a bit slow (about six minutes to boil six cups of water), that’s to be expected on an electric range. The oven had no trouble perfectly roasting a pork loin, but it had more difficulty when it came to baking cookies and cakes evenly.
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BEST DUAL FUEL KITCHENAID KSDB900ESS The KitchenAid KSDB900ESS dual fuel slide-in range has a sleek pro-style aesthetic, with shiny knobs to control the gas burners and a full touch panel to control the electric oven. Between the oven and the baking drawer (which has three modes: bake, slow bake and keep warm), the combined oven capacity is 7 cubic feet; plenty for those large dinner parties or food-heavy holidays. Other nice touches include a steam rack for steam baking, a wireless meat probe and AquaLift self-clean technology. While some of out test cookies came out a bit unevenly baked, the cakes came out perfectly and evenly browned. On their lowest setting, the gas burners came in at an astonishingly low 95 to 100 degrees F, some of the lowest temperatures we’ve recorded that still kept the pilot light lit.
BEST INDUCTION RANGE FRIGIDAIRE FGIH3047VF This simple, sleek range has auto-adjusting burners and a straightforward layout to help reduce the induction learning curve, and the quick-boiling burners can cut down on total cook times. With the added bonuses of an Air Fry mode, true convection and steam cleaning, this is a feature-loaded range at a great price. In our testing, the FGIH3047VF roasted a 2-pound piece of pork without losing its juice, made a cooked-through pizza with a crisp crust, and brought six cups of water to boil in just over four minutes.
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BEST DOUBLE OVEN RANGE LG LDG4315ST The 30-inch, 5-burner LG LDG4315ST double oven gas range offers 6.9 cubic feet of total oven space. The 4.3-cubic-foot bottom oven is equipped with LG’s ProBake convection technology, which moves the heating element to the back of the oven rather than the bottom, and resulted in outstanding baking quality. Plus, both ovens can be cleaned in 10 minutes using LG’s EasyClean Express cycle. This is a powerful oven once you know how to use it. The LG LDG4315ST made it into the list of top performers because its cooktop and ovens do very well at core tasks: boiling, simmering and baking. But it’s important to use the correct oven (the lower oven) and the correct mode (convection mode) to get the best cooking and baking results. Learn the ins and outs of this oven and you will be rewarded.
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RANGES Here are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping around for your new range.
FUEL TYPE • Gas: Lower cooktop temperatures, faster water boiling, potential for uneven cooking/baking because of central flame location • Electric: Higher cooktop temperatures, slower water boiling, more even cooking/baking because of heat distribution over coil • Dual-fuel: Faster water boiling, more even cooking/baking because of heat distribution over coil • Induction: Super fast water boiling, very high and low cooktop temperatures, requires special cookware, may require recipe modification Depending on your cooking and baking priorities, as well as the way you learned to cook, one of these fuel types might be more appealing than the rest. One more thing to consider: dual-fuel and induction ranges are typically more expensive than gas and electric ranges.
CONVECTION VS. TRUE CONVECTION True Convection is an oven setting that includes installing an extra heating element on a convection oven, and is great for ensuring that cookies or cakes baked on different racks will bake through at the same rate. If you don’t see mention of True Convection or European Convection, but do see the word “convection” in a range’s specs, it means that the unit lacks an additional heating element, but does have a fan to circulate the hot air. While you don’t get the full baking and cooking effect that you would with True Convection, the added heat circulation can cook or bake food more evenly than it would without a fan. If you’re a frequent baker or cook, convection can be a great time saver, but your dinners won’t suffer unduly without it.
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SLIDE-IN VS. FREESTANDING While slide-in ranges are meant to sit flush with your countertops, freestanding ranges can stand alone in your kitchen. While the difference may seem trivial, it has ramifications for two aspects of using the range: finish and ease of cleaning. Because freestanding ranges are visible from all slides, they have a more finished look on the sides of the range; slide-in ranges are meant to have their sides hidden by the cabinetry, so the finish typically isn’t as pretty on the sides. Additionally, because slide-in ranges sit flush with your countertop, they’re a bit easier to clean because they do not have a large lip around the edge. Freestanding ranges often have larger lips around the edge of the cooktop to cut down on crumbs decorating your floor. Freestanding ranges also typically have a back-mounted control panel for the same reason. While slide-in ranges will do fine in a freestanding arrangement, the reverse is less true. If your current cooking setup has the range sitting in a cabinet or countertop cutout, we recommend replacing that range with another slide-in range. Conversely, if your range stands alone in your kitchen, we’d recommend replacing it with another freestanding range to cut down on food debris spilling everywhere.
DIMENSIONS • Depth: Typically varies from 26 to 30 inches because it’s trying to sit flush with your cabinetry. • Height: Typically varies from 36 to 38 inches because it’s trying to get the cooking surface level with your countertops. If you see product heights on the order of 46 to 48 inches, that number is measuring to the top of the back-mounted controls, rather than the top of the cooking surface. • Width: Typical value is 30 inches. Additional sizes include 36, 48 and 60 inches. While larger range widths are nice because it can translate into more burners and/or more space for your cookware, wider ranges always come with a higher price tag.
PRICE Mostly, the price difference between high-end ranges and more affordable ranges is usually down to the number of cooktop burners, available features, storage options and finishes.
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THE BEST
dishwashers OF 2020 By Jonathan Chan, Julia MacDougall and Cindy Bailen Reviewed.com
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e’ve been testing dishwashers for over a decade now, so we know what separates the good dishwashers from the great ones — and which ones you should avoid. The best dishwashers are energy efficient, offer a low noise level, provide great stain removal and drying ability, and have flexible racks, among other features.
HERE ARE ALL THE STANDARD-SIZED DISHWASHERS THAT WE THINK ARE THE BEST, IN RANKED ORDER: 1. Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N (2019) 2. Samsung DW80R9950UT 3. LG LDF5545ST 4. KitchenAid KDTM354DSS 5. LG LDP6797ST 6. Bosch 500 Series SHPM65Z55N (2019) 7. Bosch 300 Series SHSM63W55N (2017) 8. Electrolux EI24ID81SS 9. Vinotemp Brama BR-DWSH01-S
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BEST OVERALL BOSCH SHPM88Z75N The Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N (2019) is everything we’ve come to expect from Bosch — quiet, efficient and stylish. With a sound rating of 40 dBA, it’s one of the quietest dishwashers that’s ever come through our labs. This dishwasher did an amazing job removing some of our more difficult stains, like burnt-on cheese and spinach; however, as is the case with most dishwashers, the spinach that got blasted off of our test dishes was occasionally redeposited onto other dishes. The major selling point of the SHPM88Z75N is its CrystalDry feature. Using zeolite crystals, this dishwasher completely dries all of your dishes — even the plasticware that always seems to need a couple of passes with a dish towel before you can put it away. If your primary method of storing food is with plastic food storage containers, the SHPM88Z75N will save you a lot of extra time and effort when it comes to getting your dishes clean and dry.
OTHER DISHWASHERS WE TESTED SAMSUNG DW80R9950UT • Pros: Short cycles; third rack; fingerprintresistant stainless steel finish • Cons: None that we could find
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LG LDF5545ST • Pros: Great cleaning ability; very affordable; very quiet cleaning • Cons: None we could find
KITCHENAID KDTM354DSS • Pros: Great cleaning ability; lots of extra features • Con: Poorer cleaning in the back of the upper rack
LG LDP6797ST • Pros: Eye-catching modern design; third rack with adjustable height; adjustable tines • Con: Normal and turbo cycles left stains behind
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BOSCH SHPM65Z55N • Pros: Quiet; great cleaning ability; gets dishes dry • Cons: None that we could find
BOSCH SHSM63W55N • Pros: Great cleaning performance; drying feature that works; third rack • Con: Drying option extends cycle times
ELECTROLUX EI2 Pros: Great cleaning ability; LED interior lighting; sleek exterior • Con: Poor cost-to-performance ratio
September 2020
VINOTEMP BRAMA BR-DWSH01-S • Pros: Has a third rack; tines are adjustable; air exchange system helps combat bacteria growth • Con: Struggled removing spinach
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• Drying: Typically, dishwashers that have heated drying options (versus just venting the hot air) are more expensive because heated drying requires additional hardware in the dishwasher itself. • Third rack/rack customizability: The third rack is a relatively new development in dishwashers. This narrow tray resides above the top rack and may have its own wash arm. Depending on the third rack’s depth, you can typically fit either just cutlery (that occupy individual tines, and aren’t clumped together like they can be in your cutlery basket) or dishes with taller profiles, like ladles, pacifiers or small bowls. While cleaning results on the third rack might not be as good as they are in the cutlery basket, some people find the convenience of a third rack very enticing. Another thing to consider is the customizability of the racks themselves: Do all of the tines fold down, or are they rigid? Can you change the height of the racks? Can the cutlery basket be mounted on the door? All of these options give you flexibility when it comes to fitting large or awkwardly shaped dishes into your dishwasher. If you’re mostly washing plates and glasses, though, you might not need to spend the money on this kind of adjustability. • Efficiency: Be sure to check out the Energy Star rating for a dishwasher to give you an idea of what you can expect your utility bills to look like.
WHEN BUYING A DISHWASHER When looking for a new or replacement dishwasher, consider the following topics carefully.
• Stain removal: This is the most important facet of our dishwasher testing methodology; we add different food and liquid stains onto a variety of dishes to see how well a dishwasher can clean. • Cycles and dycle options: If you’re just cooking for one or two people, you may not need a pricey dishwasher with a ton of extra options and features. However, if you have a big family or you often host parties, you might need more customizability in your wash options. Extra cycles can include China Crystal/Delicate, or Sanitize for sports bottles and baby bottles. When it comes to cycle options, they mostly relate to the location of the water (i.e. Bottle Jets or Half Load) and the water temperature (i.e. Hi Temp). If none of these options sound useful to you, then you’d probably be happier with a more basic dishwasher with the three main cycles: Normal, Heavy and Quick.
• Noise: If you have an open-concept floorplan, you might want to look for a dishwasher that has a lower sound rating. These days, dishwashers can go as low as 37 dBA, which is akin to the noise you hear in a library. One thing to note with the rating: the value reported is an average. So while lower dBA values are definitely better, you might still experience the occasional loud swishing noise during a cycle. Additionally, generally speaking, dishwashers with stainless steel tubs are typically quieter than those with plastic tubs. There are pros and cons to both types of dishwasher tubs, though, so noise might not be the only consideration. • Control panel: Do you prefer buttons or a touch panel? While touch panels definitely look sleeker, some are so sensitive that you (or your kids) can accidentally start cycles. Conversely, some touch panels are so insensitive that you have to jab at them a few times before they work. If you’re trying one out in the store, be sure to try out the touch panel so you can get a feel for how hard you’ll have to press down to get a cycle going. • Fit and finish: Dishwashers often come in a variety of finishes, from regular white or black to black stainless steel or panel-ready (the ability to install a dishwasher cover that matches your cabinetry). While you should be able to find a dishwasher that matches your kitchen setup and your other appliances, be ready to pay more for any finish more sophisticated than black/white/stainless steel. • Price: While some high-end dishwashers do a really stellar job of removing food stains, there are also some more affordable dishwashers that won’t let you down. Mostly, the price difference between dishwashers is down to more or fewer features and options.
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COLUMN
Parlez-vous Bluetooth? T R ACY B EC K E R M AN Lost in Technology by Tracy Beckerman looks at the lighter side of figuring out how to use tech. Tracy has writen a humor column, Lost in Suburbia, for GateHouse Media and Gannett since 2008. You can find her weekly column about life as an empty-nester, along with her Lost in Suburbia Classics column, in most Gannett newspapers. Follow Tracy on Twitter @TracyBeckerman and on Facebook at Facebook.com/ LostInSuburbiaFanPage.
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fter owning our car for two years, I suddenly discovered that it had Bluetooth capability. This meant that I could actually get it to answer my phone and make calls for me. If my car would have been able to pick up my husband’s dry cleaning, walk the dog and do the laundry, too, I could have retired. But unfortunately, all it did was enable me to go hands-free when talking on the phone in the car. Having Bluetooth and programming it, however, are two entirely different things. I am not the most techy-person to start with, so I knew going into this endeavor that it had the potential to be ugly. I had already been down this road once before with my car’s navigation system and ended up with a GPS that was both dyslexic and had a speech impediment. Instead of telling me to turn left, it said “bleft,” and when it said “bleft,” it usually meant “right.” I finally gave up, got a plain old paper map, and hurled the GPS out the window over the cliff it had told me to turn onto. Confident that the wise Bluetooth lady would walk me through the process, I decided to forgo the tutorial and just jump right in. “Phone options,” said the Bluetooth when I activated it. “Call, dial, redial, phone book, emergency, voice training, tutorial or set up.” “Set up,” I said with certainty. “Select one of the following: pairing options, confirmation prompts, select phone, language or pass code.” “They have this in other languages?” I won-
dered out loud. “Language!” she repeated. “Select a language. English, French or Spanish.” “Wow, French?” I exclaimed. I had taken French in high school and could not recall more than a few select words other than “oui” and “bonjour.” Still, I thought it was cool that my car could speak French, even if I couldn’t. “French selected,” said the Bluetooth, repeating me. “No. No! Not French!” I stammered to my dashboard. I realized the Bluetooth had heard me and thought that I wanted it to change languages. “Bonjour! Sélections françaises,” she said with a stunning French accent. “No! Go back! Speaka the Anglais!” I shouted. “Sélections françaises,” she repeated. “Appelle, compose, récompose, repertoire, urgence, entraînement vocale, tutoriel ou configure.” I was at a loss. I gaped at the dashboard trying to recall which word translated to the right English option that would get me back to the Languages menu. I cursed myself for not paying more attention in high school French instead of pining for a devastatingly good looking new transfer student who was in my class. Because of him, I’d not only learned how to say “yes” and “hello” in French, but also, “Hey wanna come over and study with me tonight? Wink. Wink.” While this might have helped me score a date, it would not be helpful at all in this particular situation.
diversion
September 2020
“Menu!” I tried. She repeated the sélections françaises. “Go back!” I demanded. This resulted in a whole new slew of options I didn’t understand. “Cancel!” I ordered. There was silence. I thought maybe I had found a universal keyword, but apparently with Bluetooth, three strikes and you’re out. All of a sudden the Bluetooth started yelling at me in rapid fire French. I’m pretty sure it was either something about how Americans don’t really appreciate French food or that we never thanked
them for the Statue of Liberty. I decided it was one thing to be abused by technology in my own language. It was quite another to be harassed by a foreign speaking computer with a big silicon chip on her shoulder. “You know what, Bluetooth?” I announced to the dashboard. “I don’t need you. I have headphones! I don’t care if you speak French, German, Spanish or Pig-Latin! I’m outta here.” “Spanish!” repeated the Bluetooth. “Hola! Selecciones español!”
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