Other Appliances

Water filters have become simpler to install and more convenient to maintain. Our tests of various filters--everything from carafes to systems for the entire house--found models suitable for removing many common contaminants. What's at stake might be more than just good taste.

Approximately 2,500 people are killed each year in residential fires, and another 500 die from carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas that's known as the "silent killer." Installing smoke and CO alarms throughout your home is the first step toward staying safe.

A few hundred dollars buys a good, basic sewing machine that can handle most clothing and crafts projects. More money buys you more automated functions, and a top-of-the-line machine can run into thousands of dollars. It will produce professional-quality designs and you don’t even need to know how to sew.