Large Kitchen Appliances

You'll find sleek design, added firepower, and easy-to-clean surfaces for less as manufacturers try to boost sales. Dual ovens, induction and other premium features are also on the menu as big brands push both style and convenience.

The best dishwashers powered away peanut butter, egg yolks and other gooey foods in our tests. Tougher federal efficiency rules have also helped all new machines save water and energy over those built only a few years ago. But as we found, you can still get soaked on big names and fancy features.

Phosphates in dishwasher detergents make them more effective but also boost algae growth in fresh water, threatening fish and other plant life. Many major manufacturers are rolling out reformulated low-phosphate dishwasher detergents as more states limit the amount of phosphates in dishwasher detergent.

Looking to freeze your household grocery budget? Investing in a top performing freezer can help, especially if you like to buy in bulk. Freezing seasonal fruits and vegetables is another way to save. Today's freezers use less energy than those made a decade ago and ones that carry an Energy Star label have to be even stingier.

Manufacturers are piling on more features, more claims, and even more doors as they compete in a tougher appliance market. But our tests show that some of the refrigerators that are best at keeping your milk cold and your frozen food frozen still cost well under $1,000.