5 reasons a standalone GPS unit can still make sense

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It's no secret smartphones have evolved into digital Swiss Army knives.

Along with serving as a lifeline to friends, family and co-workers, that pocket-sized gadget has become your camera, camcorder, music player, pedometer, portable game player and alarm clock.

In all likelihood, smartphones have also replaced your GPS navigation unit.

In fact, sales of dedicated dashboard devices from the likes of Garmin and TomTom have cooled considerably over the years, just as smartphone adoption has exploded.

While there are benefits to map navigation on a smartphone — free apps, integrated traffic alerts and seamless map updates — you might still consider a standalone GPS unit after all.

Before you scoff, consider these reasons a standalone GPS unit still makes sense for your vehicle:

1. Battery life. Using your smartphone for navigation is convenient. You can easily carry it with you on foot, for instance. But it can prematurely drain the battery since you're using multiple wireless radios simultaneously. When running an app like Google Maps, your smartphone uses A-GPS — "assisted" with cellular signals — for added reliability. Many smartphone users already complain about battery life on their device, and relying on it for directions will drain it even faster.

2. Multitasking an issue. If you get a call on the same smartphone you're using for GPS, it minimizes (or in some cases, pauses) the navigation session until you get off the phone. Sure, you can manually open the mapping app again while talking, but that's not exactly safe while behind the wheel. As a result, some users don't want to take a call in case they miss their exit. This isn't an issue with a standalone GPS unit.

3. Bigger screen, mountable. While smartphone screens are growing in size, many GPS navigation units have even bigger displays — usually measuring 4.3- to 5.0 inches — which makes them easy to glance at while driving. Even if your phone's screen is comparable in size, unless you buy a mounting kit you don't have anywhere safe to prop it up securely in your vehicle. Most dedicated GPS units are bundled with a fitted dashboard or windshield mount, or both.

4. Servicing issues. What happens if something goes wrong with your phone and it needs to be sent in for repairs? Or what if it's lost or stolen? Now you're without both your smartphone and your navigation solution. This is a common problem with any convergence device, as you're relying on one product to do multiple things, but it could be aggravating to find yourself lost because you don't have a backup solution.

5. GPS units are lendable. Let's say your significant other has a business meeting or lunch date in an unfamiliar part of the city. Lend them your GPS nav unit, so they can benefit from the turn-by-turn directions, and they don't have to worry about installing and using an app on their smartphone. Or, if you're traveling out of the country and your phone's wireless radios are turned off to avoid roaming charges, using a non-wireless GPS unit is less of a hassle.

Tempted? Here are some suggested models:

• Garmin nüvi 66LMT ($209.99) is a 6.1-inch GPS with lifetime map and traffic updates. Hear step-by-step directions while navigating to your destination, plus the high-resolution screen (800 x 480 pixels) displays your speed versus the speed limit and estimated arrival time. The nüvi 66LMT includes Lane Assist (with brightly colored arrows to indicate your proper lane), maps of the U.S. and Canada, and millions of nearby points of interest (POIs).

TomTom’s VIA 1605TM offers navigation in four North American countries, including free lifetime map and traffic updates. (Photo: TomTom)

• Similarly, TomTom's VIA 1605TM ($199.99) is a 6-inch GPS unit with lifetime map and traffic updates. IQ Routes technology helps you accurately calculate trip time — based on your route, speed and traffic conditions — for the preloaded base maps of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. More than 7 million POIs help you find gas stations, restaurants, hotels, bank machines, and more. The unit reads spoken street names aloud, in one of the many preloaded voices or you can download celebrity voices to customize your trip.

The Magellan RoadMate 2230T-LM includes a parking garage feature to help you find where to leave your vehicle. (Photo: Magellan)

• With an average consumer score of 4.0 stars out of 5 (based on more than 200 reviews), the highest-rated Magellan GPS unit is the RoadMate 2230T-LM($129.99), a 4.3-inch GPS, also with lifetime map and traffic updates. Preloaded with maps for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, plus 7 million POIs, this talking nav unit helps you keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. A "Best Parking" feature suggests nearby parking garage locations, hours and directions, and more.

Top Countertop Microwaves at Best Buy - Updated July 2016

Best of the Best

Panasonic NN-H765BF Genius

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Whirlpool WMC20005YD

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Frigidaire FFCM0724LB

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Best Bang for your Buck

Kenmore 73092

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The Good

In a class of its own in terms of performance, capacity, and extra features. Inverter Technology cooks food faster and more efficiently; Keep Warm features provide added convenience.

The ultimate space saver; ideal for homes without much countertop or kitchen space like college dorm rooms.

Includes handy settings like Auto Cook, Auto Reheat and Effortless Defrost, as well as an Easy-Set button that allows you to add anywhere from 1-6 minutes to your cooking time.

Delivers incredible power and performance that is in line with its much more expensive counterparts. Stands out from its rivals in terms of its quietness and ease of use.

The Bad

On the more expensive side, but its high quality and durability may end up saving you money in the long run.

Does not pack much of a punch at 750 watts.

Lacks a truly standout feature, but it has all the basics that most microwave owners expect.

Not as many bells and whistles as the Panasonic.

The Bottom Line

The absolute best microwave on the market. No other microwave delivers the same level of performance, capacity or extra features.

A good buy if you don't have much room, but if you do, we recommend the Kenmore instead.

Though it is a good option for price-conscious buyers, the Kenmore offers very similar performance and features for less.

The best value for your money. For the price, you won’t find a more dependable microwave on the market.

Contenders

Big-box stores and online retailers are over-flooded with microwaves designed for a variety of different purposes, so we focused on narrowing down the four best microwave ovens for the countertop.

Panasonic NN-H765BF Genius

Kenmore 73092

Whirlpool WMC20005YD

Frigidaire FFCM0724LB

Considerations

Performance

One of the most important things to look for when deciding which microwave to buy is how much power it uses, with most falling between 600 and 1200 watts. Microwaves with a higher wattage will cook and reheat food faster, though that does not mean that a low-wattage unit will be any less efficient; it simply takes longer. With that said, some microwaves do feature improved cooking technology that will yield better results, and depending on what you plan on using it for, this can often be worth the extra cost.

Features

While it is guaranteed that every microwave on this list will cook food, some units come with extra bells and whistles that are either designed for a better cooking experience or sheer convenience. These features include things like preset power levels, more intuitive controls and the ability to defrost frozen meat without the typical browning effect.

Features

A microwave’s size will not only determine what you can place inside of the oven, but whether it will even fit in your kitchen. While some larger microwaves are big enough to accommodate large casserole dishes, people who live in small apartments or college dorms do not have the room to put it anywhere. Conversely, smaller microwaves may fit much easier on most countertops, but they limit the size of the plate or container that can be reheated.

Price

Most countertop models designed for home use fall into a very similar price range (around $70 to $150), but there are more expensive commercial units that cost as much as $500. Generally, the larger and more powerful the microwave, the higher the price tag, but you can also get a lot more for a few more dollars if you shop smartly.

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How to buy the best microwave with Best Buy Coupons 2016

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The best microwaves make light work of heating and defrosting, and you can rely on them to cook and thaw food properly.

Just want to see reviews of the best microwaves? Sign up today for a £1 Which? trial and access all our expert reviews and Best Buy microwaves. Do you want a microwave simply for heating or defrosting? Or would a grill or combination microwave be better for you? The best microwaves will last for years, delivering excellent results with every ping. Buy a bad microwave and results will be patchy. So it's worth doing a little research to find the best microwave for your budget. 


Take a look at our microwave Best Buys to discover the models that Which? recommends. What type of microwave do I need? There are three types of microwave: Microwave-only (solo): a microwave that heats up and defrosts. 
Combi: can heat, roast, crisp and brown like a conventional oven. Grill: combines normal microwave cooking with a heating element. For each type of microwave you can either buy a built-in or a standalone model. Built-in microwaves are much more expensive than freestanding models. Microwave-only (solo) Sometimes called 'solo' microwaves, these basic microwaves are great for simple tasks, such as reheating a forgotten cup of coffee, warming up soup, cooking jacket potatoes or heating ready meals. You can also use them to defrost food. A basic microwave is a good option if you just want to complete simple heating tasks more quickly than is possible in a conventional gas or electric oven. But basic microwaves don't brown food, so they're unable to compete with ovens and cookers on jobs such as grilling or roasting meat. Pros Cheapest type of microwave, and widely available Lots of models to choose from Good for simple defrosting, heating and reheating Cons Limited functionality compared with combi microwaves You can't roast or brown food in a solo microwave Find the best microwave for you by going to our detailed microwave reviews. Not yet a member?  Take out a £1 trial to Which? to access reviews of hundreds of different products.  

Cheap microwave ovens Compared with pricier contenders, budget microwaves from the likes of Tesco or Asda can seem positively spartan. Forget about shiny silver finishes and rows of buttons and program choices, and think white boxes and minimalist dials. But for simple reheating and defrosting, cheaper microwave brands can be as good as more expensive microwaves – just don't expect auto programs or other advanced features. Solo microwave oven prices Solo microwaves are generally cheaper than combi or grill models because of their simpler design and functionality. You can pick up a basic microwave from around £30, going up to more than £500 for built-in microwaves from premium brands such as Neff or Siemens. Combination microwaves Combination microwaves use convection heating (fanned hot air) and come with grills. So you can use microwaves, grilling and convection heating to cook and brown your food.  

Read more about the pros and cons of combi microwaves and how much you should expect to pay for a good one in our guide: combination microwaves: how to buy the best. A combi microwave uses convection heating and a grill Grill microwaves Grill microwaves combine normal microwave cooking with a heating element. They can perform all the normal duties you'd expect from a standard microwave – cooking a jacket potato, defrosting a ready meal, reheating your dinner and so on – but the grill function allows you to brown food. And, for cooking more complex dishes, you can cook with a combination of microwave energy and heat from the grill. These microwaves come with metal racks to bring food closer to the grill element. Pros: Good at performing general microwave cooking tasks Also able to crisp and brown food Great for cooking pizzas Often come with a metal rack to bring food closer to the grill 

Cons: Don't offer convectional heating like a combination microwave Usually more expensive than a basic microwave Find the best grill microwave for you by going to our microwave reviews. If you're not yet a member, take out a £1 trial to Which? and gain access to hundreds of product reviews.

10 tips for making your dishwasher more efficient

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Washing dishes uses water, energy, chemicals, as well as your valuable time, so an efficient approach can save a lot of each. There is still a debate which is greener, washing by hand or using a dishwasher, but if you do have a dishwasher or are thinking of getting one, here is some more in-depth knowledge to keep that dishwasher running green.

Top Green Dishwasher Tips

1. Go for the full load
   Before running the dishwasher, wait until you have a full load (same rule of thumb for the clothes washer). This will help make the most of the energy, water, and detergent the machine uses. Loading the dishwasher efficiently helps.


2. Choose your washer wisely
   Choose a dishwasher that is rated for energy and water efficiency. In the US, you can start by looking for Energy Star rated appliances, which use 25% less energy than the mandated minimum. Also, know how to read the yellow EnergyGuide sticker you'll find on all new dishwashers--as well as other appliances. Bonus featured include adjustable upper racks (so you can fit a wider variety of dishes), flatware slots (which keep your cutlery separated and easier to clean), and multiple cycle options,including half load cycles and eco cycles. Also look carefully at the decibel rating; cheap dishwashers can be really noisy and you don't want that in a small apartment. Spend a little more to get one with better insulation and as low a Db rating as you can afford.


3. Join the clean plate club
   Go for dishwashing liquid and powder that is natural, biodegradable, and free of petroleum and phosphates. Also look for products sold in bulk to save on packaging. Powdered detergents are lighter and so require less energy to ship. For more, see How to green your cleaning routine. If you are running into spotting problems using phosphate-free detergents, try using a natural residue eliminator like Wave Jet.


4. Skip the pre-rinse
   Most dishwashers today are powerful enough to get the all the gunk off, so a lot of pre-rinsing by hand is often just a waste of water and time. Plus, if you rinse all of the dirt off, your dog will have nothing to lick while you're throwing those plates in.


5. Turn down the heat
   Most modern dishwashers have booster heaters to heat the water that comes from your home's water tank. Seems pretty redundant, right? Turning the water tank's thermostat down to 120 degrees results in additional energy savings without compromising on cleanliness.


6. Air dry
   Instead of letting your washer use electric heat or a fan to dry the dishes, just open the door at the end of the washing cycle and let them air dry. Leave the dishes to dry overnight and they'll be ready for you when you wake up.Another option is moisture absorbing minreals, like the ones used in the Siemens Zeolith dishwasher. The minerals absorb heat during the wash cycle, and then release it during the dry cycle while absorbing moisture at the same time. They can reduce power consumption by 20 percent.


7. Picking the right size
   Choose the size model that fits your needs. A compact model is more efficient than a large one unless you have to run it several times a day. For a single person, this might be just right.


8. One glass fewer
   Using fewer dishes and utensils over the course of the day means doing fewer loads in the dishwasher, saving energy, water, and detergent.


9. Keep those large appliances away from each other
   Putting your dishwasher next to your refrigerator will make the fridge have to work harder due to the heat coming off the washer.


10. Off-peak washing
    Delay the start of your dishwasher for off-peak utility hours (many units have timers that will start the cycle at a programmed time). Some utilities even offer reduced rates for energy used during this period, and this is likely to become more and more common in the U.S.

How to Buy the Best Dishwasher at Best Buy

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This unbiased dishwasher buying guide will help you sort through differences and options to choose a dishwasher that’s right for you.

When shopping for the best dishwasher, you’ll discover a wide range of models at different price points. Competition is heated among manufacturers. Each model is designed to address a different segment of the market. First-time buyers may be attracted to low-priced units with basic features. Move-up buyers may be enticed by stylish, upscale machines loaded with bells and whistles.

Best Dishwasher Features

According to Consumer Reports, the highest ranking dishwasher manufacturers are the European makers Bosch and Miele and American manufacturers Kenmore and KitchenAid. The Kenmore Elite series models have been given the highest overall score, although they are pricey at from $1100 to $1350. The 

Bosch Ascenta series models are rated slightly lower but, because they are priced in the $600 to $700 range, are considered an excellent buy. Miele also makes excellent dishwashers in their Futura line, but they’re priced at $1750 or more. KitchenAid’s Superba products are also highly rated and are priced in the $950 to $1500 range, depending upon features. For more detailed dishwasher ratings information, visit Consumer Reports.

Top Dishwasher Features

You’ll find compact, ultra-quiet units with sophisticated controls, high-efficiency design, stainless-steel interiors, and even built-in water softeners. These dishwashers are truly amazing—and are priced accordingly.

“Smart” dishwashers use sensors to size up and monitor cleaning during wash cycles, smart controls are currently available at the high end of a couple of dishwasher lines. They allow tailoring of a machine’s efforts and energy usage to meet the load’s requirements for optimum efficiency. If you want a dishwasher that truly takes the guesswork out of using controls, one of these would be a good bet.

Because models are continually evolving, before buying a new dishwasher, do your homework. Check out consumer ratings for reliability and convenience, and also assess your needs. Do you put on the dishwasher daily or just once a week?

Look for a strong warranty—one or more years for free parts and labor (Maytag offers three years plus free key parts for five years) and free parts and labor on the tub and door liner for 20 years or more. By combining careful, informed shopping and a strong warranty, you can select a dishwasher that will add style 

and convenience to your home for years to come.

Stainless-Steel-Tubs

GE

A stainless-steel dishwasher is stylish, durable, and energy efficient. Photo: GE

A key trend is stainless-steel dishwasher interiors that are very sturdy and maintenance free.

Stainless-steel dishwashers can employ a lower-wattage heating element for drying, which saves energy and helps protect heat-sensitive items on the lower rack. For example, by combining a stainless-steel interior with good insulation, KitchenAid dishwashers successfully utilize a 450-watt element instead of the 600 to 750 watts needed for dishwashers with plastic tubs.

Many manufacturers now make—or are introducing—models that have durable stainless-steel tubs. Stainless-steel dishwashers can’t compete in price with models utilizing plastic tubs, but they are quieter, easier to maintain, and more efficient during drying cycles because the metal reflects heat better. Stainless-steel tubs also allow for higher water temperatures than the typical 140 degrees F. suitable for plastic. Some operate in excess of 165 degrees F., which truly sterilizes dishes.

Quiet Dishwashers

Bosch

Many manufacturers offer dishwashers with differing levels of quiet. Photo: Bosch

Today’s hottest dishwasher hot button is quiet. Most of us want the sound of silence, particularly in the kitchen, which, for most families, is the hub of the house.

Families weary of trying to converse over the drone of water pumps and the hum of motors are opting for appliances that work discreetly. This fact has awakened a world of noise-reduction technologies, and dishwashers are toward the top of the silencers’ hit list.

Nearly all major manufacturers are promoting quieter dishwashers, particularly in the higher-priced models. “We have explored new design components and conducted consumer sound evaluations to launch ‘the quietest dishwasher made in America,‘“ says a Jenn-Air spokesperson. Whirlpool says about its Quiet Partner model: “You have to hear it to believe it. We like to say that the Quiet Partner dishwasher quite literally gives you back your kitchen.” Frigidaire’s Ultra-Quiet Insulation Systems models are promoted as “among the quietest you can buy.”

To make their best dishwashers quieter, manufacturers have added sound-dampening insulation, sound-absorbing wash tubs, vibration absorbers, and low-noise pumps. With many brands, these are optional features and will boost the price significantly. For example, KitchenAid offers four different levels of quiet, depending on how much quiet you want and what you want to spend.

Dishwasher Controls & Styling

Across the board, dishwasher controls have become simpler to use. For example, Whirlpool has a One-Touch control that requires just what the name implies—pushing one button.

Although electronic controls are trendier, they are more expensive and don’t offer any particular advantages over mechanical controls. They are the easiest to set but can be slower to reset than a dial. Push buttons are also easy to set but can leave you wondering what part of the cycle you’re on if you have to reset them.

Bosch

Sleek dishwasher only reveals controls when the door is opened. Photo: Bosch

Three basic cycles are important: light, normal, and heavy. People who are brave enough to wash china and crystal in a dishwasher will want a delicate cycle. Delay start is a popular feature because it allows you to set the dishwasher to start automatically at a later time.

European-style models such as Creda’s do a beautiful job of integrating the control panel into the face panel. For the ultimate in clean design, check out the ASKO or Bosch, which have no visible controls on the front—instead, they’re located along the top edge of the door.

Finishes include stainless steel, white, black, and—with some—custom panels that match your cabinetry. In its Designer Series, ASKO offers deep rose, teal, plum, and slate blue. The company will even paint the control panel to match any color sample provided by a customer.

Dishwasher Capacity

The interior capacity of this dishwasher is maximized by space-saving racks. Photo: GE

All conventional under-counter dishwashers are about the same size because they’re made to fit under a standard-height counter in a 24-inch-wide space.

If you’re considering a European model, double-check its capacity to be sure it isn’t sized smaller than its American counterpart. With racks, flexibility is the name of the game. When shopping for a dishwasher, match the rack style to the types of things you wash. If your dishes are unusual in size or shape, for example, you may want to take one along to the store with you.

Covered baskets can be helpful for containing small items. Beyond that, watch for options that offer flexibility such as terraced racks, fold-down trays, and adjustable or removable tines.

Energy-Efficient Dishwashers

Energy efficiency is more important than ever. In the 1990s, federal regulations imposed minimum energy-efficiency standards on new dishwashers. As a result, all of today’s dishwashers use about half the electricity needed by dishwashers made back in 1972, and they also use less water. Together, these savings can result in a significant difference in your utility bill.

According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, about 80 percent of the electricity used to wash dishes goes toward heating the water. Many new dishwashers save energy by heating their own water. Purchasing such a model can achieve savings of up to 20 percent off the total cost of heating water for your house. These dishwashers keep their water temperature at 140 degrees F., so you can also lower the temperature on your water heater.

Today’s standard-size dishwashers use an average of 8.11 gallons for a normal cycle compared to the 16 gallons it takes to hand-wash dishes. New dishwashers achieve this efficiency by utilizing high-volume pumps to recirculate a relatively small amount of water through fine-mesh filters. The filters strain particles from the water to ensure thorough cleaning, and the pumps deliver a powerful spray to the dishes. The pump in a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher, for example, recirculates fewer than 8 gallons of water (for a normal cycle) at a volume of 42 to 50 gallons per minute—up to 2,000 gallons per cycle.

Another benefit of most new dishwashers is that you don’t have to pre-wash dishes before loading them (this boosts overall energy efficiency significantly). Instead, they employ voracious solid-food disposers and sophisticated spray arms to literally blast away food. For instance, Maytag’s Six-Tier wash system has a total of 52 jets that spray from just about every direction you can imagine.

For comparison shopping, each new dishwasher is posted with a yellow Energy Guide label. This rates the average annual cost of using a particular model based on average usage and a median price for gas or electricity. When you compare a few of these, you’ll discover that, annually, most dishwashers cost about $60 to operate in homes with electric-heated water and $40 where water is gas-heated.

Numbers tend to vary only a few dollars per year from one model to the next, and more expensive units are not necessarily more efficient. Most differences are so minimal they’re insignificant unless you compare a truly high-efficiency model such as the GE Profile, which is rated at $44 per year for electric and $24 for gas-heated water.

10 Easy Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Microwave

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We all know that a good microwave oven is quick and easy to use, but not many people know how to use it to its full potential. The following 10 tips will help you get the most from your microwave and make great tasting meals practically every time.

1. Food should be arranged evenly sized pieces. They should be arranged in a circle. If the pieces are different sizes it is best to place the thicker pieces on the outside with the smaller pieces on the inside.
2. If you are cooking foods that have a skin e.g. baked potatoes. Make sure you pierce the skin, as this will prevent potatoes from exploding, due to a build up of steam underneath the skin. Eggs should never be cooked in their shells, as the resulting expansion may cause serious injuries.
3. The container you use to cook in the microwave oven should be a bit larger then the dish you would choose for a conventional oven. The container should be labeled as suitable for microwave use.
4. Try to find cooking container that are round or oval as this shape helps the food to heat up evenly.
5. When recipes or package instructions give a broad recommended cooking range, start to check if the food is cooked at the lower end. For example if the range is 2-3 minutes then start checking at 2 minutes.
6. When using microwaves that don’t have turntables, at regular intervals stop the microwave and rotate the food. This prevents “hot spots” forming, and will ensure even cooking.
7. If you have defrosted or partially cooked foods in the microwave it is essential for safety to continue to cook the food either in an oven stove or grill. Keeping partially cooked foods in storage can lead to food poisoning bacteria to start developing.
8. Covering the food with lids or plastic wrap whilst being cooked in the microwave, can help to retain moisture and cook more evenly. Always leave a small gap between the food and lid for the steam to escape.
9. Once your food has finished cooking, make sure that you remove the container lid or plastic wrap away from you as the steam is very hot and there is a risk you could burn yourself.
10. If you enjoy salt on your favorite dishes, apply after cooking,. This is because salt can cause foods to dry during the microwave process.

Shop Smart: Finding the Perfect Washer

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When investing in a new washing machine, there's a lot more at play than how well it cleans. First, you'll consider the type of machine you want — a traditional top loader, a top loader without an agitator, or a front loader. Budget, of course, is another concern (a full-size machine can cost anywhere from $400 to over $1,700). And which special cleaning features might be super-helpful to you? Here's how to approach the appliance aisle armed with a clear point of view.

If you have a small laundry room (or just a laundry corner): 
Full-sized washers can be 24 to 30-plus inches wide (and some machines sport bulky, contoured fronts that add to the width), so start by grabbing your tape measure. Jot down the dimensions of your space, but also check that the washer will fit through the hallways and doorways on the way into the room. And consider other limiting factors, such as a washer door that will bang into the wall every time you open it. If you're faced with a super-narrow space, a front loader that stacks with the dryer may be your best bet.

If your laundry room isn't in the basement:
First, make sure the floor is properly reinforced for the weight of the machines. You may want a quieter model with features that reduce vibration and noise during the spin cycle so it's not disruptive to your daily life. And think about splurging for a "fashion" color, since it's likely your machine may be seen by guests more often than if it were hidden downstairs.

If you have a ton of wash to do:
The tub dimensions are most important, and can range from about 2.45 cubic feet up to 5.6 cubic feet. You'll find the largest capacity on a front loader or in a top loader without the central agitator. And consider bells and whistles like programmable settings (so older kids can help do their laundry with ease) or a pedestal that will save your back from endless stooping.

If you don't want to spend a lot:
A small budget doesn't necessarily mean a sacrifice in performance, but you'll likely get fewer fancy features. And don't be swayed by trendy colors: You'll save $100 to $200 if you opt for a white model. Traditional no-frill top loaders are the cheapest, but they use more energy to run. Use the Energy Guide estimates to factor in your energy costs over the 10-to-15-year life of the machine.

If you want to conserve water and electricity:
Front loaders use way less water than traditional top loaders, which have to fill up entirely for the wash and rinse cycles. Opt for an Energy Star model, which reduces electricity and water use by 20% and 35%, respectively, over non-rated models. And check out those Energy Guide labels as a basis for comparison from model to model. However, remember that your actual costs will vary, based on your usage and the utility costs in your area.

If you're always fighting tough stains:
In our tests, front loaders provided better cleaning results than top loaders. Look for a machine with a special stain-remover or presoaking cycles, or one with a steam feature. A "cool" temperature setting that mixes in a bit of hot water with the cold will help powdered detergent dissolve completely for better stain removal.

If you're particular about clothing care: 
You'll prefer a front-loader or a top-loader without the agitator, which can cause clothing to tangle and is harder on fabric. Some higher-end models have nifty special cycles designed to clean specific materials, from denim to towels to comforters to hand-washables, and more. Also look for custom features like steam for better stain removal, adjustable spin speeds to reduce tangling, and sanitizing cycles to kill germs