When you step foot in a showroom filled with hundreds of appliances boasting various bells and whistles, it's hard to know which features are most important. What's better, digital controls or dials?

To make the shopping experience a bit less harried, here's a guide to what really matters when getting a new washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, range or microwave.

Alanna Cavanagh for Real Simple (ENLARGE)

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Washing machines

Top-loaders ($350 and up) are easy to use. Front-loaders ($600 and up) use 65 percent less energy and a third less water because their basins don't completely fill with water. Note that new, pricier top-loaders ($900 and up) rival the energy-efficiency of front-loaders.

Five things to look for:

1. A machine that heats only the water it needs. This feature saves energy by not heating the entire household water tank.

2. A speedy spin cycle. The faster the cycle, the more water will be extracted, and the less time clothes will spend in the dryer. Go for at least 900 rotations per minute.

3. Minimal water usage. Check the labels; some machines consume as little as 14 gallons a cycle.

4. Pedestals. Some washers (and dryers) can be equipped with pedestals ($100-$200), which sit underneath the appliance and raise it up a foot or more for easier loading and unloading.

5. An additional rinse cycle. This option, which dispenses extra water during washing, is great if you need to fight a stubborn stain or want to remove excess detergent that can irritate allergy sufferers or babies. However, it will increase your water bill.

Refrigerators

Top freezers ($400-$1,200) are the best overall deal for space- and energy-saving efficiency; bottom freezers ($700-$1,500) offer deep freezer storage. Side-by-sides ($800-$2,000) have two full-height doors — a freezer on one side, a refrigerator on the other.

Five things to look for:

1. A just-right size. For two to four people, an 18-cubic-foot refrigerator (with about five of those cubic feet devoted to the freezer) should suffice.

2. Space-expanding features. Things like motorized shelves, movable door bins and racks for storing wine bottles can maximize refrigerator space.

3. Easy-care materials. Stainless steel shows streaks and fingerprints; faux stainless doesn't. Glass shelves are easier to wipe down than metal grills and have lips that contain spills.

4. Energy efficiency. Bottom freezers use 16 percent less energy than side-by-sides; top freezers consume 13 percent less. You'll use 14 percent to 20 percent more energy if you opt for a through-the-door water dispenser.

5. Water filters. Some appliances contain a water dispenser with a filter, which is ideal for minimizing lead and chlorine in ice and drinking water.

Dishwashers

Models vary in terms of capacity and special features. While some entry-level units start at $200, those with bonuses, such as hidden controls, can cost upward of $2,000.

Five things to look for:

1. The number of place settings it holds. Dishwashers with standard-size tubs fit 12 five-piece place settings; ones with tall tubs store 14 place settings.

2. A delay-start option. This allows you to set the machine to turn on at a later time.

3. A forced-air mode. Without forced air, which involves a fan circulating dry air downward throughout the drying period, anything with a concave top — like plastic cups — will collect water.

4. Space-saving details. Some have tines that fold down to accommodate large platters; others have adjustable top racks or ones that can be removed.

5. Multiple cycles. Choose a sanitizing cycle for baby bottles or a gentle cycle labeled specifically for glassware. Some new units have a steam cycle to get baked-on grime off dishes while using less water.

Ranges

You can control the flame with precision on gas models; electric versions heat food and boil water faster. For both, prices start at $500 and can cost as much as $10,000. Dual-fuel ranges ($1,400-$10,000 or more) pair gas cooktops with electric ovens.

Five things to look for:

1. Convection capabilities. This option, which uses a fan in the back of the unit to circulate heated air, cooks more evenly and about 25 percent faster. Convection ranges cost about $200 to $300 more than standard ones.

2. An easy-to-clean cooktop. Electric units have coil tops or smooth surfaces that wipe down in a flash. The grates on gas models need to be removed before you start scouring. Some have continuous grates, which are sturdy and allow pots to be slid from burner to burner without lifting; the downside is that they're heavy.

3. Warming drawers. These drawers keep food warm before it hits the table.

4. Steam technology. Thanks to this feature, which can be used manually or automatically, you can infuse anything, from roasts to baked goods, with moisture.

5. Commercial-style units. If you're an avid cook, check out these professional-looking ranges. They boast up to eight burners and can span 60 inches. Note that you will pay top dollar for them.

Microwave ovens

Countertop versions ($30-$250) can be placed anywhere; over-the-range models ($100-$700) save space and often have lights and exhaust fans on the bottom, so they double as vent hoods.

Five things to look for:

1. Power. The higher the wattage, the quicker food will cook. If you use your microwave mostly for reheating, a 600-watt unit should do the trick.

2. A convection mode. If you entertain a lot or if you want super-fast cooking results, consider machines with convection technology.

3. Turntable size. Microwaves with 16-inch-diameter turntables are large enough for most cooks.

4. Sensors. If you tend to overcook or undercook meals, seek out units with sensors that shut off the microwave when food is done.

5. Child-proof doors. Some microwaves have door locks, which can be activated and deactivated via the keypad.