By CNET.com
Seems like every gadget these days is smart-this or connected-that. Well, these four appliances get the job done the old-fashioned way — and they do it very, very well.
Dacor Renaissance 30-inch Double Wall Oven
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Dacor Renaissance 30-inch Double Wall Oven is in a league of its own when it comes to performance. Our taste testers unanimously preferred the food we cooked in it over that from all other ovens on our test floor.
The bad: If you’re expecting flashy smart features or an innovative design for your money, you’ll be disappointed. Also, the GlideRacks, though useful, were a bit too difficult to get in and out of the oven.
The cost: $4,999
The bottom line: With a price tag of $4,999, this double oven sits on the high end of high-end, but for powerful, unmatched cooking performance, you’ll have a tough time finding much better.
Bunn My Cafe MCU
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Bunn My Cafe MCU is the most affordable, most versatile single-serve coffee maker we tested, brewing K-Cups, pods, and ground coffee alike.
The bad: The My Cafe runs a little on the noisy side, and its unapologetically industrial look might not be for everybody. Also, its four interchangeable brew heads require a bit of extra storage space.
The cost: $137.97 to $239.99
The bottom line: It’s affordable, it’s versatile, it’s durable, it’s easy to use, and most importantly, it makes a reliably mean cup of joe. The Bunn My Cafe MCU was, unanimously, our favorite single-serve coffee maker.
Hoover Platinum Collection Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The $179.99 Hoover Platinum Collection Linx cordless stick vacuum impressed us with its strong performance. Even Dyson’s $499.99 DC59 fell short in comparison.
The bad: This model doesn’t come with brush attachments or any other special features — it’s just a stick vacuum. It also doesn’t have as much character as Dyson’s colorful DC59.
The cost: $148.94 to $189.99
The bottom line: The Hoover Linx isn’t fancy, but it will clean your floors better than most of the other stick models we tested. Combine that with its reasonable price and you have one of our favorite vacuums to date.
Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Digital Slow Cooker
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: Crock-Pot keeps the cooking aspect simple with the Cook & Carry Digital Slow Cooker, and usability tweaks like a locking lid and a thermometer vent add some bonus convenience.
The bad: It kept food warm while it was unplugged, but it was close enough to the food-safety red zone that you’ll still want to keep tabs via a separate thermometer.
The cost: $49.88 to $49.99
The bottom line: The Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Digital Slow Cooker delivers all of the low-maintenance cooking performance we expect from a slow cooker, with a few nods to convenience and portability that give it an edge over its competitors.
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