Reviewed.com Weekly Roundup: March 29, 2013
This week, we had four Editor's Choice award winners rolls through our labs, and looked at the future of smart appliances.
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The Roundup
For nearly 15 years, Reviewed.com has put thousands of products to the test, all to help consumers buy, use, and understand electronics and appliances. Here’s what we’ve been up to this week.
Electrolux EW30IF60IS Induction Range Review
We’ve written about the theoretical advantages of induction cooktops, and now we’re finally getting the chance to test some of them out. The Electrolux EW30IF60IS (MSRP $2,899) is the first one to come through our labs, and it’s easily one of the best ranges we’ve tested. The level of control in the burners is just fantastic. It makes us wonder why induction still hasn’t caught on in the U.S. yet.
Panasonic Viera VT60 Plasma Television Review
Panasonic makes consistently great plasma TVs. Last year’s VT50 was a phenomenal TV, and Panasonic managed to make the new VT60 (MSRP $2,599-$3,599) even better. The picture quality is simply stunning. This thing has the potential to be one of the best TVs we’ll review all year.
Canon Vixia HF G20 Camcorder Review
Canon’s latest flagship camcorder delivers excellent low-light performance—with a side of déjà vu. The HF G20 (MSRP $1,099) has been two years in the making, yet Canon changed very little from its predecessor, the also-excellent HF G10. Unlike most competing high-end camcorders, the G20 still can’t shoot 60p video, and unlike any DSLR or system camera, it can’t swap lenses. But the video quality is excellent enough to propel it to the top of our camcorder ratings.
LG WM8000HVA Washing Machine Review
For a really big mess, the LG WM8000HVA (MSRP $1,499) will do the trick. At 5.1 cubic feet, it’s the biggest non-commercial, front-loading washing machine on the market. It’s also really good at cleaning clothes, and it’s relatively efficient for its size, too. You’ll need a big budget and a big laundry room, but if you can find the room in both, we think this is a really great washer.
The Future of Smart Appliances
In part four of our series about smart appliances, we gaze into the crystal ball and try to predict how connected fridges, dishwashers, and their ilk will actually make our lives better. Basically, they need to save time and money—and right now, too many of them rely on flashy tricks like touchscreens and Twitter.