Reviewed.com Weekly Roundup: December 14
This week, we took a look at the newest Barnes & Noble Nook tablets, an expensive fridge, and offered up buyer's guides for adventure-ready cameras and front-loading washers.
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For over 10 years, Reviewed.com has put thousands of products to the test, all for the sake of the informed purchase. We've had a busy week working with some new stuff and investigating new technology. Here's what we've been up to.
Barnes and Noble Nook HD and HD+ Tablet Reviews
The Nook HD and Nook HD+ may some of the most affordable tablets on the market, but that's the only selling point that sticks for either model. The problem here is that for just a few dollars more (or less, in the case of the Google Nexus 7), you can buy a better-performing tablet with an open operating system and a broad selection of apps. If Barnes & Noble had kept the Android OS in its natural unrestricted and unsimplified state and had lowered the price, we'd be enthusiastic about this value tablet. But they didn't, so we aren't.
Dacor Renaissance Epicure EF36BNNFSS Refrigerator Review
We measured excellent performance results in every one of our lab tests on the Dacor Renaissance Epicure EF36BNNFSS, demonstrating consistent temperature control and handling of power loss. But with its regal name, it has some royal design quirks. Though it's a spacious fridge by counter-depth design standards, the tiny freezer might be too small for some families. It has water and ice dispensers only on the interior, and the shelves look and feel cheap. Perhaps luxury means you can pay for a weird design?
Best Front-Loading Washing Machines
Unlike top-loaders, the spraying and tumbling front-loading washers don't need to fill the entire cavity up with water, which tends to make them more energy-efficient and gentler on delicate clothing. We've compiled a list of our best-rated front-loaders to help make your search easier.
Rugged Cameras for Outdoor Adventures
Unless you can show your friends a video of your totally extreme stunts, how can you prove it really happened? Whether you're demonstrating a righteous climbing route up a cliff, a wicked descent down a frozen waterfall, or your improvised motorcycle track over a rooftop (lookin' at you, James Bond), you'll need a camera that can withstand the action. We've rounded up the best digital witnesses for the outdoor enthusiast with action cams, waterproof tough cams, and weather-resistant system cameras.