buying guides
Ready to buy but need just a little more information? We understand that. Check out our selection of Pronto Buying Guides (below). Just as we scour the web for the best prices, we have our team of guide editors scour the web for expert opinion, user reviews and helpful facts so choosing the right item will be easier for you. And we don't stop there. In each guide, we provide The Pronto Pick—the item in the category you're looking at that is likely to be the best for price and value considerations. We've also created easy to read sections, like The Five (five things you need to know); Shop Talk (what do all those fancy words mean); Buzz (what's hot); and Experts Say (for additional, respected opinions). Check out our sections below, and click on the item to go to the buying guide you need.
Clothing & Accessories
Women who run more than 10-15 miles a week for training or exercise should invest in a good pair of running shoes. When you run, your feet absorb 2...
Men who run more than 10-15 miles a week for training or exercise should invest in a good pair of running shoes. When you run, your feet absorb 2.5...
All hiking boots are not created equal. Women’s hiking boots are designed around the differences in the way that women walk, providing extra suppor...
There's nothing like a hike in the great outdoors to beat stress and recharge your batteries, unless you end up with blisters and a twisted ankle. ...
Electronics
Until very recently, the ability to create poster-sized photographs with near-perfect
clarity was solely in the hands of professiona...
HDTV has arrived, and it’s more affordable than ever. Whether you’re playing video games, watching movies on DVD, or tuning in to the local news, t...
Plasma TV is the starting point for a superior home-theater experience, and it’s more affordable than ever. Pacific Media Associates, a California-...
LCDTV is the hot new technology for the home, and thanks to huge price drops during the last two years, it’s more affordable than ever. If you’ve b...
Headphones have evolved to fit every need, niche and price range imaginable. The new generation of aftermarket headphones offer much more functiona...
Webcams are the cutting-edge communication tool for technophiles. By sending video, and possibly voice, a webcam turns your PC into a futuristic vi...
Two-way radios, a common sight in the hands of police and firefighters, are becoming a popular way for families to communicate and a backpack essen...
Ready to make the plunge into the next level of photography? Do you want more manual control of your camera? Want the benefits and results only spe...
Socrates said, “To find yourself, think for yourself.” We know he wasn’t speaking literally, but thanks to the increasing affordability of Global P...
With advanced multimedia functions, sleek designs, and intuitive operating systems, smart phones have shed their dull, corporate image and caught t...
Gone are the days of choosing which CD to bring to the gym, or deciding how many CDs to bring on a trip. Today's MP3 players allow us to carry our ...
DVD recorders have officially replaced video cassette recorders as the permanent-storage media for home entertainment. If you’re still clinging to ...
More and more we hear this is the Digital Age, but the reality is that more often than not, almost everything we create digitally finds its way int...
We may be living in a Digital World, but that doesn’t mean we’ve gone paperless. In fact, with the advent of digital photography, some of us are pr...
Monitors tend to be the most ignored part of a PC. Hard drives get upgraded every few years, and mice and keyboards are replaced as soon as they sh...
Tired of television controlling your schedule? A DVR will put you in charge of when you watch what you watch, because the technology allows you to ...
First there were televisions, then VCRs, then DVD players. Now it seems like there’s an endless array of things to connect to your TV, including ca...
An external hard drive is a must for every computer owner. Sooner or later, you’re going to have more files than available space, and it’s far less...
A digital camcorder can put the power to create broadcast-quality video in your pocket. Whether you’re capturing important family events or you’re ...
Are home theater systems making people spend more time at home, or are people embracing home theater systems just because they spend more time at h...
Photo editing software is a useful tool whether you’re a mom looking to upload and share photos of your kids or a professional graphic designer loo...
With so many households boasting high-definition televisions, the challenge is now on manufacturers to provide high-definition DVD viewing options....
The humble computer mouse has grown up and become a multifunctional tool designed to optimize your PC experience. Scroll wheels, navigation buttons...
If you’ve ever been caught in a speed trap, you’ve probably thought about buying a radar detector. With the cost of speeding tickets rising and the...
As computer keyboards evolve to cater to every need, be it a sleek design or a slew of multimedia functions, shopping for them has grown increasing...
With the increasing number of devices that require Internet access, a wireless router is a must for those who can no longer survive with the single...
Microphones aren’t just for live bands and recording studios anymore. The explosion in podcasting, home recording and desktop filmmaking has made m...
Dorothy Gale had it easy—she needed only to follow the yellow
brick road to find her way to the Emerald City. Now, thanks to the inc...
With so many of today’s electronics operating on frequencies that were once used only by cordless phones, manufacturers have developed new technolo...
These days, most car stereo systems are easy to use, but they’re not that easy to buy if you haven’t done your homework ahead of time. You’ll need ...
If your cell phone contract is up, or if you’ve waited as long as you can to join the ranks of cell phone users, there’s good news: Today’s cell ph...
Since its introduction in the 1990s, DVD has been the most popular format for Hollywood movies and has become the de facto choice for video gamers,...
Long gone are the days when speakers were called “stereo speakers” and came packaged with your stereo. Also gone are the days when consumers were h...
The advent of digital photography has changed how we take photographs, but what about those boxes and albums filled with all the photographs taken ...
Front projectors are not a new TV technology. They’ve been in homes and night spots since the 1970s, when cathode ray tube TV screens were limited ...
Rear projection TVs may not have the sleek, hip styling of flat-screen plasma or LCD TVs, but they deliver a better picture and can cost thousands ...
Since its introduction in the 1990s, DVD has been the most popular format for Hollywood movies and has become the de facto choice for video gamers,...
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have been around since 1996 when Palm introduced the Palm Pilot. PDAs took the paper to-do lists and bulky addre...
Choosing a desktop computer is a tough home electronics decision for most. While it’s easy to compare the picture quality on HDTVs or the features ...
DVD burners were a costly component for desktop PCs just a couple of years ago. Today, you can get a DVD burner for about what you’d pay for a movi...
Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. Everywhere it seems, people are talking about “clearing the clutter.” Will purchasing a multifunction printer simplif...
Now that you have taken hundreds of shots with your digital camera, and logged in a few hours of photo editing time at your computer, do you want t...
Fax machines almost seem quaint in this era of graphical e-mails and multimedia Web sites. As an underappreciated office essential, the fax machine...
Binoculars bring us closer to the world around us. Whether you’re a bird lover, sports fan, star gazer, opera lover, or sightseer, a set of binocul...
Laptop computers were once reserved for businesspeople and students, but the days of expensive, underpowered laptops are over. The advent of wirele...
MP3 speakers let you maximize the enjoyment you get from your iPod or other MP3 player by helping them do additional duty as a room-filling stereo ...
Portable digital projectors have replaced the overhead and slide projectors once used for conferences and meetings. By hooking up a portable digita...
In this digital phone age, most people regard the answering machine as a technology on its way out. But answering machines have a distinct advantag...
Stereo receivers have been a part of the American home since the 1950s. Today’s A/V (short for Audio/Video)receivers are far more evolved than the ...
You’ve either heard satellite radio or you’ve heard about it. Sick of the same 10 songs playing over and over again on local radio? Miss Howard Ste...
Used for years in high-intensity athletic training, the heart rate monitor has worked its way down, in price and usefulness, to the average person ...
Home & Garden
When it comes to buying cookware, experts agree on one thing: no one brand of cookware will suit every cook's needs. Today’s cookware selection is ...
You don’t have to go to Rome to do as the Romans do. It took a while for Americans to catch on to the European taste for espresso, but these days i...
A stand mixer may be the home cook’s best friend. Whether you bake for pleasure, or feel like you need a team of elves to keep up with the endless ...
For some, a portable air conditioner may be the only way to get relief from summer heat and humidity. A portable air conditioner can also cut your ...
Whether you’re looking for an easier way to hem the occasional pair of pants or want more fine control over your quilting, you can find a sewing ma...
Few everyday items affect your morning as much as your shower. When choosing a showerhead, you’ll need to look at design, water flow and spray patt...
There is an old Spanish saying that “good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach.” Storing wine improperly may lead to a host of problems...
How does a limitless supply of hot water for your home, increased energy efficiency and lower fuel bills sound? That’s the promise of tankless wate...
Whether you’re hosting a cookout, sunbathing or just relaxing with your family, patio furniture turns your deck, porch, patio or backyard into a so...
Whether you’re entertaining the kids or making that perfect dessert to top off your home cooked gourmet meal, ice cream makers are great way to hav...
Chances are that if you do much cooking, the time will come when you’ll need some version of a hand blender. Whether you’re a professional chef wit...
Electric air purifiers have become a common sight in many homes over the last 10 years. People who own air purifiers swear by their efficiency and ...
Food processors have been a mandatory kitchen appliance for professional chefs and serious cooks since their introduction in the late ‘60s and earl...
As kitchen tools go, your knives are your closest friends—the ones you count on to be at your side through thick and thin. No matter what kind of k...
Space heaters are the tool of choice for consumers looking to fight rising energy costs and lower their carbon footprints. Many consumers choose a ...
A good clothes washer is an essential member of your household, whether you’re a busy professional who needs to show up for work looking presentabl...
Innovations in ironing technology deliver performance and convenience features that almost make pressing pleats and smoothing shirts fun. With adva...
Refrigerators have evolved considerably from the tin-lined iceboxes used by our grandparents. Most refrigerators on the market do an admirable job ...
Once a luxury reserved for the rich and famous, hot tubs are now quite affordable, even regarded by some as an integral part of living a healthy li...
Whether you want to clean greener or clean deeper, a steam cleaner gets the job done. Sometimes called vapor cleaners, steam cleaners are gaining p...
Toaster ovens have long been a mainstay for making frozen pizzas and reheating properly sized leftovers. Today’s toaster ovens closely mirror the f...
Today’s toasters can do a lot more than make toast. With higher slice capacity, wider slots and even additional appliances built into them, choosin...
Even the most passionate fans of summer will concede that an air conditioner is a great addition to a home. When heat and humidity make it impossib...
The traditional kitchen range with a 4-burner cooktop above that sits atop a standard oven is still the most common choice for homeowners looking t...
The term “water filter” can be a bit misleading, because there are drastically different types of equipment for filtering water that share the same...
Is there a more comforting way to spend a chilly afternoon than with a good book, your favorite movie, or a dear friend? Add a hot cup of tea from ...
Digital picture frames have become increasingly popular as people make the transition from film media to digital formats. If you own a digital came...
Whether you’re a college student moving into a dorm, a city-dweller moving into a small apartment or an office administrator looking for new break ...
If you’ve ever had a backyard party ruined by pesky mosquitoes, tried to apply mosquito repellant on a squirmy toddler or are concerned about mosqu...
You may be at home on your range, but if it’s time to update your kitchen, a cooktop gives you ultimate design flexibility. A cooktop can be instal...
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification recommends a deep carpet cleaning at least once every 12 to 18 months in high-t...
A good blender is an essential part of any kitchen whether you’re making smoothies, margaritas or pureeing summer tomatoes from the garden for home...
Just like your baby’s crib, a high chair is an essential piece of furniture for new parents. You’ll want it to be durable, functional, easy to clea...
Roseanne Barr once said, “I’m not going to vacuum until Sears makes one I can ride on.” While riding vacuum cleaners at home may still be a thing o...
There is “no pleasure, no rapture, no exquisite sin greater” than meat cooked in a slow cooker. Rival’s Crock-Pot, the original slow cooker introdu...
Love the smell of freshly baked bread, but don’t have the time to measure, knead, rise and roll? The invention of the bread machine makes what used...
Whether you’ve tamed your caffeine addiction, or can’t face the morning without a decent buzz, your next cup of coffee is only as good as the coffe...
If you live in an area prone to high humidity or if you just have too much dampness in your basement, a dehumidifier can help reduce the risk of mo...
Electric grills have joined the ranks of microwaves, ovens, and stovetops as a popular method of cooking in millions of American homes. Electric gr...
Grilling meat, fish and vegetables is a great way to eat healthy without sacrificing flavor. It’s no surprise then that gas grills have become one ...
Dry skin, itchy eyes and throat, and static-electric shocks every time you touch a door handle are all sure signs it’s time to invest in a humidifi...
If you are looking to upgrade your current dishwasher or you are one of the last hand-washing holdouts, you might be surprised to see what is on th...
Beyond waking up your taste buds, juicers can wake up your whole body to a healthier lifestyle. Juicers pack the nutrients of several servings of f...
Microwaves are not just for reheating and popcorn anymore—they have become an essential appliance in every kitchen. Some new features like convecti...
A smoker is the tool of choice for those who are serious about barbecue. A smoker provides a primal connection with our past, while infusing your f...
Everybody knows that a good cup of coffee or shot of espresso owes its flavor to the quality of its beans. But what good are supreme beans if you d...
A dryer is an indispensable appliance in almost every household (unless you long for the days when people lugged heavy baskets of wet laundry out t...
Whether you’re simply health conscious or trying to shed a few pounds, a bathroom scale can help you know what you weigh and track your progress to...
Cooking is a joy when you have the right tools, and that extends to choosing the right knife sharpener. Any knife, even the most deluxe, is only as...
Oven choices were once limited to fuel type, exterior color and whether to splurge for self-cleaning. Today, there are more oven options than you c...
How much thought did you put into your last mattress purchase? Most people spend a third of each day on a mattress and two hours or less in a car, ...
Tired of replacing your plants when the first frost hits or planning your planting schedule around Mother Nature? Greenhouses are the solution for ...
Since refrigerator freezers are not intended for long-term storage, a separate freezer can help you save money by buying on sale, in season and in ...
It’s easy to take a faucet for granted, unless you’re buying a new one. All too often, shoppers get hung up on design and forget that function is m...
Bird-watching is a fun, fascinating and educational hobby the entire family can enjoy from the comfort of home. Bird houses are a great way to attr...
Baby
Cloth diapers or disposable? Baby Einstein or Barney? The list of decisions new parents have to make
is endless and can be overwhelm...
Don’t short change your choice of strollers. How the stroller feels and drives can make the difference between great outings and difficult ones. Wi...
Got a crib yet? Many expectant moms and dads race to finish the nursery before the baby’s arrival, but it’s not necessary to complete everything. T...
Baby swings can soothe parents as much as they soothe their little ones by providing a comforting environment when parents with jangled nerves have...
Transitions are as common for new parents as scraped knees on kids, and one transition most
parents will have to make is moving from...
Most new parents would like nothing more than to snuggle their newborn for weeks on end. Too bad the realities of today’s hectic life mean most mom...
Jogging strollers are showing up everywhere from city streets to country paths and every road surface in between and with good reason: they’re a gr...
For parents of little ones, a baby monitor may be the next best thing to cloning yourself. These handy devices, which in their most basic form cons...
From the day you leave the hospital with your baby until sometime around preschool, your diaper bag may be the most ubiquitous baby accessory you w...
Jewelry & Watches
Most people think of the pocket watch as an accessory of a bygone era that’s been replaced by modern technology like wrist watches and cell phones....
Office Supplies
Horror stories about identity theft are leading many consumers to buy a paper shredder for the home. While a paper shredder won’t guarantee you imm...
Whether you’re a hobbyist who dabbles in watercolors or a serious student of the fine arts, you need a comfortable and sturdy painting easel to sup...
Health & Beauty
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t look forward to your twice-yearly visits to the dentist, but love how your teeth and gums feel after...
A women’s electric shaver is just the thing if you’re tired of suffering nicks and razor burn for the sake of beauty. Women’s electric shavers are ...
Today’s electric shavers have lost their cords, received a style makeover and are lighter and sleeker than ever. Unlike your father’s electric shav...
Rain, wind, snow or humidity may not stop the post office, but without a quality hair dryer they might make the time you spent styling your hair al...
No longer are wheelchairs frumpy and clunky. A good wheelchair can evoke renewed feelings of independence. New advances in technology have opened t...
Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
Whether you’re starting on a new fitness regime or simply trying to gauge how healthy your current activity level is, a pedometer can help track yo...
Thoreau “went into the woods into live deliberately and to front only
the essential facts of life”, but he still needed something to...
Bunny slope or black diamond, skiing is America’s most popular winter sport because it’s an activity that appeals to people of all ages and all lev...
Do work and personal obligations keep you busy during gym hours? Investing in a home gym is a great way to keep your commitment to health and fitne...
Tent camping is a fun and adventurous way to enjoy the natural splendor of the landscape. A tent lets you get back to nature, but it’s important to...
Fitness fads come and go, but treadmills are consistently the top-selling piece of home exercise equipment in America. Why? Treadmills are simple t...
Camping stoves may lack the romance of sitting around an open fire, but there are good reasons to consider packing one for your next outdoor advent...
Stair climbers provide an excellent workout for the lower body, targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves. Stair climbers also provid...
Whether you’re a seasoned superstar on the PGA Tour or a first-timer eager to start hacking away at your local public course, the thrill of playing...
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute estimates that a careful bicyclist will crash on average every 4,500 miles. Some states require riders to wear ...
Tennis racquets have gone high tech, and if you choose the right model, you can improve your game and get an edge on the court. Forget images of wo...
Once you got a taste for the elliptical trainer at the gym, you were hooked. Elliptical trainers, also called cross trainers, help you get a great ...
There are many reasons to bring an exercise bike into your home. Maybe you don’t have time to get to the gym for a full workout. Maybe you’re a bic...
Snowboarding is no longer a fringe sport turned to by those rebelling against the conservative sport of skiing. Snowboarders are showing up at moun...
Snowboard bindings are the last thing you probably think of when picking out a new snowboard setup. You know you need a board and boots, but don’t...
Your child’s first bike is more than just a rite of passage—it’s a way to get good exercise and to start to explore the world around them. Choosing...
You can’t play golf without golf balls, but you can play better with the right golf balls. New innovations in technology have resulted in golf ball...
Whether you ride horses professionally or just as leisurely way to relax, you need the right kind of saddle. Choosing the right saddle not only res...
Inline skating is an effective way to get and stay in shape while having fun at the same time. Besides recreational skating outdoors, inline skate...
If you choose your equestrian bridle wisely, you will not only heighten communication between you and your horse, but you can become a better rider...
Tools & Hardware
The robotic lawn mower gives consumers an opportunity to escape yard work forever. Improved technology makes the robotic lawn mower a better choice...
For most homeowners, the lawn mower is the most frequently used outdoor tool, yet most consumers choose a lawn mower based on status rather than pe...
From finish work to furniture making, you can’t beat the accurate cuts you’ll get from a table saw. The simple design of table saws makes it easy t...
Admit it—you’re jealous when you toil away in your driveway with a shovel, clearing a path for your car and a walkway for your mailman while you wa...
Hedge trimmers are ideal for the homeowner trying to maintain their property and for commercial companies clearing land. Hedge trimmers, sometimes ...
If you’ve sat in your car in the pouring rain or driving snow, wishing the garage door would open by itself, now’s the time to get that garage door...
Few things are more beautiful than bright autumn leaves—until they’re blanketing your lawn. The rake can still get the job done, but there’s no den...
If you’re a professional woodworker or hobbyist, a miter saw is an essential tool for your workshop. Framers and do-it-yourselfers can also benefit...
Drills are the most popular power tool sold in America. There are hundreds of uses for a drill around the home, from hanging pictures to replacing ...
Circular saws are among the most versatile tools available, and your investment in a circular saw will pay off with just one or two home-improvemen...
Those cramp-inducing grass clippers of the Leave It to Beaver era have evolved, mercifully, into the string trimmer. String trimmers reduce the tim...
Pressure washers are great tools for difficult residential cleanup, advanced construction detailing and heavy-use industrial and agricultural appli...
You’ve heard it at every construction site, the rhythmic pop-pop-popping sound of nail guns in action. Let’s face it, hammers are great for removin...
Arts & Entertainment
If you’ve been looking to live out your rock star fantasy or just pick up a new hobby, a bass guitar is a great place to start, but before you form...
A video game controller came with your new console, so why get another one? If you’re a PC gamer, you need a video game controller to ease the wear...
If you have an itching to tickle some faux ivory keys, an electric keyboard may be just what you’re looking for. But before you can play like Beeth...
Video game consoles used to be a moderately priced form of entertainment, but the new generation of consoles has upped the cost of ownership to the...
Want to become a real life guitar hero? Of course you do. Playing the guitar is probably one of the coolest things you can do (unless it’s an air g...
Flowers & Gifts
For the cigar enthusiast, humidors are the stylish, practical way to store your goods. Because cigars respond to their environments, you will want ...