Reader TTS

TELEVISIONS TVs don’t break so much as they become obsolete. Or consumers just want to upsize. Either way, TVs are one of America’s favorite splurges; some 40.9 million were sold in the U.S.

last year, or roughly 1 for every 8 Americans. That’s in part due to their relatively low price and seemingly constant improvements. Pros suggest upgrading every four to six years. Like

aging computers, older TVs have out-of-date technology that can affect viewing and performance; LED lights also can start losing brightness after four years. That said, most TVs can stay

functional for 10 years. PREPARE TO UPSIZE Today the most commonly owned TV is 55 inches (as measured diagonally), but that’s rising fast; 85-inch TVs at home aren’t uncommon, thanks to

better flat-screen technology. How big should you go? That’s based on the distance you’ll be sitting from the screen. Multiply the screen size (in inches) by 1.2; that’s the recommended

viewing distance. For example, if you have a 55-inch TV, you’ll likely want to sit 6 feet from the screen. FOCUS ON TWO TECHNICAL STANDARDS TV technology can be a jumble of confusing

acronyms: OLED, QLED, LCD, 4K, 8K, HDR and more. Focus on just two. The first is resolution (essentially, the number of pixels on the screen); today’s standard is 4K, which has four times

the resolution of HDTV, the gold standard of years past. While the salesperson might try to steer you to a high-end 8K television, say “no thanks.” There’s really no content available in 8K

today, and there won’t be for a long while. The other thing to look for is “high dynamic range”; TVs that qualify as HDR have much more vivid colors and crisp details. Once you choose a 4K

HDR model, the other technical distinctions matter less, says John Couling, senior vice president of entertainment at Dolby Laboratories. TV AS INTERNET GATEWAY A “smart TV” is simply a TV

built to connect seamlessly (usually via Wi-Fi, so no cables needed) to your internet service, just as a computer or smartphone does. Smart is the way to go if you want to access any

streaming service or view anything that is online. Smart TVs use third-party software, such as Roku or Amazon Fire, which help you navigate the huge range of available digital content,

whether free or purchased. Each offers its own portfolio of content as well. EXPECT SOME NEW BRANDS For years, shoppers were encouraged to go with Samsung, LG or Sony for quality sets. These

days, the market has expanded, and brands from Amazon, Vizio, Hisense and TCL are respected and generally considered trustworthy as well. And often, they’re cheaper. If you can, look at the

TVs side by side so you can determine which you prefer. ONE NEGATIVE: SOUND While TV makers are obsessed with the visual quality of their products, few focus on sound, assuming you’ll

likely need to buy a separate sound system, ranging from a simple soundbar that sits under the TV to elaborate, multispeaker systems. WHAT YOU'LL PAY An excellent, well-equipped 55-inch

4K smart TV can easily be found for less than $500. Bigger size, better resolution or more features can add hundreds or even thousands to that. But “what were once capabilities found only

in top-of-the-line TVs a few years ago are now core offerings in TVs at all prices,” says Couling. AARP (GE Appliances) DISHWASHERS You may be tempted to just wash dishes by hand if your

dishwasher breaks. But that’s much less efficient — in terms of electricity and water — than replacing your old one. New dishwashers boast some big improvements. CYCLES ARE MORE

EFFICIENT The most efficient dishwashers now complete an entire wash using less than 3.5 gallons of water, far less than older models or what you’d use to wash those dishes by hand. “The

amount of water that today’s dishwashers use is obscenely low, when you think about the level of cleanliness and sanitation that’s happening,” says Michael Cornell, innovation lab

technologist with Asurion, an appliance-repair company based in Nashville, Tennessee. BUT THEY ALSO TAKE LONGER To get that efficiency, dishwashers use recirculation technology with pumps

and filters to cut down on the amount of water they’re using and new technology for shorter drying cycles. That takes more time. A standard dishwasher cycle can now take upwards of two

hours. SEEN AND NOT HEARD When it comes to noise, dishwashers have improved so much that homeowners can be standing in the kitchen and forget that the machine is running. In addition to

better insulation around the unit, the lower noise level reflects a shift from a plastic tub to stainless steel, which better dampens the sound of jetting water. CONTROLS HAVE GONE ALL

DIGITAL Like most other home appliances, dishwasher controls have gone digital, with some featuring more futuristic LCD panels or a touch screen. You’ll need to decide whether you want the

controls on the front of your dishwasher or on the top of the door, where they’re concealed when it’s closed. “Having them concealed looks nice,” says Angie Hicks, chief customer officer of

Angi (formerly Angie’s List), the home-repair referral company. “But it’s also harder to see how much longer the dishwasher has to go when it’s running.” MAKE SURE TO ASK ABOUT EXTRAS An

adjustable upper rack provides flexibility with loads made up of different-sized dishes. If one doesn’t come standard, it’s worth asking if this feature is available. Also consider an option

for a quick-wash cycle. While these are less energy efficient, they can be helpful when you’re in a time crunch. WHAT YOU'LL PAY Prices for most models fall between $400 and $1,200.

Expect to pay more for bells and whistles like Wi-Fi connectivity, dual-drawer design or a third rack for utensils.