4 Frugal Finds That Prove Pricey Doesn’t Always Mean Better
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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The familiar saying “You get what you pay for” doesn’t always ring true. Sometimes, you can find items that are just as good — or better — for much less.
The following items were highly rated by Consumer Reports and cost considerably less money than competing models with similar or lower scores.
Also see the No. 1 money rule frugal people never break.
Canon imageCLASS Wireless Laser Printer
- Price: $371.94 to $479.61
Consumer Reports scored the Canon imageCLASS wireless laser printer 82 out of 100 for its notable ease of use, fast and high-quality text output, considerable standard-size toner yield, and auto-duplexing ability.
The Brother Enterprise monochrome laser printer HL-L6310DW, rated 81 out of 100 by Consumer Reports, matched the Canon on speed and toner yield but scored below par for graphics quality. Additionally, it’s more expensive, costing anywhere from $469.98 to $513.54, per Consumer Reports.
Cuisinart SmartNest Hard Anodized Cookware
- Price: $184.76 to $219.99
Consumer Reports rated the 11-piece Cuisinart SmartNest hard anodized cookware set at 84. Its advantages include excellent cooking evenness, very good nonstick durability, excellent food release and excellent heating speed.
The 10-piece Swiss Diamond HD cookware set scored slightly lower at 83 with nearly identical performance results. However, it’s priced at $60, per Consumer Reports.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
- Price: $1,649.99
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro received a 78 in Consumer Reports testing, due to fast processing speeds, long battery life, ample storage and a responsive touchscreen. It also includes a fingerprint reader for secure login.
The LG Gram Pro 16 scored 76. It offers similar battery life and speed compared with the Samsung laptop but costs significantly more at about $2,800. Although the LG adds facial recognition, it lacks a memory card reader.
LG Over-the Range Convection Microwave
- Price: $448.56 to $699.95
The LG MHEC1737F over-the-range microwave earned a 75 from Consumer Reports. Its pros are ease of use, good heating evenness, excellent defrosting and low operating noise. It also accommodates a 9-inch-by-15-inch baking dish and allows the turntable to be turned off for oversize cookware.
The LG Studio MHES1738F carries the same 75 Consumer Reports score with identical performance results across heating, defrosting, noise and ease-of-use. However, it sells for between $859.95 and $1,049.99, meaning shoppers could save money buying the over-the range microwave.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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