In our time-stressed world, products that promise to save time and effort can be big sellers. Some deliver on those promises. Some don't. Consumer Reports tests three "make-your-life-easier products" to see whether they really can save you time and effort.
Who wouldn't want help cleaning gutters? It's a nasty job! Now available on the Internet: a gutter-cleaning robot. The ad promises the "iRobot Looj gutter-cleaning robot takes the work and stress out of gutter cleaning." Sounds great! And in the ad it looks like a powerhouse. But when Consumer Reports tested the $170 Looj, it kept getting stuck.
Cleaning a sink full of greasy pots and pans is another messy chore. In its infomercial, the Grease Bullet promises an easy solution. "Just fill your sink with hot water, drop in the Grease Bullet, and soak your toughest baked-on cookware. It does the work so you don't have to."
Consumer Reports tested the Grease Bullet on a variety of filthy pots and pans. After the recommended half-hour soak with a collection of dirty pots and pans, the cookware was cleaner but not exactly pristine. And the Grease Bullet costs $10 for a pack of 12 tablets. Consumer Reports says that generally, you'll get the same effect by just soaking your dishes overnight.
And what about the tedious task of jacking up your car to change a flat? The Exhaust Jack from Titan is supposed to raise the car for you, using the exhaust from your car to inflate the bag. The $100 Titan Exhaust Jack could be handy off-road, but Consumer Reports found that it can be tough to hook onto some tailpipes. And for cars that Consumer Reports tested with dual exhausts, the Air Jack won't even inflate.
So while those devices promise to save you time, Consumer Reports says they're probably not worth the money.
