Sometimes, it pays to pay more

After decades of lab-testing products, ShopSmart, the shopping magazine from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has learned that paying more doesn’t always get you more. Cheaper products often perform as well as or even better than expensive ones.

But for these five products, ShopSmart has found that it pays to pay up; you’ll get better performance, durability, energy savings and/or features.

Tablets

You could spend: Less than $150

You should spend: At least $200

Here’s why: Skip really cheap tablets because screen colors tend to be off, viewing angles are more limited and performance and battery life don’t match the best models. The sweet spot for 7- to 8-inch tablets is $200 and up, and for 9-inch-plus tablets, $350 and up.

Shopping tips: If portability is important, consider a tablet with an 8-inch or smaller display. Most weigh less than a pound, and many are very thin. The best in this size range have a battery life of about 13 hours or more.

Countertops

You could spend: $10 to $40 per square foot

You should spend: $40 to $100 per square foot

Here’s why: If durability is key because you have a high-traffic kitchen, you might want to skip laminate, which can cost less than $600 for a small countertop. ShopSmart’s tests show it is easily scratched and can’t be repaired, though a cutting board can help you avoid knife damage. Quartz and granite cost a lot more, but they survived all of the spills, hot pots, knife attacks and more in tests.

Shopping tips: Save by using 3/4-inch-thick stone rather than the usual 11/4 inches. And get rounded edges; they cost more ($10 to $50 per linear foot), but they’re less likely to chip.

Light bulbs

You could spend: $1.25

You should spend: $10

Here’s why: LEDs can cost at least 10 times more than compact fluorescents per bulb, but they contain no mercury and they last up to five times longer than CFLs and 50 times as long as incandescents. And they will more than make up for their cost in energy savings over the life of the bulb.

Shopping tips: Light bulb brightness is measured in lumens. When buying LEDs used in lamps and other light fixtures, look for at least 450 lumens if you’re replacing a 40-watt bulb; 800 lumens or more for a 60-watt bulb; and 1,600 lumens or higher for a 100-watt bulb. For floodlights, look for at least 10 times the watts of the incandescent you’re replacing.

Gas grills

You could spend: $200

You should spend: $400 or more

Here’s why: Although many lower-priced models have some perks once found only on the more expensive models, grills that run $400 and up usually offer more features that add convenience, such as an electronic igniter (for easier starts), coated-cast-iron or stainless-steel grates (for better searing and more even grilling temps) and higher-quality materials that should add to a grill’s longevity.

Shopping tips: Burners are a grill’s most replaced part, ShopSmart notes, so look for ones made of high-quality stainless steel, cast iron or cast brass, which usually carry a 10-year or longer warranty.

Washing machines

You could spend: $250

You should spend: $600 and up

Here’s why: The best top-loading washers start at $250, but paying roughly twice that amount or more will buy you a more-efficient front-loading machine that usually does an even better job of cleaning your clothes. If you opt for a machine that costs less than $600, you’ll usually get poorer washing performance, reduced efficiency and less capacity.

Shopping tips: Know which features add convenience and durability. Electronic controls let you quickly choose cycles and keep an eye on the remaining cycle time and status. Automatic detergent, bleach and softener dispensers release the powder or liquid at the right time in the cycle. A stainless steel or plastic tub won’t rust if chipped, unlike a porcelain one.

2014 Consumers Union Inc.