Several processors from Cuisinart did well in Consumer Reports' tests, but none were top-rated.
That distinction goes to the Breville Sous Chef, which aced most of Consumer Reports' tests, including chopping.
It has a 16-cup work bowl and an extra-wide feed tube, which saves you from having to cut things like potatoes into smaller pieces. But it comes with a lofty price tag of $400.
For significantly less money, and a lot less counter space, Consumer Reports named this $100 KitchenAid model a Best Buy. It has fewer bells and whistles, but it scored excellent for slicing and very good for shredding.
But the KitchenAid gives you less capacity: seven cups to the Breville's 16.
For a food chopper, which is smaller but doesn't slice or shred, Consumer Reports named the Ninja Master Prep Professional, model number QB1004 a Best Buy at $60.
INTERIOR PAINT
Contractor Bill Bradsell says paying more for high-quality paint can actually be a money saver.
"It's more economical because a lot of times we can do less coats," he said.
Testers at Consumer Reports evaluated dozens of interior paints that cost anywhere from $8 a gallon to more than $60 a gallon.
They check out how well paint covers in one coat by painting over increasingly darker stripes.
"You can see here how this paint covered better than this paint with just one coat," said one tester.
Another important test is how well paints resist stains.
And another issue? What KIND of interior paint to get.
"Satin paint, which is also called eggshell, is the best way to go for most walls," said Consumer Reports' Bob Markovich.
Among satin paints, Benjamin Moore Aura Satin earned the highest score, but it's more than $60. For about half the price, Behr's Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel from The Home Depot did just about as well.
Both did a great job covering in one coat, as well as resisting stains.
Another plus with the Benjamin Moore and the Behr satin paints is that both are self-priming, so they can go over bare wood and wallboard without a prime coat, saving you time and money.
