Haier

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: an MP3 player is the perfect workout companion. There's nothing like a little music to get you motivated for a sweat session. Of course, some MP3 players even take things a step further by offering other fitness-friendly extras. Such is the case with Haier America's latest Ibiza device, the Trainer. This 2GB player includes a built-in heart-rate monitor, a pedometer, a calorie counter, and a stopwatch. Really, what more could you ask for from a gym-ready gadget? How about an FM tuner, you say? Why yes, there'… Read more

Haier is no stranger to the HDTV market, however CNET has as of yet only reviewed one HDTV from the company. Kind of weird seeing as how Haier is the official HDTV of the NBA.

We'll soon have a chance to make it up to the NBA, though, as this week Haier is introducing two new HDTVs. The 47-inch HL47XT1 and the 42-inch HL42XT1 each have a 120Hz refresh rate and LED backlights. Each also includes SRS TruSurround XT Sound and four HDMI ports. In addition, each TV has a Sound Chamber-hidden speaker with a separate bass port, a … Read more

It's nice when you can buy something you want and get something that makes you feel good about yourself, too. If you're in the market for a compact fridge to fit in a small space--a bar, a dorm room, or an office, for example--consider a coolant-free 1.7 cubic foot fridge featuring Haier America's NuCool technology.

NuCool is a new technology that lets your compact fridge run as low as 37 degrees (colder than past refrigerant-free models allowed). So the only green you'll see will be the eco-friendly kind, not the disgusting mold-in-the-back-of-the-fridge kind. NuCool doesn'… Read more

I like front-load washers. They make Laundry Day go faster, without a doubt. But there's a bit of a problem with the average front-load washer. It's pretty easy for a child to get into mischief--opening the door in the middle of a cycle, getting fingers caught in the door, and other situations I wouldn't have to worry about with a top-loading washing machine. Haier has created a family-friendly washing machine, though, that tackles these little problems. The HMW1270KFL Front Load Washing Machine has a child lock, as well as other integrated child-safety features.

Haier has included a … Read more

Uniformity across the screen is one thing many flat-panel HDTV owners take for granted. Plasma TVs generally have perfect uniformity: the screen is the same brightness and the same color in all areas, and it looks the same from every angle. Most LCD sets, while less than perfect, have screens that are uniform enough to not distract from the viewing experience. Then there are models like the Haier HL47K.

This bargain-priced 47-inch LCD won't wow anybody with its black levels or color accuracy, but for the money those aspects of its image quality are decent enough. Unfortunately, its screen uniformity is not. In our testing this set basically failed every aspect of our uniformity tests, suffering from brightness and color variation, backlight banding and poor-off-angle performance. To top it off, there's even a stuck pixel!

On the plus side, the Haier is really cheap for a 47-inch 1080p HDTV, and its looks and connectivity aren't bad at all. It also outperformed the dismal Honeywell we just reviewed, so that's something.

Check out the full review of the Haier HL47K.

… Read more

Toasters have always been a focus of attention in the kitchen. In fact, they seem to symbolize it more than any other appliance. Sure, the refrigerator or oven might seem like more obvious choices, but in the end it's the toaster that best represents the warmth of the kitchen.

But don't take my word for it. Toasters come in endless shapes and sizes. From a toaster with a built-in egg poacher, to a toaster stuck on the side of a microwave, there really doesn't seem to be any end to toaster combinations (or apparently, movie tie-ins; I'… Read more

The remote-controlled beer cooler Brian showed you yesterday is one thing, but what if you like to stay inside your house? And what if you want a seemingly endless supply of beer, and opening bottles is just too much work? Well, then you need to get yourself a BrewMaster--Haier's beer dispenser, which holds half, quarter, and mini barrel kegs.

The BrewMaster is freestanding, so there's no kitchen renovation necessary. Of course, you can always build it into a cabinet or a counter for that polished look. The tap is compatible with the most common U.S. systems, … Read more

We demand a lot from our appliances. They need to work hard, look great, meet changing need--and be energy efficient. It's all about flexibility, like the new 24.6-cubic-foot convertible bottom-drawer refrigerator from Haier.

The easy-access water and ice dispenser lets you quench your thirst and serve guests without opening the fridge. Inside the doors (in stainless steel, virtual steel, black, or white) is an Energy Star-certified fridge that gives you total control over configuration and temperature. On the right side, you'll find a slide-out interior shelf with a fold-up wine rack, adjustable door bins with gallon storage, … Read more

My mother-in-law has been visiting for nearly seven weeks. (Why, yes, I am the world's greatest wife, thank you!) And every morning she watches me prepare my cappuccino and winces as I fill my cup with boiling water and dump it out. It makes her crazy to see me waste my 6 ounces of water, but it makes me crazier to put my lovely espresso into an unheated cup.

Although family harmony may not have been Haier's goal with the HPE20SS Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, it could work wonders in my home. The machine has a dome-covered warming and … Read more