Top-rated reviews of the week (pictures)

If variety is the spice of life, CNET's band of jolly editors really filled the spice rack this week. In addition to tortured metaphors in introductions to slideshows, this week saw a rocking (and affordable) sound bar, an impressive router (no, really), a large tablet that won't nuke your wallet, and a "surprisingly powerful" electric car. First up:

Pioneer SP-SB23W

The Pioneer SP-SB23W is the best affordable sound bar if you care about sound quality, with its outstanding sonics making up for some of its design limitations. Read the review.

Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router

For advanced and professional users, the Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router is worth every penny thanks to its stellar performance, solid build, and bounty of useful features. Read the review.

FIFA 14

FIFA 14 is easily the best sports game on iOS devices, bringing realistic soccer to your touch screen and a ton of content and game modes to explore. Read the review.

Quickoffice for Android

Quickoffice for Android has more editing features than Google Drive, but it's still no match for the more robust and visual Kingsoft Office app. Read the review.

PicPlayPost for iOS

PicPlayPost for iOS is a fun way to stand out on Instagram or Vine, but even if you're not into sharing personal photos on a network, it's perfect for creating family memories to share via iMessage and e-mail. Read the review.

Angry Birds Star Wars II

While the gameplay has barely evolved, this sequel, available for iOS|Android|Windows Phone is just as addictive as ever, and is still a great download for all ages, the presence of Jar Jar Binks notwithstanding. Read the review.

Panasonic NN-SD997S microwave

If you're interested in the inverter tech angle, you may be disappointed. But if you don't expect to get artisanal omelets from a microwave, the Panasonic NN-SD997S is still a solid choice for a large, midprice countertop model. Read the review.

Kindle Paperwhite

While the "all-new" Kindle Paperwhite may seem like an unspectacular upgrade on the surface, it's a clear improvement over the original Paperwhite and arguably the best e-reader currently available. Read the review.

Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR

If you crave a compact megazoom that gives you a lot of control over your results, look no further than the Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR. If you crave a good burger, check out the next product. Read the review.

Sharp R820JS Convection Grill Microwave Oven

We'd be happier if all the presets worked as expected, but the Sharp R820JS Convection Grill Microwave Oven does grill a good burger. Read the review.

Whirlpool WMC50522AS Microwave

The Whirlpool WMC50522AS is a fine microwave, but it would be more impressive at a lower cost. Read the review.

Asus Memo Pad FHD 10

The Asus Memo Pad FHD 10 is a well-priced large tablet that doesn't compromise on useful extras. Read the review.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV

Like other electric cars, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV offers limited usage scenarios thanks to its range, but its drivetrain is ultra-efficient and surprisingly powerful. Read the review.

Amana AMC2166AS countertop microwave

The Amana AMC2166AS countertop microwave is a perfectly fine appliance, but at this price, we expect a little more than just "fine." Read the review.

Sony Alpha A3000

If you're just looking for better photo quality than a point-and-shoot on a really tight budget, but not better performance, the Sony Alpha A3000 meets that criterion. Read the review.

LG Optimus F6

Competitively priced and stocked with respectable hardware specs, the LG Optimus F6 is a worthy buy for T-Mobile customers who are big on value. Read the review.