Bosch

Not to throw the c-bomb around too much, but this machine is dang cute. The design is simple and straightforward; there aren’t too many buttons or settings to overwhelm, and the performance and ease of use are enviable. This probably isn’t the best machine for a heavily carpeted area, as the suction and carpet brush don’t seem to be as strong as those of the other high-end models, but it’s ideal for a smaller apartment or loft. This is the perfect choice for a female, mid-20s, magazine-writer type, who works, perhaps, for a modern design and architecture publication, and is possibly named Amber.

A strong and unique-looking blender, with 600 watts of power, a 56-ounce glass jug, one simple push control button, and nice cord storage.

City dwellers that we are, 15,000 BTUs would more than cover our pasta pot–boiling and pork chop–searing needs. We like the spartan feel of the design, but to be truly nit-picky, the slight curvature might look as dated as a 1996 Ford Taurus in a couple years. Though they are plastic, the knobs are indeed well placed.

Stainless steel interior with stainless steel or custom front panel option / 40 dB / 180 kWh per year / Averages 2 gallons water per load / 159% better than NAECA energy-efficiency standards