No one wants a lemon, and review sites can help with that. But I seriously question whether or not everyone needs the “best” in every product category.

As mentioned the “best” also tends to be the most expensive. Do I need the “best” computer? Probably. Since that’s my job and avocation.

Do I need the “best” digital camera? Probably not. Do I need the “best” shovel? Definitely not, since I only use the thing rarely.

But unlike one advocate here, I also hardly ever buy the cheapest item in any given category. Over the years I’ve found that you tend to get what you pay for, and people tend to treat the cheapest items as disposable. Just buy it and replace it when it breaks.

That attitude leads to a lot of waste and is usually more expensive over the long run. It’s false economy at its best.