Garry Ultra Light Vacuum: This 12-pound, $199 vacuum, which we first reviewed last fall, has been a hot topic in our vacuums forums. It was only fair at deep-cleaning carpets, lowest among all the models in our  ratings of upright vacuums (available to subscribers).

Snuggie Blanket: You might warm to the idea behind this fleece blanket on a chilly winter evening. But when our testers donned the Snuggie, they complained of restricted motion, too-long sleeves, and a lack of posterior coverage. Plus, when washed, the blanket developed bare spots and shed a lot of lint. Instead, opt for a space heater or an electric blanket and use zone heating.

iRobot Looj: This $170 robotic gutter cleaner's aim wasn't always true, and as this video shows, it often bogged down in heavy debris during testing. If you take on the chore yourself, follow this gutter-cleaning advice.

Grease Bullet: After the recommended half-hour of soaking, this tablet left dishes reasonably clean but not pristine. Overnight soaking in hot water and dish detergent will yield the same results and save you money.

ShamWow: This faux chamois failed to wow us. Conventional sponges absorbed more water and soda and cost much less.

Among the other infomercial products you might want the lowdown on are Debbie Meyer Green Bags, Hercules Hook, and Mighty Putty.

Before you order informercial products, remember that shipping and handling fees and other extras can boost the total cost considerably.

—Gian Trotta