MADISON, Wis. -- Consumer Reports tests freezers in a chamber where conditions are carefully controlled. The freezers are filled with frozen spinach and the temperature is monitored by sensors imbedded in the spinach.

Testers then tracked the temperature, and found some freezers got far too warm.

"A freezer should be at zero degrees to keep your food at optimum temperature, but we found several that were as high as 40 degrees during some of our tests," said EmilioGonzalez, a Consumer Reports tester.

A five cubic foot GE freezer had juice bins on the door, but it couldn't keep the orange juice stored there frozen.

And this 4.8 cubic foot Kenmore says the bottom door is "best for: ice cream, precooked foods and convenience food." But it was so warm ice cream melted.

Consumer Reports' tests on vacuums also turned up a poor performer. The $150 Sanyo Dirt Hunter didn't do a good job cleaning carpets or bare floors. It left spots of sand on the linoleum, and also sprayed sand out behind it.

And Consumer Reports' latest tests on air cleaners also found one that didn't measure up. The $370 Oreck XL Professional Signature Series unit did a poor job removing dust and smoke.

Consumer Reports did find a good vacuum to recommend – it's the Eureka Boss Smart Vac, model number 4870 for $140.