The holidays have arrived, and finding the right gift is always a challenge, whether your splurge is on the indulgent side like a special gadget to quick-chill a bottle of wine or eminently practical. (Think extra computer storage.) Whatever the gift idea, it s often hard to know which make and model to choose. Fortunately, SmartMoney has done the research, making some head-to-head comparisons between popular products with similar prices and features.

See which espresso machine is worth it -- as well as six other worthy products.

As we ve discovered, the best value doesn t always have the higher price tag.

Worth It

The Waring Pro Electric Wine Chiller ($100) takes the guesswork out of serving wine.

It comes loaded with 33 settings, so whether your favorite is chardonnay or Chablis, you can be sure you ll enjoy it at the correct temperature which it will maintain for as long as it takes you to polish off the bottle.

Not Worth It

The WineSceptre Wine Chilling System ($130) from Wine Enthusiast won t tell you the perfect serving temperature of that Bordeaux (64 degrees), but it ll keep a prechilled bottle cool for a couple of hours.

A spokesperson says it s also meant to be appreciated as a centerpiece.

Jason Kephart

Worth It

Hammacher Schlemmer s queen-size electric fleece blanket ($180) is elegant and plush, with unobtrusive, ultrathin wires plus, it s machine-washable.

Dual controls let you set the temperature differently on each side of the bed. And the lifetime warranty will have you sleeping soundly.

Not Worth It

The Martex SuperSoft electric blanket ($110) comes in more colors, but consumer reviewers report controls conking out or flashing error messages.

A spokesperson says the company replaces faulty blankets and is working to improve the technology.

Laurence Witherington

Worth It

You could tick one item off your grocery list by investing in the Panasonic SD-YD250 ($145). It has a yeast dispenser, which ensures that the trickiest ingredient is added at exactly the right time and also that the loaf has a nice shape.

And the bread easily slides out from the pan when it s done, so there are no wayward bits of dough left over.

Not Worth It

Although packed with settings like quick bake and crust color, the Zojirushi BBCCX20 ($265) is hard to clean. A company spokesperson confirms that bread can be tough to remove when dough gets trapped.

Also, the machine beeps to remind you to add, say, nuts, whether you want to or not.

Laurence Witherington

Worth It

The lightweight REI Kingdom 4 Tent ($299) is just 14 pounds if you re carrying only the essentials the body, poles and stakes on the hike to the campsite. It has 60 square feet of floor space, front and rear exits, and three mesh windows for ventilation.

A zip-open divider gives campers the option of creating two separate areas for extra privacy.

Not Worth It

The Kelty Green River 4 Tent ($295) has floor space comparable to the REI Kingdom s, plus an extension for covering gear that s nearly twice the size of the REI s. But this tent is 6 pounds heavier; it also has only one door and two mesh windows, which makes it harder to get a cross-breeze.

A company spokesperson says there s adequate ventilation.

Jason Kephart

Worth It

The Garden Sun GS4400SS Outdoor Propane Patio Heater ($200) has a 15-foot heating radius, thanks to its 44,000-plus BTU output and 32-inch dome. At 48 pounds, it s heavy enough to be stable in windy weather but light enough to be easily carted in and out of storage with the help of its attached wheels.

Not Worth It

The dome on the Endless Summer GWU9209SP Open Gas Flame Patio Heater ($300) is 34 inches, and the heating radius is 20 feet. But this model is pricier, has no wheels and is almost twice as heavy.

The manufacturer says it s made with thicker material, which adds stability. Wheels can be purchased separately.

Miriam Gottfried

Worth It

The Breville Caf Roma Espresso Machine ($230) uses pump technology found in more expensive machines to yield a respectable crema, the foam atop a shot of espresso.

A simple dial takes the process from heating to brewing to milk-steaming, and a warming tray heats up to six espresso cups at once.

Not Worth It

Krups s Precise Tamp Mechanical Espresso Machine ($300) has the same type of pump and heating system and a warming tray. The extra $70 is basically for the tamper, to keep coffee strength steady, but most folks tamp by hand.

Krups says even tamping is key for optimum strength.

Miriam Gottfried

Worth It

To back up computer files, the 500-gigabyteeGo Blackbelt Portable Hard Drive from Iomega ($130) can store up to 2 million photos or 9,250 hours of music not to mention millions of documents or spreadsheets.

It comes with 2 gigabytes of free online storage, and its casing will protect it from a fall of up to 7 feet.

Not Worth It

The 500-gigabyte My Passport Essential Hard Drive from Western Digital ($140) has the same amount of storage space as the Iomega and is nearly half the size, but it comes with no free online storage, has been tested to withstand up to only a 3-foot drop and costs $10 more.

The company says the drive is competitively priced.

Jason Kephart