We've all been there, standing in the aisle of a store, spending way too much time weighing the small differences between two similar products. Will the more expensive umbrella really perform better? When it comes to a laptop bag, is $120 too much, too little, or just right?

Here's some help. Each month, SmartMoney Magazine looks at sets of two similar consumer products, and assesses the better buy. This year, we looked at a wide variety of goods, including blenders, deep fryers and Digital SLR cameras. To aid in your holiday shopping, here are seven suggestions.

Deep Fryers

WORTH IT:
DeLonghi DualZone Deep Fryer $90

Face it: Those NewYear's resolutions are history. Give in to the power of the fry with DeLonghi's odor trapping filter, which promises to keep kitchens from smelling like a greasy spoon. Clean freaks will also appreciate the built in hose for draining used oil.

NOT WORTH IT:
Breville Deep Fryer $150

For a machine that pumps out doughnuts, touting the health benefits of its heating plate, which fries with "minimal oil absorption," is an odd choice. But it's hand draining the oil pan that kills our appetite. The company says the pan's built in spout makes pouring easy.

-- Marisa Taylor

Upscale Umbrellas

WORTH IT:
Doppler Norfolk Solid Wood $185

Go ahead: Hog the sidewalk. Handmade in Austria, the Doppler umbrella spans a shoulder covering 43 inches and has a sturdy 10rib frame. It also has a shaft and handle carved from a single piece of maple for added strength.

NOT WORTH IT:
Pasotti Chestnut Handle $175

The Pasotti is the same size but has two fewer ribs (some experts say more ribs equals greater stability). The company says using fewer ribs makes the umbrella lighter and that a 10 rib design "is not better, just different."

-- David Montalvo

iPod Alarm Clocks

WORTH IT:
iLuv's iMM183 HiFi Dual Alarm Clock Radio $150

No one likes hearing their alarm go off in the morning, but at least you'll wake up to the multitasking iLuv, which can dock two iPhones or iPods at once. And thanks to optional weather alerts, the multitasking device can even let you know when to grab an umbrella.

NOT WORTH IT:
XtremeMac's Luna SST Dual Alarm Clock $130

Two iPhone households will battle for prime bedside real estate with the Luna SST, which docks only one device. It's also light on extra features, though it does have a detachable speaker. The manufacturer says most people have other chargers and don't need two docks.

-- Marisa Taylor

Blenders

WORTH IT:
Vitamix 5200 $449

Get out those little paper umbrellas. The 2horsepower Vitamix blends fruits, veggies and ice with ease, and the company says it takes just 30 seconds to clean. But its best feature is the seven year warranty. "It's pricey, but amazing," says David Craver, president of the National Bartenders Association.

NOT WORTH IT:
Breville DieCast Hemisphere Blender $300

The Breville may be cheaper, but it's also a half pound heavier and 300watts less powerful, and it comes with only a one year warranty. The company says the weight adds durability and its motor is designed to handle regular usage.

-- David Montalvo

Wooden Arm Chairs

WORTH IT:
Blue Ridge ChairWorks Backpack Chair $155

Lugging chairs, bags and other must haves can turn a day at the beach into a hassle. Like many chairs, the Blue Ridge folds into a backpack for less schlepping, but its real distinction is a set of four built in pockets -- one big enough for a small cooler. It's also made of polyester, a durable outdoor fabric.

NOT WORTH IT:
Les Toiles Du Soleil Deck Chair $180

The Les Toiles comes in two fabrics, but lacks pockets and is larger when folded. "In France, we don't have any accessories on our deck chairs," says a company spokesperson, adding that its chair is lighter than the Blue Ridge.

-- Anna Prior

Laptop Bags

WORTH IT:
Brenthaven ProStyle IIXF $120

With an inch of padding and a water resistant shell, this case can protect a laptop from the elements (and random acts of clumsiness), and it has a lifetime guarantee. The bag is also a boon at the airport -- it unzips into two halves, letting users send it through the Xray without taking out the computer.

NOT WORTH IT:
Incase Coated Canvas Shoulder Bag $100

This weather resistant bag has less than a third of an inch of foam and a one year warranty. Users will also need to remove laptops before Xraying. Incase says its roomy pockets disqualify it from being Xray-friendly but that the foam provides "complete protection."

-- JenWieczner

Digital SLR Cameras

WORTH IT:
Canon Rebel T3i $900

Did you miss getting Grandma kissing Santa under the mistletoe last year? The Canon T3i's intuitive settings help amateur shutterbugs capture crisp shots, even in low-light situations, the pros say. Its flip-out, 3-inch LCD screen lets shooters maneuver around awkward angles to get snapshots and video. Plus, there are more than 60 compatible lenses.

NOT WORTH IT:
Sony SLT-a55V $850

Sony may be an electronics giant, but experts say it's still a relative novice in the digital SLR market. This model, which has limited lens oferings and an LCD screen that doesn't swing out, is unlikely to win the company many converts. Sony says its camera has unique features like an automatic smile shutter and can shoot 10 frames a second - making it more than twice as fast as the Canon.

-- Kate Poole