There is no shortage of new products that claim to make life easier for you. From a non-drug sleep aid to a toilet seat that freshens the air, the products are out there.

But between the hype and the price, it can become very confusing to decide which products you can really use and which you should avoid. We put several new products to test. Some were winners and others... well, don’t waste your money.

DreamKeeper 400

What it’s supposed to do: The DreamKeeper is a wristwatch-type device that is supposed to help users to sleep through the use of acupressure.

Cost: $119

Bottom line: Save your money. Several people tested this product, including myself. All of us hated it. The DreamKeeper has a flashing green light and an annoying vibration. “You could feel it through the whole mattress and my husband was about ready to throw me out,” said another tester.

Brondell Breeza deodorizing toilet seat

What it’s supposed to do: The Breeza is high-end toilet seat with a built-in air freshener. The seat has a sensor which automatically knows when to scent the air.

Cost: $155

Bottom Line: Our tester and her family loved this product, despite the fact that the men couldn’t believe that someone had invented the product. The women think it’s great.

Klein Ergonomic Hand Tools

What it’s supposed to do: The tools are designed to not fatigue your hands when you use them.

Cost: Insulated cabinet-tip screwdriver — $21.50. Insulated pump pliers — $59.50

Bottom line: The pump pliers scored higher with our tester than the screwdriver. He liked the big grips because “you don’t smash your fingers.” He didn’t like the fact that the pliers won’t easily fit in his back pocket. He liked the screwdriver’s sharp tip. However, he did point out that he could purchase the same quality tools at a cheaper price.

First Alert Talking fire, carbon monoxide detector

What it’s supposed to do: The combination fire and carbon monoxide detector doesn’t just beep, it talks. The voice says either “fire!” or “carbon monoxide!”

Cost: around $60

Bottom line: Our testers liked this product. It’s super sensitive and even has a false alarm button. The only negative is that the voice isn’t that loud, “You’d hear the beep, but not the voice if you were asleep,” was one comment.

HotStop Anti-Scald Shower head

What it’s supposed to do: According to Marcy Guterman, marketing director of American Valve Inc., the HotStop anti-scald shower head automatically reduces water flow to a trickle when the water reaches unsafe temperatures. When the water cools in the line, regular flow will resume

Cost: $39.98

Bottom line: The HotStop lived up to its claims. It was easy to install and convenient to use.

Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached at cathyw@npgco.com