If you’re using this as an excuse to upgrade to an more premium panel, we recommend the LG C4 OLED. It’s an impressive screen, with sky-high brightness and vivid colors, plus full support for Dolby Vision. It’s just as good for playing games as it is for watching them, with up to 144-Hz refresh at…
After spending the past year testing 25 smart bird feeders from 10 different brands, many have impressed me, but none so frequently and consistently as Birdfy’s. It was the first brand on the market to introduce AI bird identification, as well as the first to introduce auxiliary products like smart nesting boxes, birdbaths (see below),…
Main theme: In this episode of the “Talking Cars” video podcast, we discuss the models that make up the best and brightest cars and trucks that we’ve tested. The panel says that, for the first time, every CR Top Pick is either a hybrid (or available as one) or an electric vehicle. We talk about…
This is a versatile control paddle, and while it’s certainly capable of plenty of power, it’s best for someone who wants to improve the consistency of their game. A cheaper option: The SLK Valkerie ($80) is about half the price of the Dauntless and has none of the new tech, but a very solid option…
Main theme: The Volkswagen Tiguan has always sat toward the bottom of a very competitive class of compact SUVs, including the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Can a redesign help reinvigorate the Tiguan’s image and attract buyers to the Volkswagen brand? What about…
Upper RackCups, glasses, and small bowls should be placed in the top rack. Dishwasher-safe plastics also belong on the top rack, away from any heating element, which can cause damage. Lower RackPlates, serving bowls, and other large items belong on the bottom rack. So do platters, dishwasher-safe cutting boards, and other oversized pieces, which should…
With certain gift cards that are widely accepted—think Visa, American Express, or Amazon—this might not be an issue because it’s easier to deplete balances. On the other hand, brand-specific gift cards, which limit consumers to a single establishment, can be a slippery slope to overspending. An annoyance to shoppers, it’s a beneficial outcome for merchants…
In our labs, we test 30- and 36-inch electric cooktops from brands such as Bosch, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool. We test every cooktop at low and high heat. For high-heat cooking, we use a standardized pot filled with about 4 quarts of water on the largest cooktop burner. We jack up the burner…
The chef’s knife is better, which admittedly is not saying much. It’s very rocky and lightweight. I prefer a heavier knife, especially considering how slippery the handle feels. But I was able to slice through my pile of chives, plus garlic and onions. That’s the best assessment I can give: I was able to use…
Protect Those Headphones Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Even durable headphones are easy to damage. We have lost pairs to folks standing on them, cats and robot vacuums attacking the cables, and chairs rolling over them. I have learned that a stand or holder is worth the investment if it keeps those cans…