In fact, wheelability and durability—how well zippers, handles, fabric, and other features hold up—are the most prized features in carry-on luggage, according to a survey of 8,168 Consumer Reports members who own carry-ons. And among the 23 luggage brands members reported owning, only two—the premium names Away and Briggs & Riley—excelled in both attributes. “Away…
Except for a handful of models marketed specifically for swimming, headphones should never be submerged in water. (Electronics and water don’t mix well.) Even “water-resistant” models—which are designed to stand up to sweat or rain, not a dunking—should never get more than slightly damp. Don’t apply any liquid directly to the headphones, and when you…
One of the biggest TV stories of the year is the arrival of RGB Mini LED TVs from Hisense, LG, and Samsung. These LCD sets use thousands of tiny red, green, and blue LEDs in the backlight to create color directly, rather than relying on a white or blue backlight with color filters. Like other…
Consider a foil shield. One of the more confounding issues I’ve had is that the generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top of a mini baked pasta dish browns prematurely, especially at the edges. “In general, the best thing you can do if you see that something is starting to get on the dark side…
I mention refrigerator icemakers potentially not working for a reason. When I walked into my new house a couple of weeks after officially purchasing it, I noticed a muted sloshing. The kitchen floor appeared even more reflective than the glossy white tiles should have been. My sister, who drove me from New York to my…
They’re Only for Hard FloorsDon’t mistake a combo vacuum-mop with a dedicated carpet cleaner. In fact, they can’t be used on carpet at all. While vacuum mops do suck up some of the liquid they dispense, the suction power isn’t sufficient to remove all the liquid from the carpet, often leaving it wet. And because…
The portable models in our generator ratings run on gasoline, burning through 12 to 20 gallons per day, depending on the unit’s output and the load being powered. That means you’ll have to store a significant quantity of gasoline, start the generator manually, and refill it (when it’s off, to minimize fire danger) after running…
More Good MagSafe and Qi2 Chargers Here are a few other MagSafe wireless chargers we have tested that didn’t quite manage to earn a place above. Photograph: Simon Hill Mous Dual Charging Station for $100: This dual charger from Mous is a looker (I tested the walnut), but disappoints on charging speeds, maxing out at…
Boilers are far less common than gas furnaces, and that’s reflected in the responses to Consumer Reports’ most recent survey on central heating. Our members installed 1,791 new boilers between 2009 and 2025, compared with more than 34,000 gas furnaces. But just like a furnace, when a boiler breaks, you want it repaired—or replaced—ASAP. Forty-two…
BMW has been a rarity among luxury automakers in that all new models since 2017 that are leased or purchased include a “scheduled maintenance” plan for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The plan covers “consumables” such as engine oil and brake fluid, as well as spark plugs and various filters. This plan…