There’s a reason the first successful smart specs look like they’re from the 1950s. That extra thickness isn’t just retro flair, it’s hiding a processor and a battery. But that technical constraint creates a creative opportunity: In the right frame, smart tech can disappear. And transforming functional, medical-grade eyewear—like prescription glasses—into stylish, mass-market fashion accessories…
“The Bear’s” most profound gear-related story arc starts in the pilot, when the central character, Carmy, misplaces his knife. He searches frantically for the hand-forged gyuto—a Japanese chef’s knife—assuming that someone is hiding it as a way to haze the new guy. (It had actually fallen on the floor.) Carmy has just taken the helm…
When it comes to buying a new car, Consumer Reports members have told us that a low price or a luxury badge doesn’t automatically translate into happiness. Some models that you might expect to put a smile on an owner’s face actually make them frown—or worse. The models that top the owner satisfaction ratings deliver…
Good bedsheets, when you take care of them, should last. Cozy Earth sheets rank among the best of the best in my book, and they have a luxurious feel that’s well-suited for this occasion. While the relatively high price may raise some eyebrows, with proper care they’ll last a long time (I’ve had mine for…
Most people aren’t using physical media anymore, which is why I spent the majority of my time testing the HW-Q990F with streaming media. I find that Apple TV has the best audio quality of any of the major streaming services, which tracks with my experience testing this bar: Atmos-mixed shows like sci-fi hit Foundation come…
The IRS website has a helpful step-by-step guide to walk you through the process, and even has IRS-certified volunteers to help with your taxes if you have a disability or speak limited English. Since the IRS Free Filing tool is only for federal taxes, you’ll need to also check your specific state for its tax-filing…
Our testers evaluate each exercise bike for a number of different factors that are likely to influence users’ satisfaction with their machines long-term. For all three types of bikes, we assess adjustability, including how finely you can adjust the bike’s seat height and position to get a comfortable ride, and how wide a range of…
“Car owners should file a claim as soon as possible,” Worters says. Take pictures or videos to show the extent of the damage, making sure to capture damage from downed trees or power lines as well as flooding. It used to be that an insurance adjuster would also take photos of the vehicle, says Ellen…
Since 2020, about 9 percent of the cars tested by Consumer Reports have come with a full-sized spare. Studying our database, we found that 46 percent came with a temporary (aka space-saver) spare tire, and the rest were equipped with a sealant kit (34 percent), a run-flat tire (7 percent), or nothing at all (4…
Unlike electric dryers, which use electricity to produce the heat that dries clothes, gas dryers burn natural gas or propane to produce heat, and use electricity only to power the drum, fan, lights, and controls. Because they require less electrical power, they can be plugged into a 120-volt outlet, rather than the 240-volt outlet that…