3 Quietest Dishwashers of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

Manufacturers report a model’s noise level in decibels, averaging the readings over the dishwasher’s full cycle. But that isn’t necessarily the best indicator of noise output. So CR’s panel of judges sits and listens to each dishwasher tested through its entire cycle, even if it takes 3 hours. “People remember a noise when it’s at…

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How Often Should You Wash Road Salt Off Your Car?

Take precautions. If you have an antenna, a roof rack, or a bike rack, remove it before entering an automatic car wash. Also turn off the automatic wipers and make sure the windows and roof are closed. If your car has a car wash mode, often a feature in EVs, make sure it’s activated before…

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Study of Buddhist Monks Finds Meditation Alters Brain Activity

If you’ve ever considered practicing meditation, you might believe you should relax, breathe, and empty your mind of distracting thoughts. Novices tend to think of meditation as the brain at rest, but a new international study concludes that this ancient practice is quite the opposite: Meditation is a state of heightened cerebral activity that profoundly…

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Best Lab-Tested Cookware for Induction Cooktops

The keyword here is magnetic. You can use a magnet to check whether cookware is induction-compatible. If the magnet is strongly attracted to the pot or pan, you’re good to go. It could be that almost all your existing pots and pans are induction-compatible, except for a few nonstick aluminum pieces. If you plan to…

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