Before you spring for an e-bike, there are a few things you should consider. Are electric bikes allowed where you live? City and state laws regulating electric bikes vary by locale, so it’s a good idea to check to see whether they’re allowed where you want to ride, whether that’s on public roads, bicycle paths,…

As a group, top-load agitator washers tend to be noisier than HE top-loaders or front-loaders. That’s not a big deal if your washer is tucked away in a basement, but it can test your patience if the washer sits near your bedroom. Our panelists judge each washer’s noise levels during the fill, agitate/tumble, drain, and…

That compatibility can range from an ability to stack the two machines using a specialized hardware kit to machines that sync up with each other to optimize performance. “Pairs come in a variety of styles,” says Min Kim Bryant, CR senior market analyst. “Most pairs have similar cycles, so if the washer has a casual…

Mosquito traps and lures target adult mosquitoes that are already out, flying around, and looking for a meal. Because mosquitoes can enter a yard from any direction, however, it’s unlikely that a trap will capture all of them, Markowski says. The best traps are ones that target mosquitoes specifically, not bugs or flying insects in…

In our 2022 survey, 69 percent of CR members sought to repair their dryer when it broke down. Of those who turned to professionals for repairs, 60 percent paid out of pocket, 27 percent were at least partly covered by an original manufacturer’s warranty, and 13 percent were at least partly covered by an extended…

In addition to fertilizing your yard, mowing and watering in the right fashion will also make your lawn lusher. Here are three key lawn care tips: Let your lawn grow. Generally, you should let grass grow to 4½ inches and then cut it to 3 or 3½ inches. Tall grass helps promote deep roots, making…

Brands market certain models as “travel” strollers, but that’s not a firm category with consistent criteria. The ideal model could actually fall under any of the typical stroller types. It could be a traditional stroller that’s light in weight and slender in width or an umbrella stroller wiith ample storage compartments. And there are caddies…

For illnesses and injuries that don’t have the potential to be life-threatening, urgent care clinics—which are often open in the evenings and on weekends—might be an option. “If you tripped and think you sprained your ankle, and it’s after normal business hours, it makes sense to head to the urgent care clinic for an X-ray…

For this list we focused on what people paid, and we didn’t limit the selections to models that meet the stringent criteria to be recommended by CR. We identified 10 models that are selling for below their sticker price, with each transacting for less than $50,000. (There are large discounts on more expensive models from…

Many shoppers are making fuel economy a top priority when selecting their next new car. But it’s important to keep performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety in mind, too. These are all part of the Overall Score that Consumer Reports gives to new cars it tests, and those virtues are factored into a model’s eligibility…