9 Best Mattresses of 2024, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

There are more than 250 mattresses in our ratings, each with an Overall Score that’s determined, in large part, by the model’s performance on a range of tests: sleeper support, firmness level, stabilization level, and durability.  To test stability (also known as motion isolation), we drop a 38.5-pound weight onto the mattress and measure the…

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Best Top-Load Agitator Washing Machines—and the Worst—of 2025

Think of the various types of washers the way you might view cars. Traditionally, agitator washers were the no-frills station wagons of the laundry aisle, while high-efficiency top-loaders and front loaders raced in the muscle car and luxury lanes loaded with shiny, sleek designs and advanced technology. So why are so many agitators still being…

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Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat, CDC Says

Because no products have been implicated yet, there are no recalls.  Two states had the largest numbers of people sickened as part of this outbreak: New York (7) and Maryland (6). Cases have also been identified in Georgia (2), Massachusetts (2), Missouri (2), New Jersey (2), Virginia (2), Illinois (1), Minnesota (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania…

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We Tried It: Helio AirBroom

The Helio AirBroom is a three-piece set with a broom, dustpan, and a Helio Mini designed to clean up upholstery or small messes from counters, windows, and shower doors. I evaluated the Helio Mini only as a window squeegee but found it helpful when transferring debris into the dustpan because it’s small and easier to…

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Best Office Chairs

To help guide you through the selection process, we’ve purchased and evaluated 16 office chairs, ranging in price from $90 to $2,340. The list includes models from Amazon, Branch, Herman Miller, Ikea, Staples, and Steelcase. While all are billed as ergonomic, that leaves lots of room for interpretation, our testing reveals. “When you see a…

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Kraft Heinz Pulls Lunchables From National School Lunch Program

Kraft Heinz did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Consumer Reports.  In April 2024, Consumer Reports’ tests found that various Lunchables kits available at supermarkets contained potentially concerning levels of lead, phthalates (chemicals found in plastic), and very high sodium levels. While CR didn’t test the school lunch versions of the Lunchables kits,…

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