Why you shouldn’t use too much laundry detergent: Because most detergents these days are concentrated, you’re wasting your money by using more than necessary. All that excess detergent is also being dispersed into our water systems and causing water pollution, says Rich Handel, who leads CR’s testing of detergents and whose professional expertise has made…
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 sit and listen to each dishwasher that we test through its entire cycle—even if it takes 3 hours. “People remember a noise when it’s…
Especially in its early years, OLED’s standout concern has been its increased risk of burn-in, or image retention, over traditional backlit displays. Due in part to the use of organic compounds, OLED panels can more easily degrade at different rates over time, which could potentially lead to variations in brightness and colors. Thankfully, OLED burn-in…
One issue with LCD-based TVs in particular is that the image can blur during fast-moving scenes, especially in action movies or sports. TV manufacturers use various technologies to reduce motion blur, such as repeating frames or inserting black frames into the video signal. These techniques go by a number of names, including Auto Motion Plus…
You either fall into the “it’s just a phone” camp, or you’re someone who meticulously pores over all the new features of a smartphone, stays up to date on all the top devices every year, and feels a sense of pride when you look at your shiny, pricey investment. This is my 10th year of…
What are these sleeping pads you speak of? When I was young, all hiking was uphill both ways and everyone slept on the ground in sleeping bags with only a half-inch of thin closed-cell foam between us and every pebble. We also filtered our water with our teeth and ate mainly raw meat and foraged…
Check for certification. A quality mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, technicians need to pass one or more of ASE’s 52 tests. To remain ASE Certified, the technician must be retested every five years. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Auto repair shops…
Photograph: Christopher Null Other Good Laptops to Consider Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Copilot+ PC) for $1,300: The first Intel-based Copilot+ PC (7/10, WIRED Review) we tested is a winner on all fronts, boasting outstanding AI and graphics performance and some of the best battery life we’ve ever seen on Intel hardware. With its…
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees Consumer…
With a familiar sliding pin design, this adapter also covers more than 200 countries. Taller and heavier than our top pick, this is OneAdaptr’s most powerful release to date, and it employs gallium nitride technology to deliver up to 100 watts. Aside from the universal AC outlet, you will find two USB-C ports and two…
