CR’s tests focus on ease of use, the quality of construction (including design, noise, feel, and durability), ergonomics (how well the machine accommodates different users), exercise range, and user safety. For exercise range, we assess whether a machine is suitable for a variety of fitness levels. Our tests factor in the range of treadmill speeds,…
Fire extinguisher: It’s good to have if you need to fight a small fire, but if your car is on fire, back off and wait for the emergency help. If you buy a fire extinguisher, make sure it is intended for automotive use. Water and nonperishable food: They’re always good things to carry, particularly on long trips. Think…
Baseball CapsThis is, without a doubt, the non-dishware item that people have confessed to washing in their dishwasher the most. Several readers said they usually place the cap in a hat-washing cage to hold its shape before putting it in the dishwasher, and let it air-dry afterward. “It gets rid of sweat stains and keeps…
Main theme: This week, the podcast panel opens the mailbag to answer your pressing questions about car buying, maintenance, safety, and the auto industry. We even bring in some special guests! Audience Questions• Should I get a new car if my really old car still works fine?• Does the “don’t buy a new car in…
Rich Handel, CR’s laundry expert, offered several suggestions for remedying my stinky laundry. His first recommendation was to leave it in the washer and just run another wash cycle on the load. This should work if you haven’t dried the load because Handel says the dryer can lock the smell in. Unfortunately, I had already…
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking companies to provide information about “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products that would “directly support investigations activities,” according to a request for information posted on Friday in the Federal Register, the US government’s official journal for agency notices, rulemaking, and other public filings. The posting says that…
With all of that being said, it’s worth keeping a cool head. There’s no reason to panic-shop for the most expensive laptop you can afford when a more thoughtful, needs-based purchase can save you money. “Maybe consumers don’t need a system that expensive,” Bouchard says. “Maybe they need something that’s just good enough to do…
Main theme: In this episode of the “Talking Cars” podcast, we discuss our initial impressions of the new 2026 Tesla Model Y. Significantly freshened, the new Model Y received many changes seen in the updated Model 3, including acoustic glass for a quieter interior, more soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, a touchscreen for the rear…
Another more complex solution would be to invest in a mesh router system. These are specialized routers that are typically sold in packs of two or three and work together to spread WiFi more evenly around your home. But unlike with extenders, there’s not nearly the speed hit. Of course, a mesh router system costs…
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…