There are no hard-and-fast rules about how much you should tip at the holidays, but some tipping norms have become a social convention. For example, giving your barber a holiday bonus equal to the cost of one haircut has become a customary way to show thanks for year-round service. (See “Your Giving Guide,” below, for…
2. Address the Power Source For a Gas-Powered Mower: Remove or Stabilize the FuelSimply leaving fuel in the tank all winter can wreak havoc on your mower’s engine. Water from condensation can combine with ethanol in the gas, causing clogs, corrosion, and other problems throughout the fuel system. Come springtime, you could be in for…
Keith Barry Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a…
Comparing Our Favorite Dyson Vacuums Meet Dyson’s 2026 Lineup Dyson announced in September that its lineup of vacuums has a major refresh coming in 2026. It might be worth waiting until next year to get one of these with Dyson’s newest features, but right now none of them have a confirmed date for when they’ll…
April might be springtime in the northern hemisphere, but some of the best streaming services seem to think it’s the perfect time for a dry run of spooky season. How else to explain the arrival of some exquisitely dark slices of horror, like 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple arriving on Netflix, Weapons coming to…
Based on surveys of Consumer Reports members, the CR-V has average predicted overall owner satisfaction. While surveyed members are pleased with aspects such as comfort and driving experience, value stands out as a disappointment. When asked if they got what they wanted relative to the price paid, owners gave the CR-V the lowest rating. (Admittedly,…
The sliced pears came in 15-ounce cans and were sold at Grocery Outlet stores in California and elsewhere across the U.S., according to an announcement by the importer W.W. Industrial Group. Though only one lot of Parashore canned pears has been found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals so far, the recall applies to…
Right to repair provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, which would secure funding for the US military in 2026, are likely to be struck from the final language of the bill despite enjoying broad bipartisan support, sources familiar with ongoing negotiations tell WIRED. They say that provisions in the act enabling servicemembers to repair…
Bose helped write the book on noise canceling when it entered the market way back in the 1970s. Lately, the brand has been on a tear, with the goal of creating the ultimate in sonic solitude. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are Bose’s latest and greatest creation, offering some of the very best noise canceling…
Even if you have air conditioning—like 88 percent of U.S. households, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey—you may still struggle to stay cool on the hottest days. What’s more, increased electricity use can lead to brownouts and outages. Here’s how to prepare your home for a heat wave before…