Best Headphones of 2025

Allen St. John Allen St. John has been a senior product editor at CR since 2016, focusing on digital privacy, audio devices, printers, and home products. He was a senior editor at Condé Nast and a contributing editor at publications including Road & Track and The Village Voice. A New York Times bestselling author, he’s…

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Should You Top Off Your Car’s Gas Tank?

Adding more fuel after the gas pump clicks off can damage the charcoal canister by saturating it with fuel and cause the check-engine light to illuminate. If the ORVR is damaged, it won’t adequately capture those harmful vapors. The system typically lasts the lifetime of a car, but topping off could lead to an avoidable…

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Do Car Headlight Restoration Kits Really Work?

“The restoration kits work, and they’re very much a DIY project that you can do in your garage or driveway,” says Ibbotson. “You’ll see much better at night after using these kits.” (Find out how Consumer Reports tests headlights.) If you prefer not to restore the lens yourself, body shops often offer this service.  Either…

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How to Treat Fleas and Prevent Their Return

Once you’re positive you have a flea problem, bathe all the cats and dogs in the home (even those that aren’t scratching) with a mild soap (Hansen suggests Dawn dish detergent because it can cut the surface tension of water, making it easier for the fleas to drown), then comb out any fleas with a…

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Scientists Are Sending Cannabis Seeds to Space

He’s also not the only researcher working to expose plants to higher radiation levels than previously studied. Porterfield, who is one of the scientists working on NASA’s LEAF mission—a lunar plant-growth experiment that will go to the moon with Artemis III in 2027—says we know “almost nothing” about the impact of radiation exposure beyond low…

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NASA Is Making Big Changes to Speed Up the Artemis Program

“This is just not the right pathway forward,” Isaacman said. A senior NASA official, speaking on background to Ars, noted that the space agency has experienced hydrogen and helium leaks during both the Artemis I and Artemis II prelaunch preparations, and these problems have led to monthslong delays in launch. “If I recall, the timing…

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Best Smart Chess Boards (2026): Chessnut, Millennium

Playing chess can be challenging, fun, and at times frustrating. Garry Kasparov called the game “mental torture.” With virtually limitless possibilities, chess offers unparalleled depth, and you could easily fill a library with books on how to play it. The internet has opened up a wealth of potential competitors, and smart chess boards enable you…

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How to Prepare for a Weather Emergency

Prepare electronic devices. Having your phone fully charged is only one step in preparing for an emergency. Here are things you need to do with your electronics. Don’t forget your pets. It’s always a good idea to take your pets with you when you evacuate. But how do you prepare for that? Here’s how to…

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How Tariffs Will Affect Baby Gear Prices—and What Parents Can Do Now

There’s been significant pushback on tariffs from companies, industry associations, and lawmakers. In a press conference on July 23, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and other members of the Congressional Dads Caucus introduced a package of six bills, called the “Babies Over Billionaires” agenda, that would exempt essential baby products from tariffs. “As a dad, I…

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