We evaluate fuel economy under standardized conditions, using a specific procedure on our test track to calculate stop-and-go city-driving numbers and a 5-mile stretch of a nearby high-speed road for highway mileage. (Learn more about how Consumer Reports tests cars.) Below, you’ll find the recommended vehicles that get the best fuel economy overall: Each gets…
Phone charger: In addition to bringing a charging cord and power adapter, carry a small battery-based charger in case your car’s battery dies. Basic tools: Carry standard and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, and a compact socket set. Add a small replacement fuse kit for electrical emergencies. Tire tools: Pack an easier-to-use lug or torque wrench, as…
To help with that, Consumer Reports tests the camera quality of every smartphone that comes through our labs, dutifully snapping photos and recording video in a studio environment under controlled lighting conditions, and then evaluating the results on a high-quality LCD display. Our expert testers review not only the rear cameras but also the front-facing…
AI models may be a bit like humans, after all. A new study from the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and Purdue University shows that large language models fed a diet of popular but low-quality social media content experience a kind of “brain rot” that may be familiar to anyone who has spent…
But my approach is not airtight, and sometimes my advance work backfires. Like the year I got stuck with a tie-dyed hoodie from a big-bucks brand after my daughter decided she was over the trend. Or the time I bought my husband a new battery case for his smartphone in July, and he updated to…
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…
It shouldn’t be surprising if a plate of chicken lababdar tastes delicious. The dish is among my favorite North Indian gravies, a slightly edgier cousin of butter chicken that’s a bit spicier and tangier but just as creamy. What was surprising was that this particular chicken had arrived in the mail. Specifically, it came in…
But even the least expensive models will set you back several hundred dollars apiece, plus installation costs. We test to see which models may be more worth the money by subjecting them to heavy rain and wind. We’ve tested wood, vinyl, and composite replacement windows from brands that include American Craftsman, Andersen, Atrium, Jeld-Wen, Marvin,…
Normally we think the Canon EOS R8 is the best deal, but when you can save $500 on an EOS R5 C Body, why not upgrade? The R5 offers a 45 Megapixel Full-frame sensor and can shoot 8K RAW Video. It’s a powerhouse of a camera and a steal at this price. If you don’t…
Whether you’re worried about the open network at your local coffee shop or want to get around geo-restrictions when you’re traveling, NordVPN can help. A virtual private network (VPN) is like a protective tunnel, keeping your data safe from prying eyes. VPNs aren’t perfect protection (you need to trust your VPN provider), but they’re always…