Because all crib mattress components are not typically disclosed, Consumer Reports reached out to all companies to ask them to share all of their mattress materials, including flame retardants, adhesives, and waterproofing. We also followed up with companies using materials that are linked to environmental or human health concerns, asking them to comment on why…
Before you buy a new car battery, know the correct group number for your vehicle, which varies depending on make, model, year, and engine size. Batteries are defined by physical size, type, and placement of the terminals, as well as mounting style. Be sure to replace your battery with one that’s from the same group…
In a move likely to raise a few taxpayer eyebrows, Intel said today that it will cut 15 percent of its workforce, or more than 15,000 jobs, as it struggles to rebound from disappointing results. In March, the US government said it would give Intel no less than $8.5 billion to help it rebuild its…
In addition to cataloging all of that—and much more—CR’s test engineers launder swatches of fabric stained with red wine and cocoa, among other things, to see how well each machine cleans. We test top-loaders with agitators, high-efficiency (HE) top-loaders (the type without a vertical spindle), and front-loaders, including compact front-loaders. We also test all-in-one washer-dryers,…
Among CR members surveyed, the most commonly reported washer problems were tangled or balled-up clothes (9 percent), excessive vibration over time (5 percent), odor (5 percent), nonspinning drums (5 percent), water drain failure (5 percent), and becoming noisier over time (4 percent). Mold, mildew, and odor complaints were much more common among owners of many brands…
In CR’s sunscreen tests, we use the Food and Drug Administration’s sunscreen testing protocol as a model. But as with all products, we do our own scientific, laboratory-based testing to identify differences in performance and give consumers a comparative evaluation. We buy sunscreens at retailers, the way consumers do, and test three samples of each…
Convenience: Immersion blenders fit in the palm of your hand, with simple controls operated by the press of a button. Jar-less, they’re also easy to clean compared with other blender types. Portability: Handheld blenders travel well. If you hit the road for Thanksgiving, you can pack an immersion blender to help whip up the gravy…
Treating your car to a regular hand-wash is a great way to monitor the car’s condition, looking for rock chips or other damage, while ensuring the soapy task is handled with care. However, not all drivers have convenient access to a hose or the time to wash the car themselves. Automated washes make it easy…
You often hear of carbohydrates being described as simple and complex. Simple carbs consist of chemical chains of one or two sugar molecules. Complex carbs, made up of longer molecular chains, are starches or fiber. But the distinction isn’t all that helpful when you’re deciding which foods to eat. Not all simple carbs are unhealthy,…
When users first found out about Adobe’s new terms of service (which were quietly updated in February), there was an uproar. Adobe told users it could access their content “through both automated and manual methods” and use “techniques such as machine learning in order to improve [Adobe’s] Services and Software.” Many understood the update as…
