19 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Gardeners (2026)

Suppose your giftee loves growing mushrooms but has graduated to more challenging varieties. In that case, North Spore makes an automated monotub ($150) that can be paired with either substrate or the brand’s fruiting blocks. It keeps the growing environment with the proper airflow and humidity, and I’ve grown so many mushrooms in mine that…

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Best Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors of 2025

That’s why we put dozens of models to the test. In our lab, we expose detectors to low CO levels (100 parts per million) and high CO levels (400 ppm) to see how quickly and accurately they detect the colorless, odorless gas. For models that display or announce specific CO levels, we check the accuracy…

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The Best Motorola Phones (2025), Tested and Reviewed

If its performance was a smidge better, this Moto would be a home run. It’s worth considering if money’s tight, but spring for the Moto G Stylus if you can (even if you don’t care for the stylus). Keep in mind, Motorola will likely announce a new version early in 2026. Other Motorola Phones to…

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Disinformation Floods Social Media After Nicolás Maduro’s Capture

Within minutes of Donald Trump announcing in the early hours of Saturday morning that US troops had captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, disinformation about the operation flooded social media. Some people shared old videos across social platforms, falsely claiming that they showed the attacks on the Venezuelan capital Caracas. On…

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How to Get a Solar Tax Credit While You Still Can

Working with an experienced installer is central to having a positive solar experience. Horowitz offers these best practices for vetting companies: Get at least three bids. Start by looking at companies recommended by neighbors or others in your area who have had good experiences.  Go local. Find companies that have already been established in your…

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How to Get the Used EV Tax Credit Before It Expires

This credit has been in place since the passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but it was removed as part of a new budget reconciliation bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For now, buyers can still claim the tax credit on eligible used vehicles. However, the upcoming expiration date doesn’t mean…

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Best Replacement Windows of 2025

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,…

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5 Best Toilets of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

To develop our in-depth toilet ratings, Consumer Reports’ engineers put the fixtures through a battery of tests involving waste removal, bowl cleaning, and drain-line clogs. We also measure how loud a toilet’s flushes are using a decibel meter. Based on performance in these tests, we give each toilet an Overall Score.  To test solid-waste removal,…

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