VOCs and Other Toxic Chemicals in Mattresses: What to Know

In a nationally representative January 2023 CR survey (PDF) of 2,088 U.S. adults, 12 percent said that one of the three most important features for them when buying a mattress is whether it comes with a label stating that its materials are not harmful to humans. But labels about chemicals in mattresses can be confusing,…

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Best Battery Leaf Blower Brands

Our experts say that a handheld leaf blower will work well for most people, especially if you’ve got a modest yard with only a few leafy trees. Battery handheld blowers now make up the lion’s share of models that CR tests, and they’re a particularly good choice because they are lighter weight and quieter than…

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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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25 Amazon Prime Perks You Might Not Be Using (2025)

It’s common knowledge that a Prime membership gets you free two-day shipping. But there are Amazon Prime perks that make the service more worthwhile—and considering the cost of a yearly membership, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t taking advantage of all of them. Below, we’ve listed some of the perks you should be…

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ICE Is Getting Unprecedented Access to Medicaid Data

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are getting access to the personal data of nearly 80 million people on Medicaid in order to acquire “information concerning the identification and location of aliens in the United States,” according to an information exchange agreement viewed by WIRED. The agreement, which is titled “Information Exchange Agreement Between the Centers…

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Best Desktop Computers of 2025, Tested by Our Experts

This holds true for more than just household finances. Thanks to extra power, value, and customizability, desktop PCs remain the top choice for serious gamers, photo and video editors, and anyone who wrangles large spreadsheets for work. At Consumer Reports, we group models into three main categories: all-in-one, mini, and tower. Below you’ll find a…

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‘Big Balls’ Is Now at the Social Security Administration

Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, one of the first young technologists brought on to Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has returned to government shortly after resigning. “Edward Coristine joined the Social Security Administration this week as a special government employee,” Stephen McGraw, an SSA spokesperson, tells WIRED. “His work will be focused on…

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