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…
Consider a foil shield. One of the more confounding issues I’ve had is that the generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top of a mini baked pasta dish browns prematurely, especially at the edges. “In general, the best thing you can do if you see that something is starting to get on the dark side…
Whole bean or ground? Preground coffee is convenient and tends to brew a consistent-tasting cup. But buying whole beans and grinding them right before brewing will intensify the coffee’s flavor and aroma, says Scott Rao, a coffee consultant and author of “The Professional Barista’s Handbook.” That’s because you’re limiting its exposure to air. This is…
When it comes to buying a new car, Consumer Reports members have told us that a low price or a luxury badge doesn’t automatically translate into happiness. Some models that you might expect to put a smile on an owner’s face actually make them frown—or worse. The models that top the owner satisfaction ratings deliver…
Tech companies have invested so much money in building data centers in recent months, it’s actively driving the US economy—and the AI race is showing no signs of slowing down. Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg told President Donald Trump last week that the company would spend $600 billion on US infrastructure—including data centers—by 2028, while OpenAI…
Look ahead, around, and behind. “It’s important to look where you want to go, scanning both far ahead and right in front of you,” Crossen says. “But don’t forget about what’s going on to the sides and behind you. You should check your rear- and side-view mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds. That can help…
Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999, when drinking coffee in a Western-style café was still a novel idea to many locals. But in the years since, homegrown coffee and bubble tea brands like Luckin Coffee, Heytea, Chagee, and Mixue have gradually chipped away at Starbucks’ share of the Chinese market. Now, they…
Certification: Make sure the heater you buy carries a safety certification label from an independent testing organization, such as the UL mark, the ETL label from Intertek, or certification from the CSA Group. Recently, more than half a million Govee space heaters were recalled after over 100 reports of overheating, including seven fires and a…
Buying bath towels can be surprisingly confusing if you want to know exactly what you’re paying for. There’s a fair amount of terminology; understanding these terms can help you see past the marketing hype and make a more sound purchase. MaterialsYou’ll find bath towels made either with 100 percent cotton, or a mixture of cotton…
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…