A foundation created by Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, will fund a project to send drone boats out into the rough ocean around Antarctica to collect data that could help solve a crucial climate puzzle. The project is part of a suite of funding announced today from Schmidt Sciences, which Schmidt and his…
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…
If your home isn’t equipped for central air conditioning, mini-splits may be a smart alternative, particularly if you don’t want to install and remove clunky window units each season. Mini-splits, also known as ductless air conditioners, can cool large spaces quickly and quietly. Mini-splits are a type of heat pump. They cool your home by…
Ideally, the composite decking you choose will look good, and remain solid and safe, for many years. Consumer Reports’ performance tests evaluate these factors. We use specialized instruments to test each decking sample for resistance to flexing. That ensures that boards won’t bow or bend if you’re entertaining a crowd or if you park a…
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has resigned from office less than two years after leading the Labour party to a landslide general election victory. Starmer’s popularity has tanked since the start of his premiership as Britons have faced tax hikes and spending cuts, and struggled to see the promised improvements to creaking public services. May’s…
The FDA’s announcement follows the administration’s April 2025 pledge to phase out certified color additives from the American food supply by the end of 2026—a commitment that has yet to be backed up by any regulatory directive and relies largely on voluntary industry cooperation. The timeline already appears to be slipping: On its website tracking…
With this new perspective, we find that four of the 2025 Top Picks are built in the U.S.: BMW X5, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The other six are imported and may be subject to tariffs. Of course, how each automaker will address tariffs may vary. It is possible they will…
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a six-propeller flying vehicle with a nearly eight-foot wingspan. For the next year, delivery drones operated by the British company Skyports are taking daily weekday trips across New York City’s East River, between the tip of Manhattan and a pier in Brooklyn. Since early May—a bit behind schedule—the…
The models below are the ones we would recommend to our friends and family. The most reliable vehicle is highlighted, with other highly rated models listed beneath it in order of their reliability ratings. Each has standard electronic stability control, an important safety feature. Many are also available with active safety features such as forward…
if you’ve just bought a fancy new TV, you may be surprised to find it sounds just as bad as your old one (or worse). Even the best TVs we’ve tested need a hand to provide sound that keeps up with their fantastic displays. But it can be tough knowing where to start when it…