US seeks new pedestrian safety rules aimed at increasingly massive SUVs and pickup trucks
The U.S. government’s road safety agency wants the auto industry to design new vehicles including SUVs and pickup trucks so they reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.
🚘Best used, new cars for teen drivers
Parents choosing a car for their teen driver have a tough decision to make because they need to strike a balance between cost and safety. But the latest analysis by Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that more safety is available for the money in the latest list of best used cars for teens.
🥵Got sunburn? Here’s how to treat, prevent it
Fun in the sun can come to a screeching or scorching halt with a nasty sunburn. If you’ve ever gotten one, you’ll know how unpleasant it is. Consumer Reports explains that cooling the burn correctly will help alleviate sunburn pain.
🌡️ Air conditioners working overtime? Do these things to lower your home energy bills right now
You could save over $1,000 a year by making just a few of these easy, low-cost changes around the house
🦟Best bug repellents of 2024, per consumer experts
Consumer Reports tested dozens of repellents, so it should be easy to find a way to beat the bugs that’s right for you. But not all bug sprays are effective. One factor that matters significantly: a product’s active ingredient.
🌐Internet bill confusing? New Broadband ‘Nutrition Labels’ now required by FCC to help compare prices
The FCC is ordering internet service providers to give consumers clearer information on broadband costs and speeds
😴If you snore, have Sleep Apnea, CPAP is not your only option
Be honest: Do you snore? Does your partner say you snore? Snoring is disruptive and, in some severe cases, even life-threatening. Consumer Reports looks at the sleep treatments that can give you and yours some long-awaited, uninterrupted Zzz’s.
🧹Bust dust with these Spring Cleaning essentials approved by consumer experts
That dust that’s been collecting while you were stuck indoors has got to go. But don’t try to brush it away with a feather duster—that will only make things worse. Here are some recommended dusting tools from cleaning pros and the experts at Consumer Reports who share their advice in "How to Clean Practically Anything."
Amazon, Target stop selling weighted baby blankets, sleep sacks and swaddles amid safety concerns
Amazon and Target are among retailers now ending their sales of weighted baby blankets, sleep sacks and swaddles as calls mount for more research and oversight of the products’ safety, according to Consumer Reports.
🧾Have you checked your credit report lately? Here’s how to fix errors
Imagine being turned down for a loan or paying higher interest rates due to errors on your credit report. It happens more often than you might think. Checking the accuracy of your credit report is easy to do with these steps from Consumer Reports.
🚗9 ways to lower car insurance premiums
Nationwide, the average premium increase was more than 20 percent over the past year, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. But people in some states have experienced even more pain, with rates up 88 percent in Florida according to FINN, a car subscription service company that analyzes market data. Here are ways to lower your bill.
🐾 Is pet insurance worth it? Customers, consumer experts chime in
If you think pet insurance could save money on routine checkups and emergencies, listen up. Consumer Reports found that not all pet insurance parents are satisfied, and there may be better ways to save on medical care for your furry friends.
🧻Consumer experts put paper towels to the test. Here’s which product came out on top
You rip a sheet, wipe up a mess, then toss the paper in the trash. No extra cleanup or washing, and most of the time—for small messes at least—you don’t need to reach for a second sheet. Consumer Reports put six brands to the test to reveal the best
🧃Are probiotic sodas, other so-called healthy drinks, good for you?
Functional beverages—as the drink industry likes to refer to them—often contain ingredients that were once found only in supplements or herbal teas, but are they healthy for you? Consumer experts test more than a dozen brands of probiotic sodas and other so-called healthy drinks.
Some doorbell cameras sold on Amazon and other online sites have major security flaws, report says
Consumer Reports says some doorbell cameras sold by Amazon and other online retailers have security flaws that could allow bad actors to view footage from the devices or control them completely.
🧺Repair or replace your washing machine? Consumer experts help find answer
We’ve all been there. The washer sounds like a jet engine and then suddenly stops mid-cycle. It’s the age-old question every homeowner will face... To repair or to replace? Consumer Reports helps you make the right choice for your family.
Stanley tumblers pose lead risk once button on bottom falls off
They’re big, stylish and all the rage. We’re talking about those popular Stanley Quenchers mugs. Social media made them famous, and that’s where recent posts about those tumblers containing lead are raising concerns.
🖥️ Replace cable TV for less than $25, save on streaming services
You know everything is more expensive these days, including how much you pay to watch TV. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to slash your streaming bill but find a way to still see your favorite shows, Consumer Reports shares five tips.
💳 Buy now, pay later regrets? Here’s what you need to know
For Christmas shoppers who signed up for those buy now, pay later plans, the holidays are over and it’s time to pay up — maybe more than you expected. Consumer Reports is here to make sense of these short-term loans with important advice on how to dodge costly fees and what to do next time.
🚘 Most reliable cars of 2023, per consumer experts
With today’s stubbornly high auto prices and interest rates, buying a car, whether it’s new or used, is a high-stakes financial decision. Consumer Reports is here to help with its just-released exclusive car reliability report of cars that owners consider the most reliable and the ones that are regulars at the repair shop.
💳Never pay hospital bills with a medical credit card. Here are 5 reasons why
Nearly 100 million adult Americans carry some form of medical debt, according to figures from a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation national survey. And more and more commonly, patients are being steered to financial products like high-interest credit cards or loans designed expressly to help pay for medical expenses. Consumer experts are warning, think twice before getting a medical credit card.
Best nanny cams, baby monitors per consumer experts
Out of over 70 models, Consumer Reports picks the best nanny cams, honing in on cameras that perform well data security tests — since privacy is critical with these cameras — and have features well-suited for keeping an eye on kids and caregivers and babies.
👓Need new glasses? Expert advice on frames, lenses, coatings and more
These days, buying eyeglasses can be complicated—especially if you’re looking for options beyond those your eye doctor sells. Consumer experts break down everything you need to know about shopping for spectacles in-person or online while saving money.
🧂 Swap the salt: How these salt substitutes really taste
If you’re trying to cut back on sodium, you’ve probably gotten the advice to cook with plenty of herbs and spices. But it can sometimes still feel like something’s missing. Consumer experts test and review salt alternatives.
🚗 Guide to leasing vs. buying a new car, per consumer experts
The average price of a new car is over $48,000! So, it’s no wonder leasing this year will account for 21% of new vehicle sales. Consumer experts break down benefits of leasing versus buying a new car.
Best pet insurance providers, per consumer experts
In a first-ever evaluation for Consumer Reports, eight pet insurance providers were rated based on a survey of 2,061 Consumer Reports members with insured pets, looking at things such as how much the premium cost, the claims process, and whether people had choice in which vets to see.
👶Used baby car seats, cribs: Are they safe?
Having a baby brings many joys—and expenses. It’s tempting to save by buying secondhand or accepting a freebie from a friend, and that may be fine for onesies. But going for secondhand gear is generally not a good idea when it comes to certain infant and toddler products, including three essential investments: car seats, strollers, and cribs.
📵Take control of your child’s social media use on phones, computers
More teens are depressed compared to 10 years ago, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory issued in May 2023 indicates that social media may be playing a role in the teen mental health crisis. Consumer Reports explains how we can help our teens control their social media consumption with some small steps at home.
🚸Front blind spots in trucks, SUVs pose danger for kids
Pickup trucks and crossover SUVs dominate our roadways. And as pickup trucks and large SUVs grow in size, so does the risk to people around them — when drivers hit people directly in front of them because of dangerous blind zones just past the hood.
💸 Cash in on these student discounts all year long
College life can be stressful - loans, textbooks, and living on a budget can take a toll. The good news: There are lots of discounts for students, but sometimes you have to know where to look to find them.
🚘In the market for a car? Avoid these dealer fees
Purchasing a new car is stressful enough, so it helps to go into a showroom knowing which of the charges that show up on your bill are unavoidable, which can be negotiated, and which you can skip altogether.
🦻OTC vs. prescription hearing aids: What you need to know
With FDA approved over the counter options available, you can now get less expensive hearing aids from drug stores like Walgreens Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering over-the-counter hearing aids.
🥫 Healthy or hype? Food labels explained by consumer experts
Food labels can be confusing, and telling the difference between similar-sounding claims on food packages is sometimes downright baffling. Consumer experts break down food label lingo and which ones to pass on.
🦟5 top-tested bug sprays, repellents of 2023
This year we have 53 repellents in our ratings and 22 recommended ones, so it’s easy to find a way to beat the bugs that’s right for you. But not all bug sprays are effective. One factor that matters significantly: a product’s active ingredient.
✈️Top-rated airlines, travel buying guide from consumer experts
High fares. Hidden fees. Long security lines. Shrinking seats. Crowded cabins. There’s room for improvement, especially if you’re sitting in coach, according to Consumer Reports members who responded to our most recent airline survey.
🚘7 ways to keep you car insurance costs down
Feeling the pain of high car insurance costs every single month? And with auto premiums recently rising higher than inflation, Consumer Reports says it’s more important than ever to find ways to lower your bill. The good news is, they found cost saving tips that actually work.
🧺Top-tested detergents: Here’s how often you need to do laundry
Think you do a lot of laundry? Believe it or not, the average family does about 300 loads of laundry per year. That’s about five loads every week! One way to cut back: Don’t wash your clothes as often. But how long can we really go before we need to wash everyday items?
👮Can police ask for your doorbell video? Know your rights
As video doorbells and home security cameras grow in popularity, police departments are increasingly asking for homeowners’ videos. But can they get it without your permission? Consumer Reports breaks down the ways law enforcement can access your videos.
💻These programs offer free in-home internet, hot spots in Florida
It’s turned from a luxury to a necessity - internet access. If you can't afford in-home high-speed internet, there are some programs that offer discounted and even free service.
🌱Top-tested lawnmowers: Gas vs. electric
Maybe you’re looking for your first lawnmower or it’s time for an upgrade. Whatever the case, Consumer Reports experts put dozens to the test to find the cream of the crop when it comes to performance and your budget.
🌭5 signs your gas grill is over the hill, needs to be replaced
Even if you keep it clean and covered, grills don't last forever. So, when is it time for a new one? Consumer Reports reveals five signs it may be time to replace your grill.
🚘Top 10 cars of 2023, per consumer experts
To find the top vehicles of 2023, the experts at Consumer Reports drove more than 200 vehicles, and sorted through mounds of exclusive data from more than 50 tests including safety, reliability and owner satisfaction.
Pregnant women should never eat canned tuna due to high mercury levels, study suggests
A recent Consumer Reports study of mercury levels in five popular canned tuna brands resulted in recommendations that pregnant women avoid eating the staple seafood altogether, citing generally high levels of the neurotoxin in some cans and unpredictable spikes in others.
🥄Store brand dupes for name brand foods, grocery savings
Is Walmart’s ketchup just as tasty—for less cash—as Heinz? Is Costco’s yogurt as creamy as Chobani? Here, how 70 grocery store brands compare with the iconic staples you’ve bought for years.
Consumer Reports survey: Hybrids are most reliable vehicles
Gas-electric hybrids were the most dependable vehicles sold in the U.S. in the past year, while big pickup trucks and fully electric automobiles performed the worst in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey.
Hyundai recalls 44K vehicles over fire risk. How to know if your car is under recall
Hyundai is alerting the owners of more than 44,000 SUVs of an increased risk of their vehicles catching fire while driving or parked.
💊The collagen craze, does it work?
Here’s yet another trend to add to your list, collagen. Promising younger looking skin and flexible joints, Consumer Reports says this craze may actually have some benefits, and reveals what the collagen fuss is all about.
Hurricane Ian: How to spot real, fake donation requests
On Monday, GoFundMe told News 6 the site has collectively raised approximately $9 million dollars for Hurricane Ian victims through verified and trusted fundraising pages vetted by the company itself.
🔌Nearly half of Americans unaware of incentives for electric vehicles, survey says
With gas prices taking a toll on people’s wallets, Consumer Reports (CR) has a new survey of what Americans think about battery electric vehicles (EVs) and low carbon fuels. The nationally representative survey of 8,027 American consumers, which was fielded in late January and February, is the largest national survey sample in the history of CR, the nonprofit consumer research, testing, and advocacy organization.