CONSUMER REPORTS

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?

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.

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 reduced and even free service.

Consumer Reports reveals the top sunscreens after testing dozens of options between lotion and sprays.

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.

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.

High prices have hit nearly every aisle in the supermarket, but arguably no price hike has caused as much chatter as the cost of a dozen eggs.

Consumer Reports reveals its latest sleep survey and tips to improve your sleep.

Consumer Reports tests found some bottles tested positive for BPA, despite the company's BPA-free claims

We tried popular brands such as Contigo, Hydro Flask, and Yeti, but the lesser-known winner surprised us. And spoiler alert: It's the most inexpensive one.

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.

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.

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 shares top-rated pillows, sleep masks and humidifiers to improve shut-eye.

Unauthorized streams of sports, from the NFL to MLB to World Cup soccer, may be appealing, but they carry security and privacy risks.

Save money and check things off that long list.

Need some help? We're here.

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.

Consumer Reports asks experts (and a few outsiders) for options that protect your phone and more. Here’s what we learned.

Hyundai is alerting the owners of more than 44,000 SUVs of an increased risk of their vehicles catching fire while driving or parked.

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.

A Halloween warning you’ve probably never thought about.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are finally here.

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.

Over 40 million people have unpaid medical bills sent to collections and nearly half contain an error, according to Consumer Reports.

The FDA released its final rules for over-the-counter hearing aids after years of consumer anticipation.

Sending your kids to college? Consumer Reports breaks down ways to protect your investment.

The good, the bad, and Mushroom Coffee options.

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.

Thirteen percent of a typical home’s energy costs are for cooling, according to Energy Star. Here are three easy ways to rein in these expenses—even on hot summer days.

Consumer Reports puts some affordable laptops to the test and give recommendations on which ones are best for students.

More than 87 billion spam texts were sent to U.S. phone users in 2021, according to RoboKiller.

Most wine drinkers are accustomed to buying and serving wine from a bottle, but it’s not the eternal packaging for the eternal beverage.

The world is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of the disease known as monkeypox outside of the countries where it regularly circulates.

Don't break the bank sending the kids back to class.

Sunscreen labels can be confusing, which is why Consumer Reports is decoding those tubes and bottles so you can better protect your skin.

With temperatures rising, here are the best ways to stay comfortable and safe—both inside and out—even on scorching hot days.

"Feels like" temperatures will routinely spike to 110 degrees in the Orlando area, so getting in your car is a hot mess.

Cold, hard facts about air conditioning and how to make it work for you while you're on the road.

Fraud is rampant and mistakes happen. But there’s a way to protect your money when using Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, and other peer-to-peer payment methods.

Just about everything costs more right now, that goes for our groceries, supplies and anything and everything in our homes, including electricity bills. Experts at Consumer Reports share some simple tips to cut utility costs without sacrificing the comforts of home.

More Americans are trying to eat more plants or less meat — 53%, according to an August 2021 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey of 2,165 adults.

Set your calendars for July 12 and 13 for this year's Prime Day sale.

Inflation continues to batter consumers, but there are still ways to lessen the bite.

Scorching temperatures and high humidity—especially together—can pose serious health risks. Here's how to protect yourself.

Cleaning out your Gmail inbox is easier than you might think. It could save you money, too.

Maybe you’re a die-hard fan and grill year-round, but for many of us, spring and summer are the best times for a barbecue. And if your grill has seen better days, Consumer Reports is here with recommendations from its latest tests of charcoal and gas models.

Imagine if you entered a restaurant and the manager asked you to sign a contract blocking you from suing the business if everyone falls ill, and barring you from writing a bad online review. The agreement might even spell out what happens if zombies invade.

Since the pandemic began, Americans have turned to online services for everything from groceries and household supplies to doctor visits. Many have also switched to online vendors to fill their prescriptions.

With so many choices, how do you pick?

Consumer Reports offers tips on choosing the best generator, protecting your family and pets, and more.

From expert advice to the best mosquito repellents, here's what you need to prevent these pesky insects from spoiling your time outdoors.

Limiting the amount of time we spend glued to our electronic devices can be hard for adults, and it’s especially tough for kids, who often use screens for school, fun and everything in between. But as Consumer Reports explains, the same companies that create these addictive devices are offering new ways to limit screen time, giving parents some much-needed control.

Airline fees are annoying for consumers, though for airlines, they are lucrative.

If you have an air-fryer, listen up.

With gas prices at or near record highs, if you’re in the market to buy a car right now, fuel efficiency might be high on your wish-list! Consumer Reports explains there are lots of other good reasons, including fuel economy, to consider buying a hybrid vehicle.

A new investigation from Consumer Reports found potentially dangerous chemicals in many commonly used food wrappers.

Our cellphones have become our all-in-one devices for storing music, emails, pictures and videos. But you don’t want to be out of storage space and miss that all-important memory.

Doing laundry isn’t a chore that’s going to disappear anytime soon, and neither are the costs involved in doing it. But as Consumer Reports explains, a few simple, eco-friendly changes (and the right detergent) in the laundry room can help lower your energy bills.

Choosing where you buy gasoline can make a big difference in how much you’re spending to fuel your vehicle.

Rising gas prices highlight the need to squeeze every mile out of a gallon of gas.

Millions of us rely on home security systems for protection. But what if those security systems themselves are not so secure when it comes to attacks from hackers? Consumer Reports found that some of them can be disabled in a matter of seconds with a process called “jamming,” potentially putting you and your family at risk.

The cost of a new car or truck continues to climb with supply shortages and factory shutdowns due to the pandemic.

Are you one of those people who enjoy watching videos about cleaning out ears? Believe it or not, videos with the hashtag #earwax have amassed over 5 billion views on TikTok alone. And you may be surprised by the ways many people clean their ears. Consumer Reports’ experts put their ear to the ground to find out what the safest methods are for removing earwax.

For over a decade, there’s been an easy and highly effective way to prevent HIV.

Broken laptops, old cell phones, printers that stopped working years ago … Electronic waste is a big problem. One estimate from United Nations’ researchers is that only about 20 percent of it is disposed of properly. Consumer Reports has some advice on how to clear out your tech clutter safely and maybe make a little money.

Instead of tossing those threads in the trash, Consumer Reports has advice on how to sell, donate or recycle your old clothing.

Did you ever use a fake name when signing up for a new service online as a way to protect your privacy? It turns out that doesn’t do a lot to keep companies from tracking you.

If you’ve never Googled yourself, try it. You might be surprised to find out just how much personal information pops up.

The coronavirus pandemic has given phone scammers yet another opportunity to use robocalls to prey on consumers. But some new laws have been enacted to help put a stop to all those annoying calls. Plus, Consumer Reports says there are some simple things you can do, too.

Boxed wine may get a bad rap, but does a glass bottle make a difference in taste?

With cases rising, many people are scrambling for tests and information on how and when to use them.

Experts share tips for reclaiming leftover gift card balances and spending them wisely.

If you’re concerned about presents arriving in time or you can’t find what you’re looking for, Consumer Reports has some gift suggestions that are out of the box and guaranteed to be in stock.

You’ve heard all the warnings. Shipping delays and supply chain glitches are going to make holiday shopping even more difficult this year.

Consumer Reports experts pulled together the following series of test-proven tips to help drivers save money.

Consumer Reports has found the best discounts on TVs and other tech, as well as mattresses and kitchen products.

Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, so it might surprise you to learn that those life-savers can contribute to fetal injury when pregnant people are in car crashes.

Before shelling out any money for a replacement key fob, check your warranty, auto insurance, or roadside assistance coverage to see if they cover the cost of replacing lost or damaged keys.

Since the start of the pandemic, adults have spent, on average, more than 13 hours a day looking at some type of technology screen.

Many people are downloading mental health apps for support, but Consumer Reports warns, sharing deeply personal, sensitive information on some virtual platforms might not be as private as you think.

"Feels like" temperatures will routinely spike to 110 degrees in the Orlando area, so getting in your car is a hot mess.

Two key groups that offer automobile safety ratings have yanked their top endorsements from some Tesla vehicles because the company has stopped using radar on its safety systems.

Consumer Reports says it was able to easily trick a Tesla into driving in the car's Autopilot mode without a person in the driver’s seat.

DETROIT – Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey. Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020. Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.

Running an air purifier is a good idea to keep dust, smoke and other allergens at bay inside your home. But, if someone in your home is sick, can an air purifier help? Even then, an air purifier isn’t a cure-all. The 830-dollar air purifier from BlueAir is the best and fastest air purifier in CR’s particle reduction tests. This means that a particular air purifier can perform roughly five air exchanges per hour in its suggested room size.

And sometimes they’re finding masks to be a bit annoying and uncomfortable. If you wear glasses or sunglasses that are constantly fogging up, a mask with a wire sewn in at the top is your best bet. Next, are you suffering from “mask acne?” When you wear a mask for a long period of time you sweat, which causes bacteria to build up. If you’re having trouble being understood while you’re wearing a mask, CR says it’s not really a matter of speaking louder. Just make sure you’re speaking slowly and clearly, and ask other mask wearers to do the same.

You may have to reduce yourexpectations: many are now just 14 ounces. But Consumer Reports says that it's a way for them to raise prices, too,without being noticed. Some store brands still contain the traditional 64 ounces, but many of the big brands are now only 59 ounces. Consumer Reports says the problem comes down to one of perception. For years,many products came in clearly recognizable sizes––a pound of coffee, a quart ofmayonnaise.