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Consumer Reports

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Smart Budget Tech: 8 Consumer Reports–Approved Gadgets Under $50
technology2 hours ago

Smart Budget Tech: 8 Consumer Reports–Approved Gadgets Under $50

Consumer Reports spotlights eight affordable tech picks under $50 that earned CR Recommended status, spanning Anker and INIU portable chargers, Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streaming devices, Tribit StormBox Mini+ portable speaker, Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones, JBL Tune 660NC, and the Tractive GPS Dog LTE Tracker. The lineup emphasizes value for money with caveats such as occasional USB-C pop-out on the Anker charger, no Dolby Atmos on the Roku, bass-forward tuning on the JBL headphones, and subscription needs for the pet tracker. Overall, these are solid, budget-friendly options across charging, streaming, audio, and pet tech.

Arsenic in Rice Persists Across Brands, but a Simple Cooking Method Reduces Exposure
health2 days ago

Arsenic in Rice Persists Across Brands, but a Simple Cooking Method Reduces Exposure

Consumer Reports tested 52 rice products and found inorganic arsenic in every sample, with brown rice typically higher than white and basmati/sushi varieties among the lowest. There has been no consistent market-wide drop since 2014, and regulators are urged to set limits on all rice products. CR recommends choosing lower-arsenic varieties, using a parboiling/absorption cooking method (which cut inorganic arsenic by about 50–58%), rotating grains to diversify sources, and being mindful of rice-based side dishes and water quality to reduce overall exposure.

Samsung OLED 65-Inch Leads Consumer Reports’ Budget TV List for 2026
technology20 days ago

Samsung OLED 65-Inch Leads Consumer Reports’ Budget TV List for 2026

Consumer Reports names the Samsung QN65S84FA OLED 4K 65-inch TV as the top pick under $1,000 for 2026, praising its overall picture quality, color accuracy, HDR performance, and strong viewing angles with surprisingly good built-in sound; CR notes some drawbacks like a crowded Tizen OS, occasional brightness shifts, and connectivity quirks, and advises buyers to test speakers first and consider room lighting before placement.

CR finds varying quality in popular fish oil supplements
health1 month ago

CR finds varying quality in popular fish oil supplements

Consumer Reports tested 20 popular fish oil supplements and found no major safety issues like heavy-metal contamination, but some products showed rancidity or contained less omega-3 than claimed. Several manufacturers challenged the testing or noted their products meet standards, while the piece also questions whether most people need fish oil supplements at all, suggesting dietary omega-3s from fish are preferable and stressing proper storage if supplements are used.

AirPods Max 2 Tops Consumer Reports’ Audio Quality Scores in Wireless NC Headphones
technology1 month ago

AirPods Max 2 Tops Consumer Reports’ Audio Quality Scores in Wireless NC Headphones

Consumer Reports crowned Apple's AirPods Max 2 as the top-sounding wireless, noise-canceling headphones, giving it a perfect sound-quality score and tying for the best overall score thanks to the new H2 chip’s improvements in bass, vocal clarity, and soundstage, plus Adaptive Audio for ANC and a Loud Sound Reduction feature. The Max 2 also offers wired, lossless playback via USB‑C and enhanced call quality via Voice Isolation. Bose and Sony did not lead in audio quality this round, and reviewers view the Max 2 as a meaningful upgrade over the original AirPods Max.

Consumer Reports Picks Lemon Eucalyptus as Top Non-DEET Bug Repellent
science1 month ago

Consumer Reports Picks Lemon Eucalyptus as Top Non-DEET Bug Repellent

Consumer Reports names Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent the leading non-DEET option, scoring 90% in lab tests and matching DEET performance for up to 6 hours of protection while avoiding surface damage; it’s praised for its pleasant scent and has strong Amazon reviews, positioning plant-based repellents as credible alternatives to DEET.

Subaru Crosstrek Named Best Subcompact SUV, But Its Classification Sparks Debate
automotive2 months ago

Subaru Crosstrek Named Best Subcompact SUV, But Its Classification Sparks Debate

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek earned Consumer Reports' top subcompact SUV thanks to a comfortable ride and a new 36-mpg hybrid, with a starting price around $28,415. However, the piece notes the Crosstrek is essentially an Impreza with extra ground clearance, prompting discussion about whether it should be classified as a subcompact SUV, a compact crossover, or simply a lifted hatchback.

CR Ranks Hearing Aid Brands: Five Best and Five Worst Revealed
technology3 months ago

CR Ranks Hearing Aid Brands: Five Best and Five Worst Revealed

Consumer Reports evaluated 20 hearing aid brands across 10 categories using feedback from over 13,000 people, naming Philips, Jabra, Rexton, Phonak, and Oticon as the best five and Audibel, Miracle Ear, Signia (Siemens), Beltone, and MDHearing as the worst five. The article notes wide price ranges and model variation, highlights pros and cons across comfort, clarity, battery life, and service, and emphasizes that no specific models are recommended.

CR Names Midea Washer as 2025's Worst Performer
technology4 months ago

CR Names Midea Washer as 2025's Worst Performer

Consumer Reports’ 2025 washing-machine tests found several models underperform, with the Midea MLTW41A1BWW rated the worst for cleaning performance and noise; Midea ranked 14th out of 20 brands, while GE, LG, and Speed Queen led the pack. The article also notes Midea’s wide product range and urges shoppers to compare features and be wary of signs of impending breakdown like increased noise, leaks, or smells.

49 Infant Formulas: Mixed Safety Findings on Lead and Arsenic
health4 months ago

49 Infant Formulas: Mixed Safety Findings on Lead and Arsenic

Consumer Reports tested 49 ready-to-feed, concentrated, and powdered infant formulas and found that about half had low or undetected contaminants, while 26 formulas contained inorganic arsenic or lead at concerning levels. The results show a mix of safer, affordable options (especially among ready-to-feed liquids) and products with notable contamination, plus some hypoallergenic formulas performing poorly. The report underscores the need for more transparent, frequent testing and regulatory action in the U.S., notes EU limits for context, and advises parents to consult pediatricians and be cautious with imported formulas not under FDA oversight.

CR Tests Put Hankook on Par with Michelin in Key Areas
business4 months ago

CR Tests Put Hankook on Par with Michelin in Key Areas

Consumer Reports’ review finds Hankook tires ranking well overall, sometimes outperforming Michelin in wet braking and handling for the Hankook Kinergy XP versus Michelin Defender 2, and showing Hankook advantages in dry braking, ice braking, and noise in all-terrain tests against Michelin LTX A/T2; Michelin tops the overall chart and has better tread life, while Hankook’s warranties are strong and several Hankook tires are CR Recommended. However, owner satisfaction with Hankook tires tends to be middling or low, highlighting a gap between expert testing and consumer sentiment.