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41 Articles

Protecting Your Pocketbook

INFLATION HAS HAD a terrible impact on our money, forcing Americans to reconsider everything from what we buy at the grocery store to whether to purchase a new home. It’s a reminder that, as a consumer-powered organization, protecting your pocketbook is a critical part of our mission. That’s why CR provides trusted tips on products and services at prices that won’t bust your budget. From Amazon Prime Day to Black Friday—and every big sale in between—we advise you on the best deals out there. And while our top-rated items are those that work the best and last the longest, we use the CR Smart Buy label to highlight the top-rated products that offer great value for the money. Beyond the countless products we can purchase online, today’s marketplace also includes new digital…

Protecting Your Pocketbook

Building a Better World, Together

Fighting for Safer Food In October, California passed a law banning four chemicals from being used in food and drinks sold or made in the state. Each of the substances—brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propyl paraben, and Red Dye No. 3—has been linked to serious health problems, including a higher risk of cancer, heart and liver problems, and developmental and reproductive issues. All are banned in the European Union. The measure, which was co-sponsored by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group, does not go into effect until January 2027. For now, the chemicals remain in hundreds of supermarket products, according to the EWG’s Food Scores database, including some citrus-flavored sodas (BVO), packaged breads (potassium bromate), baked goods (propyl paraben), and artificially colored candy (Red Dye No. 3). A similar bill has been…

Building a Better World, Together

Our November/December 2023 article “Quick Fixes for Annoying Kitchen Problems” offered ways to make this important room safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable to work in. Readers shared their thoughts and questions. To add yours, head to CR.org/kitchenfixes. YOU PROVIDE MANY useful tips. One of them, which we employed when we moved into our home two years ago, was to replace all incandescent bulbs with [longer-lasting] LED bulbs. However, our experience has been that the lights do not last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs [as stated in the article] or the 13 to 22 years advertised on [some] manufacturer’s boxes. We have eight recessed lights in our kitchen ceiling. Five of the eight have failed within two years! We have had similar experiences with LED bulbs in other fixtures. The…

How can I extend the life of my microwave oven?

TO AVOID REPLACING your microwave more than once every 10 years—which is how long most manufacturers tell us they should last—you’ll need to be mindful of how you use and clean it, especially if you have an over-the-range (OTR) model, which can be tricky to replace and cost hundreds to repair. Try not to slam the door closed, which can break its latches. Sponge up spills as they occur; bits of food left inside can absorb the microwave’s energy when you use it again, creating a hot spot that can damage the interior. For OTR models, clean the grease filter every few months by soaking it in hot water with a few drops of dish soap. A dirty filter can cause the fan to run less efficiently and can be…

How can I extend the life of my microwave oven?

What We’re Testing in Our Labs …

Smartphones WE TESTED: 54 models WE TEST FOR: A phone’s calling, texting, and web browsing performance; its video quality and battery life; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 75 Range: 38-87 THE LATEST FOR APPLE USERS Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,199 87 OVERALL SCORE TOP-RATED ANDROID Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $1,099 85 OVERALL SCORE A BARGAIN BUY One Plus 10 Pro 5G $440 78 OVERALL SCORE Microwave Ovens WE TESTED: 139 countertop and over-the-range models WE TEST FOR: How evenly a model reheats cold mashed potatoes and defrosts 1 lb. of frozen ground chuck; speed of heating; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 65 Range: 25-86 GREAT OVER-THE-RANGE LG MVEL2033F $400 79 OVERALL SCORE BEST MIDSIZED COUNTERTOP Breville Smooth Wave BMO850BSS1BUC1 $400 73 OVERALL SCORE LARGE COUNTERTOP FOR LESS Vissani EC042A2KJ $200 72 OVERALL SCORE Soundbars WE TESTED: 38 full-featured models WE TEST FOR: How easy it is to use; its sound quality; the types of features it offers (like surround sound); and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 56 Range:…

What We’re Testing in Our Labs …

Ask Our Experts

My den is always chilly. Should I turn up the heat in the whole house or just use a space heater in one room? USING A SPACE HEATER can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room—and is likely to be less expensive than cranking up your central heating system. But a space heater is only economical if you use it judiciously. That’s because, in general, electric heat is pricier than natural gas (which is the most common type of whole-home heating fuel). Keep in mind that many of the space heaters we’ve tested are claimed to heat only about 150 to 200 square feet, and most use 1,500 watts when on the highest heat setting, which costs about $2 per 8-hour day or over $50 a…

Ask Our Experts

The Best Relief for a Bad Cold

DRUGSTORE AISLES are filled with cold medicines promising to help reduce your congestion, coughing, and body aches. But in September 2023, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel declared that the decongestant phenylephrine (an ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter cold medicines like DayQuil and Sudafed PE) was ineffective when taken orally. But the products shown here—combined with rest and drinking plenty of fluids—can help you feel less stuffy and achy. Also try using a steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone, or, for coughs, dextromethorphan (an OTC cough suppressant). HONEY Adding a teaspoon or two of honey to herbal tea will help soothe a sore throat—plus, a 2014 review suggests that honey may also ease coughs. “I suggest having honey about an hour before bed,” says Sarah Nosal, MD, an assistant professor of…

The Best Relief for a Bad Cold

4 Surprising Things Your TV Can Do

THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD in the U.S. has at least one “smart” internet-connected TV, which can have content streamed straight to it. If you have a smart TV in your home, are you taking full advantage of all the great features it has to offer? Check out these amazing skills and start using them today. 1. It Can Respond to Your Voice Commands Rather than clicking through menus, a lot of TVs now let you control certain functions using your voice—usually through a built-in virtual assistant like Amazon’s Alexa (on all Fire TVs) and Google Assistant (available on many models, including Hisense, LG, Samsung, and more). Roku TVs can also be controlled by voice (through a microphone in the remote). Most will let you turn the TV on or off, search for content,…

4 Surprising Things Your TV Can Do

Time Traveler PLASTICS

1933 Research by E.W. Fawcett and R.O. Gibson leads to the discovery of low-density polyethylene, the most common plastic in the world. It’s used in shampoo bottles, milk cartons, and garbage bags. 1941 Many refrigerators are made with plastic parts instead of metal ones. CR finds that, in general, these fridges cost less and are more efficient. 1953 Saran Wrap, originally developed to protect Army equipment in transit during World War II, hits store shelves as a plastic wrap for American consumers. 1966 We test luggage and find that plastic cases are the most durable type. Wards Safari travel case rates the best of the 18 models we test. 1972 We test dining sets and find that chairs upholstered with plastic-coated fabric are easier to keep clean and are tougher than woven fabric. 1980 CR tests 36 glass- and plastic-bottled waters…

Time Traveler PLASTICS

What Makes a Pie Pan Great

BAKING A PIE can be delicate work, and choosing the right pan is essential for success. To find out which type is the best to bake with, CR staffer Jodhaira Rodriguez made the same strawberry pie using pans made from ceramic, glass, aluminized steel, and disposable aluminum foil. She was looking for a golden, flaky crust and a perfectly baked, not-soggy bottom, which held together when sliced into and didn’t stick to the pan. Rodriguez used premade refrigerated pie crusts and two cans of strawberry filling in every pan (all the pans we tried were 9 to 10 inches in diameter) and baked them for 45 minutes on the middle rack of an electric oven. She also noted whether the pans were easily scratched. After a full day of baking,…

What Makes a Pie Pan Great

Which Peanut Butter Tastes Best?

MANY OF US grew up eating classics like Jif or Skippy, but these days you may crave something a little less sweet—and perhaps healthier, too. Just 2 tablespoons of creamy Skippy peanut butter contains half a teaspoon of added sugars and around 150 mg of sodium. Plus, many classic peanut butters are made with hydrogenated vegetable oil, which means they contain saturated fats. “Natural” peanut butters, on the other hand, typically have no (or fewer) sugars and less salt. And some newer natural-style peanut butters are made with palm oil, which has slightly less saturated fat and, depending on how much is used, often results in a softer texture. We checked out several creamy versions of these natural-style jars and found a winner for every palate. SWEET WITH A COARSE TEXTURE Sweet Ella’s…

Which Peanut Butter Tastes Best?

THE BEST CAR BATTERIES will start your car in all types of weather for three to six years before they need replacing. But even top-rated models weaken over time, leaving you occasionally stranded and in need of a jump-start. High temperatures actually degrade a battery more than low temps. But in the cold, fluids like motor oil become more viscous, making it harder to crank the engine—and that can kill a weak battery. “If you leave the lights on even for a few minutes and the battery goes flat, it’s likely time to replace it,” says John Ibbotson, CR’s chief mechanic. Our ratings, below, can help you find the best models for the size your car needs. There are two types of battery on the market to choose from: a…

How to Stand Up Straighter

HAS MAINTAINING good posture become more of a challenge for you lately? A hunched-over, forward-leaning stance—called hyperkyphosis—does become more common with age. About 20 to 40 percent of people older than age 60 and 55 percent of people over 70 have a difficult time standing up straight. Plus, technology may be making your posture worse: 46 percent of adults in the U.S. spend 5 to 6 hours a day looking at their cell phones, and 11 percent do so for 7 or more hours (all outside of offices). “Computers and texting encourage a forward head position and make it harder to maintain good posture,” says Lynne Hughes, PhD, PT, an associate professor in the department of physical therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. If hunching over…

How to Stand Up Straighter

TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT RECALLS FOR YOUR VEHICLES, READERS WITH MEMBERSHIP CAN USE OUR FREE CAR RECALL TRACKER AT CR.ORG/MORE. TOYOTA RAV4 SUVs Toyota is recalling 1,853,568 2013-2018 RAV4 SUVs because some 12-volt replacement batteries have smaller top dimensions than the original battery and may not be properly secured. If the hold-down clamp isn’t tightened correctly for the smaller size, the battery could move during aggressive driving, enabling the positive battery terminal to contact the clamp and short-circuit, risking fire. What to do: Toyota dealerships will replace the parts at no charge. Owners may call Toyota customer support at 800-331-4331. The NHTSA number for this recall is 23V734. INSIGNIA PRESSURE COOKERS Best Buy is recalling about 930,000 Insignia pressure cookers because the cooker has incorrect volume markings on the inner pot. This can cause users…

Vacuuming Just Got a Lot Easier

CORDLESS MIELE TRIFLEX HX1 FACELIFT SMUL1 $600 77 OVERALL SCORE CANISTER KENMORE 200 SERIES BC4002 $250 76 OVERALL SCORE UPRIGHT SHARK VERTEX DUOCLEAN AZ2002 $480 75 OVERALL SCORE LET’S BE HONEST: Vacuuming may never be a task you look forward to. But the newest upright and canister models in our ratings can at least help you get the job done faster and better. They have high-powered suction that excels at grabbing grit from hardwood floors and eliminating embedded dirt from carpet. They come with tools that yank pet hair out of crevices and shoo dust bunnies from under your furniture. And they boast convenient, adjustable features that make them more versatile and easier to use. They’ve also become better at sealing all of the dust they pick up inside their collection canister or bag, which is great news for allergy sufferers. Even…

Vacuuming Just Got a Lot Easier

CAN A ROBOVAC REPLACE A CANISTER OR UPRIGHT?

THE ANSWER? NOT YET. Performance has improved enough to make robotic models adequate for light routine cleaning, but they can only clear away surface dirt. They won’t get down into the fibers of carpet and rugs, and some can scatter dirt around on hard floors. But prices have come way down (by as much as half). They can be handy helpers between deep-cleaning sessions with a regular vacuum—and it’s fun to watch them work while you do something more enjoyable. There is a bit of a learning curve with robotics. While our top models can maneuver their way around obstacles like extension cords and slip under furniture, some can’t. So you’ll have to prep the room by removing small items like shoes and pet toys from the floor before sending your…

CAN A ROBOVAC REPLACE A CANISTER OR UPRIGHT?

The Safer, Better Way to Clean Your Stairs

WITH THE EXCEPTION of the pesky cobwebs that gather in the corners of your ceilings, stairs may be the most challenging place to vacuum. Hauling a heavy appliance up and down is no picnic, and the cord poses a tripping hazard. While uprights are the vacuum of choice for carpeted floors, they’re difficult—and possibly unsafe—to maneuver on stairs. Canisters are a bit less clunky because you can hold the hose and brush in one hand and prop the body up vertically on a landing or stair as you work. “To ensure stability while cleaning, consider placing one foot on one step and the other on the next. This approach offers enhanced support and balance,” says Juan Alberto Arguello, PhD, CR’s program leader for product safety and sustainability. “Keep track of the…

The Safer, Better Way to Clean Your Stairs

Get to Know Your Vacuum’s Attachments

ALMOST ALL UPRIGHT and canister vacuums come with a variety of attachments—extra brushes, hoses, and other tools—to make it easier to clean more than just the floor. If yours came without attachments, you can probably order them from the manufacturer’s website. “These tools are meant to help clean different surfaces and difficult-to-reach spaces,” says Frank Rizzi, who conducts Consumer Reports’ vacuum tests. He adds that some brands offer specialized attachments, like pet hair power brushes and flexible crevice tools. Before you buy a new vacuum, check to see if the attachments it comes with fit your needs.…

Get to Know Your Vacuum’s Attachments

HOW WE TEST: Overall Score combines test results with survey data for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Predicted reliability estimates the likelihood that newly purchased models from a given brand will develop problems or break within the first five years. Owner satisfaction reflects the proportion of CR members who are extremely likely to recommend the vacuum they bought. In cases where we have insufficient survey data, indicated by a gray dash (–), we give the model weighted category average reliability and satisfaction scores. In our performance tests for uprights and canisters, we lift embedded sand from medium-pile carpet and suck up sand from bare floors. We use the same carpet test for stick vacs and use cereal, rice, and sand for bare floors. We use fine wood flour to see…

How to Eat Less Plastic

By the time you open a container of yogurt, the food has taken a long journey to reach your spoon. You may have some idea of that journey: From cow to processing to packaging to store shelves. But at each step, there is a chance for a little something extra to sneak in, a stowaway of sorts that shouldn’t be there. That unexpected ingredient is something called a plasticizer: a chemical used to make plastic more flexible and durable. Today, plasticizers—the most common of which are called phthalates—show up inside almost all of us, right along with other chemicals found in plastic, such as bisphenols like BPA. These have been linked to a long list of health concerns, even at very low levels. Consumer Reports has investigated bisphenols and phthalates in food…

How to Eat Less Plastic

HOW PLASTIC CHEMICALS GET INTO FOOD

ENVIRONMENT Plastic trash in landfills can degrade, allowing chemicals to leach into water and soil. Incineration and production of plastic can release chemicals into the air. Microplastics may be generated during production, use, or disposal, eventually entering your food. AGRICULTURE Animals such as cows may consume water and plants contaminated with plasticizers. Plastic mulch is sometimes used to suppress the growth of weeds, then plowed right into the fields. Plants can drink up plasticizers from the soil, right along with the nutrients they need to grow. PROCESSING Pasteurization requires high temperatures that may speed up leaching. Flexible plastic tubing may be used in the processing of milk and oils. Vinyl gloves can contain more than one-third plasticizers by weight. Conveyor belts, which move food as it’s processed, may be plasticized. PACKAGING Bisphenols can show up in food packaging, including lined metal…

HOW PLASTIC CHEMICALS GET INTO FOOD

Less Plastic in Your Food …

Limiting exposure to phthalates isn’t as simple as avoiding particular types of packaging, because these chemicals can enter your food long before it is packaged. The best solution, says Maricel Maffini, PhD, a chemical safety expert and the author of a recent study of phthalate risks, would be for manufacturers and regulators to ensure that our food was safe, so we wouldn’t “have to make these decisions when we go to the grocery store.” But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless now. Reducing your overall exposure to the chemicals in plastic—including bisphenols and phthalates—may help you avoid some of the risks. These six steps can help. Avoid plastic food storage containers. If you do use them, don’t heat them in the microwave, and avoid using them to store hot food, because heat can…

Less Plastic in Your Food …

… And in Your World

Food is not the only way you’re exposed to bisphenols and phthalates, so if you want to reduce your exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, you have to think broadly. Phthalates, for example, which are a viscous liquid in their raw form, are also a common ingredient in perfumes, cleansers, shampoos, and other cosmetics, and are sometimes used in flooring and furniture. Bisphenols and phthalates are also often found in household dust. Here are a few smart steps you can take. Go fragrancefree. Soap, cosmetics, and cleaners with fragrances often use phthalates, especially DEP, as a solvent. Open your windows. Because phthalates can be used in furniture, shower curtains, and flooring, they can accumulate in household dust, which you can then inhale. “Ventilation is important,” says Akhgar Ghassabian, MD, PhD, at the NYU Grossman School of…

Plastic Chemicals in Popular Foods: What Our Tests Showed

The grocery store foods and fast foods CR tested are listed in order of total phthalates per serving. While there is no level that scientists have confirmed as safe, lower levels are better. Our results show that although the chemicals are widespread in our food, levels can vary dramatically even among similar products, so in some cases you may be able to use our chart to choose products with lower levels. (Not all tested foods are shown in this chart.) *Includes the 10 phthalates we tested for: BBP, DBP, DiBP, DCHP, DEP, DEHP, DnHP, DMP, DiNP, and DNOP. We also tested for three chemicals used as phthalate substitutes (DEHA, DEHT, and DINCH), and three bisphenols (BPA, BPS, and BPF), which are not shown in this chart.…

Plastic Chemicals in Popular Foods: What Our Tests Showed

WHY CHEMICAL SUBSTITUTES MAY NOT BE BETTER

WHILE CR FOUND high levels of phthalates in many foods, we found even higher levels of several chemicals that have been developed to replace those phthalates. Researchers say that although little is known about these substitutes, some may pose similar risks. This phenomenon—industry replacing a dangerous chemical with a newer one that might not be any safer—is so common that it has its own name: regrettable substitution. In our tests, we found both phthalates and their replacements in many products, with the alternatives often at much higher concentrations. That was especially true for fast foods. For example, a chicken burrito with rice and beans from Moe’s Southwest Grill had 48 parts per billion (ppb) total phthalates—and 15,351 ppb phthalate substitutes. That’s 320 times as much. Environmental health experts have seen this scenario…

WHY CHEMICAL SUBSTITUTES MAY NOT BE BETTER

SAVE AND SPEND MORE SAFELY ONLINE

WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY, I’m not what you’d call an early adopter. I still read books in print. I resist texting in favor of phone calls. And I have conducted little of my financial life online, which is ironic because I’ve been a personal finance journalist for a long time. But moments before writing this, I deposited my first check—a $15 insurance reimbursement—using a banking app. It was absurdly simple to do, and I instantly felt silly for clinging so long to my practice of trudging over to my bank branch to make deposits. If you too have resisted using digital tools to manage money, it may be time to reconsider. From sending money to loved ones and paying your bills to splitting a check at a restaurant, digital tools make…

SAVE AND SPEND MORE SAFELY ONLINE

How to Protect Your Privacy

Another concern about financial technology is that it could leak your personal information—not only to marketers but also potentially to businesses, data brokers, and even governments that could use it inappropriately. What to do about it? Start by limiting the information your phone shares with the app. On an iPhone, go to Settings, scroll to the app in question, then deny it access to any features it doesn’t need to function, such as location tracking; on Android phones, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Permission Manager, then permission type. Check the privacy settings within the apps as well. With Venmo, for example, the “private” setting will prevent all the world from knowing with whom you exchange money. But those controls generally do not prevent apps from sharing your info with third parties that…

How to Protect Your Privacy

YOUR HEALTHY COOKING TOOLKIT

HEALTHY COOKING AT HOME generally requires more fresh stuff—vegetables, fruits, proteins—and that means more washing, chopping, preparation, and cleanup. That might explain why many people think that making healthy meals is a tall order. According to a 2023 national survey by the Cleveland Clinic, nearly half of Americans view nutritious food as expensive, and nearly a quarter of us think we don’t have time to prepare healthy meals. Doing the job efficiently and getting the most from the fresh foods you buy comes down, in large part, to the gear. Having the right tools in your kitchen can make the job easier—and save you time and money. On the following pages we’ll walk you through the everyday equipment that experts, including CR’s own testers, reporters, and food safety pros, use at home. COMPACT…

YOUR HEALTHY COOKING TOOLKIT

HARDWORKING COUNTERTOP APPLIANCES

RICE COOKER If whole grains are a staple of your diet, this appliance automates anything from basic brown rice to fancy ancient grains to steel cut oats—and does the job better than a multi-cooker. “Even the rice cookers at the bottom of our ratings make rice better than a multi-cooker,” says Larry Cuifo, a CR test engineer. One thing to note: CR’s past tests of rice found high levels of arsenic in a variety of them. Our advice is to always rinse your rice before cooking, says Tunde Akinleye, a chemist and CR food safety tester. INSTANT ZEST 8-CUP RICE COOKER $30 70 OVERALL SCORE AIR FRYER You can roast, bake, or “fry” a variety of foods in less time than it takes in an oven or on a cooktop—with very little fat. “An air fryer…

HARDWORKING COUNTERTOP APPLIANCES

UNDER-THE-COUNTER INTELLIGENCE

1 A BENCH SCRAPER Traditionally used for handling dough or scraping bowls and surfaces, this is surprisingly handy for transferring large quantities of chopped ingredients (scooping up and moving garlic, peppers, onions, and so on from cutting board to pot as you’re making chili, for example). The dishwasher-safe Chef’n Pastrio Bench Chopper Set (set of three, $13, amazon.com) nests for easy storage. 2 APPLE CORER It’s the secret to prepping a pile of apples for a pie quickly. One swift move and you’ve got perfect slices. The Prepworks Apple and Pear Slicer ($22, amazon.com) has raised handles and a hinged cover for safe storage. 3 MEASURING SPOONS AND 4 CUPS (2 SETS OF EACH) You won’t have to pause to wash up midrecipe if you have an extra set. Sur La Table’s set of six…

UNDER-THE-COUNTER INTELLIGENCE

FOOD STORAGE PROBLEMS, SOLVED

Q: If one berry goes bad, do you have to throw away the whole batch? A: No. But remove any pieces that have turned, and give their neighbors a close look for any signs of mold. “One bad berry will ruin the entire batch quickly,” Hope says. Then wash the remaining produce before you use it. Q: Lettuce and greens never seem to last. What’s the best way to maximize their shelf life? A: Wash greens and dry them thoroughly before you throw them in the fridge. (See our salad spinner pick on page 38.) If you don’t plan to use them soon, wrap the lettuce leaves in a dry paper towel and place them in a storage container. “Excessive moisture is the biggest enemy for most produce,” Hope says. “And that paper…

FOOD STORAGE PROBLEMS, SOLVED

THE BEST WAYS TO STOP A HEADACHE

YOUR HEAD HURTS. Maybe you were staring at your computer or phone too long. Or you skipped breakfast, or didn’t sleep well, or got stressed fighting traffic. But now that it’s here, what can you do to get rid of that headache, and when is it a sign of something more serious? From drugs to natural cures to behavioral therapy, we have more treatments to relieve head pain than ever. And that’s important because almost everyone gets headaches, and some of us get them often. In fact, a 2022 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey of 2,185 adult Americans found that 88 percent say they get a headache at least sometimes, and 1 in 5 get them at least once a week. But people often minimize how severe the problem is and don’t…

THE BEST WAYS TO STOP A HEADACHE

Why Migraines Are Tough to Treat

RESEARCHERS NOW KNOW that migraines are not, as previously thought, a psychological disorder unique to high-strung women, or even a problem of impaired blood flow to the brain. Instead, they are understood as part of a central nervous system disorder that inflames nerve fibers in the blood vessels lining the brain’s protective outer membrane. Migraines, which tend to run in families, are much more common in women than in men. In fact, migraine is the most common disabling condition among women 50 and under, and trails only back pain among leading causes of disability in all women, says Teshamae Monteith, MD, chief of the headache division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. That could be because migraines can be triggered by changes in estrogen levels during menopause, menstruation, or…

Why Migraines Are Tough to Treat

Feel a Headache Coming On? Do This.

1 TAKE THE MAX DOSE OF AN OTC PAINKILLER Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol, or a generic version, often helps, especially if you take it early and at the maximum recommended dose. Important caveat: Don’t overdo it. High doses increase the risk of side effects, and taking OTC pain relievers more than nine days a month can actually trigger headaches. 2 HYDRATE Dehydration can trigger migraines and worsen headaches. Try to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, and up to about 12. 3 GO QUIET AND DARK Lie down in a quiet room with the lights low or off to reduce stimulation and help you relax. 4 USE A HOT OR COLD PACK A hot pack or hot bath can help with a tension headache. An ice pack or ice face mask may ease a…

Feel a Headache Coming On? Do This.

When Head Pain Is an Emergency

● You are pregnant or have a serious, preexisting medical condition. In pregnancy, a severe headache can indicate dangerously high blood pressure. And severe headaches in people with cancer, COVID-19, or HIV/AIDS can indicate a worsening of the condition. ● You recently experienced a hard bang on the head. Head trauma followed by headache plus nausea or vomiting could signal a concussion or bleeding in the brain. ● Your headache comes with exercise. Some people suffer tension-type headaches after exercising, but if it includes pain in your chest, jaw, or neck, or difficulty breathing, it could mean a heart attack. ● Your headache is accompanied by loss of consciousness, convulsions, or shortness of breath. That could be due to having a type of epileptic seizure. ● You also experience serious vision problems or problems…

FIRST DRIVE Ford Mustang The redesigned Mustang has fresh styling, more power, and advanced technology. The interior makeover emphasizes screens, with the center display offering many options for personalizing the way the car performs, including the loudness of its roar. CR’S TAKE: The muscular driving experience is what distinguishes the Mustang. It has personality like few other cars. There are compromises, such as its tight cabin, which is challenging to enter, but the Mustang delivers a wild ride in GT and Dark Horse trims. BASE PRICE RANGE $30,920-$64,560 DESTINATION CHARGE $1,595 PRICE AS DRIVEN $55,200 ASK OUR EXPERTS Is it wise to buy a used car selling for under $10,000? CR’s chief mechanic, John Ibbotson, says that while you can find used cars for less than 10K, they may need significant repairs or expensive maintenance. A better option, if…

The Top Tires From Our Tests

TIRES MAY ALL look alike, but they can differ significantly in performance, tread life, and price. We bought 456 tires in the past year to test and rate them on metrics including wet and dry braking, ride comfort, and noisiness. Those findings, combined with the results of our survey of CR members on tire retailers, will steer you to the top replacement tires for your car and the best places to buy them. When You Need New Ones Our testing has shown that while most car and SUV tires can last 70,000 miles or more, some tires for upscale and sporty models can wear out at just 25,000 to 30,000 miles. CR’s tire experts recommend inspecting tires for damage monthly. “Bulges, deep sidewall scrapes, or cracks all may compromise a tire enough…

The Top Tires From Our Tests

RULES FOR REPLACING A FLAT

If you’re replacing a single flat tire and the repair shop tries to sell you four new tires, don’t assume they’re out to cheat you: “Ideally, you should always replace tires four at a time and of the same brand and model,” Pszczolkowski says. “Replacing just one tire can lead to unbalanced, unpredictable handling.” But while replacing all four may be ideal, it’s also costly. The following alternatives can save you money. For tires with light wear: Pszczolkowski says that if all of your tires have 70 percent or more tread left, you can replace just one tire, placing it on the rear axle. “The differential in tread depth will not be great enough to lead to unbalanced handling,” Pszczolkowski says. For tires with more wear: Buy two new tires and put them…

RULES FOR REPLACING A FLAT

Which Navigation System Is Best?

THERE’S NO EXCUSE for getting lost these days. Navigation systems now come as standard equipment in many cars—both new and used—and are also available as stand-alone GPS devices or apps—like Waze and Google Maps—that you can download for free to your phone. All of these provide turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic data to help you find the best and fastest route to wherever you’re going. Some, however, are better than others, depending on your priorities and budget. “The navigation systems in a lot of newer cars have features that aren’t available in a phone-based app or stand-alone GPS device, and often work with your car’s cameras, instrument displays, and other in-car technology to make navigation easier and less distracting,” says Kelly Funkhouser, manager of vehicle technology at CR’s Auto Test Center.…

Which Navigation System Is Best?

COMPACT CARS Subaru Impreza Practical but Underpowered 76 OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 78 HIGHS Agile handling, strong fuel economy, short stops on dry pavement, hatchback versatility, standard all-wheel drive LOWS Slow acceleration POWERTRAIN 152-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine; continuously variable transmission; all-wheel drive FUEL 29 mpg on regular PRICE $22,995-$27,885 base price + $1,090 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $28,253 THE REDESIGNED IMPREZA is more of a gentle evolution than a radical rethink. It’s a nice-driving car that’s light on the wallet, but the base engine will disappoint anyone looking for some giddyup. The standard 152-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine seems peppy as the Impreza jumps abruptly off the line, but after that it sounds like it’s straining anytime you ask it for real power. At least the continuously variable transmission performs simulated upshifts to help keep engine revs low, and its 29…

The Better Deal

ELECTRIC SEDANS BMW I4 $52,200-$69,700 83 TESLA MODEL 3 $38,990-$50,990 71 THE LOWDOWN THE BMW I4 is the EV companion to the impressive BMW 3 Series sedan. It is quick and agile, with an impeccable interior. But it is pricey compared with the Model 3, a similar-sized EV sedan that has been updated for the latest model year. The Tesla is eligible for $7,500 in tax incentives, while no federal tax credit is available for the BMW. Both are highly enjoyable to drive, but the Tesla edges out the BMW for value, thanks to its price and the widespread Tesla Supercharger network—which eases some of the anxiety of EV ownership. MEAT THERMOMETERS CDN PROACCURATE TCT572-R $70 95 THERMOPRO DIGITAL TP19H $17 92 THE LOWDOWN THESE TWO DIGITAL meat thermometers aced all of our tests. Both are fast, accurate, and easy to use, with…

The Better Deal

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