Consumer Reports November 2021

FOR 85 YEARS, Consumer Reports’ committed and science-driven testers, advocates, researchers, and journalists have worked to build a fairer marketplace for all. That work is made possible by our members, who value not only the mission but also our dedication to independence, transparency, and facts. So I hope you’ll join me at this year’s Annual Meeting, “Fighting for Fairness Since 1936: Together We Are CR,” on Wednesday, Oct. 20. This virtual event will celebrate our collective achievements, preview the exciting work on the horizon, and feature timely conversations with CR staff on the future of cars, broadband expansion, and CR’s newest app. Car reviews have been foundational to CR’s work for decades. But more than ever, we want to both help you find the right vehicle today and shape the auto market…

Every 60 minutes, a child is treated in an emergency room for injuries from furniture that tipped over onto them. Many manufacturers say families should “anchor” their furniture—but that’s not always a viable solution. In fact, two-thirds of Americans don’t do that, according to a new, nationally representative CR survey. Reasons include uncertainty about how to find wall studs, and other aspects of installation. And many just say their furniture already seems stable. But the onus to make these products safe should not be on consumers: CR tests show that it’s possible to design furniture that resists tipping, across a range of prices. So we’re urging Congress to pass the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act, which cleared the House in June and awaits a Senate vote. If…

WHAT’S AT STAKE In August, President Joe Biden committed to stronger auto pollution standards, issuing an executive order that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger vehicle sales by more than 60 percent by 2030, compared with vehicles sold in 2020. A nationally representative summer 2020 CR survey of 3,879 U.S. adults found that 9 in 10 agree automakers should continue to improve fuel economy for all vehicle types. But CR advocates feel the proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to implement Biden’s order doesn’t go far enough, even though it would represent a big improvement over the rolled-back standards of the previous administration. Unfortunately, the proposal includes loopholes for automakers that make it weaker than it looks on paper. And CR’s analysis shows that it would deliver only 75 percent…

I JUST READ your article on tire safety. While it is frightening how long the manufacturer got away with using these faulty tires, the problem with trailer/camper tires is much deeper. We have a camper that is only 2 years old and had to replace all the tires before we took our first (delayed) trip! We read an alarming number of stories on a users group for our specific model of camper about tires that blow out for no apparent reason. Two campers on the forum had the spare tire go flat while still in the bracket on the back bumper. If manufacturers continue to put cheaply made, dangerous tires on every new rig, more folks are going to get hurt. —Jean Golden, Millville, MA YOUR ARTICLE was truly the tip of…

WiFi Routers WE TESTED: 56 models WE TEST FOR: Speed, or “throughput,” from 8 to 55 feet away; how well the router protects your privacy; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: INDIVIDUAL Median: 65, Range: 32-90 MESH Median: 69, Range: 56-85 BEST INDIVIDUAL ROUTER Synology RT2600ac $200 90 OVERALL SCORE EXCELLENT MESH ROUTER SET Netgear Nighthawk AX1800 (3-Pack) $210 82 OVERALL SCORE BARGAIN BUY (INDIVIDUAL) Linksys Max-Stream AC1750 $90 77 OVERALL SCORE Cordless Drills WE TESTED: 47 models WE TEST FOR: How powerful the drill is and how quickly it can drive in screws and drill holes, how long it will run on a single charge, how noisy it is, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 62 Range: 33-86 HEAVY-DUTY HERO Milwaukee 2805-22 (18 volts, brushless motor) $330 86 OVERALL SCORE GOOD VALUE FOR GENERAL USE DeWalt DCD701F2 (12 volts, brushless motor) $150 74 OVERALL SCORE EASY DIY PICK Worx WX176L (20 volts, ¼-inch fixed-hex chuck, brushed motor) $80 62 OVERALL SCORE Winter/Snow Tires WE TESTED: 32 models WE TEST FOR: Braking performance on dry, wet, and icy roads; traction in…

ON A COLD DAY, the moisture in the air inside your car quickly turns to condensation and fogs up your windshield. In most cars, the first thing to do is hit the defrost setting on your dashboard. This directs dry, warm air toward the interior of the windshield, which helps melt any ice on its exterior. But it can also turn on your air conditioner, which acts as a dehumidifier, removing moisture from the air in the car and thus helping defog the interior side of the windshield. This process usually takes a few minutes. To speed things up, it may help to crack your windows slightly, especially if you have passengers; their breathing adds moisture to the air. (And be sure recirculation mode is shut off.) Resist the urge to…