Inhaltsverzeichnis für July 2023 in Consumer Reports

SALMONELLA IN FLOUR. Listeria in salad greens. Hepatitis A in frozen fruit. These are just a few examples of the alarming recalls made in 2023—and it’s only July. Each year, an average of 48 million people fall ill from eating food contaminated with bacteria or viruses. Almost 130,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. Consumers should be able to assume their food is safe and should not have to resign themselves to the high risk of food poisoning. That’s why CR is committed to reporting on problems in our food supply, such as this month’s article on seafood safety, on page 24, and our recent analysis of 10 foods linked to the most serious outbreaks and recalls. It can also be hard to stay on top of every new food warning,…

For the latest ratings of these and other product categories, readers with a Digital or All Access membership can go to CR.org. Meat Thermometers WE TESTED: 8 digital models WE TEST FOR: How quickly and accurately a thermometer gives temperature readings, how easy it is to read what’s on the display, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 90 Range: 72-97 EXCELLENT LEAVE-IN (WIRED) Inkbird Bluetooth Grill Thermometer IBT-4XS $50 97 OVERALL SCORE INSTANT-READ BARGAIN ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer $17 92 OVERALL SCORE TOTALLY WIRELESS LEAVE-IN Meater Meater Plus with Bluetooth Repeater $100 89 OVERALL SCORE Freezers WE TESTED: 13 large and extra-large models WE TEST FOR: Temperature uniformity, accuracy of the thermostat, energy efficiency, noise, usable storage space, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 74 Range: 60-92 LARGEST CAPACITY CHEST FREEZER…

LOVE A GOOD BARGAIN? A recent survey of more than 20,000 CR members gave us the lowdown on shopping for small appliances (such as air fryers, toaster ovens, blenders, and more) at major retailers, revealing which ones rated best for great prices, selection, and customer service, among other factors.* Five retailers—shown in our ratings chart below—were called out for their budget-friendly prices. The big surprise: The top rating for low prices, selection of products, customer service, and delivery went to QVC, the website of the TV-based shopping channel. QVC received praise not just for its prices but also for its wide array of small appliances and its easy-to-navigate website. “I got a great deal on the Keurig coffee maker I wanted,” explained Sharon, a survey participant from Georgia. “It’s easy to…

› Know the signs of spoilage. Seafood is more perishable than meat or poultry, so check before you buy. Fish should smell mild and clean, not fishy or sour. Fillets shouldn’t be discolored or dry around the edges, and flesh should be firm and springy. For whole fish, look for clear, shiny eyes. › Don’t dismiss frozen fish. Unless you live near a fishing community, the fish you buy likely hasn’t come off the boat that day. Fish needs to be transported, and the quality can degrade during travel. Freezing fish right when it’s caught helps maintain flavor and moisture. So frozen fish may actually be a higher-quality product than fresh. Frozen fish can also be less expensive and, because it minimizes food waste, better for the environment. When shopping…

HALIBUT This mild white fish has firm flesh. The cheeks, taken from the heads of these large fish, are especially tender and considered delicacies. The most sustainable choices are farmed fish raised in indoor tanks and wild fish from the Pacific certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. SNAPPER There are several varieties, including blacktail, bluestriped, and red. This fish, especially red snapper, is quite mild, with delicate flesh. It can be cooked whole or pan-seared with the skin on. The most sustainable red snapper comes from the Gulf of Mexico. BLACK COD Also known as sablefish, it looks and tastes like cod—hence its name—but is a different species. Black cod has a mild flavor and soft, buttery texture. For sustainable choices, look for wild-caught black cod from the U.S. West…

Manage Your Passwords Have you clicked a “Forgot password?” link in the past few months? Resetting your password because you can’t remember it is no one’s idea of a good time. For your security, and to make logging in to accounts as hassle-free as possible, we recommend using a password manager, which generates and saves long, unique passwords for all your online accounts. (One thing you should never do is reuse the same password on multiple sites, which is a major security risk.) In CR’s tests, 1Password (from $36 per year) performed the best for its balance of privacy, security, and ease of use. Dashlane and Keeper offer both free and paid options. Once you start using a password manager, you need to remember just one password—the one you use…

FACTORY WARRANTIES OFFER new car owners protection from unexpected repair bills that can cost thousands of dollars. But they don’t cover everything, and some automakers offer far more generous warranties than others. That’s why it’s a good idea to research and compare factory warranties when deciding which new car to buy. Fifty-one percent of internet users who said they were planning to buy a car within the next three years said they would research the vehicle warranty before making their purchase, according to a survey from Mintel, a market research firm. Unlike extended warranties, which cost extra and which CR doesn’t recommend, factory warranties are included in the price of a new vehicle. But they can be voided if you put the car through any-thing that could be considered abuse, such…

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PRESSURE WASHERS THE BEST PRESSURE WASHERS can blast water with up to 80 times more force than your average garden hose, removing grime from dirty driveways, decks, patios, and other tough-to-clean places quickly and easily. In our tests, gas-powered washers tend to deliver higher pressure than other types—often around 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi). But most people will find electric models, like the top-scoring plug-ins below, powerful enough (at 1,000 to 2,300 psi) for cleanups. These are less pricey, quieter, and easy to maneuver, and require little upkeep, compared with gas models. Our testers say to skip battery models, which aren’t as powerful, maxing out at around 500 psi. ELECTRIC (PLUG-IN) Greenworks GPW2301 $300 ■ 4/5 CLEANING ■ 2/5 POWER ■ 5/5 EASE OF USE 70 OVERALL SCORE Greenworks GPW2000…

The Mercury Problem Mercury, a neurotoxin, is the most well-known health threat from eating fish. Too much of the heavy metal can harm anyone, impairing speech and hearing and causing muscle weakness. But it’s a particular concern for pregnant people, babies, and little kids because developing brains and bodies are especially vulnerable. Most seafood contains some mercury from either natural sources or industrial pollution. But bigger fish—such as tuna, shark, and swordfish—that are higher in the food chain tend to have more of the heavy metal because they take in all the mercury that the smaller fish eat. Mercury in tuna is especially worrisome because it’s popular with both adults and kids. So CR recently tested for mercury in five popular canned tuna brands: Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea,…

THERE’S LITTLE doubt that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish have numerous health benefits, especially because they can ward off chronic inflammation, which is linked to cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. Some research also suggests that they can make cell membranes more fluid, which in theory could help with brain health and possibly make skin more supple and healthy-looking. But most of the evidence in support of fish oil’s heart benefits comes from research on eating fish itself, not from supplements. And while some studies suggest that high doses in pill form may benefit people with a history of high cholesterol levels or heart disease, most of the research on supplements has shown little benefit in other people. For example, studies of fish-oil pills have not been clearly shown…

Entertaining Must-Haves DINNERWARE Crate & Barrel Marin Blue Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plate $10 each crateandbarrel.com FLATWARE Annova Silverware Set, Retro Style $43, 20 pieces amazon.com WINEGLASSES Michley Unbreakable Stemmed Wine Glasses $32, set of 4 amazon.com NAPKINS Ramanta Home Oversized Cotton Dinner Napkins $25 for 12 amazon.com Stock your cupboard REPLACE THE DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS Paper and plastic are outdoor dining staples for good reasons—safety, easy cleanup—but their disposability is neither cost-nor eco-conscious. The alternative: tableware and flatware that are light, nonbreakable, and cost effective in the long run. MELAMINE DISH SETS They come in pretty designs like traditional dishware but are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and not plastic; they’re not for use in a microwave, though. (See one attractive example from Crate & Barrel, on the facing page.) Our editors also liked the fun…

FIRST DRIVE 2023 Lexus LX The LX 600 has a powerful turbocharged V6 engine, safari-level off-road capability, and a full complement of upscale amenities. It is a luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, a model that is sold in other countries. CR’S TAKE: This is a true do-itall vehicle, but its old-school rear suspension compromises third-row room and cargo space. While capable off-road, it’s less well suited than its domestic peers to daily life, and it is less refined than competitors from BMW, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz. BASE PRICE RANGE $89,315-$129,405 DESTINATION CHARGE $1,345 PRICE AS DRIVEN $109,945 ASK OUR EXPERTS I don’t see as well as I’d like to when driving at night. What should I do? This is a common problem, even for those who wear corrective lenses.…

LUXURY ELECTRIC SUVs BMW iX High-Scoring, High-Tech EV 85 OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 97 HIGHS Luxurious ride comfort, agility, quick acceleration, quiet cabin, high-quality interior, lots of passenger space LOWS Confusing controls POWERTRAIN 516-hp, dual electric motors; 1-speed direct-drive transmission; all-wheel drive RANGE 324 miles PRICE $87,100-$111,500 base price + $995 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $92,695 THIS IMPRESSIVE EV is speedy and ultraquiet, and it delivers a cushy ride. Even with its complicated controls, the iX earned one of the highest road-test scores ever. Thanks to a prodigious 516 hp, the iX can launch down the road with a seemingly never-ending crescendo of smooth, forceful power. At just 4.3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, it’s about half a second quicker than the Tesla Model X. An EPA-estimated 324-mile…

EVEN WITH THE air conditioning on, it can be hard to stay comfortably cool while you sleep. The good news: The right mattress, sheets, pillows, and more can help you stop waking up in a sweat. Consider these solutions, hand-picked by our sleep-product experts, for staying cool all night long. A PILLOW THAT WON’T TRAP HEAT 1. Tuft & Needle Original Foam $100 79 OVERALL SCORE This polyurethane foam pillow aces our tests for “breathability” (a measure of how effectively a pillow dissipates moisture). This pillow didn’t trap heat, which sets it apart from other top-rated pillows in our tests. TRULY BREATHABLE SHEETS 2. L.L. Bean Pima Cotton Percale (280TC) $170 74 OVERALL SCORE Sleep experts say sheets made of natural fibers—like 100 percent cotton—are a good choice because they promote better…

SMALL SUVs HIGHER PRICE $40,300 - $57,350 2023 Infiniti QX50 $51,380* 69 OVERALL SCORE BETTER PRICE $31,350 - $44,760 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid L $33,194* 83 OVER ALL SCORE THE LOWDOWN THE INFINITI QX50 combines alluring styling, a well-furnished interior, and an innovative engine. But the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has better performance for way less money. It has a smoother ride and more responsive handling, gets 35 mpg overall (compared with the QX50’s 22 mpg), and has higher owner satisfaction. The Hybrid Limited trim is loaded with luxe features for just $40,445. ICE CREAM MAKERS HIGHER PRICE $315 Whynter ICM-201SB Time for sorbet: 33 min. Time for ice cream: 37 min. BETTER PRICE $70 Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Time for sorbet: 14 min.** Time for ice cream: 17 min.** THE LOWDOWN THE WHYNTER ice cream maker…

THE LATEST RATINGS FROM OUR LABS When you’re shopping for sunscreen, the choices can seem overwhelming. And chances are, the thing you zero in on when trying to pick the best product is the SPF number. But the stated SPF doesn’t always tell the whole story. Consumer Reports’ tests suggest that not all sunscreens live up to the SPF listed on the label. We did find nine sunscreens to recommend (pictured on the facing page) and several others that are decent picks. But of the 68 lotions and sprays in our tests this year, all labeled SPF 30 to 100, an incredible number—53—tested at less than SPF 30, the minimum SPF the American Academy of Dermatology recommends you use. The type of sunscreen didn’t matter. Both lotions and sprays missed…

Why Sustainability Matters Fishing in a way that preserves the ocean’s fish and shellfish has become a big deal for several reasons. As the world’s population increases, along with per capita seafood consumption, we’re harvesting fish in ways that can pollute ocean waters and damage habitats. And we are using technologies—like huge seafood harvesting and processing factory ships that can stay at sea for months at a time—that allow us to catch fish faster than they can reproduce, according to Seafood Watch, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A number of long-term solutions are being developed, including different ways of catching fish in the wild and, increasingly, farmed fish—raising seafood in pens, ponds, or tanks. But coming up with effective, affordable solutions isn’t easy. Here are the terms related to sustainability…

MAYBE YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A NEW refrigerator, one with plenty of space and an icemaker that will churn out cubes for years to come. Perhaps you’re seeking a smartphone that won’t cost a bundle. Or it’s high time to replace your mattress and you’re looking for one with just the right firmness. When you’re on the hunt for a big-ticket item—one that will cost hundreds or thousands of dollars—you may focus on features, price, and reliability to guide your purchasing decisions. But warranties, a manufacturer’s guarantee that the company will repair, replace, or give you a refund for a problematic product within a certain period, are also important to consider before you buy. A good warranty—one that’s long, covers key parts, and has a simple process for resolving problems—indicates that…

WITH THE AVERAGE purchase price of a new car hovering around $48,000, choosing which vehicle to buy is a high-stakes financial decision. It’s an emotional decision, too. Buyers must weigh how much car they get for the money and how well factors like cargo room work for them, along with more subjective considerations like how the car looks, the image it projects, and the brand’s reputation. The models that allow buyers to check those key boxes attract them in droves. “Consumers tell us they prioritize factors such as reliability and safety when shopping for a car, but when it comes time to buy, very often a car’s styling or its image tips the decision,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. That’s why it’s important to…