Tabla de contenidos para October 2023 en Consumer Reports

NOTHING IS MORE VITAL to our health than the safety of the food and water we put into our bodies. That’s why this issue of Consumer Reports magazine is anchored by a 10-page guide to some of the riskiest foods in the American diet and how you and your family can make safer choices. It’s also why CR has been working so hard to ensure the safety of the water we drink. In 2021, we published an investigation into the nation’s drinking water in partnership with the Guardian US news organization and consumer volunteers across the country, who collected samples of their local tap water. The results: Of the 120 samples tested, 118 contained detectable amounts of lead, or levels of arsenic or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that exceeded…

Impact Drivers WE TESTED: 35 models WE TEST FOR: How powerful the driver is, run time per battery charge and how long the battery takes to recharge, noise (measured in decibels), and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 70 Range: 33-90 FAST CHARGING & LONG RUN TIME Flex FX-1351-2A $125 90 OVERALL SCORE EASY TO HANDLE  DeWalt DCF887D2 $200 83 OVERALL SCORE POWERFUL BUDGET BUY Bauer 1781C-B1 $60 66 OVERALL SCORE Mattress Toppers WE TESTED: 13 models WE TEST FOR: The level of support, including how well a topper conforms to a sleeper’s shape; the warmth of the topper; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 87 Range: 79-94 TOP PERFORMER & PLUSH  Dormeo (3”) $380 94 OVERALL SCORE SIMILAR COMFORT FOR LESS  BedStory 3” Memory Foam $147 93 OVERALL SCORE THINNER & SLEEPS COOLER  Linenspa…

A GOOD STEAK KNIFE should easily cut up whatever is on your plate, be it a thick steak, a pork chop, an apple, or a block of hard cheese, says CR reporter and trained chef Paul Hope. Steak knives come in many guises: Some are sleek and made of sterling silver while others are big, with chunky wooden handles, and look like you could use them to prune a tree. And some blades have teeth so jagged that they look like a small handsaw. To help you find the most suitable one for your table, we evaluated steak knives in all of these styles, testing them to see how they handle and how well they cut through three steaks, each cooked to a different level of doneness (rare, medium, and…

MAZDA VEHICLES Mazda is recalling 227,335 2016-2021 CX-3 and 2014-2018 Mazda3 vehicles because the backup camera image may not display properly, instead showing a flickering or distorted image. This defect can reduce the driver’s rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or an injury.  What to do: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized Mazda dealer. Dealers will inspect vehicles and either fix or replace the backup camera with new parts. There will be no charge for this service. Call Mazda at 800-222-5500 for details. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-487, and Mazda’s number is 6023G. NISSAN LEAF VEHICLES Nissan is recalling 66,159 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf vehicles because they may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed (“D” to “B”;…

SEAT BELTS. AIRBAGS. ANTILOCK BRAKES. For decades, these familiar features were the mainstays of automotive safety. (Seat belts alone save about 15,000 lives on American roadways each year.) But an automotive safety revolution has been quietly taking place over the past decade, not only making today’s cars better than older models at protecting occupants in a crash but also at preventing one from happening in the first place. And if a collision does occur, many new vehicles can automatically call first responders for help. “Today’s cars are safer than those from a decade or so ago in two main ways,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “First, they include many more ‘passive’ safety features, such as advanced airbags, that help to protect the vehicle’s occupants…

At Halloween, many of us welcome trick-ortreaters with a bowl of candy. But we don’t dish out treats just to kids: 93 percent of U.S. adults eat Halloween candies and chocolates as well, says a 2022 National Confectioners Association survey. And while “fun size” or “mini” versions of classics like Snickers or Reese’s look small, they can still pack plenty of calories. So check out (at right) just how much of each of these treats you can eat for 100 calories. To see our poll of the best- and worst-tasting Halloween candies—and add your opinion!—go to CR.org/besthalloweencandy.…

THE LATEST RATINGS FROM OUR LABS WHIRLPOOL WDTA50SAKZ $600 72 OVERALL SCORE WHEN DISHWASHERS WORK well, they make kitchen cleanup a breeze. But when they don’t, they make paper plates seem like a better option. Dishwasher frustrations tend to fall into the same few categories, according to CR’s member surveys: They don’t get dishes fully clean, they don’t dry well, and they don’t last long enough without parts breaking. You might also have experienced a dishwasher that just won’t fit enough dishes, or one that’s about as quiet as a jet engine. The good news: Dishwashers have evolved in recent years to solve many of these problems. They now have adjustable racks and tines to fit everything you want to wash, and they’re more efficient. Newer models also have targeted,…

Lots of artificial additives are in our food, and most pose little concern. But some have been linked to health problems, and CR’s food safety experts have identified five that are particularly risky. All have been banned in the European Union, and manufacturers have been able to replace them with other, safer ingredients. For example, Pez sold here contains Red No. 3 dye, but in the EU, it has colorings from fruit and plant concentrates. Here’s what you need to know, including how to find foods without these chemicals. Red No. 3 Dye Also known as FD&C Red No. 3 or erythrosine, gives a cherry-red color to many foods, including baked goods, snacks, cereals, sodas, and candies. THE RISK Studies have linked it to cancer and thyroid tumors in lab…

Staying connected, whether you’re out for a walk in the park, relaxing in a coffee shop, or sitting on an airplane, seems like it should be easy. After all, cellular networks blanket most of the U.S., and WiFi is now available everywhere from shopping malls to doctors’ offices to open-air parks. But somehow, using all of these networks isn’t as uncomplicated as you’d like it to be. Take public WiFi. Is it safe to connect your phone or laptop to these convenient wireless networks or will that expose your data to hackers and identity thieves? How do you use a “hot spot” to stream movies on your laptop when you’re out of WiFi range? And what do you do when you’re headed to a place where there’s no cell coverage…

Get Your Car Ready for Winter WINTER WEATHER is a contributing factor in tens of thousands of crashes each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Making sure your car is ready to take on the season’s freezing temperatures, sleet, and icy or snowy roads may reduce your risk of a weather-related crash, no matter what Mother Nature dishes out. “The key is to be prepared for bad weather before it arrives,” says Jen Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “You don’t want to find out your car isn’t up to the task or have some crucial safety component fail after winter weather has already arrived.” Following the advice below and keeping an emergency kit onboard—including gloves, a hat, a blanket, a collapsible shovel, a…

IN THE KNOW Steam Out All Your Wrinkles THERE’S AN EASIER WAY to keep your button-down shirts crisp and your tablecloths and napkins neatly pressed. Handheld clothing steamers are compact, heat up quickly, and don’t require an ironing board. Just fill them with water, plug in, and you’re ready to go. A good garment steamer releases wrinkles from fabric without sputtering hot water onto your clothes—or you. What to look for in one that works well? José Amézquita, our clothing steamer tester, says, “It needs to combine power with the ability to direct its steam.” We found that steamers with built-in pumps tended to provide more precise steaming and were easier to use. Some models, like the Conair 2-in-1 GS108 and Nori Press below, are iron/steamer combos, allowing you to press…

SEDANS HIGHER PRICE $31,500 - $50,800 Acura Integra $34,395* 77 OVERALL SCORE BETTER PRICE $27,295 - $37,340 Honda Accord $30,705* 80 OVERALL SCORE *Price as tested. THE LOWDOWN If you’re looking for a small but still premiumfeeling car, the Acura Integra hatchback—with luxe touches, like leatherette upholstery, nice fit and finish throughout the cabin, and a comfy front seat—might seem like a good choice. But its stiff ride and noise levels are not befitting a luxury brand. On the other hand, the redesigned Honda Accord midsized sedan is roomier and quieter, and rides more comfortably—plus, pricing starts at about $4,000 less than the Acura. ROBOTIC MOPS HIGHER PRICE $1,400 Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra Robotic Mop 73 OVERALL SCORE BETTER PRICE $312 Bissell Spinwave Wet & Dry Robotic Vacuum 77 OVERALL SCORE THE LOWDOWN The newest robotic…

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO SEE THE BEST WAY TO LOAD. THE DIRT ON DETERGENT LIQUIDS AND POWDERS used to be your only detergent options, but now there are also single-dose formats to choose from. Tablets, capsules, and pods can be pucks of dishwashing powder, small sacs of dishwashing gel, or a combination of the two. You’ll also see all kinds of promising-sounding claims on the packages, from those that boast shine-boosting agents to concentrated solutions and more. Your best bet, according to CR’s testers: Ignore the fancy labels and multicolored designs of the pods themselves and rely on our ratings (see below and on page 23) to find the products that have gotten dishes cleanest in our comparative tests. According to a CR nationally representative survey of 2,084 U.S.…

THESE DAYS, BUYING GLASSES CAN BE COMPLICATED— especially if you’re looking for options beyond those your eye doctor sells. You can, instead, take a copy of your prescription (you’re legally entitled to it) to a local optical shop, a chain such as LensCrafters, a big box store like Target, or an online site such as Warby Parker or Zenni Optical. Wherever you go, you’ll have to choose the size, style, and make of the frames. That’s before you even get to lenses. “There are a lot of different options … and I think sometimes patients can feel overwhelmed,” says Franklin Bui, OD, assistant clinical professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry in New York City. “It can sometimes feel like you’re going to a car dealership.”…

FIRST DRIVE Ford Escape The Escape compact SUV has been updated for 2023 with a freshened exterior, new advanced driver assistance systems, an optional infotainment system with a large, 13.2-inch screen, and a sporty-looking ST-Line trim. There is less vibration from the three-cylinder turbo engine, and the brakes are less grabby than before.  CR’S TAKE The Escape is an agile, pleasant-to-drive SUV. The new infotainment system is not as easy to use. We favor the hybrid for its smoother, more efficient powertrain, and also for its better reliability record. BASE PRICE RANGE $28,000-$40,500 DESTINATION CHARGE $1,495 PRICE AS DRIVEN $31,335 TIP FROM THE TEST TRACK What SUV Drivers Need to Know About Sharing the Road With Cyclists While all drivers need to be supercautious around cyclists, SUV drivers should be…

LUXURY ELECTRIC CARS Mercedes-Benz EQE A Smooth Drive With Irritating Controls 63 OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 89 HIGHS Zesty acceleration, comfortable ride, quiet interior, quality materials, short stopping distances LOWS Mushy brake pedal feel, distracting controls POWERTRAIN 288-hp, dual electric motors; 1-speed direct drive; all-wheel drive RANGE 260 miles PRICE $74,900-$109,100 base price + $1,150 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $80,210 THE ALL-NEW EQE midsized electric sedan delivers a pleasing combination of quick acceleration and a hushed, luxurious cabin. But it suffers from complicated controls and a spongy brake pedal, and we can’t recommend it until we see solid reliability data from Mercedes’ models. Our tested EQE 350 4Matic’s 288 hp might seem paltry compared with the output of some luxury EVs, but its acceleration is decisively quick. The…

Riders, Be Warned! You know you’re in the country when you see a sign like this.  Submitted by Wes Smith, via email What Are They Serving? Your croissants will be dished up along with a big bowl of kibble. Submitted by Deborah Ahlstedt, via email Find Fido Another Flavor Please don’t put “kitten” on your dog’s menu. Submitted by ElizaBeth Garcia, Paradise Valley, AZ Where Else Would You Find It? But more important, do you really want to get it from back there? Submitted by Jay Giles, Hingham, MA Be on the lookout for goofs and glitches like these. Share them with us—by email at SellingIt@cro.consumer.org or by mail to Selling It, Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Ave., Yonkers, NY 10703—and we might publish yours. Please include key information, such as…