Tabla de contenidos para January/February 2025 en Consumer Reports

AS I PREPARE to step down after 10 wonderful years leading CR, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—and where consumers stand today. In many ways, the marketplace is unrecognizable compared with when I joined CR’s remarkable team. The digital world has evolved at a breakneck pace, altering nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Consumer threats have evolved, too. A handful of digital platforms exert unprecedented control over what we see, the information we encounter is muddled like never before, and innovation arrives faster than our ability to create responsible consumer protections around it. Given the scale of change we’re grappling with, there has never been a more vital moment to recognize the power we have as consumers. Because it isn’t only the…

Air Fryers WE TESTED: 77 models WE TEST FOR: How quietly a model operates and how easy it is to use and clean. We also measure the basket to indicate how much food it can cook in a single batch. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 70 Range: 47-81 TOPS AMONG LARGER FRYERS Tabitha Brown for Target 8 Qt. Digital $70 OVERALL SCORE QUIET & COLORFUL Pioneer Woman PW6136170192004 (6.3 Qt.) $80 OVERALL SCORE EASY-TO-USE CONTROLS Nuwave Brio Plus 37401 (8 Qt.) $130 OVERALL SCORE Humidifiers WE TESTED: 81 models WE TEST FOR: The model’s daily output, the amount of noise it makes, how easy it is to use, how energy-efficient it is, and how well the unit works with hard water. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 75 Range: 26-95 BEST PORTABLE MODEL  Lasko UH150…

If your heels hurt, you could have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. The first is caused by excess pressure on the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue that attaches the heel bone to the toes, and the second is caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon, which connects calf muscles to the heel bone. Both can make your heels hurt after exercise or after you first stand up after a long rest (like when you get out of bed in the morning). Another cause of achy heels is the thinning of the protective fat pad on the bottom of your foot, which can happen as we age. To get some relief, try these strategies—but if your heel pain hasn’t subsided after two weeks of self-care, it’s time to…

YOGA MAT Iuga Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat $60-$66 theiuga.com RESISTANCE BANDS First Place Safety Toners $16-$24 www.performbetter.com BALANCE PAD ProsourceFit Exercise Balance Pad $27 prosourcefit.com It’s COLD. MANY HOURS OF THE DAY ARE DARK. Exercise is critical for your physical and mental health, but it’s harder to do when even walking outside seems unappealing or unsafe. And gym memberships can be pricey. The average monthly cost ($65) was up 9 percent in 2023, according to the Health and Fitness Association. Enter the home gym. “In the amount of time it would take you to get to a gym, you can be done with your home workout,” says Tom Holland, an exercise physiologist and trainer in Darien, Conn. The key to building a home gym you’ll actually use (and even enjoy)…

Weight loss supplements You may see various over-the-counter products marketed as weight loss aids, such as Hydroxycut and Jacked Factory Burn XT. According to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, there’s little evidence that weight loss supplements are effective. Plus, some may interact with medications, and a few may even cause harm. Last October, for instance, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned that the weight loss supplement Itcha XS contained unlisted antidepressants that should be only in prescription medications. Also in October, the FDA noted that the Body Shape Weight Loss System was found to contain sibutramine. This controlled substance was taken off the market in 2010 because it can substantially increase both blood pressure and heart rate. Yohimbe Avoid any supplements that contain this herb. While…

To find the right caregiver, it’s best to conduct multiple interviews with candidates. “Seeing someone once may not tell you enough,” says Danielle Miura, a certified financial planner in Ripon, Calif., with a focus on caregiving needs. The conversations can give you a clearer idea of the caregiver’s personality and attitude. Here are key topics to discuss. Do they have credentials, and are they valid and up to date? States have different requirements regarding how much training and what kind of credentials caregivers need to have, with many requiring certified nursing assistants, for example, to pass an exam to demonstrate competency. So make sure you know what’s required where you live. (To find the rules in your area, check with your local Area Agency on Aging.) Is the caregiver a…

To make it easier for our testers to compare the bars fairly, we grouped them into three categories based on the ingredients they focus on: The categories are fruit and nuts or seeds; whole grains; and protein. (None of these categories is better than another. There are healthy and not-so-good options in each.) They’re ranked here by nutrition score, followed by taste. Higher nutrition scores went to those bars with more whole-food ingredients and lower amounts of added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat. Those with the same scores are listed alphabetically. Recommended bars scored at least 4 (out of 5) for nutrition and taste and had no processed protein or fiber. The nutritional information provided here is for a single bar. FRUIT & NUT OR SEED BARS With ingredients like…

THE KNOCKING BEGAN quietly at first, deep inside Delane Fisher’s new refrigerator. After a month of it getting louder, she realized that the return period at Home Depot, where she bought the fridge in late 2023, had come and gone. So she called the manufacturer, which sent out a repair technician. Two hours after he left, the knocking returned. Five months and multiple repair visits later, Fisher’s bad-news fridge was still on the fritz, freezing food in the refrigerated section as well as making noise. She asked for a replacement. No dice. One more round with the manufacturer’s repair service did make Fisher’s refrigerator usable—for now at least. But exhausted by the merry-go-round of repairs and run-around with customer service, Fisher, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., begrudgingly bought an extended…

EXPERT TIP “Look for a dryer with a moisture sensor. It will more accurately measure the dryness of the load. If you use dryer sheets, clean the sensor periodically with a cotton ball and a little rubbing alcohol.” RICH HANDEL CR Laundry Test Engineer LG DLEX6700B $1,535 OVERALL SCORE How to Shop Electric dryers ($450 to $2,500) need a 240-volt connection to produce the heat needed to dry clothes. Gas dryers ($550 to $2,560) burn natural gas or propane and require a 120-volt electrical outlet. While gas dryers can cost a bit more than electric dryers, natural gas costs less than electricity in some areas. Also keep in mind that installing a new gas line can cost more than $500. ▶ Dryers with top performance scores will do their job faster…

Samsung WW25B6900AW washer $1,000 OVERALL SCORE Samsung DV25B6900HW dryer $1,065 OVERALL SCORE How to Shop Compact washers are typically front-loaders (see page 77 for full details on those), and pairs are usually stackable, so they don't have a large footprint. ▶ Look for Energy Star certified compacts for the best water and energy efficiency. Models with CR’s Green Choice designation, identified with a green leaf in our ratings, have been determined to have the least impact on the environment, taking into account not just the energy they consume but also the materials and resources needed to produce (and ultimately discard) them. ▶ Compact machines can get pricey. Despite their diminutive dimensions, they cost as much as full-sized machines. You’ll usually get a better deal if you shop for a set. (You can…

TIRES ARE a vital investment in your car—and a pricey one, too. On average, Consumer Reports members spent $223 per tire, according to our latest survey. But the real value of that purchase depends on how long the tires last before they’re so worn they need to be replaced. After all, the longer a tire’s lifespan, the less it costs per mile to use. Ideally, you want to find tires that are long-lasting while also possessing other important attributes, like dry and wet grip, ride comfort, and quietness. The good news is that for many drivers it’s possible to find tires that strike that balance, says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR’s tire program manager. In addition, there are things you can do to prolong the life of your tires, no matter which…

MIDSIZED SUVs Lexus GX550 Better Off-Road Than On OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 62 HIGHS Powerful engine, high-quality cabin materials, off-road ability LOWS Jiggly ride, cumbersome handling, mediocre fuel economy, lots of wind noise POWERTRAIN 349-hp, 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel drive FUEL 18 mpg on premium PRICE $62,900-$79,900 base price + $1,350 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $71,610 WHILE THE PREVIOUS GX balanced luxury and off-road prowess in equal measure, the redesigned GX550 is more focused on the dirt road less traveled. That means the new TX, which we previously tested, is actually the smarter choice for most shoppers seeking a three-row SUV from Lexus. Compared with the TX, the GX has a rough ride, cumbersome handling, and a loud cabin that’s a challenge to get…

Winter storms cause all kinds of unexpected challenges for drivers. Keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your car will help you and your passengers stay safe if you find yourself on the side of the road in winter. You can build your own kit, but we’ve found that it’s more cost-effective to buy a premade one that packs the essentials into a portable bag. The Winter Cross Country kit ($85), shown at right, was the most complete of the kits we looked at. It includes a collapsible shovel, a blanket, a flashlight, and a first aid kit, as well as a screwdriver, pliers, a utility knife, jumper cables, a tow rope, and safety staples like a reflective window-mounted triangle to help other cars see your car in dark and/or snowy…

A home gym makes it easier to exercise, but you still have to turn it into a habit—otherwise your new gear might gather dust. Apps and programs that offer guided workouts and virtual group classes offer motivation and fresh ideas. Free videos If you’re just getting started with strength training, search for the Mayo Clinic’s strength training “How-To Video Collection” for some helpful basics. Ready for more? The YMCA at Home YouTube channel offers dozens of free guided routines for cardio, strengthening, and stretching. If you want more variety and goal-oriented programs, the free Nike Training Club app offers a library of trainer-guided workouts for everything from yoga to strength, and you can sort by the equipment needed to match what you have at home. Paid apps and programs Your…

When you’re shopping for dietary supplements, it’s important to choose carefully—because the Food and Drug Administration generally doesn’t regulate supplements the way it does drugs. So you can’t always be sure that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle. For instance, in a 2023 study published in JAMA, 22 of 25 brands of melatonin gummies evaluated contained different amounts of the hormone from what was listed on their labels. One product had 347 percent of the labeled amount. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Check supplement packaging for a seal from an independent testing group like the nonprofit US Pharmacopeia, which sets the most widely accepted standards for dietary supplements, according to CR’s experts. (Find a list of USP-verified products at qualitysupplements.org.) Another reputable testing organization is the not-for-profit NSF…

Nearly 8 out of 10 older adults would rather stay in their own home than move, according to a 2022 AARP survey. But that’s not always possible. Depending on your loved one’s needs, your family member might find an assisted living facility or nursing home more affordable, and it may provide more care and medical oversight than you can manage on your own, says Steven Barlam, CEO of JFS Care in Los Angeles. These signs may indicate that it’s time to consider a move. You are paying a lot for a full schedule of care. Eight to 10 hours of care a day, seven days a week, can easily run $120,000 a year or more. That’s almost twice the median cost for a one-bedroom apartment in assisted living, which averages…

Sooner or later it happens: The washer or dryer you’ve been depending on for years handles its last load. Or maybe you inherited a laundry set with your home that has never quite measured up. If this sounds familiar, you might be ready to shop for something new. You’ll find plenty of excellent options to choose from. The best of today’s models deliver superb performance, save water and energy, and have many convenience features, including cycles you can customize to your own needs, WiFi capability that lets you keep tabs on the task at home or away, and more. Also new in this guide: Our top-rated detergents, which get the toughest stains out even if you have hard water. (Salad dressing? Check! Chocolate? Check!) And several come in formulas that…

LG WM6500HWA washer LG DLEX6500W dryer $2,600 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP “Brands like LG and retailers like Best Buy might offer discount deals for purchasing a matching laundry set, which can save you hundreds of dollars.” ALLIE CHILICKI CR Laundry Market Analyst How to Shop Our ratings pair washers with their recommended electric dryers. They're shown below and on the following page. ▶ Choose your washer first. Once you settle on one with the capacity, cycles, and features that are important to you (see our washing machine ratings, starting on page 77), look at the matching dryer recommended by the manufacturer. (Dryer ratings start on page 83.) ▶ Need a gas dryer? Make sure that option is available in the model you select. If you intend to stack your pair, confirm that the…

How to Shop Your main choices are liquids, pods, sheets, and powders. (CR recently began testing powders again; ratings are forthcoming.) The best one depends on what’s most important to you. ▶ Some detergents excel at stain removal, others are gentle on your skin or the environment, and still others add fragrance. No single detergent, though, manages to excel in all three areas. Ecofriendly products, for example, generally contain chemicals that—while safer—often don’t clean well, and detergents with fragrances can irritate the skin. ▶ Our tests show that liquids clean the best. Persil and Tide are very good, even in hard water. Oxi detergents will brighten whites well. But it’s easy to use more liquid than you need. (Even a large load needs only about 5 ounces, or a little…

The brand of dish soap that you use can make all the difference between easy cleanups and long scrubbing sessions. We put 10 well-known dish soaps to the test to find out which ones get things squeaky clean. We caked dishes in ketchup and chicken tikka masala, then washed them in warm water with each product, using a new sponge each time. The winners had long-lasting suds and also didn’t leave hands feeling chapped. EDITOR’S CHOICE Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid (Original Scent) 19¢ per ounce Dawn’s formula easily handled the mess on our plates. The suds were plentiful and thick, and even after all eight plates were clean, there were still plenty of suds left for more. CLEANS WELL WITH A LOVELY SCENT Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dish Soap (Basil…

A TOASTY DUVET Buffy Cloud Comforter $195 The top pick from our review, this comforter has a pillowy filling made from recycled plastic that shouldn't clump—and it keeps you toasty. CR SAVINGS! 25% OFF USE CODE CRBuff25 on BUFFY.CO OVERALL SCORE HOT DRINKS ON THE GO S'well 16oz Traveler $35 This S'well insulated travel mug earned a top rating in our tests, keeping drinks hot for more than 11 hours. It also feels great in your hand. CR SAVINGS! 30% OFF USE CODE CONSUMERREPORTS on SWELL.COM 1 EXTRA THICK TOWELS Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels $71 for two These huge, soft towels were the most absorbent in our evaluation. They are a good choice for bundling up in after a shower on cold days. CR SAVINGS! 20% OFF…

No matter how spotless your house is, the air inside can still be dirty—especially in winter, when windows are shut tight, keeping fresh air out. And if you have pets, cook frequently, and/or burn wood in your fireplace, your air quality may be even more problematic. Using an air purifier can really help. But our tests of more than 150 models reveal that some do a much better job than others. Check out our top models, below, which cleared the air of pollutants quickly on both their low- and high-speed fan settings. It’s best to place air purifiers in the rooms you spend the most time in, like your bedroom or kitchen, and to keep them running on low, turning them up to high only when you’re in the room.…

HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC, AND CR-V VEHICLES Honda is recalling 720,810 Accord, Civic, and CR-V vehicles because of concerns that a defective high-pressure fuel pump may develop cracks that could leak fuel. The recalled models are the 2023-2024 Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2025 Civic Sedan and Civic Sedan Hybrid, and 2023-2025 CR-V Hybrid. When a problem develops, a fuel smell may be detectable when idling or driving. The leak creates a risk of fire, crash, or injury. What to do: Owners will be notified by mail and directed to a local dealership for a free inspection. If a problem is found, the pump will be replaced. Contact Honda customer service at 888-234-2138. The NHTSA campaign number is 24V763, and Honda’s number for this recall is PJW. BESTWAY AIRJET & HYDROJET…

Treadmills are responsible for thousands of injuries every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. When setting up your home gym to include a treadmill, think about the following: Make sure you have the space to avoid colliding with a wall in case of a fall. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much space to allow to the sides and back, but aim to have at least 2 feet on each side and 6 feet behind. Don’t forget to check the ceiling height, too, because a treadmill deck is several inches off the floor. An emergency shutoff function is a must. It kicks in if you trip or drift too far toward the back of the deck and dislodge the safety key. Lock the treadmill when it’s not…

The mini-guide below can help you locate practitioners with the right credentials—and avoid potential pitfalls. As you’re deciding whom to see, ask providers about their training and education, and whether they’re licensed or certified in the treatment you’re interested in, says Jeremy Ng, PhD. Also, find out whether they’ll communicate with your primary care doctor or specialist, and get specifics about any therapy you’re considering: risks, costs, insurance coverage, and how it will work with your current care. ACUPUNCTURIST (LAC) In most states, acupuncturists must graduate from an accredited master’s or doctorate program in the practice, and be both state licensed and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. You can search for practitioners at asacu.org/find-a-practitioner or directory.nccaom.org. CHIROPRACTOR In the U.S., chiropractors must earn a…

→ Seek out reliable companies. You want to buy major appliances from retailers and brands known for reliability and great customer service. Check out our ratings of appliance retailers on the facing page. Also see what the Better Business Bureau has to say. And read the positive and negative reviews, and look for patterns on retailer or manufacturer websites. Did one person report that the water-line to the icemaker froze—or 10? Read reviews of retailers’ customer service—social media can help here—in advance, too. → Shop locally. When possible, buy from independent retailers instead of chain stores. They appear near the top of CR’s ratings, especially in terms of service. Local dealers can sometimes match big-box prices and may offer in-house service and loaners if your appliance isn’t working right. → Read the…

How to Shop Because these combo units use either condensation technology or an energy-efficient heat pump to remove moisture from clothes, they take longer—up to 3½ hours—to dry a load. But they're ventless, using a drain or water-collecting reservoir for moisture removal rather than an exhaust vent to the outdoors. ▶ The four all-in-ones we tested run on 120 volts instead of the 240 volts required for most traditional dryers. This, plus the lack of a vent hose, means you can place the unit along any wall with a water line. ▶ All-in-ones are typically a few inches larger than a standard front-load washer in one or more direction, so measure your space carefully. They range from $1,550 to about $3,000. What to Avoid If you like to do your…

Mini Cooper The two- and four-door Coopers have been redesigned for 2025 with a minimalist interior. The base model and sportier Cooper S have turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both with a seven-speed automatic transmission. CR’S TAKE The 201-hp Cooper S we’re testing has agile handling, a spirited powertrain (despite initial hesitation), and a stiff ride. The interior is dominated by a quirky circular center screen. Still, the Cooper remains a fun-to-drive small car with a big personality. BASE PRICE RANGE $28,950-$39,500 DESTINATION CHARGE $995 PRICE AS DRIVEN $36,995 ASK OUR EXPERTS Should I replace a windshield that has a tiny chip in it? Even minor damage to your windshield can lead to larger cracks eventually. So chips should be repaired immediately, says John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center. “You…

DEFENSIVE DRIVING is a kind of superpower. All you need to harness it are a few basic skills. With practice, you’ll be better equipped to handle inclement weather, debris on the road, and other drivers’ dangerous behaviors—such as speeding and driving distracted or impaired, all of which cause millions of crashes in the U.S. each year. “The key to being a defensive driver is being hyperaware of your surroundings and laserfocused on driving,” says Michael Crossen, driving instructor and lead automotive technician at Consumer Reports. “By anticipating what’s likely to happen, you can make quick decisions that will keep you safe and help you avoid the cost and hassle of crash repairs.” Motor vehicle crashes are a persistent problem in the U.S. They cost tens of thousands of lives and…

3-ROW SUVs INFINITI QX60 $49,650-$66,100 MAZDA CX-90 $37,845-$57,450 THE BETTER DEAL THE LOWDOWN THE THREE-ROW INFINITI QX60 is a refined SUV with a robust powertrain, many standard advanced safety features, and a comfortable ride. The interior feels luxurious, with soft surfaces and contrast stitching on the upholstery. But those premium touches come at a high price. For less money, consider the Mazda CX-90. It’s one of the best-handling SUVs on the market, matches the Infiniti’s safety features, and has an equally luxe cabin. 2-SLICE TOASTERS BREVILLE A BIT MORE BTA720XL $90 BEAUTIFUL BY DREW BARRYMORE $40 THE BETTER DEAL THE LOWDOWN THE TOP TWO MODELS in our ratings, these two-slice toasters are evenly matched. Both reliably toast bread to your preselected shade, have slots wide enough for bagels or frozen waffles,…