Tabla de contenidos para September/October 2025 en Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1936 that works side by side with consumers to create a safe, fair, and transparent marketplace. To achieve our mission, we test thousands of products and services in our labs each year and survey hundreds of thousands of consumers about their experiences with products and services. We pay for all the products we rate. We don’t accept paid advertising. In addition to our rigorous research, investigative journalism, and consumer advocacy, we work with other organizations, including media, consumer groups, research and testing consortiums, and philanthropic partners. We also license our content and data, as well as work with business partners to offer shopping and other consumer services, and may receive fees from these programs. We maintain a strict separation between our…

▶ CHIPS 365 Whole Foods Market Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Cassava Chips Thrive Market Cassava Chips Sea Salt ▶ FLOURS Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour Otto’s Naturals Organic Multi-Purpose Cassava Flour Quay Naturals Premium Cassava Flour Terrasoul Superfoods Cassava Flour ▶ PASTA Jovial Organic Grain Free Cassava Spaghetti…

Whether you love a treat that’s rich and chocolatey or chewy and fruity, chances are you’ll indulge at least once (well, maybe twice; okay, three times) this month. And there’s nothing wrong with that—but the calories in those “mini” and “fun size” candies can add up fast. To help you keep tabs on your snacking, we chose 10 trick-or-treat favorites and calculated the exact amount you can eat of each type without exceeding 100 calories. 10.9 SWEDISH FISH MINI 8.6 PEANUT M&M’S 2.1 PEEPS PUMPKINS 10.9 SOUR PATCH KIDS 24.5 SKITTLES 7.7 MILK DUDS 1.25 SNICKERS FUN SIZE 14.5 MIKE AND IKE 2.1 BUTTERFINGER MINIS…

LCD and QLED Most models are LCD (aka LED) TVs, including both low performers and highly rated sets. LCD TVs use a back-light that shines through a layer of liquid crystals that act like a shutter, controlling how much light passes through. A filter typically produces the colors. QLED TVs, which are usually mid- to high-priced models, instead use quantum dots that can produce an expanded range of colors. OLED Nearly all OLED TVs we’ve tested earn CR recommendations. In these sets, each pixel emits its own light, going from bright to fully off. This enables the darkest parts of the picture to be black rather than gray. QD-OLEDs use quantum dots to enhance colors. Mini LEDs On an LCD TV, some light tends to bleed through the shutters described…

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCK All exterior doors should have deadbolts with reinforcement plates around the cylinder secured with long screws—to help prevent kick-ins—like the Kwikset below. Or consider a smart deadbolt lock, which lets you open the door via a smartphone app.  Kwikset Juno 991J15SMTCP $48 80 OVERALL SCORE PROTECT WINDOWS AND DOORS Lock all windows on the ground floor and install deadbolt locks on sliding-glass doors. You might also want to add sensors to first-floor windows and all glass doors. Some emit a sound; others, like the one below, alert you to an open door or window via a phone app. Swann Wi-Fi Window/Door Alert Sensor* $95 for a 4-pack BRIGHTEN OUTSIDE AREAS Motion-activated outdoor lights turn on if anyone approaches your home or enters your yard after dark. Install these…

→ Get qualified help. A fiduciary is legally bound to do what’s best for clients. Look for a certified financial planner (CFP), who is held to fiduciary standards. → Balance your investments. Although you may be tempted to flee the stock market during volatile economic times, it’s still the best source for returns, says Allan Roth, a CFP in Colorado Springs, Colo.: “Cash at the bank earning zero is the riskiest asset of all.” If you’re past retirement age, aim for a diverse mix of stocks and bonds that isn’t too aggressive but still brings in some income. “Stock index funds are the least risky,” says Roth. Another option: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)—which are federally guaranteed—are the safest bonds now, he says. Get them through brokerage firms like Fidelity and…

SMALL CAR  Honda Civic (2023 or newer) Starting at $21,650 MIDSIZED CAR **Toyota Camry or Camry Hybrid (2018 or newer) Starting at $15,125 SMALL SUV Mazda CX-5 (2023 or newer) Starting at $22,800 MIDSIZED SUV Toyota Highlander (2017-2022, 2024 or newer) Starting at $16,050 LUXURY COMPACT SUV Acura RDX (2019, 2021-2022, 2024) Starting at $21,175 **The Toyota Camry has the Green Choice designation for the 2018-2022 model years.…

Coffee Drinks, Defined Standing at the coffee shop counter can come with a flash of anxiety: What’s the difference between a macchiato and an Americano? And what does “nitro brew” mean? Here’s a cheat sheet. ESPRESSO COFFEE STEAMED MILK FOAM WATER ESPRESSO Italian for “expressed” or “pressed out,” it’s made by forcing hot water through tightly packed grounds. Strong and a bit bitter, espresso has a layer of crema, a brown froth from coffee’s natural oils and carbon dioxide. LATTE A creamier, larger version of a cappuccino, lattes have one part espresso, two parts steamed milk, and a thin layer of foam on top. It’s common for baristas to create patterns in the foam as they pour. RISTRETTO This is an espresso made with about half as much water (thus…

MEDICARE OPEN enrollment is fast approaching (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for traditional Medicare; Jan. 1 through the end of March for Medicare Advantage). That’s the time to review and make any changes to your current plan or, if you’re nearing 65, to make some big decisions. For details, see “Just Turning 65? Smart Steps to Take Now,” on page 53. But 7 in 10 people on Medicare don’t compare plan options during open enrollment for the following year, according to figures by the Kaiser Family Foundation. That’s a mistake that could cost you hundreds—even thousands—of dollars, says Emily Whicheloe, education director of the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center. For example, if you have traditional Medicare, you could learn that the price of your prescription drugs will increase under your current…

The signals that tell your brain that you're feeling aching, stabbing, or tingling are essentially electrical currents. One expanding area of pain treatment, called neuromodulation, uses mild electrical pulses to target specific nerves and block pain signals—like a small, precise electric shock. Some neuromodulation devices are surgically implanted in the body, similar to a pacemaker. Others are noninvasive and over-the-counter, and don't require a medical procedure. Here are a few key types and how they might help. TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) A TENS unit is a noninvasive device that you can probably find in your local drugstore or online for about $30 to $80. They’re also used at some doctor’s offices and pain clinics. TENS delivers low-voltage electrical currents to the skin through stick-on electrodes applied to the painful…

GRADO SR80X $125 86 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP “Most wireless headphones have a smartphone app with various sound options—music, podcast, movie, etc. Try each to find the one that suits your listening preferences.”ELIAS ARIAS Test Leader for Audio Products ▶ HOW TO SHOP First, consider where and how you’ll wear your headphones. If you simply want superb sound in your living room, a pair of wired on-ear phones can deliver an epic experience. If you travel frequently, you might prefer a pair of noise-canceling earbuds to quiet the outside world. If you exercise outdoors, a model with an electronic transparency mode can help keep you safe by piping in some outside sound. Models such as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds take this a step further by eliminating the foam ear tips.…

GOOGLE PIXEL WATCH 3 $350 89 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP “If you don’t need to send and receive communications while out and about, opt for a less expensive WiFi-only watch.”NISH SUVARNAKAR Market Analyst ▶ HOW TO SHOP Look for a smartwatch that pairs with your phone. An Apple Watch, for example, only works with an iPhone. Google’s Pixel Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch function with any Android phone, but you get more cross-device features if you remain brand-loyal. Fitbit and Garmin devices link with both Apple and Android phones. Next, consider the features that matter most to you. Many smartwatches track the basics, including step count, heart rate, and the quality and duration of sleep. Higher-end models measure more: blood oxygen levels, heart rate variation, and even skin temperature. That can…

These are some of the biggest active recalls, covering millions of vehicles from multiple manufacturers. Problems range from software issues to dangerous faulty airbags. Here, we’ve shown them chronologically, in order of each recall’s original date. If you own one of the cars included here, go to nhtsa.gov/recalls to check whether your specific vehicle is affected. 145,642 VEHICLES Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia RECALLED: DECEMBER 2024 Some 2022-2025 Genesis GV60, GV70 Electrified, and G80 Electrified; Hyundai Ioniq 5 (above) and Ioniq 6; and Kia EV6 electric vehicles that have already been recalled may need a second fix to prevent them from suddenly losing power while driving. 239,382 VEHICLES Tesla RECALLED: JANUARY 2025 Faulty backup cameras on some 2023-2025 Model X and Model Y SUVs and 2024-2025 Model 3 (above) and Model…

Automakers are required by law to contact the current owner of a recalled vehicle. But sometimes database errors mean that names and addresses might not match, and automakers may be unable to contact owners who have changed addresses without notifying their state’s department of motor vehicles. To ensure that your car doesn’t have an open recall, check nhtsa.gov/recalls and sign up for CR’s Recall Tracker service, where we’ll automatically notify you if your vehicle is included in a recall. Scan the QR code below to join. Go to CR.org/carrecalls or scan here.…

COMPACT SUVs Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Superb MPG and a Classy Cabin 79 OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 90 HIGHS Excellent fuel economy, long cruising range, can drive on electric power at low speeds, agile handling, nicely finished interior LOWS Unintuitive infotainment system POWERTRAIN 219-hp, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine; electronic continuously variable transmission; all-wheel drive FUEL 37 mpg on regular PRICE $33,970-$40,050 base price + $1,420 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $40,100 THE CX-50 HYBRID is the product of a collaboration between Mazda and Toyota; it’s basically a CX-50 with a transplanted RAV4 Hybrid powertrain. The result has sharper handling and a nicer cabin than the RAV4, along with a more comfortable ride and much better fuel economy than the regular CX-50. It’s a nice vehicle overall, aside from a loud…

• It might not be a topic for polite conversation, but toilet paper is an undeniable essential, and quality counts—especially now that some costs over $3 per roll. Don’t want to flush money down the drain? We tested 10 toilet papers to see how easily they rip, how neatly squares tear off, how much lint they produce, and how quickly they disintegrate (the faster, the better—to help avoid clogs). We also evaluated comfort and softness. Our favorites are strong enough to get the job done without feeling rough on your skin. EDITOR’S PICK Who Gives A Crap 100% Bamboo (above) $2.33 per roll Made from bamboo instead of cotton, this TP was a top performer in almost all of our tests. It’s strong and lint-free, and tears into neat squares.…

SUPER DEEP-CLEANER  Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F $230 78 OVERALL SCORE This full-sized Bissell tops our ratings. It’s great at tackling deeply embedded dirt in large areas. At 27 pounds when full, it’s also not too tough to maneuver (some models weigh up to 60 pounds). While you can rent a full-sized machine, buying one can save money if you use it more than six times. SPOT-CLEANING SPRAY Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover $15 for 32 oz. Even if you own a carpet cleaning machine, it’s smart to have a spot treatment on hand for spills. In our tests, Folex’s spray removed stains better than four other carpet and upholstery cleaning sprays we tried. Apply a generous amount on the stain, work in gently, and blot with…

▶ CHIPS & PUFFS Bettergoods (Walmart) Finely Ground Cassava Flour Guacamole Flavored Tortilla Chips LIMIT: 1 SERVING SERVING SIZE: 12 CHIPS Goya Yuca Cassava Chips LIMIT: 10 SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 18 CHIPS ▶ CRACKERS Cult Crackers Crunchy Cassava Crackers LIMIT: 1 SERVING SERVING SIZE: 6 CRACKERS Simple Mills Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers LIMIT: 1½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 17 CRACKERS ▶ COOKIES Siete Grain Free Cookies, Mexican Wedding LIMIT: 1 SERVING SERVING SIZE: 5 COOKIES ▶ CEREAL Lovebird Organic Grain Free Cereal, Honey LIMIT: 3 SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: ¾ CUP…

YAMAHA GOLF CAR VEHICLES Yamaha is recalling about 352,000 golf car vehicles because the accelerator pedal spring can fail to return to idle when a driver stops pressing the accelerator pedal, posing a crash hazard. (This recall is in addition to Yamaha’s previous recalls of 11,000 golf cars on July 6, 2023; 5,000 on Feb. 17, 2022; 145,000 on Oct. 3, 2018; and 161,000 on Feb. 22, 2018.) The golf cars were sold at Yamaha dealers nationwide from July 2015 through December 2024 for $5,970 to $13,220.  What to do: Yamaha is offering a free repair with a replacement of the accelerator pedal return spring assembly. You should immediately stop using the golf car (even if you have already had the vehicle repaired as part of prior recalls) and contact…

If you take a tumble and hurt yourself, a device that can summon assistance can be a lifesaver. Medical alert systems. With these subscription systems (monthly fees generally range from $20 to $60), you wear a pendant or bracelet that can send information to a monitoring center whether you’re at home or not. Some detect falls automatically; others require you to press a button to get help. According to the National Council on Aging, Medical Guardian is the best overall system, Bay Alarm Medical is the most affordable, and Medical Alert is the most user-friendly. Smart devices. If you have an iPhone and Siri is activated, you can say, “Hey, Siri, call 911” to get help. On many Android phones, you can activate the Emergency SOS function for the same…

CR’s experts did a blind taste test of medium-roast coffee blends from supermarket and specialty brands. We chose preground blends because they’re popular and convenient. Three well-known brands were available only as whole beans, so that’s what we used. Our experts tasted three samples of each coffee black so that they could easily detect the differences and identify flaws (like sourness or mustiness) that milk or sugar might mask. We looked for a balance of bitterness, acidity, and sweetness. Bitterness gives coffee complexity and depth; acidity makes it taste bright and lively. Coffee’s natural sweetness rounds out the flavor. We also assessed the body—light, medium, or full—which refers to how weighty the brew feels in your mouth as you sip it. (What’s best is a personal preference.) Here are the…

Traditional Medicare Government-run healthcare coverage that includes a medication plan and optional supplemental coverage, both provided by private insurers. PART A  Hospitals Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home healthcare. PART B  Doctors Covers doctors, outpatient and preventive care, some home healthcare, and some medical equipment. PART D  Medication Plan provided through private insurers that covers the cost of prescription drugs. MEDIGAP Optional Supplemental Coverage Covers what traditional Medicare doesn’t (about 20 percent of costs). There are 10 types, labeled by letter: A-D, F, G, and K-N, with different premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits. Medicare Advantage Government-approved health plan (also known as Part C) operated by private insurers. It bundles Parts A and B and usually Part D, and provides the same rights as…

The ideal time to enroll in Medicare is the seven-month window that includes the month you turn 65 and the three months before and after. Miss that time frame and you may have to wait months to sign up. You’ll also have to pay a monthly penalty for as long as you’re on Medicare: an additional 10 percent of the premium for each year you delay. (If you’re still covered by your employer’s insurance, you have eight months after you stop working to enroll.) You must sign up for both Medicare Part A and Part B on the Social Security website (ssa.gov/medicare), regardless of whether you decide to enroll in traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Then you can go to medicare. gov to start shopping for Advantage plans, or for…

SAMSUNG GALAXY S25 ULTRA $1,300 87 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP “Don’t let hype about AI features drive your decision. But if you want to prep for what may come, 2025 phone models feature chips designed for AI processing.”HENRY PARRA Test Leader for Smartphones ▶ HOW TO SHOP Start with the brand. The one you choose determines the phone’s operating system, app store selection, and how seamlessly it works with other devices. To decide on the best model, think about size. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have screens that measure nearly 7 inches diagonally, which can make texting easier but can be harder to hold in one hand. Models closer to 6 inches offer similar performance and capabilities at a lower cost. You might also consider a pocket-sized foldable phone.…

AHEAD OF THE CURVE Skip These Options on Your Next Car Extras on a new car can quickly increase the purchase price. While safety tech is worth it, some other features are often a waste of money. > Matte paint: It’s prone to scratches, and has lots of rules for care, such as no automated car washes. > Large wheels: They’re easy to damage and costly to repair, and they usually hurt ride comfort. > Self-parking: This finicky feature operates slowly and often requires the driver to take over anyway. > Dealer-installed window tint or paint protection film: Compare prices from a reputable specialty shop first. > Fabric protector: In most cases, a $10 fabric spray from an auto parts store can achieve the same effect. ASK OUR EXPERTS Should I buy a used…

DO NOT DRIVE It’s dangerous to operate a car with a Do Not Drive warning. If you receive this notice, call your local dealership immediately to schedule a repair. Ask them to tow your car to the dealership so that you don’t have to put yourself at risk. Many older vehicles in the Takata airbag recall have a Do Not Drive warning, and for good reason: NHTSA says there have been 28 deaths and at least 400 alleged injuries in the U.S. due to defective Takata PSAN airbag inflators. FIRE RISK WARNING This is exactly what it sounds like: The car in question may catch on fire. If the recall says it could ignite while parked and/or the engine is turned off, the notice may tell you to park outdoors…

CONSUMER REPORTS published its first auto review in our June 1936 issue, looking at car safety through the vehicle’s “construction” and “behavior on the road.” Nearly 90 years later, we’re just as dedicated to keeping you safe while driving. In this issue, “Don’t Ignore That Recall Notice,” on page 98, will tell you all you need to know about handling auto safety recalls. And the cover story, “Protect Your Home, Health, Money, Car, and More,” on page 26, goes beyond car safety, bringing decades of expertise into one in-depth guide packed with the best advice and product picks for everything from smoke detectors to security systems—and more. CR is also pushing automakers to improve safety for all road users. One concern is the tragic surge of pedestrian deaths over the…

Cooler Pillows WE TESTED: 40 models WE TEST FOR: How well a pillow maintains its shape after extended use, how well it supports side and back sleepers, whether it retains heat, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES Median: 72 Range: 55-92 SUPERB SUPPORT Plank by Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam $55 92 OVERALL SCORE DURABLE, WASHABLE PICK DreamCloud Best Rest Memory Foam $100 83 OVERALL SCORE BREATHABLE BARGAIN BUY StyleWell (Home Depot) Cooling Memory Foam $15 82 OVERALL SCORE Innerspring Mattresses WE TESTED: 182 models WE TEST FOR: Support for large/tall, average, and petite side sleepers and back sleepers; durability; firmness; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES Median: 71 Range: 58-83 BEST OVERALL Casper Snow $2,500 83 OVERALL SCORE SOFTER FOR SIDE SLEEPERS GhostBed Massage Hybrid $2,800 82 OVERALL SCORE FIRMER FOR BACK SLEEPERS Bob-O-Pedic Treasure Cushion…

Cassava—also known as yuca or manioc—is a root vegetable often used as a key ingredient in gluten-free foods. But many cassava-based products on store shelves, from chips and crackers to bread and pasta, could contain elevated levels of lead, posing serious health concerns for consumers. CR tested 27 foods and ingredients that use cassava (or its derivatives) for lead. Our findings were startling: Over two-thirds contained levels that exceeded our safety threshold (0.5 microgram, based on the California Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose level for lead in a day*) by significant margins. Some products had more than 20 times the allowed amount. Although an occasional serving of those foods might not impact your health, eating them regularly can lead to chronic lead exposure. That can interfere with brain and nervous…

▶ FLOURS Carrington Farms Organic Cassava Flour LIMIT: 1 SERVING SERVING SIZE: ¼ CUP Pamela’s Organic Cassava Flour LIMIT: 1½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: ¼ CUP Tonomi Cassava Flour LIMIT: 3 SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: ¼ CUP ▶ CHIPS & PUFFS Artisan Tropic Cassava Strips LIMIT: 1 SERVING SERVING SIZE: 13 PIECES Banana Organic Cassava Chips, Himalayan Pink Salt LIMIT: 2 SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 14 CHIPS Heaven & Earth Cassava Chips LIMIT: 6½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 15 CHIPS Iberia Yuca Cassava Chips, Lightly Salted LIMIT: 1½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 1 OUNCE LesserEvil “No Cheese” Cheesiness Paleo Puffs LIMIT: 1½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 25 PUFFS ▶ CRACKERS MadeGood Star Puffed Crackers, Cheddar Flavor LIMIT: 3½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 55 CRACKERS ▶ COOKIES Otto’s Naturals Grain-Free Ultimate Cookie Mix LIMIT: 1½ SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: 2…

LG OLED65C5PUA $2,500 88 OVERALL SCORE CHOOSING A TV is an important decision. Your new set will probably be a major source of entertainment in your home—and some can be quite expensive—so you’ll want to pick a model you’ll love for years to come. The factors that go into your decision may have evolved since the last time you bought a TV. As always, you’ll want a great picture. But you’ll also see a variety of much bigger screens to choose from, along with new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Some 2025 TVs can use AI to recognize who’s watching. Then they can change the home screen to show the viewer’s favorite streaming services and personalize suggestions about what to watch. In the following pages, we’ll help you navigate the shopping…

SECURE YOUR PERSONAL DATA Scammers routinely use false identities—and, increasingly, AI—to impersonate representatives of businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions. To foil their attempts, never give out your Social Security number or credit card or banking account numbers, log-ins, or passwords to anyone who calls, texts, or emails, unless you’re absolutely sure it’s not a scam. If you want to verify that an organization is authentic, Eden Iscil, senior public policy manager at the National Consumers League, recommends contacting it separately with a phone number you know is legitimate. CONSIDER A CREDIT FREEZE This prevents anyone from accessing your credit report and applying for a new line of credit or loan in your name (you’ll still be able to use your credit cards, though). Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the…

1. AUTOMATIC DRIP MACHINES These work by heating water you add to a reservoir, running it through grounds inside the machine, and dripping coffee into a carafe. Simple to use, they’re the best choice for making multiple cups at once. These two models are programmable and have a permanent mesh-wire filter and an indicator light to tell you when it’s time to clean them. TOP CHOICE R.W. Flame 14-Cup Programmable (shown) $68 84 OVERALL SCORE EASY TO USE Calphalon 14-Cup Programmable $90 81 OVERALL SCORE 2. POD COFFEE MAKERS Pod machines heat water and push it through a small packet filled with grounds, depositing coffee directly into your mug. They’re convenient if you drink just a single cup or an espresso-style shot and need less cleanup than drip makers. TOP CHOICE Nespresso…

COOKING APPLIANCES The range is the centerpiece of your kitchen. You rely on it (or a cooktop/wall oven combo) to bake, broil, roast, simmer, sear, and boil. So it’s important to pick a good one, but that doesn’t necessarily mean spending more. “We often find that price is no indicator of performance,” says Kenneth Sutton, who leads CR’s testing for these appliances. The GE gas range at right is an all-around winner, offering steady simmering and even baking and broiling. Looking for a cooktop? The LG gas model below costs about $400 less than our top-rated gas cooktop but performs nearly as well. RANGES GAS GE GGF600AVSS $774 76 OVERALL SCORE ELECTRIC SMOOTHTOP LG LREL6321S $749 87 OVERALL SCORE INDUCTION Frigidaire Gallery FCFI3083AS $1,098 81 OVERALL SCORE RELIABILITY MATTERS GE…

NSAIDS ADVIL, ALEVE, ASPIRIN Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain from inflammation and work best for muscle or joint pain. Discuss interactions with a doctor if you also take a diuretic or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as Prozac or Zoloft. SIDE EFFECTS Can include indigestion, ulcers, headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness. For ibuprofen (Advil), don’t exceed 1,200 mg per day. ACETAMINOPHEN TYLENOL While helpful for acute pain, there is little evidence to support its use for chronic pain. SIDE EFFECTS Taking high doses can lead to serious liver damage; don’t exceed 3,000 mg per day. Alcohol can increase the risk. TOPICAL ANALGESICS LIDOCAINE, CAPSAICIN, DICLOFENAC These are applied directly to the skin and relieve pain through a numbing or warming effect. Studies have found that topical NSAIDs like diclofenac…

If you have chronic pain that doesn’t respond to firstor second-line treatments, or seems to be getting worse over time, it might be time to see a pain specialist. These are doctors who have special training and credentialing in pain management (above and beyond their initial specialty), and they can access a toolbox of treatments to help you find relief. Pain specialists are usually board-certified in anesthesiology, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or psychiatry. They can also connect patients with physical therapists, pain psychologists, and other experts. Pain medicine is considered a subspecialty. You can search for physicians certified to practice it through the directories provided by organizations such as the American Board of Anesthesiology (theaba.org/directory), the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (abpmr.org/PhysicianSearch/search), and the American Board of…

NETGEAR ORBI 750 SERIES AX5200 (3-PACK) $300 90 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP “To get optimal performance, keep your router out in the open and away from WiFi signal impediments like metal, water, brick, and concrete.”HENRY PARRA Test Leader for Routers ▶ HOW TO SHOP Before you start looking at options, consider the size and layout of your home. In an apartment or a small house, a traditional single-unit router will serve you well. But in a larger dwelling (2,000 square feet or more), you’re better off buying a mesh router system, which has a hub and one or two satellite units that work together to blanket the space in coverage. Those extra “beacons” are very handy when your network needs to stretch across multiple floors or a winding, ranch-style layout. Routers…

Tablets come in handy when you don’t want to lug around a laptop but would like a bigger screen than the one on your smartphone. The best models have vibrant displays, long-lasting batteries, and enough processing power to handle routine activities such as web browsing, video streaming, and sometimes even more challenging tasks like gaming and video editing. APPLE IPAD A16 $350 78 OVERALL SCORE EXPERT TIP ”If you’re thinking of adding a stylus for note-taking, be sure to check on compatibility. Not all Apple Pencils work with every iPad.”RICH FISCO Head of CR’s Electronics Testing ▶ HOW TO SHOP A tablet’s abilities are largely determined by its operating system. Apple’s iPadOS is tied to the Apple App Store and Google’s Android to the Google Play store. Amazon’s tablets run…

THE WHITE AND RED envelope bears the name and logo of the brand of car you own. “IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE,” it says, in capital letters. It may look like junk mail or even a scam. But the information inside could save your life. Automakers issue recalls when a vehicle has a critical safety defect, notifying owners via letters in alarming-looking envelopes. According to analysis from Stout, a financial advisory firm that researches automotive recalls, in 2024 there were over 360 automotive safety recalls in the U.S., affecting more than 25 million vehicles. Some of those were for millions of cars, while others covered only a handful of vehicles. The issues included faulty backup cameras, engines that suddenly shut off while driving, and airbags that wouldn’t protect occupants in a…

Not every repair will require a trip to the dealership service department waiting room. With many modern cars, manufacturers can solve problems through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, just like an update for your phone or computer. In most cases, if your car is new enough to have a built-in internet connection, you need only to accept a prompt on the infotainment screen. In some cases, the updates happen automatically, and the problem is already fixed by the time the official recall notice arrives. Michael Brooks, from the Center for Auto Safety, says it’s still important for owners to read the entire recall notice. “It lets owners know they don’t have to call their dealer and set up an appointment, because the entire recall is going to take place virtually,”…

YOU LOVE YOUR CAR, but you’d probably love it even more if it didn’t have a coffee stain on the carpet, dust on the dashboard, and fingerprints all over the touchscreen. Fortunately, those and most other common messes are easy to handle, without paying for professional detailing. You will need the right products and tools. It’s tempting to reach for common household cleaners—some of which can work. But in most cases, you risk ruining your car’s interior. “It’s worth buying products that are designed for automotive use,” says Michael Crossen, CR’s lead auto technician. “Household products aren’t intended for the finishes you’ll find in modern cars. They may not clean well, and can even cause permanent damage.” To help you keep your car looking showroom fresh, we turned to the…

ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY SEDANS ACURA INTEGRA $33,000-$52,900 73 OVERALL SCORE MAZDA3 $23,950-$36,950 78 OVERALL SCORE THE LOWDOWN If you’re looking for a luxurious, fun-to-drive car, you might naturally think of a prestige brand like Acura—but that’s not always the best choice. Case in point: Although the Acura Integra is a spirited sedan, the cabin isn’t particularly plush. For thousands less, the Mazda3 has a quieter interior and a better ride. Our experts find it more enjoyable to drive, too. The top trims push its cabin well into luxury territory, and the available 250-hp turbocharged engine boosts performance. Plus, it comes as a sedan or a hatchback, and all-wheel drive is optional. LEAF BLOWERS DEWALT DCBL777Y1 $440 75 OVERALL SCORE SKIL BL4713C-11 $159 75 OVERALL SCORE THE BETTER DEAL THE LOWDOWN These battery…