Inhoudsopgave van May/June 2026 - 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…

Birth of a Watchdog In 1936, when American families were stretching every dollar during the Great Depression, CR’s founders made a promise: to test staples like food—so that consumers could know what was safe to eat and also what was worth their money. In the decades since, we have reviewed and investigated countless foods and beverages. Along the way, we’ve driven marketplace change and influenced government reforms, from raising the alarm about antibiotics in meat production to exposing the presence of dangerous chemicals in drinking water. We’re still doing that work today. 81,404 BIG WIN! The number of consumers who signed our petition to the Food and Drug Administration, to demand the ban of Red Dye No. 3 in foods. This pressure helped lead to legislation banning the dye, which…

A great towel isn’t just soft, it should be quick-drying and able to handle frequent laundering without shrinking, pilling, or getting scratchy. To get all those benefits, our experts say to choose 100 percent cotton (like the Tens, Glamburg, and Ikea towels here) over cotton-synthetic blends, which can be rougher. The type of cotton matters, too. Egyptian, Turkish, and Supima cottons tend to be softer, more durable, and more absorbent than others. Two more indicators of quality: Ringspun cotton—yarn that’s twisted to be stronger—should hold up well. Combed cotton has been brushed to remove impurities, resulting in a smoother feel. In our tests of 15 popular terry cloth towels, these four landed at the top of our pile. To shop the products in this issue, scan this QR code with…

EDITOR’S CHOICE Method All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes $6.69 (10¢ per wipe) These 7x7.5-inch wipes are thicker than most, so they can scrub tougher messes (like jam stuck on a stovetop) with ease. They also left fewer streaks than several of the wetter wipes we tried—and are the least expensive of the bunch. *We used these wipes on quartz. If you have natural stone or wood counters, you may need surface-specific wipes. (Tub O’Towels, for example, also makes wipes safe for granite and marble.) RUNNER-UP Tub O’Towels Heavy Duty Cleaning Wipes $16.99 (19¢ per wipe) They’re big—10x12 inches!—and durable. In our tests, one wipe could quickly remove gunk from a quartz countertop, be folded over, then used again elsewhere. NICE DISPENSER, BUT JUST OKAY Biom All-Purpose Wipes $27 for a 3-pack (15¢…

You can hear an air purifier running, but is it actually doing anything? We asked the head of CR’s air purifier testing, Misha Kollontai, how to make sure your investment is actually cleaning the air. For starters, Kollontai says, place your hand near the purifier’s outlet vent to check for a steady stream of air. You can also hold a piece of paper up to the intake grille. If there’s sufficient suction, the paper will stay in place. The bigger question is how well the air purifier clears debris. Many models have sensors that provide real-time readings of airborne particulate matter, showing when and where levels spike and how long they stay elevated. In his own home, Kollontai sometimes moves his air purifier around to see how its readings change.…

REFRIGERATORS LIFE EXPECTANCY* 9 to 13 years TROUBLE SPOTS Icemakers, water/ice dispensers, interior plastic parts, compressors Your refrigerator runs 24/7 and may hold hundreds of dollars’ worth of food. A breakdown is more than a headache; it can be a crisis. And unfortunately, refrigerators are one of the least reliable products we analyze in our member surveys. Among all new refrigerators purchased since 2015, 49 percent have experienced a problem, ranging from big failures that affect how well they stay cold to annoyances like an icemaker that conks out (the most commonly reported problem in our surveys). French-door styles are the most popular—see the brand reliability and top-rated picks on the facing page—but they’re more likely to develop problems, including severe ones. Based on our surveys, to pick a fridge that will…

IMAGINE YOU WAKE up in the middle of the night, hours after eating a burger or an ice cream cone, or taking a prescription drug. Suddenly you’re vomiting, feeling nauseous, or covered in hives. You might even be wheezing or feel your throat closing up. These can all be signs of a tick-borne ailment known as alpha-gal syndrome. Often described as a “red meat allergy,” it’s really an allergy to a sugar found in most mammals. It can be triggered by meat (such as beef and pork) as well as dairy, and by medications that have ingredients derived from mammals. Spread primarily by Lone Star ticks—which are proliferating across the U.S.—alpha-gal allergies have exploded. From 2010 (shortly after the allergy was first identified) to 2018, about 34,000 cases were reported.…

FIRST DRIVE Toyota RAV4 PHEV XSE The newest RAV4 plug-in hybrid improves on its impressive predecessor. The electric-only range has increased from 42 miles up to 52 miles, depending on the trim, and overall power increased by 22 hp, for 324 hp total. This RAV4 is also Toyota’s first vehicle with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, the automaker’s newest suite of active safety and driver assistance technology. CR’S TAKE Acceleration is rapid for the class, and the ride is quite good, even on large 20-inch wheels. Handling is impressive, and the cabin is nicely hushed. BASE PRICE RANGE $41,500-$48,500 DESTINATION CHARGE $1,450 PRICE AS DRIVEN $48,650 AskCR Which package should I pick at an automated car wash? If available, use an automated wash advertised as “touchless”—regular car washes can scratch your car’s…

COMPACT SUVs LEXUS UX $36,955-$46,945 MAZDA CX-50 HYBRID $34,750-$40,450 THE LOWDOWN Looking for a lower-priced, fuel-efficient luxury SUV? The Lexus UX, a hybrid with a solid reliability history, might seem like a great choice. But its cabin is snug, and it requires premium gas, which offsets fuel-economy cost benefits. For a little less money, consider the equally efficient, roomier Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. In top trims, it’s well equipped, with luxury elements like leather and ventilated front seats. Plus, it’s quicker and stops shorter than the UX, and gets top marks for safety. If you can look past the prestige branding on the Lexus, the Mazda is a much better value. CORDLESS DRILLS MILWAUKEE 3403-22 $189 HERCULES HCB91K1 $99 THE LOWDOWN Tied at the top of our ratings for general-use drills, either…

CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE debuted in May 1936. From the very beginning, we made a commitment: to provide the independent, unbiased information and advice that consumers need. And for the past 90 years, we’ve worked to keep that promise. At the core of that effort is helping you determine which products are worth your money. In that first issue, for example, our experts investigated the quality of everyday items like cleaning products and stockings. Nine decades later, we’re still at it, testing thousands of products each year for performance and safety. We also survey thousands of readers about their experiences with the products they own. This issue’s cover story, “Most & Least Reliable Cars, Refrigerators, Washers & Dryers, Laptops, Printers, and More,” shares those results to point you to choices that…

Mattresses Under $600 WE TESTED: 43 models WE TEST FOR: How well the mattress supports large/tall, average, and petite side sleepers and back sleepers; durability; firmness; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES Median: 71 Range: 60-82 EXCELLENT INNERSPRING Siena Essential Premier Hybrid $500 SOFT & SUPPORTIVE INNERSPRING Ikea Vagstranda $500 FOAM BARGAIN BUY Best Price Mattress 12” Signature Green Tea $285 Battery String Trimmers WE TESTED: 57 models WE TEST FOR: How quickly and neatly a model trims grass, how well it edges along a walkway and cuts tall grass and weeds, its overall handling, and ease of use. ABOUT THE SCORES Median: 80 Range: 43-90 BEST OVERALL Makita XRU15PT $500 GREAT VALUE Ego ST1502SA $150 QUIETEST Skil LT4832C-11 $170 Laundry Detergent WE TESTED: 81 products WE TEST FOR: How well a detergent removes…

Adjust the temperature setting Raising the thermostat by 2 degrees (and turning on a ceiling fan; see above right) could lower your air conditioning costs by up to 14 percent, according to Energy Star. If you’ll be out of the house, inch your thermostat up even more, about 7 to 10 degrees above normal. If you do this for 8 hours a day, you could save an additional 10 percent, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). Place your thermostat wisely A WiFi-connected “smart” thermostat can save money by auto-adjusting when you’re away or asleep. To operate properly, it should be on an interior wall away from direct sun, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Don’t place lamps or TVs nearby—thermostats can sense their heat and trigger the AC to run…

RECALLED: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUVs Toyota is recalling over half a million model year 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs because their second-row seatbacks may not latch properly during adjustment, preventing the seatbacks from locking into position and putting passengers at a higher risk for injuries, especially in a high-speed crash. What to do Toyota dealerships will replace the return springs in the recliner assemblies with improved ones, free of charge. You can call Toyota at 800-331-4331. The NHTSA campaign number is 26V128. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06. ANGRY ORANGE ENZYME STAIN REMOVERS Thrasio is recalling about 1.5 million Angry Orange Enzyme Stain Removers because they may be contaminated with bacteria, posing a risk of infection for people with weakened immune systems or underlying lung disease, or…

SMALL ROOMS (UP TO 150 SQ. FT.) GermGuardian CDAP4500BCA $200 Clorox 11020 $80 MIDSIZED ROOMS (150-350 SQ. FT.) Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD-320 $249 Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max $125 LARGE ROOMS (350-650 SQ. FT.) Blueair Blue Pure 211+ $264 Winix 9800 $270 To shop the products in this issue, scan this QR code with your phone or go to CR.org/shopmayjune26.…

Nothing takes the shine off a new car faster than repeated trips back to the dealer for repairs. It’s frustrating, it’s inconvenient, and, once the warranty period ends, it’s expensive. That’s why we tell shoppers to prioritize dependability, using our predicted reliability ratings as a guide. To inform our ratings, CR members shared detailed reports about the problems they had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. We have data on about 380,000 vehicles, enough to predict reliability for nearly every new car, truck, and SUV on the market. For 2026, three brands top our ratings: Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota. Each is a great place to start your search, but you have plenty of options. Here’s what else to know. Why Some Brands Are More Dependable As our brand…

With all the slicing, dicing, and cleanup involved, cooking at home can feel time-consuming and tiring. But it doesn’t have to. From top-rated blenders and microwaves to space-saving freezers and vacuums, these appliances make food prep and cleanup faster—and easier on your body, too. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that you line your counters with single-task tools. New features have made small appliances more versatile than ever. For example, toaster ovens do more than brown bread; many also air-fry (as can some microwaves). Blenders not only whip up a frothy drink but also can emulsify ingredients for a homemade batch of mayo. A stand alone freezer can let you cook big batches ahead for ready-to-go meals (and keep them organized). And a lightweight rechargeable vacuum will whisk away a dusting…

Summer sales can be a great time to get a deal on a new grill—if you know what to look for. Gas grills remain the gold standard for convenience, with midsized models offering the best intersection of durability and value. The Nexgrill below, for example, is a CR Smart Buy for only $550. But if you can spend more, our experts advise looking for gas models with an infrared burner (like the Napoleon below). That newer feature provides the concentrated heat needed to sear meats perfectly. Love big smoky flavors? Opt for a pellet or charcoal model instead. Regardless of style, pick a grill with a heavy-gauge stainless steel or cast-aluminum cookbox, which resists rust better than thin, painted steel and heats evenly in our tests. To fire up your…

EVEN THE TIDIEST homes can have dirty air. Floating microscopic particles can travel deep into your body, causing harm. We’re breathing in airborne particles continuously, according to Rauno Joks, MD, chief and program director of the Allergy and Immunology Division at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, N.Y. “Minimizing that everyday exposure can benefit almost anyone,” he says. This is especially important in the spring, when pollen levels spike, and the winter, when there’s generally less fresh air indoors. A good air purifier can scrub away those invisible particles. It can be a smart, healthy-home investment, especially for those who have pets, live in an area with high pollution levels (including areas affected by seasonal wildfire smoke), or share a home with someone who has a health condition exacerbated…

Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high. Change your clothes when you come inside to prevent pollen and other outdoor allergens from entering your home. Vacuum regularly with a machine that includes a HEPA filter to remove irritants from floors and carpeting. The Shark Power Detect HZ4002 and the Kenmore Intuition BU4050 are two options that score well in our ratings. Dust surfaces with a damp cloth. A dry cloth can simply disrupt particles, sending them back into the air. Run a dehumidifier in the summer to reduce airborne mold spores. The Midea MAD-20S1QWT dehumidifier sits at the top of our ratings. Stay on top of HVAC filter replacement for improved whole-house filtration.…

▶ HOW TO SHOP Handheld vacuums are best for small areas—cereal spilled on the floor or crumbs along the edge of a cabinet. When shopping, look for one that’s lightweight and easy to store. The Shark Ion W1 WV201, for instance, weighs only 1.4 pounds and comes with a sleek docking station. You can use a good stick vac to clean a small mess, too—but it can also clean your entire floor. If you’d prefer a cordless model, pick one with a longer battery run time so that you won’t have to recharge it in the middle of the job. The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra VS90F40DMK/AA, for example, has one of the longest run times among the models we tested. Many stick vacs we test can also be converted…

SMALL LUXURY CARS BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Small and Sporty With Premium Touches ROAD-TEST SCORE 75 HIGHS Sharp handling, excellent fuel economy, comfortable front seats, high-quality cabin materials LOWS Overly firm ride, low-speed power delays, cramped rear seat, touchscreen is required for many common functions POWERTRAIN 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; all-wheel drive FUEL 30 mpg on premium PRICE $40,000-$50,000 base price + $1,350 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $45,725 BMW GAVE THE 2 SERIES GRAN Coupe an extensive refresh, adding power, a new transmission, and updated interior controls. It’s quicker and more fuel-efficient than before, but laggy power delivery during low-speed acceleration mars the overall driving experience. We also found many of the new controls to be difficult to learn, and the infotainment…