Table of contents for December 2021 in Consumer Reports

AS THE HOLIDAYS approach, some of us will venture back into stores, but others will continue to shop primarily online. This year we appreciated that so many of you who visited CR.org enjoyed the convenience of researching products and then seamlessly making purchases as part of our shopping program. CR’s site is ad-free and influence-free, so you don’t have to worry about fake reviews or sponsored ad links disguised as reviews. Coming soon will be a new CR Deals hub that will help you shop with confidence and get the best deals on top-rated products. And to be sure you benefit from CR’s advice whenever and wherever you’re considering a purchase, our CR Recommended mark is being extended beyond autos, washing machines, and dryers to help you make informed decisions…

Chromebooks WE TESTED: 32 models WE TEST FOR: Quality of display; ergonomics, including keyboard design; performance when running browsers and applications; battery life; and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 69 Range: 62-87 EXCELLENT BUT PRICEY Acer Chromebook Spin 713 $530 86 OVERALL SCORE TOP-NOTCH DISPLAY Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 $550 79 OVERALL SCORE BARGAIN BUY Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1 HT-C934 $230 00 OVERALL SCORE Double-Oven Ranges WE TESTED: 7 electric models WE TEST FOR: How evenly an oven bakes cookies and cakes, how quickly the stovetop can bring a large pot of water to a near-boil, oven capacity, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 80 Range: 72-83 CONVERTS FROM SINGLE TO DOUBLE OVEN Samsung NE63T8751SG $2,600 83 OVERALL SCORE INDUCTION STOVETOP KitchenAid KFID500ESS $3,000 73 OVERALL SCORE NICE PRICE GE JBS86SPSS $1,220 00 OVERALL SCORE Low-Cost Ellipticals…

FAST-FOOD MENUS are crowded with hefty breakfast sandwiches and sugary donuts—making it no easy feat to navigate past them all to find a healthier choice. “Ideally, your breakfast should have some whole grains, fruit, or vegetables—or all three,” says Amy Keating, RD, a nutritionist at CR. That means scanning for simpler egg dishes, sandwiches on whole-grain breads, or oatmeal and yogurt options with fresh fruit toppings. “Aiming for 500 calories or less is a good goal for most diets, too,” Keating says. Of course, it’s hard to compare nutrition counts and ingredients when you’re in a hurry, so CR reviewed three popular chain menus to find tasty choices that help you start your a.m. in a healthier way. ▴ DUNKIN’ Veggie Egg White Omelette on a Multigrain Thin CALORIES 290…

SNOW BLOWERS ARE complicated machines, so it’s only natural that troubles will arise on occasion. Some are easily prevented, and others, when addressed quickly, can help you avoid poor performance or bigger, pricier repairs down the road. PROBLEM 1 The Blower Won’t Start If the gas in your tank is more than 30 days old, ethanol in the fuel may have caused moisture to build up in the fuel system. Use a gas siphon to drain old gas from the blower, then refuel with fresh stabilized gasoline and try again. (For electric models, make sure it’s plugged in or that the battery is fully charged.) PROBLEM 2 The Blower Lurches Forward Over time, the cables that send power to the wheels need to be adjusted to apply proper tension to…

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Acoustic guitars and other wooden instruments can easily fall out of tune, and potentially warp, if the air is too dry. Dedicate a space where you can keep the relative humidity between 45 and 55 percent, or buy a humidifier made for your instrument. WOOD FLOORING Excessive dryness can shrink floorboards, creating gaps and making them creak. To prevent that, maintain room humidity between 30 and 40 percent in cooler and drier seasons. LEATHER GOODS The pores in leather, which help it maintain a supple texture by letting in moisture, can shrink in dry environments, causing clothing, accessories, and upholstery to crack. One solution: Apply conditioner. And never leave leather outside. FURNITURE Wooden furniture can split if allowed to get too dry. Keep it out of direct sunlight…

CONSUMER REPORTS TOP PICKS WE LOVE … AMAZING APPLIANCES A slide-in style with stellar performance, this GE electric range has everything from a built-in temperature probe to an air fry setting in the oven, not to mention top-notch reliability. GREAT GAS RANGE SAMSUNG NX60T8711SS $1,980 82 STANDOUT ELECTRIC RANGE GE PROFILE PSS93YPFS $2,400 88 OVERALL SCORE TOP VALUE ELECTRIC LG LREL6321S $700 88 This top-rated LG refrigerator offers an appeal ing mix of performance and style—plus a trove of features, including an external water/ice dispenser, spillproof shelving, and two icemakers. SUPER STORAGE REFRIGERATOR LG LRFVC2406S FRENCH-DOOR $3,600 84 Squeaky-clean dishes are a given with this top-rated Bosch dishwasher. But it stands out for its host of highend features at a competitive price. SUPER-SLEEK DISHWASHER BOSCH 300 SERIES SHX863WD5N $950 84 TOP…

CONSUMER REPORTS TOP PICKS WINNING COMBO SIMPLE SECURITY To secure your home, invest in a wireless camera to watch for intruders, a video doorbell to spot porch pirates, and a DIY security system to guard entrances. These are some of our favorites across those categories. (For the easiest user experience, choose which of the three you want most, then add other products from the same brand.) SECURITY CAMERA ARLO ESSENTIAL WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERA $130 74 VIDEO DOORBELL (WIRED) GOOGLE NEST DOORBELL (WIRED) $230 DIY HOME SECURITY SYSTEM RING ALARM SECURITY KIT 4K19SZ-0EN0 (2ND GEN.) $300 85 WE LOVE … GREAT GADGETS MOST VERSATILE LAPTOP APPLE MACBOOK AIR 13-INCH (2020, M1) $1,000 81 OVERALL SCORE This Apple laptop ticks every box on our wish list. It’s light (2.8 pounds) and powerful, and…

NEWS & EXPERT ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE CURVE™ TIP FROM OUR TEST TRACK Keep Safety Sensors Clean in Winter The active safety sensors and cameras on your car need to be free of road grime, ice, and snow to do their job. The specific locations for your car are listed in the owner’s manual, but they’re most often found in these areas: >The grille > The top of the windshield > Front and rear bumpers > Rear body quarter panels > Outside mirrors Be sure these areas are clear before driving. Going through a car wash once a week will help to keep the car’s sensors and cameras clean. FIRST DRIVE Tesla Model S When it debuted in 2012, the Model S was…

MIDSIZED 3-ROW SUVs Jeep Grand Cherokee L Updated, But Not Enough 63 OVERALL SCORE THE FIRST GRAND Cherokee redesign in a decade kicks off with a new three-row version, dubbed the “L.” We found it roomy, comfortable, and well appointed. But there are more compelling choices, such as the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, with considerably higher road-test scores. The Jeep’s base 290-hp V6 is willing enough during regular driving, aided by the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic, but the engine feels strained and sounds thrashy at higher revs. The Jeep is one of the slowest SUVs in the class, needing 8.8 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph—top rivals are in the low 7s. Its 19 mpg overall is also far from stellar, but towing capacity is strong, at 6,200…

1937 In our first test of washing machines, the Watermatic, $99.50, is the best of 15 models for its superior washing and rinsing. 1945 A new innovation in drip coffee pots, the Chemex “rates first place among the 19 coffee makers we tested,” CR says. 1952 Our first dishwasher tests reveal two top picks: a Hotpoint and a KitchenAid with Excellent cleaning and drying. 1960 We test new refrigerators that can defrost themselves, and a Frigidaire (available in multiple colors) takes the top spot. 1977 In our tests of 20 exercise bikes, this Schwinn Deluxe “clearly led the field by a wide margin,” we say, and is also a CR Best Buy. 1989 Sales of laptops are growing, so we test eight models. This Toshiba tops our ratings for being…

STACK YOUR CARGO CORRECTLY. In all vehicles, and SUVs in particular, your heaviest items should be placed in the middle of the vehicle. This helps keep the center of gravity lower, reducing the likelihood of a rollover. Too much weight far back can reduce weight over the front wheels, affecting your ability to steer or brake. Try to fit soft duffle bags in the back-seat area. Don’t pile loose items on top of luggage in an SUV trunk—they block your view and can fly around with a sudden stop; pack them into a larger bag below headrest height. CHECK THE DRIVER’S DOORJAMB. This is where you’ll find a placard with your vehicle’s weight capacity. If your car is filled with both people and their luggage, you may be surprised by…

VOLVO S60 AND S80 VEHICLES Volvo is recalling more than 259,000 S60 sedans from the 2001 through 2009 model years and S80 sedans from the 2001 through 2006 model years because a faulty inflator within the driver’s-side airbag might rupture and launch metal fragments toward occupants if the airbag deploys. One person has been killed as a result of these faulty airbags, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What to do: Volvo is expected to notify owners by mail beginning Nov. 29, 2021, but owners may contact Volvo customer service at 800-458-1552. Volvo will replace the faulty driver’s airbag with a new airbag that contains a different propellant and inflator, free of charge. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 21V766; Volvo’s internal number is…

TO PREVENT THE GROWTH of mold and other contaminants, we recommend rinsing, towel-drying, and refilling your humidifier’s tank with fresh water daily. Once a week the tank and the base’s well need a deeper cleaning and sanitizing. See the steps below. Replace filters and wicks on the maker’s recommended schedule. Some manufacturers suggest using bleach to sanitize. That approach can be effective, but James Dickerson, PhD, CR’s chief scientific officer, points to its risks: “Bleach can degrade some plastics and seals that keep the unit watertight and structurally sound.” When you’re ready to store your humidifier, first dry it thoroughly. And after taking it out of storage, fill the tank only when you’re ready to use it. 30 MINUTES TOOLS NEEDED ▪ Water ▪ Towel ▪ White vinegar ▪ Empty…

CONSUMER REPORTS TOP PICKS WE LOVE … HEALTHY GEAR BEST BET TREADMILL SOLE F80 $1,600 86 OVERALL SCORE This folding treadmill impressed our testers by earning Excellent scores across the board. A CR Best Buy, it costs less than half the price of our highest-rated treadmill but is almost as highly rated overall. FOR SERIOUS TRAINING (NON-FOLDING) TREADMILL TRUE PERFORMANCE 100 $3,900 87 BEST FOLDING TREADMILL UNDER $1,000 SCHWINN 830 $950 79 SUPER-CLEANING ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH ORAL B IO7 SERIES $200 83 The Oral B electric toothbrush does an excellent job cleaning your teeth, and it’s packed with features—including a sensor that tells you when you are pressing too hard so that you won’t irritate your gums. GENTLE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH PHILIPS SONICARE PROTECTIVE CLEAN 6100 $110 77 CR BEST BUY ELECTRIC…

WINNING COMBO YARDWORK HELPERS Keeping your property looking neat and tidy isn’t always simple, but using this one-stop-shopping lineup of tools is. That’s because Ego lawn tools use an interchangeable 56-volt battery that powers its entire collection of outdoor power tools, including the stellar chainsaw, string trimmer, and leaf blower here. STRING TRIMMER EGO ST1502SA $170 92 CHAINSAW EGO CS1804 $349 82 OVERALL SCORE LEAF BLOWER EGO LB5302 $200 80 THE WORST LIST WIRELESS SPEAKER BILLBOARD BB742 $30 29 BATTERY PUSH MOWER SUN JOE MJ401C-X $190 40 BATTERY STRING TRIMMER BLACK+DECKER LST201 $80 42 WHAT’S NEW & COOL WIRELESS AND BLUETOOTH SPEAKER JBL BOOMBOX 2 $499 60 A reimagining of the classic boom boxes of the 1980s, this JBL wireless speaker retains all the fun—volume galore and loads of bass—and…

HEARING AIDS ARE becoming cheaper, more accessible, and more technologically sophisticated. But with many new options on the market, the process of choosing a pair has also become more complicated. In the past, consumers usually bought hearing aids from an audiologist or other medical professional, and they cost an average of $2,363 per ear. Then, four years ago Congress passed a landmark law allowing hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter (OTC) to adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The law was intended to make the devices more affordable and easier to buy. But because of delays at the Food and Drug Administration caused by the complexity of the task and the pandemic, there are still no official rules about the OTC devices. That means products meeting the government’s definition…

BUYING REPLACEMENT TIRES can be an expensive and confusing experience. You can easily spend $800 or more by the time you add up the cost of four tires plus additional charges for mounting and balancing. And the numerous brands, various categories, and wide range of prices can lead some consumers to rely on a salesperson’s recommendation, which isn’t always the best way to get a great tire for a great price. But following these tips from CR’s tire experts will ensure that you do. Consider Buying a Full Set Our most recent member survey on tire-buying experiences found that about 85 percent bought a full set for their last purchase rather than just buying one or two. Replacing all of the tires at the same time guarantees an even grip…

$26.99 reg $28.99 Sale online Rite Lite 45ct Deluxe Hanukkah Candles 5… Sold & shipped by Christmas… It’s a Good Deal Except for One Little Thing … These candles will arrive too late because Hanukkah starts on Nov. 28 this year. Submitted by Rita Sandstrom, Minnetonka, MN The Grinch Was Here Ready for some sticker shock? This toy car clearance sale saves you exactly zero. Submitted by Christopher Holmes, Vancouver, WA Maybe We’ll Pass on This Stocking Stuffer We don’t need any extra stress, thanks! Submitted by Blythe and Reece Miller, via email What’s an Extra $9.99, Anyway? Remember the good old days when “Gifts Under $50” actually meant something? Submitted by Stephanie Norris, as seen in Orlando, FL SHARE Be on the lookout for goofs and glitches like these.…

HAVING A STRONG LOCK on your door is one of the best things that you can do to protect your home from prowlers: Forcible entries (both attempted and completed) were the entry method used for about 62 percent of all burglaries in 2019, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program. Smart locks—those you can operate with a smartphone via WiFi or bluetooth—promise easy, secure new ways to lock your doors. To help you decide whether one is right for you, our testers kicked, picked, and drilled all types of smart locks, as well as conventional deadbolts, to see how they stand up to common break-in attempts. In those tests, we found that while a smart lock doesn’t guarantee you stronger pro tection against break-ins than a regular lock does,…

Dried fruit has a reputation for being high in calories and sugar, but, say experts, it can be just as good for you as fresh. In fact, according to research published in 2020 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, adults who ate dried fruit had a lower body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (and a healthier overall diet) than those who didn’t. “Many dried fruits are good sources of fiber and potassium—two nutrients that Americans need to consume more of—as well as phytochemicals [beneficial plant compounds],” says study author Valerie Sullivan, RDN, a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. But some dried fruits are more nutritious than others, and calories can add up quickly if you don’t watch…

THE LATEST RATINGS FROM OUR LABS HOW COOL-MIST ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIERS WORK 1 Water flows from a storage tank into a chamber in the base. Motors that run the unit sit inside the base. 2 A vibrating disc nebulizes the water into fine droplets using ultrasonic sound waves. 3 The droplets enter the air as mist. In some humidifiers, a small fan helps disperse the mist. 4 In some models, a cartridge removes minerals from the water before it’s nebulized. AS COLD WEATHER arrives and heating systems kick in, the humidity levels inside our homes usually drop. Skin can get itchy, lips chapped, throats parched. By maintaining optimal humidity—between 30 and 50 percent in most places—a humidifier can relieve these problems and generally make your indoor environment more comfortable. By adding…

What makes CR’s experts consider a product truly exceptional? Shining performance in our exhaustive tests and surveys, certainly, but also a host of other criteria, from including key safety features to offering top-notch reliability or a great value. Here, then, is our first annual roundup of the 88 most impressive products we’ve tested, from appliances to autos, lawn equipment to laptops. PLUS an inside look at the products that impressed our staffers so much that they bought them.…

CONSUMER REPORTS TOP PICKS WHAT’S NEW & COOL COOLING PAD CHILI OOLER COOLING PAD FROM $800 5/5 OVERALL SCORE Do you tend to wake up too hot—or cold? The smartphone-controlled Ooler can cool or warm your bed to exactly the right temperature for you. PILLOW COOP HOME GOODS PILLOW $62 90 Now, you can even customize your pillow: The Coop comes with a bag of extra fill, so you can add or subtract filling to make it as full or as flat as you like. BIDET ATTACHMENT BRONDELL SIMPLESPA THINLINE* $50 This streamlined bidet attachment delivers a cleansing stream of water when you use the loo. It boasts the lowest price of the six models our panelists evaluated, and they found it very easy to use. WINNING COMBO SLEEP CHAMPS…

WINNING COMBO FAMILY GARAGE Different needs require different kinds of vehicles—and each should be reliable, and efficient. The Carnival is ideal for family road trips. The smooth-riding AWD Legacy sedan is ideal for year-round commutes. And the Civic meets our tough criteria for teen safety. MINIVAN KIA CARNIVAL $32,100-$46,100 77 MIDSIZED SEDAN SUBARU LEGACY $22,995-$36,190 84 USED, RELIABLE, AND SAFE FOR TEEN DRIVERS HONDA CIVIC (2012-2015)* $7,725-$19,100 *Used cars do not have an Overall Score. WE LOVE … SMART BUYS OVER $30,000 MIDSIZED SUV KIA TELLURIDE $32,790-$44,590 97 OVERALL SCORE The Telluride midsized 3-row SUV shines in a competitive category, with its slick V6, comfortable seats, versatile interior, and thoughtful touches. It’s hard to find a fault with this do-it-all model. MIDSIZED SUV LEXUS RX $45,320-$55,790 80 SMALL SUV SUBARU FORESTER…

MOST CONSUMERS LOOKING for a new car want to buy an SUV. But getting one at a good price these days can be a challenge. Pandemic-related microchip shortages, temporary factory closures, and labor problems have led to a scarcity of new models and driven up prices significantly. For example, an analysis by Consumer Reports found that earlier this year people were paying upward of 20 percent over sticker price for a 2022 Kia Telluride three-row SUV, and many other SUV models are also being sold for more than the MSRP. Creative shoppers may find deals by considering front-wheel-drive models or broadening their options to include alternatives that can provide most of the advantages of an SUV but are more widely available and priced within reach. The three CR-recommended models below,…