Table of contents for May/June 2024 in 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…

IN THE KNOW A Better Way to Make Popcorn You’ve probably heard that bagged microwave popcorn isn’t the healthiest choice. While many contain only 130 to 180 calories per serving (that’s about 4.5 cups when popped), they often have not-so-healthy ingredients like palm oil, which is high in saturated fat. And recent research reveals that those microwaveable bags can also add toxic PFAS chemicals to your popcorn. These chemicals have been linked to some cancers, immune system suppression, and more. Instead, use one of these at-home popcorn poppers, which may reduce the risk of toxins like PFAS being added and will keep your snack light because most don’t require oil to pop the kernels. An at-home popper can also save you money because bags of unpopped kernels cost about 20…

THERE ARE MORE than 1,000 credit cards out there that offer rewards. With these, you get something in return each time you spend, usually cash back and sometimes points or miles (as with airline-branded cards). But how do you choose the best one (or two, or maybe three or more) for you? If you carry balances on your credit cards, this is not a question even worth asking, because any reward you earn will be offset by interest charges and late fees. But if you pay in full every month, look for cards that most generously reward you for the kind of charging you usually do. Do you spend heavily on travel? Dining out? Entertainment? On gas or groceries? Check out the cards below, organized by spending styles, to find…

HOW TO SHOP: You can rent a machine or hire a pro to deep-clean your carpets, but it’s more cost-effective to buy your own cleaner. It will pay for itself after about six uses. When choosing a model, first consider your home’s layout. An apartment or a one story house probably won’t require one with a particularly long hose. But if you have stairs, a long hose will help you reach the top step while leaving the machine at the bottom. That’s important because a carpet cleaner weighs 10 to 20 pounds—before you’ve even filled it with cleaning agent and water. Some carpet cleaners have one tank with two chambers—one for fresh cleaning solution, the other for dirty water—while other models have two separate tanks. We’ve found that models with…

PRESSURE WASHERS HOW TO SHOP: Pressure washers fall into gas and electric categories. Most electrics are corded, and tend to be cheaper and easier to use than gas. Some electrics are battery powered, but most are pricey, underpowered, or both. Gas models have more power and speed. They’re a huge help for deep-cleaning a longneglected deck, or removing oil stains from a driveway. Electric models can clean well, too, but typically take longer than gas to do it. They’re best for routine maintenance—sprucing up a grill or cleaning your deck. Whatever you choose, look for a model with a soap tank and nozzle. These allow you to saturate a surface with soapy water before blasting it clean. WHAT TO AVOID: Skip using the zero-degree nozzles. The focused intensity of the…

ASK OUR EXPERTS Does my car insurance cover a rental car? If your car insurance includes collision and comprehensive coverage, the answer is most likely yes, says Loretta Worters, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute. Still, you should check with your carrier, and keep in mind that your insurance coverage probably doesn’t extend to foreign countries other than Canada and Mexico. Contact the U.S. embassy in any other country you’re planning to visit for local guidance. Some credit cards include rental insurance among their perks (see page 71). Not covered? Most car rental companies will sell you insurance at an additional cost if your current coverage doesn’t have rental car protection. TIP FROM THE TRACK Clear a Foggy Windshield Fast For the quickest fix, turn on the defroster. This…

FOR DECADES, consumer advocates have worked to improve the safety of our food, from making sure products list all ingredients on their labels to helping ban the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture. But potentially dangerous pesticides are still being found in our produce, which shows that our food safety system can—and should—get tougher. A nationally representative 2024 CR survey shows that 67 percent of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about pesticides in fruit and vegetables. That fear is understandable: Some studies link long-term pesticide exposure to several health problems, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. In 2020, CR examined five years of government data on pesticides in produce. We found that about 20 percent of the fruits and vegetables we…

Multi-Cookers WE TESTED: 26 models WE TEST FOR: The tenderness level of meat/vegetables after slow-cooking them; and how well a model sautés onions, cooks rice, and steams vegetables. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 75 Range: 65-82 TOP PICK Zavor Lux LCD ZSELL02 $160 82 OVERALL SCORE EXCELLENT FOR COOKING RICE Breville Fast Slow Pro 6 qt. BPR700BSS $300 81 OVERALL SCORE DOUBLES AS AN AIR FRYER NuWave Duet Pressure Cooker/Air Fryer Combo 33801 $170 78 OVERALL SCORE Air Conditioners WE TESTED: 86 window A/C units WE TEST FOR: How quickly an air conditioner can cool a room, how easy the controls are to use, how quiet a unit is, and more. ABOUT THE SCORES: Median: 64 Range: 31-89 BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS Midea MAW12V1QWT U-shaped $460 89 OVERALL SCORE BEST FOR MEDIUM ROOMS Frigidaire Gallery GHWQ085WD1 $530…

TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCKS Toyota is recalling 381,199 2022-2023 Tacoma pickup trucks because of a potential problem with the rear axle. Welding debris on the ends of the rear axle assembly could cause retaining nuts to loosen over time and fall off. If this happens, parts could separate from the axle, which could affect vehicle stability and braking, and may lead to a crash. What to do: Toyota dealerships will inspect the rear axle assembly and retighten the nuts at no charge. If necessary, dealerships will also repair and replace any damaged parts. Owners may call Toyota at 800-331-4331. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 24V-152, and Toyota’s recall number is 24TB05/24TA05. MAZDA CX-90 SUVs Mazda is recalling 43,752 2024 CX-90 SUVs because an issue with a gear…

Q. Does washing remove pesticide residues? Yes, some—but not all. Note that when the Department of Agriculture tests a food for pesticides, it first washes and, in some cases, peels the food as a consumer would. So properly wash produce before you eat it raw or you cook it. (Cooking may eliminate some pesticides, but washing produce is still crucial.) That means running produce under cold water for 15 to 20 seconds. For heads of lettuce or other greens, turn them upside down after washing to drain. Use a soft brush to scrub the outside skin of items like apples, carrots, and potatoes. Q. What about special washes or rinses? There’s no need for anything other than water. There’s little evidence that soaps or special rinses wash away pesticide residues.…

→ Poles If you’ve been on a nature trail in recent years, you’ve probably seen people striding along with walking poles (aka Nordic or trekking poles). These help distribute your body weight more evenly and have long been used by hikers for stability and support on rough terrain. It turns out they may help you safely navigate uneven sidewalks as well. Plus, they can improve your posture by engaging your upper body and encouraging you to stand up straight. CHOOSING RIGHT For walking on sidewalks, look for lightweight aluminum or composite poles with rubber tips. Other tips are for dirt, ice, or snow, says Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, associate dean of digital learning and innovation at the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University. Some, such as…

An annual physical is often touted as crucial. But do you need one? A 2021 review published in JAMA found that while general health checks weren’t associated with lower rates of death, heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular disease, there were some clear benefits. Annual checkups were associated with increased detection of issues such as depression and high blood pressure, greater use of important screening tests for conditions such as colon or cervical cancer, and better quality of life. Regular check-ins, even if not quite annual, are “a way for you and your doctor to catch up on your health history in a more relaxed setting,” says Michael Hochman, MD, MPH, a Los Angeles internist. It’s also a good time to make sure you’re up to date on health screenings and…

Cell Phone Insurance This can keep you from having to pay the full cost of a replacement phone if yours is stolen or damaged and you’ve exhausted other insurance you hold (i.e., homeowners, renters, and automobile). You have to use the card to pay your phone bill. Mastercard offers cell phone insurance with most World and World Elite cards, and American Express offers it with several of its premium cards. It’s included with all Wells Fargo consumer cards. Typically the card will pay a set amount per incident (generally $600 to $800), often on two or three claims a year after you pay a $25 to $100 deductible. Extended Warranty Coverage Many cards extend the manufacturer’s warranty by a year if you use the card to buy an eligible item.…

CANISTER & UPRIGHT VACUUMS HOW TO SHOP: These models have the power and versatility to handle a range of tasks, from keeping carpets and hard-surface floors dirt-free to dusting shelves and curtains. With serious suction, the best are able to reach the dirt buried inside the fibers of rugs and carpets, and the grit nestled in the cracks of hardwood floors. And they do so far better than stick and robotic models can. That means fewer passes to get areas truly debris-free. Many canisters and uprights now come with HEPA filters that keep most dust from escaping from the machine after suctioning—so you’re not breathing in the particles you just removed. Which type is right for you? Choose an upright if you have more carpeting than bare floors. Because the…

STEAM MOPS HOW TO SHOP: Steam mops let you skip the bucket and mess of a traditional mop. Just fill the mop’s reservoir with water, press a button, and you’ll soon have clean floors with a quick-dry, streak-free finish (though despite what you may have heard, a mop won't necessarily get hot enough to actually sterilize the floor, especially with just a quick pass). Match your mop to your home: Opt for a model with a longer cord if you don’t have conveniently placed outlets. Look for one with a swivel head if you have tight spaces, or a detachable head if you’d like to steam-clean drapes and upholstery. WHAT TO AVOID: Skip models that require pumping the handle to produce steam. You can find similarly priced mops that do…

ABBE HERZIG recently took her collegeage daughter’s 2006 Honda Accord to a local repair shop for its yearly state safety inspection. The car failed the test, and the shop recommended a staggering $3,300 of work to replace worn suspension parts the mechanic said he’d found. Worried that what they were suggesting was unnecessary, Herzig took the car to another local shop, where it passed inspection quickly. “But I wondered if the second place even looked at the car,” she says. So when she took the car to a third place—a shop where she had a tire replaced on another car—she shared with them the first shop’s expensive estimate. Here the mechanic took her onto the shop floor to show her the parts of the car that needed attention soon to…

Coolant flush INTERVAL: Up to 100,000 miles PRICE: $373-$400 Time and engine operation change the pH of the coolant, which can damage parts like head gaskets. Some coolants last two years, and some types will last several years. Be sure your mechanic uses the correct type for your car. Rear differential fluid change INTERVAL: See owner’s manual (30,000-60,000 miles) PRICE: $84-$99 (depends on model) Many popular car models are equipped with all-wheel drive, which includes an oil-filled rear differential. This oil should be changed according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Oil change INTERVAL: 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 miles are the most common  PRICE: $131-$145 Engine oil lubricates and cools internal engine parts, and changing it according to the owner’s manual keeps it free of the dirt and debris that naturally…

SMALL HATCHBACKS Buick Envista Well Equipped But a Dull Drive 65 OVERALL SCORE ROAD-TEST SCORE 67 HIGHS Lots of features for the price, secure handling, short stopping distances, hatchback versatility LOWS Noisy cabin, uneven power delivery, low-end interior materials, no all-wheel-drive option POWERTRAIN 137-hp, 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine; 6-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive FUEL 29 mpg on regular PRICE $22,400-$28,600 base price + $1,095 destination charge Total MSRP as tested $26,480 THE ENVISTA EXPANDS the Buick line with a small, stylish model that blends elements of a car and an SUV. It comes well equipped for its modest price and carves a niche as a coupelike front-wheel-drive vehicle. But it’s not without compromises, including a power delivery that can be either hesitant or abrupt, a noisy cabin, and a cheap interior.…

COMPACT ELECTRIC SUV LEXUS RZ $54,000-$64,430 74 TESLA MODEL Y $42,990-$52,490 72 THE BETTER DEAL THE LOWDOWN THE FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC vehicle from Lexus has quick acceleration and a quiet cabin, and is a comfortable ride. But the RZ falters when it comes to driving range, charging speed, braking distance, and the quality of its dash display for EV info (like charge status). These are things the less pricey Tesla Model Y excels at. Our auto pros particularly like the Model Y Long Range ($47,990) because it’s EPA-rated to have 110 more miles of range than the RZ, for 330 miles total. STAINLESS STEEL FRYING PAN ALL-CLAD D3 STAINLESS EVERYDAY 3-PLY BONDED $100 78 CUISINART CHEF’S CLASSIC STAINLESS$40 75 THE BETTER DEAL THE LOWDOWN STAINLESS STEEL PANS WORK ON every type of stovetop—electric,…

1 DOORBELL CAMERA  ARLO VIDEO DOORBELL (AVD4001-100NAS) $110 84 OVERALL SCORE 2 HOME SECURITY SYSTEM  RING ALARM PRO B08HSTJPMS $280 79 OVERALL SCORE 3 DOOR LOCK  KWIKSET JUNO 991J15SMTCP $50 80 OVERALL SCORE OUR HOMES ARE USUALLY where we feel safest, and that’s why it’s so important to keep them secure. A burglary robs you not only of your possessions but also your comfort and stability. But there’s good news on this front. Conventional burglaries—people breaking into homes to steal valuables—have dropped by 70 percent since the late 1980s, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hundreds of thousands of these crimes still occur each year, however, and they have been joined by a rising tide of package thefts from front porches—an act now known as “porch piracy.” To combat burglaries, both in front of your…

Blueberries Why they’re a problem: One in 5 samples of domestic, conventional blueberries had residue of phosmet, a pesticide that the EPA considers a particular risk to children. It’s an organophosphate (OP), a class of chemicals responsible for much of the risk in many high-risk foods in our analysis. Key takeaway: Conventional frozen blueberries also posed a very high risk. Several years of USDA data suggests that contamination with phosmet may be increasing, as growers use it as an alternative to other even more harmful pesticides. Better choice: We don’t have data for raspberries or blackberries, but organic blueberries did well and fresh domestic strawberries fared okay. Bell peppers Why they’re a problem: Close to half of all domestic, conventional samples of this vegetable tested positive for oxamyl or its breakdown…

→ E-Bikes With an electric motor that can assist you while you’re pedaling—or, in models with a throttle, replace pedaling altogether—an e-bike can be a good option if you tire while riding. They tend to be pricier and heavier than a conventional bicycle. CHOOSING RIGHT Jeffrey E. Herrick, PhD, director of the University of Lynchburg Active Aging Program, recommends a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike for older adults. (You might want to get your doctor’s okay, too.) Motors on Class 1 e-bikes turn on only when you pedal and cut out when your speed goes over 20 miles per hour. Class 2 e-bikes also feature electric assist up to 20 mph. Their motors can be activated by pedaling or with a throttle control on the handlebar. For either class,…

IF YOU LIKE to keep things simple, one or two no-annual-fee cards that reward your main spending styles may be right for you, says Nick Ewen of The Points Guy, a travel website. But if you’re game to invest some energy into maximizing rewards across multiple cards (we’re talking three or four or more) to cover more types of spending, you may find the additional savings to be significant. Signing up for additional cards is more likely to help, not hurt, your credit score. That’s because when credit is extended to you, your debtto-credit ratio decreases. And that has a big impact on your FICO credit score. There’s also no need to cancel no-fee card accounts that no longer fit your needs. Simply stop using them. But “if the card…

HOW TO SHOP: If you live in a small space without much carpet or you want a lightweight vacuum to handle minor messes—a dusting of flour on the floor after baking, for example—consider a stick vacuum. Cordless models can give you more freedom of movement, but you’ll have to find a place for the charger (many can be hung on a wall). Battery run times vary; compare them by looking at our ratings. Also, our members have reported problems with batteries that lose their charge over time, so pick a stick that comes with two batteries or a battery that can be replaced. Handhelds are even easier to grab for a quick cleanup. Take a look at the removable dust container before you buy and make sure that it will…

HOW TO SHOP: Battery string trimmers now outsell gas models, and they tend to offer the perfect mix of power and easy maintenance. If you already have a battery mower, buy your string trimmer from the same brand, assuming it does well in our ratings, and you can use the batteries interchangeably. This way, you can always charge one battery while you use the other. For a large property with lots of flower beds and walkways, a gas string trimmer may make sense. Unlike their battery counterparts, gas string trimmers can run indefinitely, as long as you top off the fuel. And that’s what you‘ll need to adequately manage the edging along paths, or big areas that get filled with tall grass and weeds. Gas models with a four-stroke engine…

HOW TO SHOP: Even if you're hiring someone to paint your house, it’s a good idea to make sure the contractor is using a great paint. Our ratings can tell you which ones are likely to last the longest (meaning fewer paint jobs and easier maintenance in between). You’ll also want the right type for your climate. Warm regions with high sun exposure may require UV- and mildew-resistant acrylic-based formulas, while cold areas that see plenty of ice and snow require “cold set” or “low temperature” paint. Finally, consider the finish. Flat finishes can camouflage imperfections. The slight gloss of eggshell or satin looks best on newer, smoother surfaces. Highlight trim and detailing with semi-gloss and gloss finishes. WHAT TO AVOID: Oilbased paints dry harder, so they can crack…

THE CAR CARE AISLE at the auto parts store is lined with shelves of soaps, polishes, waxes, tire cleaners, and other preparations, all promising to keep your car looking like it’s just off the lot. The truth is, if your car’s finish isn’t damaged, giving it a good cleanup requires just a few simple products and practices. Is it better to do it yourself rather than heading to a car wash? According to CR’s chief mechanic, John Ibbotson, the brushes in some automatic car washes can hold dirt particles from other cars that could damage your vehicle’s finish. “There are ‘touchless’ washes that don’t use brushes, but they also don’t always clean your car thoroughly,” he says. Hand-washing your car gives you an opportunity to do a thorough cleaning and…