• Automotive
    • Automobiles
    • ATVs & UTVs
    • Auto Electronics
    • Car-Top Carriers & Bicycle Racks
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Previews & Trends
    • Shop Smart
    • Tires
    • Under the Hood

    Featured Automotive Articles

    • Consumers Digest’s 2018 Automotive Best Buys

      Forty recommendations across 13 categories.

    • Joy Ride

      See our Best Buys in auto receivers, nav systems and more.

    • Motorcycles: New Directions

      Manufacturers are producing more variations of existing models, and safety technology has been added.

    See All Automotive

    Automotive News

    • Automakers roll out cars, price breaks

      Jan. 15, 2018—Automakers rolled out a bevy of updated models at the North American International Auto Show, as always.

    • Honda to try again with revamped Insight

      Jan. 11, 2018—Perhaps the third time will be the charm for Honda Motor’s dedicated hybrid.

  • Appliances
    • Floor Care
    • Heating & Air Conditioning
    • Large Appliances
    • Small Appliances

    Featured Appliances Articles

    • Microwave Ovens: Quick Picks

      Today’s marketplace features microwaves that deliver connectivity and can be placed somewhere besides on your countertop.

    • Innovation Update: Top-Rated Vacuum Cleaners

      Corded and cordless performance gaps narrowed.

    • Juiced! Best Buys in Juicers & Juice Extractors

      No scientific evidence proves manufacturer's claims that extracted juices are better for you than is eating whole fruits and vegetables.

    See All Appliances

    Appliances News

    • Nest unveils new, lower priced thermostat

      Aug. 31, 2017—Nest Labs is taking aim at a wider audience with its first new smart thermostat in 6 years.

    • Samsung shows off double laundry pair

      Jan. 5, 2017—Two washers, two dryers, one laundry pair. Huh?

  • Electronics
    • Audio
    • Auto Electronics
    • Batteries
    • Cameras & Camcorders
    • Computers & Accessories
    • Home Security
    • Navigation
    • Phones & Communication
    • Software
    • Streaming Audio/Video
    • Video

    Featured Electronics Articles

    • TV Buyers Guide: Brighter Images on Display

      Manufacturers introduced two technologies that produce a wider range of brightness and color than ever before.

    • TV Mounts & Stands: Flex Appeal

      The hot new trend is mounts that tilt in all directions and move up and down, while costing consumers less than ever before.

    • Comparing Cellphone-Service Providers: Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know

      Cellphone-service providers dangled a familiar term to describe their 2017 data plans. Consumers should proceed with caution.

    See All Electronics

    Electronics News

    • CES 2018: More is more

      Jan. 10, 2018—After covering the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for at least a decade, we’ve become a bit jaded with regard to the news that’s generated at the event.

    • Apple offers reduced price on iPhone battery

      Jan. 2, 2018—After a wave of criticism that included accusations of forcing customers to upgrade their cellphones, Apple lowered the price of replacement batteries on most of its iPhone models.

  • Home
    • Backyard
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Buying & Owning
    • Doors & Windows
    • Furniture
    • Home Comfort
    • Kitchen
    • Power Tools
    • Security & Lighting
    • Sewing Machines
    • Storage
    • Water Filters & Softeners

    Featured Home Articles

    • Next-Generation Portable Heaters

      Consumers soon might see a Wi-Fi standard.

    • Home-Heating Guide

      Gas fireplaces are more expensive than they were before because of the now-required safety barriers that prevent injury.

    • Indoor Storage: Space Savers

      More storage options exist than ever before, so consumers can get even the most difficult items out of the way.

    See All Home

    Home News

    • New service lets Amazon couriers into your home

      Oct. 25, 2017—If you’re concerned that “porch pirates” will steal delivered packages from your doorstep, Amazon.com has a solution—let its couriers enter your home to deliver the packages while you’re away.

    • Craftsman brand sold to Stanley Black & Decker

      Jan. 5, 2017—Typically, to buy a Craftsman product, you have to go to a Sears store. Soon, you’ll be able to buy Craftsman-branded products anywhere.

  • Health
    • Beauty
    • Diet & Exercise
    • Mobility
    • Doctors & Hospitals
    • Preventative
    • Treatment
    • Women

    Featured Health Articles

    • Medical Breakthroughs: Advances to Believe In

      New medical devices provide innovative treatments for diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

    • Wake-Up Call: The Real Dangers of Sleeping Pills

      A lack of clinical evidence exists.

    • Home-Fitness Equipment: Exercising Good Judgment

      Manufacturers add connectivity options to their products.

    See All Health

    Health News

    • FDA approves pill that tracks its ingestion

      Nov. 14, 2017—Food and Drug Administration approved the first medication that tracks whether you took it.

    • Experts: ACA changes to hurt consumers in 2018

      Oct. 17, 2017—Consumers will be hurt by the Trump administration’s moves to change the Affordable Care Act (ACA), experts tell us. The only questions are by how much and whether that will change in the years ahead.

  • Travel & Recreation
    • ATVs & UTVs
    • Bicycles
    • Binoculars
    • Boats & Personal Watercraft
    • Campers & RVs
    • Camping Gear
    • Car-Top Carriers & Bicycle Racks
    • Destinations/Planning a Trip
    • Exercise Equipment
    • Game Tables
    • Leisure
    • Luggage
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Music
    • Sewing Machines
    • Snowmobiles

    Featured Travel & Recreation Articles

    • Cruises 2017: Pricing · Amenities · Innovations · Safety

      The cost for you to go on a cruise getaway remained relatively stable, but the industry still has strides that it must make in safety.

    • Game On: Pool, Table Tennis, Foosball & Air Hockey

      We evaluated 252 total models to identify 12 Best Buys.

    • The Expansion of Versatile Bikes: Plus—Expert Picks in Road, Mountain, Hybrid & Comfort Models

      New adventure bikes have extra-wide tires.

    See All Travel & Recreation

    Travel & Recreation News

    • American said to cut legroom further

      May 3, 2017—To our complete lack of surprise, airlines continue to stick it to consumers—even as Congress threatens to act if airlines don’t improve their customer service.

    • United to restrict carry-on luggage

      Nov. 17, 2016—Further evidence that no matter how bad that it gets when it comes to air travel, it always could get worse comes to us through United Airlines’ announcement of a reduced-fare class that comes with restrictions attached—the biggest being a limit on the size of carry-on luggage.

  • Family
    • Baby Gear
    • Children
    • Education
    • Pets
    • Senior Living

    Featured Family Articles

    • Pet Insurance: What You Need to Know

      Experts say you should get your pet covered early in its life to ensure that it’s eligible for insurance at all.

    • Warning: Toxic Pet Toys

      More research is necessary to determine the long-term health effects of toxic chemicals that are in today’s pet toys.

    • Winning Strategies for Retirement Abroad

      Several factors might curtail the financial benefits that retiring abroad can provide.

    See All Family

    Family News

    • Report: Lack of funeral-home pricing online costs consumers

      March 6, 2017—We don’t doubt that a lack of online pricing information by funeral homes hurts consumers. Now we know just how much that it does.

    • FTC banishes Eukanuba claim to the doghouse

      Aug. 4, 2016—Mars Petcare, which makes Eukanuba brand dog food, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of false advertising.

  • Lawn & Garden
    • Outdoor Living
    • Snowthrowers
    • Yard Care

    Featured Lawn & Garden Articles

    • Pathfinders: Next-Generation Snowthrowers

      Snowthrower technology has stormed in like a lion, but snowthrower prices have reacted like a lamb.

    • Grill Marks: Top-Rated Barbecue Grills & Smokers

      A new gas grill lets you use a mobile app to control mechanical gas valves. Also, digital grill thermometers are extended.

    • Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve

       You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.

    See All Lawn & Garden

    Lawn & Garden News

    • Honda robotic lawnmower coming to U.S.

      April 12, 2017—It’s a debut that’s nearly 5 years in the making.

    • Craftsman brand sold to Stanley Black & Decker

      Jan. 5, 2017—Typically, to buy a Craftsman product, you have to go to a Sears store. Soon, you’ll be able to buy Craftsman-branded products anywhere.

  • Money
    • Banking & Credit Cards
    • College
    • Financial Planning
    • Insurance
    • Investing
    • Real Estate
    • Spending

    Featured Money Articles

    • The Shifting Ride-Share Marketplace: Fare Game

      Experts believe that Lyft and Uber will have to raise their fees and fares in the next year.

    • Extended Warranties: When They Actually Make Sense

      You should steer clear of many extended warranties.

    • Today’s Best Credit-Card Offers

      Generous sign-up bonuses are prevalent.

    See All Money

    Money News

    • New service lets Amazon couriers into your home

      Oct. 25, 2017—If you’re concerned that “porch pirates” will steal delivered packages from your doorstep, Amazon.com has a solution—let its couriers enter your home to deliver the packages while you’re away.

    • Equifax breach remedy has limits

      Sept. 8, 2017—After it revealed that a major breach of its records took place, credit bureau Equifax is offering to help you to protect yourself from the potential of identification theft.

  • Special Reports
    • Consumer Protection
    • Dis-Services
    • Investigative Reports
    • Marketing: Behind the Scenes
    • The Green Consumer

    Featured Special Reports Articles

    • Uncorked—Wine Scores: Truth Behind the Numbers

      Retailers and websites often tout a wine’s score to entice you, but experts disagree on the usefulness of these scores.

    • Fear Factor: The Truth About 'Genetically Modified'

      Consumers don’t know whether their food contains genetically modified ingredients, but almost all scientists say GMOs are safe.

    • The Mourning After: Funeral Home Rip-Offs

      As business slides, funeral homes look to make up for lost revenue by increasing the costs of cremations, among other strategies.

    See All Special Reports

    Investigative Reports

    • How to Avoid Computer-Repair Ripoffs

      Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.

    • Grave Concerns: Digging Up the Dirt on Cemetery Scams

      You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.

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  • Women

Medical Breakthroughs: Advances to Believe In

New medical devices provide innovative treatments for diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Read More

Wake-Up Call: The Real Dangers of Sleeping Pills

A lack of clinical evidence exists.

Read More

Home-Fitness Equipment: Exercising Good Judgment

Manufacturers add connectivity options to their products.

Read More
  • New medical devices provide…

  • A lack of clinical evidence exists.

  • Manufacturers add connectivity…

Health Articles

Experts: ACA changes to hurt consumers in 2018

Consumers will be hurt by the Trump administration’s moves to change the Affordable Care Act (ACA), experts tell us.

Special Report: The Opioid Epidemic

What Must Change to Reduce America’s Dependence

Experts say we must work together to combat the problem, but big hurdles exist.

For Sale: Human Hair—A Growing Concern

False Claims • No Regulations • Low Quality • Poverty-Stricken Donors

No standards exist, and experts say the majority of hair that’s sold for extensions is prone to fraying and tangling.

Medical Marijuana: A Grass Roots Debate

The Obstacles to Research, Regulation & Relief

Forty states now allow for treatment that derives from the marijuana plant, but the federal government still considers it to be illegal.

Fear Factor: The Truth About Genetically Modified Foods

Consumers don’t know whether their food contains genetically modified ingredients, but almost all scientists say GMOs are safe.

Medical Update: Lasik Surgery

Eye Openers: Why FDA Looks the Other Way on Safety & Severe Side Effects

Severe side effects can cause pain and loss of sight.

Medical Breakthroughs & New Frontiers 2015

Good Reasons to Be Optimistic

New tests for diseases make it likely that a treatment will be right for you.

Overprescribed: When Antidepressants Make No Sense

There's little to no benefit in treating moderate depression.

Filling In the Gaps: Real Concerns About Dental Implants

Experts disagree on what constitutes success.

Testosterone Therapy: The Superman Fallacy

The safety of long-term testosterone use is unclear.

Mammograms: Changing Views, New Guidelines & the Risks of Overdiagnosis

This standard examination has come under fire.

Blind Faith: Dietary Supplements Exposed

Regulation of the industry has stagnated.

Mixed Messages: The Limitations of Fitness Trackers

Accuracy and how information is used are concerns.

Blowing Smoke: The Truth About E-Cigarettes

Many experts say e-cigs are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes are, but no independent research has studied the issue.

Reactions & Overreaction: The Truth About Food Allergies

Food allergies should be taken seriously, even if few people are affected.

Health Club Memberships: The Fine Print

Beyond the Sales Pitch

In the midst of more incentives, choose carefully.

Genetic Testing: Promises & Problems

More often than not, new genetic tests for sick children leave parents with few answers and hefty out-of-pocket expenses.

The Affordable Care Act: Beyond the Rhetoric

Will the Affordable Care Act work, or is it doomed to fail?

Second Opinion: What You Should Know About the Diagnosis & Treatment of ADHD

Consumers ought to be wary of the possible misdiagnoses that are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Positive Vibes: Today’s Best Massage-Therapy Products

Hand-Helds · Chairs · Cushions · Pillows · Foot-and-Calf · Foot Baths

Innovations in massage-chair technology are bound to hit the spot for consumers.

Desperation Games: Cancer-Treatment Centers

Don't rely on marketing claims that the facilities tout.

 

Communication Breakdown: Hospital Errors

What You Must Know Before It’s Too Late

It’s difficult to know what you might face in a hospital.

Health Monitors: How They Measure Up

Blood Glucose • Blood Pressure • Body Composition • Heart Rate

Medicare beneficiaries might not have access to the latest technological advancements.

A Dangerous Practice: How Drug Companies Bend FDA Rules

Drugmakers want more freedom to market the use of so-called off-label prescriptions.

Energy Drinks: No Speed Limit

Monster Claims · Empty Promises · Marketing to Children

Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

Medical Apps: Gambling With Your Health

 Some medical mobile applications do what they claim to do, but others just siphon bucks from your pocket.

High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing

Improved Performance, Comfort & Appearance

As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.

The Truth About Sugar & Sweeteners

No independent research indicates whether artificial sweeteners are better for your health.

Medical Debt: Adding Insult to Injury

You can negotiate with health-care providers and debt collectors to reduce your debt or develop a payment plan for medical bills.

Medical Breakthroughs: Life-Saving Discoveries

Innovations that are saving lives.

Supreme Court upholds health-care-reform law

Although the Supreme Court upheld nearly all provisions of the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the law’s goal to dramatically increase health-care access for uninsured individuals still might suffer.

Collision Course: The Truth About Concussion Prevention

Equipment said to minimize incidents is being criticized.

Promises, Promises: The Truth About Anti-Aging Devices

The jury is still out on effectiveness.

Under the Influence: How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers

How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers

No Sweat: The Truth About Performance Apparel

Performance-apparel companies claim that their garments will improve your performance, but no independent data back that up.

New Age of Dentistry

Choices, Costs & Cautions

Dental services and alternatives: alluring but suspicious.

Treating Arthritis: Why the Truth Hurts

False promises of “miracle” arthritis cures persist.

Shampoos: Perception vs. Reality

How to Avoid Pouring Money Down the Drain

No one regulates what goes into hair-care products.

The Crisis in Primary Health Care

A Complete Examination

The shortage of primary-care doctors is growing worse.

Hard to Swallow

The Truth About Infant Formula

Evidence doesn't support claims that because premium infant formula includes supplements, it's an improved product.

The Real Dangers of Weight-Loss Drugs

The government and others question weight-loss drugs’ efficacy and their potential side effects.

Why Drugstore Clinics Are Under Fire

As retail clinics expand services, many doctors cry foul.

Going Mobile

The Latest in Wheelchairs, Scooters & Lifts

It’s increasingly difficult to get financial help to cover the cost of mobility products.

The Latest Treatments for Back Pain

The number of unnecessary surgeries is rising.

Medical-Privacy Alert

How Your Personal Health Records Are at Risk

Storing information electronically is a double-edged sword.

Flash Back

The Troubling Revival of Hormone Therapy

Doctors’ new claims of safety are questionable.

Body Contouring

The Skinny on These Latest Procedures

Expensive treatments provide only temporary solutions.

Health-Care Reform

Putting Benefits and Costs Under the Microscope

Changes bring higher prices that might not be obvious.

In Your Face

How Cosmetics Companies Conceal the Truth

The lack of regulation and transparency on ingredients means that you could be applying dangerous materials to your face.

Crunch Time

The Way Cereal Companies Sugarcoat the Facts

Breakfast cereal has too much sugar and far fewer nutritional benefits than what cereal companies brazenly imply.

Saving Your Skin

The Great Sunscreen Cover-Up

When you combine elusive manufacturer claims with no government regulation, it’s easy to see that you might get burned.

Allergy Relief

Today’s Most Effective Treatments

Over-the-counter treatments are not your best options.

Medical Advice Online

A Prescription for Disaster

 It’s easy to go online to find free medical advice, but many sites use outdated information or use sources that contradict each other.

Mass Confusion

The Truth About Dietary Supplements

New guidelines from FDA and FTC for dietary supplements will do little to remove the uncertainty about ingredients and efficacy.

A Dose of Reality

The Truth About Childhood Vaccines

There is no link between autism and vaccines. Harmful preservatives are no longer used. But some groups still propagate parents’ fears.

Saving Face

Medical Spas: How to Avoid an Unqualified Disaster

Many medical spas and day spas that perform cosmetic medical procedures operate with little regulation. Don’t take the qualifications of people treating you for granted.

Special Delivery

Why Doctors Are Pushing So Many C-Sections

Caesarean section surgeries are at an all-time high. Why?

Gluten-Free

7 Myths Feeding the Latest Diet Craze

Increased awareness about celiac disease has the gluten-free marketplace soaring, but misconceptions about the general benefits of steering clear of gluten abound.

Getting Better…Faster

Medical Rehabilitation

Researchers are devising ways to make rehabilitation more affordable and accessible, and doctors and therapists are striving to prove it saves money and lives.

How to Reduce Your Medical Bills

More consumers must shop for health care, but unfortunately, resources to help you make sound decisions are limited.

 

Optical Illusion

Influence by frame makers decreases the medical focus for this product.

Forever Young

The Latest in Joint Replacement

More Americans are turning to joint replacement as a pain remedy, but it’s uncertain whether the latest procedures are worth braving the surgeon’s knife.

Dirty Little Secrets

Why Rehab Centers Must Come Clean

New methods for treating drug and alcohol abusers have created confusion and sometimes flawed choices for consumers.

Getting Out of Hand

Nail Salons

While the number of nail salons grew tremendously in the last few years, the incidence of infection and disease related to their use rose as well.

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