Consumers Digest’s 2017 Automotive Best Buys
Forty-four recommendations across 13 categories.
Spotlight: Midyear Auto Intros
This year’s batch is dominated by SUVs.
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Joy Ride
See our Best Buys in auto receivers, nav systems and more.
July 12, 2017—Volkswagen is pulling the Touareg out of the U.S. market.
July 5, 2017—Beginning in 2019, every new Volvo will have some form of electric power.
Advanced Cycles: Updates, Innovations & Best Buys in Laundry Appliances
Washer capacity is increasing.
Top-Rated Dishwashers: Feature Attractions
Manufacturers are adding wireless capability as well as features to enhance dishwashers' cleaning capability.
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.
Jan. 5, 2017—Two washers, two dryers, one laundry pair. Huh?
Sept. 6, 2016—Department of Energy (DOE) finally proposed a new minimum-efficiency standard for gas furnaces, its first since 1992, and our prediction about the shape of the standard proved to be on the mark.
Experts: Net neutrality proposal would hurt consumers
When FCC released a proposal to rescind rules, it did so under the guise of “restoring internet freedom.”
Progress Report: 3-D Printing
The future of items that are made via 3-D printing might be in the home, but it's clear that their present is in industry.
Smartphone Guide: Making the Right Calls
Smartphone manufacturers enhanced rear- and front-facing camera capabilities and improved charging time.
June 27, 2017—Buoyed by the success of the NES Classic Edition in 2016, Nintendo will do it again in 2017—this time using its Super NES video-game console.
June 21, 2017—If you’re interested in an Apple smartphone, then Virgin Mobile USA has a deal for you. Google Android users need not apply.
Exterior Storage Solutions: Exploring Outer Space
Vinyl that looks more like wood is found in new products.
High-Efficiency Air Conditioners: Peak Performers
New standards paved the way for more-efficient air conditioners, and manufacturers increased their use of Wi-Fi connectivity.
Transformers: Kitchen Cabinets, Countertops & Flooring
New materials give countertops and flooring more unique looks.
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.
Sept. 6, 2016—Department of Energy (DOE) finally proposed a new minimum-efficiency standard for gas furnaces, its first since 1992, and our prediction about the shape of the standard proved to be on the mark.
Wake-Up Call: The Real Dangers of Sleeping Pills
A lack of clinical evidence exists.
For Sale: Human Hair—A Growing Concern
No standards exist, and experts say the majority of hair that’s sold for extensions is prone to fraying and tangling.
Lasik Surgery: Why FDA Looks the Other Way on Safety
Severe side effects can cause pain and loss of sight.
June 13, 2017—Food and Drug Administration approved a generic version of a medication that has proved to be effective—and extraordinarily costly—in the prevention of HIV-1.
May 24, 2017—Food and Drug Administration approved the first medication that’s designed to treat cancer patients whose cancer has a specific genetic feature, or biomarker, rather than being based on the location where a tumor was found.
2017 Amusement Parks Guide: New Sensations
Features such as digital-projection mapping and drone entertainment are on the rise at amusement parks, but so are admission prices.
Game On: Pool, Table Tennis, Foosball & Air Hockey
We evaluated 252 total models to identify 12 Best Buys.
ATVs & UTVs: Range Rovers
Consumers Digest’s staff found that it’s now quite easy to find a UTV that’s specialized for any type of job or riding that you want to do.
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.
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.
Focus on Safety: Top Baby Gear
The latest on car seat and stroller safety standards.
The Fleecing of America’s Elderly
Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.
Crunch Time: Cereal Companies Sugarcoat the Facts
Breakfast cereal has too much sugar and far fewer nutritional benefits than what cereal companies brazenly imply.
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.
Aug. 4, 2016—Mars Petcare, which makes Eukanuba brand dog food, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of false advertising.
Hot Spots! Exceptional Values in Portable Spas
Portable spas increasingly incorporate touch-screen controls and the capability to control settings through a smartphone.
Sound Gardens: Top-Rated Outdoor Speakers
Outdoor speakers remain king of the backyard, because they still provide more power and more bass than do Bluetooth speakers.
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.
April 12, 2017—It’s a debut that’s nearly 5 years in the making.
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.
Today’s Best Credit-Card Offers
Generous sign-up bonuses are prevalent.
How to Boost Your Retirement Income Now
Social Security conventional wisdom is being supplanted.
Find the Right Financial Adviser: Keys to Success
The regulation of financial advisers is inconsistent or nonexistent. No fix is expected soon.
June 16, 2017—Amazon’s proposed purchase of Whole Foods Market won’t affect consumers much for now, one expert tells Consumers Digest. Eventually, however, developments will be “substantial.”
April 19, 2017—Clear disclosure of sponsorship is #necessary.
Ride-Sharing Services: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Ride-sharing services claim to be more convenient than taxis are, but issues remain.
Specialty Chewing Gum: Stretching the Truth
Few rules govern the claims of functional gum.
Mind Games: The Truth About Brain-Fitness Programs
Increasing your brain-fitness score doesn’t do much beyond improving your game-playing ability.
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.
You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.
Home > Home > Water Filters & Softeners
The jury is out on which impurities are bad for us.
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Water-softener technology continues to get smarter, but questions remain about water softeners that eschew salt altogether.
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The jury is out on which impurities…
Water-softener technology continues…
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