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CRM93BMN
 D R U G S T O R E C H A I N S W I T H L O W E S T P R I C E S > B E S T C A R S F O R E V E R Y L I F E S TA G E
7 W AY S T O P R O T E C T Y O U R P R I V A C Y > T H E R I S K I N Y O U R F R U I T J U I C E

REVIEWS &
MARCH 2019

RATINGS
Washing Machines
Genesis G70
Kamado-Style Grills
Slow Cookers
Antivirus Software

Sleep Better STARTING

TONIGHT!
Expert reviews
of MATTRESSES
& SHEETS,
smart PILLOW
picks, and
advice about
SUPPLEMENTS
& herbal
sleep aids.
 [ TAKE A “SPIN” WITH OUR EXPERTS. NO SEAT BELT NEEDED. ]

CR’s Auto Test Track

CRM93TVA
 Table of Contents MARCH 2019, VOL. 84 NO. 3

COVER STORY

P. 24 24 Get Your Best Rest Yet!

Desperate for a good night’s
sleep? No need to count
sheep—just use our mattress
and sheet testing results. Plus:
Smart tips for picking pillows,
and safe sleep aids that work.
R ATI N G S
ILLUSTRATION: SHOUT. PHOTO, COVER: PROP AND WARDROBE STYLING: JESSICA ARMSTRONG; HAIR AND MAKEUP: SAMANTHA FRYLING

No More Bedtime Blues

All-night comfort can
be yours with the right
mattress match. We rate
62 models, plus sheets.

38 The Data Breach 42 Get More From

Next Door Your Drugstore
Breaches from big Snag lower prices on
companies—Equifax, your medications and
Facebook, and more—get better service from
plenty of attention. But your pharmacist with
our investigation found our expert advice and
that small-business pharmacy evaluations—
breaches leave you from Costco to Kmart.
vulnerable, too. Here’s R ATI N G S
what you need to know.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 3

Table of Contents

I N E V E RY I S S U E
In the Driver’s Seat 6 From the President: PRODUCTS RATED
A great car for active Sleeping a Little Easier
families might not be IN THIS ISSUE
the best one for when From mattress comfort to data
you’re downsizing. privacy, we’ve got your back.
We pick models for
every major life stage.
7 Building a Better
World, Together
Easing student debt, fighting
unfair ticket fees, and a victory
for no-antibiotic meat.

8 Your Feedback GAS DRYERS

Readers’ comments about P. 10

our recent content.

18 Recalls
62 Index
P. 50 63 Selling It
Goofs and gaffes. SLOW COOKERS
P. 11

R OA D R E P O R T

49 Ahead of the Curve

D E PA R T M E N T S & S A F E T Y U P DAT E
COLUMNS Auto ratings, news, and advice.
19 Dangerous Dressers
10 What We’re in Our Homes
Testing in Our Labs … Our latest testing reveals that
50 The Best Cars
Washing machines, gas even short dressers—those
for Every Life Stage
dryers, slow cookers, 4K 30 inches or less in height—can Our cars—and what we need
streaming devices, and more. from them—change with every KAMADO-STYLE GRILLS
tip over and pose a risk to P. 13
R ATI N G S children. See which models new milestone. Using CR
passed our tests and how you data, we recommend the best
can protect your family. models using targeted criteria
12 Ask Our Experts for each stage. Plus: The models
How to get more omega-3s in our members would buy again,
your diet, last-minute money- and those they’d skip.
saving advice for tax season, R ATI N G S
and the safest type of lock for SHEETS
rental properties. P. 33
59 Road Test
We take the BMW X5, Chevrolet
13 CR Insights Silverado, Genesis G70, and
A kamado-style grill Hyundai Tucson for a spin on
face-off, new self-cleaning our test track.
car tech, the best antivirus R ATI N G S
software, and more. GENESIS G70
R ATI N G S P. 61

ABOUT CONSUMER REPORTS accept paid advertising. We TO SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR ACCOUNT INFORMATION
We are the world’s largest don’t accept free test samples from Go to CR.org/lettertoeditor. Go to CR.org/magazine
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0 POOR  20 FAIR  3
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4 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

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CRM 93 BKS

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 5

From the President

Sleeping a
President and CEO Marta L. Tellado
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Leonora Wiener
Vice President, Chief Content Officer Gwendolyn Bounds

Editor in Chief Diane Salvatore

Little Easier
Executive Editor Kevin Doyle
Features Editor Natalie van der Meer

Design Director Matthew Lenning Creative Director, Brand Young Kim

Associate Design Director Mike Smith
Art Directors Ewelina Mrowiec, Michael Solita
Photo Editors Lacey Browne, Emilie Harjes, Karen Shinbaum
If your New Year’s resolution
to hit the gym or eat a more Senior Director, Content Development Glenn Derene
Deputy Directors, Content Development Christopher Kirkpatrick, Ellen Kunes
nutritious diet has run into a Associate Directors, Content Development Scott Billings, Althea Chang
speed bump or two, fear not. Senior Director, Content Impact & Corporate Outreach Jen Shecter
There are other surefire ways Editorial Director, Digital Erle Norton
Special Projects Joel Keehn, Director; Lisa L. Gill,
to improve your health that Rachel Rabkin Peachman, Deputies; Ryan Felton, Editor
don’t require you to break Senior Director, Product Testing Maria Rerecich
a sweat—or lift a forkful Cars Health & Food
of kale, for that matter. Patrick Olsen, Content Lead Editors: Trisha Calvo,
Editors: Keith Barry, Lauren F. Friedman, Jesse Hirsch,
One of the most important
Jeff S. Bartlett, Jonathan Linkov, Kevin Loria, Catherine Roberts,
is getting a good night’s Mike Monticello, Jeff Plungis Diane Umansky
sleep—a critical, and often Auto Test Center: Jake Fisher, Home & Appliance
Jennifer Stockburger, Directors Eric Hagerman, Content Lead
overlooked, part
Product Testing: Michael Bloch, Editors: Mary Farrell, Paul Hope,
of our well-being. This Steve Elek, Kelly Funkhouser, John Kimberly Janeway, Sara Morrow,
month, we’ve got you Ibbotson, Chris Jones, Anita Lam, Haniya Rae, Daniel Wroclawski
Gene Petersen, Ryan Pszczolkowski, Product Testing: John Galeotafiore,
covered under the covers Mike Quincy, Gabriel Shenhar, Shawn Emilio Gonzalez, James Nanni,
with guidance on pillows, sheets, and the top Sinclair, Emily A. Thomas, Testing Leads; Peter Anzalone,
mattresses on the market. Our bedsheet ratings Joe Veselak, Seung Min “Mel” Yu John Banta, Susan Booth, Tara
Electronics Casaregola, Lawrence Ciufo,
have returned after a nine-year hiatus, while our Jerry Beilinson, Content Lead Enrique de Paz, Bernard Deitrick,
mattress matchmaker will help you find the perfect Editors: Nicholas De Leon, Bree Cindy Fisher, Misha Kollontai,
fit for whatever style of sleep suits you best. We also Fowler, Thomas Germain, Ginny Lui, Joan Muratore,
Christopher Raymond, Joseph Pacella, Christopher
have advice on which nighttime sleep aids work— Allen St. John, James K. Willcox Regan, Frank Spinelli,
and which carry risks. Product Testing: Robert Richter, Dave Trezza, Michael Visconti
Of course, you shouldn’t have to lose sleep Testing Lead; Elias Arias, Money
Antonette Asedillo, Margot Gilman, Content Lead
over threats to your privacy and security, either. Claudio Ciacci, Charles Davidman, Editors: Octavio Blanco,
Over the past few years, we’ve been inundated Cody Feng, Richard Fisco, Nikhil Hutheesing, Donna Rosato,
with revelations about data breaches at Equifax, Richard Sulin, Maurice Wynn Tobie Stanger, Penelope Wang
Policy Lead: Justin Brookman Policy Lead: Anna Laitin
Facebook, Target, Uber, and a host of other high-
profile companies. CR has been at the forefront Chief Scientific Officer James H. Dickerson
Food Safety James E. Rogers, Director; Sana Mujahid;
of helping affected consumers get their questions Tunde Akinleye, Amy Keating, Ellen Klosz, Charlotte Vallaeys
answered when breaches happen. We’re also Product Safety Don Huber, Director; Doris Sullivan, Associate Director
working to ensure that every organization that Content Systems & Operations Strategy Peter Meirs, Director
interacts with consumers does the best job it can Content Operations David Fox, Director; William Breglio; Anthony Terzo
of handling personal data responsibly—and that Production Eric W. Norlander, Manager; Letitia Hughes, Terri Kazin
Imaging Francisco Collado, Mark Linder
includes CR. In this issue, we explore a part of the Content Coordination Nancy Crowfoot, Associate Director;
story that tends not to get as much attention as it Diane Chesler, Aileen McCluskey
Copy Editing Leslie Monthan, Copy Chief;
should: data breaches at small businesses, which,
Noreen Browne, Alison France, Wendy Greenfield
while affecting fewer consumers at a time, can be Fact Checking David Schipper, Manager; Kathleen Adams, Tracy Anderman,
just as damaging, and challenging for those business Sarah Goralski, Christine Gordon, Karen Jacob
owners to manage. In a world where everyone is Consumer Engagement Testing Charu Ahuja, Director; Linda Greene
working to figure out the threats and solutions of Statistics & Data Science Michael Saccucci, Director; Andrew Cohen,
Dina Haner, Keith Newsom-Stewart, Martin Romm
the digital age, CR is committed to doing everything Survey Research Karen Jaffe, Simon Slater; Dave Gopoian, Kendra Johnson,
we can to help you sleep more soundly—in all ways— Debra Kalensky, Martin Lachter, Jane Manweiler, Olufemi Olu-Lafe, Adam Troy
for a safer, happier, healthier life. Consumer Insight Monica Liriano, Associate Director; Frank Yang; Teneisha Thomas
Member Support Sue Melfi, Director; Donna Murianka

Marketing Dawn Nelson, Senior Director; Patricia McSorley, Newsstand

Procurement Operations Steven Schiavone, Associate Director

Marta L. Tellado, Administration Decarris Bryant, John McCowen

President and CEO
PHOTO: MELANIE DUNEA

Vice President, Chief Communications Officer Matt Anchin; Vice President,

Follow me on Twitter Financial Planning & Analysis JoAnne Boyd; Vice President, Chief Human
@MLTellado Resources Officer Lisa Cribari; Vice President, Chief Digital Officer Jason Fox;
Vice President, Advocacy David Friedman; Vice President, Chief Intelligence
Officer Esther Han; Vice President, General Counsel Michael Hubner;
Vice President, Social Impact Partnerships Geoffrey MacDougall;
Vice President, Research, Testing & Insights Liam McCormack; Vice President,
Business Strategy & Planning Betsy Parker; Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
Kim Stehle; Vice President, Chief Social Impact Officer Shar Taylor;
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Eric Wayne

6 CR.ORG
Building a Better World, Together    Join with us to make a safer, fairer, healthier marketplace

A Victory for Fighting Unfair to improve the consumer

experience is scant.
or service (that is, companies
shouldn’t be able to mask price
No-Antibiotic Ticket Fees how cr has your back
The Federal Trade Commission
hikes by adding additional fees).
what you can do
Meat what’s at stake
Service fees. Facility fees.
has taken notice. It recently
asked for comments in advance
You can join CR’s efforts to
fight unreasonable fees across
what’s at stake Convenience fees. If you’ve of a March workshop on industries at WhatTheFee.com.
Infections from drug-resistant purchased tickets to a concert online ticketing. We asked CR
“superbugs” cause at least or performance recently, members to share their stories,
23,000 deaths a year in the
U.S., according to the Centers
you’ve probably been hit
by one or more of them.
and within days, more than
6,600 wrote with examples of
Easing Student
for Disease Control and
Prevention. A key reason is
Frustratingly, they’re often
disclosed only at the end of the
hidden fees in ticket sales as
well as bait-and-switch tactics
Debt
that the routine overuse of buying process, often while and bogus ticket sites in the what’s at stake
antibiotics in animals raised for a ticking clock pressures you secondary market. Students who were defrauded
food has enabled the evolution to complete the transaction We shared the responses by for-profit colleges recently
of bacteria that are almost before you “lose” your tickets. with the FTC, and included scored an important victory.
impervious to the drugs. The fees aren’t trivial. The recommendations in our The fight dates back to 2016,
Two positive developments Government Accountability formal comments. Among when the federal government
have emerged, however. In Office estimates that the them: If a consumer has to made it easier for students to
November, Sanderson Farms, average fee on initial ticket pay a fee to get a product get educational debts canceled
the nation’s third-largest sales is 27 percent of face value or service, that fee should if their schools were shut
chicken producer, said it would and 31 percent at resale sites. be included in the base, down. The policy—known as
stop using antibiotics that are The problem is exacerbated advertised rate; additional the “borrower defense” rules—
medically important to humans by the highly concentrated fees should be disclosed early was prompted by the implosion
in its live poultry operations marketplace. With Live Nation enough that a consumer can of Corinthian Colleges and
by March 2019. The company Entertainment (which owns use that information in their ITT Tech, which folded after
had previously criticized Ticketmaster) dominating buying decision; and fee being accused of misleading
other producers’ promotion of ticket sales and promotion, amounts should reflect the prospective students with
their food as “raised without the competitive pressure cost of the additional product inflated job placement claims
antibiotics” as being an empty and graduation rates. Many
marketing slogan. students were left with big
And in December, McDonald’s debts—but without the training
said it would reduce the use of A ‘Cleaner’ Chicken they’d been promised.
medically important antibiotics CR’s advocacy work For-profit schools pushed to
has helped to reduce
in its global beef supply chain. block the rules, and they were
the use of antibiotics
It promised reduction targets put on hold in 2017 when Betsy
in food production.
for beef suppliers by 2020. DeVos became the new head of
how cr has your back the Department of Education.
For years, CR has pressed food Instead, DeVos proposed
companies to curb their new rules that CR and other
antibiotic use; our CEO, Marta consumer groups said would
Tellado, has declared antibiotic make it almost impossible for
resistance “the health crisis of swindled students to get relief.
our generation.” In October, a federal judge
CR is also part of a group reinstated the old rules and,
of safety organizations that in December, the Education
grades fast-food chains on Department announced it
their antibiotics policies in would cancel the debts of
the annual Chain Reaction students negatively impacted
report. McDonald’s was one by some of the recent for-profit
of 22 chains that got an F in school closures.
2018, and we called on it to how cr has your back
change its practices. We believe CR pushed for the borrower
McDonald’s deserves praise defense rules and joined the
for the new policy, and we’ll legal effort to prevent the delay.
watch closely to ensure that the Now we’ll make sure the rules
targets are meaningful. are implemented faithfully.
what you can do what you can do
Read the Chain Reaction report For tips on how to make a claim
at CR.org/chainreaction under the rules, or to tell us
or on page 14 of the February your student debt story, go to
2019 issue. CR.org/studentdebt0319.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN RITTER MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 7

Your Feedback   Readers’ comments about our content

would have been shortened

by this recommendation. If
I had not had that PSA test, I
probably would not be alive
today. I am 78 years old. I
spent last week at Disney
World with my 4-year-old
granddaughter. Being there
with her, seeing the wonder
and delight in her eyes, was a
beautiful experience for me.
I would have been denied
that experience if my doctor
had followed the USPSTF
recommendation.
—Charles Bishop, Huntsville, AL

AS A LONGTIME READER
of Consumer Reports—for
70-plus years—I was quite
upset by your PSA testing
discussion. You told the
story of one patient who
developed septicemia after
Our January 2019 cover story, “Medical Tests You Do (and a prostatic biopsy with
hospitalization and organ
Don’t) Need,” discussed which screening tests can save damage. Frankly, this is the
most serious complication
your life and which can be a waste of time and money. I have ever heard of and I
believe it to be very unusual.
To add your thoughts, go to CR.org/medicaltests0319. I practiced urology for
more than 52 years and,
with doing many prostatic
biopsies, found complications
KUDOS FOR YOUR REPORT on AS A RETIRED M.D. (30 years has believed that it will take to be rare, usually some
medical tests. When I protested in emergency medicine), I many stakeholders to minimize minor bleeding or a minor
to a screening service agreed with most of your the risk of patient harm that infection requiring a course
about their solicitations, article about too many tests. overuse presents. of appropriate antibiotics. My
the company tried to scare However, you forgot to point —Daniel Wolfson, executive vice four partners had the same
me with the dangers of not out one of the big reasons for president and chief operating experience. Prostate cancer
using their tests. Recently I overtesting: hospital, clinic, officer, American Board of is one of the leading causes
have received the company’s and provider “scorecards.” Internal Medicine Foundation, of cancer death in men. We
solicitations in mailings from Medicare providers are still Philadelphia should not stop getting PSAs
legitimate organizations I being ranked by “patient in healthy older men.
belong to. Smells like the satisfaction,” which is often THE ARTICLE is fair enough. —Stanley Rosenberg, M.D., FACS,
screening service is offering driven by whether patients But absent is discussing retired clinical professor of
a financial reward if such get all the tests they want— malpractice lawsuits and urology, Rutgers Medical School,
organizations include its even after you explain why doctors practicing defensive Princeton, NJ
literature in their regular they aren’t necessary. Doing medicine. No doubt some
mailings. Just what we need— an X-ray on every sprained unnecessary or questionable EDITOR’S NOTE We received a
another business milking ankle is a classic example in diagnostic testing is done number of letters concerning
our already overpriced emergency medicine. for other reasons, but the the prostate-specific antigen
health budgets. —Emma K. Ledbetter, M.D., multibillion-dollar malpractice (PSA) blood test. As we
—Mel Kallal, Jefferson City, MO retired from Gunderson Health industry is certainly one of mentioned in our article,
Systems, La Crosse, WI the big reasons. PSA testing does have some
—Stephen Reeves, Gainesville, VA benefits, especially because
Go to WE APPLAUD CR for its cover prostate cancer is the second-
CR.org/lettertoeditor story on overuse in medical IN THE ARTICLE, you quote the leading cause of cancer deaths
to share your testing and for using its voice U.S. Preventive Services Task in American men, after lung
WRITE comments for to foster the ongoing dialogue Force recommendation that cancer. Still, the test has
publication.
about unnecessary tests, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) important limitations. For
treatments, and procedures. testing be stopped at age 70. I one, research shows that for
From the start, our foundation am one of the men whose life every 1,000 men ages 55 to 69

8 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

who have the test every one to medication, which I’ve been
four years, zero to one death on for years. My pharmacy
ON MEDICARE PART D
will be prevented, according to filled the yearly prescription
data from the U.S. Preventive for only twice the price of
Services Task Force (USPSTF). what I would pay for a three- If you skip Part D coverage now
And the effectiveness in men month supply. Four times
70 and older is even lower the pills for only twice the but enroll later, you’ll pay an
because prostate cancer tends
to progress very slowly, making
price! Good luck trying that
with insurance that typically
extra 1 percent on your monthly
the test less useful the older you allows only a 90-day supply. premium for every month you
get. Also, men with high PSA —Brian Prince, Chicago
levels often undergo a follow-up didn’t have insurance.
biopsy, which can cause EDITOR’S NOTE We’re glad –The editors
bleeding, urinary problems, you’ve found an insurance
and infections, including plan and supplier that help to
serious ones such as the one we save you money. To see how
described in our article. For pharmacies rate on price, quote from the dealer. He or selection of top-selling pasta
these and other reasons, the accuracy, helpfulness, and she should ask you all the right sauces. But we’re glad Del Monte
USPSTF recommends that men more, turn to our “Get More questions to determine your sauce works for you!
stop this screening at age 70. From Your Drugstore” article, eligibility for rebates, then
Still, a study published last year on page 42 of this issue. factor them in properly before
in the journal Cancer suggested sending you a price to consider. Fitness Fun
that prostate cancer death THANKS FOR REVIEWING
rates, which had indeed been New-Car Buying treadmills (“Run for
declining for about two decades, I AM AN INTERNET MANAGER Food for Thought Your Life,” January 2019).
have begun leveling off—but for a new-car franchise. In YOUR RECENT ARTICLE, “Must Exercising at home allows me
not rising—after a drop in PSA “Does Car Buying Make Your Love Pasta” (Product Update, to match my session to my
usage. So men in their 50s and Head Spin” (Road Report, January 2019), featured a needs and available time. No
60s should talk with their doctor January 2019), you missed a very helpful mention of low- workout clothes, driving, or
about the risks and benefits of “know when to walk away,” sodium sauces. I have found gym memberships to pay for.
having a PSA screening. so I will share it with you. some really good products at It’s a great way to incorporate
When a customer is shopping Costco: canned green beans, exercise into daily life!
websites and they see the canned diced tomatoes, and —Cathy Richmond, Omaha, NE
Saving Money on Meds exact same options on one canned black beans—with
YOUR GOOD ARTICLE, “How vehicle and it’s $3,000 [fairly] low sodium—and
to Pay Less for Your Meds” less than the same vehicle at very reasonable prices.
( January 2018), on Medicare at another dealership, Eating out is a particular
Part D did not mention that if oftentimes if you look at the challenge: I finally dared to CONNECT
you currently have low drug rebate section that is where ask for unsalted chips at my WITH US
costs, and have an income you will find the difference. favorite Mexican restaurant.
large enough to require Some dealerships, in an And one time I went ahead
FACEBOOK
additional Part D monthly effort to one-up the other and complained to the
fb.com/consumerreports
payments, forgoing Part D guys, list rebates that exist manager when a cook was fb.com/SomosCR
enrollment may be in your but are unstackable from the oversalting the recipes. Even
interest financially. manufacturer’s standpoint— though this chain restaurant
—John Roberts, Richmond, VA there is no possible way works from company recipes, YOUTUBE
the consumer could get the amount of salt added is /consumerreports
EDITOR’S NOTE You might not all those rebates. Also, the often left up to the chef.
need an expensive drug when document fee can often —Lynn Bootes, Bixby, OK
INSTAGRAM
you first sign up for Medicare, vary ridiculously. Finally, I
@consumerreports
but you may need it later on. would like to say that good I CAN’T BELIEVE that you
As we mentioned in our article, car salesmen understand the included Hunt’s Traditional
skipping Part D now can end frustration customers have but didn’t include the far TWITTER
up costing you if you decide and work to make a fair deal superior Del Monte. I nearly @consumerreports
@SomosCR
to enroll later—because you’ll for everyone. … most of us always buy Del Monte
pay an extra 1 percent on your are transparent. canned spaghetti sauce
monthly premium for every —Nik Scebba, Lewistown, MT because it’s cheap and also PINTEREST
month that goes by when you great as pizza sauce. /consumerreports
didn’t have the insurance. EDITOR’S NOTE Rather than —Guy Gifford, Sacramento, CA
trying to decipher which
LINKEDIN
I ASKED MY DOCTOR for rebates or deals would apply EDITOR’S NOTE Because we /company/
a prescription for a full to you, you can avoid any can’t test every single product consumer-reports
year of my blood pressure confusion by getting a direct on the market, we tested a

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 9

What We’re Testing
in Our Labs …
In our 63 labs, we continually review and rate products. Here, timely picks for this month.

Top-Loader Washing Machines

WE TESTED: 58 models A Washing Wonder (HE) Giant Agitator Slim for Tight Spaces (HE)
WE TEST FOR: Washing LG WT7100CW Maytag MVWB965HC LG WT901CW
performance, including how $720 $1,230 $540
well a model's normal cycle
cleans a load of mixed cotton
items, and more.
ABOUT THE SCORES:
HE
Median: 69
Agitator
Range: 46-81
0
81
OVERALL
0
70
OVERALL
0
71
OVERALL
Median: 56 Range: 31-70 SCORE SCORE SCORE

Gas Dryers
WE TESTED: 74 models Top Tumbler Hot Deal Built for Large Loads
WE TEST FOR: Drying LG DLGX7601WE LG DLG7101W Maytag MGDB955FW
performance with a mix of $1,050 $730 $1,260
fabrics and load sizes; ease
of use, including controls;
noise; and more.

ABOUT THE SCORES:

Median: 80
0
92
OVERALL
0
88
OVERALL
0
86
OVERALL
Range: 50-92 SCORE SCORE SCORE

Ask Our Experts The simple answer is consumer demand. In fact, our lab just
finished testing the largest top-loader agitator in the industry, at
44x29x30 inches—the “giant” Maytag shown above. A larger washer
Why have drum lets you fit more laundry per wash, “and that’s a time-saver,
ILLUSTRATION: SERGE BLOCH

particularly because some machines can take up to 2 hours per load,”

washers become says Richard Handel, who oversees CR’s washer testing. Also, most
so enormous in top-loader models offer a “deep fill” option that adds water when
you want it. But bear in mind that deep drums can make collecting
recent years? clothes from the bottom of the drum challenging. One shopping
tip: If you’re buying big, measure the doorways through which the
machine must fit on delivery, not just the space it will live in.

10 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

 For the latest ratings of these
and other product categories,
readers with a Digital or All-Access
membership can go to CR.org.
Slow Cookers
WE TESTED: 8 models Now You’re Cooking Nonstick and Stovetop-Safe Bargain Buy
WE TEST FOR: Tenderness of Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Calphalon Digital Sauté Black+Decker Digital
meat and vegetables after SCCPVS600ECP-S SCCLD1 Programmable SCD1007
5 hours on high and 8 hours $100 $100 $50
on low, clarity of controls,
ease of programming,
and more.

ABOUT THE SCORES:

Median: 72
0
84
OVERALL
0
78
OVERALL
0
72
OVERALL
Range: 65-84 SCORE SCORE SCORE

Frozen Vegetables
WE TESTED: 31 products Very Healthy Choice Great Flavor Nice Price per Bite
WE TEST FOR: Nutrition, Green Giant Riced Veggies Birds Eye Veggie Made Trader Joe’s Riced
including calories per gram Cauliflower Risotto Medley Mashed Cauliflower Original Cauliflower Stir Fry
of food, fats, sodium, sugars, $3.50 for 12-ounce bag $4 for 12-ounce bag $3 for 16-ounce bag
iron, and more; and flavor and
texture attributes measured
by trained taste testers.

ABOUT THE SCORES:

Median: 68
0
85
OVERALL
0
76
OVERALL
0
69
OVERALL
Range: 51-85 SCORE SCORE SCORE

4K Streaming Media Devices

WE TESTED: 8 models Supersmart and Versatile Excellent Casting for Less Budget-Friendly Streamer
WE TEST FOR: Picture quality Amazon Fire TV Cube Google Chromecast Ultra Roku Premiere (2018)
of streaming video (given the $120 $70 $40
same network connection
and speed); features,
including the number of
streaming services; and more.

ABOUT THE SCORES:

Median: 79
0
82
OVERALL
0
80
OVERALL
0
72
OVERALL
Range: 72-82 SCORE SCORE SCORE

Car Batteries
WE TESTED: 14 Group 24 and Best Overall Performance Good Deal for Cold Climates Easy to Check Battery Level
24F models* Napa Legend Premium EverStart Maxx-24F (North) Interstate Mega-Tron Plus
WE TEST FOR: Battery life (how 8424F $90 MTP-24
a battery endures repeated $130 $120
charge-and-discharge cycles),
how long it can run a car if the
charging system fails, and more.

ABOUT THE SCORES:

Median: 79
0
90
OVERALL
0
86
OVERALL
0
86
OVERALL
Range: 62-90 SCORE SCORE SCORE

Note: We rate different products according to different testing protocols; as a result, Overall Scores of one COMING NEXT MONTH Air Mattresses
product category are not comparable with another. *Different cars require different group-size batteries.
Ask Our Experts

account (HSA) and your health

coverage for 2018 was a high-
deductible health plan, you can
still add money there, too. HSA
contribution limits for 2018
are $3,450 for individuals and
$6,900 for families—and $1,000
more for those 55 and older.

I rent my home on Airbnb

using a traditional lock and
key. Is a smart lock safer?

Yes—safer and easier. These

electronic devices not only
eliminate the hassle of meeting
renters in person but also
eliminate the need for physical
keys, which guests could copy
at a hardware store, making the
property vulnerable later on.
Usually costing between $150
and $300, some smart lock
models replace your existing

I know omega-3s are good may help people who already

have heart disease, but they
deadbolt, while others convert
the existing bolt into a smart

for me. Is it worth buying eggs don’t work to prevent it—so talk
to a doctor before taking them.
lock. With an internet-
connected smart lock, you can

that contain them? Any last-minute tax tips

create temporary access codes,
allowing visitors to type a
I should know about? numerical code onto a number
pad on the lock to gain entry,
Egg producers that tout fish contains very little In spite of major tax-law or use electronic keys. In
omega-3s on their packaging ALA, it does contain DHA changes this year, you can still the latter case, the “key”
typically feed their hens and another omega-3, EPA lower taxable income for 2018 lives in electronic form in a
foods such as flaxseed, which (eicosapentaenoic acid). And by establishing or adding to smartphone app and talks to
gives their eggs a boost of of the three types, DHA and various tax-deferred savings the lock wirelessly.
the omega-3 fats ALA (alpha- EPA have more known health accounts—as long as you do “We’ve tested a few smart
linolenic acid) and DHA benefits. So, for example, so before the tax deadline locks that don’t even have
(docosahexaenoic acid). The Eggland’s Best eggs have 125 mg (midnight on April 15, 2019, in physical keyholes,” says Dave
idea is that consumers who of omega-3s, about evenly split most states), says CR’s senior Trezza, CR’s door lock test
eat those eggs will get omega-3 between ALA and DHA. By money editor Tobie Stanger. engineer. “That makes them
benefits in the form of heart, contrast, 3 ½ ounces of cooked For example, you can resistant to being picked and
eye, and brain health. salmon has about 560 mg of probably still contribute to much harder to drill through.”
But fatty fish—such as DHA and 300 mg of EPA. a traditional IRA (whether Smart locks also let you
salmon or sardines—is a much As for ALA, other foods have existing or new). The maximum monitor when guests come
better source of omega-3s. more than an egg, too: Walnuts deductible contribution is $5,500 and go, as well as revoke their
Not only does fish have more have 2,570 mg per ounce; chia for those under age 50 and access at checkout time—all
of the nutrients overall, says seeds, 2,169 mg per tablespoon; $6,500 for those 50 and older. without ever setting foot on
Charlotte Vallaeys, senior flaxseeds, 2,350 mg per “Your deduction may the property. Some smart locks
policy analyst for food and tablespoon; and canola oil, be limited depending on can also integrate directly with
nutrition at CR, but the mix 1,280 mg per tablespoon. “If income and whether you Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO.
of omega-3 fat types in fish you eat any of these foods or your spouse have a work
is superior to eggs’. Though regularly, and fish once or retirement plan,” Stanger
twice a week, there’s no says. Self-employed people are
reason to spend more money eligible for higher income and
We have more than for omega-3 eggs,” Vallaeys deductible contribution limits
140 in-house experts says. (Though there’s no harm with a simplified employee
LEARN who research, test, adding them to your diet.) pension (SEP) IRA. On irs.gov,
and compare. Submit
Considering omega-3 consult IRS Publication 590-A,
your questions at
CR.org/askourexperts supplements instead? Along “Contributions to Individual
... and watch for the with other benefits, there’s Retirement Arrangements.”
answers. some evidence that fish oil pills If you have a health savings

12 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 ILLUSTRATIONS BY SERGE BLOCH

 Insights
Product recommendations and practical advice

CERAMIC K AMADO -STYLE GRILLS

In the Know
!
0 Kamado Joe The Big Green

Kamado
Classic II 18" Egg Large 18.25
KJ23RHC $1,300 VS. $1,030

79 56

Grills cr’s take Similar in price and cooking

performance to the Big Green Egg, our
testing found that the Kamado Joe
Classic is much easier to use and clean.
KAMADO-STYLE GRILLS—designed
to be a charcoal grill, smoker, and
outdoor oven all at once—are enjoying
a resurgence of popularity, but they
aren’t new. In fact, The Big Green Egg
(far right) has been on the market for
more than 30 years—with many grillers
singing its praises for just as long. And
it’s easy to see why: This ceramic grill
can sear steaks on a rip-roaring fi re,
or smoke brisket on slow-burn coals or
wood. But as the only widely available
kamado-style grill, the Green Egg hasn’t
had much competition. Until recently.
“We’ve seen close to a dozen new
kamado-style grills come on the
market,” says Mark Allwood, a market
analyst who oversees grills for CR.
“Most of these models are shaped like
the Egg, but each has unique features.”
Some newcomers are metal, making
them more affordable, though traditional
ILLUSTRATIONS: CHRIS PHILPOT. PHOTOS: JOHN WALSH/CONSUMER REPORTS

ceramics tend to retain heat better.

As a result, prices for kamado-style
grills vary wildly, from $400 to $2,000,
and it can be tough to tell when you’re
getting a good deal. Need some guidance?
Our testers evaluated a few competitors to
help you get more sizzle for your money.

METAL Broil King Char-Broil cr’s take The easy-to-use

K AMADO -
STYLE
Keg 911470 Kamander Char-Broil offers similar
GRILLS $940 VS. 17302051 $400 cooking performance for
UNDER
$1,000:
less than half the price of
72 69
the Broil King.

Look for more in-depth grill coverage in our July issue. MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 13
CRInsights

Cool Product Feature of the Month an automotive supplier. But as can impact camera and radar
future cars need more cameras systems if the regular wiper
and sensors, the demand for can’t clear it off,” Sinclair says.

Self-Cleaning fluid could become too great,

and automakers may instead
use compressed air, another
Some solutions are in
the works for that, too: One
company, Seeva, has developed

Car Cameras effective way to clean a lens.

But no vehicles we’ve tested
have the ability to remove dirt
a product that uses engine heat
to warm washer fluid to better
clear windshields. And 3M, a
or ice from a grille or fender, manufacturing company, is
where radar units (used for hoping to use a transparent,
FROM BACKUP CAMERAS while on the move—a number driver-assist technologies) are protective adhesive film over
smeared with dirty raindrops of companies are competing often housed. When these car sensors for easier cleaning.
to adaptive cruise control to develop built-in camera and radars are covered, the best “Despite these emerging
systems shut down by ice sensor cleaning technology. some vehicles can do is offer up technologies, we need to
buildup, CR’s auto test staff A few recent models have a dashboard warning that the remain attentive and engaged
has seen firsthand how grime, small nozzles to wash the sensors aren’t working, says in our driving tasks,” cautions
snow, and sleet can render front and/or rearview cameras Shawn Sinclair, auto engineer Jennifer Stockburger, director
a car’s advanced safety and used in 360-degree displays— and advanced driver-assistance of operations at CR’s Auto Test
driver-assist systems useless. similar to the sprayers and systems tester at CR. Center. “These systems are
When a car’s cameras or wipers that keep headlights To help avoid this problem, intended to help, not replace,
sensors get dirty, most drivers clean on some luxury cars. some manufacturers, such as careful attention from a driver.”
today must stop, get out, and For example, the Cadillac CT6 Volvo and Nissan, have moved
clean them the old-fashioned (below) uses a jet to spray their sensors behind the front
way. To keep drivers safe and washer fluid onto the lens. A windshield, within the sweep
CR’s auto engineer
save them from that hassle of similar system is also being of the wipers. But even that Shawn Sinclair
manual cleaning—especially developed by Continental Corp., isn’t foolproof. “Ice buildup

Cadillac
CT6

0
72
OVERALL
SCORE

1949 CR highlights good

CR Time Traveler FURNITURE design concepts in everyday
objects, including a Hardoy
1941 We test porch and garden furniture for metal chair (below) for its
comfort and construction. Reed furniture, “ingenious and simple design.”
we report, is inferior to wood or steel and
should be used only in sheltered places.

1943 Wartime production 1950 CR investigates deals offered by

has limited consumer wholesale showrooms and warehouses,
choice, but we advise reporting that “a real bargain in
parents about best choices furniture from a wholesaler is very
for kids, regardless. rare unless your introduction to him is
more intimate than a card.”

14 CR.ORG 1
0 2
0 3
0 4
0 5
0 !
0 $
0
POOR EXCELLENT RECOMMENDED CR BEST BUY
 REPAIR OR REPLACE?
Water-Damaged
Appliances Food Sleuth
Floodwater can quickly ruin
your appliances, depending on
which parts were submerged
Broth
and for how long. “Even if they
dry out, it’s likely that parts were
damaged and may no longer be
Basics
safe or reliable,” says Jim Nanni,
the engineer who oversees CR’s
PHOTOS: (BOTTOM) CONSUMER REPORTS; (TOP RIGHT) 123RF. OPPOSITE PAGE: (TOP) JOHN POWERS/CONSUMER REPORTS

testing of large appliances. CHICKEN BROTH COMES in used, the higher the protein has 140 mg or less of sodium
As a result, it probably makes many forms. Both stock and content, which comes from per serving, and “lower” or
more sense to replace the entire broth can be made from a collagen in the bones that’s “reduced” sodium means it
appliance, given the high cost of mix of chicken meat and released during cooking; has at least 25 percent less
repair parts and labor. bones (along with vegetables this slightly boosts calories, sodium compared with the
But there are exceptions. and seasonings), but stock too. Stock tends to have less brand’s regular product. To
For example, you might be and bone broth usually use sodium than broth because help you choose, CR’s food
able to salvage your fridge more bones, and regular it’s often used as a base in testing team assessed the
if the floodwater rose only a broth uses more meat, says recipes that call for added nutrition and taste of five
few inches. The refrigerator’s Amy Keating, R.D., a CR seasoning. A product that choices from Swanson, listed
compressor and condenser nutritionist. The more bones says “low sodium” means it from highest sodium to lowest.
fan are typically located at the
bottom of the unit—which does
put them at risk—but because Swanson Swanson Natural Swanson Swanson Swanson Organic
those parts and their electrical Chicken Broth Goodness Cooking Stock Chicken Bone Low Sodium
connections are slightly elevated Chicken Broth Chicken Broth Free-Range
33% Less Sodium Chicken Broth
off the floor, there’s a chance
CALORIES 15 CALORIES 15 CALORIES 20 CALORIES 35 CALORIES 10
the water didn’t reach them,
PROTEIN 1g PROTEIN 2g PROTEIN 4g PROTEIN 8g PROTEIN 1g
says Joe Pacella, a CR engineer.
SODIUM 860 mg SODIUM 570 mg SODIUM 510 mg SODIUM 350 mg SODIUM 140 mg
“If that’s the case, your fridge’s
insulation is probably dry, too.” The most heavily Well-seasoned Big, straight- Rich roasted Healthy but
If it’s still running when you get seasoned and broth with forward chicken flavors of chicken bland, watered-
home, that’s a good sign— saltiest in our moderate chicken flavor with and vegetables. down broth with
though it may still need a tuneup tests. Chicken and salty flavors. roasted notes, Mild seasoning, little seasoning
or cleaning. The same goes bouillon-like Better flavor than moderate salt, slightly salty, or salt flavor.
for a stand-up freezer. Chest flavor, with onion, Swanson’s regular and slight slightly viscous. Plus: It’s organic,
freezers may not be so lucky: celery, and other broth (left) but vegetable and Made with so it’s made with
The insulation in these is close seasonings. still relatively herb flavors. no-antibiotic no-antibiotic
to the floor, so it’s likely to get high in sodium. Slightly viscous. chicken. chicken.
waterlogged and grow mold. Note: Serving size is 1 cup. All of the broths have no fat and 1 gram or less of carbohydrates per cup.

1959 High-gloss enamels, the 1989 “Upholstered furniture is an 1995 We explain how to repair
most popular paints expensive and mysterious product,” furniture using wood glues. We
for furniture, are touted as we report. To help, our testers diagram also perform glue strength tests
“quick-drying,” but in the inner construction of a couch and and find that most wood glues
our tests most take 5 to explain how to test for good welting, stand up to the job: Sometimes the
8 hours—even those with springs, padding, and more. wood fails before the glue does.
“Four Hour” in the name.

2018 In our May 2018 issue, we

1967 CR tests 17 furniture polishes, including Pledge investigate serious safety concerns
(above). In addition to performance testing, we about dressers that can tip over
subject all the polishes to flammability tests. Though and injure or kill children. Our
all the polishes are judged to be nonflammable, we findings underscore the need for
urge extra caution with aerosol containers. mandatory tip-over standards.*

*Turn to page 19 for part two of our investigation into furniture tip-overs. CR.ORG 15
CRInsights
WHAT
100 CALORIES
LOOKS LIKE
Drink to
Your Health
Easter Candy
These fruit As spring arrives, you may
juices (left) find yourself falling down
are fine in a rabbit hole of chocolate
moderation, bunnies, jelly beans, and
but some cream-filled chocolate
others below eggs. Instead of depriving
can pose a
yourself entirely, focus on
health risk.
portion control. Our visual
guide can help you keep
tabs. For more info, go to
CR.org/easter0319.

Safety Update

The Risk in Your Fruit Juice

25 pieces
Jelly Belly Original
WE RECENTLY TESTED 45 supermarket Association said that the industry complies Jelly Beans
juices—including apple, grape, pear, and fruit with all Food and Drug Administration
blends—and found that 21 contain levels of food safety regulations. But our experts
heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and think the industry could do more. “About
inorganic arsenic, that concern our experts. half—53 percent—of the juices we tested pose
Ten of the juices pose long-term health risks no health risks from heavy metals, which
to adults who drink 4 or 8 ounces every shows that all manufacturers can find ways
day, and all 21 had high enough levels to to produce juice with minimal amounts of
2⁄3 piece
potentially harm children. In general, we these materials,” says James Dickerson, Ph.D.,
Cadbury Creme Egg (1.2 oz.)
found apple and pear juices had lower levels CR’s chief scientific officer. “While most of
than grape and fruit blends. (And, overall, the risks are due to long-term exposure, it is
heavy metal levels have declined since CR last wise to limit your intake of foods that contain
tested fruit juices, in 2011.) heavy metals. Other sources besides juice
Children are most vulnerable to the dangers include some types of rice, fish, and protein
of heavy metals, but adults are susceptible, powders.” The chart below lists juices that
too. Over time, regularly consuming even pose risks for adults, along with some better
31⁄2 pieces
small amounts of these elements can raise the alternatives. Still, you should limit fruit juice
Peeps Marshmallow Chicks
risk of bladder cancer, type 2 diabetes, and intake because of its high sugars content. For
cardiovascular, kidney, and lung diseases. more info, including the juices that pose risks
A spokesperson from the Juice Products to kids, go to CR.org/heavymetals0319.

Potential Risk Potential Risk Better

at 4 oz. or more per day at 8 oz. or more per day Alternatives
APPLE APPLE APPLE Old Orchard 2 pieces
Trader Joe’s Fresh Gold Emblem (CVS) 365 Everyday Value 100% Juice, Apple Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate
Pressed Apple Juice, 100% Apple Juice (Whole Foods) Organic Bunnies (0.35 oz. per bunny)
Simply Balanced
100% Juice Apple Juice, 100% (Target) Organic Apple
GRAPE
Juice Juice, 100% Juice
GRAPE Gold Emblem (CVS)
R.W. Knudsen 100% Grape Juice Apple & Eve 100% Tree Top
Organic Just Concord Juice, Apple Juice 100% Apple Juice
365 Everyday Value
Grape Juice (Whole Foods) Big Win (Rite Aid) 100%
PEAR
Welch’s 100% Grape Organic 100% Juice, Juice, Apple Juice
Goya Pear Nectar
Juice, Concord Grape Concord Grape Clover Valley
100% Apple Juice Looza Pear Juice Drink
Welch’s 100% Grape JUICE BLEND
Juice, White Grape Great Value (Walmart) Market Pantry (Target) JUICE BLEND
100% Juice, 100% Juice, Apple Ocean Spray
JUICE BLEND Cran-Apple
Welch’s 100% Juice Cranberry Grape Mott’s 100% Juice,
with Antioxidant Juicy Juice 100% Apple Original Ocean Spray 1⁄4 piece
Superberry Juice, White Grape* Nature’s Own Cran-Grape Lindt Milk Chocolate
100% Apple Juice Bunny (3.5 oz.)

*Blend of apple and grape juices.

Note: Our test findings represent a spot check of the market and cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about specific brands.
 Product Spotlight

How to Clean Practically Anything ™ Antivirus

Your Showerhead Software
IN AN ERA when malware is a looming
Deep cleaning your showerhead may sound like an uninspiring threat to computers—not to mention
household chore, but it’s worth doing every so often to clear out water smartphones, routers, and even TVs—
deposits and microbes, including pathogens, that can accumulate there. there are many benefits of antivirus
software. And yes, even Mac users,
“A showerhead full of mineral deposits not only results in decreased water
who have felt safer due to a smaller
pressure,” says Don Huber, director of product safety at CR, network of users, can transmit
“but when bacteria builds up, it can get released into the steamy air. infected files to Windows PCs. Given
And while harmless to a healthy person, these pathogens are the wide range of options, though, it’s
opportunistic, which means they could cause health risks such as not obvious which will protect you
asthma or bronchitis for people with respiratory problems or weakened best. That’s why our experts put thirty
2018 antivirus programs—including
immune systems.” To breathe easier, follow our guide below. 10 free ones—to the test on computers
running Windows 10 and macOS. We
Speakman evaluated ease of use and how the
S-4000 programs handle a host of malware,
Reaction malicious websites, and 200 phishing
Shower web pages that try to steal your data.
Head $25 Our results reveal that you don’t
Twenty CR have to pay to be well-protected.
staffers tried this Paid programs, often called Security
1⁄2 VINEGAR plastic head and Suites, do have perks, however,
found the spray says Richard Fisco, who heads CR’s
to be relaxing
antivirus test program: Bitdefender’s
yet powerful.
1⁄2 WATER
$40 version (below) offers a firewall
and a spam filter, and you don’t get
peppered with pop-up ads to upgrade.

IF YOU HAVE A MAC

66 79

!
0 Avira Free !
0 Norton
debris, then wipe with a detached in a bowl or in Antivirus for Security Deluxe
METAL SHOWERHEADS
Mac Free for Mac
If you have a chrome- sponge or soft cloth. If a plastic bag tied to the
$40 per year for
plated showerhead, you prefer not to unscrew showerhead. Then brush
five devices*
unscrew the head (you the head, fill a plastic off any leftover crud with a
may need an adjustable bag with the warm toothbrush. IF YOU HAVE A PC
wrench), then place it in a solution and secure it to
the head to soak. 75 80
pot filled with a solution SPECIAL FINISHES
of one part vinegar to If your showerhead is !
0 Bitdefender !
0 Bitdefender
eight parts water. Bring PLASTIC SHOWERHEADS brass or nickel, vinegar Free Edition Internet
Soak a head that’s mostly can tarnish it—so don’t Free Security-2018
PHOTOS, OPPOSITE PAGE: JOHN WALSH/CONSUMER REPORTS

the pot to a boil, and

simmer for 15 minutes. plastic (as shown above) soak it. Instead, scrub $40 per year for
Once cooled, use a in a solution of equal parts the head using soapy hot three devices*
toothbrush to scrub any vinegar and hot water— water and a toothbrush. *Prices reflect 2019 versions.

but not boiling hot—either

Flooring Vacuum Digital

March Is Deals on hard Cleaners Cameras
THE BEST flooring start This is the time Late in the
toward the end for spring- month, prices
TIME
of the month. cleaning sales. will drop on
TO BUY … older models.

For more info, go to CR.org/buy0319. CR.ORG 17

 TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT RECALLS FOR YOUR VEHICLES, READERS WITH
RECALLS MEMBERSHIP CAN USE OUR FREE CAR RECALL TRACKER AT CR.ORG/MORE.

HIGH K I DS ’
C H A I RS JAC K ET S

Skip Hop is recalling about Meijer is recalling about 25,000

32,300 Tuo convertible high Falls Creek Kids infant and toddler
chairs because the legs can hoodies because the zipper slider
detach from the seat and pose can detach and pose a choking
a fall and injury hazard. The hazard for young children. The
chairs were sold at stores and jackets were sold at Meijer stores
online from June 2017 through from June 2018 through October
December 2018 for about $160. 2018 for about $14.
What to do: Stop using the What to do: Call Meijer at 800-
high chair and call Skip Hop at 927-8699 or go to meijer.com for
888-282-4674 or go to skiphop.com details and to get a full refund.
to get a full refund or an e-gift
card of equal value.

D R AW E R
KNOBS
M IXI N G
BUCKETS TJX is recalling about 21,500
WO M E N ’ S S U P P LE M E NT S lotusfoods.com from August
glass and ceramic drawer
2018 through November 2018
GNC is recalling about 756,000 Lumber Liquidators is recalling knobs because they can break
for about $2.50.
packages of Women’s Iron about 22,700 five-gallon mixing or shatter when pulled and pose
What to do: Do not eat the
Complete dietary supplements buckets because young children a risk of laceration. The knobs
soup. Call Lotus Foods at 866-
because the blister packaging is can fall into them and drown. The were sold at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls,
330-4390 or go to lotusfoods.
not child-resistant, as required buckets do not have the required and HomeGoods stores from
com for details and to get a
by law. If a child swallows the cautionary label warning of this October 2015 through October
coupon for a replacement.
supplements, he or she risks drowning risk. The buckets were 2018 for $5 to $10.
serious injury or death. The sold at Lumber Liquidators stores What to do: Remove the knob
supplements were sold at and website from June 2018 and call the store where you
GNC stores and website from through August 2018 for about $3. bought it for details and a full
September 2000 through What to do: Stop using the refund: T.J.Maxx, 800-926-6299;
August 2018, and on the bucket, and keep it away from Marshalls, 888-627-7425;
drugstore.com website from TH E R M OS TAT S young children. Call Lumber HomeGoods, 800-888-0776.
September 2000 through August Liquidators at 800-366-4204 or
2016, for about $10. White-Rodgers is recalling go to lumberliquidators.com for
What to do: Keep the pills about 135,000 Emerson- details and instructions on how to
out of the reach of children and branded Sensi WiFi thermostats get the required warning label.
call GNC at 888-462-2548 or because contact between the I N FA NT
go to gnc.com for details and thermostat wires and household S N OWS U IT S
instructions to get a refund. line voltage can damage the
Or you may return the product thermostat and pose a fire The Children’s Place is recalling
hazard. The thermostats were Z E RO -T U R N about 14,900 girls’ infant
to your local GNC store.
sold at stores nationwide from M OW E RS snowsuits because the metal
April 2014 through December snaps on them can detach and
2016 for about $90 to $150. Kubota is recalling about pose a choking hazard to young
What to do: If you have a 11,670 zero-turn mowers because children. The suits were sold at
Sensi thermostat, check whether the rollover protective structure The Children’s Place stores and
RAMEN “Emerson” is printed on the front (ROPS) can loosen and fail website from August 2018 through
SOUP CUPS and a date code from 1416 to to protect you in a rollover, posing November 2018 for about $50.
1536 appears on the back. Call risk of injury. The mowers What to do: Do not put the
Lotus Foods is recalling about White-Rodgers at 888-847-8742 were sold at authorized Kubota snowsuit on your child, and keep
239,000 Rice Ramen Noodle or go to white-rodgers.com dealers from November 2017 it out of reach. Return it to any
Soup cups because the labeling for instructions on a repair through September 2018 for The Children’s Place store for a
incorrectly instructs you to and/or replacement. $6,500 to $10,000. refund. Call The Children’s
microwave them, which poses What to do: Stop using the Place at 877-752-2387 or go to
fire and burn hazards. The soups mower and call any authorized childrensplace.com for more details.
were sold at Whole Foods Market Kubota dealer for details and
and other independent natural a free inspection and repair.
and specialty stores, Safeway Contact Kubota Corporation at
stores in Northern California, 888-458-2682.
and online at amazon.com and

18 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

 Safety Update

Dangerous Dressers
in Our Homes
CR’s investigation reveals that even furniture 30 inches
or shorter can tip over and be deadly to children.
By Rachel Rabkin Peachman

Demonstration of furniture
stability testing we conduct on
dressers 30 inches and under.

EVEN THOUGH a dresser is low to individual manufacturers to decide 30 inches tall and under are exempt.
the floor and seems stable, it still whether or not they will meet it. As part of CR’s continuing look
could pose a deadly tip-over risk to Even so, the treatment of shorter into furniture tip-overs—including an
children at home, a Consumer Reports dressers represents a potentially extensive review of incident reports from
investigation has found. deadly loophole in the industry’s
Currently, dressers sold in the voluntary standard. The standard says
U.S. aren’t governed by a mandatory that dressers taller than 30 inches To see a demonstration of our
stability standard and aren’t required should stay upright with 50 pounds of furniture stability testing on dressers,
WATCH watch our video at CR.org/tipover.
to pass any premarket tip-over tests. weight hanging from any open drawer
Instead, the industry has a voluntary when the other drawers are closed and
safety standard, and it’s up to the dresser is empty. Dressers that are

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC HEINTZ MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 19

Safety Update

the federal government—we uncovered grief and shock, Horn was stunned to
six examples of deaths involving dressers discover later that the dresser at fault
30 inches and under, including an was the shorter one, not the taller,
incident from 2017. We also tested a bigger one in the bedroom.
group of short dressers in our labs and “The fact that that dresser could
found that many of them tipped over. fall over on one of my kids never even
(See our test results on page 21.) crossed my mind,” said Horn, who
CR evaluated 17 dressers marketed Charlie Horn, 2½, on the day of the incident asked his
died in 2007 after
as measuring 30 inches tall and under. brother-in-law to remove the deadly
a dresser 30 inches
Nine—or more than half—failed all but high fell on him in piece of furniture. “When I got home
one of the tests. Five dressers passed his home. that evening, I thought they took the
all our tests, including an Ikea dresser wrong dresser. I still had assumed, like
costing $150, demonstrating that it’s a lot of parents would assume, that
possible to produce a stable, affordable it was a large dresser that had tipped

206
dresser at this height. over with a huge impact and killed
“As it stands now, a manufacturer Charlie. But it wasn’t. It was a dresser
following the industry standard that was only 30 inches high—three
can legitimately say that its lineup drawers high and two drawers wide.”
of dressers is compliant with the Horn and other parents who
standard, even if it manufactures one The number of have endured similar tip-over
of these low dressers that has been tragedies formed a group in 2018
shown to pose risk of injury or death
reported deaths that champions stronger furniture
to children,” says James Dickerson, from tip-over stability standards, called Parents
CR’s chief scientific officer. “Our results incidents involving Against Tip-Overs.
demonstrate why a standard that
includes dressers 30 inches and shorter
dressers and Hidden in Plain Sight
is both feasible and necessary.” other clothing Tip-overs are insidious because
Our overall findings highlight the storage units. the danger is all around us inside
need for strong safety standards for all our homes—that is, unless people
dressers, not just taller ones. Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission,
from 2000 through 2017.
use special kits to anchor furniture
The need is urgent because every to walls. But some parents whose
17 minutes an unsecured piece of children were killed in a tip-over
furniture, appliance, or television tips incident have told CR they didn’t know
over and injures—or kills—someone in about the need for furniture anchors
the U.S., according to the Consumer or straps until after the incident.
Product Safety Commission, the According to CR’s 2018 nationally
government agency with oversight of his brother. Investigators think that representative survey of 1,502 U.S.
household products. And research he opened the bottom-left drawer of adults, only about a quarter of
shows that dressers and other clothing the dresser. It’s unclear exactly what Americans reported anchoring furniture
storage units are particularly lethal, happened, but the dresser tipped over at home. Of those who reported not
accounting for at least 206 reported onto him. anchoring, 7 percent said they had
deaths since the year 2000. Most of the Charlie’s body “cushioned the fall never heard of the safety measure.
victims of dresser tip-overs are children of the dresser, so there was no loud And 41 percent of that group reported
younger than 6 years old. noise when the dresser fell,” the CPSC they hadn’t used anchors because they
incident report says. It was so quiet thought their furniture was stable.
An Unimaginable Tragedy that it didn’t wake his brother from Though a dresser might appear to
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRETT HORN

Brett Horn’s son Charlie, a triplet, died his nap in the same room. The be stable, its center of gravity can
in 2007 after a 30-inch dresser fell brothers’ triplet sister was in another quickly shift when someone pulls open
on him. Horn says he couldn’t have room. When the babysitter went a drawer, Dickerson says. Add weight
imagined that the low dresser in his into the bedroom, she found Charlie to that drawer—when, for example, a
son’s room would be so dangerous. unresponsive underneath the dresser. young child tugs on a handle or hangs
That day, Charlie, 2½, woke from a He didn’t survive. on an open drawer—and a seemingly
nap in the bedroom he shared with In addition to the family’s initial stable dresser might topple forward.

20 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

How Stable PASSED
Tests 1, 2 & 3
Test 1 All drawers open.

Is Your Dresser? PASSED

Test 2 Top drawer open with a
50-pound weight hanging from
the drawer front.
Tests 1 & 2
Consumer Reports conducted progressively tougher tip-over tests Test 3 Top drawer open and
on 17 dresser models marketed as measuring 30 inches tall and the 50-pound weight is increased
under that represent a cross-section of the retail market. Twelve were PASSED in 1-pound increments to a
purchased and tested between June 2018 and October 2018. The Test 1 only maximum of 60 pounds.
other five were evaluated in prior rounds of CR testing.

Bellanest Aversa Lexington Kitano Epoch Design Nara Restoration Hardware Ikea NORDLI
Bedroom 6-Drawer 3-Drawer Nightstand Bamboo Lowboy Callum 6-Drawer Dresser* $150
Dresser* $550 $1,500 4-Drawer Dresser $900 $1,300 H30”xW31.5”xD18.5”
H30.19”xW64”xD18.94” H29.25”xW36.25”xD20” H24”xW54.13”xD20.88” H30.38”xW45”xD20” 92 lb. (Anchor included.)
157 lb. (Anchor included.) 169.6 lb. (Anchor included.) 120.8 lb. 115.2 lb. (Anchor included.)

Sauder Barrister Lane Hooker Furniture Corsica South Shore Logik

3-Drawer Chest $230 Bachelors 3-Drawer Chest* 6-Drawer Double
H29.5”xW36.56”xD16.81” $1,190 Dresser B $160
86.4 lb. H30.38”xW42.13”xD19” H27.38”xW51.19”xD18.88”
107.6 lb. (Anchor included.) 108.6 lb. (Anchor included.)

Ameriwood Home Mixed Homestar Central Park Prepac Bella 6-Drawer Nexera Montreal Kids South Shore Libra
Material 3-Drawer Dresser 3-Drawer Chest $90 Dresser $185 6-Drawer Double Dresser, 3-Drawer Chest
$100 H30”xW27.56”xD16.5” H28.50”xW47.44”xD16.25” Maple $268 (similar to Simply Basics
H29.88”xW31.25”xD16.69” 49.2 lb. (Anchor included.) 82.4 lb. (Anchor included.) H28.63”xW48.25”xD17.75” 3-Drawer Dresser) $75
68.8 lb. (Anchor included.) 87.6 lb. H27.5”xW31.38”xD16”
57.2 lb.

Corrigan Studio Pottery Barn Kids Belden South Shore Logik Essential Home Belmont
Drumnacole 6-Drawer End of Bed 2-Drawer 6-Drawer Double 4-Drawer Dresser Chest
Double Dresser $710 Dresser $500 Dresser A $200 (Ameriwood) $60
H29.75”xW47.25”xD17.75” H22.88”xW40.75”xD16.44” H29.63”xW47.5”xD17.5” H29.88”xW27.75”xD15.75”
103.8 lb. (Anchor included.) 70.4 lb. 103.6 lb. 47.0 lb. (Anchor included.)

*These models were marketed as measuring 30 inches or less. When we got them into our labs and measured them, they were slightly above 30 inches.
CR conducts its tests for the purpose of comparison and not for compliance. Our results are not meant as indicators of whether or not a dresser meets the
voluntary industry standard set by ASTM International, a consensus standards-setting organization.
 When you think you’ve
located a stud, follow
WATCH it straight down to the
baseboard and drill into
Watch a CR expert the wall just above it with
demonstrate how to anchor a small wood bit. If you
a dresser to a wall, at
feel steady resistance,
CR.org/anchor0319.
you’ve hit a stud; if your
drill plunges forward,
move to the left or right,
1 inch at a time, until you
find a stud. (You can patch
the holes you leave behind
with spackling or caulk.)
of an electrical outlet or Measure up along the
light switch.) Once you find stud where you’ll anchor
a stud running behind the your furniture, and use a
dresser, mark it on the wall, properly sized wood bit
then make an intersecting to drill a pilot hole. Screw
mark where the top of the the bracket to the wall.
dresser meets it. Next, pull
the dresser away from the
wall and measure down MASONRY
from the intersection; Brick or concrete block
the distance depends on walls are far less common
DRESSER DRYWALL STUD
what’s specified in the than drywall or plaster
kit’s instructions. This is walls, and they pose a
where you’ll install the wall unique challenge. Unless
bracket.
How to Anchor Furniture
you’re skilled and tool-
We recommend drilling savvy, Kerin advises
a pilot hole and using a hiring a handyman or
wood screw that’s about professional childproofer
SHORT OF STRONGER and mandatory stability standards for dressers, the
2 inches long to ensure a to secure furniture to
best way to prevent tip-overs is to anchor furniture to a wall. But as CR has secure connection. If your masonry.
uncovered during our ongoing investigation, that isn’t an easy or well-known fix. kit comes with shorter If you want to attempt
Some dressers come with furniture anchors, but not all. The industry’s screws, buy longer ones. the job yourself, you’ll
voluntary safety standard states that only dressers taller than 30 inches are If you live in a newer need a hammer drill with
required to include them. Shorter dressers—or others that don’t comply with building with metal studs, a suitably sized masonry
the standard—might not come with the hardware. you’ll need different bit and self-anchoring
And if you buy or borrow a used dresser, you’ll probably need to screws: Use 1⅝-inch fine masonry screws.
purchase furniture anchors separately. This is particularly relevant given thread drywall screws
that CR’s 2018 nationally representative survey of 1,502 adults in the U.S. instead of wood screws.
revealed that only 35 percent of Americans with young children at home Never use a drywall BRACKETS
bought a new dresser for their room. anchor or toggle to To attach the furniture
New or used, here’s how to anchor furniture to drywall, plaster, or masonry. anchor furniture. “It’s not bracket, ideally you want
like hanging a picture or to drill into solid wood,
mirror, where the force as high as possible on
ANCHORS Minneapolis, recommends included anchoring kit,
pulls straight down,” Kerin the back of the piece.
kits with a braided steel then upgrade later. says. “A furniture anchor
Furniture anchoring kits, (It doesn’t have to be
cable or strap made of needs to withstand any
also known as anti-tip centered.) Don’t attach
restraints and furniture nylon webbing. If the effort to pull the fixture the bracket to the thin
straps, typically come furniture comes with DRYWALL straight out from the wall.” back panel, because that
with two brackets hardware but the tethers Most homes built after won’t be as secure.
tethered by a strap or aren’t made of nylon the 1960s have interior Mark the furniture and
cable. One bracket screws webbing or steel cable, walls made of drywall PLASTER drill a pilot hole. Using the
directly to the piece of Kerin recommends over wood studs. Start Studs in plaster walls included wood screws,
ILLUSTRATION: CHRIS PHILPOT

furniture; the other fastens purchasing your own by placing the piece of are harder to find, and attach the bracket.
to a wall. The connecting kit. That said, don’t put furniture against the wall a traditional stud finder Connect the wall-mounted
strap or cable is then off anchoring furniture. where you want it, and use won’t always work. You bracket and furniture-
tightened to keep the If you can pick up a kit a stud finder to locate a might have luck using a mounted bracket with the
furniture from tipping. the same day you buy stud in the wall just above magnetic stud finder to included strap or cable,
Peter Kerin, founder of your furniture, great; if it. (You’re almost certain to detect the nails securing then tighten it until there’s
Foresight Childproofing in you can’t, go with the find one to the left or right the wood lath to the studs. no slack. —Paul Hope

22 CR.ORG
 Safety Update

73%
In many cases, dresser tip-overs Regulatory agencies, testing
happen when children are alone in laboratories, and other industry leaders
their rooms, having just woken from also have responded to CR’s findings.
a nap or a night’s sleep. “A lot of these On Nov. 7, 2018, a furniture safety
injuries happen to children who are subcommittee convened by ASTM
no longer in a crib,” says Peter Kerin, Percentage of International (an organization that
founder of Foresight Childproofing, Americans who develops standards) reviewed CR’s
a Minneapolis-based company that analysis and heard from parents
creates child-safe environments.
don’t have whose children had died after a
“They’re put to bed and hugged and anchored furniture dresser tipped over onto them.
kissed good night, and if they get up in their home. The subcommittee, which includes
in the middle of the night, the parents representatives from the furniture
aren’t necessarily going to know.” industry, government regulators, and
It’s typical for a toddler or consumer advocates (including CR),
preschooler to “decide they want now says it is considering revising
something on top of the dresser,” Kerin the scope of the voluntary stability
says. “They pull open a drawer or two standard so that it covers clothing
and climb up on it. And unfortunately, storage units as low as 27 inches, which
some dressers tip even without a child represents the lowest height of
climbing on them.” a product involved in a reported tip-
Some safety advocates say that even over death (with an additional margin
if manufacturers do meet the current of safety).
voluntary standard, it’s not sufficient At press time, a subcommittee vote
to protect against tip-overs because the on the proposed changes was expected
testing isn’t rigorous or creative enough. strong mandatory standard so that through a ballot in January.
“Stronger standards that hold up consumers can trust that dressers Separately, the CPSC has considered
under real-world scenarios are what’s for sale will resist tipping over onto whether there should be a mandatory
needed,” says Nancy Cowles, executive young children,” says William stability standard for clothing storage
director of Kids in Danger, a nonprofit Wallace, a senior policy analyst units, including dressers. The agency
child safety organization. for CR. “This would allow regulators is conducting additional testing
to enforce the rules and more easily on those units to gather more data on
A Need for Better Guidelines gain industry cooperation for how they perform, but it doesn’t
When the voluntary standard for recalls. In the meantime, the plan to issue any new rules in its
clothing storage units was established furniture industry should act now current fiscal year, which ends in
in 2000, it related to dressers that to cover shorter dressers under its September 2019.
were thought to be most likely to tip voluntary standard.” In the meantime, some companies
over, which were identified as pieces are already conducting more
taller than 30 inches, according to the A Spotlight on Industry comprehensive testing.
American Home Furnishings Alliance, CR contacted the companies with Laura Wood, a representative for
a trade group. dressers that failed our 50-pound test. Lexington Home Brands, says her
But a dresser’s stability doesn’t The ones that responded said their company tests dressers for stability
rely on any one characteristic. A host products met the voluntary standard, regardless of height. “Fundamentally,
of factors contribute, including its which didn’t apply to shorter dressers. we believe that an item should
overall weight and depth, whether it Some companies took action be inherently stable,” she told CR.
has a back weight, and how far the because of CR’s test results. For “If it is not, it is not serving its
drawers extend. Because furniture instance, when CR informed Wayfair intended purpose.”
designs and styles have evolved in the that the Drumnacole dresser it
nearly two decades since the standard was selling failed our 50-pound
was created, many groups, including stability test, the company said it The first installment of our furniture
CR’s advocacy division, say that the immediately stopped selling it and tip-over investigation ran in the May
LEARN 2018 issue. To read it online, go to
voluntary standard isn’t robust or contacted the supplier of the CR.org/tipover.
broad enough to protect consumers. product to look into strengthening
“We’re urging the CPSC to set a its safety guidelines.

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 23

 GET YOUR
BEST REST YET!

24 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER

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CR.ORG 25
 ORE THAN AmazonBasics, and Molecule), Tuft & necessary,” says Jay Khanna, M.D.,
a third of Needle and Purple have started selling professor of orthopedic surgery and

M Americans are
sleep-deprived.
That’s in spite
pillows, and Casper has launched its
products into the sky, as the bedding
on certain American Airlines sleeper
biomedical engineering at Johns
Hopkins University. Ultimately, he says,
the majority of people with problems
of a dizzying seats. While many of the new mattresses related to the spine benefit most from a
and ever- and other sleep products we’ve tested firm and flat mattress.
growing array of in our labs performed as promised, CR doesn’t test bed frames, but we
products, including mattresses, pillows, many others did not. do note in our mattress ratings which

PREVIOUS SPREAD, PROP AND WARDROBE STYLING: JESSICA ARMSTRONG; HAIR AND MAKEUP: SAMANTHA FRYLING
sheets, and sleeping aids—all promising One of the latest developments? The models are compatible with these
to deliver a night of restorative slumber. rise in popularity of adjustable bed motorized beds. Most of the top foam
With all the hype, how can anyone frames. Long marketed to seniors, and innerspring mattresses we’ve tested
possibly know which of the countless adjustable bed frames are equipped can be used on an adjustable frame.
sleep-promoting products on the market with motors that allow you to elevate
work? We’ve interpreted the results your legs or upper body with the click Pillow-Top Mattresses
from our exhaustive, scientific mattress of a button. Now manufacturers are “There are more mattresses with
testing, interviewed experts on the promoting them to consumers of all pillow-tops than ever before,” says CR
best ways to reach deep, regenerative ages who like to watch TV in bed or senior market analyst Claudette Ennis.
sleep, and—for the first time in almost a lounge with a laptop or tablet. “And there are also new constructions
decade—tested and rated cotton sheets. According to the International Sleep to choose from.” Designed to add
We’ll also tell you how to get more life Products Association, about 9 percent extra cushion to a mattress, pillow-top
out of the mattress you already have and of U.S. consumers use an adjustable bed models do not come cheap: They often
how to know when it’s time for a new frame, but sales increased 200 percent cost hundreds more than the standard
one. So stop tossing and turn to some from 2011 to 2015. The retail prices version of the same mattress.
sound advice on sleeping soundly. of the frames are between several While the increased softness of pillow-
hundred and several thousand dollars. top mattresses might appeal to our
Adjustable Bed Frames Certain manufacturers claim that fantasy of sleeping on a cloud, what you
Is it time to try something new in the an adjustable bed frame can help gain in cush you may lose in support.
bedroom? When it comes to launching alleviate back pain, but doctors say Firmness varies with the pillow-top
products and making fresh promises, that’s debatable. “Adjustable beds models we’ve tested—some score as high
the bedding industry never sleeps. In may have some benefit for some as a 6 on our 10-point firmness scale
2018 alone, at least three new mattress patients with back, neck, and other (with 10 being the firmest). But if a soft
brands have been introduced (Allswell, spine problems but are certainly not upper layer is what you’re looking for,

5 Signs It’s a little lumpy. Lumps

or deep indentations can
You’re waking up sore. A
worn-out mattress might
the layers so much over time
that you can begin to feel the
Your Mattress happen over time, no
matter which materials a
no longer support your
spine’s natural curve, causing
bed slats or whatever else
the mattress is placed on.
Is Shot mattress is made of. It may
also sag, causing you to roll
stress to other parts of
your body as you sleep. The springs are poking you.
It’s not always obvious to the center. If you’re suddenly waking up Ouch! If you’ve moved your
when a mattress has with unexplained soreness, mattress often or sat in the
outlived its usefulness. The foam is failing. Spilling your mattress might no same spot for extended
water on certain types of longer be giving you the periods of time (such as
Here are telltale clues
foam may cause damage support you need. when watching TV in bed),
that it’s time to say to the adhesive between you’ve probably pushed its
good-bye—and advice the layers, causing them to You can feel the foundation. innards out of alignment
on getting the most life shift. The foam may also just Sleeping in the same spot and a spring might have
from your mattress. degrade over time. every night can compress been pushed out of place.

26 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

you could certainly find happiness with for a mattress was about $200 less in
a pillow-top. We suggest you try it out our 2018 Mattress Brands and Retailers WHERE THE DEALS ARE
first to make sure it provides the support survey than in our 2016 survey (down
you’re looking for. from about $1,330 to $1,130). Our most
Several manufacturers also promise recent survey also found that the Here is how 32 major
that their mattresses increase comfort 6 percent of CR members who shopped mattress retailers and the
independent stores fared in
by providing cool sleep through the at Mattress Firm, the biggest specialty
the 2018 CR survey, based
use of heat-reducing materials such as retailer for mattresses, paid a median on member satisfaction
gel-infused foam, copper, and graphite. of about $500 less, compared with our with price.
Some of these models, including 2016 survey. Our survey also shows that
Reverie’s Dream Supreme II Hybrid though most CR members do not try to

BETTER
Sleep System and the Tuft & Needle negotiate a better price on a mattress,
Mint, did not retain heat in our tests. those who are successful save a median
Others, however, trapped body heat of just more than $200.
quite a bit. (Find out which mattresses Other strategies for saving include
sleep warm by referring to the “retains shopping close to national holidays,
warmth” column in the ratings.) when retailers are likely to offer
Our tests have found that, in general, discounts online and in stores. If you’re
traditional innersprings tend to sleep interested in a particular model or
cooler than foam. “You’re more likely manufacturer, sign up for its online
to sleep warm on a foam mattress, newsletter so that you’re notified of
even when compared with a hybrid sales—you might even get 10 percent off
innerspring, which we define as a just for registering. If you’re shopping
combination of several inches of foam online, put a mattress in your digital
layers over metal springs,” says Chris shopping cart, then leave the website—if Local
independent
Regan, who oversees CR’s mattress tests. you signed up for a newsletter, chances retailers

are the company will send you an email

Get the Most Mattress with a discount, encouraging you to
for Your Money complete your purchase. And it never
One benefit of the crowded marketplace hurts to ask: If the website you’re on
is that all of the competition appears has a chat assistant offering to answer
to be driving prices down. The median questions or help you to shop, haggle
amount CR members reported paying just like you would on a showroom floor.

How to Make Remember that a chances are it will offer

a Mattress Last mattress is designed little relief.
for sleeping. Sitting on “If your mattress is worn
The first rule is to rotate the edge to put on shoes and saggy, a topper isn’t
it at least twice a year or to lift weights can going to help,” says Linda
or as directed by the cause premature sagging Klein, president of Charles
manufacturer. (You might or indentation, as can P. Rogers. “It will just
also be able to flip it, plopping down in the reflect what’s underneath
per the manufacturer’s middle every night it.” And while putting
WORSE

instructions.) This to watch TV or check a topper on a fresh

prevents excessive strain your email. mattress might reduce
on any one area for an Adding a cushy the wear somewhat,
extended period of time, mattress topper might it will also change
Ratings are based on the
which can degrade a seem like an easy fix the way the mattress Consumer Reports 2018 Winter Survey
mattress faster. to cover up flaws, but supports your body. of 16,346 CR members reporting on their
mattress purchases made since 2015.

1
0 2
0 3
0 4
0 5
0 CR.ORG 27
POOR EXCELLENT
 ! Shark Ion W1
Cordless Handheld
Vacuum Wv201
$130
81

For a short video on how to make

a funky mattress fresh, go to
WATCH CR.org/cleanmattress.

The Right Way to STEP 1 STEP 2

Clean a Mattress Strip the mattress bare and toss

all bedding in the wash. (Launder
Thoroughly vacuum the entire
surface of the mattress with
according to the care instructions.) your vacuum’s upholstery or
If dust mites are a concern, make crevice attachment. The surface
IF YOU FIND yourself sniffling as you snuggle in for the night, sure to wash bedding materials probably won’t look dirty, but
it might be a sign that it’s time to clean your mattress. at 130° F or hotter: The water you can bet that dust, dead
House dust mites—tiny microscopic bugs that feed off must be at least this temperature skin cells, and mites are there—
of the dead skin cells of humans and their pets—can take to effectively reduce their they’re just not visible.
up residence in bedding. When we inhale their feces, it can populations. (You may need to
trigger an allergic response, leading to a runny nose, itchy increase the temperature setting
eyes, coughing, and other symptoms. on your water heater. Most are
Giving the mattress a thorough cleaning can provide set at around 120° F.)
relief by reducing these and other offending allergens, such
as pet dander. “Those with sensitivities to indoor allergens,
such as to pet hair, dander, and house dust mites, will STEP 3 STEP 4
generally see a reduction in symptoms with cleaning,” says
Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., medical director of Allergy &
Asthma Care of New York, a medical practice. Spot-treat any stains with an To deodorize the mattress,
Even if itchy eyes or a runny nose isn’t a concern, cleaning enzyme-based upholstery cleaner cover the surface with a layer
your mattress twice a year can help extend its life. Follow or pet stain and odor remover. of baking soda. For best
these steps for a fresh start in the bedroom. Note: The process You can also try a simple solution results, leave it undisturbed
requires you to leave your mattress undisturbed for 24 hours, of 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing for 24 hours, then vacuum
so you’ll need to find another place to sleep for one night. liquid and 1 cup warm water. it away.

28 CR.ORG PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER

 6 Picks for Sweet Dreams
Confused about where to begin your mattress search? CR’s experts share
highlights of a half-dozen high-scoring mattresses that will satisfy a wide array
of sleep preferences and budgets. Prices listed are for queen-size.

A LL-A RO U N D A BA RG A I N I N N E RS P R I N G S O F T, S U P P O RTIV E ,
FOA M FAVO R ITE B U I LT TO L A S T A N D G R E AT FO R CO U P LE S

$ Casper $ Denver Mattress ! Tuft & Needle

The Casper (Foam) Doctor’s Choice Mint (Foam)
$995 (Innerspring) $580 $895
85 76 78

Impressive all-around The Denver Mattress retains On the softer side, with a
performance earns Casper’s its position as a CR Best Buy. firmness rating of 4 out of
namesake mattress the top The innerspring earns a Very 10, the Tuft & Needle Mint
spot in our foam ratings, Good rating for support for mattress rates a Very Good
and its combination of side and back sleepers of all in support for all body sizes
stellar test results and sizes. Despite its low price, (petite, average, and large/
moderate price make it a this model is built to last: It tall), whether you prefer to
CR Best Buy. Its stability earns an Excellent rating sleep on your side or on your
is better than average, in our durability test, which back. It also earns a rating
meaning you won’t be simulates eight years of use. of Excellent for stabilization,
rocked and rolled by your It’s not as stable as some of which means it’s great
bedmate’s movements, and the competition and is not for couples because
it offers ample support for very firm, with a firmness one sleeper’s restless
a wide range of body types rating of 3 out of 10 (with 10 movements won’t be easily
and sleep styles. being the firmest). felt by the other sleeper.

FO R TH OS E W H O R IVA L S TH E B E S T—AT LE S S A N AT U R A L C H O I C E
TIP LI K E TO S LE E P TOA S T Y TH A N H A LF TH E PR I C E FO R BAC K S LE E P E RS

! Charles P. Rogers ! Sleep Innovations ! Sleep on Latex

In between St. Regis Pillowtop Marley (Foam) Pure Green Firm (Foam)
(Innerspring) $1,160 $430 $795
cleanings, use a
fitted mattress pad 75 77 81

placed underneath
If you tend to pile This bargain doesn’t A solid performer in our
the bottom sheet on the blankets, this require much tests, the Pure Green
to absorb moisture innerspring is for you: compromise: For less is made of all-natural
and reduce the Our tests found that it than half the price of the latex foam. It’s extremely
chances of staining. retains a fair amount No. 1-rated foam Casper durable, maintaining its
of body heat. The St. above, this mattress shape after eight years
(Be sure to launder it
Regis Pillowtop offers boasts similar scores in of simulated use in the
occasionally.) If you’re Very Good or Excellent our tests for back-sleeper testing labs. No matter
worried about dust- support for petite support, durability, and your build, it offers
mite allergies, you side sleepers and all stabilization. It doesn’t Excellent support for back
can use a dustproof back sleepers, though it compare as favorably sleepers and Very Good
doesn’t perform as well in support for large/tall support for side sleepers.
or allergen-
for average or large/tall side sleepers, though. This mattress is on the
impermeable side sleepers, earning a In that test, the Sleep firmer side of our ratings,
cover to protect middling Good rating Innovations Marley earns scoring a 7 out of 10 on
against these in those tests. just a Good rating. our firmness scale.
creepy-crawlies.

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Ratings   Mattress Matchmaker Use our ratings to find a model
that supports your body type and sleep style.

Brand & Model Overall Price Test Results Specs

Score

adjustable frame
Firmness rating

Retains warmth
Recommended

Large/tall back
Large/tall side

Average back
Average side

Stabilization
Petite back

Works with
Petite side

Durability
sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper
Rank

INNERSPRING

!
0 1 Avocado Green ⁄€ 85 $1,400 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 7 0

!
0 2 Charles P. Rogers Powercore Estate 5000 ⁄ 80 $1,500 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 6

!
0 3 Avocado Green Mattress Pillowtop ⁄€ 79 $1,800 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 5 0 0

!
0 4 Sealy Posturepedic Performance Copper II › 78 $1,580 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 4 0 0

!
0 5 Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Belleville 78 $3,700 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 7

!
0 6 Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Middletown ‹ 78 $2,300 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 7 Sealy Posturepedic Premium Silver Chill › 77 $2,150 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 3 0

!
0 8 Voila Hybrid ⁄› 77 $1,200 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6 0

!
0 9 WinkBeds The WinkBed Luxury Firm 77 $1,350 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 5 0

!
0 10 Serta iSeries Hybrid 500 14” Cushion Firm ‹› 76 $1,520 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 5

$
0 11 Denver Mattress Doctor’s Choice 76 $580 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 3 0

!
0 12 Beautyrest Silver Golden Gate Pillowtop ‹ 75 $1,130 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

$
0 13 Charles P. Rogers St. Regis Pillowtop 75 $1,160 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6 0

Sealy Posturepedic Performance Lawson

!
0 14
Euro Pillowtop ‹
75 $1,570 3
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6
Beautyrest Silver High Tide Luxury Firm
!
0 15
Summit Pillowtop ‹
75 $1,355 3
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 2

!
0 16 Sealy Posturepedic Essentials Trust II › 74 $1,100 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

$
0 17 Classic Brands Sleep Trends Davy 74 $780 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 18 Kingsdown Crown Imperial Empire ‹› 74 $2,000 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3

!
0 19 Saatva Flagship Luxury Firm Eurotop 74 $1,000 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 3 0

!
0 20 Ethan Allen EA Signature Firm ‹ 74 $2,000 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 7 0

!
0 21 Stearns & Foster Signature Garrick Luxury ‹ 73 $2,200 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 22 Purple 3 73 $2,200 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3 0

!
0 23 Duxiana Dux 1001 73 $4,950 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 4

24 Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Flex Supreme Breeze ‹ 72 $3,500 4

0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

25 SleepFresh EvoCoil Plush 72 $3,000 4

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3

26 Beautyrest Black Mariela 72 $2,500 3

0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 2 0

27 Tomorrow SleepSystem › 72 $990 3

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 3 0

28 Beautyrest Silver Hybrid Grand Isle Firm ‹ 72 $1,460 4

0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 4 0

29 Serta Hotel Beds Concierge Suite II ‹ 71 $1,100 4

0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 3

30 Beautyrest Silver Navy Pier Pillowtop ‹ 71 $700 4

0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3 0 0

31 Sapira by Leesa Luxury › 71 $1,595 4

0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 3 0
ICONS: ELIAS STEIN

32 Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Flex Prima Firm › 71 $2,100 4

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

33 OrganicPedic by OMI Stella ⁄ 71 $2,000 3

0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 4

34 Amore Beds Hybrid ‹› 71 $875 4

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 6 0 0

⁄ Includes a latex-foam layer. € Certified organic. ‹ Includes a layer of gel-infused foam. › Includes a layer of memory foam. fi Made of foam but not
memory foam. fl Firmness displayed is an average value.

30 CR.ORG 1
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POOR EXCELLENT RECOMMENDED CR BEST BUY
 Brand & Model Overall Price Test Results Specs
Score

adjustable frame
Firmness rating

Retains warmth
Recommended

Large/tall back
Large/tall side

Average back
Average side

Stabilization
Petite back

Works with
Petite side

Durability
sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper

sleeper
Rank

FOAM

$
0 1 Casper The Casper › 85 $995 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 2 Essentia Stratami ⁄€fi 81 $2,770 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 6 0

Reverie Dream Supreme II Hybrid Sleep

!
0 3
System Firm €
81 $3,700 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 4 Sleep on Latex Pure Green Firm ⁄€fi 81 $795 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 7 0 0

!
0 5 BedInABox Tranquillium ‹› 79 $1,300 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6 0

!
0 6 Tuft & Needle Mint ‹ 78 $895 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4 0

$
0 7 Novaform Serafina Pearl (Costco) ‹› 78 $800 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 5

$
0 8 Serta Luxury 12” Gel Memory Foam › 78 $500 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 7 0

$
0 9 Lull The Lull ‹› 78 $800 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6 0

!
0 10 GhostBed GhostBed ⁄‹› 77 $895 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 7 0

!
0 11 Dream Bed Lux LX510 › 77 $2,700 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 2 0

!
0 12 Sleep Innovations Marley ‹› 77 $430 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 7 0

!
0 13 GhostBed Luxe › 77 $1,475 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

!
0 14 Nest Bedding Love & Sleep 76 $750 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4 0 0

!
0 15 Purple The Purple Mattress fi 76 $1,000 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3 0

!
0 16 Sheex Performance Cooling › 75 $1,400 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 3 0 0

!
0 17 My Pillow 10” Mattress ‹› 74 $900 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 6 0

!
0 18 Ashley Sleep The Perfect 10 ‹› 74 $700 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

$
0 19 Tuft & Needle T&N Mattress ‹fi 74 $575 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 5 0

!
0 20 Nectar The Nectar › 73 $795 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 6 0

!
0 21 Tulo Medium › 73 $650 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3 0 0

Reverie Dream Supreme II Hybrid Sleep

!
0 22
System Medium €
73 $3,700 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3 0

23 Brentwood Home Sequoia Euro Top ‹› 72 $1,495 4

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 5 0 0

24 PangeaBed Copper Mattress ⁄‹› 72 $945 4

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 6 0 0

25 Bear Queen ‹ 71 $850 4

0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 6 0 0

26 OrganicPedic by OMI Flora Nouveau ⁄€fi 71 $4,445 3

0 3
0 3
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4 0

27 Beautyrest 14” SurfaceCool Gel ‹› 71 $600 4

0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4 0 0

ADJUSTABLE AIR

!
0 1 Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Bed ›fl 81 $2,600 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4 0

All-Access or Digital members can find the latest ratings at CR.org/mattress.

HOW WE TEST: We calculate Support for back sleepers is the the Large/tall sleeper scores. The for Stabilization indicates little or no
the Overall Score primarily by ability to maintain the natural curve Average sleeper is an average of bouncing or vibration transferred for
evaluating a mattress’s side and of the back sleeper’s spine. In our these two sizes. Durability gauges a innersprings, and ease of movement
back support, durability, and support tests, we use a woman mattress’s ability to keep its original and changing positions for foam.
stabilization. For adjustable air 4 feet, 11½ inches to 5 feet, 1½ inches shape, height, firmness, and support We rate Firmness on a scale of 1 to
mattresses, we use an average of tall and 110 to 127.5 pounds for the after a simulated eight to 10 years 10, with 10 being the firmest. Price is
firmness levels. Support for side Petite sleeper scores, and a man of use, including our passing a approximate retail for a queen-size
sleepers is the ability to keep a side 6 feet, 2 inches to 6 feet, 4 inches nearly 310-pound roller over each mattress without a box spring.
sleeper’s spine relatively horizontal. tall and 220 to 242 pounds for mattress 30,000 times. A high score

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 31

 INSIDE
CR’S LABS

CR tester
Li Wang HOW TO DECODE
evaluates LINEN L ABELS
the seam
strength
Sheet manufacturers use a host
of a fitted
sheet on of terms to describe products,
a tensile- though their significance is
testing debatable, especially when it
machine. comes to cotton. “The type of
cotton and the way it’s woven
is much more important than
the thread count,” says Kathleen
Huddy, chair of the subcommittee
on Home Furnishings at ASTM
International, a standards-setting
organization. Below, we define
several of the most common
terms you’re likely to see when
shopping for sheet sets.

Bamboo Viscose
Otherwise known as rayon from
bamboo, bamboo viscose is
made of chemically processed
bamboo pulp that is then spun
into a fiber to make fabric.

Egyptian Cotton
A type of cotton, grown primarily
in Egypt, that has long fibers (up
to 1⅝ inches) and is thought by
many to be among the strongest.

Percale
What Our Rigorous Cotton or other fibers closely
woven in a plain-weave, or
crisscross, pattern. Describes the
Cotton-Sheet Testing Revealed weave of most cotton sheets.

Pima
A type of cotton that has a fiber
FOR THE FIRST TIME since 2010, CR has tested tested (not rated) shrank by more than length of up to 1⅝ inches and is
bedsheets. We recently put a cross-section 15 percent; our testers couldn’t force the said to be characterized by high
of widely available cotton sets—from fitted sheet onto even an 8-inch-high fiber strength.
Amazon, Casper, L.L.Bean, Target, and mattress after just a few washes. Synthetic
others—through their paces in our labs. sheets (not rated) had almost no shrinkage.
(For details of our testing, see How We Test, Supima Cotton
on the facing page.) Based on the initial The feel of cotton remains consistent Brand name of Pima cotton
results, here are a few guiding principles to after numerous washes. We felt sheets grown in the U.S., trademarked
remember when you shop for your next set. before and after washing for our sensory by the Supima Association.
perception test. Of the sheets we tested,
Thread count does not predict our panelists did not notice a significant Sateen
performance. We found no correlation difference between the sheets when new
A type of weave that gives sheets
between thread count and performance in and after they’d been washed 25 times.
a glossy appearance.
the sheets we tested.
Price doesn’t indicate performance. Near the
Sheets can shrink significantly. Cotton top of our ratings, sheets from L.L.Bean cost Thread Count
sheets we tested shrank up to 6 percent, $150. Near the bottom, the $140 Casper Cool The number of vertical and
and some no longer fit on a mattress after Supima sheets shrank so much we could no horizontal threads that go into
many washes. Bamboo viscose sheets we longer fit them on any queen mattress. each square inch of material.

32 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN FINKE

Ratings   We’ve Got You Covered We found vast differences in performance among the nine queen-size cotton sheet
sets below. Fit is the most important factor: What good is a durable or soft sheet if it can’t cover your mattress?

Brand & Model Overall Price Test Results Fits Mattress Notes
Score Thickness*
Recommended

orientation
Shrinkage
Wrinkling

Indicates
Softness
Strength

10-inch

correct
14-inch

18-inch
Fit
SHEETS

These sheets were the only ones that would fit

the deepest mattresses after a year’s worth of
!
0 Matouk Sierra 79 $350 5
0204
030 Soft 0 0 0
washing, but they have so much slack that they
do not lie taut across the mattress.

These were the most tear-resistant of all sheets

tested—they could be pulled uniformly in all
L.L.Bean Pima Percale
$
0 Sheet Set
74 $150 4
0305
050 Soft 0 0 0 directions and across their seams without
tearing. They also shrank the least of any
sheets we tested.

Frette’s fitted sheet has elastic only on the four

corners (instead of around the entire bottom
!
0 Frette Porto 65 $725 4
0203
040 Softer 0 0
edge), yet our testers reported that it fit snugly
and neatly all the way around.

This sheet is the best value of our recom-

!
0 Brooklinen Luxe Core 61 $150 4
0303
040 Softer 0 0 0 mended models that earned a “softer” desig-
nation in our sensory tests.

Our testers didn’t note any outstanding quali-

Boll & Branch Percale
!
0 Solid Sheet Set
61 $240 4
0303
030 Softer 0 0 0 ties in these sheets. The manufacturer claims
they’re made from organic cotton.

These were the heaviest of the cotton sheets

tested, most likely because of the claimed 1,000
Wamsutta Dream Zone
1000TC
40 $200 2
0304
030 Soft 0 0 thread count. They also had the widest elastic
band around the fitted sheet. Neither seemed
to matter, though, in terms of performance.

The idea of organic may appeal, but our tes-

Target Threshold ters could not get these sheets to fit on any
Organic Sheet Set
30 $45 1
0304
030 Softer 0
queen-size mattress after less than a year’s
worth of washes, giving them a short life span.

Casper’s fitted sheets have a seam around the

top edge of the mattress for a neat fit, but they
Casper Cool Supima 28 $140 1
0304
030 Softer 0 were the smallest of any set tested and would
not fit on a standard mattress after less than a
year’s worth of washes.

Though this set didn’t shrink much, the fitted

Pinzon by Amazon sheet had so little slack that it could no longer
Pinzon 400 TC Egyptian
Cotton Sateen
25 $50 1
0203
040 Soft
be stretched over the mattress after less than a
year’s worth of washes.

HOW WE TEST: We calculate the A Poor rating in our Fit test means of the seam, and is evaluated by Colorists. To assess Softness, a panel
Overall Score by evaluating sheet the sheet could not reach all four clamping the sheet or the seam of 11 staffers compared sheets with
sets for fit, shrinkage, strength, and corners of the mattress. Shrinkage between two jaws and pulling with three reference softness cloths and
wrinkling. Fit denotes how well a is scored by measuring a section increasing force until the sample placed each sheet into one of three
fitted sheet can cover a mattress of each sheet before and after tears. Wrinkling is a comparison categories (soft, softer, and softest).
after a maximum of 25 wash-dry 10 washes. Strength is a combination of dried sheets against wrinkle Price is for a queen-size sheet set
cycles without popping off from of how well the fibers in the sheet references from the American that has one fitted sheet, one flat
under the mattress or at the corners. stand up to tearing and the strength Association of Textile Chemists and sheet, and two pillowcases.

*Indicates fit on mattress after 25 wash-dry cycles.

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POOR EXCELLENT RECOMMENDED CR BEST BUY
 Do These Pillows Can a pillow reduce pain and improve
sleep? Medical experts weigh in
Keep Their on the claims of several types of
specialty pillows on the market today.
Promises?

TYPE PROMISE EXPERTS’ OPINION

Filled with buckwheat hulls, Some individuals may find these pillows comfortable, says Joel
these are meant to keep Press, M.D., the physiatrist-in-chief at the Hospital for Special
sleepers cool and offer Surgery in New York City. Others could find them to be noisy or too
support by conforming to the stiff. Though rare in the U.S., there have been reports of allergies
shape of the head and neck. triggered by buckwheat.
B U C K W H E AT- F I L L E D P I L LOW

Shaped like a doorstop, They might be worth a try, says Jennifer Hsia, M.D., an assistant
these prop up your torso professor in the department of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery
on an incline, using at the University of Minnesota Medical School. It can be easier for
gravity to, theoretically, stomach acid to travel up to the throat when we are horizontal vs.
help with heartburn and when we are more upright, Hsia says. She also says a wedge-shaped
W E D G E-S H A P E D P I L LOW sinus pressure. pillow may help to reduce “some of the swelling that can occur in our
nasal passages just from lying down.”

These pillows are designed Trying one may be a reasonable place to start: They may help
to encourage people to sleep address mild snoring problems in people who snore only when
on their sides, which can lying on their backs, Hsia explains. (They will not be effective for
potentially reduce snoring. those who also snore on their sides.) If snoring persists, speak to
your healthcare provider: It may be a symptom of sleep apnea,
A N TI -S N O R E P I LLOW
which requires more serious interventions.

Large pillows designed to Placing a pillow between the knees is common advice for relieving low-
be both hugged and placed back pain, says Sue Gordon, Ph.D., chair of restorative care in aging
between the knees, these at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University
are supposed to help side in Adelaide, South Australia. The shape and surface area might make
sleepers snooze comfortably, it easier to find a position that relieves soreness for side sleepers,
L-S H A P E D P I LLOW reducing stress on the hips says Jeffrey Goldstein, M.D., a clinical professor in the department of
and lower back. orthopedic surgery and chief of spine service at NYU Langone Health.

By using more or less water The adjustability “does allow you to dial in your comfort,”
in a bag inserted into Goldstein says. “You can customize it to fit your needs.”
this pillow’s core, you can
customize the firmness and
height to your liking.
WAT E R - F I L L E D P I L LOW
ILLUSTRATIONS: CHRIS PHILPOT

Cervical pillows have Cervical pillows can help maintain your spine’s proper
a dip in the middle alignment while you sleep, Press says. At least one
intended to keep your manufacturer of a certain type of cervical pillow claims
neck supported and it can provide traction, but true therapeutic traction—
properly centered. which gently stretches the neck to relieve pain—can
C E RV I C A L P I LLOW require specialized devices.

34 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

 Sick and Tired …
… of not being able to sleep soundly? Many Americans are using supplements, alcohol, and medications
that not only don’t work well but also may be making them ill. Learn what’s safe and effective.
by Teresa Carr

THE EXPLOSION of the Challenger space drivers cause about 10 percent of car complaint among millennials is falling
shuttle. The Exxon Valdez oil spill. A wrecks, according to a 2018 report from asleep, while baby boomers are vexed
warship collision in 2017 that claimed the American Automobile Association more by waking during the night.
the lives of seven sailors. Implicated in Foundation for Traffic Safety. Women are slightly more likely to
all these incidents? A lack of sleep. “We ignore our biological clocks at have received a diagnosis of insomnia,
Fatigue wreaks more havoc in our our peril,” Buysse says. meaning they can’t sleep despite ample
lives than we realize, says Daniel Buysse, Sleeplessness has become an time in bed. Men are more likely to
M.D., UPMC professor of sleep medicine American epidemic. Eighty percent receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, a
and psychiatry at the University of of U.S. adults say that they have condition in which breathing stops
PROP STYLIST: JESSICA ARMSTRONG

Pittsburgh School of Medicine. trouble sleeping at least one night a briefly, repeatedly waking the sleeper.
Research suggests, for example, that week, according to a new nationally Regardless of age or gender,
if you have trouble sleeping, you’re representative Consumer Reports sleeplessness takes a toll. Thirty percent
60 percent more likely to be injured on survey of 1,767 people. Four out of of U.S. adults—an estimated 83 million
the job than colleagues who sleep well. 10 toss and turn most nights. people—told us that poor sleep
And have you ever found your eyelids Our survey found that sleeplessness negatively affects their quality of life.
getting heavy while driving? Drowsy affects people of all ages. The top “How long we sleep affects our

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 35

AMONG ALL U.S ADULTS:

80%
SAY THEY HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING
30%
SAY POOR SLEEP NEGATIVELY
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.* AFFECTS THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.*

hormones that regulate appetite, counseling that identifies and replaces More Risk Than Reward
immune function, and the neural thoughts and behaviors that contribute All sleep medications, including
circuits in the brain that govern our to poor sleep—as a first-line treatment. OTC versions, have side effects. Most
ability to think and how we feel,” “CBT-I is at least as effective as commonly, that means making you feel
Buysse says. It increases the risk of medications, the benefits are long-lasting, drowsy, dizzy, less mentally sharp, or
diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and it’s manifestly safer than any pill,” more physically unsteady the next day.
and heart disease. Sateia says. But few people have heard of People have also reported
“How you sleep affects literally it. “And even if they are aware of CBT-I, it experiencing hallucinations, having
everything,” Buysse says. can be hard to find a trained therapist,” memory lapses, and performing
he says. For advice, see “Finding a Sleep activities such as driving or eating
Hidden but Common Causes Therapist,” on the facing page. while asleep.
Our lack of sleep stems mainly from With most sleep drugs, long-term
societal, not physical, problems, The Problem With Pills use can lead to dependence, and
says Michael Sateia, M.D., professor Sleeplessness is complicated, but abruptly stopping the drugs can lead to
emeritus of psychiatry at the Geisel many people crave a simple chemical a rebound effect, where insomnia gets
School of Medicine at Dartmouth. solution. Nearly one-third of people worse. Taking too much, combining
“With the increasing demands of our who complained of sleep problems at different types of sleep aids, or using
occupations and family life and the least once a week said they had used an them with other drugs or alcohol
incessant bombardment of media, we over-the-counter or prescription sleep magnifies the risks.
aren’t giving ourselves the opportunity drug in the past year. Our survey also found that more
for adequate sleep.” But many of these people don’t get than 1 out of 10 Americans who used
If you toss and turn despite the rest they seek: About one-third prescription drugs for sleep took
consistently allowing 7 or 8 hours in reported very good or excellent sleep. an opioid for that purpose. That’s
bed or if you feel tired during the day, And they often don’t wake refreshed: particularly dangerous not just because
consult a doctor. Common conditions Nearly 60 percent of people taking opioids are addictive but also because
such as anxiety, depression, an sleep drugs reported feeling drowsy, they can slow your breathing and make
enlarged prostate, heartburn, and pain confused, or forgetful the next day. it more shallow. So when combined
can keep you up. Or you may need to The evidence is strongest for with alcohol or other sedatives, which
adjust the type, timing, or dosage of a prescription drugs, says Buysse, who have the same effect, “you could stop
medication you take. Steroids, blood along with Sateia and other researchers breathing altogether,” Buysse says.
pressure drugs, and allergy and cold reviewed 129 studies of sleep drugs for The survey also shows that people
medications, for example, can act as the most recent treatment guidelines often ignore warnings not to take any
stimulants and interfere with sleep. from the AASM. But the benefits are sleep aids unless they can spend at
If you share a bedroom, your partner modest, increasing sleep time by about least 7 hours in bed. “After 4 or 5 hours,
can provide clues. Snoring and gasping 20 to 30 minutes. you can still have the drug circulating
for breath can indicate sleep apnea; Most surprising: There’s little research in your blood, so you will be less
excessive movement, restless legs into the effectiveness of some of the alert at precisely the time you need
syndrome. To investigate, your doctor sleep aids Americans turn to most to be doing things that require your
may suggest an overnight test or refer often, including the antidepressant concentration,” Buysse says.
you to a sleep specialist. trazodone (sold only as a generic) and
over-the-counter products, so it’s hard The Science of Supplements
A Little-Known Talk Therapy to know whether they help. OTC drugs In CR’s survey, nearly 1 out of 5 people
If those steps don’t help, the American contain older antihistamines, such said that they took supplements to help
Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) as diphenhydramine in Advil PM and them sleep. These included valerian,
recommends cognitive behavioral doxylamine in Unisom Sleep Tabs, which chamomile, and, especially, melatonin,
therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)—a form of can cause drowsiness as a side effect. a hormone that your brain secretes at

36 CR.ORG *Source: Nationally representative 2018 Consumer Reports survey of 1,767 U.S. adults.
AMONG U.S. ADULTS WHO USED SLEEP DRUGS:

38%
REPORTED SOME KIND OF MISUSE
50%
TOOK A SLEEPING DRUG WITHOUT ALLOWING FOR AT LEAST
AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST YEAR.* 7 HOURS OF SLEEP AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST YEAR.*

night to signal to your body that it’s compound extracted from cannabis A Safer Path to Sleep
time to wind down. plants, including marijuana and hemp. If you have an ongoing problem with
While people in our survey reported (CBD does not get you high.) In a sleep, make sure you’re not sabotaging
fewer problems with sleep supplements separate nationally representative 2018 your shut-eye by, for example, drinking
than with drugs, these products still CR survey, of more than 2,000 people, caffeine late in the day, exposing
caused side effects: About a quarter of 10 percent of people who had tried CBD yourself to bright lights near bedtime,
respondents said they were drowsy the said they used it to improve sleep, and a or taking a smartphone to bed.
next day, and 12 percent said they felt majority of these people said it helped. If you can’t solve the problem on
confused, distracted, or forgetful. Limited research in humans suggests your own, talk to your doctor before
People taking supplements were also that CBD may ease anxiety, and dosing yourself with OTC sleep aids.
far less likely to say the products helped improve sleep in people with chronic In general, drugs should be reserved
a lot than were those taking OTC or pain. But there is still no clear medical for short-term insomnia, such as that
prescription drugs. evidence that CBD helps with insomnia. caused by jet lag or anxiety after a
Still, melatonin may have limited stressful event.
but important uses, says Alcibiades Why a Nightcap Is a No-No For sleeplessness lasting more than a
Rodriguez, M.D., the medical director About as many Americans drink few weeks, look for a physician certified
of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center— alcohol to help them sleep as take in sleep medicine or ask your doctor
Sleep Center at New York University, supplements, according to CR’s survey. about CBT-I (see below). Some people
especially for people older than 70, Alcohol does make some people feel with severe sleep problems may benefit
who tend to make less melatonin. It sleepy, “but it disrupts sleep later on,” from taking a prescription sleep aid
may also help people who need to fall says Jennifer Martin, Ph.D., associate along with CBT-I, tapering off as the
asleep at a time that’s not in sync with professor of medicine at UCLA. therapy takes effect.
their internal clock—shift workers, for For example, alcohol can interfere But long-term use is typically not
example, or those suffering from jet lag. with chemicals in your brain that recommended. The drugs may become
There’s less evidence for other govern waking and sleeping, could less effective over time, and in some
supplements or herbal sleep aids. A worsen apnea and snoring, or may cases people become hooked and
2015 review of 14 studies found that make you need to get up to go to can’t stop. “Very few people need
people with insomnia who took the the bathroom. sleep drugs long-term,” Sateia says.
herbs valerian, chamomile, kava, And consistently getting disrupted “And in those cases patients should be
and wuling didn’t sleep significantly sleep can worsen a sleep disorder. In monitored carefully to make sure that
longer or better than those who some cases, this sets up a destructive the drugs are still effective and that
took a placebo. loop, in which people drink more to try they are not developing a dependency.
Another sleep aid growing in to sleep through the night, not realizing For more on sleep drugs, go to
popularity: CBD (cannabidiol), a that worsens the problem. CR.org/sleepdrugs0319.

Finding Cognitive behavior Jennifer Martin, Ph.D., programs might also employers, and as part
therapy for insomnia a sleep psychologist help some people. One of research trials. If you’re
a Sleep typically involves four at UCLA. It’s best to is Sleepio, in which a interested in enrolling, go
Therapist to six sessions with a work with a therapist virtual sleep expert to sleepio.com.
therapist, who will coach certified in behavioral guides you through eight A similar program,
you on strategies to sleep medicine. to 10 weekly sessions SHUTi (myshuti.com), is
improve sleep. Go to absm.org/ tailored to you. also looking for research
Unlike drugs, “the bsmspecialists.aspx to Sleepio is available volunteers. Martin also
benefits of CBT-I last find certified clinicians. in the U.S. only through suggests trying a free
after therapy ends,” says Internet-based certain insurers and app called CBT-i Coach.

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 37

THE
DATA
BREACH
Data breaches at huge companies like Equifax,
Facebook, and Marriott’s Starwood hotels NEXT
DOOR
get all the attention. But a CR investigation  shows
that incidents at small businesses should
worry consumers just as much. Here’s how to
protect yourself. BY ALLEN ST. JOHN
 misused. “We hope to make this right,”
read the letter by Andrew Manitsky, the
company’s attorney.
However, that kind of swift action
in contacting both consumers and
law enforcement is unusual, security
“ CHOCOLATE CAN MELT,” says experts say.
Allyson Myers, head of sales for Lake “There’s almost zero incentive
Champlain Chocolates in Burlington, to report this stuff,” says Casey
Vt., with a laugh. “Normally, that’s Oppenheim, CEO of Disconnect, a
what passes for an emergency here.” cybersecurity firm that often partners
But in September 2017, the family- with Consumer Reports on projects
owned confectioner found itself that test security and privacy. “So most
immersed in a different kind of crisis. small companies don’t.”
The company suffered a data breach in
which hackers stole names, addresses, Breaches Behind Closed Doors
email addresses, and credit card Huge data breaches, like the ones
information for some of its customers. at Equifax in 2017 and Marriott’s
Data breaches were in the news that Starwood hotels in 2018, can each
month. Just days earlier, Equifax, one affect hundreds of millions of people.
of the world’s biggest data brokers, had But added together, small incidents
suffered a major loss of data. might pose an equally big problem
The Equifax breach exposed the data for consumers.
of 148 million users. Lake Champlain Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, an
Chocolates’ breach? Just 90. advocacy group, maintains a database
But for the individuals whose of breaches going back to 2005 that lists
information was compromised, the 8,980 incidents. Of that total, 8,448—
consequences weren’t so different. or 94 percent—affected fewer than
Once their personal data is stolen, 100,000 consumers.
consumers are more vulnerable to Yet in total, nearly 50 million
crimes such as identity theft and spear- consumers were caught up in these
phishing emails that can trick even smaller incidents. They include
cautious people into revealing credit everything from hacks (such as the
card and Social Security numbers, Lake Champlain Chocolates event) to
along with log-in credentials for social “unintended disclosures,” in which
media or bank accounts. potentially sensitive information
Lake Champlain Chocolates moved was accidentally posted publicly,
quickly to address the incident. “It was mishandled, or sent to the wrong party.
very isolated, but we needed to take it Unintended disclosures account for
seriously,” Myers says. The company roughly 20 percent of all the breaches
patched the software vulnerability that in the PRC database.
made the breach possible. Then Lake (This past fall, Consumer Reports
Champlain Chocolates mailed a letter to notified 251 people in our 36 million
each of its affected customers offering member records that their payment card
help from an outside security consultant number may have been inadvertently
in reviewing their credit files. printed in the name or address line of
The company also reported the their mailing label due to a technical
incident to Vermont’s attorney general, error. When we discovered the error,
along with the attorneys general of we immediately worked to investigate
Maryland and New Hampshire. Those how it occurred, assess and correct the
states require notification if it’s likely cause, and put measures in place to help
that any resident’s information has been make sure it doesn’t happen again.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHOUT CR.ORG 39

Consumer Reports believes that high one major company that’s affected. data. He urged the pastor to reach
standards for data privacy and security And these businesses have fewer out to the congregation and law
are critical, and we apply those same defenses. “It’s an unfair fight,” Wueest enforcement officials.
standards to ourselves.) says. “Small companies don’t have a But the pastor pushed back. “Our
PRC’s information is drawn from dedicated chief information security parishioners give us money, so it’s
government agencies and news reports, officer to combat hacking, just an not like they’re buying something
and the group says that many unintended average Joe who looks after the printer.” from me,” he argued. After that, the
disclosures and small data breaches A small business breach can often church cut off contact with Stasiukonis,
remain hidden. “We don’t really know be traced to simple stuff. For instance, and as far as he knows, kept the
how many small data breaches there have Lake Champlain Chocolates failed to breach quiet. The experience wasn’t
been,” says Emory Roane, PRC’s policy install a software update on the day it unusual, he says.
counsel, “but the number of victims is was released. The up-front costs of responding to a
much, much higher than 50 million.” But hackers can also apply a human data breach can run into the hundreds
Statistics don’t matter much if your touch through social engineering. If of thousands of dollars once you factor
personal data has fallen into the hands an employee responds to a phishing in lawyers and services such as credit
of cybercriminals. email—an urgent request that seems monitoring for consumers. Meanwhile,
“We talk to victims, and in their to come from the CEO, or a file that sales can slow down or grind to a halt
experience the size of the data breach appears to be a sales report—the entire while the company struggles to get the
is completely irrelevant,” says Eva business can be compromised. situation under control.
Velasquez, president and CEO of But the biggest problem comes later.
the Identity Theft Resource Center, A Failure to Report “Not bringing in new clients because
a nonprofit that helps data breach Steve Stasiukonis can hear the panic your reputation is tainted, that’s
victims. “They’re in the same boat in their voices. The calls come to the what leads to companies going out of
whether they’re 1 in 1 million or 1 in infosecurity consultant a few times a business,” says Nikolai Vargas, chief
10 thousand or only 1 in 10.” week, when business owners discover— technology officer for Switchfast, an IT
One thing that does matter is hearing often from their customers—that service provider in Chicago that works
about a data breach quickly. That they’ve been hacked. with small businesses.
alerts consumers to keep a tight watch The panic usually subsides, Stasiukonis According to a 2017 study by the
on credit card bills and suspicious says. But tensions can rise again when it’s Better Business Bureau, a data breach
emails. It can prompt them to change time for what he calls the “uncomfortable could render more than half of all small
passwords and freeze credit reports. conversation.” businesses insolvent within a month.
And notifying officials can help them Stasiukonis was recently contacted That rarely seems to happen with large
catch cybercriminals and warn other by a church that had fallen victim to an companies: Equifax, Home Depot, and
businesses of emerging dangers. attack that compromised congregant Target took publicity hits after their
“If consumers don’t know about a data breaches but then recovered.
breach because it wasn’t reported,
they can’t take action to protect Small Data Breach Solutions
themselves,” Oppenheim says. “ It’s an unfair fight. What can be done about the epidemic
Small companies of small data breaches? Experts say
Why Small Businesses Get Hit don’t have a you can protect yourself by limiting the
“Small businesses are low-hanging amount of data you provide and taking
fruit for hackers,” says Candid
dedicated chief steps such as freezing your credit and
Wueest, a threat researcher at the information maintaining strong, unique passwords
security-response firm Symantec. security officer to for each online account. Act as though
A local retailer may hold the same you’ve been involved in a data breach
kind of valuable consumer data as a
combat hacking, even if you haven’t been notified of
Fortune 500 company—and face the just an average one. (For tips, see “7 Steps to More Data
same hackers armed with the same Joe who looks Security,” on the facing page.)
software tools. Cyberattacks are often Nationally, consumer advocates
after the printer.”
automated, hitting many servers and security experts are calling for
at once, and so hundreds of small —CANDID WUEEST, threat legal reforms. “Security laws in this
businesses may get caught up for every researcher, Symantec country are relatively weak and provide

40 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

 insufficient incentives for companies
7 STEPS TO MORE to take data security—and data breach

DATA SECURITY notification—seriously,” says Justin

Brookman, director of consumer
privacy and technology policy for
Consumer Reports.
Just Say No
“Be stingy with personal information,” advises Justin All 50 states have data breach laws,
Brookman, Consumer Reports’ director of consumer a number of them passed within
privacy and technology policy. The less data you give the past year. However, Brookman
out, the less there is to be stolen. Consumers aren’t says, the provisions vary widely and
obliged to comply with every request for personal data.
enforcement is uneven.
One guidepost for new and more
effective privacy laws could be the
Guard Mom’s Maiden Name
Since crooks can search online for details such Health Insurance Portability and
as your mother’s maiden name or where you Accountability Act, or HIPAA, which
attended elementary school, use memorable requires medical facilities to safeguard
but fictitious details for online security questions. patient confidentiality and promptly
report any data breach. HIPAA has its
shortcomings, but experts agree that
Be Unique
doctors and hospitals take the data
Using strong passwords is a must, but it’s just as critical
to use different ones for each site. You don’t want protection provisions seriously. HIPAA
cybercriminals to luck into your banking password if they violations can result in large fines or the
happen to hack into your favorite site for cute socks. blocking of Medicare reimbursements.
The most serious violations can land
individuals in prison.
Write It Down That could be why medical data
In a perfect world, you’d commit your hard-to-
breaches account for 46 percent of the
hack, 11-character alphanumeric passwords to
memory. It’s not a perfect world. “If you don’t have small incidents captured by the Privacy
nosy roommates, just write down your passwords” Rights Clearinghouse database.
in a secure spot, Brookman says. (Experts also Even small healthcare incidents get
recommend digital password managers.) reported. One record shows that on
Nov. 30, 2017, a laptop bag containing
a backup hard drive was stolen from a
Use a Burner Email
dentist’s office in Albuquerque, N.M.
Create a separate email address for one-time
purchases and for logging in to the occasional ukulele Much of the data was encrypted, and
chat group. That will limit the risk to the email address the risk of the thief accessing it was very
you use for more sensitive activities. small. Nevertheless, the office followed
HIPAA requirements by informing both
patients and the authorities.
Freeze Credit Reports Small businesses aren’t all waiting
You can do this free at all of the major credit reporting
for stricter laws to tighten their digital
bureaus, which should make it tough for criminals to
get a credit card or mortgage in your name. You can security. Lake Champlain Chocolates
temporarily unfreeze the reports if you need to take has come to realize that it’s not just
out a loan yourself. in the truffle business. It’s in the data
business, too.
“We started out as a mom-and-pop
Monitor Accounts making candy, but being in business
Look for suspicious activity on financial accounts, and
NUMBERS: ELIAS STEIN

today requires a different level of

contact institutions immediately with any questions.
The Identity Theft Resource Center has detailed advice sophistication,” Myers says. “Consumer
for consumers facing data breaches and identity theft. privacy and data security—we have to
take them as seriously as the chocolate
that we love.”

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 41

42 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 PHOTOGRAPH BY GREGORY REID
GET MORE
FROM YOUR
DRUGSTORE
Our advice will help you get the lowest
prices on your meds and the best
service from your pharmacist. Plus, our
pharmacy ratings can help you find
the right choice for your needs. BY LISA L. GILL
 “Independent pharmacists can do at the University of Minnesota, agrees.
this because we are focused on the “The owners live in these communities,”
patient relationship.” he says, “and decisions about how to
Daniel Holt, 53, a CR member who best serve their communities may be
says he’s loyal to Suba Pharmacy in New made due to a deeper understanding of
York City, calls it a neighborhood gem. the needs of their patients.”
“I’d rather give my money to small, local While independents land at the top of
businesses owned by members of my our ratings because of their customer
community,” he says. service and speediness at filling
But powerful forces are threatening prescriptions, that’s not all you should
the more than 23,500 independent consider when choosing a pharmacy.
pharmacies across the U.S. Mega- Other factors include cost, convenience,
Love Oak Pharmacy in Eastland, mergers among national corporations and the services offered. Below, our tips
Texas, puts together individualized could disrupt the $453 billion retail on how to find the best pharmacy for
daily pill packs for customers with pharmacy industry. your needs, and how to get the most out
multiple prescriptions in order to In June 2018, Amazon announced of any pharmacy you go to.
reduce the risk that they will mix it would enter the prescription drug
up drugs or skip doses. Asti’s South business with its purchase of the online Find a ‘Preferred’ Pharmacy
Hills Pharmacy in Pittsburgh offers pharmacy PillPack for $753 million. If you have insurance, your copay
free home delivery, sometimes on the And CVS Health, one of the largest might be the same no matter which
same day. And pharmacists at Hayat pharmacy chains in the U.S., pharmacy you choose. But that’s not
Pharmacy in Milwaukee speak a total purchased one of the country’s biggest always the case. Many insurers negotiate
of 19 languages, helping them to serve health insurers, Aetna. A merger special deals with drugstores, offering
a diverse community. between another major insurer, Cigna, lower out-of-pocket costs when you fill
Personalized care like that seems to and one of the largest prescription prescriptions at a “preferred” pharmacy.
be what people value in a drugstore— “middleman” companies in the U.S., Almost all Medicare Part D
and where independent pharmacies Express Scripts, could further change plans, and most of those offered by
often seem to excel. That’s according how drugs are bought and sold here. employers, now include preferred
to Consumer Reports’ new pharmacy Still, “independent pharmacies pharmacies, hoping consumers use
ratings based on survey responses from historically have been really them to save on out-of-pocket costs,
more than 78,000 CR members. good at adapting when faced with says Stephen Buck, a former executive
Mom-and-pop stores earned high competition,” says Hashim Zaibak, of the drug wholesaler McKesson
marks on such measures as courtesy, Pharm.D., an owner of Hayat and a founder of GoodRx, a website
helpfulness, and speed of checkout Pharmacy. Being small means they where consumers can download
and filling prescriptions, as well as can make decisions and changes coupons to use in local pharmacies.
pharmacists’ knowledge and accuracy. quickly based on what customers When people don’t use one of
“People want to be treated as need, Zaibak says. those pharmacies, they pay
individuals,” says Chris Antypas, Mike Swanoski, Pharm.D., an an average of 36 percent more
Pharm.D., co-owner of Asti’s pharmacy. associate professor of pharmacy practice for their meds, according to a 2017

53% 14%
INDEPENDENTS VS. The pharmacist
knows me
CHAIN PHARMACIES by name:

Consumer Reports survey INDEPENDENT

PHARMACY
of 78,000 members.
CHAIN
PHARMACY

44 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

 survey from the Pharmacy Benefit Pharmacy in Milwaukee. Shocked
Management Institute. that even with insurance she had to
For people with Medicare Part D, it pay $136 out of pocket, Hanan—who
could get tougher to find a preferred preferred not to give her last name
pharmacy, especially among for this article—asked why they were
independents. Last year about 4,000 of so expensive. Bushra Zaibak, a
them declined to join preferred co-owner at Hayat, offered to go
BENJAMIN MCNABB
pharmacy networks for Medicare Part LOVE OAK PHARMACY online and found a discount that
D drug plans, says Adam Fein, CEO of EASTLAND, TEXAS lowered the price to $5.
the Drug Channels Institute, a market “Medications are so expensive in
research and consulting firm. this country,” Hanan says. “I am just
CR’S TIP: When choosing a drugstore, grateful that Hayat Pharmacy helped
ask the pharmacist, your insurer, us so much. No one else at the other
or your employer’s human resource pharmacies offered.”
department whether the one you’re CR’S TIPS: CR’s shoppers have found
considering is on your plan’s list of that asking “Is this your lowest price?”
preferred pharmacies. If not, ask at a pharmacy can save them cash
how much more you would pay at a even with insurance. Pharmacists
different store. used to be bound by gag clauses that
“My first job was as prevented them from bringing up
Ask for the Best Price a delivery driver for other options unless you asked.
Even at preferred pharmacies, how the same pharmacy While that restriction no longer
much you pay for your meds can exists thanks to legislation—long
depend on other factors, notably
I later purchased. supported by CR—that was passed in
whether pharmacists there are willing This pharmacy has 2018 by Congress, it’s a good idea for you
to work with you to find discounts and been owned by to take the initiative. The question may
other ways to save on drugs. hometown people prompt pharmacists to consider discount
While that can happen in any programs their drugstores offer or look
for a very long time.”
PREVIOUS SPREAD, PROP STYLING: LINDEN ELSTRAN

pharmacy, it’s more likely at into discounts offered through websites

independents. Twenty-one percent of such as GoodRx and Blink Health. Or
people in our survey said pharmacists it might encourage them to look for a
at those stores were able to suggest a generic or similar drug that works just as
less expensive medication compared well but costs less.
with 9 percent who said pharmacists in If you don’t have insurance or if
chain stores were able to. you don’t want to pay out of pocket
That was the experience of Hanan, for other reasons, note that CR’s
a recent immigrant from Jordan, when shoppers have found that prices at
she tried to fill a prescription for her stores like Costco and Sam’s Club can
husband’s diabetes drug at Hayat be lower than those at big pharmacy

The pharmacist
41% 20% The pharmacist
21% 9%
went out of suggested a less
the way to fill expensive drug:
my prescription
quickly:

Source: Winter 2018 Consumer Reports Survey of 78,222 members reporting on 111,089 prescription drug retailer experiences. CR.ORG 45
chains. Or try the online pharmacy Love Oak Pharmacy can also
HealthWarehouse.com, which also has help homebound patients manage
low prices. complex drug regimens. “We have
trained personnel who can go into the
Decide What Services Matter home and assist that patient directly,
The range of services offered by especially for those who take multiple
pharmacies, including chains and medications and who have other health
HASHIM AND BUSHRA ZAIBAK
independents, is growing fast. Many HAYAT PHARMACY problems,” McNabb says.
now offer flu and other vaccinations, MILWAUKEE CR’S TIPS: “Talk with your pharmacist
including travel vaccines. Some and find out what they offer in
help manage “specialty” drugs, services,” Linda Bullock says. “You
complicated medications that require might be surprised at all that’s on
injections or infusions. Or pharmacies offer.” Then decide which of those
can monitor blood pressure or blood services matter most to you and
sugar levels. consider that information when
“Patients spend a lot more time selecting a pharmacy.
in their local pharmacy than in Experts say it’s generally okay to
the doctor’s office, so I see it as a great use a pharmacy for your vaccines or
opportunity to get their blood go to a retail clinic for basic health
pressure checked,” says Michael “Independent pharmacies problems like a rash or sprain, but
Hochman, M.D., director of the Gehr can adapt to serve it’s still important to have a primary
Center for Health Systems Science diverse communities. For care physician and to keep him or
at the Keck School of Medicine of USC her in the loop. For example, share
in Los Angeles.
example, we have staff the results of your blood pressure
Some chains are adding walk-in health who, together, can speak tests with your physician, and let
clinics to their stores, where you can 19 different languages.” him or her know you got a flu shot so
get basic care even on weekends and that the information is noted in your
at night without an appointment. The medical record.
number of those clinics at chains such as
CVS and Walgreens grew by 47 percent Consider Convenience
between 2014 and 2017. And CVS says Independents, for all their benefits,
CHRIS ANTYPAS
that with its merger with Aetna, it plans ASTI’S SOUTH HILLS may be less likely to be open for as
to open even more of them. PHARMACY many days or hours as big chains
PITTSBURGH
Many chain and big-box stores have like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.
smartphone apps or websites that Those chains have stores that offer
allow you to manage your prescription 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service, as
refills and schedule flu shots or other well as convenient locations and even
immunizations. Rite Aid, Walgreens, drive-thru windows. And chains,
and Walmart even offer low-cost along with pharmacies located in
prescription meds for pets. grocery stores and club stores like
Independent pharmacies sometimes Costco and Sam’s Club, sell a wide
offer more niche services. For range of other products, so you can
example, last year when Linda and pick up your prescriptions at the same
Earl Bullock of Eastland, Texas, “Medication is no help if time you do other shopping.
needed help choosing a Medicare you don’t get to take it. Mail order is an option if you want
Part D plan, they enlisted the help of So if you can’t get out to skip stores altogether. You can
Benjamin McNabb, Pharm.D., at Love often arrange for deliveries through
Oak Pharmacy. Ben, as Linda Bullock
of your house, we bring your insurer, an online drugstore like
calls him, had their drug histories, so it to you. My delivery HealthWarehouse.com, or a walk-in
he was able to help them choose a plan drivers know you. They store with a mail-order program,
that covered all of their drugs and was know your family.” such as Costco.
affordable, too. CR’S TIPS: Convenience does matter,

46 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

and the easier it is for you to fill
your prescriptions, the more likely you
might be to take the drugs you need.
But don’t choose a pharmacy just
HOW TO SAFEGUARD
because of its hours, especially if you YOUR PRESCRIPTION
have a complicated drug regimen that INFORMATION
could benefit from the close attention
of a pharmacist.
It’s particularly valuable—and
Stick With One Store vulnerable—information, so it’s essential
Once you settle on a pharmacy, stick to keep it out of the hands of hackers.
with it, says Barbara Young, Pharm.D.,
of the American Society of Health
System Pharmacists. That ensures that

M
all of your medications—and those of
your family—will be saved in a single
computer system. Pharmacists can
easily check for possible interactions
with any new medications you start or Medical information, including 3. Be careful with drug discount
flag other safety concerns. your prescription details, is programs. You may be able to
covered under the HIPAA privacy safeguard your data in these
At least once a year, sit with your
rule that protects patients. The programs, offered by many
pharmacist for a complete medication law, which was passed in 1996, large drugstores, by limiting
review, a 15-minute checkup of provides a standard for how data the information you share. For
everything you take, including vitamins, is collected, stored, and shared example, Rite Aid says that you
herbals, and over-the-counter drugs, with medical professionals and don’t have to disclose your medical
along with any prescription medications. family members. Still, there are history to join its program.
ways for employers and others to
That can help you eliminate duplicate or
get that information. Here’s how 4. Remove labels on prescription
unnecessary drugs, says Chris Antypas to protect yourself: bottles before you throw them
of Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy. out, says De Mooy, or black them
CR’S TIP: By having all of your 1. Get a free copy of your out with a marker.
prescriptions filled at a single place, prescription history. Employers
aren’t allowed to ask healthcare 5. Guard even “de-identified”
the pharmacist might be able to
providers directly for information medical information. Many
“sync” them so that they’re refilled about your health without your doctors and hospitals share
at the same time. permission. But they—as well as prescription information with
companies selling life, disability, drug and marketing companies
How to Switch Pharmacies or long-term-care insurance— after removing your name and
can contract with third-party other identifying data. If you
If you decide to switch pharmacies
providers that collect that don’t want any of your info shared
for any reason, follows these steps: information. You should periodically with those companies, ask your
• Get your prescriptions moved. check the information in those doctor to opt out by having him
Have your new pharmacist ask your reports by calling the companies or her contact the American
old one to transfer them. For some directly: Exam One (844-225-8047), Medical Association Physician
meds, your doctor might need to issue Milliman IntelliScript (877-211-4816), Data Restriction Program, at
and the Medical Information apps.ama-assn.org/PDRP/.
a new prescription.
Bureau (866-692-6901).
• Provide key medical info. Give 6. Complain. If you think your
the new pharmacy your insurance 2. Don’t put your Social Security privacy has been violated,
information, your medical history, number on any medical form. contact your state’s board
a list of any medication allergies you Healthcare offices may ask for of pharmacy. The National
your number, but you often don’t Association of Boards of Pharmacy
have, and a list of the prescription and
have to give it, says Michelle De lists contact information for
OTC drugs and supplements you take. Mooy, a consultant and privacy each state at nabp.pharmacy/
• Let your doctors know. Call their and data ethics expert. boards-of-pharmacy/.
offices to provide them with updated
pharmacy information.

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 47

Ratings   Pharmacy Favorites These ratings of 50 leading pharmacies across the U.S.
include chains, big-box stores, grocery-store drugstores, and independents.

Pharmacy Reader Survey Results Pharmacy Reader Survey Results

Score Score

Pharmacists’

Pharmacists’
Helpfulness

Helpfulness
Cleanliness

Cleanliness
knowledge

knowledge
Price paid

Price paid
Checkout

Checkout
Accuracy

Accuracy
Courtesy

Courtesy
Speed

Speed
Albertson
Independents 93 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Sav-On
88 5
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Medicine
Shoppe
93 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Discount Drug
Mart
88 5
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Wegmans 93 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Kroger 88 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Bi-Mart 92 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 Kinney Drugs 88 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Stop & Shop 92 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Acme Sav-On 88 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 3
0
Weis Markets 92 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 Jewel Osco 88 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Price Chopper 92 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 Shopko 87 5
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Kaiser
Permanente
91 5
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 City Market 87 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 − 2
0
Hannaford 91 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 Fred Meyer 87 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Publix 91 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 King Soopers 87 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Dillons Food
Raley’s 90 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Stores
87 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Sam’s Club 90 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 Target 87 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
ShopRite 90 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Fry’s 86 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Hy-Vee 90 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Tom Thumb 86 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Schnucks 90 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Bartell Drugs 86 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 2
0
Ingles 89 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 − 4
0 Meijer 86 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 3
0
Costco 89 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 Vons 85 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Winn-Dixie 89 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Rite Aid 85 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Smith’s Food
and Drug
89 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Giant Eagle 85 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 3
0
Giant Food LLC 84
H-E-B 89 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 (DC, DE, MD, VA) 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 3
0
Giant Food
(PA, WV, MD, VA)
89 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Safeway
Pharmacy
84 5
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Kmart 89 5
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 Walgreens 83 4
0 3
0 2
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Harris Teeter 89 5
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Walmart 82 4
0 2
0 2
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 3
0
Cub Foods 89 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 CVS 82 4
0 3
0 2
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Ralphs 88 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 Duane Reade 81 4
0 3
0 2
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 1
0
HOW WE SURVEY: Ratings are drug retailer experience and is and 60, that respondents to “excellent.” Accuracy and
based on our Winter 2018 survey not exclusively determined by were “somewhat satisfied,” on Speed refer to filling prescriptions.
of 78,222 CR members reporting factors under the survey results. average. Differences of fewer Ratings are based on CR members,
on 111,089 prescription drug retailer A reader score of 100 would than 5 points are not meaningful. who may not be representative
transactions/experiences. The mean that all respondents were Each rating category under of the general U.S. population. A
Reader Score represents overall completely satisfied; 80, that Survey Results reflects average dash “—“ indicates that we lacked
satisfaction with the prescription respondents were “very satisfied,” scores on a scale from “very poor” sufficient data.

48 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 1

0 2
0 3
0 4
0 5
0
WORSE BETTER
 THE VITAL STATISTIC

%
STAY
AHEAD
OF THE
CURVE
WITH
CR AUTO
Percentage of car owners
RATINGS,
with blind spot monitoring who
NEWS
& ADVICE™ don’t know that the safety
system may not accurately
detect vehicles traveling at
high speeds, as when merging
onto a highway.
Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

DEAL ALERT

Save Money
on GM Cars
General Motors is eliminating
six cars from its lineup due
to poor sales. Two of these—
the Chevrolet Cruze and
Impala—are recommended
by CR and earned high
Overall Scores. Smart
shoppers could save
thousands on them when
production winds down (this
ASK OUR EXPERTS RECALLS spring for the Cruze; summer
for the Impala). Here’s what
My phone navigation app is Mercedes-Benz we like about each:

hard to see when I’m driving. Cars & SUVs Cruze. It’s roomy for a
compact car and has decent
Any ideas? Mercedes-Benz is recalling fuel economy, a comfortable
104,600 of its 2018 C-Class ride, and an Overall Score of 71.
A so-called head-up display sedans, coupes, and
device that projects transparent convertibles, and 2018-2019 Impala. This cruiser has an
directions onto the lower part of GLC SUVs because a faulty Overall Score of 86 and gets
your windshield can be a good passenger airbag light can good marks for ride and seat
solution for cars that don’t have indicate that the airbag is comfort, easy-to-use controls,
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or engaged even when it’s not, and trunk space.
built-in head-up display. Some raising the risk of injury to
devices pair wirelessly with your passengers. Both cars come with GM’s
smartphone and run on an app; 3-year/36,000-mile
others must be connected to a What to do: Mercedes will bumper-to-bumper and
car’s OBD-II port. They range perform a software update 5-year/60,000-mile
in price from about $15 to more to ensure the airbag light powertrain warranties.
than $300. Make sure your is working correctly, at no Many GM vehicles share key
device is securely fastened to charge to owners. For more components, so parts and
prevent it from flying around the information, contact Mercedes- service should be readily
car in the event of a collision. Benz USA at 800-367-6372. available for years to come.

ILLUSTRATION BY SODAVEKT MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 49

Road Report

The
Best Cars
for Every
Life Stage
Getting a new job, having kids,
watching them grow, welcoming
grandchildren. As we adapt
to new life stages, our vehicle needs
change too. Here, CR recommends
the best vehicles for every new
corner you turn in life.
by Keith Barry

WHAT PROMPTS a new car purchase is often True Familymobiles

a change in your personal life. A bigger family As your kids get older—and do lots more—you’ll need a vehicle
may have you thinking more about extra seating that has all the space and safety you can afford.
and storage than you used to. A new job in a
more far-flung location may have you craving
cabin comfort. Downsizing may turn your mind
to a small, sporty car.
LIFE STAGE
That’s why we created these curated lists
of the best vehicles for key life stages. For this
guide, we combed through the hundreds of
data points we collect on every vehicle we test,
ACTIVE FAMILY
and—for the first time—ranked them according
to the specific criteria we judged to be AS KIDS GROW, they end up testing director, who is also
important for each milestone. So, for instance, with more activities and more responsible for driving his kids
“easy car-seat installation” for families or “good gear, and they want to travel and their friends around.
visibility” for seniors. You’ll see a specially in packs with their friends. But most SUV third rows are
created score from 0 to 100 in each category for Whether you’re driving them to cramped, hard to crawl back
just this purpose. practice, school, or the movies, to, and eat up cargo room, so
Regardless of the life stage, all the cars listed you’ll need a bigger car—and a roomy minivan is a better
here are CR recommended models and have that usually means a third row. bet for big families. “While
high Overall Scores in their categories. That’s “If you need to only many SUVs now offer third-row
because we believe any vehicle you drive occasionally carry a few extra seating, most aren’t in the same
should be reliable, have key safety features, kids for short trips, even the league as a minivan,” he says.
and get good fuel economy and performance worst third-row seat offers For safety, forward collision
for its class. a huge convenience over warning (FCW) and automatic
Read on for five great recommendations to fit driving an additional car,” emergency braking (AEB) are
every life stage. says Jake Fisher, CR’s auto must-haves.

50 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 ILLUSTRATIONS BY SEAN McCABE

 K E Y C R ITE R I A
Three-row seating, sufficient cargo room, easy car-seat installation, good access
for smaller kids, standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking

S U BA R U A S C E NT TOYOTA S I E N N A TOYOTA H I G H L A N D E R WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T
The easy-to-live-with Ascent The Sienna can seat eight We recommend the Highlander
gets 22 mpg overall, has a and comes standard with lane because it features an Audi Q7. This luxury choice
family-friendly interior with departure warning (LDW), lane absorbent ride, responsive offers a tranquil interior,
plenty of charging points and keeping assist (LKA), and adaptive handling, and a generous a powerful V6 engine,
cup holders, and seats up to cruise control. Even with all seats interior. Fuel economy is 22 mpg and capable handling.
eight. Ride comfort is excellent. occupied, there’s still plenty of room overall, and a hybrid version LIFE STAGE SCORE: 74
Even the third row is relatively for cargo—which isn’t the case gets 25 mpg. Depending on
roomy, and grab handles make with many three-row SUVs. Plus it’s trim, this SUV seats either seven Mazda CX-9. It has stylish
getting in and out easier. the only minivan to offer all-wheel or eight. LDW and LKA are looks and is engaging to
$31,995-$44,695 drive. $31,115-$48,890 standard. $31,330-$48,630 drive, with standard blind
spot warning (BSW).
79 78 77 LIFE STAGE SCORE: 71

LIFE S TAGE S CORE LIFE S TAGE S CORE LIFE S TAGE S CORE

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 51

Road Report Best Life Stage Cars

LIFE STAGE LIFE STAGE

THE TEEN THE SAVVY

DRIVER SENIOR
THOUGH BUYING USED might says Jennifer Stockburger, OLDER DRIVERS MAY no In addition, many new
seem like the best budget move director of operations at CR’s longer commute to work every cars have touch-screen-based
for a young driver, consider that auto test center and a parent of day, but they might need a car controls—some of which can be
an affordable new car provides a teen driver. for longer road trips or one that extremely confusing for drivers
the latest safety features that We looked for nimble cars can easily fit a car seat when it’s of any age, let alone those who
many older cars lack, not to that didn’t have an excess of time to pick up the grandkids. are not digital natives—so we
mention a new-car warranty. power. No matter what you Either way, a vehicle that’s a chose cars with the least-fussy
“Because teen drivers choose, Stockburger says breeze to get into and out of is tech. But that doesn’t mean
haven’t gained experience and safety should still be the a must. “Unfortunately, many they aren’t ready for adventure.
judgment, advanced safety paramount concern when modern cars have a sleek, low- All our picks have available all-
features can help back them up a new driver is behind the slung profile that makes them a wheel drive and plenty of room
in situations that require skills wheel. “Buy as much safety as struggle to exit and enter,” says for outdoor gear, plus comfy
they haven’t yet developed,” you can afford,” she says. CR’s Stockburger. and quiet cabins.

K E Y C R ITE R I A Available under $22,000, forward collision warning K E Y C R ITE R I A Advanced safety features, good visibility,
and automatic emergency braking available, strong obstacle easy access, no-nonsense tech and/or knob controls, quiet cabin,
avoidance performance, limited acceleration good ride quality

M A Z DA 3 S U BA R U FO R E S TE R
Agile and affordable, the Mazda3 comes 81 The same easy access that makes the Forester
88
with standard FCW and AEB. Its 33 mpg overall a great fit for a growing family makes it an ideal
fuel economy is among the best of any small LIFE S TAGE choice for older drivers. We’re especially impressed
LIFE S TAGE
car. $18,095-$24,945 S CORE with its simple controls, standard safety features, and S CORE
excellent front and rear visibility. $24,295-$34,295
TOYOTA CO RO LL A
This has long been a reliable and safe choice, H Y U N DA I SA NTA F E
thanks to FCW and AEB, which have been 81 The new-for-2019 five-seat Santa Fe combines
standard since 2017. Fuel economy is 32 mpg. unique interior appointments, supportive front 82
The Corolla is being redesigned for 2020, so look LIFE S TAGE seats, and easy-to-use controls. The cabin is
S CORE
for deals on the outgoing model. $18,700-$22,880 roomy and quiet. FCW, AEB, and BSW come LIFE S TAGE
standard. $25,500-$38,800 S CORE

H O N DA CI V I C
Skip the sportier trims and you’ll find that K I A S O R E NTO
the Civic is a responsible choice. Android With a third row that holds extra passengers
Auto and Apple CarPlay let drivers stream
80 in a pinch or folds down, the Sorento is a great 82
music without touching their phones, choice. Its seats are comfortable, its ride is
LIFE S TAGE
and FCW and AEB are standard on most S CORE composed, and its controls are straightforward. LIFE S TAGE
versions in 2019. $18,840-$28,650 $25,990-$46,490 S CORE

Honda Fit. An inexpensive hatchback

WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T Subaru Outback. Lower tailgate than an SUV,
WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T
that maximizes interior space. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 79 easy to get into and out of, and has standard AWD. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 80
Hyundai Elantra GT. Has responsive handling but doesn’t go overboard Honda CR-V. Good cargo space and wide door openings for easy
on power, which is ideal for less-experienced drivers. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 79 access, and options don’t drive up the price. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 80

52 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

LIFE STAGE

DOWN- A Dream to Drive

Just you and
your plus-one?
SIZING These cars are
comfortable, quiet,
and fun to drive.

SOMETIMES THE BEST reason

to buy a car is simply because
you want to treat yourself.
Maybe the kids have moved
out, you’re downsizing from
two cars to one, or you’ve
just decided to splurge. Well,
it’s okay to buy that dream
car—as long as you’ve done
your research first.
Gabe Shenhar, CR’s
associate director of auto
testing, says that a sporty
sedan is usually the best
fit for a driver who wants a
car that’s both comfortable
and fun to drive. “Sedans
often handle and ride better
than SUVs, so they’re a good
choice if you want a sportier K E Y C R ITE R I A Performance, easy front-seat access, good handling
car and don’t need the extra and ride, quiet cabin, front-seat comfort
versatility of an SUV or
minivan,” he says.
“But if you got used to
sitting high up and like the
ease of access, there are also
BMW 5 SERIES
some sporty SUVs out there
as well,” Shenhar says. Now The 5 Series is a satisfying sedan that trades a bit of its former
that his kids are grown and sportiness for more comfort and overall refinement. Still, 88
moved out of the house, even the base engine—a turbo four-cylinder—packs a punch,
LIFE S TAGE
that’s exactly what he bought and the more powerful 540i and M550i variants are a joy to S CORE
for himself. drive. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version. $53,400-$110,000
For this list, we only
included cars that G E N E S I S G 80
accelerated from 0 to The Genesis G80 gets good marks in our owner satisfaction
60 mph in under 8 seconds, and reliability surveys, and it is also a great value. If your car 87
offered easy access to a needs service, Genesis’ 3-year/36,000-mile concierge service
comfortable front seat, and will pick up your car and drop off a loaner, so you’ll never LIFE S TAGE
S CORE
handled and rode well in our have to drink lousy dealership coffee. $41,750-$59,500
tests. We removed all price
constraints but only included LE XU S R X
vehicles that got high Overall Need some extra space but still want a quiet interior with
Scores. Last, we made sure to luxurious appointments? The RX350 SUV has plenty of room 82
add a few vehicles of various for rear-seat passengers and cargo, and the three-row RX350L
types, because everyone’s can fit even more. If you want the same space with some fuel LIFE S TAGE
idea of a dream machine savings, the 450h hybrid gets an excellent 29 mpg overall. S CORE
may be different. $43,570-$54,655

WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T Audi Q5. Nimble handling and plenty of power,

plus supportive seats and upscale fit and finish. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 80
Honda Ridgeline. This pickup is easy to live with and great for household projects.
LIFE STAGE SCORE: 77

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 53

Road Report Best Life Stage Cars

LIFE STAGE LIFE STAGE

FIRST-JOB THE NEW

COMMUTERS FAMILY
ONCE YOU’VE LANDED a great messing with your phone IF YOU’RE STARTING a family, installation in the rear,” says
new job, your car may now be on that trip. you’ll want as many safety CR automotive safety engineer
the lifeline between you and We eliminated any cars features as possible and plenty Emily Thomas, who is also the
your source of income. “Get without good fuel economy or of room for cargo. mom of a toddler. “If you don’t
something comfortable—you easy-to-use controls. We also But we think the most have a child seat yet, make
might be sitting in it for a long made sure all the cars had important measure is how sure you can easily access the
time,” says Steve Elek, senior standard Android Auto and well the vehicle works with lower LATCH anchors because
data analyst at CR, who once Apple CarPlay. They not only a car seat. That’s why we you’ll most likely be using
had a 90-minute commute put podcasts and streaming chose cars that did well in our them.” Despite conventional
each way at his fi rst job. apps on your dashboard but assessments of car-seat fit and wisdom, our tests show that
You’ll need a way to get traffic also include useful navigation access. “Take your seat with some of the easiest vehicles for
updates and entertainment apps that can route you you when car shopping to installing car seats are sedans,
without getting distracted by around traffic in real time. make sure you can get a secure not SUVs.

K E Y C R ITE R I A Available under $30,000, standard Android Auto K E Y C R ITE R I A Available under $35,000, easy car-seat
and Apple CarPlay, ride quality, easy-to-use controls, installation, easy access, ample cargo space
front-seat comfort

S U BA R U LEGACY S U BA R U FO R E S TE R
The roomy Legacy gets 26 mpg overall. With Its winning features are standard advanced safety
standard all-wheel drive, it’s a great choice for 88 features such as FCW and AEB, great visibility, 82
those in the snow belt who can’t stay home and standard all-wheel drive. It’s also easy to
when the roads get bad. Just make sure to climb into and out of, and there’s plenty of room LIFE S TAGE
LIFE S TAGE
S CORE
also invest in winter tires. FCW, AEB, and LDW S CORE for a stroller in the back. $24,295-$34,295
are standard for 2019. $22,545-$31,545
TOYOTA C A M RY H Y B R I D
K I A O P TI M A Just because you have kids doesn’t mean that
Pluses are the comfortable front seat, easy-to- 87 you’re required to buy an SUV. The roomy Camry 78
use controls, 28 mpg overall fuel economy, and Hybrid easily fits most car seats. Plus it gets
LIFE S TAGE
well-appointed cabin. FCW, AEB, and BSW LIFE S TAGE 47 mpg overall in our tests. FCW and AEB come S CORE
are standard. $22,900-$35,290 S CORE standard on all trim levels. $28,150-$32,725

S U BA R U C ROS S TR E K H O N DA ACCO R D H Y B R I D
Its hatchback design and high ride height offer 87 This car got 47 mpg in our tests and boasts
75
the versatility of an SUV without the bulk, but a comfortable ride. Android Auto and Apple
its 29 mpg overall is frugal for a vehicle that LIFE S TAGE CarPlay come standard, as do advanced safety LIFE S TAGE
comes with standard AWD. $21,895-$27,195 S CORE features like FCW and AEB. $25,320 S CORE

WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. WO R TH C H EC K I N G O U T Honda CR-V. Commanding view

Great for stop-and-go commutes, with a well-appointed of the road, good cargo space, and easy car-seat installation.
interior and 39 mpg. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 85 Generous door openings make for easy access. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 75
Honda Accord. Base engine offers plenty of power, plus it features Chevrolet Cruze. Scores well for cargo, child-seat access,
a comfortable ride and good fuel economy. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 84 and child-seat fit. LIFE STAGE SCORE: 74

54 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

Cars
Owners Love—
and Hate
THE AVERAGE PRICE for new cars continues to rise—
it’s about $35,000 now, according to the National
Automobile Dealers Association. For that much money,
you’d think happiness would be part of the deal, but OWNER SATISFACTION
it’s not. CR members shared the experiences they’ve
had with more than 500,000 vehicles in our 2018 auto
surveys. Primarily, they were asked whether they would

92
buy the same car again. That decision is the basis of CR’s
owner satisfaction score.
We probed this year’s data to see how owners rate
their cars on satisfaction in five categories: driving TESL A
experience, comfort, value, styling, and audio MODEL 3
controls. These factors show where a car shines for
owners, and where it comes up short.
The survey results show that in every vehicle type,
there is a significant spread between the models that
met expectations and those that were disappointing.
Before buying, learn from others’ experiences by using
92 90
the ratings on the following pages. —Jeff S. Bartlett P OR SCHE GENESIS
91 1 G90

89 88 88
CHE VROLE T TESL A TOYOTA
CORVE T TE MODEL S AVALON

87 86 86 85
KIA CHE VROLE T TOYOTA DODGE
STINGER BOLT PRIUS CHA LLENGER

M OS T & LE A S T
SATI S F Y I N G

52 51 51 49 47
Those models
that top the
ratings deliver on
their promises, JEEP TOYOTA CHE VROLE T NISSAN C ADILL AC
whether they are RENEG ADE C-HR TR A X PATHFINDER ATS
for performance
or fuel efficiency.
Those at the
bottom typically
haven’t lived up to
marketing hype.
46 46 46 40 39
NISSAN LE X US DODGE NISSAN ACUR A
VER SA NOTE IS JOURNE Y SENTR A IL X

1
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WORSE BETTER
Ratings   Yes, I’d Buy It Again! Consumer Reports identified the models in 23 categories that
members say they would spend their money on again, and those they would skip.

Owner Owner
Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings
Score Score

Comfort

Comfort
Driving

Driving
Styling

Styling
Audio

Audio
Value

Value
SUBCOMPACT CARS COMPACT HYBRID/ELECTRIC CARS

Honda Fit 70 1
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 2
0 Chevrolet Bolt 86 1
0 3
0 2
0 5
0 2
0
Chevrolet Spark 59 1
0 5
0 1
0 1
0 1
0 Toyota Prius 86 2
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 2
0
Chevrolet Sonic 59 1
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 1
0 Nissan Leaf 83 4
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0
Ford Fiesta 57 1
0 4
0 3
0 2
0 2
0 Toyota Prius Prime 82 3
0 4
0 3
0 4
0 1
0
Nissan Versa Note 46 1
0 4
0 1
0 1
0 2
0 Kia Niro 80 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0
COMPACT CARS Chevrolet Volt 78 3
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 3
0
Volkswagen Golf 76 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Hyundai Ioniq 72 3
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Mini Cooper Clubman 69 3
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 Toyota Prius C 68 1
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 2
0
Toyota Corolla 69 2
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 2
0 BMW i3 61 2
0 1
0 2
0 5
0 2
0
Kia Soul 69 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0 3
0 LUXURY ENTRY-LEVEL CARS
Hyundai Elantra GT 69 2
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 Audi A3 66 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Mazda3 68 1
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 1
0 Cadillac ATS 47 3
0 1
0 5
0 5
0 1
0
Volkswagen Beetle 68 2
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 Acura ILX 39 2
0 2
0 4
0 3
0 2
0
Honda Civic 68 2
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 1
0 LUXURY COMPACT CARS
Subaru Impreza 64 3
0 3
0 4
0 3
0 2
0 Tesla Model 3 92 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Hyundai Elantra 64 2
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 4
0
Kia Stinger 87 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Chevrolet Cruze 56 2
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Toyota C-HR 51 3
0 2
0 5
0 3
0 2
0
Audi A4 80 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Nissan Sentra 40 1
0 2
0 2
0 1
0 1
0
Alfa Romeo Giulia 78 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
MIDSIZED CARS Jaguar XE 64 3
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Honda Accord 80 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 59 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
Honda Clarity 78 4
0 4
0 3
0 5
0 1
0 Infiniti Q50 57 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
Subaru Legacy 75 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 2
0 Acura TLX 56 4
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 2
0
Kia Optima 72 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 Lexus IS 46 1
0 1
0 5
0 4
0 2
0
Mazda6 72 3
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 LUXURY MIDSIZED CARS
Toyota Camry 71 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 2
0 BMW 5 Series 83 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Volkswagen Passat 67 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Genesis G80 81 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Hyundai Sonata 67 3
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 Lincoln Continental 79 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Ford Fusion 65 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 Volvo S90 74 5
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Chevrolet Malibu 64 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
LARGE CARS
Lexus GS 74 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Cadillac CTS 73 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 2
0
Toyota Avalon 88 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Lincoln MKZ 71 5
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Dodge Charger 82 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Chevrolet Impala 73 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 70 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
Ford Taurus 72 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Cadillac CT6 69 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Kia Cadenza 71 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 Infiniti Q70 69 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Chrysler 300 66 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Buick LaCrosse 68 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Nissan Maxima 62 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Cadillac XTS 67 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0

56 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 1

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WORSE BETTER
 Owner Owner
Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings
Score Score

Comfort

Comfort
Driving

Driving
Styling

Styling
Audio

Audio
Value

Value
ULTRA-LUXURY CARS SUBCOMPACT SUVs

Genesis G90 90 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Subaru Crosstrek 79 4
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 3
0
Tesla Model S 88 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Hyundai Kona 61 2
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 4
0
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 80 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Honda HR-V 56 1
0 3
0 4
0 2
0 2
0
BMW 7 Series 74 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Mazda CX-3 56 1
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 1
0
Lexus LS 71 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 1
0 Nissan Rogue Sport 53 2
0 2
0 4
0 2
0 3
0
COUPES & CONVERTIBLES Jeep Renegade 52 1
0 2
0 3
0 1
0 2
0
Audi A5 80 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Chevrolet Trax 51 2
0 3
0 3
0 2
0 2
0
COMPACT SUVs
BMW 4 Series 71 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Buick Cascada 60 3
0 4
0 5
0 3
0 3
0
Honda CR-V 77 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 2
0
SPORTY CARS
Mazda CX-5 72 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 2
0
Chevrolet Equinox 68 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Porsche 911 92 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 GMC Terrain 68 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Chevrolet Corvette 89 3
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Jeep Cherokee 67 4
0 2
0 4
0 3
0 4
0
Dodge Challenger 85 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Volkswagen Tiguan 63 4
0 4
0 5
0 2
0 4
0
Mazda MX-5 Miata 84 1
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 Kia Sportage 63 3
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Porsche 718 Cayman 84 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Ford Escape 61 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Porsche 718 Boxster 84 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Hyundai Tucson 56 3
0 3
0 5
0 2
0 3
0
Volkswagen GTI 82 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Mitsubishi Outlander 55 2
0 3
0 3
0 2
0 3
0
Chevrolet Camaro 81 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Nissan Rogue 55 2
0 3
0 4
0 2
0 3
0
Ford Mustang 80 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Jeep Compass 52 2
0 2
0 4
0 2
0 3
0
Subaru BRZ 80 1
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 1
0 MIDSIZED SUVs
Toyota 86 80 1
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 1
0 Jeep Wrangler 84 3
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
BMW 2 Series 77 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Subaru Ascent 83 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Mini Cooper 69 3
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 Toyota Highlander 77 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Subaru WRX/STi 69 1
0 4
0 4
0 5
0 1
0 Toyota 4Runner 77 3
0 3
0 4
0 2
0 3
0
Lexus RC 58 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 1
0 Volkswagen Atlas 76 5
0 3
0 5
0 3
0 4
0
WAGONS Kia Sorento 74 4
0 4
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Subaru Outback 78 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 2
0 Jeep Grand Cherokee 73 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Volkswagen Golf 70 3
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 3
0
Mazda CX-9 70 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
SportWagen
Honda Pilot 69 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 1
0
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack 69 2
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Ford Edge 69 4
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
MINIVANS
Nissan Murano 68 5
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Honda Odyssey 77 5
0 3
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 GMC Acadia 67 3
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Chrysler Pacifica 75 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Hyundai Santa Fe XL 66 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0
Toyota Sienna 71 4
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 2
0 Ford Explorer 65 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Kia Sedona 67 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 2
0 Nissan Pathfinder 49 4
0 2
0 3
0 3
0 3
0
Dodge Grand Caravan 54 1
0 2
0 2
0 2
0 1
0 Dodge Journey 46 2
0 3
0 2
0 2
0 3
0

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 57

Ratings   Yes, I’d Buy It Again! Continued

Owner Owner
Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings Make & Model Satisfaction Ratings
Score Score

Comfort

Comfort
Driving

Driving
Styling

Styling
Audio

Audio
Value

Value
LARGE SUVs LUXURY MIDSIZED SUVs Continued

Ford Expedition 85 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Lexus RX 76 5
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
Chevrolet Suburban 78 4
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 Mercedes-Benz GLE 68 5
0 1
0 4
0 4
0 2
0
GMC Yukon XL 78 4
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 Volvo XC90 66 5
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Ford Flex 76 5
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0 Lexus GX 66 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0
Land Rover Range Rover
Chevrolet Traverse 76 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Sport
59 5
0 1
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Toyota Sequoia 75 4
0 2
0 2
0 4
0 1
0 Acura MDX 59 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0 2
0
Chevrolet Tahoe 74 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Infiniti QX60 54 4
0 1
0 4
0 3
0 3
0
GMC Yukon 74 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 LUXURY LARGE SUVs
Dodge Durango 73 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Buick Enclave 79 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
LUXURY ENTRY-LEVEL SUVs Mercedes-Benz GLS 74 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Mini Cooper Countryman 76 3
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 Lexus LX 73 4
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 3
0
BMW X1 62 2
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Cadillac Escalade 66 4
0 1
0 5
0 4
0 3
0
Audi Q3 61 3
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 2
0 COMPACT PICKUPS
Mercedes-Benz GLA 54 2
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 2
0 Honda Ridgeline 84 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 2
0
Buick Encore 53 3
0 3
0 4
0 2
0 3
0 Toyota Tacoma 64 1
0 2
0 4
0 2
0 3
0
LUXURY COMPACT SUVs Chevrolet Colorado 63 2
0 2
0 5
0 3
0 3
0
Porsche Macan 83 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 GMC Canyon 63 2
0 2
0 5
0 3
0 3
0
BMW X3 82 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Nissan Frontier 53 2
0 3
0 3
0 3
0 3
0
Volvo XC60 78 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 FULL-SIZED PICKUPS

Audi Q5 76 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Ram 1500 85 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Acura RDX 72 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 Ford F-250 83 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Jaguar F-Pace 65 3
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 3
0 Ford F-350 81 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 5
0
Alfa Romeo Stelvio 64 4
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 1
0 Ford F-150 77 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Cadillac XT5 63 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 Toyota Tundra 75 4
0 3
0 5
0 5
0 3
0
Chevrolet Silverado
Mercedes-Benz GLC 61 4
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 2
0 2500HD
73 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Lexus NX 60 4
0 2
0 4
0 4
0 1
0 GMC Sierra 2500HD 73 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Chevrolet Silverado
Lincoln MKC 60 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3500HD
73 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
Buick Envision 60 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 3
0 GMC Sierra 3500HD 73 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0
LUXURY MIDSIZED SUVs Ram 2500 70 4
0 2
0 5
0 4
0 4
0
Tesla Model X 85 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 Ram 3500 67 3
0 3
0 5
0 4 3
0
Audi Q7 84 5
0 2
0 5
0 5
0 4
0 Nissan Titan 64 5
0 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0
HOW WE SURVEY: Results are from based on a single model year. The performance, reliability, comfort, whether they got what they wanted
CR’s 2018 auto surveys of more than Owner Satisfaction Score is based enjoyment, etc.). Factor ratings relative to price; Styling relates to
500,000 vehicles. Data from the on the percentage of owners who were determined based on the how the car looks inside and out;
2016-2018 model years (plus a few responded “definitely yes” to the percentage of owners who said Driving reflects acceleration and
2019 models) were used, provided a question of whether they would they were “very satisfied” in five handling; and Audio reflects how
vehicle wasn’t significantly changed buy the same vehicle if they had categories: Comfort includes seats, easy it is to use controls. For more
over that time. Some ratings are it to do again (considering price, noise, and ride; Value determines info, go to CR.org/satisfaction.

58 CR.ORG MARCH 2019 1

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WORSE BETTER
 WE CONDUCT MORE THAN 50 TESTS ON EACH VEHICLE AT OUR 327-ACRE AUTO TEST
ROAD TEST CENTER. FOR COMPLETE ROAD TESTS, MEMBERS CAN GO TO CR.ORG/CARS.

LUXURY COMPACT CARS ROAD-TEST SCORE 74 LUXURY MIDSIZED SUVs ROAD-TEST SCORE 98

Genesis G70 HIGHS Handling, controls, fit

and finish
BMW X5 HIGHS Ride, quietness, acceleration,
transmission, braking, seat comfort
Classy and Comfy The New King
for Two LOWS Tight quarters, gear selector, of the SUVs LOWS Controls can be difficult
stopping distance to master

POWERTRAIN 252-hp, 2.0-liter POWERTRAIN 335-hp, 3.0-liter

4-cylinder turbo engine; 6-cylinder turbo engine;
70 8-speed automatic transmission; 88 8-speed automatic transmission;
all-wheel drive all-wheel drive
OVERALL OVERALL
SCORE SCORE
FUEL 23 mpg on regular fuel FUEL 23 mpg on premium fuel

PRICE AS TESTED $43,115 PRICE AS TESTED $68,730

AT FIRST BLUSH, the all-new has an intimate cockpit AFTER WE PUT the 2019 BMW bumps and ruts so much as it
G70 feels like a credible feel, with seats that are X5 through our test program, glides over them.
challenger to established shapely and comfortable. there was no debate: It’s the The cabin is incredibly
German sport sedans such And the controls are a model best SUV that we’ve tested quiet, and the thronelike front
as the BMW 3 Series and of simplicity, except for the to date. seats are supportive, with a
Mercedes-Benz C-Class. gear selector. It’s powerful and efficient, wide range of adjustments.
This latest model from Despite those positives, the a rare combination. The It’s a treat to be in the
Hyundai’s fledgling luxury Genesis has some downsides six-cylinder engine has luxuriously appointed cabin.
brand is engaging to drive, that aren’t immediately instantaneous response The interior is richly trimmed
well-equipped, and nicely apparent. The backseat is without a hint of the in leather, wood, chrome, and
finished. But the G70 has cramped and hard to get into. hesitation that’s so common very high-quality plastics.
significant shortcomings we The G70’s fuel economy, at with turbos. As a result, On top of that, forward
can’t overlook. 23 mpg overall, trails the 0-60 mph acceleration is collision warning, automatic
From the fi rst mile, this category. Although it feels thrilling at just 6 seconds. The emergency braking (with
Genesis comes across as lively, in our tests the Genesis transmission shifts quickly pedestrian detection),
well-tuned, with a welcome was also slower than its and smoothly. Plus, the X5’s and blind spot warning
PHOTOS: JOHN POWERS/CONSUMER REPORTS

balance of performance, rivals by a full second from 23 mpg overall is the best come standard.
ride, and handling. Its 0-60 mph. And the sedan’s among its gasoline-only peers, Yes, some things could
252-hp four-cylinder delivers dry-stopping distances and it even beats the Hyundai be better. There’s a steep
power without delay. The are longer than most of Tucson, a small SUV. learning curve to figure out
G70 is graceful in corners, its competitors’. The driving experience is the infotainment system, with
and the ride is fi rm but All versions of the Genesis exemplary because the X5 its layered menu structure
relatively smooth. that are equipped with the feels like a true luxury car, and busy controls. And the
The cabin is handsome, automatic transmission come and its balanced suspension rear seat cushion is low and
with its soft surfaces, leather standard with a full suite of delivers a composed ride with without much thigh support,
upholstery, and detailed advanced safety systems. handling that gives drivers which forces passengers to sit
stitching. The driving position That’s a big plus. confidence. It doesn’t soak up with their knees in the air.

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 59

Road Report

COMPACT SUVs ROAD-TEST SCORE 75 FULL-SIZED PICKUP TRUCKS ROAD-TEST SCORE 76

Hyundai HIGHS Controls, braking, standard

advanced safety features
Chevrolet HIGHS Interior room, deep bed,
quietness
Tucson Silverado
LOWS Humdrum interior, LOWS Ride, step-in height
Roomy but fuel economy for class More Capable
Unremarkable and Nimble POWERTRAIN 355-hp,
POWERTRAIN 181-hp, 2.4-liter 5.3-liter 8-cylinder engine;
4-cylinder engine; 6-speed automatic 8-speed automatic transmission;
64 transmission; all-wheel drive 59 four-wheel drive

OVERALL OVERALL
FUEL 22 mpg on regular fuel FUEL 17 mpg on regular fuel
SCORE SCORE

PRICE AS TESTED $28,530 PRICE AS TESTED $50,225

HYUNDAI HAD A chance The spacious interior puts CHEVROLET HAS IMPROVED body lean. Road and engine
to make the Tucson a function over form, with lots the Silverado 1500, with noise are impressively muted
stronger contender within of hard plastic. We like the increased payload and towing inside the cabin. A major
the competitive compact fact that the high-mounted capacity plus a deeper bed drawback is the stiff, choppy,
SUV class, but this midcycle 7-inch infotainment touch than the previous model. But and uncomfortable ride.
freshening doesn’t go far screen and other controls the redesign doesn’t match the The optional power opening
enough to achieve that goal. are simple to use. Plus, fancy cabin or comfy ride of tailgate is a nice touch;
The best news is that the 1.6- Android Auto and Apple some competitors. high-end trims have one that
liter turbo engine and clunky, CarPlay come standard. The Silverado’s biggest can be closed remotely. We
trouble-prone transmission Most trims come with a change is in the powertrain. recommend adding running
were replaced with a 2.4-liter power driver’s seat that has Its 5.3-liter V8 engine is boards because it’s a tall climb
four-cylinder and a six-speed lumbar adjustment. That seat paired with a new eight- up into the spacious cab.
transmission. The SUV now is comfortable initially but speed automatic, and the The interior is unimpressive
takes off from a stop without loses support on longer drives. combination provides better for a $50,000 truck, with
hesitation, and the shifts are The roomy rear seat’s low throttle response and quicker cloth seats, cheap-looking
smooth. Still, the Tucson’s cushion forces adults to bend acceleration. The addition controls, and a clunky old-
PHOTOS: JOHN POWERS/CONSUMER REPORTS

22 mpg overall is lackluster, their knees too much without of two more gears to the school column-mounted gear
with many competitors getting adequate thigh support. transmission and the loss of selector. At least the easy-
25 mpg or better. Forward collision warning, about 300 pounds help the to-use infotainment system
The Tucson has controlled automatic emergency braking, Silverado achieve 17 mpg comes with Android Auto
body lean through turns, lane departure warning, overall, a 1-mpg gain over the and Apple CarPlay.
giving drivers confidence that and lane keeping assist are previous generation. We found it disappointing
it will hold the road well. The standard on all Tucsons. In Drivers can’t escape the that both forward collision
ride is mostly comfortable, addition, blind spot warning Silverado’s huge size when warning and automatic
but it can be a bit stiff at and rear cross traffic warning taking corners, but for a emergency braking are
times. Some competitors come standard on all but the full-sized pickup truck it has available only on high-end
absorb bumps better. base trim. responsive steering and little trim levels.

60 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

Ratings   Luxury and Capability We evaluate the latest sports sedan, an iconic
American pickup, and two SUVs that couldn’t be more different.

Make & Model Overall Price Survey Safety Road-Test Results

Score Results

Cargo volume, cu. ft.

Avoidance-maneuver
Predicted reliability

Owner satisfaction

suitcases+duffels/
Routine handling
Road-test score
Recommended

0-60 mph, sec.

60-0 mph, ft.

Seat comfort
Acceleration
Overall mpg

speed, mph
Dry braking
Front-crash
prevention

front/rear

Luggage,
As tested

Controls
Noise
Ride
LUXURY COMPACT CARS

!
0 Audi A4 Premium Plus 80 $48,890 3
0 4
0 Std./ x
0 88 27 6.3 135 53.5 5
0 4
0 5
0 5
0/ 30 3
0 2+2
Infiniti Q50 3.0t Luxe (AWD) 73 $48,775 3
0 2
0 Std./ 5
0 85 22 5.7 126 56.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
03/ 0 3
0 2+1
Mercedes-Benz C300 (4MATIC) 72 $47,560 3
0 3
0 Std./ 5
0 85 26 6.8 136 55.5 4
0 5
0 4
0 5
0/ 30 2
0 2+1
Kia Stinger Premium
(2.0T, AWD)
71 $40,400 3
0 5
0 Opt. 75 23 7.5 132 53.5 5
0 3
0 4
0 5
0/ 30 4
0 3+0

Genesis G70 Elite (2.0T, AWD) 70 $43,115 3

0 4
0 Opt. 74 23 7.8 137 56.5 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0/ 10 4
0 2+0
Acura TLX SH-AWD 69 $42,345 3
0 2
0 Std./ 5
0 75 25 6.5 129 55.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
03/ 0 2
0 2+2
Lexus IS 300 (AWD) 59 $48,149 3
0 2
0 Std./ 5
0 56 20 6.5 139 53.0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0/ 20 3
0 2+1
Jaguar XE Premium (25t AWD) 50 $47,378 2
0 3
0 Opt. 69 25 7.7 133 53.0 5
0 4
0 4
0 3
02/ 0 3
0 1+2
Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti (AWD) 49 $48,890 1
0 4
0 Opt. 70 27 6.7 136 53.0 5
0 4
0 4
0 4
0/ 30 2
0 1+2
LUXURY MIDSIZED SUVs

!
0 BMW X5 xDrive40i 88 $68,730 3
0 5
0 Std./ x
0 98 23 6.0 129 52.0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0/ 40 3
0 36.5

!
0 Audi Q7 Premium Plus 87 $68,695 4
0 5
0 Std./ x
0 96 20 6.7 127 50.0 4
0 4
0 5
0 5
0/ 50 3
0 35.5

!
0 Lexus RX 350 78 $51,630 4
0 4
0 Std./ 5
0 77 22 7.5 139 49.0 3
0 5
0 5
0 5
0/ 40 3
0 30.0
Porsche Cayenne Base 70 $79,280 2
0 4
0 Std./ 5
0 87 21 6.5 131 49.5 5
0 3
0 5
0 5
0/ 50 2
0 32.0
Acura MDX Tech 69 $51,410 2
0 2
0 Std./ 5
0 79 21 6.8 135 52.0 3
0 4
0 4
0 4
0/ 40 2
0 34.0
Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum 64 $56,805 2
0 3
0 Std./ 5
0 84 20 7.7 126 52.5 3
0 3
0 4
0 5
05/ 0 2
0 35.0
Tesla Model X 90D 56 $110,700 1
0 5
0 Std./ 5
0 77 92* 4.9 127 53.5 4
0 3
0 4
0 5
0/ 30 2
0 2+2
Land Rover Range Rover
Sport HSE (3.0L)
51 $74,040 1
0 3
0 Std./ x
0 72 18 6.5 137 49.5 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
0/ 40 2
0 31.5

COMPACT SUVs

!
0 Subaru Forester Premium 88 $29,341 4
0 4
0 Std./ 5
0 90 28 9.2 130 53.0 4
0 4
0 3
0 4
0/ 50 5
0 36.5

!
0 Mazda CX-5 Touring 81 $29,530 4
0 4
0 Std./ x
0 80 24 8.6 133 54.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0/ 40 4
0 30.5

!
0 Honda CR-V EX (1.5T) 76 $28,935 3
0 4
0 Opt. 82 28 8.2 137 52.0 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
05/ 0 4
0 36.0

!
0 Nissan Rogue SV 73 $29,920 3
0 2
0 Std./ 5
0 74 24 9.5 134 54.0 3
0 4
0 3
0 3
0/ 40 5
0 31.5

!
0 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 72 $31,645 3
0 3
0 Opt. 84 25 10.3 131 52.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
05/ 0 4
0 33.0

!
0 Kia Sportage LX (2.4L) 69 $26,720 3
0 3
0 Opt. 78 23 9.6 128 52.5 4
0 3
0 3
0 4
0/ 40 5
0 29.5
Ford Escape SE (1.5T) 67 $29,630 3
0 3
0 Opt. 75 23 10.1 132 50.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 3
03/ 0 5
0 34.0
Chevrolet Equinox LT (1.5T) 66 $33,730 3
0 3
0 Opt. 78 25 9.6 132 53.0 4
0 4
0 4
0 4
0/ 40 5
0 32.0
Hyundai Tucson SEL (2.4L) 64 $28,530 2
0 3
0 Std./ 5
0 75 22 9.6 130 52.5 4
0 3
0 4
0 4
04/ 0 5
0 29.5
FULL-SIZED PICKUP TRUCKS
Ford F-150 XLT
!
0 (2.7 V6 EcoBoost)
68 $52,535 3
0 4
0 Std./ 5
0 74 19 6.8 145 47.0 2
0 2
0 5
0 4
0/ 50 4
0 NOT
RATED

Ram 1500 Big Horn (5.7L V8) 66 $53,120 2

0 4
0 Opt. 83 17 7.1 137 47.5 3
0 4
0 5
0 4
0/ 50 4
0 NOT
RATED

Toyota Tundra SR5 (5.7L V8) 65 $44,245 4

0 4
0 Std./ 5
0 59 15 6.7 153 44.5 3
0 2
0 4
0 4
03/ 0 4
0 NOT
RATED
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT
(5.3L V8)
59 $50,225 2
0 4
0 Opt. 76 17 6.9 136 49.5 3
0 2
0 4
0 3
0/ 50 4
0 NOT
RATED

Nissan Titan SV (V8) 55 $44,370 2

0 3
0 NA 70 16 6.7 131 49.5 3
0 3
0 4
0 4
0/ 30 5
0 NOT
RATED

*Indicates miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe).

HOW WE TEST: Recommended includes crash-test results and the system is offered; Opt. means standard. We deduct points if a
models did well in our Overall availability of front-crash prevention it’s available but not as standard model’s gear selector lacks fail-safes
Score, which factors in Road-Test features, such as forward collision equipment. We also rate models or is difficult to operate. All-Access
Results, Predicted reliability, Owner warning and automatic emergency from 3 0 to 5
0 based on how many or Digital members can go to
satisfaction, and Safety, which braking. NA means no such safety advanced safety features come CR.org/cars for complete ratings.

1
0 2
0 3
0 4
0 5
0 !
0 MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 61
WORSE BETTER RECOMMENDED
Index THIS INDEX LISTS ALL THE ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE MAGAZINE OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
(INCLUDING THIS ISSUE). FOR INDEXES COVERING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, GO TO CR.org/5yearindex.

A Top Picks for 2018 ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Apr 18, 19
Trim levels . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . Oct 18, 56
Fees
cable TV .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . ... .. . ... .. .. ... .. Feb 19, 7
Phone bills .... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... .... ... . Aug 18, 4
Photo digitization .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... . Jul 18, 58
Ad blockers . . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Oct 18, 14 price difference .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. . Oct 18, 59 ticket sales . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. ... . Mar 19, 7 Pillows .. ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... .. Mar 19, 34
Air conditioners. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . Jul 18, 17 Trucks.. .. . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Apr 18, 24 “What the Fee?!” campaign .. . .. .... .... .... Sep 18, 7 cleaning .... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... . Jun 18, 12
lowering cooling costs. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Jul 18, 19 safety. . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Aug 18, 58 Financial data protection. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... .. Jun 18, 16 Pink tax . .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... ... .. . Jul 18, 5
Air fryers. . . ... . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. . Jun 18, 15 Used cars . .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. .. Apr 18, 81 Financial tips . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .... ..... . Jan 19, 36 Printers, wireless. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ....... Feb 19, 13
Airline travel .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. Dec 18, 30 best 3-year-old models .. .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... . Sep 18, 54 Fitness time line .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... ... Jan 19, 14
economy class . . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . Dec 18, 33 Vehicle-to-vehicle communication ... .. .. Jun 18, 44 Flooring .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... . Feb 19, 22
seating families together . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. Dec 18, 7 Food
Alexa digital assistant.. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. Oct 18, 24
automotive . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . Jan 19, 13
antibiotics in . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. ... .. ... . Mar 19, 7
banned drugs in . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. .. Oct 18, 30
R–S
Alternative medicine .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . Nov 18, 34
Amazon Prime . .. . .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. . Jul 18, 14 B–D expiration dates .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... . Nov 18, 14
heavy metals in . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... . Oct 18, 38
Ranges . ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. . Nov 18, 48
Recall notification reform .. ..... .... ..... ....... . Dec 18, 7
Antibiotics in food . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Mar 19, 7 Baby food safety ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. . Dec 18, 7 Refrigerators ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... .. Aug 18, 18
Banks baby food . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .... .... ... Dec 18, 7 capacity .... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... .. Aug 18, 14
customer satisfaction . ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... . May 18, 14 fruit juice . . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . ... .. . ... .. .. .. Mar 19, 16 ideal food arrangement ..... ..... .. .. ... .. .. May 18, 13
AUTOMOBILE RATINGS labeling . . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... ..... .... Jul 18, 5
Acura RDX . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . Nov 18, 63 Bedsheets . .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . Mar 19, 32 reliability .. .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... Oct 18, 13
Bicycle helmets ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. . Jun 18, 11 Food processors .. . .. .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... ..... .. Dec 18, 13 where to buy .. .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. . Aug 18, 20
BMW X2 .. .. ... . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . Aug 18, 63 Foodborne illness tracking .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. ... .. Sep 18, 7
BMW X5 . . . . ... . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . Mar 19, 59 Bitcoin . .. . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... . May 18, 15 Retail sales gimmicks .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. ... .. . Dec 18, 40
Breakfast Frozen vegetables . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... .... May 18, 52 Road trips .. .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... ... . Jul 18, 28
Buick Regal .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. May 18, 59 cooking tips . . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .... .... May 18, 55
Chevrolet Equinox Diesel . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Jul 18, 62 fast-food ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. . Aug 18, 42 pet care..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... . Jul 18, 35
Cable TV .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... . Aug 18, 30 Furniture snacks ... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... ... . Jul 18, 37
Chevrolet Silverado . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Mar 19, 60 time line ... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... . Mar 19, 14
Ford EcoSport . . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Jun 18, 59 fee transparency . .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . . Feb 19, 7 tech tips. .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. ... .. ... . Jul 18, 32
savings . . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... ... Aug 18, 36 tipping hazards .. ... . ... .. . .. . . May 18, 21; Mar 19, 19 Robocalls . .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. ... . Aug 18, 5
Ford Expedition.. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . May 18, 58 Generators .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. Sep 18, 20; Feb 19, 16
Genesis G70 . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . Mar 19, 59 Cameras . .. ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Jun 18, 23 Robovacs ... .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. ... . Jan 19, 15
time line . .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Nov 18, 14 Google Assistant .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... .. Oct 18, 24 Scams ... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ....... Jun 18, 26
Honda Accord Hybrid . .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . Nov 18, 64 Green juices . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. ... Aug 18, 13
Honda Clarity .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . Jul 18, 62 Cannabidiol.... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . Oct 18, 44 classic scams ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... .... .. Jun 18, 30
Carpet cleaners .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. Jun 18, 18 Grilled cheese sandwiches . .. . .. ... . .... ..... ... Jan 19, 14 combating ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... Jun 18, 32
Honda Insight.. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Dec 18, 64 Grills. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. May 18, 28; Jul 18, 22
Hyundai Accent . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . Jul 18, 63 Carry-on luggage .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . ... Dec 18, 39 who gets scammed.... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... ... Jun 18, 29
how to pack.. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . Dec 18, 36 accessories .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... .. Jul 18, 24 Shopping
Hyundai Elantra GT . . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. Jun 18, 59 buying at Home Depot & Lowe’s . .. .. .. May 18, 34
Hyundai Kona .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . Sep 18, 63 Ceiling fans .. .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. .. Feb 19, 15 for appliances ... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... .... ... .. Jul 18, 15
Cell phones care and cleaning . . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... .. Jul 18, 26 farmers markets .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... .. Sep 18, 35
Hyundai Santa Fe . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. Jan 19, 59 food safety ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . ... ... .. .. .. Jul 18, 23
Hyundai Tucson . . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Mar 19, 60 how to buy. . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. Jun 18, 14 Siri digital assistant .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... Oct 18, 24
insurance . . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. . Jun 18, 50 kamado-style . .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... .. Mar 19, 13 Sleep aids . ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... .. Mar 19, 35
Hyundai Veloster .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . Jan 19, 60 lump charcoal vs. briquettes.. . ... .. .. ... . Jul 18, 27
Infiniti QX50 . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . Aug 18, 64 refurbished. .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Jun 18, 56 Slip-and-fall incidents ... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ... .. Feb 19, 7
repairing cracked screens ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. Jun 18, 54 replaceable parts . .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... .... May 18, 32 Smart homes . .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... Oct 18, 24
Jaguar E-Pace. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Aug 18, 63
Jeep Cherokee .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . Oct 18, 63 service providers .. .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. . Jun 18, 50 Smart speakers ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... .... ... Oct 18, 24
Jeep Wrangler. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Jun 18, 58 time line . .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... Oct 18, 14; Feb 19, 28 Smart TV privacy ... .. .. ..... ... May 18, 22; Nov 18, 30
Kia Forte . . ... .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. Feb 19, 60
Kia Rio .. .. . .. ... . .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Jul 18, 63
Chicken broth .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Mar 19, 15
Children and technology ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. ... .. Nov 18, 7 H–I Smartphones ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... .. Feb 19, 26
how to buy. .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ... ... Jun 18, 14
Kia Sorento .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . Oct 18, 64 Cleaning equipment Headphones, wireless... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. ... .. . May 18, 24 insurance .. ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... ... .. Jun 18, 50
Kia Stinger . . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. May 18, 59 carpet cleaners ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. Jun 18, 18 Healthy eating . .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . ... ... .... Sep 18, 26 refurbished... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... .... ... Jun 18, 56
Lexus ES . . . ... . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Jan 19, 59 vacuums drinks ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... . Sep 18, 34 repairing cracked screens . ..... .... ... .. ... Jun 18, 54
Lexus LS 500 .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Sep 18, 63 belts . ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... . Sep 18, 18 fish .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... Sep 18, 32 service providers ... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. Jun 18, 50
Lexus RX L . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Jun 18, 58 Cleaning tips fruits & veggies . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... .. Sep 18, 31 useful features .. ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... ... .. Feb 19, 30
Lincoln Navigator .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . May 18, 58 carpet stains. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . .. Jun 18, 21 leafy greens . . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . ... .. . ... .. .. .. Sep 18, 28 Smartwatches
Mazda6 . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . Oct 18, 64 curtains .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . ... Jul 18, 12 salt alternatives . . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. ... Sep 18, 16 Apple Watch 3 vs. Fitbit Versa ... .... .. Aug 18, 16
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . Oct 18, 63 dog beds . .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. Jan 19, 17 Heart surgery .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. ... . Jul 18, 50 Smoke detectors .... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. Dec 18, 16
Nissan Altima . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . Feb 19, 60 humidifiers . .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . Nov 18, 16 common procedures . . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... .. Jul 18, 52 Snacks
Nissan Kicks . . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . Nov 18, 63 laptops . ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. Sep 18, 15 hospital ratings. . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... ..... .. Jul 18, 56 time line .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. ... Feb 19, 14
Nissan Leaf .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . Sep 18, 64 mattresses.. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Mar 19, 28 questions to ask . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. ... .. ... . Jul 18, 54 Snow blowing ... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... .. Nov 18, 22
Porsche Cayenne . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . Feb 19, 59 microwaves .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. Dec 18, 15 Helmets, bicycle .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. ..... .. Jun 18, 11 Snow preparedness ... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. . Nov 18, 20
Ram 1500.. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. Jan 19, 60 pillows . .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. . Jun 18, 12 Home insurance .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . ... ..... . Oct 18, 50 Snow shovels ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. Nov 18, 23
Subaru Ascent . . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . Dec 18, 63 shower heads .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . . Mar 19, 17 Home remodeling for curb appeal .. .. .. ... Jun 18, 34 Stains .... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... Jun 18, 34
Subaru Forester .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Feb 19, 59 Computers Ice melts . . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. .. Nov 18, 22 removal, carpet ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... .... ... . Jun 18, 21
Tesla Model 3.. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . Sep 18, 64 laptops . ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... . Dec 18, 46 Insect repellents .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. .. Aug 18, 28 Student debt ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... Nov 18, 7; Mar 19, 7
Toyota Avalon Hybrid . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . Nov 18, 64 time line . .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Dec 18, 14 Insurance Sunscreens .... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... .... ... . Jul 18, 42
Toyota Corolla Hatchback . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Dec 18, 64 Consumer data privacy .. . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. .. .. Oct 18, 7 home .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... Oct 18, 50 bargains . .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ... . Jul 18, 46
Volkswagen Jetta .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . Dec 18, 63 Consumer Financial smartphone. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. .. Jun 18, 50 time line .... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... ... .. Jul 18, 12
Volvo XC40 . . .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . Aug 18, 64 Protection Bureau ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. May 18, 5; Oct 18, 7 Supplements.... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... Nov 18, 38; Nov 18, 42
Cookware .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. Nov 18, 44
materials .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . Nov 18, 47
AUTOMOBILES & AUTO EQUIPMENT
2019 models . . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . .. Jan 19, 56
Countertop materials . ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . Jan 19, 18
Credit cards
L–P T–V
Auto repair shops. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . Feb 19, 52 using while traveling. .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . Jul 18, 38 Laptops ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... ..... Dec 18, 46
Automated driving systems . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . Jan 19, 57 Laundry Televisions .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. Dec 18, 26
Credit data privacy . ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. May 18, 5 audio setup for easier hearing ... .... ... .. . Jul 18, 11
Backup cameras . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. . Aug 18, 5 Credit freezes . ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... . Sep 18, 7; Jan 19, 37 machines.. . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . ... ... .... . Aug 18, 51
Best & worst lists .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . Apr 18, 28 room renovation .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .... .... . Aug 18, 48 best deals .. ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... ... .. Nov 18, 26
Data breaches smart TVs
Best vehicles small businesses . ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . Mar 19, 38 time line ... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... . Aug 18, 14
for life milestones . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . Mar 19, 50 Lawn mowers ... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. .. . Jun 18, 38 privacy ... .. .. ..... ..... .... .... May 18, 22; Nov 18, 30
Data protection sound bars ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... .. Nov 18, 31
for road trips.. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . Jul 18, 39 financial.. .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Jun 18, 16 time line ... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... ... Jun 18, 12
Brand Report Card. . .. . .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Apr 18, 26 Massage . .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. ..... Nov 18, 41 Tick protection .. .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. Jul 18, 13
prescriptions.. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . Mar 19, 47 Tipping ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. Feb 19, 34
Buying process. . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. Jan 19, 52 Digital assistants . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. .. Oct 18, 24 Mattresses . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. .. . .. . . Jun 18, 13; Mar 19, 24
Car subscription services . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Jan 19, 55 cleaning . .. . .. .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... ..... Mar 19, 28 Treadmills .... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... Jan 19, 40
Dishwashers. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Sep 18, 36 Turkey, cooking safely .. .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... .. Nov 18, 13
Coming in 2018 .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Apr 18, 35 time line . .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... Sep 18, 16 for side sleepers .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... .. Oct 18, 17
Driver data privacy . . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . Jun 18, 44 warmth retention . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .... .... .. Aug 18, 15 TV antennas. .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. .. Aug 18, 35
Doctor misconduct notification .. . ... .. .. .. . .. Jan 19, 7 TV streaming ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... ... . Aug 18, 40
Emergency kit preparation . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Jul 18, 30 Driving safely around trucks . .. . .... . .. ... .. Aug 18, 60 Medical billing.. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .... .... . Sep 18, 44
Emissions standards. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. . . Feb 19, 7 surprise bills .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... ... Oct 18, 7 cable replacement services ... .. .. ... .. .. Aug 18, 38
Drugs devices ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. Aug 18, 41
Extended warranties .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . Feb 19, 58 prices . .. ... .. . .. May 18, 5, 40; Jun 18, 5; Jan 19, 46 Medical tests .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. ... .. ... Jan 19, 26
Fuel economy. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . Apr 18, 10 Medicare Part D ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. ... Jan 19, 46 Vacuums
lowering.. .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. May 18, 44; Jan 19, 7 belts ... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... ... ... Sep 18, 18
standards . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. Jul 18, 5; Nov 18, 7 shopping around .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .. May 18, 49 Microwaves . . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .... .... . Dec 18, 20
technological advances. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. Apr 18, 13 Money tips. .. . .. .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .... ..... . Jan 19, 36 robotic . ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... . Jan 19, 15
Drugstores .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . ... Mar 19, 42 Veggie burgers .. ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... ... Sep 18, 13
time line .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . Apr 18, 14 Dryers .. .. . .. ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... Aug 18, 48 Mowers. .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... . Jun 18, 38
Gas, finding cheapest .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. . Jul 18, 38 time line ... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... ... Jun 18, 12 Video
High-tech vehicles .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . Jun 18, 44 Music streaming services .. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. ... Sep 18, 14 digitization..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ... . Jul 18, 58
Profiles, 2018 . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . Apr 18, 47 Net neutrality .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . Jun 18, 5; Jan 19, 7 Vitamin supplements . ..... .... Nov 18, 38; Nov 18, 42
Ratings, 2018 .. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . Apr 18, 37
Reliability . . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. Apr 18, 85
E–G Noise . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . .... ..... . Feb 19, 42
Nuts . . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... ..... .. Feb 19, 18
Earphones, wireless . ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .. May 18, 24
new cars . . . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . ... . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . Dec 18, 54
Roadside assistance . . .. .. . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Jul 18, 34 Ellipticals . . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . ... .. .. ... . Jan 19, 40
Energy bars .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .. ... .. . .... Oct 18, 19
nutrition .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .... .... . Feb 19, 20
Pain medication. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .... ..... Oct 18, 48 W–Y
Safety systems . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . May 18, 12 Paints, exterior . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. ... Jun 18, 34 Washing machines . .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... .. Aug 18, 48
naming standardization. . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . Jan 19, 58 Facebook privacy control . ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. . Oct 18, 40 Passwords.. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . Sep 18, 17 Water heaters .... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. Nov 18, 15
Self-cleaning cameras . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Mar 19, 14 Farmers markets .. . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . Sep 18, 35 Pasta sauces .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .... ..... . Jan 19, 20 Whole-wheat pasta .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... .... ... Jan 19, 20
Self-driving cars . .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . Jun 18, 5 Fast-food Patient safety . .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. ... .. ... . May 18, 5 WiFi signal strengthening . ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... May 18, 11
Tires . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . Nov 18, 56 breakfasts... . .. ... .. .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ... .. . .... . .. ... .. . Aug 18, 42 Peer-to-peer payments .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. ..... Nov 18, 18 Wireless printers ... ..... .... ..... .... ... .. ... .. .. ... ... Feb 19, 13
safety checks.. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . Nov 18, 58 chains’ antibiotic use .. . .... . Feb 19, 14; Mar 19, 7 Phablets .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . Dec 18, 17 Yoga ..... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. ... .. .. Nov 18, 43
shopping for. .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Nov 18, 58 Pharmacies .. . . .. .. . .. . .. ... . ... .. . .. . .. .. . . .... . . .. .. ..... Mar 19, 42

62 CR.ORG MARCH 2019

Selling It

Automotive Amusements
These signs and ads may take you for a ride

An Unexpected Turn of Events Bladder Relief, by Appointment Only

Looks like you’ll have to wait until the construction Spotted at a Department of Motor
is finished if you want to obey this road sign. Vehicles, this sign suggests that
Submitted by Lance Lubach, via email long waiting times haven’t gotten
any better.
Submitted by Troy S., Yorba Linda, CA

Love at First Drive Gas Pumping

But what if you’re already married? for Dummies
Submitted by Mitch Long, Perhaps someone
Conover, NC tried to make a
carnival game out
of filling the tank?
Submitted by
J. L. Mutolo, via
email

Be on the lookout for goofs and glitches like these. Share them with us—by email at SellingIt@cro.consumer.org
or by mail to Selling It, Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Ave., Yonkers, NY 10703—and we might publish yours.
SHARE Please include key information, such as the publication’s name and date.

MARCH 2019 CR.ORG 63