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Tax Tips for Big STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE How Not to Get Sick Cars That Cost The Right Phone For What are the secrets of Phones and Plans Treadmills and Less to Drive Returns Ellipticals, Rated in the Hospital P. 14 P. 32 P. 50 P. 45 You The newest phones are more Arsenic in Your Rice: the world’s most frequent yers? Ratings: Smart Phones Scores in context: Of the 56 phones tested, the highest scored 79; the lowest, 55. For those available The Latest from multiple carriers, test results are averaged. Models are listed in order of performance. d Recommended capable than ever, but if you’re Two years after Consumer Reports released Can you eat too much protein? groundbreaking ndings, we have new data and guidelines. They’re We Found the Ideal BRAND & MODEL PRICE PROVIDER SCORE TEST RESULTS FEATURES BRAND & MODEL PRICE PROVIDER SCORE TEST RESULTS FEATURES (in.) (in.) Rank
important for everyone but especially for gluten avoiders. AT&T Rank AT&T
Phones for Every User Sprint Sprint Quality Quality Quality Quality Quality Quality Phoning Phoning Quality TMobile Quality TMobile System* System* Messaging Messaging Ease of Use of Ease Battery Life Ease of Use of Ease Battery Life Operating Operating Operating Operating Portability Portability Web Browsing Web Web Browsing Web Voice Voice Display Size Size Display Camera: Video Video Camera: Voice Voice Display Size Size Display PHOTOGRAPH BY GRANT CORNETT Video Camera: Recommended Camera: Image Camera: Recommended The phones highlighted below and on Image Camera: Verizon Wireless Verizon Display Display Verizon Wireless Verizon looking for a bargain, last year’s What does “wrinkle-free” really Display page 31 are solid performers with great displays and decent battery life. Prices d 1 Samsung Galaxy S 5 $600 •••• 79 ZZZZC XZ X X X 5.1 A 29 Motorola Droid Razr M $300 • 70 ZZXXV ZX CCZ 4.3 A are the lowest full retail price for the Life Samsung Galaxy S 5 N LATE 2012 we released our original IA content of rice varies greatly depend- In very large amounts, arsenic can kill smallest capacity available. 2 $660 • 79 5.1 A 30 LG G Vista $355 ••69 5.7 A d Active ZZZZC XZ X X X XZZXCCZ C CV report on arsenic in rice, in which we ing on the type of rice and where it was quickly. But of greater concern for most WELL ROUNDED PERFORMERS Samsung Galaxy S 5 31 LG G Flex $635 •• 69 6.0 A model could save you money and Induction mean? Is donation with purchase d 3 $650 • 78 ZZZZV XX X X X 5.1 A XZZXCCZX CV found measurable levels in almost all grown. This time around we also looked people is that regular exposure to small • 1 Samsung Galaxy S 5 $600 Sport ranges • 4 LG G3 $580 32 Nokia Lumia 1520 $585 • 69 6.0 W of the 60 rice varieties and rice prod- at grains other than rice—gluten-free amounts can increase the risk of bladder, offer precise d 4 LG G3 $580 •••• 78 ZZZZC XX X C X 5.5 A XZZZCCZZ CV I control for fast, • 5 Apple iPhone 6 $650 ucts we tested. Two of the biggest ques- ones such as amaranth and quinoa, as lung, and skin cancer, as well as heart Apple iPhone 6 33 LG Lucid 3 $300 • 69 4.7 A perfect eggs. • 9, 22 HTC One (M8) $600 5 $650 •••• 77 4.7 i ZXXXC ZX VCZ tions consumers asked us afterward: “Are well as wheat. As a whole, those grains disease and type 2 diabetes. d (16GB, 64GB, or 128GB) ZZZZC XX X X X • 12 Sony Xperia Z3/Z3v $600 Samsung Galaxy S 4 34 Sharp Aquos Crystal $240 • 69 ZZZZV XX CCX 5.0 A still be snazzy. there any types of rice that are lower in were lower in arsenic than rice. really the best way to support a • 13 Motorola Droid Turbo $600 d 6 $440 •••• 77 ZZZZC ZX X C X 5.0 A (16GB or 32GB) arsenic?” and “Do other grains, such as Arsenic has two chemical forms, in- These models have crisp displays, Samsung Galaxy 35 Samsung ATIV S Neo $400 • 68 ZZXZV XX CCX 4.8 W 7 $615 • 77 4.7 A quinoa, contain arsenic, too?” We now organic and organic (which can be less great performance, and long battery d Alpha ZZZZC ZX X X Z have the answers. toxic), and is naturally part of the min- life, and they t well in one hand. 36 LG Optimus L90 $170 • 68 ZZXXC ZX VCZ 4.7 A Here’s what special about each model. d 8 LG G2 $480 •• • 76 ZZZZC ZX X C X 5.2 A Anyone who eats rice needs to be aware erals in the earth’s crust. Arsenic also 37 BlackBerry Z10 $300 • 67 XZXXC XX X C X 4.2 B cause? Each month we ask (and The Samsung Galaxy S 5 (1) can sur- d 9 HTC One (M8) $600 •••• 75 ZZZZC XX CCX 5.0 A that they may be exposing themselves to has been released into the environment What We Found Samsung Galaxy vive a 30-minute dunk in about 3 feet 38 $475 • 66 XZZXCCX C CV6.0 A We help you sort through brilliant inorganic arsenic (IA), a carcinogen. But though the use of pesticides and poultry of water and shrug o dirt and debris. Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 d 10 $700 •••• 75 XZZZCCZX XV 5.7 A Some pod Note 4 people who avoid gluten need to be espe- fertilizer. (Chickens can be fed arsenic.) Scientists at our Food Safety and Sustain- Its camera is one of the few we’ve seen 39 Galaxy Mega $430 • 66 6.3 A coffeemakers Samsung Galaxy Samsung XZZXCCX C CV that takes very good video as well as 11 $840 ••• 75 5.6 A cially alert because so many gluten-free Therefore, it’s in soil and water. Rice ability Center tested 128 samples of bas- can save d Note Edge XZ Z Z C C Z X X V in the photos. (Consider the S 5 Active (2) 40 Nokia Lumia 928 $400 • 66 4.4 W products contain rice. tends to absorb arsenic more readily than mati, jasmine, and sushi rice for arsenic. 3 minutes ZXXZC X CC CC per cup. answer) questions prompted by and Sport (3) too.) Both the Samsung d 12 Sony Xperia Z3, Z3v $600 •• 74 XZZZC XX Z X X 5.2 A Our latest tests determined that the many other plants. We combined the data with the results of and LG G3 (4) can run multiple apps cameras, gorgeous displays, and Motorola Droid Turbo 41 Kyocera Brigadier $400 • 66 XXZXV XX C VC4.5 A on one screen and have rst-rate vir- 13 $600 • 74 5.2 A d (BN) (32GB or 64GB) ZZZZV XZ X CC tual keyboards with ve rows (a rarity Amazon Fire Phone Samsung Galaxy 42 $450 • 66 XXZZC Z C X C X 4.7 F 14 $515 ••• 74 5.7 A (32GB or 64GB) among phones). The LG G3 also has a d Note 3 XZZZCCZX XV supersharp display. Note: The power A Variety of Grains Apple iPhone 6 Plus 43 HTC Desire 610 $200 • 65 XZXXC XX VCX 4.7 A you––our readers. and volume controls are on the back, d 15 $750 •••• 73 XZZZCCXX XV 5.5 i (16GB, 64GB, or 128GB) long battery life to nd the perfect Basmati rice Rices from which may seem awkward to you. 44 HTC One max $600 • 65 XZZZVCX V CV5.9 A d 16 Motorola Droid Maxx $500 • 73 ZZZXC XX CCX 5.0 A from California Texas are The Apple iPhone 6 (5) boasts a larger 45 ZTE ZMAX $250 • 65 5.7 A is the lowest among the display than its predecessors and is a Apple iPhone 5s XXZXCCZ C CV d 17 $550 •••• 73 ZXXZC X C X XZ4.0 i in arsenic. highest great choice if you’re invested in Apple’s (16GB, 32GB, or 64GB) in arsenic. Apple iPhone 5c 46 LG Optimus F3Q $325 • 65 ZZXCCXX V CC4.0 A content ecosystem. The phone’s cam- d 18 $450 •••• 73 ZXXZC X C X XZ4.0 i era is one of the best we’ve seen. Both (8GB, 16GB, or 32GB) HTC Windows 47 $400 • 65 XXXZV X CC XX4.3 W phone for you. the Samsung and Apple phones have Phone 8X Quinoa is a Brown rices d 19 Samsung ATIV SE $600 • 73 ZZZZC XX X X X 5.0 W Your ngerprint scanners you can use to un- 48 Kyocera Hydro Vibe $230 • 65 4.4 A low-arsenic tend to have Motorola Moto X ZXXXV XX CCX lock the phone or authorize purchases. 20 $500 ••72 5.2 A grain that’s more arsenic Everyone could use more time. The good d (2nd gen) ZZZZC XX CCX AT LAST, a good source than white The HTC One (M8) models (9, which 49 BlackBerry Q10 $390 •• • 65 XXXZC XX X C X 3.1 B of protein. rices of the Fastnews: These speedy products can save you uses Android, and 22, which runs d 21 LG G3 Vigor $310 •• 72 ZZZZC ZX CCX 5.0 A same type. Windows Phone) have two top-notch 50 Nokia Lumia 635 $140 •• 65 XXXXC X CV CX 4.5 W more than 2 hours every single day. front speakers that are great for music. d 22 HTC One (M8) $600 • 72 ZZZZV XX CCX 5.0 W 51 LG Enact $350 • 65 4.0 A The Sony Xperia Z3’s (12) best-in-class ZZXCCXX V VC 23 Samsung Galaxy S III $465 ••• 71 4.8 A camera shoots excellent photos, even d ZXZXC Z CC CX Samsung Galaxy 52 $385 • 64 XXXCCZX C VC4.0 A Low-arsenic Millet can under low light, and very good video. It Samsung Galaxy S 4 Rugby Pro 24 $320 ••71 4.3 A buckwheat cook up d Mini ZXXXC ZX CCZ Samsung Galaxy S 4 A PHONE PLAN can survive for about a half hour in 53 $430 • 62 4.3 A C XXXCCX C CV isn’t related fluffy like rice 5 feet of water. The Verizon Wireless zoom CONTENTS to wheat, but has far d 25 Nokia Lumia 1020 $340 • 71 ZXZZCCC X CC4.5 W Alcatel One Touch version has built-in wireless charging 54 $125 • 62 5.0 A and it’s less arsenic. Fierce 2 XXXXCCC C V X ADVOCATE capability, but it is noticeably larger and 26 HTC One Remix $450 • 71 4.5 A gluten-free. d ZXXZC XX CVX Alcatel One Touch heavier. The Motorola Droid Turbo 55 $80 • 55 4.0 A Evolve 2 X CCCCX VV VX (13) has a supersharp display and su- 27 Motorola Droid Mini $450 • 70 ZXZZC X CC CX 4.3 A PHOTOGRAPHS perb battery life, and it supports wire- 56 BlackBerry Bold 9930 $500 • 55 XXC Z V X CV VZ 2.8 B TYLING JOJO BY LI BY TED MORRISON less charging. The thickest and heaviest YOU’LL LOVE February 2015, Vol. 80 No. 2 S 28 Motorola Moto X $400 • 70 ZXZXC XX CCX 4.7 A % of the bunch, it is exclusive to Verizon. *A=Android, B=BlackBerry, F=Fire OS, i=Apple iOS, W=Windows Phone. PROP People annoyed We Help You Find the Best, CONSUMER REPORTS FEBRUARY 2015 CONSUMER REPORTS 41 38 by weather delays 39 Cheapest Deal for Your Needs 34% 30 FEBRUARY 2015 CONSUMER REPORTS 31 Hate other passengers hogging 25% Lane the overhead bin 37 20% 41-42 Arsenic 01-15.indd 1 11/7/14 11:42:56 AM 38-42 Speedy Products HOME 02-15.indd 1 12/12/14 11:05:14 AM HATE 39% 28-31 Cell Phones 02-15.indd 3 12/12/14 1:52:29 PM HAVING TO Bemoan 57% Plus: Save 2 hours every day skimpy SIT IN A airline leg Hate chatty seat Get upset about room Don’t mind weather holdups. neighbors. (That’s not a lot, with these products baggage fees (Their38 attitude: Let it snow!) so go ahead, say hello.) MIDDLE SEAT
Groundbreaking Findings Need more time to 35% Hate disrobing Our Rating Charts and Really dislike being b um 32% Loathe limits on liquids p e 12/12/14 12:18:09 PM d
f rom a flight COV 1 us news CR FEB 2015.indd 1 When we looked at the levels of We reveal the fastest Will you yourself? TSA 37% Buying Recommendations 58% Hate the lack STEPBYSTEP 19% of Wi-Fi on DESPISE unequipped flights LONG inorganic arsenic, a carcinogen, in dishwashers and washing machines SECURITY are now organized by the way you 29% Say, “Meh.” accept your LINES AIRLINE GRIPES THAT ANNOY WOMEN MORE THAN MEN Are grateful to 52% escape their e-mail hundreds of samples of rice and … the swiftest induction cooktops … Having High Overpaying actually shop (i.e., it’s easier to nd to pay to holiday for pick their ticket mediocre % HATE HAVING A SEAT NEIGHBOR GUIDE TO PHONES seat prices food on WHO INVADES THEIR SPACE flights 4 7 Groan about the inevitable announce- 50% W 70% W 54% W % ment from the cockpit, “We are delayed rice products we found reason the snappiest pod coffeemakers … due to mechanical problems.” the best mattress for side sleepers, or Risk-Free 35% M 56% M 42% M 32
LOATHE BLACKOUT CRINGE AT CRYING DATES ON TICKET BABIES OR ROWDY AND PLANS for concern. Our latest analysis and other speedy products that could AVAILABILITY GRIPE0METER KIDS ONBOARD the best vacuum for bare oors.) Choose the Best Plan The Right Phone for You It’s Simple to Switch Paying a bundle for your cell phone? The newest phones are more capable There are painless ways to move your What We Hate About Today it’s easy to drop than ever, but if you’re looking for music, photos, contacts, and Issue? your contract and switch a bargain, last year’s model could save other stu with you to a new phone Holiday Travel carriers—and save. you money and still be snazzy. and new service. determined that the amount of save you more than two hours—every We asked Americans what bugs them about flying in high season. 36% Here, the results. And for insider tips on air travel, see page 12. 31% P. 22 P. 28 P. 29 INFOGRAPHIC BY RAUL AGUILA arsenic can vary greatly depending single day. CONSUMER REPORTS 7
How Not to Get Sick(er) in the Hospital Life in the Fast Lane 07-14 Your Advocate 11-14.indd 7 9/5/14 11:58:10 AM Hospitals can be unhealthy places. Everyone could use more time. That’s why on the type of rice and where it But you can increase your odds of staying we’ve pulled together a group of speedy healthy by getting sta to products that could save you more than 2 hours— listen and to treat you with respect. every single day. P. 32 P. 38 grows. Our recommendations reveal CONSUMER REPORTS 3 WE HAVE NOTHING TO 03-04 CR Contents 02-15.indd 1 12/12/14 11:01:51 AM how to reduce your exposure.
Last-Minute Gifts Store Brands How to Boost Cars That Stop Shoveling, That Don’t Look It Worth the Trip Your Credit Score Owners Love Start Blowing LOSE BY PRINTING THE THE P. 32 P. 26 P. 12 P. 48 P. 16 BEST EVERYDAY s our world becomes ever more complex, it’s helpful to have FACTS EXACTLY AS WE PRODUCTS Should you reach for the store-brand co ee trusted, unbiased experts in health ... nance ... consumer or the national product? Should you buy the Costco paper towels—or the higher-priced Bounty? Depends on how you shop and what’s on your must- THE TRUTH ABOUT UNCOVER THEM. have list. Our testing will help you decide. products ... available to advise you on the challenging decisions GLUTEN We sort through the science and analyze the data— A to help you decide what’s best for your health you have to make day in and day out. THE AMERICAN SUPERMARKET may be having a midlife crisis. Gone are the days when a weekly outing to one store for all GLUTENFREE REGULAR household needs was the norm. Not surprisingly, supermarket sales have plunged about 13 percent over the past 20 years, ac- And you have a lot to gain. What cording to Mintel, a research company in Chicago. Where are all of the shoppers going? To discount megastores, warehouse clubs, organic groceries, and the like. In fact, big-box shops have more than gobbled up the gap, with their food-retail sales jumping almost 14 percent in the same time frame. should With that smorgasbord of options, shoppers are taking ad- If just one helpful tip from Consumer Reports can vantage of the full buet: hitting one store for bread and milk, In every issue we tell you another for produce, and a third for paper products. Roughly 50 percent of American shoppers say they visit at least ve types of retailers, according to a 2014 report from Information you put Resources, a research rm in Chicago. While you’re at the megastore, it may be tempting to throw a save you thousands, or one piece of timely advice few rolls of the house-brand toilet paper into the cart along with what works and what the pint of Ben & Jerry’s—after all, store brands are an average 22 percent cheaper than national lines. But is that the smartest choice? That’s where Consumer Reports comes in. in your USUALLY OFTEN We decided to create the ultimate shopping list of the prod- LEADIN TK Caption tk ucts you use most. We tested hundreds of everyday items, in- MORE LESS CALORIES cluding food, paper goods, cleaners, and more. Quite often, can keep you and your family safe, isn’t it worth SUGAR doesn’t. Whether the store brands proved almost as good as, if not better than, their name-brand counterparts. HOTO STYLING: AMY HENRY
cart? To nd out the winners and losers, just turn the page. P
JANUARY 2015 26 JANUARY 2015 PHOTO BY JEREMY LIEBMAN CONSUMERCONSUMER REPORTS REPORTS 27 27 CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG 7. 8. 9. sending for your Risk-Free Issue today? product or service lives up Should you COSTS MORE LESS SODIUM 26-31 Everyday Products 01-15.indd 1 11/7/14 11:25:33 AM 26-31 Everyday Products 01-15.indd 2 11/7/14 11:25:40 AM IN MOST to its claims. Whether it’s reach for the Costco paper towels or the higher-priced Bounty? The Target CASES Please display at checkout ketchup or the Heinz? Our expert advice, unbiased testing, and insider tips and mainline until Jan. 5, 2015 the best value for your COV 1 us news CR JAN 2015.indd 2 11/7/14 1:09:29 PM dollar. And likely to last. from savvy shoppers will help you decide when to choose store brands or name brands. FREE GIFTS offer ($. value) plus a RISK-FREE ISSUE of Consumer Reports when you mail back your Acceptance Certificate today! We protect you, your family and your wallet
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EXCLUSIVE Is Your TEST RESULTS JUST HOW SAFE ARE THE PRODUCTS BECAUSE WE DON’T ACCEPT FREE SAMPLES OR Chcken YOU BRING INTO YOUR HOME? ADVERTISING, WE’RE NOT AFRAID TO NAME NAMES. Safe to Eat? You don’t need to spend thousands to get a good We’ll tell you. night’s sleep. Duxiana calls its $, Dux innerspring the “perfect introduction to the legendary DUX comfort and support.” Over-the-counter acetaminophen When Although side support got high marks in our tests, back support was taken at recommended doses, acetaminophen is safe only fair. Costco’s Novaform Foam Collection Serafina -inch for pain relief for most people, even when used long Memory, a CR Best Buy at $8, should support back sleepers term. But there’s little margin for error. Exceeding almost as well for a fraction of the price. the maximum recommended dose—by even a little Will you bit—can prove toxic. 1 The alarming truth acceptPlease display your at checkout and Save hundreds a year on cell phone behind the latest outbreak mainline until February , And it’s easy to do. It has long been known that Save hundreds on your cable bill. Don’t 1 How to protect yourself service. Today it’s easy to drop your contract and large doses of acetaminophen taken at once can be be afraid to negotiate. Tell a “customer-retention Risk-FreeTVs switch carriers and save. And the most satisfied Hot List Topop cameras,cameras, phonesphones && TVs fatal. But cumulative smaller doses totaling more specialist” that you’ll switch to another provider customers in our survey were using Issue? than , milligrams—eight “extra strength” unless your monthly bill gets trimmed. Be the services of smaller cell providers. pills—can be just as dangerous. polite, but be prepared to fight like a champ As an example of what you might pay, to negotiate a lower bill. Knocking $ How safe is your hospital? Recently, we Insect Repellents: When More is Not Consumer Cellular can provide to $ a month off your bill saves you undertook a massive research project on hospital Better Mosquito-borne diseases are in the news a family of three with 600 voice hundreds of dollars a year. safety, where we rated hospitals across the country, a lot these days. Our tests of minutes, 15,000 text messages, and state by state. We reveal which hospitals have the insect repellents show you 2.5GB of data for just $70 per month— Get your car xed for (almost) highest rate of infections ... and which administer which products are best at for all three lines. For updates, send for free. Save hundreds or even thousands of dollars too many tests. Our exclusive ratings of , keeping the bugs at bay, Consumer Reports magazine today! in auto repair bills by taking advantage of secret hospitals will help you choose your hospital. without dousing yourself or or hidden warranties that are rarely announced to Why spend over $200 on the public by dealers. These special, unadvertised Is your sofa toxic? Research suggests that the your children with potentially dangerous chemicals. headphones, when you can get just as automaker programs provide The Best & Worst Secrets of Better-Than- Take Control Get Your Car of 2014 Frequent Flyers Laptop Tablets of Your Cell Bill Fixed for Free flame retardant chemicals used in furniture (and P. 34 P. 12 P. 24 P. 9 P. 55 Is your chicken safe to eat? good a pair for less than $100? When we free or discounted service many baby products) might actually be transferred Our in-depth feature revealed that most raw chicken examined -plus headphones, we found that the work. from furniture to people—mainly through dust— is contaminated with bacteria, including antibiotic portable stereo Polk Audio Nue Era (ear insert) and have been linked to cancer, reduced IQ, resistant strains. delivered very good sound, and was on par with the infertility, birth defects, and other problems. Send $ Klipsch Image X (ear insert). You’ll also be READY, for Consumer Reports and get How can you keep you and your family safe? We give you specific recom- happy to hear, the Polks cost almost $ less, come SET, the latest on the household in tortoiseshell or black, and the in-line remote and SPEND? mendations. To keep up with our America is shopping again— products you use every day. but wow, have our habits changed. See all the surprises in this Consumer Reports latest health reports, mail back your microphone work with iPhones and other exclusive. Acceptance Certificate today. mobile devices. Which sunscreens don’t offer the level of protection as advertised? When we tested sunscreen lotions, we found that Equate (Ultra Protection SPF ) offer ($. value) plus a at ¢ per ounce protected you better than Banana Boat Kids SPF 50 at $1.25 per ounce. FREE GIFTS RISK-FREE ISSUE of Consumer Reports when you mail back your Acceptance Certificate today! We help take the risk out of shopping, the stress out of choosing, the gamble out of buying. We have no equal in the ght for a just marketplace. We work for you—not industries, advertisers,
Sunscreen: SPF At last: A mpg Familyfriendly A great wine PAGE Accord myths & truths PAGE kitchens PAGE PAGE nor corporations. Each month, we help you choose wisely and well. JULY | CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG
Best ways to protect your computer from online hackers. We scanned 13,000 malware les, went to 75 malicious websites, and Our World Renowned checked out 1,000 phishing sites—all to help you decide which security software will do the best job of protecting your computer and your data from viruses, trojans, and Auto Coverage YOUR SECRETS AREN’T SAFE other dangers lurking online. Consumer Reports is the rst place to turn to when Data thieves are after your most private info. The best free anti-malware in our ratings, Avast! Free buying a new or used vehicle. And for good reason. How to protect yourself on Wi-Fi, online, and in the cloud Antivirus, offers very Situated on 327 acres, we operate the largest and Will you good protection most sophisticated independent auto testing center Tesla Model S accept your against threats from anywhere in the world. websites. It’s also Please display at checkout and mainline until July , Risk-Free quick to react to new viruses. For updates, BEST AND WORSTS JULY Issue? 5/9/14 11:07:34 AM send for Consumer Here are the COV1 us news CR JUL 2014.indd 1 Reports today! percentages of BEST 3 SEDANS WORST 3 SEDANS BEST 3 SUVS WORST 3 SUVS owners who would Tesla Model S (98) Nissan Sentra (47) Porsche Cayenne (87) Hyundai Tucson (53) Mercedes-Benz E250 Kia Rio (46) Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Nissan Path nder (52) de nitely buy their BlueTec (88) Nissan Versa (42) Yukon XL (84) Jeep Compass (43) WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR TRUSTED ADVICE & UNBIASED INFORMATION. BMW 328d (diesel) (86) Chevrolet Tahoe/ current car again. GMC Yukon (84) Best countertops for resisting stains. Best way to prevent u in kids. We stained, sliced, scratched, scorched, and nicked The Centers for Disease How often do I really need to change materials from leading brands and found huge Control and Prevention Ask Our Experts my car’s oil? Most vehicles are designed to go differences in performance. Quartz withstood now says FluMist, a nasal Do roof racks ®, miles or more between changes under normal almost everything in our tests—stains, hot pots, spray, works better than hurt gas driving conditions, and synthetic oil can last twice as abrasive pads, and knives—and unlike granite, it the shot in kids through long. If you change the oil and filter every «, miles mileage? Carrying doesn’t need to be resealed. 8 years old, which means at $ each, you’ll pay $ per year. Drive ®, things on the roof Google Glass: Retirement Stay warm, Fish: How much no needles, no tears! miles between oil changes Behnd the hype reality check save is too much? Best airline for ight switchers. Airlines increases aerodynamic PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE and save $ per year. OCTOBER | CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG typically don’t allow flight cancellations within The Bent iPhone Uproar. When the Internet drag, hurting fuel hours of booking without financial penalty. South- erupted with photos of bent iPhones, and a very- economy. When we west, though, lets you modify your itinerary without viral video of a guy creasing an iPhone 6 Plus with tested a « Honda 2015’s time restriction and simply pay the difference in his bare hands, it seemed like a serious concern. Yet Accord at a steady ¬ mph, it got mpg with RED HOT cost between fares. At other airlines, that could cost everything about the uproar was highly unscientific. nothing on the roof. With two bikes on a bike rack, RIDES Our sneak peek at the hundreds of dollars. We don’t like unscientific. newest and best cars gas mileage dropped to ® mpg. PLUS • Sleek and sturdy SUVs • Great in-car gadgets • A look back at 2014’s duds So we leapt into action and For valuable, timely information about the products used our lab equipment to see and services you use everyday, send for your Risk-
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Please read only if you can handle The Truth ... Dreaming of bringing home the cool CineMate SR sound bar by Bose for $ ,? ... Who could blame you? It’s pretty sweet. But ...
Dear Friend, Before you pull out your credit card, know this: when we tested 49 sound bars for sound quality, ease of use, and versatility, the Vizio S3821w scored higher in our tests. It also cost a lot less. Only $160. You see, as Head of Product Testing at Consumer Reports, it’s my job to look beyond the hype ... the exaggerations ... and tell you the harsh naked truth – often about expensive products and services you might have thought you couldn’t live without. Whether it’s the latest new products from Apple and Samsung, or the hottest new cars from Mercedes and BMW, our unbiased testers won’t pull punches. We’ll burst any bubble if it means protecting you from overblown claims ... from disappointing products and services ... from wasting your time and money. So send for your Risk-Free issue of Consumer Reports now – BEFORE you make your next purchase – and we’ll guide you towards the best values ... we’ll steer you away from the costliest mistakes ... and we’ll do our best to make sure your wallet stays full and your mind remains peaceful. Now back to the test labs,
Mark Connelly, Senior Director, Product Testing P.S. Your Risk-Free Issue of Consumer Reports comes with FREE GIFTS (worth $.)! Best of all, you can keep all three – even if you choose not to stick around as a subscriber. To get yours, mail back your Acceptance Certi cate today.