CR's test results on label accuracy can help parents choose a children's vitamin that's more consistent with its label claims.

By Jessica D’Argenio Waller, MS, CNS, LDN, CPST

Young children can bring home eight to 10 colds a year—and handing them a chewable vitamin to help support their immune system may seem like a no-brainer, especially as virus season sets in. Approximately one-third of kids under age 19 in the U.S. take a dietary supplement regularly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, often to ward off colds or to help cover nutrient gaps (we probably don’t have to tell you that kids of all ages can sometimes be picky eaters). 

Children’s vitamins tend to come in bright colors, cute shapes, and sweetened formulas, making them both eye-catching and palatable for little ones. But experts say most kids don’t need to take a regular multivitamin supplement. And the bottle you pick up off the shelf may not actually contain the amount of vitamins and minerals it says it does. 

Consumer Reports tested 21 kids’ vitamins for label accuracy across specific nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, plus vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9, as well as iodine and zinc. We also tested each product for heavy metal contaminants, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. 

First, the good news: Every children’s vitamin we tested is safe to take (or to keep taking). We detected trace amounts of at least one heavy metal in all products tested, but none exceeded our experts’ level of concern.

However, we also found that all 21 products tested contained at least one nutrient at a level higher or lower than what was claimed on the label, in some cases by as much as 500 percent higher. Two products tested each had at least one nutrient that exceeded the upper intake limits for the intended age group. 

“Our results can help parents choose a vitamin for their children that’s more consistent with its label claims,” says Eric Boring, PhD, the chemist who led CR’s kids’ vitamin testing. 

We reached out to all the companies whose products we tested. They told CR that they take rigorous steps to ensure the safety and quality of their products, especially those intended for children. While not all companies specifically commented on their testing, and some did not respond to our questions about testing, many shared that they do external and/or internal testing of their products (see below for full company responses).

Read on for more about what we tested for, what to know if your child currently takes a kids’ vitamin, plus expert advice and a personalized interactive tool to help you choose a safe supplement for your child. 

Label Accuracy and Safety in Children’s Vitamins: What CR Tested For and Why

Previous CR investigations have found label inaccuracies in dietary supplements, most recently in prenatal vitamins. There’s limited published research on label accuracy for kids’ vitamins, but some studies suggest that kids taking a vitamin supplement may be at risk of overexposure to certain nutrients. 

Overexposure can also happen if kids are consuming too much of a supplement—when kids eat vitamins like they’re candy. “That’s really easy to do with something that is formulated to taste really good,” says Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, AAP spokesperson, a pediatrician practicing in Portland, Ore., and author of the book “Raising Body-Confident Kids” (Fair Winds Press, 2026). Sadly, this is all too common: The 2024 annual report from the National Poison Data System found that supplement overdose was the fifth most common cause of poisoning in kids 5 and under. This is why the potency and label accuracy of vitamins marketed for children really matter.

Who’s responsible for making sure the claims on a vitamin label are accurate? The Food and Drug Administration has oversight of dietary supplements, including those intended for children, but the safety, quality, and efficacy of each product are the responsibility of the manufacturer. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) sets industry standards for dietary supplements, including a potency threshold that specifies the acceptable level of a nutrient in a product, based on its format (for example, a tablet or a gummy). The minimum potency threshold is typically 90 percent, but the upper end of the range varies based on the type of nutrient and the supplement form.

Concerns have also been raised around the presence of heavy metals in supplements, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and the metalloid arsenic. Because the health effects of heavy metal exposure in early childhood can be serious, including irreversible brain and nervous system changes, we also looked for these contaminants in the kids’ vitamins in our tests.

How We Tested Kids’ Vitamins for Label Accuracy and Safety

Our testing, in detail:

• CR’s secret shoppers purchased one to three lots of each kids’ vitamin for our tests and sent them to an outside accredited laboratory for nutrient testing. 
• Each product was analyzed for the same 12 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, plus vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9, as well as iodine and zinc. In a few limited cases, there was a nutrient form that we were unable to verify against label claims.
• The average of the tested amounts was compared with the amount listed on the Supplement Facts label for each product, and with the USP tolerance range for each nutrient.
• We then determined whether the tested amounts exceeded the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for that nutrient, if one exists. The UL is the total daily intake of a supplemented nutrient that’s unlikely to cause adverse health effects, and was determined by an international group of health research organizations and published by the Institute of Medicine. These are conservative levels, experts say, but taking amounts above the UL could cause harm over a long period of time, depending on the nutrient and the amount consumed.
• We also tested each product for heavy metal contamination, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, and compared our results with evidence-based protective limits calculated specifically for the products’ intended age groups.

Inside the Labs: Kids' Vitamins Testing

CR analyzed 21 children’s vitamins for heavy metals as well as nutrient levels for safety and label accuracy.

Photos: Consumer Reports

It’s important to note that Consumer Reports is not a compliance or regulatory body, and our testing is intended only to offer information for consumers to make informed decisions. No legal judgments can be made from our findings.

Our results are a snapshot in time, and manufacturers may update their formulations at any point. Any changes would affect the nutrient levels of the products we tested. That said, our testing highlights the variations between label claims and nutrient amounts across many products in this category, underscoring the need for greater oversight and transparency. 

You can view our test methodology and full results (PDF). CR contacted all the manufacturers of the products we tested for comment on these results. See detailed company responses below.

CR’s Kids’ Vitamin Test Results

The supplements in our test results are grouped by format and listed alphabetically. 

What Our Testing Found

Inconsistent Nutrient Labeling

Inaccuracies across the board: In CR’s tests of kids’ vitamins, 100 percent of the 21 products we tested had at least one nutrient outside the range we used for label accuracy. 

Of the 206 nutrients analyzed across all 21 products, 88 tested nutrients were outside the thresholds we used, or 43 percent.

We saw more variation in some nutrients than others. Across the 12 nutrients we tested for, 85 percent of products with vitamin B1 (thiamine) were out of range. Sixty percent of the products with vitamin A were out of range, along with 50 percent of those with iodine and 48 percent of those with vitamin B9 (folate). 

Third-party certified products performed better: Independent third-party testing organizations (such as U.S. Pharmacopeia or NSF International) can help verify whether a product contains what it says it does—which is why experts recommend looking for vitamins with third-party certification symbols on the label. Two products that tested well for label accuracy, Nature Made Kids First Multi + Omega-3 Gummies and Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic, both have third-party certification. These products each had just one nutrient out of range. 

While third-party certification can be a helpful symbol of a product’s quality, not all official-looking “seals” on a product label carry equal weight. Some product packaging may include symbols that look similar to a third-party certification seal but only serve to highlight certain ingredients, claims, or attributes, such as the number of nutrients or the fact that it’s vegan. Be skeptical of marketing claims disguised as certifications, like “picky-eater approved” or “clean ingredients,” which aren’t standard FDA-defined terms.

Higher accuracy in gummies: In general, we saw higher label accuracy in gummy vitamins designed for children than in the chewables and tablets in our tests. Gummy vitamins were more likely to have nutrient levels within or above the acceptable range rather than below it. 

By contrast, of the nine chewables, tablets, capsules, and powders we analyzed, every product tested had at least one nutrient below the threshold. In three products in this category, the majority of nutrients fell below the USP threshold: Flintstones Complete Chewable, Renzo’s Picky Eater Kids Multi with Iron, and Walmart’s Equate Kids Chewable Complete Multivitamin. Each of these products had 11 of the 12 nutrients we tested for outside the USP tolerance range.

Widespread variation in nutrients with and without established USP thresholds: Across all the vitamins and minerals in our tests, we saw sweeping variations in potency. The maximum USP tolerance for vitamin C in gummies is 250 percent, but we found some products containing just 50 percent of the labeled amount, while others had 531 percent. There’s no USP potency range for vitamin B5 in gummy formulas (what USP terms “chewable gels”), and we saw gummy formulas containing anywhere from 64 percent to 564 percent of the labeled amount of that nutrient. It’s important to note that USP standards for dietary supplements are voluntary unless the product is USP-certified. 

Several Nutrients Above Tolerable Upper Intake Limits

Conservative safety thresholds known as tolerable upper intake limits (UL) are used to define safe levels of nutrients for different age groups. Above these limits, there’s a higher risk of harmful health effects. “Staying at or below the UL is the safest place to be,” says Jill Castle, MS, RDN, a pediatric dietitian and author of the book “Kids Thrive at Every Size” (Workman, 2024). 

Across our tests, we found that 2 of the 21 products in our tests (10 percent) had at least one nutrient at a level high enough to exceed the UL. The nutrients in excess of the UL in our tests were niacin (vitamin B3), folate/folic acid (vitamin B9), and zinc. 

An excess of certain nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins (including vitamins D, E, K, and some forms of vitamin A) or minerals (such as zinc), poses the greatest potential health risk, because these nutrients can accumulate in the body. High amounts of water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin C and the B vitamins, are less concerning because they are flushed out of the body, but excess intake can still cause stomach upset, cramping, or other issues. High levels of niacin (vitamin B3) can cause facial redness or flushing, plus headache or dizziness. High mineral levels can also reduce the absorption of other nutrients. 

The ULs are designed to represent an intake from all sources, including food, water, and supplements. Because many foods kids eat are already fortified with vitamins and minerals, parents need to be mindful of “the totality of nutrient consumption,” Castle says. 

If you’re concerned about whether your child may be getting too much of a certain nutrient, consider keeping a food diary for a few days with everything your child consumes, then share it with your child’s pediatrician to discuss any overages or gaps, says Leslie Treece, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician practicing in Cookeville, Tenn.

Heavy Metals Detected, but Only Trace Amounts

CR’s experts have developed protective safety limits based on scientifically established benchmarks for arsenic and the heavy metals lead, cadmium, and mercury, taking into account kids’ body weight and the product serving sizes. The good news: The kids’ vitamins in our tests were all well below these limits for a child consuming one serving a day. 

However, while the detected amounts of these toxic elements were very low, they were not zero—we still detected trace amounts of lead in every supplement tested, and we found low levels of arsenic and cadmium in 76 percent of products (16 of 21) and mercury in 38 percent (8 of 21). Young children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of heavy metals, and reducing their exposure to them as much as possible is important. Some kids may also be exposed to lead paint in their homes or through their plumbing, as well as in the foods they eat. These exposures can be cumulative. 

It’s virtually impossible to avoid all exposure to heavy metals, says Casares. “We can’t wrap our children in a bubble. However, it’s very important to limit exposure to those variables that we can control, and especially to exposures that have high levels of heavy metals,” she says. 

Photo: Scott Meadows/Consumer Reports

Does Your Child Even Need a Multivitamin?

Vitamins are often marketed to parents of young children as a way to fill nutritional gaps, but unlike prenatal vitamins, kids’ vitamins aren’t considered essential for healthy growth and development in most cases. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend vitamin supplementation for children who are receiving a “normal, well-balanced diet” and otherwise meet daily vitamin D recommendations, which are based on age.

“The vast majority of kids do not need vitamins or supplements to be healthy,” says Casares. “There are certain circumstances in which we do recommend vitamins for kids, but on the whole, eating a healthy, varied diet is the thing to focus on,” she says.

A few examples of when a dietary supplement can be helpful for kids and teens:

• If they have a very limited diet or follow a restricted eating pattern, such as a vegan diet, which means they may not get enough nutrients from food
• If they have multiple food allergies
• If they’re diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency
• If they have a medical condition that increases their risk of a nutritional deficiency 
• If they live with food insecurity

Lots of kids can be picky eaters, especially when young, but being a selective eater “doesn’t automatically mean your child has a deficiency,” says Dani Lebovitz, MS, RDN, a pediatric dietitian and author of the book “Food Positivity: How to Ditch Diet Culture and Talk to Kids About Food” (Jossey-Bass, 2026). In some cases, the small rotation of foods they eat does a lot of nutritional work, she says, especially because many foods that kids gravitate toward, like cereal, bread, and crackers, are fortified with nutrients such as B vitamins and iron. If you’re concerned about potential nutritional deficiencies, talk to your pediatrician. 

Generally speaking, children in the U.S. tend to fall short on calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and fiber, and some toddlers and teens require more iron, especially girls, says Castle. She also says that omega-3 fat intake is low among children worldwide. But a dietary supplement may not be the first-line option for boosting intake.

If your child is taking a vitamin supplement to help meet a diagnosed nutritional deficiency, it’s reasonable to expect that the product they’re taking provides the labeled amount of the nutrient they need, not drastically more or less. “As consumers, we have little insight into label accuracy, another factor that prompted CR’s tests,” says Boring. 

“If the dosage levels are inaccurate, it can create a real gap for the child that could impact their health over time," says Castle. “Parenting is hard, and it’s harder when families are navigating nutrition concerns. Parents deserve brands [that] deliver on their claims and content with accuracy and transparency.”

How to Choose a Safe Kids’ Vitamin

The experts we spoke to encourage thinking of children’s vitamins as short-term support. “They cannot replace the nutrient matrix food offers,” says Castle. But they can help bridge the gap while you help your child learn to accept more foods and build a nutrient-rich diet, she says. 

Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician before starting any new supplement. Also make sure that you’re choosing a supplement from a reputable manufacturer, says Ventura of CRN.

Kids' Vitamin Report Card

What grade does your child’s supplement get? Use this tool to help evaluate kids’ vitamins based on CR’s experts’ advice. 

What Our Findings Mean for Your Family

When you’re offering a multivitamin to your child to help fill a nutrient gap, it’s important that you’re able to trust that the product actually contains what it says it does. The lack of label accuracy in kids’ vitamins found in CR’s tests emphasizes the need for greater transparency and oversight. 

“What’s scary to me is that parents actually will trust a supplement or a vitamin even more than what is prescribed to them from a pediatrician,” says Casares. “There’s a misconception that all vitamins are totally fine; it’s no big deal. But actually we do know that toxicity of certain vitamins can cause real health problems.” She stresses the importance of third-party testing and certification, and making sure that manufacturers are following the recommended Daily Value guidelines for children so that the ingredients in their products “match what kids really need.”

Child Nutrition Tips

Every expert we spoke with encouraged a food-first approach to your child’s nutrition and avoiding overreliance on a kids’ multivitamin. Here’s some of their best advice: 

Follow your child’s lead. Start with what your child will eat, then build in more nutritious versions: Try mixing a sugary cereal with a non- or low-sugar choice in a 50:50 blend, Castle suggests. 

Make food fun. Let your little one play with their food in the name of sensory exploration, says Treece. Some slightly less messy ideas: Make food towers, group foods by color, or arrange foods in shapes on the plate.

Take the pressure off mealtimes. “Offer new foods next to familiar ones, in small amounts, and without pressure. Repeated and relaxed exposure to new foods works,” says Castle.

Rethink snacks. “Let snacks share the work,” Lebovitz says. Add fruits and vegetables outside of mealtime, such as topping their favorite yogurt with blueberries or concocting a new green smoothie together. “Dinner doesn’t have to cover everything,” she says.

Find new ways to explore food together. Take kids to the farmer’s market so that they can see a variety of new-to-them foods, even if they don’t taste them. Start a windowsill herb garden with your child, and invite them into the kitchen for food prep, suggests Casares. “These are all ways that you can help your child be a less selective eater over time without putting on extra pressure.” 

For more tailored guidance, talk to your child’s pediatrician or seek out a pediatric nutritionist for more ideas.

Companies Respond

We shared our test results with the manufacturers of the 21 kids’ vitamins in our tests and asked them for more information on how they test for heavy metal contaminants and whether they verify the nutrient levels in their products. We also asked whether they intentionally add nutrients beyond the labeled amount to last through the product’s shelf life, an industry practice known as “overages.” We heard back from most of the companies.

Safety and Quality

Many companies told CR that they take rigorous steps to ensure the safety and quality of their products, especially those intended for children. As one example: “Hiya is committed to producing high-quality children’s vitamins that parents can trust,” said a company spokesperson. Renzo’s and First Day also shared their commitment to quality and transparency.

A spokesperson for Nature’s Way told CR that its testing programs are “risk-based and product-specific,” stating that the company maintains a comprehensive quality assurance program designed to ensure the identity, safety, purity, and potency of its products. 

When asked about their testing processes, four companies (Hiya, MaryRuth’s, Nestlé, and Olly) shared that they use external labs to verify the quality and safety of their products. Three additional companies (Nature’s Way, Piping Rock, and Renzo’s) shared that they have invested in internal testing, and two companies (Nature Made and SmartyPants) shared that they do both. Not all companies specifically commented on their testing, and some did not respond to our questions about testing.

“At SmartyPants Vitamins, we rely on rigorous testing and internal and external guidelines to support the safety and quality of our products. Every lot is tested at our qualified, ISO-certified lab for safety, quality, and dietary ingredient levels using methods validated for a gummy matrix,” said a spokesperson for SmartyPants. The spokesperson also said that both products in CR’s tests are certified by NSF, “with annual independent NSF testing for potency and contaminants, including heavy metals, as part of maintaining certification.”

A customer service representative for Nature Made (owned by Pharmavite, which also makes MegaFood) told CR: “Nature Made has been in business for 50 years, and we are known for the quality and efficacy of our products. Our Quality Control team performs rigorous testing on all raw materials and the finished product to ensure our products are made to the highest standards, including verification by USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia), an independent verification for potency and purity.”

Several kids’ vitamins in CR’s tests hold third-party certifications such as NSF or USP verification. We contacted the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association that represents several supplement makers included in our tests, to ask whether certification is something they recommend. 

“CRN encourages companies to take advantage of the third-party verification programs that exist for dietary supplements,” said spokesperson Jeff Ventura. “These programs provide an added, independent verification of the high quality of the products.” However, the absence of a third-party seal is not an indication of poor quality, Ventura says. “Many reputable supplement brands employ their own internal sophisticated testing and auditing systems to assure their consumers of high-quality products.”

Heavy Metals

No children’s vitamins in CR’s tests exceeded our scientists’ health-based level of concern for heavy metals, though we did detect trace amounts in the majority of products. Several companies told CR that they compare their finished products with California’s Proposition 65 thresholds—the most protective benchmarks in the U.S. 

“MaryRuth’s works closely with its manufacturers to maintain strict controls over ingredient sourcing, formulation, and finished-product testing, including formulating vitamins and minerals to remain below applicable NIH ULs and to ensure that heavy metals, if present, are below California Proposition 65 safe harbor levels,” said a spokesperson for MaryRuth’s.

Olly told CR that the company uses “California Proposition 65 limits to establish our finished-product specifications and test products during development, before launch and through ongoing quality monitoring. All results provided by Consumer Reports fall within Olly’s established specifications.”

“SmartyPants tests every finished-product lot for heavy metals and establish release specifications using applicable California Proposition 65 limits,” a spokesperson said, noting that they test both raw materials and finished products.

A spokesperson for Costco, which makes Kirkland Signature supplements, told CR that the product in CR’s tests is evaluated for heavy metals before being sold. “We reviewed the heavy-metal levels reported by Consumer Reports in the context of the product and available safety benchmarks and we reviewed our internal testing results and documentation and did not identify a product safety concern. Specific internal limits are not publicly disclosed,” the spokesperson said.

Nutrient Overages

Numerous companies told CR that they intentionally add higher amounts of certain nutrients to ensure they’ll remain present throughout the product’s shelf life. 

USP tolerance thresholds account for some overages in gummy formats and in capsules, tablets, and powders, reflecting this common industry practice. Vitamin C overages in gummies, for example, can go up to 250 percent of the labeled amount. We found that One A Day’s Kids Multi Gummies had vitamin C levels at 531 percent of the labeled amount. Vitamin B9 levels in this product were at 504 percent of the labeled amount, when the USP range caps at 245 percent.

A spokesperson for Bayer, which makes One A Day and Flintstones supplements, told CR: “Bayer stands behind the quality and safety of its One A Day and Flintstones Vitamins products. We intentionally formulate certain nutrients above the labeled amount to help ensure they maintain appropriate levels throughout the product’s shelf life, consistent with industry practice. Our extensive evidence-based testing shows that nutrients remain within the established safe range of what is stated on the label.” In CR’s tests of samples across three different lots, Flintstones had the majority of nutrients tested below the USP tolerance range of 90 percent. “Product quality is a top priority for Bayer. We can confirm this batch tested by CR met industry, regulatory and safety requirements at time of release. We believe the CR test result is an outlier, and we cannot determine a specific reason for the discrepancy of their findings without further investigation,” the Bayer spokesperson said.

In CR’s tests, Centrum Kids MultiGummies had three nutrients above the USP tolerance range, as well as vitamin B5 levels that were 564 percent of the labeled amount, though a USP range does not exist for gummy formulations with B5. 

A spokesperson for Haleon, which makes Centrum, said: “We stand behind the quality and safety of all our products, including Centrum Kids MultiGummies, which are backed by rigorous testing before and after products reach store shelves. We conduct batch testing to help confirm the quality and safety of our products, as well as ongoing testing of select batches throughout the product’s shelf life to monitor quality, safety, and nutrient levels.” 

Different Testing Methods

A few companies questioned CR’s findings or told CR that their internal testing, whether for the same lots of products as in CR’s tests or more broadly, didn’t match CR’s results. 

Amazon (whose in-house brand is Mama Bear) stated that its finished products undergo rigorous quality control testing to ensure they meet the labeled potency specifications throughout their shelf life and challenged CR’s methodology and results, saying the findings “do not accurately reflect this product’s composition." 

A spokesperson for Nestlé Health Science, which makes Garden of Life and Pure Encapsulations, told CR: "Our technical assessment noted differences between the analytical methods reported by Consumer Reports and those used by the qualified third-party laboratories supporting our testing programs. These methodological considerations should be taken into account when evaluating and comparing the reported results.” The spokesperson said that, based on the company’s experience testing this product category, historical testing data, and its established testing program, they “remain confident in the quality, safety, and nutritional profile” of the products in CR’s tests.

Piping Rock (which makes Li’l Critters and Nature’s Truth) told CR that its internal testing of Li’l Critters confirmed that the nutrient levels of the products in the same lots CR evaluated “met specification at the expected levels at the time of release of the product.”

Renzo’s, which is produced by Solara Labs, shared that its internal testing uses a different method for testing its melting tablets: “Our Renzo’s Multivitamin with Iron is formulated in a specialized orally dissolving dietary supplement matrix tablet which may present unique analytical challenges related to extraction efficiency and analyte recovery,” a spokesperson said, noting also that analytical results for vitamins and minerals may vary between laboratories. 

SmartyPants also shared that it uses a different methodology for testing certain nutrients in its gummy formulas, notably vitamin A, which, in CR’s tests, had one lot that landed below the USP tolerance threshold of 90 percent. “Our testing uses a USP-based method designed to account for the specific form of vitamin A used in our formulation,” the spokesperson said. 

CR’s scientists remain confident that the testing methods used are appropriate for the different supplement formulations in our tests.

Our analysis found that two products, including those from Equate (Walmart) and NaturesPlus, had some nutrient levels that landed above the tolerable upper intake limit for some age groups, even though the vitamins were intended for children of those ages. 

A spokesperson for Walmart told CR: “We are committed to providing safe, high-quality products, and work continuously with our suppliers to review and help ensure standards are met.” 

We did not receive a response from Natural Organics, the maker of NaturesPlus supplements. 

Though we received a customer service response from Nature Made, we didn’t hear back from parent company Pharmavite, which also makes MegaFood supplements, despite repeated requests for comment. 

Ventura, the spokesperson for CRN, acknowledged that testing nutrient levels in finished dietary supplement products is complex.

“The accuracy and reliability of analytical results can be influenced by numerous factors, including the product’s formulation, ingredient interactions, nutrient forms, and the presence of other components that may interfere with testing ... While manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products meet applicable quality standards, it is important that conclusions about nutrient content are based on scientifically appropriate testing methods that account for these complexities,” Ventura said. 

“CR understands that product formulations can be complex and provide potential interferences. That’s why CR mitigates these issues with quality control tests, such as matrix spikes, and by using ISO-accredited laboratories and validated methods. We also test multiple lots to see if we get consistent results,” says Boring, who led CR’s analysis.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

E-bikes are more popular than ever, but using one comes with some safety risks.

By Justin Krajeski

Electric bikes are everywhere. Even if you’ve never used one yourself, chances are good you’ve seen one zip by on a street or trail. A nationally representative survey of 2,035 U.S. adults conducted by Consumer Reports in February 2024 found that 11 percent of Americans had ridden an e-bike in the past 12 months. And nearly 1 million e-bikes were bought or sold across the U.S. in 2024, according to PeopleForBikes, a national bicycling advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association.

E-bikes look a lot like traditional bikes, but they get a power assist from a built-in motor and battery. That makes them great for climbing hills or speeding up when you’re coasting on a flat stretch. But those higher speeds can contribute to more serious accidents–particularly if you don’t take the right precautions.

While the popularity of e-bikes has grown, so too have injuries tied to accidents. Experts have seen a surge in trauma cases caused by e-bike accidents, according to a 2026 study published online in Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).

What’s more, a separate 2024 study published in JAMA Surgery found that from 2017 to 2022 there was a 30-fold increase in e-bike injuries.

That same study found that in 2022, the incidence of head trauma from e-bike injuries was approximately 49 times higher than it was in 2017. Data also suggests that while e-bikes typically travel at higher speeds than conventional bikes, e-bike riders may be less likely to wear helmets.

These incidents aren’t limited to New York; there have been spikes in e-bike-related incidents reported in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Los Angeles, across South Florida, and in Hershey, Pennsylvania, among others.

According to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 310 e-bike fatalities between 2017 and 2024. Motor vehicle accidents and control issues were the reason behind most of those fatalities; 19 were associated with incidents of lithium-ion battery-related fires.

A July 2024 article for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) notes that surgeons around the world are witnessing a serious pattern of e-bike-related injury and death. In another article for the ACS in June 2026, John Maa, MD, FACS, Romeo Ignacio Jr., MD, FACS, Sigrid Burruss, MD, FACS, and Phyllis Agran, MD, consider a few possible causes: high e-bike speeds, low rates of helmet use, and the young age of e-bike users.

“U.S. e-bike motors are typically three times more powerful than those allowed in Europe and the rest of the world,” the doctors write. “Many countries set a minimum age for e-bike use and do not allow the use of throttle e-bikes. In the U.S., children are allowed to operate devices capable of 20-28 mph without formal training or consistent helmet enforcement.”

While experts continue to study the causes of injuries, what’s clear is that there are concrete steps you can take right now to lower your risk if you do choose to ride an e-bike.

Don’t Modify Your E-Bike’s Speed

E-bikes have motors that automatically turn off and stop assisting the rider once a certain speed is reached. That motor has a mechanism called a speed limiter, controller, or governor, and it’s a safety feature designed to keep you from riding too fast.

The CPSC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the safety of e-bikes and has outlined the maximum motor power (less than 750W) and speeds (under 20 mph on motor power alone, up to 28 mph for Class 3 pedal-assist), which are also performance limits set by federal and state laws. Both limitations are typically built into firmware or software running on the speed limiter’s circuitry. That said, the CPSC still hasn’t offered clear, federal classifications on which e-bikes fall into which e-bike classes. (CR endorsed the Safe SPEEDS Act to address this, which we discuss below.)

“The controller is essentially the ‘brain’ of an electric bicycle,” says Matt Moore, general and policy counsel for PeopleForBikes. “It receives information from the sensors and drive system, monitors and regulates the performance of the battery and motor, and serves as an interface with the operator.”

The problem is that for someone who wants to travel faster than their e-bike allows, there are many ways to manipulate or disable safety controls. In some cases, riders can use “magnets, keystrokes, apps, and tuning kits, and other devices to shut off the speed limiter and allow the motor to keep operating at much higher speeds,” says Maa.

“Think of a car. You can drive it 100 mph or faster, and far exceed the lawful speed limit. A car does not have a controller,” Maa says. “An e-bike with the controller turned off is like a car.” So, much like a car, the only thing limiting speed on a modified e-bike is the driver’s judgment. But unlike a car, there’s little in the way of protection if you crash.

E-bike tuning kits can be particularly problematic. Tuning kits are aftermarket devices (or software applications) that can help users bypass factory-installed speed limits. Modifications using tuning kits “usually result in increased motor strength and speed, making the e-bike illegal,” Burruss says.

“With speed restrictions, the severity of injuries will decrease,” Burruss says. “Existing data demonstrates that e-bike injuries are more similar to motorcycle injuries, likely due to the higher speeds.” The higher speeds also mean e-bike riders have less time to respond to obstacles on the road while wearing less protection than motorcyclists.

California passed a bill in 2024 that banned aftermarket speed-modification devices that push e-bikes past legal limits, Burruss says. A year later, California cracked down on aftermarket apps designed to alter an e-bike’s speed controls. 

New Jersey has also banned e-bike tuning kits. They are likely not banned more widely because there’s little data showing they cause significant harm, says Ken McLeod, policy director of The League of American Bicyclists. “The lack of data may reflect issues with data collection, that these tuning kits are not widely used, or that e-bikes with tuning kits are not involved in many crashes.” Even if tuning kits are not widely used, the potential damage they can lead to is still severe.

The Safe SPEEDS Act would require the CPSC to clearly define classes for different types of e-bikes, implement labeling requirements, establish minimum age recommendations, and ban e-bikes that are designed to have their speeds modified. (The bipartisan bill was introduced in the House by Reps. Dave Min and Jared Huffman of California, Mike Lawler of New York, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. It has been endorsed by CR, PeopleForBikes, The League of American Bicyclists, and others.)

If we could manage to truly enforce speed limits, Maa says, we might be able to get a better handle on e-bike injuries and deaths. “Issuing tickets for exceeding the speed limit, especially on sidewalks, is required,” he says.

Wear the Right Helmet on Your E-Bike

In May 2026, a study published online in Neurosurgery found that of 914 patients who sought care from a specific hospital system for trauma involving micromobility-related injuries, only 31.7 percent were wearing a helmet.

The worst injury that Burruss has seen involved a patient who was riding a bicycle and was then hit by another bicyclist on an e-bike at high speeds. “The bikes collided, and the patient hit their head hard on the pavement,” Burruss says. “They were not wearing a helmet and suffered brain death.”

Though this is much less common than the milder traumatic brain injuries she sees, even the mildest brain injuries can affect patients’ lives–from post-concussive symptoms to an inability to return to work or school in the same capacity as before. “UC Irvine (UCI) [Health] has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) [Survivors] Support Group, and a few of the participants have head injuries from e-bike crashes and are still dealing with the post-TBI consequences,” Burruss says.

She adds that if all e-bike riders wore helmets–along with the enactment of other preventive measures around e-bike riding, such as speed restrictions and age limits–we would see a “drastic reduction in injury and deaths.”

“I have seen countless children and adults without helmets who suffer traumatic brain injuries and facial fractures,” she says. “The severity would be substantially less with helmet use.” Burruss, who works in Orange, California, shares a statistic similar to that of the aforementioned study: “At UCI, only about 30 percent of our e-bike-injured patients were wearing helmets.”

“Consistent helmet use remains the most important protective behavior,” Maa says. The CPSC recommends a moped or motorcycle helmet for speeds of 20 miles per hour or higher.

Phyllis Agran, MD, shared the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings, which include an e-bike tab. Virginia Tech, in collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, evaluated 311 bike helmets using the STAR testing system, assessing each helmet’s ability to reduce both “linear acceleration and rotational velocity during a range of impact scenarios representative of real-world bicycle crashes.” The more stars under a helmet, the lower the risk of concussion. Virginia Tech recommends choosing a helmet with 4 or 5 stars.

CR has written about whether you need an e-bike-specific helmet and which helmets we tested we would recommend to an e-bike rider.

Don't Let Children Under 12 Ride an E-Bike

Raising the minimum age to ride an e-bike could significantly reduce e-bike injuries. The U.S. is a “major outlier compared to other nations,” Maa says.

“The current Class 1 and Class 2 system reflect very different bikes,” Burruss says. Class 2 e-bikes are much more similar to mopeds, especially when modified, due to the throttle-only mechanism. Maa offered one solution, which could be to require that Class 1 e-bike users be 12 years and older, while Class 2 and 3 e-bike riders must be 16 years and older.

In general, pediatricians and the CPSC recommend that children under 12 should not operate any e-bike that travels faster than 10 mph, and many experts feel that further restrictions on children riding e-bikes would reduce deaths and injury severity.

Because there’s no federal minimum age, regulations are set by individual states and municipalities. Many states acknowledge the risk to children from operating faster devices and prohibit anyone younger than 16 from operating a Class 3 e-bike.

Bonus: Take an E-Bike Safety Course

All the experts we spoke to recommended easily accessible courses to learn how to ride an e-bike safely.

“First, children should learn how to ride a conventional bike,” Agran says. “Part of this is learning the rules of the road, navigating pathways, shared road use, helmet use, and the skill set required to operate a conventional bike,” he says. In an ideal world, states should require e-bike riders to acquire a license that ensures they have the special knowledge and skills, training, and competence that a motorcycle rider has, Agran adds.

PeopleForBikes worked with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to create a comprehensive online safety course, Moore says. “We highly recommend this course for both adults and youth.” PeopleForBikes also worked with The League of American Bicyclists to develop a guide to help people ride an e-bike safely.

Burruss says that every city and school district should offer a range of training programs, such as the California Highway Patrol Electric Bicycle Training and Safety Course. The Irvine School District, where she lives, requires children who ride their e-bikes to school to take an e-bike safety course hosted by the Irvine Police Department. “It is quite excellent, having sat through it myself with my son,” Burruss says.

Understanding E-Bike Classes

In 2015, PeopleForBikes worked with e-bike manufacturers to develop the three-class system that 45 U.S. states now use to differentiate e-bikes by motor-assist, pedal-assist, wattage, and operational rules (more details below).

However, some medical professionals find the three-class system counterproductive. Agran says the terminology “has created tremendous confusion among the public, the consumers, and the parents who purchase these bikes for children.” States have adopted it piecemeal, resulting in a patchwork of conflicting state laws on age limits, speeds, helmet requirements, and motor wattage, Maa says.

In our electric bike buying guide, we cover the three general “classes” (or classifications) of e-bikes related to their electric propulsion systems. Each type powers the bike’s driven wheel in a distinct way, whether using input from the rider’s pedals or a hand control, like a twist grip or a thumb switch.

• Class 1 bikes can reach speeds as high as 20 mph using pedal-assist, a feature that powers the electric motor as you pedal. There’s no throttle control on the handlebars to get the bike going; the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling.
• Class 2 bikes can reach up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone via a throttle.
• Class 3 bikes can reach up to 28 mph. These faster, more powerful models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths.

A Look Ahead at E-Bike Safety

Electric bikes are already heavily regulated as consumer products and as vehicles, says Moore, with motor power and speed limits set by federal law. E-bikes must meet CPSC safety regulations and be certified by their manufacturers as compliant. 

But the CPSC relies on a decades-old definition of a “low-speed e-bike,” and no safety standard specific to e-bikes currently exists, meaning that, at the federal level, e-bikes are still effectively regulated as regular, human-powered bicycles. In 2024, the CPSC initiated rulemaking to establish standards governing the mechanical safety of e-bikes.

In comments to the agency, CR urged that the e-bike definition be expanded to include Class 3 pedal-assist models, and that federal rules establish that any bike capable of exceeding 20 mph on motor power alone should be regulated as a motor vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To date, the agency has gathered only public feedback on the proposal. No official draft rule or finalized standard has been published.

After talking with experts, other safety concerns include the language used and the definitions of e-bikes and e-motos.

An e-bike meets the standards of the three-class system, with speeds no higher than 20 or 28 mph, McLeod says. He cites the federal definition of a low-speed e-bike, which defines an e-bike as a “two-or-three-wheeled vehicle, with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.” By definition, McLeod says, an e-moto is any e-bike that goes faster than 20 mph with a throttle or 28 mph with pedal assist, that may not be marketed as an e-bike but does not meet the standards of a motorcycle.

Distinguishing e-bikes from e-motos is important, so that “legal e-bikes are not restricted by efforts that confuse them,” McLeod says, and so the legality of e-motos can be “addressed separately from e-bikes, rather than conflated with them.” Some states, including California, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado, Connecticut, and Hawaii, have passed legislation to narrow their definition of “e-bike” to exclude most e-moto products–and to create new regulations around e-motos, says Moore.

Currently, PeopleForBikes and other advocates are sponsoring a bill in California that targets e-motos, their sellers, and their advertising practices to address the worst practices associated with these products.

Moore says that PeopleForBikes would also like to see “more active enforcement by NHTSA of FMVSS and importer regulations that apply to e-motos intended for on-road use.” 

In any case, a “unified approach is necessary,” Burruss says, since e-bike manufacturers are selling across the U.S. “States, counties, and cities all have varying regulations that make it challenging for even the knowledgeable consumer to keep track of what is legal e-bike use.”

She also advocates for “three separate spaces” on the road, one for walking pedestrians, one for bicyclists, and one for motor vehicles. Right now, e-bikes occupy the same space as traditional cyclists, but travel at much faster speeds, increasing the risk of a crash and injuries.

Maa says that federal action is needed to reclassify e-bikes as motorized vehicles under the jurisdiction of the DOT and NHTSA and to require licensure, registration, proof of insurance, and education requirements. “A bike with a motor is a motorized vehicle, not a bike anymore,” Maa says.

Aside from issues largely tied to speed, the batteries and electrical systems that power e-bikes pose unique risks of their own. Safety standards for e-bikes batteries and the electrical systems are voluntary at the national level, though some jurisdictions, such as New York, require them. CR endorses legislation to create a binding federal standard for batteries, but it’s been held up for a few years despite strong bipartisan support and support from firefighters and fire chiefs. The CPSC recently issued a proposed rule to establish a safety standard for electrical systems that use lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products such as e-scooters and e-bikes. CR submitted comments to the agency, noting that strong, mandatory standards are long overdue and necessary to prevent fatalities and injuries related to hazardous batteries and battery management systems.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

From the perfect hand mixer to the one Dutch oven you need, we've got the scoop on the kitchen tools that will make your bread-making dreams come true.

By Lisa Fogarty

Maybe you’re a bread-baking pro with a prize-winning sourdough starter who needs to stock up on some kitchen tools for the season of bread ahead. Or perhaps you are a beginner who has never kneaded a loaf of bread and you’re rolling up your sleeves, looking around your kitchen, and wondering: Where the heck do I even begin? 

CR has you covered.

We recently tested bread makers to find devices that can reduce the time it takes to prep and bake a delicious loaf. But regardless of whether you prefer a faster device or your trusted oven, Dutch oven, or loaf pan, you’re going to need a few good gadgets and accessories to prep your dough, help it rise, and store it properly. 

Baking bread can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right combination of tips and tools it can be a pleasurable experience with the added benefit of (literally) putting bread on the table! 

Here are 12 kitchen must-haves for baking bread.

Bread Making Machine

Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker

A bread-making machine can handle much of the process for you–mixing, kneading, proofing, and baking with one device. Depending on the model, you can easily choose settings for different bread types or customize the crust darkness and loaf size. But in CR’s recent tests, we found that our most budget-friendly option was also the best one: Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker. Our tester found it intuitive to use and the best for getting bread to rise and produce crusty crusts and soft insides.

More bread makers here.

Food Scale

Escali Mercado Analog

Bread recipes benefit from precision, especially when you’re measuring flour. Weigh your ingredients in grams using a food scale, which provides more accuracy than measuring them in cups. It’s your choice if you’d rather do this using an analog or digital scale–but CR found in our tests that our top analog choice was the most accurate, while our overall top pick was a digital food scale that was highly accurate at measuring very small amounts. Whichever one you choose, look for a food scale that features a tare function. An auto-shutoff function is also nice to conserve battery power on digital models. 

More food scales here.

Stand Mixer

KitchenAid Bowl Lift KSM70

A stand mixer fitted with a dough hook can mix and knead yeast dough without the hand strength required to do so by hand. This is an especially important tool to have when kneading soft doughs or those that require several minutes of kneading, such as brioche and challah. Our highest-rated stand mixers were excellent multitaskers that can not only effortlessly knead dough, but also whip egg whites and perform other tasks–with less noise.

More stand mixers here.

Hand Mixer

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 19109

Hand mixers are more compact and budget-conscious than stand mixers, plus they won’t take up counter space. They may prove too flimsy to stand up to substantial yeast dough, but can be just right for combining ingredients for softer, wetter doughs. In our tests, we paid attention to their multitasking capabilities with various ingredients, their accessories, and how noisy they got. 

More hand mixers here.

Baking Spatula

Gir Baking Spatula

Every baker needs a flexible baking spatula to scrape flour and dough from the sides of mixing bowls and ensure everything gets incorporated. It’s also a handy tool for removing sticky dough from the mixing bowl with less waste. Our top picks were lightweight, comfortable to hold and maneuver, and made from silicone. Even better: none of them cost more than $15. 

More baking spatulas here.

Plastic Wrap

Stretch-Tite Premium Plastic Food Wrap

Proofing is a crucial step in bread-making when you leave yeast dough to rest and rise before you bake it. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise. The wrap prevents the dough’s surface from drying out and forming a skin. 

CR bought eight brands of plastic wrap from Stretch-Tite, Saran Wrap, and others to bring to our labs to stretch, puncture, and test their anti-leakage performance. Our favorite wrap of all costs $5 and was strong and consistently ripped cleanly and evenly. 

More plastic wrap here. 

Parchment Paper

King Arthur Baking Company Parchment Paper

Sticky dough is difficult to work with and transfer to a Dutch oven or loaf pan. That’s why keeping a roll of parchment paper on hand is always a good idea, so you can prevent your loaf from sticking during baking. After CR tested 10 brands of parchment paper, we narrowed down our favorites to four, including one that costs less than $4 and didn’t allow oil to seep through to our pan. If you want to make your life even easier, choose pre-cut parchment paper sheets. 

More parchment paper here.

Loaf Pan

USA Pan Small Bread Loaf Pan

Once you get your dough into shape and let it proof, it’s time for the fun part: baking. A loaf pan is ideal for sandwich breads and other soft breads, but make sure you are purchasing the proper pan–if it’s too small, your dough can overflow; pans that are too large won’t help give your loaf shape. In our loaf pan tests, we found positive qualities in pans made from different materials, so you can choose among glass, metal, ceramic, or a stunningly ruffled ceramic pan. 

More loaf pans here.

Dutch Oven

Caraway Dutch Oven

An enamel-coated or cast-iron Dutch oven is a useful tool for baking crusty, artisan breads such as sourdough, boules, and no-knead breads. The covered pot traps steam and helps to create a crispy, browned crust. The top picks in our Dutch oven tests produced bread with an even color, crisp crust, and soft, airy interior. 

More Dutch ovens here.

Oven Mitts

Gorilla Grip Silicone Oven Mitts

Don’t risk burning your hands or arms because you’re so excited to see (and taste) your baked bread! A pair of oven mitts is essential–our favorites were comfortable to wear, had grippy fingers, and covered enough of our wrists and arms to keep us safe from oven burns. 

More oven mitts here.

Bread Knife

Wüsthof Classic 10-Inch Bread Knife

You may think all bread knives are the same–until you test them (as we did in our labs) and find that some will mangle the challah, pumpernickel, or sourdough loaf you spent hours preparing, baking, and letting cool. After testing 10 popular bread knives from brands like Wüsthof, Mercer Culinary, and All-Clad, we found five that effortlessly sliced through different types of bread with fewer strokes and less crumbly mess. 

More bread knives here.

Butter Crock

Le Creuset Butter Crock

After putting in all of that hard baking work, it’s only fair that you treat yourself and your family to a pretty and practical butter crock that keeps butter soft and spreadable–which is perfect on freshly baked bread. We tested butter crocks from Le Creuset, Crate and Barrel, and more, and found some made a world of difference in our enjoyment of buttery bread. And isn’t that what it’s all about? 

More butter crocks here.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Four varieties of Brad's Crunchy snacks were listed in the FDA recall notice. The California Department of Public Health advised consumers to avoid four additional varieties as well, also due to potential thallium contamination.

By Lisa L. Gill

Four varieties of Brad’s Crunchy Kale and Veggie chips were recalled by the manufacturer, Snack Right Super Foods, because they could be contaminated with thallium, a heavy metal that can be harmful if it accumulates in your body over time. Recalled products were sold in stores nationwide, including at Whole Foods, and online. 

Thallium toxicity can cause hair loss, numbness and pain in the feet and hands, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and heart problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Food and Drug Administration recall notice cites four products (see list below). However, four additional Brad’s Crunchy products were the subject of an alert in March by the California Department of Public Health, which noted that they should not be consumed due to the thallium contamination risk. The CDPH told CR that it “remains concerned about the Brad’s products that were not included in the recall and continues to advise consumers not to consume these products.” (CDPH does not have the authority to issue a mandatory recall.)

Snack Right Super Foods did not answer our questions about why only four of the eight products subject to the alert in California were recalled, which retailers sold the products, or why the company initially refused a recall. The FDA also did not respond to CR’s questions about the additional products CDPH identified as having elevated levels of thallium and why those were not recalled, or why the company was allowed to refuse a recall back in March when it was first informed of the elevated thallium levels. 

Recalled Brad's Crunchy Snacks

These four additional Brad's products were cited by the California Department of Public Health in an alert advising consumers to avoid them due to potential thallium contamination.

Photo: Brad's Raw Chips

These additional products were cited in the CDPH’s alert, though additional information about lot codes and expiration dates was not provided:

Brad’s Crunchy Kale Vampire Killer 

Brad’s Balsamic Salad Snack 

Brad’s Ranch Salad Snack

Brad’s Crunchy Kale Nacho 

If you have any of these items, throw them away. The company is not offering a refund. Contact Snack Right Super Foods with questions by email, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.

The thallium contamination was discovered after a consumer alerted California public health officials to an elevated level of thallium in their urine. The CDPH said in its release that after receiving the consumer complaint it collected samples at retail stores in the Sacramento area, tested the products, and found elevated thallium levels in multiple varieties of the product. CDPH told CR that the consumer reported eating Brad’s kale chips almost daily for over a year.

The Risks of Thallium

Thallium is a naturally occurring metal found in soil and water and can also contaminate the environment through the burning of coal and the production of cement. It can be absorbed by plants growing in the ground (as well as by fish in lakes or the ocean). The FDA’s release states that plants such as kale are known to accumulate certain elements, such as thallium, from soil. 

The dehydration process used to make the recalled snacks removed most of the water from kale and other vegetables, leaving behind a concentrated amount of thallium, according to the FDA’s release. 

If you have symptoms of thallium toxicity, contact your doctor to obtain a hair or urine test.

Because kids might eat these snacks, James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing at CR, reminds parents that it’s important to feed children a variety of foods, as they can be especially vulnerable to contaminated products. “Switch up the foods children eat to avoid overconsumption of any one food or spice,” he says.

When possible, you can also minimize your family’s exposure to heavy metals by testing your water for lead and arsenic and, if levels are high, installing a water filter. For babies and young children, see CR’s advice on choosing formulas and baby foods low in heavy metals.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

The simplest way to stay current on recalls for the baby products you own is to register them with the manufacturers, which you can do by mailing in a registration card or filling out an online form.

By Jessica D’Argenio Waller, MS, CNS, LDN, CPST

As parents, we know that child safety is always top of mind–and whenever a hazardous children’s product is recalled, it can spark worry. While many categories of baby gear, such as strollers, car seats, cribs, and safety gates, must meet mandatory federal safety standards before they can be sold, recalls and safety alerts still happen. 

Product and food recalls are intended to alert consumers to potential safety risks and remove dangerous products from the market. The simplest way to stay current on recalls related to the baby products you own is to register them with the manufacturers, which you can do with the paper registration card included with your purchase or via the manufacturer’s website. That way, if there’s a problem, you’ll be notified.

If you want to be notified about broader recalls, you can sign up for email alerts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which covers child car seats; the Food and Drug Administration, which covers food and infant formula; and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which covers products such as toys, clothing, furniture, baby gear, and more. The recall alerts can be sent directly to your inbox.

To help you stay informed (and control your inbox clutter), we track important baby product and baby food recalls here by category, with all the information you need to know. This list includes recall information for car seats, baby food, and children’s and baby products and gear. 

Most Recent Baby Product Recalls

Photo: Once Upon A Farm

Once Upon a Farm Toddler Snack Bars Recalled

Date: Nov. 3, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full FDA advisory

Recall details: Once Upon a Farm is recalling all flavors and packages of its Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars after three reports of toddlers choking on the soft, circular bars. The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety advisory about the product, warning consumers not to buy or serve the snack bars and telling retailers not to sell them. The soft-baked bars are made from oat flour, dates, and pumpkin seed butter, and include other fruits and vegetables. Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels were sold online and in stores nationwide, including Costco, Target, and Walmart. The FDA says the product may also be sold elsewhere, including on Amazon and through third-party vendors.

What to do next: Don’t buy or serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels, and throw away the product. Return the product (even if opened), or bring your proof of purchase to the original purchase location for a full refund. You may also contact care@uponafarm.com for more information.

Read more: Once Upon a Farm Recalls Tractor Wheels Toddler Snacks Due to Choking Hazard

Source: CPSC

Pillani Nursing Pillows Recalled

Date: Oct. 30, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement

Recall details: More than 25,000 Pillani nursing pillows have been recalled for posing a suffocation risk and failing to meet mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows, which specify the shape, firmness, and design of the pillows. The nursing pillows were sold on Amazon from April through September 2026 and come in various prints and colorways. They have a U-shaped design with a narrow opening and a cloud-shaped pillow attached to provide back support for an infant, along with an adjustable waist strap for the feeding parent. The brand name, model number NP4351, and batch number 202604, 202605, or 202606 are printed on an attached label.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled nursing pillows immediately. You can contact Pillani for a full refund after first sending a photo of the product and following the disposal instructions. Contact Pillani by email at pillanirecall@gmail.com, or online at https://pill-ani.com/pages/recall or https://pill-ani.com and click “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.

Read more: More Than 25,000 Nursing Pillows Recalled

Source: CPSC

Costway Convertible High Chairs Recalled

Date: Oct. 22, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement

Recall details: 

About 3,332 Costway convertible high chairs have been recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard for high chairs. The high chairs don’t have a passive restraint system, and a child can slip through the opening between the feeding tray and seat and become entrapped or fall, posing a risk of serious injury or death. The chairs are designed to convert into a table and chair set, and were available in several color combinations, including purple and white, red and white, blue and white, and brown and white. There’s no model number info on the products, but they were sold at Walmart and Target stores as well as online at costway.com from May 2023 through July 2026.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Costway for a free replacement. You will be asked to provide a receipt or a photo of the product and will receive a prepaid label to return the recalled product to Costway. Upon receipt of the recalled product, Costway will ship a replacement high chair free of charge. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. Find the top-rated high chairs from our tests.

Baby Product Recalls of 2026

Photo: CPSC

Safety Warning: Mbabyjon Crib Bumpers

Date: Oct. 1, 2026

Safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Warning details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about Mbabyjon crib bumpers, advising consumers to stop using them immediately because they violate the federal ban on padded crib bumpers under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. Padded crib bumpers can obstruct a baby’s breathing, posing a risk of serious injury or death from suffocation. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The crib bumpers are pink with black and white stars on one side and white with pink stars on the other, with pink ribbons. They have no labels or identifying markings and may have been sold in other colors or patterns. The bumpers were sold online at Mbabyjon.myshopify.com for $15 to $28. The seller, Mbabyjon, has not responded to the CPSC’s request to recall the products or offer a remedy to consumers.

What to do next: Stop using the crib bumpers immediately and throw them away. Do not sell, donate, or give away these products, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. Learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Photo: CPSC

Love To Dream Portable Sleep Machines Recalled

Date: Sept. 24, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 4,000 portable sleep machines made by Love To Dream have been recalled due to a risk of fire and burn hazard. The lithium-ion battery in the portable sleep sound machines can overheat if using an incompatible charger. No injuries have been reported. Only machines with model number LTD-SM23 and date code 7W15TN are included in this recall. Both can be found on the side of the sleep machine or on the back of the box. The machines were sold at Target and Nordstrom stores and online at lovetodream.com, amazon.com, babylist.com, and others, from February 2025 through September 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled sound machines and register your product at https://lovetodream.com/recall to receive a refund via electronic payment or store credit. Write “RECALL” on the front of the sleep machine in permanent black marker and attest to the disposal of the recalled sleep machine following local and state regulations for household hazardous waste. 

Read more: What Experts Say About White Noise for Babies

Photo: CPSC

Safety Warning: Flyboss Infant Bouncers

Date: Sept. 10, 2026

Safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Warning details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about approximately 14,200 Flyboss 3-in-1 infant bouncers because they can collapse while in use, posing a risk of impact injuries to babies. The CPSC has received 191 reports of the bouncers collapsing, including 115 incidents in which a baby’s head struck the surface underneath. At least 20 consumers sought medical attention for their babies. The bouncers have three adjustable height settings and come in neutral colors, including off-white, gray, and beige. They also have an accessory bar with hanging toys such as moons, stars, or animals. The bouncers were sold on Amazon from September 2024 through August 2026 for $40 to $110 and have also been found for sale on eBay. The importer, Dougllass LLC, has not responded to the CPSC’s requests for a recall or information about the product.

What to do next: Stop using the infant bouncer immediately and throw it away. Don’t sell or give it away, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. See the baby bouncers CR experts recommend.

Source: CPSC

Skip Hop Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers Recalled

Date: Sept. 3, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: More than 22,000 Skip Hop Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers are being recalled. If the teether is frozen, the black eyes can detach from it and pose a choking hazard to babies and young children. The teethers were sold at Carter’s stores and online at Carters.com from January 2025 through March 2026. The company has received four reports of the eyes detaching, but no injuries have been reported.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled teether and keep it away from children. Contact Skip Hop Inc. at skiphoprecall.com to obtain a refund as a gift card and for further instructions on disposing of the product. The gift card can be used at Carter’s, Skip Hop, OshKosh B’gosh, and Little Planet.

Read more: How Safe Is Your Baby’s Pacifier?

Source: CPSC

Taleco Gear Baby Jumpers and Baby Swings Recalled

Date: Aug. 13, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 41,000 Taleco Gear baby swings, baby jumpers, and 2-in-1 baby jumper-swings have been recalled. The swings and jumpers can become unstable, posing fall and impact hazards. The hanging restraint straps and seat openings can also pose strangulation hazards. The company has received 52 reports of issues, including 32 reports of injuries. The swings were sold in black, white, gray, pink, blue, and green. They include the model numbers jumper-01 or swing-1, which can be found on the fabric care label on the seat cover. They were sold on Amazon, Walmart.com, and TalecoGear.com from April 2021 through July 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled swing or jumper and contact Taleco Gear to receive a full refund. Consumers will be provided with instructions on how to destroy the recalled products and provide photos of the destroyed parts to obtain a full refund.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. 

Photo: CPSC

Voomf Play Yard and Crib Mattresses Recalled

Date: Aug. 6, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 2,400 Voomf play yard and crib mattresses are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The mattresses may not adequately fit certain play yards, which can create gaps where a baby could become trapped and suffocate. The full-sized crib mattresses also fail to meet mandatory flammability requirements, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire.

This recall affects both play yard mattresses and full-sized crib mattresses from Voomf. The full-sized crib mattresses are white with an aquamarine band and a zipper along the sides, and measure about 25x27x5.5 inches, with “voomf” printed on a label on the side of the mattress. They were sold on Amazon from January through May 2026 for $40 to $87. The trifold play yard mattresses are white with a neutral-colored letter or balloon print and measure about 38x26x3 inches. “Product Model: BYL001” is printed on a label inside the mattress cover. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled mattresses immediately and contact Voomf for a full refund. Write “Recalled” on the mattress with a permanent marker. Cut the play yard mattress in half, or cut the full-sized crib mattress cover diagonally across the entire mattress with scissors, and email a photo of the destroyed mattress to voomfrecall@outlook.com. Then dispose of the mattress according to local or state disposal procedures.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about top-rated crib mattresses that are free from harmful contaminants.

Source: CPSC

Target Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toy Recalled

Date: July 2, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Target has recalled the Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toy for posing a choking hazard. The clear plastic dome can detach from the base, which makes the small balls inside the toy accessible to children. About 49,000 of the toys were sold at Target stores from August 2025 through January 2026. The toy has the Gigglescape brand printed on the front of the package and the bottom of the base. There have been nine reports of the dome detaching and one report of a child choking on a toy ball. 

What to do next: Stop using the toy and return it to any Target store for a full refund, or contact Target for a prepaid return label to return the toy by mail. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. 

Source: FDA

Target Up&Up Baby Wipes Recalled: Fragrance Free and Fresh Cucumber Scent

Date: June 4, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full FDA announcement.

Recall details: Target has recalled Up&Up Fragrance Free and Up&Up Fresh Cucumber baby wipes after FDA testing found two forms of harmful bacteria in product samples: Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli. The bacteria could cause pneumonia or sepsis in those who may be more susceptible to infection, including newborns, babies, and young children, as well as anyone with a compromised immune system.

What to do next: Immediately stop using the recalled baby wipes and return them to any Target store for a full refund. You can also call Target Guest Relations at 800-440-0680 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET for more information.

Read more: Target Recalls 2 Types of Up&Up Baby Wipes Due to Microbial Contamination That Could Cause Illness

Source: CPSC

Boon Nursh Reusable Baby Bottles Recalled

Date: June 4, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 40,000 Boon Nursh silicone pouch baby bottles from the Tomy brand are being recalled because the hard plastic outer shell can bubble or peel off, resulting in loose pieces of film-like plastic that can be a choking hazard to young children, the CPSC says. The bottles were sold in packages of three in a pink tie-dye pattern. They were sold at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com from November 2025 through May 2026. The company has received 135 reports of peeling plastic, but no injuries have been reported. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bottles immediately and contact Tomy to receive a refund of $22 in Boon store credit or a replacement set of bottles in a different color. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about choosing a safe baby bottle. 

Source: CPSC

Product Safety Warning: Relaxing Baby Swim Floats

Date: April 2, 2026
Product safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: All Relaxing Baby Swim Floats have been recalled after the drowning death of a 2-year-old who was wearing one. The blue and green inflatable floats, intended for use by children between 3 and 36 months old, have a seat with a buckle strap and are printed with the Relaxing Baby logo. The float can flip over and/or submerge the occupant underwater, posing a drowning risk, the CPSC says. They were sold on Amazon and eBay, and are manufactured by Wu He/Relaxing Baby. It’s unclear how many floats were sold.

What to do next: Stop using the float immediately, puncture the plastic to prevent it from inflating, and dispose of the product. Don’t sell or donate the swim floats, the CPSC says. The manufacturer has not responded to the CPSC’s request for a recall.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. And learn about children’s swim flotation device safety.

Source: CPSC

Halo Magic Sleepsuits Recalled

Date: March 5, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 45,000 cotton sleepsuits in all colorways and sizes have been recalled due to a problem with the zipper heads, which can detach and pose a choking hazard to babies. The company says it has received 15 reports of zippers detaching from the sleepsuits. No injuries have been reported. The recall applies to three batches of the sleepsuits (PO30592, PO30641, and PO30685), which were sold on Amazon, Halosleep.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com between September 2025 and February 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the sleepsuit immediately and keep it out of reach of babies or children. To be eligible for a refund or replacement sleepsuit, register your recalled sleepsuit. After registering, use a permanent marker to write “Recalled” on the front of the sleepsuit and remove the zipper heads so that it can’t be reused.

Read more: Thousands of Halo Magic Sleepsuits Recalled for Choking Risk

Babysense Max View Baby Monitors Recalled

Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 81,800 Babysense Max View Baby Monitors are being recalled because the parent display units can overheat or spark during charging, posing a fire hazard. The monitors were sold on Amazon, Babylist.com, and Walmart.com from January 2023 through December 2025. There have been 11 reported incidents with no injuries.

What to do next: If you own this baby monitor, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer, Hisense, at support@recallsecure.com for a free replacement display unit. The original unit should not be thrown into the trash because recalled lithium-ion batteries pose a higher fire risk than alkaline batteries. Contact your local household hazardous waste collection center for details on how to dispose of the unit.

Read more: More Than 80,000 Babysense Baby Monitors Recalled for Fire Hazard Risk

Source: CPSC

Mikario Trading Baby Gyms Recalled

Date: Jan. 22, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Mikario Trading 5-in-1 Convertible Baby Gyms are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard for infant support cushions. The plush floor mat could obstruct a baby’s breathing and pose a suffocation risk. About 500 units are being recalled. They were sold on the TikTok Shop from May 2025 through October 2025.

What to do next: If you own this play gym, stop using it immediately and contact Mikario Trading at mikariorecall@gmail.com for a full refund and more information. To prevent the play gym from being used, remove the toy bar and cut the cushion in half, the CPSC recommends. The manufacturer may request a photo of the destroyed product before issuing a refund.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about how we rate baby gyms.

Source: CPSC

Keawis Crib Mattresses From Yixing Trading Recalled

Date: Jan. 15, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 1,700 Yixing crib mattresses are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard for crib mattresses. The mattresses may not be the right size to fit full-sized cribs or certain play yards, which could result in gaps between the edge of the mattress and the crib walls, causing an entrapment hazard. An undersized mattress can cause a suffocation risk in babies, the CPSC says. The mattresses were sold on Amazon from August 2024 through July 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the crib mattress immediately and contact Yixing Trading for a full refund. The CPSC says to destroy the mattress so that it can’t be reused. Cut a large X across the main surface of the mattress, write your name and date directly on the mattress surface, and email a photo of the destroyed mattress to Yixing Trading at support@keawis.com to receive a full refund. 

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about top-rated crib mattresses that are free from harmful contaminants.

Source: CPSC

Saro Braided Crib Bumpers From Kalencom Recalled

Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Saro braided crib bumpers from Kalencom are being recalled for violating a federal ban on crib bumpers per the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. Padded crib bumpers can obstruct a baby’s breathing and pose a risk of suffocation, the CPSC says, creating an unsafe sleep environment for babies. The bumpers have a tag with “Ref. 1374” on it and were sold at MacroBaby stores in Orlando, Fla., and online at Kalencombaby.com and Target.com from May 2024 through October 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the crib bumpers immediately. If you purchased the product in-store at MacroBaby, return the item for a full refund. If you purchased the product online, email info@kalencom.com with “Crib Bumper Recall–Refund Request” in the subject line and include your name and phone number, along with a photo showing the crib bumper cut in half as proof of destruction.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Child Car Seat Recalls of 2026

Photo: Consumer Reports

Britax B-Safe and Endeavours Infant Car Seats Recalled

Date: Aug. 20, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: More than 114,000 Britax infant car seats in the B-Safe product line and the Endeavours product line have been recalled for a carry handle that could come loose, causing the handle to partially detach and creating a fall hazard. 

What to do next: A repair kit is in development. The car seats are no longer in production, but may still be in use. You may continue to use your car seat to transport your child when properly installed in a vehicle. Avoid carrying the car seat with the carry handle. Owners may contact Britax customer service at 888-427-4829 with more questions.

Read more: Britax Recalls More Than 114,000 Infant Car Seats for Carry Handle Defect

Photo: Consumer Reports

Evenflo Revolve180 LiteMax NXT Infant Car Seats and Travel Systems Recalled

Date: Aug. 6, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: Evenflo has recalled nearly 23,000 Revolve180 LiteMax NXT rotating infant car seats and related travel systems due to an issue with the seat’s recline angle, which may increase the risk of injury in a crash. Only select models of the rotating Revolve180 LiteMax NXT produced before April 1, 2025, and sold in the U.S. are affected by the recall. The non-rotating Evenflo LiteMax NXT infant car seat is not included in this recall.

What to do next: Evenflo is providing affected consumers with a free repair kit. Until the repair kit is available, you may continue using your affected infant car seat as outlined here. Contact Evenflo’s ParentLink team for specific guidance by emailing parentlink@evenflo.com.

Read more: Over 22,000 Evenflo Revolve180 LiteMax NXT Infant Car Seats and Travel Systems Recalled for Recline Issue

Photo: Consumer Reports

Evenflo REO by Revolve360 Car Seats Recalled

Date: July 17, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: Evenflo has voluntarily recalled nearly 60,000 REO by Revolve360 car seats due to a risk of injury in a crash. The rotating convertible car seats have 11 adjustable headrest positions, and under certain crash test conditions the head restraint was found to shift from a higher to a lower position. A repair kit to remedy the issue is currently under development. No injuries have been reported. 

What to do next: The recall applies to Evenflo REO by Revolve360 models sold in the U.S. and Canada with model numbers beginning with CS26021. You can find your model number on the product label located on the back of your car seat’s shell. Evenflo is developing a remedy and will notify registered users as soon as the remedy is available. In the meantime, the company says you may continue to use your car seat when the headrest is in positions 1 through 10 in rear-facing mode or in positions 1 through 9 in forward-facing mode. If your child is tall enough to require position 10 or 11 on the headrest, contact Evenflo for support by calling Evenflo customer service at 800-233-5921 in the U.S. or 800-265-0749 in Canada.

Read more: Evenflo Recalls Nearly 60,000 REO by Revolve360 Car Seats for Injury Risk During Crash

Source: Graco

Graco SnugRide Turn & Slide Rotating Infant Car Seats Recalled

Date: April 6, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the recall announcement from Graco.

Recall details: Graco has announced a voluntary recall of its first rotating infant car seat, the SnugRide Turn & Slide. The company says it identified a structural problem with the car seat during post-production testing. Graco will provide a similar replacement infant or convertible car seat to families who own the recalled Turn & Slide. But in the meantime, the company says it’s safe to use the car seat without the Turn & Slide base, installing it with the vehicle seat belt only.

All Turn & Slide car seats sold between January and March 2026 have been recalled. They were sold for about $350 on Amazon, Babylist, Gracobaby.com, Target, and Walmart. 

What to do next: If you own a Graco Turn & Slide Rotating Infant Car Seat, be sure to check the model numbers on the recall website. The company is offering customers a free replacement car seat, and owners can choose from one of two infant car seats (which are non-rotating) or one of two rotating convertible car seats. No refunds are being offered to customers at this time.

Read more: Graco Recalls All SnugRide Turn & Slide Rotating Infant Car Seats

Photo: Evenflo

Evenflo LiteMax 30 Factory Select Infant Car Seats Recalled

Date: March 3, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: More than 14,000 Evenflo LiteMax 30 Factory Select infant car seats are being recalled for having incorrect weight and height limits listed in the Spanish-language manual. The seats have model number CS100111198 and production dates of Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 28, 2026, and were available only through child car seat check events and other community programs. 

What to do next: The car seat is safe to use when following the correct weight and height limits: 3 to 30 pounds and 15.7 to 32 inches, which are printed on the car seat itself, as well as in the English instruction manual and on the cover of the Spanish instruction manual. If you’ve registered your Evenflo LiteMax 30 Factory Select car seat, you should receive a corrected Spanish-language manual in the mail. You can also register your car seat online. Contact Evenflo with any questions by calling 800-233-5921.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about how to choose the safest car seat for your child.

Evenflo Titan 65 car seats are being recalled because some lack a tether strap, which is required for forward-facing installation.

Photo: Consumer Reports

Evenflo Titan 65 Convertible Car Seats Recalled

Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: More than 64,000 Evenflo Titan 65 convertible car seats across several model numbers have been recalled by the manufacturer because they’re missing a tether strap, which is required for installation when the car seat is in the forward-facing position. At this time, no injuries have been reported. 

What to do next: Check to see whether your car seat’s model number is included in the recall. Evenflo will ask owners of the seat to check for a tether strap. If you haven’t registered your seat or you recently moved, you can start or update your registration online. You can also contact Evenflo by calling customer service at 800-233-5921. If your seat doesn’t have a tether strap, Evenflo will mail you one free of charge, along with installation instructions.

Read more: Thousands of Evenflo Titan 65 Car Seats Recalled for Missing Tether Strap

Thousands of Evenflo All4One convertible car seats are being recalled for a problem with the recline mechanism.

Photo: Evenflo

Evenflo All4One Convertible Car Seats Recalled

Date: Dec. 24, 2025
Recall announcement: Read the full NHTSA announcement.

Recall details: Just before the end of last year, Evenflo recalled thousands of All4One convertible car seats due to a problem with the recline mechanism. In a crash, the seat may shift into a different recline position when used in rear-facing mode, which could affect the level of protection it can offer. A second defect was also identified: If another passenger puts their hand into the recline mechanism while the seat is rear-facing and the seat shifts into a different recline position, it could result in their hand or fingers being pinched. At this time, no injuries related to either defect have been reported. 

What to do next: Check to see whether your car seat’s model number is included in the recall. Evenflo will replace recalled car seats with an equivalent one free of charge. You can also call Evenflo customer service at 800-233-5921. In the meantime, the company says you can continue to use your car seat, including in rear-facing mode, with a reminder that anyone sitting next to it should keep their hands away from the recline mechanism while the seat is in use to avoid possible pinching.

Read more: More Than 74,000 Evenflo All4One Car Seats Recalled for Potential Injury Risk

Stroller Recalls of 2026

Source: CPSC

Joolz Aer2 Stroller Car Seat Adapters Recalled

Date: June 18, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Joolz has issued a stop-use notice about the Joolz Aer2 Car Seat Adapter used with the Joolz Aer2 stroller. The stroller isn’t affected by the notice. The car seat adapter that attaches to the stroller to hold an infant car seat may not properly engage and lock with the spring-loaded pin on the stroller, which could result in the car seat falling to the ground. The adapter has an identification number printed on the side that starts with NL311. 

What to do next: Stop using the car seat adapter and don’t attach an infant car seat to the Joolz Aer2 stroller. Contact Joolz for further assistance. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall on the CPSC website. Learn more about our top-rated strollers.

Source: CPSC

Safety Warning: B. Childhood Strollers

Date: June 11, 2026
Product safety warning: Read the full CPSC safety warning.

Product safety warning details: The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using the High Landscape strollers from B. Childhood immediately because the strollers pose a risk of serious injury or death. The opening between the seat and the grab bar can allow a baby to become entrapped, which violates the mandatory stroller safety standard. The seller, B. Childhood, has not responded to the CPSC’s violation notice. The strollers were sold on Shein.com and may have been sold by various third-party sellers on other sites. 

What to do next: Stop using the strollers immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give them away. 

Read more: Read the details of the product safety warning. Learn more about how CR tests strollers for safety and see our top-rated strollers.

Baby Food and Baby Formula Recalls of 2026

Photo: Pumpkin Tree

Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Pouches Recall

Date: July 21, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full FDA announcement.

Recall details: Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics is voluntarily recalling certain Banana & Strawberry Fruit Puree pouches for babies and toddlers after learning that some pouches may have a thin strand of clear plastic in the finished product. No other Pumpkin Tree products or flavors are affected by the recall. The 4-ounce Banana & Strawberry fruit purée pouches for children 6 months and older were sold at Kroger, Meijer, and Target stores across the U.S. between March 6 and July 13, 2026.

What to do next: It’s important to check your pantry for the pouches and not feed them to anyone, the FDA says. You can return recalled pouches to the store where you purchased them for a refund, even if they’re opened.

Read more: 380,000 Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Baby Food Pouches Recalled Due to Potential Plastic 

Source: FDA

All Nara Organics Infant Formula Recalled

Date: June 13, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full FDA announcement.

Recall details: All cans and lots of Nara Organics infant formula are being recalled due to the potential risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum. Three infants who consumed Nara Organics formula were hospitalized with confirmed cases of infant botulism in a multistate outbreak. No deaths have been reported. Though infant botulism is rare, it can be fatal. A public health investigation is in the early stages, the FDA says. Nara Organics formula was sold in Target stores and online at Nara.com and Target.com. 

What to do next: Because botulism symptoms can take several weeks to a month to appear, and because of the ongoing investigation, the FDA recommends taking the following steps before discarding any formula. Your state health department may want to test the formula in the rare case your infant becomes ill.

• Take a photo of the lot numbers and use-by dates on the bottom of the can(s), or write them down.

• Consider retaining any formula that’s been opened. Keep it in a secure, temperature-controlled place, label it with “Do Not Use,” and store it away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month.

• After 30 days, if no symptoms of infant botulism appear, you can discard the formula. 

You’ll also want to wash items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the formula using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher, the CDC says.

Read more: All Nara Organics Infant Formula Recalled Due to Botulism Concerns

Photo: Consumer Reports

A2 Platinum Infant Formula Recalled

Date: May 2, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full FDA announcement.

Recall details: The A2 Milk Company has announced a voluntary recall of more than 63,000 containers of its A2 Platinum infant formula after three batches were found to have been contaminated with cereulide, a bacterial toxin. Though the contamination is rare in infant formula, ingestion of the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in babies, such as nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. No illnesses had been reported when the recall was announced. 

What to do next: Don’t feed the formula to your child (batch numbers are listed here). If you have any cans of A2 Platinum infant formula, photograph the batch number and use-by date on the bottom of the cans, then return them to your place of purchase for a refund. If your baby is experiencing nausea, vomiting, or dehydration, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Read more: Over 63,000 Containers of A2 Platinum Infant Formula Recalled Due to Bacterial Contamination 

Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits have been recalled because they might contain pieces of plastic or paper.

Source: FDA

Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits Recalled

Date: Jan. 26, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full FDA announcement.

Recall details: Several batches of Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits sold between August 2025 and January 2026 have been recalled because they might contain pieces of plastic or paper. No injuries or illnesses have been reported. The full list of lot numbers can be found here. 

What to do next: Don’t give the biscuits to your child. Return any packages of the recalled products to the store where you purchased them for a refund, even if the packages have been opened.

Read more: Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits Recalled Because They May Contain Plastic or Paper Pieces

High Chair Recalls of 2026

Photo: CPSC

Safety Warning: Bblüv Grow High Chairs

Date: Oct. 15, 2026

Safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Warning details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about Bblüv Grow high chairs, advising consumers to stop using them immediately. The high chairs violate the mandatory safety standard because their restraint systems were not preassembled to the chairs, posing a risk of serious injury or death from falls and entrapment. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The high chairs have a gray plastic bucket-style seat with a matching fabric cover, a gray tray, and four wooden legs. They can also convert into toddler chairs and have the Bblüv logo printed in white on the front of the tray. The chairs were sold by third-party sellers and on other websites. The manufacturer, Bblüv Group, has not agreed to an acceptable corrective action plan, the CPSC says.

What to do next: Stop using the high chairs immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell, donate, or give away these high chairs, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. Find the top-rated high chairs from our tests.

Source: CPSC

PandaEar Hook-On Portable High Chairs Recalled

Date: May 21, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 9,700 PandaEar portable hook-on high chairs are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory standard for hook-on high chairs. The crotch restraints can be removed without the use of a tool, which means infants could fall through an opening, posing a fall hazard. The chairs have a black or gray metal frame and are covered with black, blue, or gray fabric. They were sold on Amazon from February 2022 through November 2025. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled hook-on chairs immediately and contact PandaEar to receive a full refund. Customers will be asked to disassemble the product, cut the restraint straps and fabric seat, and email PandaEar at pandaear_recall@outlook.com. Include photographs clearly showing the destroyed product and model label.

Read more: Get more details about the recall. And learn more about what to look for when buying a high chair.

Photo: Bicystar

Bicystar High Chairs Recalled

Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 150 Bicystar high chairs are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard of having an attached crotch restraint. Without this restraint, the chair poses a fall hazard for children and an entrapment hazard if a child’s head becomes trapped between the seat and the side of the high chair. The high chairs are gray and have a metal frame and legs, a cushioned seat cover, and a tray. Model number TB-HC6900 is printed on a product label stitched to the back of the seat cover. They were sold on Amazon from Sept. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled high chair and contact Bicystar Store for a refund. First, disassemble the high chair, cut the restraints and fabric cover, write “Recalled” on the seat, and send a photo of the destroyed chair to bicystarhighchair@outlook.com. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And find the top-rated high chairs from our tests.

Baby Lounger and Nursing Pillow Recalls of 2026

Source: CPSC

Amasky Nursing Pillows Recalled

Date: July 2, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: More than 4,000 Amasky nursing pillows are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows and infant support cushions. The pillows can obstruct an infant’s breathing, posing a risk of suffocation. The C-shaped pillows are sold in various colors and patterns and have the brand “Amasky” on a tag, along with model numbers BXP99, BXP93, BXP94, BXP96, or BXP97, and batch number 202506001. The pillows were sold on Amazon from January through March 2026. 

What to do next: If you have one of these pillows, stop using it and contact the manufacturer, Pretty-Life, for a refund. You’ll first need to cut the pillow in half and send a photo of the destroyed pillow to amasky@126.com. 

Read more: Nursing Pillow Regulations Tighten. Is Yours Safe?

Source: CPSC

Vevor Baby Loungers Recalled

Date: July 2, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Vevor baby loungers sold on Amazon and Wayfair from November 2024 through January 2026 are being recalled for creating an unsafe sleeping environment for babies. The loungers, which consist of a foam sleeping pad and padded bumpers, have a cloth cover and a ribbon tie at one end. They come in several prints and have a tag printed with the word Vevor. The baby loungers violate the mandatory safety standard for infant sleep products because the sides are too low to contain an infant, and the opening at the foot is wider than allowed, posing serious risks to infant safety. Infant loungers should not be used for sleep. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled loungers and contact Vevor for a full refund. You’ll need to cut the cover, remove the padding, and send a photo of the destroyed product to recalling@vevor.com. 

Read more: Despite Updated Safety Rules, Baby Loungers Are Still Putting Babies at Risk

Source: CPSC

CooCooBaby Baby Loungers Recalled

Date: June 18, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 2,355 CooCooBaby Classic and Deluxe baby loungers are being recalled for creating an unsafe sleeping environment for babies. The sides are too low to secure an infant, and the sleeping pad’s thickness exceeds the maximum limit, posing a suffocation hazard. Infant loungers should not be used for sleep. The loungers have a cloth cover and were sold in multiple styles and colors. Attached tags read “CooCooBaby.” The loungers were sold through CooCooBaby and Amazon from December 2024 through March 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled loungers and contact CooCooBaby for a full refund. You’ll need to cut the cover and remove the padding, and send a photo of the destroyed product to support@coocoobabyofficial.com. 

Read more: Despite Updated Safety Rules, Baby Loungers Are Still Putting Babies at Risk

Source: CPSC

Little Grape Land Nursing Pillows Recalled

Date: June 4, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 1,430 Little Grape Land nursing pillows are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows and infant support cushions. The pillow’s design could obstruct an infant’s breathing, posing a serious risk of suffocation. The U-shaped nursing pillows come in a range of patterns, but they have no labels. They were sold on Amazon from August 2025 through April 2026.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled nursing pillows immediately and contact Little Grape Land for a full refund. You’ll be asked to cut the pillow in half and send a photo of it to recall@evermorepartner.com. 

Read more: Learn more about how to choose a nursing pillow and use it safely, as well as the updated safety standards for nursing pillows.

Source: CPSC

Sweetie Baby and Style Life Eleven Baby Loungers From HappyGira Recalled

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Sweetie Baby and Style Life Eleven Baby Loungers sold by HappyGira have been recalled for creating an unsafe sleeping environment for babies. The sides are too low to contain a baby, and the opening at the foot is too wide, which could put babies at risk of a fall or entrapment. The sleeping pad is too thick, which poses a suffocation hazard, the CPSC says. The baby loungers were sold in multiple styles and colors. The Style Life Eleven loungers zip up into a bag with the brand name stitched on the front, and the Sweetie Baby brand name is printed on a tag on the side of the oval-shaped loungers. About 70 were sold on Happygira.com from September 2025 through February 2026. 

What to do next: Owners should stop using the baby loungers immediately and contact the manufacturer, HappyGira, for a refund. Per the CPSC, remove the pad and cover from the baby loungers and cut the bumpers, pad, and cover in half. Then email photos of the destroyed pieces to support@happygira.com to get a full refund before disposing of the product.

Read more: Learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Source: CPSC

Cpzzkq Baby Loungers Recalled

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 2,100 baby loungers from the brand Cpzzkq have been recalled for violating the mandatory safety standard for infant support cushions. The thick padding can obstruct an infant’s breathing, the CPSC says, which poses a serious risk of injury or death from suffocation. The loungers come in white, blue, pink, and brown, and have a tag printed with “Cpzzkq” on the side. They were sold on Amazon from October through November 2025. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled baby loungers immediately and contact the manufacturer, CetoPMax, for a refund. You’ll be asked to remove the foam and pad from the lounger cover and cut all pieces in half. Email photos of the destroyed product to cetopmaxrecall@outlook.com to receive a refund. 

Read more: Learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Source: CPSC

Greatale Self-Feeding Infant Pillows Recalled

Date: Jan. 15, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: More than 1,200 Greatale Self-Feeding Pillows are being recalled because they position a baby’s bottle at an unsafe angle and prevent the baby from pulling their face away. This can lead to aspiration of milk or formula, posing a risk of suffocation, the CPSC says. The pillows have “Greatale” sewn into the pillow’s seam. They were sold on Amazon from September 2024 through July 2025.

What to do next: Immediately stop using the recalled self-feeding pillows and contact Greatale for a full refund. You’ll need to cut the pillow with scissors and submit a photo of the destroyed recalled product, including the product’s tag, to greatale-recall@outlook.com. If the product’s tag has been removed, provide your Amazon proof of purchase in the email.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about the safety risks with self-feeding pillows.

Source: CPSC

Bbwoo Baby Loungers Recalled

Date: Jan. 15, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Nearly 12,000 units of Bbwoo Baby Loungers are being recalled for creating an unsafe sleeping environment for babies. The sides are too low to contain a baby, and the opening at the foot is too wide, which could put infants at risk of a fall or entrapment. The list of recalled model numbers can be found here, and you can check your model number by locating the tracking label stitched on the outside cover. The baby loungers were sold on Amazon from July 2024 through November 2025.

What to do next: Owners should stop using the baby loungers immediately and contact the manufacturer, LSY Direct, for a refund. Per the CPSC, remove the foam and pads from the baby lounger’s cover and cut the cover, foam, and pad in half. Then email photos of the destroyed pieces to bbwoorecall@163.com to obtain a full refund.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Source: CPSC

Joyful Journeys Baby Loungers Recalled

Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 9,300 baby loungers from Joyful Journeys are being recalled for creating an unsafe sleeping environment for babies. The sides are too low to contain a baby, and the opening at the foot is too wide, which could put babies at risk of a fall or entrapment. The loungers were sold on Amazon and Walmart.com from December 2023 through October 2025. “Joyful Journeys” can be found on a tag on the outside of the cover and on a label on the back of the lounger.

What to do next: Stop using the baby loungers immediately and contact Joyful Journeys for a full refund. Per the CPSC, remove the foam and pads from the baby lounger’s cover and cut the cover, foam, and pad in half. Then email photos of the destroyed pieces to joyfuljourneysrecalls@myjoyfuljourneys.com to get a full refund.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about the risks of unsafe infant sleep products and misinformation about baby sleep safety.

Baby Walker Recalls of 2026

Photo: CPSC

Safety Warning: Pvauert Infant Walkers

Date: Sept. 17, 2026

Safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Warning details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about approximately 5,451 Pvauert infant walkers for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The walkers are narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall. The CPSC is aware of six incidents, including three that resulted in head injuries. The foldable walkers come in black, green, pink, or white and have nine adjustable height settings, a tray, a round base, and six-wheel assemblies. Model number CT02 is printed on a label underneath the seat. They were sold on Amazon.com from October 2025 through June 2026 for about $65. The retailer, Pvauert US, has not agreed to recall the walkers or offer consumers a remedy.

What to do next: Stop using the infant walkers immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these walkers, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. Learn more about why baby walkers have caused injuries and deaths–and why they’re banned in Canada but not in the U.S.

Photo: CPSC

Safety Warning: Xioyig Infant Walkers

Date: Sept. 17, 2026

Safety warning: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Warning details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about approximately 300 Xioyig infant walkers for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The walkers are narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The foldable walkers come in dark gray, light gray, black, or pink and have five adjustable height settings, six-wheel assemblies, a detachable music box, and colorful rotating toys. Model number A001 is printed on a label underneath the seat. They were sold on Walmart.com from March through July 2026 for about $73. The retailer, Fanerui, has not agreed to recall the walkers or offer consumers a remedy.

What to do next: Stop using the infant walker immediately and dispose of it. Do not sell or give it away, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the safety warning. Learn more about why baby walkers have caused injuries and deaths–and why they’re banned in Canada but not in the U.S.

Source: CPSC

Kmaier Infant Walkers Recalled

Date: Aug. 27, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 243 infant walkers made by Kmaier are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The walkers are narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, posing a serious risk of injury or death from a fall. The walkers come in pink, green, or white and have Model No.: RV001 printed on a label located under the walker’s seat. They were sold on Target.com in June 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled walkers and contact Kmaier for a full refund. You will be asked to disassemble the walker, cut the fabric seat, and write “Recalled” on the top of the tray. Send a photo of the destroyed walker to TargetplusSJ@outlook.com. Then dispose of the recalled product.

Read more: Baby Walkers Have Caused Injuries and Deaths-So Why Are They Banned in Canada But Not in the U.S.?

Photo: CPSC

Wnttmt Baby Walkers Recalled

Date: Aug. 6, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 1,310 Wnttmt baby walkers are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The walkers are narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall. The leg openings can also allow a child to slip down until their head becomes entrapped, posing an additional risk of serious injury or death. The recalled walkers are gray with a white tray and round base, have eight-wheel assemblies, and can be adjusted to three different heights. “Production Batch: 202509” is printed on a tracking label under the seat. They were sold on Amazon.com from February through March 2026 for $65 to $75.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled walkers immediately and contact the company for a full refund. You’ll need to disassemble the walker, cut the fabric seat, and write “Recalled” on the top of the tray with a permanent marker. Send a photo of the recalled walker to wbabywalker-recall@outlook.com.

Read more: Baby Walkers Have Caused Injuries and Deaths–So Why Are They Banned in Canada But Not in the U.S.?

Source: CPSC

WonderStone Infant Walkers Recalled

Date: July 9, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 70 infant walkers made by WonderStone are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The walkers are narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, which could lead to a serious risk of injury or death from a fall. The WonderStone infant walkers come in green or pink and have a gray fabric seat and six wheels. “Model No: 616” is printed under the tray. They were sold on Walmart.com in April 2026.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled walkers and contact WonderStone Toys for a full refund. You’ll need to disassemble the walker, remove and cut the fabric seat, and write “Recalled” on the top of the tray so that it can’t be reused. Send a photo of the disassembled walker to wonderstonerecall@outlook.com. 

Read more: Baby Walkers Have Caused Injuries and Deaths–So Why Are They Banned in Canada But Not in the U.S.?

Source: CPSC

Goregent Infant Walkers Recalled

Date: March 19, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 90 Goregent Infant Walkers sold on Amazon in January 2026 are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard for infant walkers. The walkers can fit through a standard doorway and don’t stop at the edge of a step, which poses a risk of injury or death from a fall. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled walkers and contact the Goregent Official Store for a full refund. You’ll need to disassemble the walker, write “Recalled” on the tray with a marker, and send a photo of it to goregentinfantwalkersrecall@outlook.com.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about why experts are calling for a ban on baby walkers.

Baby Gate Recalls of 2026

Source: CPSC

Vevor Retractable Baby Gates Recalled

Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 10,400 Vevor retractable mesh baby safety gates are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard. A child’s torso can fit between the bottom of the gate and the floor, which poses a risk of entrapment. The gates were sold on Amazon, Homedepot.com, Vevor.com, Walmart.com, and Wayfair.com from December 2023 through December 2025.

What to do next: If you own one of these gates, stop using it and contact the manufacturer, Sanven Technology, for a full refund. You’ll need to destroy the gate by cutting through the mesh, then send a photo of the destroyed gate to recalling@vevor.com.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about how to choose a baby safety gate. 

Cumbor retractable mesh safety gates are being recalled because a child's torso could fit between the bottom of the gate and the floor.

Photo: Consumer Reports

Cumbor Retractable Baby Safety Gates Recalled

Date: Jan. 22, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 4,500 Cumbor retractable mesh safety gates are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard. A child’s torso can fit through the opening between the gate and the floor, posing the risk of entrapment. The gates were sold on Amazon in September 2025. 

What to do next: If you own one of these gates, stop using it and contact the manufacturer, Aborder Products, for a full refund by emailing recall@cumbor.cn. The manufacturer says to destroy the gate by cutting through the mesh so that it can’t be reused. Then send a photo of the destroyed gate to receive a refund.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about choosing a baby safety gate.

Source: CPSC

BabyBond Retractable Safety Gates Recalled

Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 280 mesh retractable baby gates from BabyBond are being recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard. A child’s torso can fit through the opening between the gate and the floor, and they can become trapped. Recalled gates have “Retractable Safety Gate” and model number SH20.006DB printed on a white label stitched to the mesh fabric on the side of the gate. They were sold on Target.com from November 2024 through October 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled gate and contact the manufacturer, Infant Innovations, by emailing elsie@babybond-global.com for instructions on returning it to any Target store for a full refund.

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about how to choose a baby safety gate.

Baby Bath Seat Recalls of 2026

Photo: CPSC

Onthewei Baby Bath Seats Recalled

Date: Oct. 8, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 2,140 Onthewei baby bath seats are being recalled for violating the mandatory safety standard for infant bath seats. The bath seats are unstable and can tip over while in use, posing a risk of serious injury or death from drowning, the CPSC says. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled bath seats were sold in gray, pink, blue, and mist green and have detachable restraint arms and suction cups on the bottom. Model number MY002 and the manufacturing date 2026/1/10 are printed on a label on the back of the seat. The bath seats were sold on Amazon in April 2026 for $40 to $50.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bath seats immediately and contact Onthewei for a full refund. You’ll need to write “Recalled” on the front of the seat with a permanent marker, remove the backrest and arm restraints, and cut the three suction cups on the bottom. Email a photo of the destroyed bath seat showing the recall marking to onthewei@outlook.com, then discard the product.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. Learn more about the top-rated baby bathtubs from our tests.

Source: CPSC

Product Recall and Safety Warning: Ycxxkj Baby Bath Seats

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: The CPSC has issued a product safety warning about Ycxxkj baby bath seats, advising consumers to discard these dangerous products. Nearly 9,000 baby bath seats from Ycxxkj were recalled in December 2025 due to a drowning risk. According to the CPSC, the infant bath seats violate mandatory safety standards because they are unstable and can tip over while in use, causing injury or death from drowning. The bath seats were sold on Amazon from May 2024 through October 2025. The manufacturer, BenTalk, has stopped responding to customers requesting a refund. 

What to do next: If you own this bath seat, stop using it, write “Recalled” on the top, and discard the product. Don’t sell or donate these bath seats, the CPSC says.

Read more: Read the details of the recall and safety warning. And learn more about the top-rated baby bathtubs from our tests.

Source: CPSC

Trankerloop Baby Bath Seats Recalled

Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 2,380 baby bath seats from Trankerloop are being recalled because they’re unstable and may tip over while in use, posing a drowning risk. The seats have two detachable arms and four suction cups on the bottom and come with a plastic cup and sponge. The model number YD-1958 is printed on the product label on the back. The seats were sold on Amazon from August 2025 to October 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bath seats and contact Trankerloop for a full refund. To be eligible for a refund, write “Recalled” in permanent marker on the front of the seat, disassemble it, and cut off the suction cups on the bottom. Email a photo of the disassembled seat to hkkll147@outlook.com.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about the top-rated baby bathtubs from our tests.

Source: CPSC

CheerKid Baby Bath Seats Recalled

Date: Feb. 12, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: CheerKid baby bath seats are being recalled because they’re unstable and may tip over while in use, posing a drowning risk. The seats have five suction cups on the bottom and a bead toy on the front. About 590 seats in gray, pink, and light blue were sold on Amazon in September 2025. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bath seats and contact the manufacturer, Babibaby, for a full refund. The CPSC requests owners write “Recalled” on the front of the seat in permanent marker, disassemble the seat and cut off the suction cups, and email a photo to cheerkid-recall@outlook.com. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about the top-rated baby bathtubs from our tests.

Source: CPSC

Nfsvlb Baby Bath Seats Recalled

Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: The recalled infant bath seats from Nfsvlb are unstable and may tip over during use, and the leg openings are too wide, which may cause a child to slip down into the seat. They violate the mandatory safety standard for infant bath seats, the CPSC says, and pose a risk of serious injury or death from drowning or entrapment. The seats have a label with Model No.: ZY2025 on the side and were sold on Amazon from May 2025 through October 2025. About 1,430 seats are being recalled.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled seat immediately and contact Nfsvlb to request a full refund. You’ll need to destroy it so that it can’t be reused. Write “Recalled” on the front of the bath seat in permanent marker, disassemble it by removing the backrest and arm restraints, discard the screws, cut the four suction cups on the bottom, and send a photo of the disassembled seat to Nfsvlb at amzmaihuayd@163.com to be eligible for a full refund. 

Read more: See the details of the recall. And learn more about the top-rated baby bathtubs from our tests.

Children's Tower Stool Recalls of 2026

Source: CPSC

Mangohood Direct Kids Kitchen Standing Tower/Toddler Towers Recalled

Date: July 30, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 105 Mangohood Direct Kids Kitchen Standing Towers, Model LT003, have been recalled due to a risk of collapsing or tipping over while in use. Additionally, a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip-over, fall, and entrapment hazards. The stools were sold in natural bamboo, gray, and white on Amazon from July 2025 through March 2026. No injuries have been reported.

What to do next: Consumers should stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children until repaired. Contact Hangzhou Xinyanchuangxin for repair parts, which include stabilizing feet and installation instructions. The firm will mail the repair parts directly to consumers free of charge.

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Harppa Nordi Toddler Tower Stools Recalled

Date: July 30, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: 47,166 Harppa Nordi Foldable Toddler Tower Stools are being recalled due to entrapment and fall hazards. According to the CPSC, the recalled toddler tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death. The recalled foldable wooden tower stools were sold in white, black, and blue with natural wood-colored steps, platforms, and safety bars. They have model number HANS0002 printed on a label on the underside of the platform. Harppa has received three reports of the tower stools collapsing or tipping over, resulting in two injuries, including scrapes, cuts, and bruises. The stools were sold on Harppababy.com and Amazon from September 2023 through June 2026.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children, the CPSC says. Contact Harppa for a free repair kit, including protective nets, stabilizing feet, and installation instructions. Harppa can be reached toll-free at 833-471-9321 between noon and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; by email at recall@harppababy.com; on the Harppa recall page; or at harppababy.com (click on “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information).

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Woodure Toddler Kitchen Step Stools Recalled

Date: July 30, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 91,000 Woodure Toddler Kitchen Step Stools are being recalled due to entrapment and fall hazards. According to the CPSC, the recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death. The recalled wooden tower stools were sold under model numbers WD1764, WD1357, and WD1720. They measure about 18 inches deep, 16.9 inches wide, and 34.6 inches tall, and the model number is engraved on the underside of the bottom step. Woodure has received 22 reports of the stools tipping over or becoming unstable, including 15 injuries involving scrapes, cuts, and bruises. The stools were sold on Amazon from July 2024 through June 2026 for between $60 and $100.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children, the CPSC says. Contact Shenzhen Muqiqu Creative Development for a free repair kit that includes protective nets, stabilizing feet, and installation instructions. The company can be reached by phone at 844-687-1918 between noon and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; by email at woodure-service@hotmail.com; on the manufacturer’s recall page; or on the Woodure home page (click on “Safety Recall” at the top of the page).

Read more: Over 400,000 Toddler Towers Have Been Recalled After at Least 100 Reports of Injuries, Tipping, Slips, and Collapses

Photo: Consumer Reports

Tomy Boon Pivot Collapsible Toddler Tower Kitchen Step Stools Recalled

Date: July 16, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: 116,908 Boon Pivot Collapsible Toddler Tower Kitchen Step Stools are being recalled due to a tip-over risk. According to the CPSC, the recalled toddler towers can tip over while in use, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip-over and fall hazards. The metal and plastic tower stools were sold in gray and white, and have “Boon” printed on the top rail. The manufacturer, Tomy, is aware of 11 reports involving the towers being unstable and shifting or leaning. No injuries have been reported. The stools were sold on Amazon, Babylist.com, and Target.com from January 2023 through June 2026.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled towers and store them away from children, the CPSC says. Contact Tomy for a stabilizing repair part and installation instructions, which will be mailed free of charge. Tomy can be reached by phone at 866-725-4407 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; by email at cs@tomy.com; on the Tomy recall page; or the manufacturer’s home page (click on “Important Recall Information” at the top of the page).

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Photo: Consumer Reports

Sdadi Toddler Towers Recalled

Date: July 16, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Nearly 6,000 Sdadi tower stools are being recalled. According to the CPSC, the stools, aka toddler towers, can collapse or tip over while in use. A child’s torso can also fit through the openings on the front and back sides of the tower, posing a risk of injury or death due to tip-over, fall, or entrapment. The manufacturer, Yiwushi Bihe, is aware of eight reports of instability or tip-overs, including four reported injuries such as scrapes, cuts, and bruises. The towers were sold on Amazon, BestBuy.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from April 2024 through September 2025. The recalled towers are model numbers LT05 and LT01 and were available in gray, white, espresso, pink, and natural wood.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled towers and store them away from children, the CPSC says. Contact Yiwushi Bihe Trading for a full refund by emailing john@sdadi.net.

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Cosyland Children’s Tower Stools Recalled

Date: May 14, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 125,200 Cosyland Children’s Tower Stools have been recalled because the stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury or death. The recall notice includes 25 reports of stability problems and falls, including eight injuries, such as bruises, scrapes, and a fractured arm. The recall affects wooden tower stools sold in gray and bamboo finishes, models CS0003 and CS0092-4, with “Cosyland” printed on the rails. The towers were sold on Amazon from April 2021 through November 2025. 

What to do next: Consumers should stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and keep them out of reach of children. Contact Cosyland Official to receive free repair parts, including protective nets, stabilizing feet, and installation instructions. 

Read more: Learn more about the risks associated with toddler towers and how to choose safer step stools and kitchen helper products for young children: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Photos: Guidecraft, Consumer Reports

Guidecraft Children’s Standing Towers Recalled

Date: May 14, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: More than 25,000 Guidecraft Kitchen Helper Towers have been recalled because the platform inside the tower can loosen over time, making it unstable or prone to detachment, posing a fall hazard to young children. The recall notice includes 11 reports of children falling, including three injuries, such as a bloody nose and bruises. The recall affects Classic and Contemporary Guidecraft Kitchen Helper Towers in nine colors sold online at Amazon, Guidecraft.com, Maisonette.com, Overstock.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, and Wayfair.com from June 2022 through October 2023.

What to do next: Consumers should stop using the recalled standing towers immediately and keep them out of reach of children. Contact Guidecraft for free repair parts and installation instructions. 

Read more: Learn more about toddler tower and learning tower safety, including how to spot unstable or unsafe designs before purchasing: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Toetol Tower Stools Recalled

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 3,000 Toetol Tower Stools have been recalled due to a tip-over or collapse risk while in use. The CPSC also says that a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the tower’s sides, posing a risk of fall or entrapment. The company has received 18 reports of the stools collapsing, resulting in 11 injuries, including contusions, cuts, and scrapes. The wooden kitchen tower step stools were sold on Amazon from October 2024 through March 2026 in white, gray, and dark wood colors, and have “Model DETD0001” printed on a label on the side.

What to do next: Stop using the toddler tower/learning towers and contact the manufacturer, Toetol Home, for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to send a photo of the disassembled stool to toetolhomestepstoolsrecall@outlook.com.

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Wiifo Children’s Tower Stools Recalled

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Wiifo Children’s Tower Stools have been recalled because they can tip over or collapse while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the side openings, posing a risk of fall or entrapment. About 9,700 stools are being recalled. The company is aware of 22 incidents of stools collapsing, resulting in six injuries, including contusions and scrapes. The stools were sold in white, natural, and light wood finishes and have Model LT005 printed on a label on the underside of the standing platform. They were sold on Amazon from June 2022 through March 2026. 

What to do next: Owners should stop using the toddler tower/learning towers and contact the manufacturer, Wiifo, for a full refund. They will be asked to send a photo of the disassembled stool to support@wiifo.net.

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Source: CPSC

Amzcmj DGD Children’s Tower Stools Recalled

Date: April 23, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Amzcmj DGD Children’s Tower Stools have been recalled because they can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the side openings, posing a risk of fall or entrapment. About 130 stools are being recalled. The company is aware of seven incidents of stools collapsing, resulting in four injuries, including contusions, splinters, and scrapes. The stools are foldable, convert into a table and a chair, and have a blackboard. They were sold on Amazon from February 2025 through March 2026.

What to do next: Owners should stop using the toddler tower/learning tower and contact the manufacturer, Amzcmj DGD, for a full refund. They will be asked to destroy the stool by writing “Recalled” in permanent marker on all sides, disassembling it, and sending a photo of the destroyed stool to dgdtoddlertowerrecall@dchskj.cn. Then the product should be destroyed.

Read more: Almost All the Toddler Towers We Tested Raised Safety Concerns. Here’s Why.

Bassinet Recalls of 2026

Photos: CPSC

Papablic Convertible Bedside Sleepers Recalled

Date: Oct. 15, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 248 convertible bedside sleepers from Papablic are being recalled for violating the mandatory safety standard for play yards. The mattress can shift out of place, creating a gap where a baby could become trapped and suffocate. The latching and locking mechanism can also fail, causing the sleeper to collapse and posing a risk of serious injury or death from entrapment or falls. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled sleepers can be used as both bassinets and play yards. They are gray with a stars-and-moon pattern inside and have “Papablic” stitched on the front. Model number PAPA03001AI is printed on a label underneath the mattress pad. The sleepers were sold on Amazon and papablic.com from April 2025 through July 2026 for about $190.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bedside sleepers immediately and contact Papablic for a full refund. You’ll need to disassemble the sleeper, cut the mattress and fabric components in half, and email photos of the destroyed components to support@papablic.com. Once Papablic receives proof of destruction, it will issue a full refund. The product should then be discarded.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. Learn more about bassinet safety.

Source: CPSC

AirClub Convertible Bassinets Recalled

Date: March 26, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 110,400 convertible bassinets from AirClub have been recalled due to a violation of the mandatory safety standard for bedside sleepers. The mechanism used to attach the bedside sleeper to an adult bed creates an opening between the two, which could pose a deadly fall hazard for infants. No injuries have been reported. The bassinets were sold on Amazon from October 2023 through December 2025. They have a product model label with the model number QX-831 on a tag beneath the mattress pad.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled bassinets immediately and contact AirClub for a replacement attachment mechanism. You will be asked to cut off the original attachment straps before installing the new straps. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about bassinet safety.

Children’s Product Recalls of 2026

Photo: CPSC

5Color Children’s Bicycle Helmet and Pad Sets Recalled

Date: Sept. 24, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Bicycle helmets and pad sets from the company 5Color have been recalled for failing to meet the mandatory safety standard for children’s bike helmets. The helmets may fail to protect a wearer in a crash, posing a risk of injury or death. About 324 size small helmets are included in the recall. The sets consist of a pink helmet and knee and elbow pads, but the pads are not affected by the recall. The helmets have the following information printed on a label inside the helmet: Model No.: YD-001, Lot/Ref: YD-260320, and Date 2026/03/20. The helmets were sold on Amazon in May 2026. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled helmets and contact 5Color for a refund. You’ll be asked to destroy the helmet by cutting the straps and email a photo to fivecolorcs@163.com. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. Learn more about our top-rated bike helmets.

Source: CPSC

Victgoal Kids’ Bike Helmets Recalled

Date: Sept. 10, 2026

Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: Victgoal children’s bike helmets are being recalled for failing to comply with the mandatory safety standards for bike helmets. The helmets can fail to protect a wearer in a crash, posing a serious risk of injury. About 40 size-small helmets were sold on Walmart.com from March through June 2026. Only helmets manufactured in November 2025 are included in this recall. Model HT-006, Production: 2025/11, and Ref/Lot# 2025A1101 are printed on a label on the inside of the helmet.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled helmets and contact Victgoal for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to destroy the helmets by cutting the straps, send a photo of the destroyed product showing the helmet’s production date to walmart@victgoal.com, and dispose of the recalled product. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. Learn more about our top-rated bike helmets.

Source: CPSC

Samit Youth Multipurpose Helmets Recalled

Date: Feb. 19, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 3,295 children’s multipurpose helmets from Samit are being recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The helmets don’t comply with positional stability and certification requirements and can fail to protect a wearer in a crash, posing a serious risk of head injury. The helmets were sold in blue, red, and black with a cracked paint design, as well as in pure black. They have gray padding and black straps and were sold in one size with an adjustable black knob at the back. The helmets were sold on Amazon from March through November 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled helmets and contact Samit Outdoors by email at usjialebei@foxmail.com for more information.

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about our top-rated bike helmets.

Source: CPSC

Semfri Children’s Helmets Recalled

Date: Feb. 5, 2026
Recall announcement: Read the full CPSC announcement.

Recall details: About 300 bike helmets from Semfri are being recalled because they fail to meet mandatory safety standards. They don’t meet requirements for impact attenuation and positional stability, as well as for labeling and certification. The helmets can fail to protect the user in the event of a crash, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to head injury, the CPSC says. Recalled helmets were sold in size medium, fitting a head circumference of about 20.5 to 22.8 inches, and in orange, black, blue, navy blue, pink, red, and white. They have black padding, black straps, and a black buckle. They were sold on Walmart.com from June 2025 through November 2025.

What to do next: Stop using the recalled helmets immediately and contact Semfri for a full refund. To ensure the helmet isn’t reused, destroy it by cutting the straps. Then send a photo of the destroyed helmet to semfri_recall@163.com. 

Read more: Read the details of the recall. And learn more about our top-rated bike helmets.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Recumbent exercise bikes like these (clockwise from left) from Sole, 3G Cardio, and Matrix put less pressure on your knees and lower back as you work out.

By Justin Krajeski

Looking for a low-impact workout without the stress a typical exercise bike puts on your back? A recumbent exercise bike recommended by Consumer Reports might be a good option for you.

Unlike an indoor cycling bike or an upright bike, a recumbent bike allows the user to sit in a reclined position with the pedals out in front. A recumbent exercise bike generally has a wide seat with a supportive backrest to lean against as you exercise. That means less pressure on your knees and lower back, making the activity more comfortable.

Manufacturers highlight older adults and those undergoing rehab as the audience for recumbent exercise bikes. That’s because these bikes feature a step-through design, which can make mounting and dismounting easier, especially for anyone at risk of falling. But really, they’re great for anyone who thinks exercise bikes are uncomfortable. Plus, the reclined position makes it easier to ride hands-free, so you can work out while reading a book or playing Wordle on your phone.

At CR, fit and comfort are the most important tests for recumbent bikes. The Q-factor, or the distance between two foot pedals, has a big affect on fit and comfort, says Sarah Bogdan, who leads CR’s exercise equipment testing. A recumbent exercise bike with a narrower Q-factor is better–the less space between the pedals, the more natural the ride will feel. A wider Q-factor puts more strain on the knees, which can be uncomfortable if you have knee issues. “But it’s more expensive to make a machine that minimizes the width between pedals,” Bogdan says, “so the bikes with the smallest Q-factors also tend to cost more.”

Check out our exercise bike buying guide for more shopping advice. Members can also see our full recumbent exercise bike ratings.

Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes

The best recumbent exercise bikes should score highly in fit, range, comfort, display, stability, and programming. These are the best-performing models we tested.

How CR Tests Recumbent Exercise Bikes

To assess rider fit range for recumbent exercise bikes, our testers take a variety of key measurements, such as the distance from the seat to the pedals, while the seat is in its forward-most and backward-most positions. High-scoring models have wide ranges of these measurements, which means the bike can fit people with a variety of arm and leg lengths.

Another important measurement we take is the Q-factor, or the distance between the two foot pedals. Exercise bikes earn a higher score if they have a narrower Q-factor, which facilitates a natural-feeling pedal stroke and minimizes knee strain. This is especially important for your body’s alignment over time. We also measure the seat angle to ensure you’re not sliding forward or being pushed backward by the seat.

Our testers assess the comfort of the bike’s seat and, to evaluate stability, measure the force required to tip each bike over. We noted that when bike seats had dual slide rails, side-to-side wobbling was minimized (most bike seats are mounted on single rails).

We assess each recumbent exercise bike’s display by evaluating how easy it is to read and interact with, and we rate the bike’s programming based on whether it offers a wide range of preset and manual workouts, customizations, and heart rate-control programs.

Finally, we time unboxing and assembly to assess how difficult each bike is to put together, and we evaluate how easy it is to move the bike a short distance, such as within a room.

What Are the Different Types of Exercise Bikes?

CR currently tests three types of exercise bikes: recumbent, upright, and indoor cycling (aka studio or spin) bikes.

Below, we describe how one uses each type of exercise bike and to whom each type of exercise bike is best suited.

• Recumbent exercise bikes allow you to sit in a more reclined position with your back supported and the pedals positioned out in front of you. They’re marketed toward older adults and those undergoing rehab because of their step-through design, but they’re great for anyone who thinks typical exercise bikes are uncomfortable.
• Upright exercise bikes are the quintessential stationary bikes. They’re beginner-friendly, unlike indoor cycling bikes, and designed to accommodate a wider variety of users and workout intensities. They should take up less space than traditional recumbent bikes.
• Indoor cycling bikes, like those popularized by brands such as Spinning and Peloton, are designed to more closely mimic the feel of riding a road bike in an aerodynamic, crouched position. Their heavy flywheels provide both momentum and resistance, which makes pedaling feel more realistic. They’re geared toward high-intensity workouts, with a higher calorie burn, and they may be best for advanced exercisers.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

An elliptical duplicates the motions of walking and running without stressing or overworking your lower-body joints. It’s a great option if you’re rehabbing from an injury, like runner’s knee, shin splints, and more.

By Justin Krajeski

Ellipticals provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout that mirrors natural walking or running without placing heavy pressure on the joints. The exercise machines are now so ubiquitous that it’s hard to remember how revolutionary they were when they were introduced in the 1990s.

“The machine combines the motions of running and climbing with the feet never leaving the pedals, hence creating no jarring on feet, ankles, hips, or knees,” Leslie Lindeman initially reported for The Chicago Tribune in 1996, a year after Precor introduced the EFX 544 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer.

Designed as an alternative to a treadmill, the elliptical’s success is based on its ability to provide a quiet aerobic workout that engages your arms without the taxing joint impact of running. It’s particularly useful for older adults who want to protect their joints, those with injuries, and exercise beginners.

CR began testing ellipticals in 1999. Though the first two models broke—prompting us to call the whole category a waste of money—we’ve evaluated hundreds since then and found that many deliver. In fact, the elliptical trainer market was valued at nearly $1.3 billion in 2025. Residential elliptical trainers accounted for 61.8 percent of those sales, or around $800 million.

Most recently, our testers evaluated more than 30 ellipticals and under-desk ellipticals by putting them through a battery of tests to assess whether they provide a thorough aerobic workout that’s also comfortable and safe. One of those lab tests involves examining the elliptical handle design for safety. If the handles are positioned poorly, they can cause accidental eye injuries.

While treadmills let you move however you like as you run or walk, ellipticals constrain you to the machine’s movement, and each machine’s pedal design and overall path differ. That’s why CR’s experts recommend that you try out any elliptical machine you’re considering in a store to make sure you find it comfortable to use.

If you’re looking for a low-impact cardiovascular workout, consider these highly rated standing ellipticals. We divide our ratings into two groups: those with heart rate programs and those without. We also test under-desk ellipticals and separate those ratings into those for cardio and those for circulation and stretching.

Check out our elliptical buying guide for more shopping advice. Members can also see our full elliptical ratings.

Best Ellipticals With Heart Rate Programs

If you’re new to using elliptical machines, a model with a heart rate program can help ensure that you’re exercising at the right intensity by automatically adjusting the workout to meet a target heart rate.

Best Ellipticals Without Heart Rate Programs

If you’ve been using elliptical machines for a while, you may be comfortable determining the intensity that best supports your fitness goals. Here are the ellipticals without heart rate programs that scored the best in our tests.

Best Under-Desk Ellipticals

Under-desk ellipticals are slimmed-down versions of full-sized ellipticals, minus the tall frame, handlebars, and heft.

While traditional elliptical machines are built solely for calorie-burning workouts, these miniaturized versions can be manual or motorized—and each serves a distinct purpose. Manual under-desk ellipticals are typically best for calorie-burning workouts because they require the user to pedal and the resistance can be adjusted for greater challenge. Motorized under-desk ellipticals typically do a lot of the work for you. They’re often marketed to people with limited mobility or even those recovering from an injury. You should check with your doctor and/or physical therapist before using one.

While some under-desk treadmills have safety issues, we don’t have the same concerns with under-desk ellipticals. Read more of our notes on safely using under-desk ellipticals.

Below, find out more about the best under-desk ellipticals for cardio and the best under-desk ellipticals for circulation and stretching.

Best Under-Desk Ellipticals for Cardio

The models below are ideal if you’re looking to add a fitness element to an otherwise sedentary activity, like working at a desk or watching TV. Because these options are manually powered (or motor-assisted, which means you can pedal or choose not to), we expect them to provide a more challenging workout than you might get from a fully motorized under-desk elliptical.

Best Under-Desk Elliptical for Circulation and Stretching

The model below is motor-driven. Because the motor drives the pedals, we expect that using this machine will burn fewer calories than you might with the manually powered or motor-assisted models above.

Merach Under Desk Elliptical

The Merach Under Desk Elliptical is an under-desk elliptical that receives an excellent score for exercise range and very good scores for ergonomics and convenience. The Merach is the only model we recommend that’s fully motorized, making it best suited for lighter-intensity work (such as circulation gains or daily movement). Its pedals have thick front lips to keep your feet from slipping off the machine while it’s in use. Like some of our other top-rated models, the Merach’s screen remains visible beneath a desk so you can monitor time, distance, speed, step count, and calories without interrupting your workout. Settings can be changed from either the remote or the base. It’s very light and easy to move, too. 

Pro tip: Register the Merach Under Desk Elliptical within 14 days of purchase to add a second year of warranty coverage.

How CR Tests Ellipticals

CR’s tests focus on ergonomics (how well the machine accommodates different users), exercise range, ease of use, construction (this includes design choices and our perception of quality based on noise, feel, and ride), heart rate features, and user safety.

To test ergonomics, we use a figure proportioned to a man at the 95th percentile and a woman at the 5th percentile for height to evaluate comfort and reach across a wide range of users.

To evaluate the range of exercise intensity each machine provides, we enlist a panel of people with varying fitness levels to assess how easy or challenging they find pedaling at the lowest resistance setting, at 75 percent of maximum resistance, and at maximum resistance.

To assess user safety, we look at potential pinch points, pedal sizes and coverings, and the elliptical handles’ design—if positioned poorly, the handles can cause eye injuries. We also conduct static load testing, in which we load one pedal of each elliptical with 750 pounds and record whether this causes any deformities or changes in performance.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Samantha B. Gordon

Sephora’s Savings Event is one of their biggest member-exclusive sale of the year. Everything is on sale for Beauty Insiders during this semi-annual sale, which runs through Nov. 9.

The big savings event is for Sephora’s Beauty Insiders, and the discounts are different depending on your membership tier, so let’s break it down. It is free to enroll in the Beauty Insider program, and all Insiders will be able to get 10 percent off. VIB members, those who have spent at least $350 in the calendar year, will get 15 percent off. Rouge members, who have spent at least $1,000 in the calendar year, get 20 percent off during the sale.

Rouge members will also be able to invite up to five friends to share their discount. Just look for a link in your email or on your Beauty Insider summary page to share with friends.

When you’re shopping online, you’ll need to be logged in to your Beauty Insider account, and then just use the code ALLONSALE when you check out to get your discount.

Sephora carries such a wide selection of makeup, skin care, perfume, and hair care products that it can be a little overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for a bargain. Thankfully, we here at CR have put a number of products available at Sephora to the test. So we’ve combed through the sale to look for the items we’ve tested that really excel.

If you don’t want to sign up for the Beauty Insider program or you want to wait for possibly better savings, hold off until Black Friday, when Sephora will have discounts for everyone. Not everything goes on sale, so you will not have as many options—but some deals could be better. And there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find the same products at other retailers for the same or better prices when the big shopping weekend rolls around too.

Facial Cleansers

Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

This cleanser received positive feedback from all five of our testers, with one calling it “soft and silky” and another describing it as “cloudy, bubbly pillows” on his skin. It also did a good job of removing makeup. Even the bottle received praise for its luxury appeal. It has a mild herbal scent, and you can get refill pouches rather than buying a new bottle when you run out.

Innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Foam

If you categorize your skin as “normal,” this cleanser might be perfect for you. Our tester with this skin type said the cleanser applied well and left his skin feeling soft and moisturized. It has a subtle green tea scent. Another tester mentioned it left his skin feeling tight and a bit dry, so it may not be well suited for those with a sparse skin care routine. And our tester with sensitive skin said it gave her an unenjoyable tingling sensation and left her skin red and splotchy.

Tatcha The Rice Wash

Normal to dry skin? Give this cleanser a try.

“It goes on and feels slightly sticky, but you just have to dilute it with a little bit of water and then, suddenly, a teeny amount of it goes such a long way,” said our tester with that same skin combination. Her skin felt so clean, soft, and moisturized that she thought she might even be able to skip moisturizer after. 

It was also gentle for our sensitive-skin tester, and she even found it worked well as a makeup remover, thanks to its slightly grainy texture.

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

Prefer a scent-free cleanser? The Ordinary has your back. It has a manageable lather, it left our testers’ skin feeling clean and soft, and it’s also half the price of the other cleansers we tried—a price made even better by the Sephora sale. Some of our testers reported that it had a slightly slimy feel, but they did like that their skin didn’t feel dry after rinsing.

Hair Care Products

Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Edge Control

This edge control is best for relaxed hair. Our tester found it didn’t last on her natural, unrelaxed hair, as her edges began to curl after just a few hours. But after getting a relaxer, it worked much better, holding for over 6 hours—and without any residue.

Pattern Curl Mousse

This was a favorite among the mousses we tested. It left one of our tester’s curls defined, frizz-free, bouncy, and soft. On day two, she liked her hair even more because it had beautiful volume without being too obvious that she had slept without her bonnet the night before. By day three, she did need to spray water on her hair to minimize some of the frizz, but she still wore her hair out.

Hair Styling Tools

T3 Featherweight Stylemax

The T3 Featherweight Stylemax truly is maxed out. It has four attachments, including two concentrators—one that’s wide, for drying, and another that’s narrow, for styling—plus a diffuser and a comb. 

It has a plethora of settings that you can adjust to your hair texture (fine, medium, or coarse) and match to each attachment for optimal drying and styling. If you prefer to manage your own settings, the Stylemax has three speeds and five heat settings. We found them easy to reach while using the hair dryer, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally turning on the wrong setting or fumbling around to change the temperature. The Featherweight Stylemax has one of the longest cords we tested—good news for those of us in old bathrooms with too few outlets. Its max heat was right in the middle of all the temps we calculated, hitting 119° F on high. And it’s one of the quieter models we tested, reaching 80 decibels.

Dyson Supersonic R Hair Dryer

The Dyson Supersonic R is one of the top-rated hair dryers we’ve tested. It looks more like a plumbing elbow than a hair dryer. Its odd shape made this hair dryer easy to hold and maneuver around the head, and at only 0.8 pounds, it’s also light and thus more bearable to hold for long periods of drying and styling time. Despite its diminutive weight, it’s quite powerful and has a kickback at its highest setting when first turned on. The Dyson Supersonic R comes with a lot of features, specifically five magnetic attachments (“powerful air,” concentrator, comb, diffuser, and flyaway smoother) that attach without fuss and even remember your previous drying settings. So if you had a memorable styling session on a previous day, you don’t have to worry about remembering which settings allowed you to accomplish it (a boon to those of us who tend to get distracted thinking about our workday ahead while we do our hair each morning), making it the best overall. 

The Supersonic R—like all the Dyson models—is among the quietest of the hair dryers in our tests, with this one coming in at 77 decibels from a distance of 6 inches (about the closest you should hold your dryer to decrease damage to your hair). It’s the hottest hair dryer of the Dysons, reaching 121° F when on its highest heat and speed settings.

Hand Creams

Nécessaire The Hand Cream

Some hand cream ingredients lists don’t disclose their specific scent, making it easy to assume they’re fragrance-free, only to catch you off guard with a strong, unexpected scent. But this one from Nécessaire is truly fragrance-free, and it’s highly absorbent and intensely hydrating (its ingredients include shea butter, glycerin, and squalane). 

It ranks among the best we tested because it absorbs quickly and didn’t leave skin feeling greasy. One complaint our testers had was that the cap was fully removable, meaning you have to find a place to put it while you apply the hand cream, which can be inconvenient for some.

Lip Care

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Our evaluators unanimously agreed that this Summer Fridays lip butter balm went on smoothly, and many loved its hydrating and moisturizing nature. Its mild vanilla scent was another standout feature of this TikTok-famous balm, which is available in several flavors.

Rhode Peptide Lip Tint

The Rhode Peptide Lip Tint is a solid, moisturizing tinted lip balm that comes in a delightfully wide range of shades (for a lip balm). Color payoff depends on the shade. Although not the most moisturizing of the balms we tried, Rhode may be the most long-lasting. Two of our testers even described its ability to outlast a meal without fading entirely, making it a great option for those who want to apply a tinted balm and forget about it.

Drunk Elephant Plump-C Tripeptide Lippe Mask

This unscented lip mask is easily buildable, so you can apply a thick layer at night or a thinner (but still substantial) layer for daytime. When using it overnight, our tester woke up with soft, moisturized lips, and our daytime wearer said it stayed in place even when drinking water. It can also, according to Drunk Elephant, be used as a cuticle and eyebrow treatment, though we didn’t test those features. This lip mask is a good option for people with sensitive skin, as the brand claims the product is “100% free of essential oils, silicones, fragrance/dyes, and solvent alcohols.” 

Moisturizers

Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer

This moisturizer feels incredibly luxurious when squeezed from the aluminum tube: It somehow manages a light but rich texture, perhaps because it is beautifully silky and slightly fluffy. (Each order of Instant Angel comes with the brand’s proprietary Squeeze Key, or tube squeezer, to help get every last bit of moisturizer out of the package.)

One tester said the moisturizer left her skin feeling smooth and hydrated, and it was even great for daytime application, not interfering with her sunscreen or makeup.

It does have a unique and divisive smell, however. One of our testers didn’t mind it, while another was completely turned off by it. The owner of the brand, Charlotte Palermino, has addressed the issue on TikTok, calling it “the cilantro of skin care.” So if scent is a concern, consider this carefully before purchasing.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

Calling all lovers of Korean skin care. This midweight moisturizer offers hydration, and it has “ceramide capsules” that you can see in the cream but that dissolve instantly when you massage the cream into your skin. It takes a little while to absorb fully, but once it does, it doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy.

Shampoo

Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo

According to the brand, this shampoo is “proven for textured hair,” and our tester with this hair type liked it. But our tester with wavy, oilier hair did not. And the tester with straight, damaged hair had neutral feelings toward it. This shampoo receives a rating of 91 from SkinSafe, which means, according to SkinSafe, it’s 91 percent free of the top 11 common allergens, as determined by Mayo Clinic. It contains fragrance, balsam of Peru, and coconut, and is not baby-safe, according to SkinSafe.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Jessica D’Argenio Waller, MS, CNS, LDN, CPST

The baby food company Once Upon a Farm is recalling all flavors and packages of its Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars after three reports of toddlers choking on the soft, circular bars. The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety advisory about the product, warning consumers not to buy or serve the snack bars and telling retailers not to sell them.

“The FDA has received several reports that describe toddlers (ages 1.5–2.5 years) suffering complete airway obstruction with the inability to breathe after consuming the product,” the advisory says. “When chewed, the product reportedly forms a dry, sticky mass that standard choking interventions—including back blows and the Heimlich maneuver—may fail to dislodge. Some reported choking incidents have required emergency response intervention and hospital observation.”

The soft-baked bars are made from oat flour, dates, and pumpkin seed butter, and include other fruits and vegetables. Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels were sold online and in stores nationwide, including Costco, Target, and Walmart. 

The FDA says the product may also be sold elsewhere, including on Amazon and through third-party vendors. The bars come in three flavors: Apple, Sweet Potato, & Spinach; Strawberry, Pumpkin, & Beet; and Banana, Pumpkin & Cauliflower. All flavors, all lots, and all package sizes are being recalled. 

In a statement on the company’s website, Once Upon a Farm says it received three reports of choking and initiated a voluntary recall. The company says it’s working with the FDA “to make sure affected products are removed and families have the information they need.”

“We know that parents place their trust in us every time they buy one of our products. We fell short of that, and that is why we are taking these aggressive actions,” the company statement says.   

John Foraker, co-founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm, said in a statement that in evaluating Tractor Wheels, the company was “reformulating these family favorites to ensure they adhere to the highest standards.” No other Once Upon a Farm products are affected by this recall. 

Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Recall Details

Products recalled: All Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Organic Soft-Baked Bars.

Affected lots and varieties: All flavors, quantities, varieties, and all lots and expiration dates. 

Flavors:

• Apple, Sweet Potato, & Spinach Tractor Wheels 
• Strawberry, Pumpkin, & Beet Tractor Wheels 
• Banana, Pumpkin & Cauliflower Tractor Wheels 

The problem: Tractor Wheels soft-baked bars are round, wheel-shaped biscuits that reportedly form a dry, sticky mass when chewed that standard choking interventions may fail to dislodge. The Food and Drug Administration has received three reports of toddlers between the ages of 1.5 and 2.5 choking on the bars and suffering complete airway obstruction, with some children receiving emergency care and needing hospital observation.

What to do next: Don’t buy or serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels, and throw away the product. Return the product (even if opened), or bring your proof of purchase to the original purchase location for a full refund. You may also contact care@uponafarm.com for more information.

High-Risk Choking Foods for Young Children

• Hot dogs (especially cut into a coin shape), sausages, and fish with bones.
• Popcorn, chips, pretzel nuggets, and similar snack foods.
• Candy (especially hard or sticky candy), cough drops, gum, lollipops, marshmallows, caramels, hard candies, and jelly beans.
• Whole grapes, raw carrots (cut into rounds), and cherries.
• Peanut butter (especially in spoonfuls or with soft white bread).
• Foods that clump, are sticky, or dry and hard-textured.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Test engineer Sarah Bogdan assessing a treadmill in our labs. We test every model for durability, ergonomics, and safety.

By Justin Krajeski

In 1968, Dr. Kenneth Cooper argued that cardiovascular exercise is the foundation of good physical health in his book, "Aerobics."

Cooper’s book led William Staub to develop the home treadmill, in the hopes of making running accessible to more people. It wasn’t pretty, though: Staub’s version of a treadmill consisted of 40 steel rollers covered by an orange belt, a motor with a gray motor cover, and orange dials to control time and speed.

Now, as then, buying a treadmill can be an important purchase. Today’s treadmills are often sleek and attractive, with frames made from steel or aluminum. Using a treadmill can benefit your metabolism and joint health. Older adults can see health benefits too.

The price of a home treadmill can run the gamut, costing anywhere from $160 for a walking pad to more than $5,000 for a nonfolding treadmill. We favor models that accommodate a wide range of sizes and are well-built, easy to use (for high- and low-intensity workouts), and safe. Otherwise, your treadmill might end up a valueless eyesore.

We’ve evaluated hundreds of treadmills and have more than 60 in our current ratings, from nonfolding to folding treadmills, as well as budget folding and under-desk options. We subject every treadmill to a series of rigorous lab tests, including one that uses a custom rig to simulate extended use. After assessing each treadmill, we found the best treadmills for home use.

Check out our treadmill buying guide for more shopping advice. Members can also see our full treadmill ratings.

Best Nonfolding Treadmills

If you are looking for a treadmill to boost your long-term fitness, consider these highly rated nonfolding options for home.

Best Folding Treadmills

If you’re looking to buy a treadmill but want to save space at home, consider one of these highly rated folding treadmills. 

Best Under-Desk Treadmills

Under-desk treadmills, aka walking pads, are smaller machines with fewer features. As their moniker implies, they should be used for walking, not running. During under-desk treadmill testing, we identified highly concerning construction and safety issues.

How CR Tests Treadmills

CR’s tests focus on ergonomics (how well the machine accommodates different users), construction (how durable it is and how well it resists wear), ease of use, exercise range, and user safety.

During the construction phase of our tests, we conduct a durability test, built by CR test engineers, using two custom rigs consisting of giant metal drums fitted with rubber “feet” to simulate a runner’s shoe. (The rigs are nicknamed Johnnie Walker Red and Johnnie Walker Black for their colors—red and black, respectively.) For full-sized treadmills, this is a 25-hour test in which each rig runs in cycles of 1 hour on and 30 minutes off to replicate half a year of use. For under-desk treadmills, we run this test for 12 hours.

For exercise range, we assess whether a machine is suitable for a variety of fitness levels. The category reflects how easily you might share the machine among multiple people in a household, or whether you’re able to use the treadmill as your fitness levels change over time. Our tests factor in the treadmill speed and incline ranges, stability, cushioning, and more. 

Our user safety tests evaluate the security of folding models, the accessibility of the emergency stop button, the workings of the safety key (which stops the treadmill if you fall), and more.

Is Buying a Treadmill Cheaper Than Joining a Gym?

Our recommended nonfolding treadmill models start at $2,300, while folding models start at $1,000. We look at budget folding treadmills, too, which start at $700. 

The average cost of a U.S. gym membership is $59 per month. If you were to spend $2,300 on a nonfolding treadmill, it would take a little over three years to see a return on your investment. Of course, choosing a treadmill that requires a paid subscription can cut into those savings. Factor in those fees for a true comparison.

The lifespan of a treadmill should be seven to 12 years with proper care and maintenance. If you cancel your gym membership, spending $2,300 on a treadmill now means you’ll save money in the long run. You’ll save even more if you go with a less expensive folding model.

Which Treadmills Work Without a Required Subscription?

If you buy a Peloton, NordicTrack, or ProForm treadmill, you’ll need to sign up for the company’s associated subscriptions. Without that, you’ll only have access to the machine’s basic functions. That’s why we’ve written about the best treadmills that don’t require a subscription.

There are two types of treadmills that will help you bypass the required subscription: self-contained treadmills and treadmills that work with third-party services. The former come with a full set of features out of the box, while the latter work with on-demand, third-party workout subscription services that allow you to take advantage of trial periods and shop around for a subscription that best suits your needs. They often come with programmed workouts, too.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Jessica D’Argenio Waller, MS, CNS, LDN, CPST

Thousands of nursing pillows from the brand Pillani have been recalled for posing a risk of suffocation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of U-shaped pillows for failing to meet mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows, which specify the shape, firmness, and design of the pillows. 

No injuries or incidents have been reported regarding the recalled pillows, but because they violate the safety standard and can obstruct an infant’s breathing, consumers “should stop using the nursing pillows immediately and contact Pillani for a full refund,” the CPSC states. 

The nursing pillows were sold on Amazon from April through September 2026 for about $30 to $40, and come in various prints and colorways. They have a U-shaped design with a narrow opening and a cloud-shaped pillow attached to provide back support for an infant, along with an adjustable waist strap for the feeding parent. The brand name, model number NP4351, and batch number 202604, 202605, or 202606 are printed on an attached label.

What to Know About Nursing Pillow Safety

Nursing pillows may seem like a low-risk baby product, but when nursing pillows are not used as intended, they can present a serious hazard—especially if used as a baby lounger or for infant sleep. Between 2010 and 2022, 154 infant deaths were associated with nursing pillows, along with 64 infant injuries, according to the CPSC. Most of the babies were under 3 months old, and they died from suffocation, entrapment, or falls associated with nursing pillows.

Mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows were strengthened in 2025 to make the products safer and discourage their use as a sleeping space for babies. 

Nursing Pillow Design Safety Changes

To help prevent deaths and injuries from nursing pillows, the CPSC changed product regulations in four key ways:

• Clear warning labels advise on the hazards of misuse and urge parents not to use the pillow for infant sleep or to prop up a baby.
• New firmness standards require nursing pillows to be sufficiently firm to prevent accidental infant suffocation and flatter in design to prevent use as infant loungers.
• Wider openings are now required, so the pillow is designed to fit around an adult’s waist rather than prop up an infant.
• No straps for baby are allowed, to discourage using a nursing pillow as a place to leave a baby unattended—but straps to allow a better fit for the nursing parent are still okay.

How to Use a Nursing Pillow Safely With Your Baby

The CPSC shares the following recommendations for staying safe with your nursing pillow—including pillows that were made before the new regulations went into effect:

• Only use your nursing pillow while feeding the baby.
• Never use it for infant sleeping or lounging.
• Do not put a nursing pillow in your baby’s crib or bassinet.
• Do not leave your baby unattended on a nursing pillow, especially on an elevated surface.
• If you or the baby gets sleepy, transfer the baby to a safe sleep space like the crib.

Pillani Nursing Pillow Recall Details

Products recalled: 25,762 Pillani nursing pillows have been recalled for failing to meet mandatory safety requirements and for obstructing an infant’s breathing, posing a risk of suffocation. 

Affected model numbers: The recalled pillows have model number NP4351 and batch number 202604, 202605, or 202606 printed on an attached label.

The problem: The pillows fail to meet the required safety standards for nursing pillows and should not be used with infants. 

What to do next: Stop using the recalled nursing pillows immediately, the CPSC says. You can contact Pillani for a full refund after first sending a photo of the product and following the disposal instructions. Contact Pillani by email at pillanirecall@gmail.com, or online at https://pill-ani.com/pages/recall or https://pill-ani.com and click “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

An under-sink water filter can deliver cleaner, fresher-tasting water without cluttering your countertop.

By Keith Flamer

If you want to improve the taste and purity of your tap water without cluttering your countertop or attaching a bulky device to your faucet, an under-sink water filter may be the solution.

In addition to being out of sight and generally improving your water’s taste, many under-sink water filters can remove worrisome contaminants. All of the ones currently in our ratings are certified to reduce chlorine, which can affect taste and smell, as well as lead. Most of the under-sink filters in our ratings also remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), so-called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to numerous health concerns including cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, and immune system disorders.

You can buy under-sink water filters at major retailers and independent dealers. They require space under the sink and may need professional installation, resulting in a higher initial cost than faucet-mounted filters or water filter pitchers.

But “under-sink water filters are inherently more convenient than pitchers, with higher filter capacity,” says Joan Muratore, who oversees the water filter lab at Consumer Reports. “There’s no need to pour water into a pitcher and wait. You just flip the lever and the filtered water flows.”

The under-sink water filters we tested cost between $93 and nearly $700, excluding installation costs. Below are the top-rated under-sink water filters from our tests. CR members can find more options in our comprehensive water filter ratings, and both members and nonmembers can learn more about different types of water filters in our water filter buying guide.

Best Under-Sink Water Filters

How CR Tests Under-Sink Water Filters

To test flavor and odor reduction, CR spikes a “control water” sample with common taints that smell or taste like metal, compost, damp soil, a sewage treatment plant, or a swimming pool. Then trained water testers filter it and examine how well the filter removes those taints compared with pure spring water. We measure flow rate by the time it takes to filter a gallon of water. Our clogging score reflects how much the filter’s flow rate slows over the cartridge’s lifespan. While we don’t independently test whether a filter reduces chlorine, lead, or PFAS, we confirm which filters hold a valid certification based on NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) standards.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

This pumpkin spice smoothie has 290 calories and no added sugars, compared with 300 calories and 32 grams of added sugars in a 13.7-ounce bottle of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.

By Rachel Meltzer Warren

Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of antioxidant-rich produce and fiber into your daily diet. Berries and tropical fruits are often the stars, but why not try something unexpected and whip up a breakfast or snack that highlights the flavors of fall? Highly nutritious autumnal ingredients like apples, oats, pumpkin, beets, and spices create a beverage that feels cozy and just right for the cooler temperatures. Plus, they add sweetness and depth without contributing added sugars. Here’s why these ingredients are so good for you, plus three healthy recipes that include them.

Apples: Don’t peel the apple; the peel contains much of the fruit’s antioxidant polyphenols. These compounds fight cell damage and help control inflammation. Apples contain soluble fiber, which is linked to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Oats: Adding 1/4 cup of rolled oats to any smoothie will thicken it and make it more filling. You’ll also bump the fiber count of the smoothie by about 2 grams, and some of that fiber is in the form of beta-glucan, a soluble type that helps lower cholesterol. 

Pumpkin: This fall veggie’s beautiful orange hue comes from the antioxidant beta-carotene. Our bodies naturally convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, which supports our eyes, skin, and more. Canned pumpkin has more beta-carotene and fiber than fresh, plus plenty of iron. Be sure to use pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, which can be high in added sugars.

Beets: These crimson beauties are rich in the pigment betanin, a powerful antioxidant. They also contain nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide. This compound can widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and possibly helping to control hypertension. (Although these are chemically the same as the nitrates in processed meat, they don’t carry the same health risks because the body processes nitrates in meat and vegetables differently.)

Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and more are rich sources of antioxidants. They also add a subtle sweetness and intriguing twist of flavor to elevate your smoothie. But be choosy about the cinnamon you use. Consumer Reports’ tests have found that some brands may contain elevated levels of lead.

Apple Cobbler Smoothie

Photo: Rachel Meltzer Warren

1 medium apple, cored and chopped
¼ cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon almond butter
½ frozen banana
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened plant milk)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of allspice
Handful of ice cubes

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition information per smoothie: 410 calories, 14 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 65 g carbohydrates, 12 g fiber, 34 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 13 g protein, 95 mg sodium, 260 mg calcium, 2.3 mg iron, 850 mg potassium

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Photo: Rachel Meltzer Warren

1 medium frozen banana
½ cup canned pumpkin
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened plant milk)
1 date, chopped

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. Top with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, if desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition information per smoothie: 290 calories, 1.5 g fat, < 1 g saturated fat, 53 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 33 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 18 g protein, 100 mg sodium, 320 mg calcium, 2.4 mg iron, 1,080 mg potassium

Beet and Berry Smoothie

Photo: Rachel Meltzer Warren

2 small precooked packaged beets or cooked fresh beets
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen strawberries
½ cup frozen pineapple
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened plant milk)

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition information per smoothie: 180 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 41 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 31 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 7 g protein, 120 mg sodium. 190 mg calcium, 1.4 mg iron, 710 mg potassium

Best Blenders From CR's Tests

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Americans will spend about $4 billion on Halloween candy this year.

By Catherine Roberts

Whether it’s chocolate, gummy candy, or lollipops, chances are you’ll dip into a bag of Halloween candy at least once (well, maybe twice; okay, three times) this season. And there’s nothing wrong with that. You just want to keep tabs on what and how much you’re eating.

“You can fool yourself into thinking those ‘fun size’ packages are small, so you can eat a lot of them,” says Amy Keating, RD, a CR nutritionist. But calories and added sugars can add up fast.

To help you keep your consumption in check, we calculated the exact amount of 25 trick-or-treat favorites you can eat without exceeding 100 calories.

Use this visual guide to keep tabs on how much you’re eating—and on days when you do indulge, try to limit other sugary foods, Keating says, because you get from 2 to 5 teaspoons of added sugars in 100 calories of these sweet treats. (The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 6 teaspoons, or 25 grams, of added sugars a day. The daily limit for men is 9 teaspoons, or 36 grams.)

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Lisa L. Gill

Kayem Foods recalled about 60 ready-to-eat meat products sold at a number of Walmart, Stop & Shop, and other grocery stores along the East Coast after it was discovered that some of the products may not have been properly refrigerated. The recall affects more than 1.5 million pounds of meat. No injuries or illnesses have been reported.

Recalled Kayem products include Kayem Old Tyme Beef & Pork Franks, Kayem Fenway Franks, Genoa Hot Ham, Al Fresco Chicken Breakfast Sausage, McKenzie Cob Smoked Bacon, and other hot dogs, bratwurst, liverwurst, and hams. Recalled products will have establishment number “EST. M/P 7839,” “EST. P 20935A,” or “EST. M 9520” inside the Department of Agriculture mark of inspection stamped on the back.

A full list of all the recalled products is available here, while all the labels, which can be easier to look through, can be found here. 

Kraig Nassaz, a Kayem Foods spokesperson told CR that the company had three fans malfunction in the cooling system in its warehouse and that those have since been repaired or replaced. A retail store noticed its meat was delivered warm and alerted Kayem Foods. 

Although the recall is nationwide, most of the retailers where the affected products were sold are along the Eastern Seaboard and include Walmart and Stop & Shop, along with other grocers.

A spokesperson for Walmart told CR that recalled products were sold in stores located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The spokesperson added that once Walmart learned of the recall, it moved “swiftly to remove the impacted products from our stores and implement a sales block at our registers and online.”

A Stop & Shop representative said recalled products were sold at stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and select stores in Connecticut, and that the grocer had “removed all impacted items from our stores.”

If you have any of these products in your fridge or freezer, throw them out or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund, says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing at CR. “Even cooked meats must be properly refrigerated,” he says.

Consumers with questions can contact Kayem Foods Customer Service at 800-426-6100 or info@kayem.com.

How to Keep Your Food Safe in the Fridge

All foods, including meats and even cooked meats, should be stored at a temperature of about 37° F inside your fridge, Rogers says. 

If your refrigerator doesn’t let you choose a precise temperature, check the manual to see if the numeric settings correspond to particular temperatures, says Paul Hope, deputy home and kitchen editor at CR. While you could get a fridge thermometer, you can also place a bottle of water in the fridge overnight, and then check the temperature of the water using an instant-read thermometer to see how cold your refrigerator is keeping food, and adjust the setting accordingly.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

These are the cribs, bassinets, pacifiers, and other baby essentials that impressed our experts for quality, design, and most important, safety.

By Mary Beth Quirk

On the seemingly never-ending mission to figure out the best way to get your baby to sleep—rocking clockwise? Tuvan throat-singing? begging?—you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your little one is safe. That’s where Consumer Reports’ expert testing and evaluations come in. We’ve rounded up some of the very best baby sleep products from our tests, including cribs, bassinets, pacifiers, and more, that impressed our experts for quality, design, and most important, safety. Because if there’s anything parents need more than a good night’s sleep, it’s peace of mind.

Cribs

Convertible Crib

Namesake Abigail 3 in 1 Convertible Metal Crib

The Abigail 3 in 1 Convertible Crib won over our testers, thanks to its sturdy steel construction and simple assembly. We also liked the under-$600 price. “This well-constructed metal crib converts into a toddler bed and a daybed, serving your child well into their school years,” says Joan Muratore, who oversees testing of baby products at Consumer Reports. It’s heavy-duty, making it a solid choice if you’re looking for a crib to last through a few siblings. Just make sure you get extra help if you need to move it around. 

Travel Crib

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

The BabyBjörn earned the highest marks in our study of the best play yards, though its setup and takedown may take some getting used to. Unlike play yards that are elevated, the BabyBjörn sits flat on the ground—a plus for when your kid gets bigger because it means there’s no upper weight limit. (The downside of this particular feature is that it may be difficult for some parents, especially those on the petite side or with a tender C-section scar, to place or retrieve their child from the play yard.) It’s worth noting, however, that like all pack-and-plays, this one has a limited lifespan, and your child will eventually outgrow this sleep space. BabyBjörn recommends using it only until your child turns 3, until they reach a height of 35 inches (890 mm), or can climb out, a skill some children master earlier than others.

Crib Mattresses

Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

My Green Mattress Emily Organic Crib Mattress

Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress - Lightweight 2-Stage

Bassinets

Traditional

BabyBjorn Baby Cradle

The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle won over our testers, thanks to its category-spanning versatility. It’s a lo-fi, traditional bassinet, but it features a gentle rocking motion, and its lightweight profile means it could also fit well in our portable bassinet category. The bassinet folds down flat to a height of 5 inches, making it simple for storage, transport, or travel, and the legs can be easily removed with the help of an Allen wrench.

One thing to note is that while the bouncing motion is very gentle, you can’t lock it in place if you’d like it to be stationary. This bassinet also has a slightly lower weight limit than others we tested, maxing out at 18 pounds.

Smart/Soothing

Chicco LullaGlide Plus 3-in-1

The Chicco LullaGlide Plus 3-in-1 can be used in three ways: as a stationary bassinet, as a portable bassinet that detaches from the stand, or as a gliding bassinet with automated motion to soothe your baby. The LullaGlide Plus earned top scores in our lab tests for convenience and ease of assembly, and it features a large storage basket with three compartments to help you stay organized. It also has a console that plays nature sounds, activates the automatic gliding, and connects to your phone via Bluetooth so you can play your own songs or recorded stories. The bassinet collapses flat, and the base can be folded for storage or travel, and comes with an included carry bag.

Portable/Travel

Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet

The Iora Bedside bassinet would do very well in many new parents’ homes. It’s easy to set up and can be broken down without tools and fitted into a carrying bag for easy transport. This outstanding bassinet is also roomy and feature-rich. It has a large storage basket, where a pack of diapers, several changes of clothes, or a short stack of burp cloths will easily fit. Five height positions allow the bassinet to be placed at the ideal level for caregivers, and it can be moved closer to the mattress via sliders. Five neutral-toned colorways ensure seamless integration into your decor.

Pacifiers

Philips Avent Ultra Air Pacifier

Nuk Timeless Comfy Pacifier

Mam Original Matte Pacifier

Baby Monitors

Best Overall

Maxi-Cosi See Pro 360 Baby Monitor

The Maxi-Cosi See Pro 360 Baby Monitor tops our ratings for a reason. It’s a hybrid monitor that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi bands, can be connected to multiple cameras, and comes with a receiver unit. The camera can be mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop, and the unit delivers excellent video resolution, two-way talk capabilities, remote pan and tilt, and 4x digital zoom. The software is compatible with iOS 10.0 or later on iPhone and iPad; and Android 64-bit devices, Android 7.0 or later.

In addition to basic features, the Maxi Cosi See Pro 360 provides room temperature and humidity detection; motion, sound, and crying detection; and sleep trends. It’s compatible with multiple cameras with a split-screen view, and it plays music and ambient sounds. One drawback is that this monitor doesn’t come with cable guards, so you may have to purchase them separately when your little one reaches the cord-eating phase. (Yes, it’s coming.)

Budget Pick

HelloBaby 6" IPS Baby Monitor HB6560

The HelloBaby 6-Inch IPS Baby Monitor HB6560 is a non-WiFi monitor that allows you to connect to two cameras and view both simultaneously on a split-screen display. The rechargeable parent unit features one of the largest displays we tested, measuring 6 inches, and an IPS screen, which allows for clear viewing from various angles. It also has a remote pan/tilt function and 2x digital zoom, brightness and volume adjustments, a 1,000-foot range, and a claimed battery life of 16 to 30 hours, which we found to be accurate. In our tests, this model scored highest for battery life, with an average of 22 hours of run time on always-on mode. This model also features additional benefits that parents may appreciate, including room temperature readings and alerts, music and white noise, feeding timers, and 150 language options.

Nursery Extras

Babymoov Hygro (+)

The ultrasonic Babymoov Hygro (+), designed for small rooms of up to 215 square feet, is top-rated for a reason: It shines in every one of CR’s tests. It’s easy to use, according to our evaluators, and emits enough moisture to sufficiently humidify a small room. Features include a night-light that cycles through a rainbow of colors, automatic shutoff when the tank is empty, and a timer, as well as the option to diffuse aromas. One drawback: The 58-inch cord is on the short side.

Hello Bello Overnight Baby Diapers

The Hello Bello Overnight Diapers were high performers in our tests of overnight diapers, excelling in absorption speed and dryness.

The diapers are hypoallergenic and made without lotions, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, latex, chlorine processing, harmful odor inhibitors, gluten, and soy, according to the manufacturer; however, we didn’t verify these claims. The diapers come in size 3 (for babies weighing 14 to 24 pounds) to size 6 (35 pounds and up). You can purchase a subscription for diapers and wipes for $79.99 on Hello Bello’s website.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

We're finding great deals on all kinds of beauty products, including skin care, hair styling essentials, and personal care items

By Lisa Fogarty, Samantha B. Gordon

Consumer Reports has evaluated and reviewed hundreds of beauty and personal care products, and a good chunk of them are on sale right now, thanks to Amazon’s two-week holiday beauty event. The deals kick off today and are set to continue for the rest of the month.

We’ve put together a list of beauty products that have been discounted early for the holiday season, from skincare products to hair styling tools. The best part is that we evaluated everything on this list to give you a firsthand look at what these products are like and how they work in the real world. With everything you buy, it’s always good to know what you’re going to get before you hit that order button, especially when those purchases are going on your skin or in your hair.

Our team of experts will be tracking all the deals on everything we test throughout the Black Friday season and beyond. You can keep an eye on CR’s everyday deals coverage over on our Deals hub.

Skincare

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

For experienced retinol users looking to level up, this treatment delivers a high-strength 1 percent retinol formula alongside antioxidants and skin-soothing ingredients. This product has relatively high potency and may be better tolerated by people with less sensitive skin or experience with retinoids. While it’s designed to improve wrinkles, discoloration, and sun damage, introduce it slowly to avoid irritation.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules

One of this product’s biggest strengths isn’t just the retinol—it’s the packaging. Each capsule contains a premeasured dose that’s sealed until use, helping protect the retinol from light and air, while ceramides help replenish the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. 

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Micellar Water

This lightly scented micellar water from a popular French brand landed in the middle of every evaluator’s ranking. “It gets the job done,” said one evaluator. Another said it required a few swipes with a cotton pad to remove tubing mascara, “but nothing too strenuous.” Although the company claims that its product is designed for sensitive skin, the inclusion of fragrance means it might not be right for everyone.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1

This is a budget-friendly micellar to begin with; on sale, it’s a real steal. One evaluator found it effective and gentle; another said she had “no major qualms besides having to use a little bit more to get the tubing mascara off my face.”

Body Wash

Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Oat & Calendula Bubble Bath & Wash Duo

You might find this gentle body wash in the baby section, but it’s a great option for adults, too. It has a light, nutty scent that reminded one evaluator of a clove-studded orange, and may leave the faintest scent on the skin if you use enough of it. That said, it dispenses quickly, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. One evaluator noted that she has sensitive skin that’s prone to dryness, and she found this body wash to be highly moisturizing, with no irritation afterward.

Honest Co Shampoo + Body Wash

We’re a big fan of multitasking, and this 2-in-1 body wash and shampoo from Honest Co. is right up our alley. In our body wash evaluations, we found its creamsicle fragrance faint and pleasant, though slightly drying, and its bottle easy to use and dispense from.

Deodorants

Lume Whole Body Deodorant

This whole-body deodorant from Lume comes in a two-pack, available in 12 fragrances. According to the manufacturer, it provides 72 hours of sweat and odor protection, and its key ingredients include mandelic acid and caffeine.

Mando Whole Body Solid Deodorant Stick

This 2-pack of Mando Whole Body Deodorant is $13 off its price right now. Its key, odor-fighting ingredient is mandelic acid, and it comes in nine scents and one unscented version. In our evaluations, we found it worked well at combating odors, but its fragrance is strong (just be sure you’re okay with that).

Native Deodorant

Native Deodorant has a wide applicator and comes in a unique sea salt and cedar scent. It offers up to 72 hours of protection, according to its manufacturer. In our evaluations, it left white marks on dark clothing, so be cautious when applying it.

Old Spice Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Men

This aluminum-free deodorant from the classic brand Old Spice was found to have a strong scent in our evaluations, but if you don’t mind an intense fragrance, it can keep you dry—and it comes in a three-pack.

Lip Care

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm

This moisturizing lip balm from Laneige comes in delightful scents like vanilla and blueberry that CR evaluators loved. Some of the options even offer a subtle hint of color for those mornings when you want a pop without the fuss. We found it slightly sticky and tacky, but the tackiness went away after the formula absorbed.

NYX Cosmetics Smushy Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balm

Mattifying lip products are rarely actively hydrating, and this tinted lip balm from NYX Cosmetics was no exception. Ginger Cowles, a managing editor at CR, who liked its velvety texture and didn’t initially find it drying, said that after wearing it for a couple of days, “my lips started to feel drier than usual. That tells me that even though it has a slight balm consistency, it’s not as potentially moisturizing or smoothing as the other products we tested.”  It’s well worth it, though, in her view. “I love the color so much that I’m willing to take that trade-off by using Aquaphor or Vaseline on my lips when I’m not wearing a tinted balm.”

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Sleeping Mask

This lightweight lip mask is unscented and is an excellent budget pick, especially for people with sensitive skin—it has a SkinSafe score of 100. It’s one of the lightest masks we tested, so it’s a reasonable pick for daytime; to wear overnight, you’re going to really need to pack it on.

Dermaplaning Tools

Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth Pro+

Michael Todd was CR’s top pick for best electric dermaplaning tool. It was comfortable to hold and grip, removed peach fuzz with ease, and comes with several replacement blades. It even delivers a comforting vibration that we grew to love.

This tool was $15 less during Prime Big Deal Days, but this is still a nice discount.

CHI Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

This 1.5-inch hair straightener features tourmaline ceramic plates and an adjustable temperature that reaches up to 410°F. It also takes 30 seconds to heat up and has an auto shutoff feature that turns it off after one hour, so you don’t have to worry that you left it on.

Hair Care

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

This medium-hold gel has a floral, fruity scent. One evaluator said the silky product had the perfect amount of hold without weighing down her 2C-3B curls, and it controlled frizz well. However, another evaluator, with very thick 3A-B curls with low porosity and dense strands, thought it created knots and frizz for her on day two.

Make sure to apply the on-page coupon to get the lowest price.

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Defining Styling Gel

This product has a very strong, but pleasant, coconut scent. Evaluators found it excellent for creating defined, shiny, frizz-free curls; one evaluator particularly liked it for refreshing her 6-year-old daughter’s braids and perm rod curls. 

SheaMoisture Coconut + Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse

This lightweight coconut-scented foam provided good results for those on our panel with shorter hair. It gives good curl definition and keeps frizz at bay, but it’s not the best pick if you desire perfect day-two hair.

Conair Double Ceramic

It isn’t often you find a curling iron for less than $20. This one wasn’t our favorite in our evaluations (it snagged hair), but it created bouncy curls and features 30 temperature settings. We found a lot to like about it, and it’s on sale for 31 percent off.

Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Evolve Ionic Salon Hair Flat Iron

Hot Tools hair styling tools are a common sight at hair salons, and for good reason. Our evaluators found that this flat iron heated up fast and was easy to use. It has variable heat settings to give users more control, and the plates are slightly longer than most straighteners, a feature that could be useful for styling longer hair. It’s important to note that the temperature consistency isn’t reliable and could vary by as much as 20 degrees from the set temperature during use. It has a 2-hour window before it automatically shuts off, so you’ll want to remember to unplug it after every use.

GHD Platinum+ Styler - 1" Flat Iron

This flat was CR’s top pick thanks to several features: it heated up in just 21 seconds, stabilized the fastest, and maintained a consistent temperature over time. Our testers all loved the way it made their hair straight and sleek in no time.

Laifen Swift High Speed Hair Dryer

The Laifen is a budget-friendly hair dryer, even when it’s not on sale, and this is just a few dollars more than the best price we’ve seen in months. It’s similar in appearance to the Dyson Supersonic: T-shaped, with a compact head that makes it easier to hold. Its concentrator attaches magnetically and can be rotated without taking it off entirely. Our testers found the buttons well-designed and easy to use, and the icons easy to read. Plus, it’s not too loud, reaching 79 decibels in our tests. The Laifen comes with only one attachment (a concentrator), and lacks a one-touch cool shot. It’s the least hot of all the hair dryers we tested, reaching 108° F in our tests on its highest setting. And at 71 inches, the Laifen’s cable is the shortest of all our recommended dryers.

Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler

The Revlon One-Step Volumizer is beloved for a reason: It just works. One tester shared this pro tip to achieve the best results: Keep tension on the hair and work in smaller sections. Otherwise, you may end up with a head full of frizz.

We saw this Revlon tool for $35 during Prime Big Deal Days, so the price could drop again closer to Black Friday.

Tymo Ring Straightening Comb

In our at-home evaluations, this straightening comb worked best for testers with curly hair. It has five temperature settings, an auto shutoff feature, and is extremely lightweight. One tester especially liked that it could straighten the hair right at the root better than the Drybar Straightening Brush it was tested against.

Siswow Hair Steamer for Natural Hair

This steamer was the only one we tried that made no noise. We found it comfortable and effective, and a cinch to use. It was easy to store, too. It’s marked down 20 percent for this sale.

YoulerTex Microfiber Hair Towel

If you’re looking for a new hair towel that stays put, this might be the one you’ve been waiting for. Our testers found that the YoulerTex hair towels stayed snugly in place. They’re a bit thicker than other towels we evaluated, but this didn’t make them any more absorbent. The testers all said their hair was still damp after about half an hour of wear time, but it might be the perfect choice if you’re the kind of person who sleeps in their hair towel.

Razors

Amazon Basics 5-Blade Razor for Women

These 5-blade razors come in a 12-pack and include a shower holder for convenience. In our tests, we found them to be lightweight and not especially flexible, but their low cost is undeniable (just go slowly around your knees and joints).

Billie Women's Starter Kit

This 5-blade razor can be conveniently attached to your shower wall with a magnetic holder and includes four refills (plus, it comes in sweet colors like cool blue, coral, and mint). In our evaluation, we discovered they didn’t have the sharpest blades, but they work fine in a pinch (consider adding shaving cream to your routine to help the blade glide along).

Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive Razor

The Gillette Venus was a clear winner in our evaluations of the best razors. The silver handle is pleasantly weighted, and it has a grippy spot for your thumb that makes it easier to hold in the shower, and the razor head has a large lubricating strip. Since the head is so bulky, you may need to angle it carefully while shaving difficult areas, such as the hollow of an underarm or an ankle.

Harry's Original Razor

CR testers agreed: Harry’s Original Razor provided the closest, cleanest shave without irritation in our evaluations. It has a small head that glides over curves and a rubberized handle grip that makes it much easier to maneuver around tricky body parts such as the chin, knees, and ankles. It has an aloe-infused strip and comes with three blade refills.

Self Tanners

St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse

Our evaluators found that the St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse was the perfect beginner’s self-tanner, creating a light, believable golden color and being easy to apply. It was the best pick for lighter skin shades because it was too subtle to make darker skin shades pop. We didn’t notice any color transfer after the application.

This tanner was $5 less during Prime Day fall sales, but you’re still saving a good chunk here.

Toiletry Bags

Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag

The Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag is a hanging organizer, meaning you can hang it on the bathroom door with every compartment laid out in full view. This bag, on sale for 27 percent off, is an antidote to disorganization. It has several compartments, two of which have different-sized mesh pockets. Our evaluator also noted that it has a large capacity but still zips up easily, even when full. The low price is reflected in the quality of the material; however, if you don’t mind the fabric looking a little on the cheaper side (the reviewer noted theirs attracted a lot of dust), this could be a great choice.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Consumer Reports

What does it take to be a CR Top Pick? Start with superb performance and reliability. Add smart safety features, terrific value, or an ingenious solution to an everyday problem. Then rise above the thousands of products CR evaluates each year.

The products below are all exceptional choices. They’re the rare standouts our experts would confidently recommend to family and friends, and in some cases have bought for themselves. Welcome to CR’s Top Picks.

For exhaustive product rankings (and a look across all the product categories we test and cover) dive into our ratings of appliances, home goods, electronics, health products, and more.

Dutch Ovens

Refrigerators

Dishwashers

Gas Ranges

Front-Load Washers

Electric Dryers

Towels

Mattresses

Treadmills

Bathroom Scales

Sunscreens

Coffee Blends

WiFi Routers

Smartphones

TVs

Smartwatches

Battery Leaf Blowers

Oscillating Multi-Tools

Battery Lawn Mowers

Patio Umbrellas

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Anna Kocharian

The fastest way to a cook’s heart might just be a gift that simplifies food prep, produces delicious results, or makes their time in the kitchen even more enjoyable. Whether that comes in the form of a splurge-worthy appliance or a tasty stocking stuffer is up to you.

Treat the aspiring rookie or a seasoned chef with our picks ahead, which are sure to please.

Need more holiday shopping help and inspiration? We’ve got you covered with great gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Gifts That Make Food Prep More Efficient

An Odor-Free Peeling Tool

Sinnsally Garlic Peeler

Peeling garlic is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time. Cue this handy garlic peeler. You simply put cloves in the tube and then roll it back and forth. Our evaluator found that it required very little physical exertion and was easy to use and clean. Pro tip: Be mindful not to overfill the tube with cloves, as it can compromise its effectiveness.

An Easier Avo Pitter

Oxo Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer

Here’s one gadget that would make for a fun stocking stuffer. If the thought of pitting avocados frightens you or your giftee, this avocado slicer is here to save the day. The clever contraption offers three functions: You can halve, pit, and slice an avocado into strips using different parts of the tool. Our evaluator found the pitting component to be the most useful. All it requires is for you to push the steel pitter against the slicer and gently twist the pit out.

A Faster Food Chopper

Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004

I use my food chopper almost daily for everything from whipping up a quick salad dressing to chopping ingredients for soups and more. This Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004 chopper has a 2.5-cup capacity and features a top-mounted motor that you push down to operate. It earns top marks for chopping, turning out nicely chopped veggies and nuts in our tests. Included in the set is a larger 5-cup processing bowl and a 6-cup blender jar.

For more options: Best Food Processors & Choppers

A Full-Sized Blender

Vitamix 5200

A great blender is a true kitchen workhorse and a versatile tool at that. Vitamix earned top marks for predicted brand reliability in our survey of CR members. That means this Vitamix blender is expected to continue to produce thirst-quenching icy drinks for years to come. It’s also terrific at blending soups and can even heat the soup using the friction created by the fast-whirring blades. In our test, raw ingredients went from cold chunks to steaming soup in 5 minutes.

For more options: Most and Least Reliable Blender Brands

Gifts for Bakers

A Better Bread Pan

Emile Henry French Ceramic Ruffled Loaf Pan

With its scalloped edges, two-tone color scheme, and semi-shiny finish, this pan isn’t only nice to look at. In our evaluations, it produced a decently browned and crumbly cornbread, thanks to the material it’s made from–clay from the Burgundy region in France–which evenly absorbs and distributes heat. Best of all, after a round in the dishwasher it came out looking as if it had never been used.

For more options: The Best Loaf Pans

An Heirloom-Quality Dish

Staub Ceramic Pie Dish

A great pie dish that can seamlessly transition from the oven to the table is a holiday-hosting must-have and hack, all in one. Of all the pies our evaluator baked, the one made in this Staub ceramic dish had the best crust and texture. It’s oven- and broiler-safe up to 570° F and features generously sized handles for a firm grip. Staub’s website says it’s highly scratch-, impact-, and thermal shock-resistant.

For more options: The Best Pie Pans

An Appealing Butter Keeper

Le Creuset Butter Crock

For the butter enthusiast, we couldn’t think of a better gift. Le Creuset’s butter crock has a classic look that would fit in well with most kitchen aesthetics. It comes in four colors: “Cerise,” a rich red with a black fade; “Caribbean,” a happy blue and the colorway we evaluated; “Marseille,” a midtone, dusty blue; and white.

Like most Le Creuset products, it’s made from enameled stoneware. It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to wash by hand, too. The lid has a small divot that may retain water in the dishwasher, but putting it on its side means you won’t have to deal with accumulated water in the lid after it’s clean.

The Stand Mixer of Stand Mixers

KitchenAid Bowl Lift KSM70

The KitchenAid Bowl Lift KSM70 looks good on a counter, and its bowl-lift style fits nicely under upper cabinets. Its kneading performance (with the included dough hook) is top-notch, and its scores for whipping speed and mixing speed are very good. It works fairly quietly, too. It weighs 27 pounds and is available in blue as well as 10 other colors.

For more options: Best Stand Mixers

Gifts To Upgrade Everyday Essentials

A Better Looking Sheet Tray

Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan

The Great Jones cookware line puts a vibrant spin on culinary staples, turning the stocking of a kitchen into a–dare we say–fun experience. It earns a solid rating for cooking evenness in our tests, plus it heats up quickly and cleans up nicely. Pair it with all the necessary ingredients for chocolate chip cookies or a sheet pan dinner and you’ll be golden.

For more options: Best Sheet Pans

A Knife Good Enough for the Pros

Henckels Premio 8” Chef’s Knife

Henckels has been making knives in Germany for nearly 300 years, and its expertise in design is on full display with this knife. The Premio’s handle is contoured with no sharp edges, resulting in a knife that’s extremely comfortable to hold. It also excels at force transmission from handle to blade, which means you don’t need to exert as much effort when cutting.

For more: How to Shop for a Chef’s Knife

Food-Safe Scissors

iBayam Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears can easily replace knives for many culinary tasks: slicing herbs, trimming fat from meat, cutting pizza, and so much more. After testing six pairs of kitchen shears, all three of CR’s evaluators said the iBayam shears felt nice in their hands, were easy to use, and didn’t require them to grip too hard. The one downside is that the shears don’t come apart for cleaning, but the price and the comfort level make them our top choice.

For more options: Best Kitchen Shears

Salt and Pepper Grinders

Cole & Mason Battersea Classic Electronic Mill Set

The Cole & Mason Battersea Classic Electronic Mill Set resembles mills you might see at a high-end restaurant when you ask for pepper on your dish. They have a large plastic window to see how much salt, pepper, or other spice is left in the chamber. They’re elegant and sleek, and they look wonderful on the kitchen countertop.

For more options: Best Electric Salt and Pepper Grinders

Cookware They'll Reach for Constantly

An Aesthetic (and Capable) Multi-Cooker

Our Place Dream Cooker

The Dream Cooker from Our Place offers key cooking features that many home cooks want right now, albeit at a somewhat steep price. It streamlines the array of options offered by more traditional multi-cookers with far fewer functions (slow cook, pressure cook, sauté/sear, and keep warm). If you prefer the simplicity that comes with fewer buttons, status updates, and beeps, not to mention a chic design that looks cool on a kitchen counter, this cooker is not to be missed.

Read more: Our Place Dream Cooker vs. Instant Pot Pro: How Do They Compare?

The Trendy and Well-Rated Nonstick Cookware Set

Caraway Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick

An internet sensation, this Caraway ceramic-coated cookware set proved to be a standout in our tests, too, rising to the top of our nonstick set ratings. It comes with 14 pieces, but only half of them are pots or lids. The rest are various racks, hooks, trivets, and things you might not want or have space for. But if this is your first cookware set–and you have the storage space–why not? It excels in all four of our key cooking tests (cooking evenness, simmering, nonstick food release, and heating speed), and the handles are sturdy and stay cool to the touch while you’re cooking. It comes in six colors, including the terra cotta set pictured here.

A Reinvented Dutch Oven

Our Place Perfect Pot

Weighing in at just about 5 pounds, this 6-quart Dutch oven from Our Place is a real lightweight–but only in the best sense of the word. When it comes to performance, no other Dutch oven in our ratings matches it. This model earns top scores for ease of cleaning, bread baking, sauce simmering, cooking evenness, and heating speed. Made of aluminum with a ceramic coating, it’s also induction-compatible and oven-safe to 425° F.

For more options: Best Dutch Ovens

A Cast-Iron Frying Pan

Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron Series 1000

This Tramontina frying pan excels at two tasks that you depend on with a cast-iron skillet: searing steak and browning scallops. We also baked cornbread, and it earned an impressive rating.

For more options: Best Cast-Iron Frying Pans

Gifts They Can Eat

A Not-Just-Another Bottle of Olive Oil

Flamingo Estate Personalized Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Consider this your yearly reminder to give the people what they really want: a good bottle of olive oil. It’s a splurge they’d otherwise not make for themselves, but one that’ll pay off in spades. This version from Flamingo Estate is not to be missed. Made from organically grown and hand-harvested olives, this cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil is vibrant and peppery, with subtle notes of softer fruit.

This version features a customizable label that allows you to go the extra mile and personalize the bottle for your giftee. Or, keep it simple and get the same olive oil, sans personalization, for $45 at Flamingo Estate.

Although this version wasn’t included in our evaluations of the best extra-virgin olive oils last year, I love it for dressing salads or as a garnish for homemade dips.

Spicy Chili Crisp

Fly By Jing Triple Threat Sauce Trio

Miguel Leal is a big fan of Fly by Jing. The co-founder of Somos–a purveyor of ready-to-eat Mexican foods–recommends the Triple Threat gift set for home cooks who want to get creative in the kitchen. “It contains three products, one of which is the Sichuan Chili Crisp, which is a super-versatile sauce that I use on everything from eggs to dumplings and rice, and even on sushi,” Leal says. “It has a great level of spicy–but isn’t too spicy!–and I love the texture it adds to my food.”

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Consumers should have the right to know when risky pesticides are being sprayed nearby, according to CR and EWG.

By Catherine Roberts

Consumers should enjoy more and stronger protections from the health risks of harmful pesticides, say Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group. Today, the two organizations released a Consumer Pesticide Safety Bill of Rights, outlining suggested changes. 

“These are reforms that are long overdue because people have the right to expect that the things we bring into our homes, our schools, the food we serve our kids, are safe,” says EWG senior vice president of government affairs, Scott Faber, “especially when it comes to toxic pesticides.”

The rights enumerated include knowing whether a pesticide is linked to cancer or other health problems, knowing if toxic pesticides are sprayed near homes or schools, and knowing that children’s food is protected by the best possible safety standards for pesticides. Consumer Reports has long advocated for stronger protections around pesticides in food.

The advocates hope the bill of rights will help persuade Congress to address long-standing gaps in pesticide-related consumer protections and reject any new pesticide-related legislation that doesn’t strengthen such protections.

Next fall, the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) is up for renewal. Although PRIA mainly governs the fees pesticide manufacturers pay to register their products, it is an amendment to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the key law governing pesticide registration, sales, and usage in the U.S. Advocates say that renewing one part of the law is a great opportunity to strengthen other parts of it as well. 

What the Consumer Pesticide Safety Bill of Rights Says

The Consumer Pesticide Safety Bill of Rights declares that Americans have the right to information and warnings about pesticides, including whether they are linked to cancer and other health harms, where they’re being sprayed, when they’ve been mishandled, and how much they’ve been detected in food and water.

It also asserts that consumers have the right for their children to be adequately protected from pesticides in their schools, in local parks, and in their food. Additionally, consumers in the U.S. should be able to expect that if a pesticide is banned in another country, U.S. regulators will quickly review that chemical to reassess the safety of its use here, and should have the right to seek justice in the court system if they believe pesticides have caused them harm. 

Several of these rights are enjoyed by some people in the U.S. but not by others. For example, a few states require farmers to notify the public before they spray pesticides, but most don’t. Different states also have varying standards on the use of pesticides in and around schools. 

Other rights emphasize consumer knowledge. “I think most consumers would be alarmed about the information that’s shielded from them,” says Brian Ronholm, CR’s director of food policy. 

For example, an analysis published earlier this year by the Center for Biological Diversity found that out of 4,919 pesticide products that contained ingredients classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “likely” carcinogen, the agency has required just 69 of them to carry cancer warnings on their labels. Some pesticide labels carry cancer warnings required by other agencies or regulations, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or California’s Proposition 65. (We contacted the EPA for a comment and will update this story if we hear back.)

The bill of rights also emphasizes the need for tougher standards for pesticide safety. For example, the Food Quality Protection Act requires that EPA apply an extra margin of safety in determining what it considers to be safe levels of pesticides on food when there’s a possibility that children might be especially vulnerable to a given pesticide or when there’s uncertainty about a pesticide’s potential to harm children. This is known as the FQPA safety factor. But a 2020 study by an EWG scientist found that the agency applied the FQPA safety factor in only a small minority of cases. 

Another problem? When other countries or entities, such as the European Union, enact bans on pesticides due to their health risk, there’s no mechanism in the U.S. to force an immediate review of that pesticide’s safety and use here.

The last right in the bill seeks to address a weakening of consumers’ rights resulting from a Supreme Court case earlier this year, Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, which limited people’s ability to sue for damages when they believe they’ve been harmed by pesticides. 

“These things are all part of the same legal and policy challenge: That our pesticide laws are not doing enough to ensure that the worst pesticides are being banned, that we’re being properly warned about the worst pesticides, and that we’re moving quickly to stop using dangerous pesticides when other countries have acted to do so,” Faber says.

Tracey Woodruff, PhD, a professor of epidemiology and population health who studies environmental pollutants and their effects on health, applauds the Consumer Pesticide Safety Bill of Rights. She says it could have gone even further, however, by addressing the influence that pesticide corporations have on the rules governing their industry. 

“The systems are such that people don’t have a right to not be exposed to toxic pesticides because of the way the rules are set up,” she says. “The public is extremely upset about corporations and industry having influence on the rules about how decisions are made that relate to their health, including, in particular, for pesticides.”

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Lisa L. Gill

If it seems like television commercials featuring Joe Namath, William Shatner, Meredith Vieira, and other celebrities peddling Medicare plans are constant, well, you’re not imagining it.

This is nothing new. In 2023, ads promoting Medicare plans ran more than 9,500 times a day in the two weeks before annual open enrollment, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report. And that didn’t count all the snail mail, email, texts, and social media come-ons you’re probably being hit with these days as well.

The marketing assault, however, is a good reminder that this year’s open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7—and that everyone (yes, everyone) who is on or soon to be on Medicare should assess their 2027 coverage before that sign-up window closes for the year.

The reason? Whether you get your healthcare coverage via “traditional” Medicare or with a privately run Medicare Advantage plan, your plan or your life may have changed in ways that could leave you vulnerable to significantly higher costs, unable to go to your preferred doctors, or both.

That said, the 800 numbers and websites flashed in those TV ads are almost certainly not the way to address the situation. “There’s a lot those ads can’t tell you—most importantly, which plan, out of the 30 or so available options in any given ZIP code, is the best one for you next year,” says Chuck Bell, advocacy program director at Consumer Reports. Or whether you need another type of plan altogether.

Here, we offer five smart steps for getting the best match for your health and your wallet in 2027.

Step 1: Make sure your doctors will be in-network next year.

Why it matters: If you’re on traditional Medicare, this isn’t a concern. Nearly all doctors and hospitals in the U.S. accept your coverage. But if you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, your care is covered only when you use its local network of doctors, hospitals, and outpatient facilities.

The problem is that more healthcare providers are rejecting the pay rates and terms offered by various Medicare Advantage plans and dropping out of those networks. So if you want to be certain you can see a particular provider in 2027, you’ll need to check.

What to do: First, look for your Annual Notice of Change, a letter or email that your Advantage plan should send you by Sept. 30. (If it doesn’t, call.) These documents may list all of the providers in your area who are no longer in-network, not just the ones you go to. The lists can be complicated, so if you aren’t sure whether you’re affected, contact your doctors directly to ask whether they’ll be in your network in 2027, says Emily Whicheloe, director of education at the Medicare Rights Center. If the answer is no, find out which Advantage plans they’ll be working with, and consider switching.

If your doctor of choice won’t be participating in any Advantage plan next year, you may still have another option. Look for Private Fee-for-Service, or PFFS, Advantage plans, which don’t have set doctor networks. Instead, you ask your preferred providers if they’ll accept the plan’s terms and payment rates. Or consider a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Advantage plan, some of which offer limited coverage for out-of-network providers.

But perhaps the best way to continue seeing a newly out-of-network doctor is to switch to traditional Medicare with a supplemental plan, a decision we discuss in Step 4.

Step 2: Confirm your Rx drugs will be covered.

Why it matters: Medicare Part D plans cover prescription medications, either as stand-alone plans under traditional Medicare or bundled within Advantage plans. But no Part D plans cover all drugs. Instead, they determine which medications they will and will not cover, and—to control costs—divide the covered drugs into tiers, from low-cost generics (which you pay a smaller copay for) to high-cost specialty drugs (for larger copays or percentages). What’s tricky is that those determinations—known as formularies—can change every year, with plans deciding to stop covering some drugs and moving others from one tier to another. These changes can significantly affect how much you’ll pay out of pocket.

Other developments could significantly increase your 2027 out-of-pocket drug costs as well. For one thing, a growing number of Part D plans are switching from flat copays to amounts based on a percentage of a drug’s price, says Stacie Dusetzina, PhD, a professor of health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn., and an expert on Medicare prescription drug policies.

And in late July, the Trump administration ended a 2-year-old subsidy that reduced Medicare drug plan premiums, potentially adding at least $120 per year to your Part D premium. (On the other hand, Medicare recently negotiated large discounts on 15 popular and pricey drugs that don’t have generic equivalents, which may save you a bundle if you take one of them and your plan charges percentage-based copays.)

What to do: To find out whether your drugs were dropped from your plan or moved to a more expensive tier, refer to your Annual Notice of Change, or log on to your medicare.gov account.

If the news is bad, search for a better Part D plan using medicare.gov’s Plan Finder. You enter a list of all your meds with the strengths and dosages, select up to five local pharmacies, and hit “Enter.” Then narrow the results to plans that rate well in terms of customer service and price by selecting “Star Ratings” and “3 Stars or Higher.”

Finally, select up to three plans at a time to compare premiums and deductibles. Select “Plan Details” and then "Drug Coverage" to compare the total annual cost of your meds at the various pharmacies. The lowest prices will be at pharmacies designated as "Preferred."

Step 3: Check your 2027 out-of-pocket maximums.

Why it matters: Medicare plans frequently make you cover copayments and deductibles, which can add up to huge amounts in the event of a hospitalization or serious illness. Out-of-pocket maximums set annual limits on these expenses, after which plans cover 100 percent. But these limits should be manageable in a worst-case scenario, or you could be stuck with unexpected debt. It’s also important to know that each Medicare component—medical, prescription drug, and supplemental coverage—can have its own out-of-pocket costs, and you could be on the hook for all of them.

What to do: Understanding your exposure is crucial. Many Medicare users don’t realize how much they could have to shell out until it’s too late, says Jack Hoadley, PhD, a Medicare expert and research professor emeritus at the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Traditional Medicare has no out-of-pocket max: It covers 80 percent, and you’re responsible for the rest. So it’s essential to purchase a supplemental plan, Hoadley says. (About 13 percent of people on traditional Medicare go without one, according to a 2025 Kaiser analysis.) But supplemental plans can have their own out-of-pocket maximums. Of the 10 plan types (known by the letters A-D, F, G, and K-N), K and L are expected to have out-of-pocket limits of $8,400 and $4,200, respectively, while the others will cover 100 percent of medical costs.

Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to set out-of-pocket limits as high as an estimated $9,850 for HMOs and $14,800 for PPOs, but some often set them lower. To find your plan’s limit, log on to medicare.gov, follow prompts for “Find Health or Drug Plans,” and select Medicare Advantage (Part C).

Part D prescription drug plans have out-of-pocket maxes of $2,400 for 2027, whether they’re stand-alone plans under traditional Medicare or bundled within Advantage plans. (It’s still important to compare Part D plans because most people don’t reach that limit.) If your maximums are too high for your budget or comfort, shop for a different plan at medicare.gov.

Step 4: Consider switching from Medicare Advantage to Medicare (or vice versa).

Why it matters: We’ve explained why you might want to switch plans within a Medicare category (Advantage, Part D, or supplemental). But some situations might merit switching from an Advantage plan to traditional Medicare or the other way around.

▶ Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare. Advantage plan premiums often cost less than traditional Medicare plus a supplemental plan. Even so, you might consider this switch if, for example, one of your doctors no longer accepts your Medicare Advantage plan. Or maybe you’ve received a complex diagnosis and want to seek care at an out-of-state healthcare center like the Mayo Clinic. Or perhaps you’d like treatments or tests without waiting for prior authorization from your insurer. (Two recent federal studies—here and here—found that Advantage plans routinely deny authorizations for services that traditional Medicare would have covered. A separate KFF analysis found that prior authorizations are the top consumer frustration in healthcare.)

Consider this switch only if you can find an affordable supplemental plan, Hoadley says. That may be difficult: The time windows during which supplemental plans must accept you without “medical underwriting” may have closed. The process usually includes a physical exam and can raise your rates or cause an insurer to deny coverage. Still, Hoadley says it’s worth trying despite the conventional wisdom that it’s difficult or expensive. That’s especially true if you’ve moved outside your Advantage’s plan coverage area and qualify for a special enrollment period.

▶ Traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage. The case for this switch is narrow and applies if you’re on traditional Medicare without a supplemental plan, then realize you should protect yourself from potentially huge out-of-pocket medical bills but can’t find an affordable supplemental plan.

What to do: Log on to your medicare.gov account and click on “Find Health & Drug Plans” to search for a supplemental plan. Or get help from one of the resources listed below.

Step 5: Be sure you're paying the right amount.

Why it matters: Medicare charges an extra fee, known as IRMAA (for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), for people with high incomes. It’s levied on a sliding scale based on your annual income from two years before. (See above for details.) One-off events like a home sale or 401(k) withdrawal can also trigger it. Conversely, those who live on less than $18,000 a year and hold less than about $9,500 in assets (not including a home, a car, and certain personal items) might qualify for assistance with Part B and Part D premiums.

What to do: IRMAA is applied automatically to your monthly premiums based on IRS data. You can appeal if the info used is incorrect. And you can seek an adjustment or waiver if, among other reasons, your income declines, your spouse dies, or you lose your job.

To find out whether you’re eligible for lower Part B or D payments, use the questionnaire at the Patient Advocacy Network (panfoundation.org/extrahelp). If you qualify, work with a Medicare adviser below to apply.

Turning 65 Soon? Make these 3 Moves ASAP

You become eligible for Medicare at age 65. But you should take these steps as soon as you enter the seven-month period starting three calendar months before the month of your birthday. (If you’re still covered by an employer plan after 65, you have eight months after you stop working to enroll.)

▶ Go to socialsecurity.gov to create an account and sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage, which is usually free) and Medicare Part B (doctor coverage, which will cost about $210 a month in 2027). Do this whether you’re choosing traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

▶ Next, head to medicare.gov to set up an account and search for Medicare Advantage plans, supplemental plans (if you choose traditional Medicare), and Medicare Part D drug coverage in your area. Coverage usually starts the month you sign up.

▶ Get help if you can’t decide on a plan. And keep in mind that if you initially sign up for an Advantage plan and aren’t satisfied for any reason, you can go back to traditional Medicare with a guaranteed supplemental plan within the first 12 months. (After that, you’ll probably have to go through medical underwriting.)

What if you don’t sign up within your seven-month window? You’ll face a surcharge of up to 10 percent on Part B and Part D premiums for every year you delay. And because Medicare might not cover any medical bills retroactively, you’ll be on the hook for 100 percent of most medical costs that you incur before you sign up.

Need help? Try these resources

Three good sources of general Medicare information are the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center (medicarerights.org, 800-333-4114); the federally funded State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP (shiphelp.org; 877-839-2675); and Medicare itself (medicare.gov; 800-633-4227 ). These organizations connect you with advisers trained to help choose Medicare plans.

The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (nabip.org) has a directory of local, independent insurance brokers, and most don’t charge a fee.

The Patient Advocate Certification Board (pacboard.org) has a directory of certified patient advocates. They usually charge a fee but offer highly personalized service and sometimes help with billing disputes.

Chapter is a free, independent Medicare adviser that partners with Consumer Reports (askchapter.org/crmag; 855-684-4488). CR may receive compensation when members use the service.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Phil Radford

In a lot of ways, there’s never been a better time to be a consumer. We have an almost endless selection of products at our fingertips, and we can often have them delivered to our door in hours, if not minutes.

But this bonanza comes with its own challenges. It’s hard to know which products are truly worth our money or whether we should trust any of the companies competing relentlessly for our attention and dollars. And many of the same technologies that make shopping convenient—from algorithms that recommend what to buy to e-commerce platforms filled with third-party sellers—can expose us to unsafe goods, threaten our privacy, and charge us more than our neighbors for the very same things.

You deserve the benefits of today’s consumer ecosystem without the drawbacks—and we’re constantly working to tip the balance in your favor. We do that by testing thousands of products every year and then pointing you to the very best. We do it by helping you make confident decisions, whether you’re choosing the right Medicare plan or considering a do-it-yourself blood test to monitor your health. And we do it by urging companies and policymakers to put consumers first. In the past year, for example, we helped persuade e-commerce giant Temu to add a new recall alerts center to its platform, and Amazon to add dedicated information on its website warning of the flammability risk of children’s pajamas.

Whether we’re testing products, uncovering hidden risks, or championing stronger consumer protections, our mission is the same: to help you make smarter choices and build a marketplace that works for everyone.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

By Hallie Levine

You’re probably no stranger to having a nurse draw multiple vials of blood at annual checkups. You might not think twice about this (except, ouch!). But once evaluated, these samples reveal how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. Some blood tests can also help diagnose a health problem, such as an infection, or monitor chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes. Still others reveal biomarkers, substances in your blood that may indicate a higher risk for certain conditions, such as heart disease.

Until recently, you almost always had to go through your doctor to get blood tests. Today, for certain blood work, there’s no need to set foot in a medical office. There are now many tests you can order on your own to check everything from cholesterol levels to food sensitivities to "cell aging."

In 2025, the global market for direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests was an estimated $4.7 billion, according to the market research firm Grand View Research—a figure expected to grow by about 15 percent each year.

Their ease of use may help explain the trend. Research published in the journal Inquiry in 2024 found that older adults see DTC tests as more convenient than those ordered by doctors. "Some of these tests also play on fears patients may have about aging and developing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer," says Christopher Gold, DO, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of internal medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Whether it’s an order-it-yourself health check or one your doctor recommends, "the goals for consumers shouldn’t be to get more tests, but to get the right tests," Gold says. Here’s a closer look at which ones are essential and reliable, and which ones you can probably skip.

Tests Your Doctor May Order

Some of these may be part of routine physicals, though not all experts agree on how often they should be given. Others are done only once or occasionally. They’re typically covered by insurance, but it’s wise to check first.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

By measuring 14 different substances, this provides information about your liver and kidney health, and bone strength. It also checks your glucose levels to determine your risk of developing diabetes, and evaluates the state of your electrolytes and bodily fluids, which help regulate blood pressure and heart rhythm.

If you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or you take at least one medication regularly, your doctor will want to run this test annually to make sure that your meds aren’t harming your liver or kidneys, says Michael Hochman, MD, MPH, an internal medicine physician in Los Angeles. The independent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that healthy adults between 35 and 70 have their glucose levels checked every three years.

Complete Blood Count

This test, one of the most common, measures red and white blood cells and platelets to help identify issues such as infections and anemia. The CBC is an important diagnostic tool, but the USPSTF doesn’t include the test on its list of recommended routine screenings.

Lipid Panel

Typically, this checks your total cholesterol: HDL ("good") cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and fatty substances called triglycerides. High or borderline high LDL results indicate an increased risk of heart disease, as do too-low levels of HDL. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommend that those 19 and older have this test at least every five years. (If you have heart disease risk factors, your doctor may want to check your lipids more often.)

Lipoprotein(a)

A high level of Lp(a), a cholesterol-carrying substance in your blood, is associated with a higher long-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. "It can help us decide if we need to start you on a statin drug," says Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. All adults should have this one-time blood test at some point, ideally before age 40, according to the AHA and ACC, she says.

Hemoglobin A1C

An A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. "Fasting blood tests to measure glucose levels are just snapshots of a single point in time," says Brintha Vasagar, MD, chief medical officer of Progressive Community Health Center in Milwaukee. "An A1C test gives us a more complete picture." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 45 and older have a baseline test, and that some, like those at higher risk for prediabetes and diabetes, do this earlier.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

An abnormal result on this test for thyroid disease may suggest an overactive or underactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism). There’s no consensus on routine screening. The USPSTF says there’s not enough evidence for or against it. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists says "older patients" should have the test, and the American Thyroid Association recommends it every five years if you’re over 35. If you have thyroid disease symptoms, your doctor may run tests such as the T4, too.

Vitamin D

In its 2024 guidelines, the Endocrine Society advised against routine screening for healthy adults. But it’s appropriate for those at higher risk for deficiency, which includes people with osteoporosis or a condition that interferes with vitamin D absorption, like inflammatory bowel disease, Gold says.

Apolipoprotein B

Groups like the AHA recommend this test—which measures levels of a protein that attaches to fat particles in blood—if you have type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, or cardiovascular disease. It’s then done each time you get a lipid panel.

Hormones

Some tests measure reproductive hormones in women, like follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. Cory Fisher, DO, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, sometimes orders them if he thinks a woman may be going through premature menopause. As for testosterone tests for men, "we only do this if they have symptoms like erectile dysfunction and a dramatic decrease in their sex drive," he says.

Allergies

Have allergy symptoms? Tests for allergen-specific antibodies may help identify the substances causing you problems. But because these have a high false-positive rate, your doctor should also run other tests—like an oral food challenge—for confirmation, Gold says.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can be hard to diagnose. Blood tests such as those for C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (how long it takes red blood cells to fall to the bottom of a test tube) can screen for inflammation, which may indicate an autoimmune condition, Hochman says. Other tests may provide more information. For instance, an antinuclear antibody test can help diagnose lupus.

Photo Illustration: Mike McQuade

Order-It-Yourself Tests

Gut health, hormone levels, heart disease, even your biological age: There are tests available for just about any health condition you’re curious about. Some come in kits that include multiple tests. You can order them online (prick your finger with a lancet at home and send your sample off for analysis) or simply walk into certain labs to get those you want.

The appeal is easy to understand: DTC blood tests may offer privacy—if you want that—and an alternative to the hassle of time-consuming medical appointments.

But you’ll want to be aware of potential pitfalls. For instance, learning that you’re at higher risk for a certain condition doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop it, or that there are preventive steps to take. "There are reasons we don’t screen for all of these biomarkers in everybody. Many are for diseases that are extraordinarily rare," says Sheldon Campbell, MD, PhD, associate director of clinical microbiology for Yale-New Haven Health in Connecticut, and chair of the Point of Care Testing Committee for the College of American Pathologists.

And DTC tests aren’t tightly regulated, contrary to what more than 50 percent of respondents in a 2022 University of Michigan poll thought. Some are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning the agency has reviewed the manufacturer’s data and concluded that it’s reliable. But this doesn’t mean the results are useful.

If you’re going to use a home test, stick with those that are FDA-approved. (To find them, go to fda.gov, search for "approved home and lab tests," and enter the test you’re interested in.) For tests that aren’t FDA-approved, check the manufacturer’s website to make sure it uses a laboratory accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments or the College of American Pathologists.

And always share the results you receive with your doctor. "Your physicians can help you interpret what these results mean and figure out what you need to do moving forward to keep you healthy," says Jeffrey Kullgren, MD, an associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Better yet, talk with your doctor first. "These tests are expensive and not covered by insurance," Kullgren says, "so you really want to make sure that you need them, and check if they can be ordered by your doctor to save you money." Here’s a rundown of five of the most popular types.

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Some labs offer a food allergy panel, which measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. These are substances your body may produce in response to allergens such as peanuts, some tree nuts, fish, shrimp, sesame seeds, cow’s milk, egg whites, and wheat. Others sell tests marketed for food sensitivities or intolerances, which some say can cause symptoms like gastrointestinal trouble. DTC food allergy tests range from $140 to $359, and food sensitivity tests from $140 to $300.

You’re best off doing food allergy tests in a doctor’s office, according to Gold, where they’re more likely to be covered by insurance. "You’ll have to work with your doctor anyway if anything in the test comes back positive," he says.

There’s likely no reason to do food sensitivity testing, which measures IgG, a different antibody than allergy tests check, Gold says. High IgG levels often mean only that you eat a suspect food regularly, he says—not that you’re sensitive to it.

Sexually Transmitted Disease

At-home blood tests are available for STDs such as genital herpes, hepatitis A and B, HIV, and syphilis. "There are some advantages to these tests—mainly that you’re doing them in the privacy of your own home, if you are nervous going to a clinic or asking your doctor to run them," Hochman says. But you’ll likely still need to contact your doctor if you get a positive result. And the tests can be costly. A five-panel STD test for hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis costs about $170 out of pocket.

Hormones

For women, these may be expansions of what a doctor might order to determine whether they’re in perimenopause. In addition to measuring reproductive hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol (estrogen), and progesterone, they may also check testosterone, DHEA-S, and various thyroid hormones. For men, a test package might look at testosterone, sex-hormone-binding globulin, albumin, estradiol, and prolactin. These packages can cost $150 to $300.

Skip them, say the experts we interviewed. For women, hormone levels change rapidly in middle age, and a test at a single point in time won’t likely be definitive. As for thyroid hormone levels, "you can get the exact same tests done at your doctor’s office, and they’re usually covered by insurance," Campbell says. The same is true for testosterone testing for men.

Heart Health

These may measure everything from cholesterol to A1C levels to markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein, and can range from around $50 for a basic lipid panel to close to $200 for a more extensive kit. Many are the same screenings your doctor would have you do routinely, according to Goldberg. "You can ask your doctor to order a lipid panel and an A1C [which measures blood sugar control], and usually, you don’t have to pay anything because it’s covered by insurance under preventive care," she says.

Some DTC heart health kits contain additional tests as well, such as one for what’s called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). This test, which checks for an inflammation marker, may be helpful for some people at higher risk of heart disease. Your doctor can also perform it, so you may want to ask whether it’s right for you.

Whole Body

These multitest kits, which range from about $300 to almost $900, may check more than 80 biomarkers and provide a personalized health score. They often include standard lab tests, such as a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic and lipid panels, and a check of your A1C, insulin, vitamin, and hormone levels and thyroid function, as well as hormone tests. Some also test for substances like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to help gauge your overall biological age.

But it’s not clear just how helpful the results are. "They throw a whole bunch of biomarker results on you, the consumer, who doesn’t have any idea of what to make of them," Campbell says. He likens it to watching a YouTube video in order to learn how to fix his car’s brakes.

If you’re curious about these products, Campbell recommends talking to your primary care provider first. Your doctor may already order some of the tests for you during routine screenings or can if you request it.

Should You Screen for Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease has long been difficult to diagnose in its early stages. But blood tests that measure levels of key proteins in amyloid brain plaques—which may indicate the onset of the disease—have become available in the past few years.

Tests such as Lumipulse and Elecsys pTau181 are designed to help pick up more cases sooner so that people can take advantage of treatments that may slow the progression during the condition’s initial stages, says Jeffrey Kullgren, MD, an associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. But neither test is diagnostic on its own, and Lumipulse can have a false-positive rate of up to 40 percent, according to a 2026 JAMA Neurology research letter. This means it may indicate a problem where none exists.

Still, it’s reasonable to ask about these tests if you have concerns about yourself or a loved one. If the result is positive, your doctor should follow up with a cognitive assessment and imaging tests, such as an MRI.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Federal authorities linked shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms to the largest known outbreak of cyclosporiasis in U.S. history.

By Paris Martineau

Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration closed its investigation into this summer’s massive outbreak of cyclosporiasis. It was the largest such incident in U.S. history, with federal authorities eventually linking 12,883 illnesses, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms—a staggering toll for a parasite most Americans had never heard of. 

The recall showed how far Taylor Farms’ lettuce traveled, from Taco Bell kitchens to bags labeled with Walmart’s house brand to the trucks of Sysco, the nation’s largest food distributor.

In announcing the closure of its investigation, the FDA said its inspectors in central Mexico found the parasite in a wastewater tank at a facility where the lettuce was processed and in a drainage ditch of a farm where it was grown. The agency is still analyzing whether the samples are genetically related to this summer’s infections. 

A Taylor Farms spokesperson said the company will “indefinitely suspend” sales of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico during the region’s rainy season, which is when cyclospora infections in the U.S. typically spike. 

The FDA said it plans to publish a report on what went wrong and how to prevent a repeat before next year’s growing season. That timeline leaves little room to spare. Cyclosporiasis cases typically climb in late spring and peak in summer—though this year’s were an order of magnitude greater than usual—giving the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only months to apply what they learned. 

“There’s a fair amount of additional work that needs to come together to really give us a more complete picture of what happened this year and how best to approach next year,” says Craig Hedberg, PhD, a professor at the University of Minnesota who studies how to make foodborne illness outbreak investigations more effective.

Here are four key takeaways from the outbreak: 

Taylor Farms Made It Hard for Consumers to Understand Its Recall

The lettuce eventually linked to over 12,000 infections reached the U.S. earlier this year, when it was served at Taco Bell locations. In late June, Taylor Farms also began shipping it to retailers, restaurants, and distributors in at least 31 states, and kept shipping for weeks. By July, federal authorities had tied a Mexican facility to the outbreak. Yet consumers still couldn’t find out what precisely was contaminated, where it went, and how worried they should be. 

The confusion started with the recall itself. Published on a Friday afternoon in mid-July, Taylor Farms’ initial notice did not include the word “recall” and named no products. Within 18 hours, the company corrected that—sort of. Its updated notice promised a “complete list of affected products, lot codes, and use-by dates and instructions for returning or disposing of them.” But the 30-odd products were listed in internal shorthand, with abbreviations in place of consumer-facing product names and no indication of where they were sold. Shredded iceberg lettuce served at Jack in the Box locations was listed as “JB 1/8″ SHRED LETTUCE 4/5#,” and a prechopped salad mix sold at Walmart stores under house brand Marketside was “MKTSD Iceberg Salad 12 oz, 24 oz.”

If consumers can’t understand a recall notice, it can’t protect them. In the hours after the notice was published, Consumer Reports was able to decode some of these listings by contacting companies with similar-sounding brand names. Only Taco Bell, Walmart, Sysco, and Jack in the Box acknowledged receiving the recalled lettuce. The other recipients—including Subway, produce distributor Cross Valley Farms, supplier Markon, and wholesaler Peak Fresh Produce—did not respond to our inquiries and were not officially linked to the outbreak until they were named in an FDA enforcement report weeks later.

A Taylor Farms spokesperson said its notice identified the products using the “codes most pertinent to food service, who need the information in this format in order to pull product,” and that the “vast majority of product was not sold in retail stores.”

The FDA and CDC Left the Public Guessing, Too

The day after Taylor Farms published its notice, the FDA announced that a sample of the company’s iceberg lettuce from outside the recall had tested positive for cyclospora. This was significant because it suggested the recall was likely to grow—but the FDA retracted the result as a false positive the next day. 

Many took that to mean that Taylor Farms’ lettuce was cleared. But that wasn’t the case. The FDA had to clarify at a press conference that the retraction didn’t cast doubt on the previously established link between the recalled lettuce and the cyclosporiasis outbreak. 

(A series of since-deleted social media posts made by Taylor Farms—one of which said the FDA had apologized to the company, a claim the FDA denied—further fanned the confusion.)

The agency’s problems went deeper than any single announcement, says Brian Ronholm, CR’s director of food policy, who previously served as the deputy under secretary of food safety at the Department of Agriculture. As he wrote in an October 8 letter to FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Donald Prater, the FDA and CDC struggled to coordinate their public messaging, and were slow to release key data and provide updates about the investigation. After the recall, the agencies generally posted new figures weekly, while several states released updated counts daily. Despite the slower pace, their joint updates sometimes didn’t align. In late July, when both agencies published statements announcing that the outbreak had expanded, the FDA’s included a map showing that the recalled lettuce had been distributed to New York—which had not previously been listed as receiving the lettuce—while the CDC’s did not.

Shortly after CR asked about the discrepancy, New York quietly disappeared from the FDA’s map. “The map has been updated,” a spokesperson wrote that evening. “Thanks for letting us know.”

For weeks, the agencies also said little about what sick people had eaten beyond Taco Bell, leaving the public unable to gauge its own risk and pushing some to distrust the entire produce aisle. “Throughout most of the active outbreak investigation period, there were recommendations [online] basically to avoid eating almost all fresh produce, even when it was fairly clear that the vast majority of outbreak-associated cases were associated with this iceberg lettuce that was coming up from Mexico,” says Hedberg. 

Caution is understandable when the scope of an outbreak is unclear, but it also has costs. “By overly recommending what things people should avoid, you’re really limiting what healthy options there are left, which creates other problems,” says Hedberg. Had federal health officials published more information about what people ate before getting sick, “that could have provided more context for people to help guide decisions that they might make about what foods to eat.”

The FDA was also slow to take key investigative steps, says Ronholm. Even after early evidence pointed to lettuce from Taylor Farms, it took the agency nearly a month to visit the company’s facilities in Mexico, and even longer to classify the recall as Class I, the FDA’s designation for products that pose the most serious health risk.

In past outbreaks, the FDA routinely kept the public up to date on key actions, like when it sent inspectors abroad or collected samples, he added. “This time, consumers were largely left in the dark about what the agency was doing.”

The FDA declined to respond to questions about its outbreak response prior to publication.

A Long-Delayed Rule Probably Would Have Kept Some People From Getting Sick

Investigators hit a snag at exactly the step a long-delayed federal rule was designed to speed up: finding out where a restaurant chain’s lettuce came from.

Taco Bell was one of the outbreak’s earliest signals. On July 1, Michigan’s health department asked Taco Bell’s parent, Yum Brands, for supply chain records, according to emails obtained through public records requests filed by the New York Times and Bloomberg News. It asked again on July 3 and a third time three days later, when some of the records arrived. The FDA also requested more information on July 8, but didn’t get the relevant records until July 13. Four days later, Taylor Farms published its recall notice, which said “FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm... as the potential source of the outbreak.”

The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 anticipated this problem. A provision known as the traceability rule requires companies handling high-risk foods like leafy greens, fresh-cut fruits, and raw cheese to keep detailed records of how those foods move through the supply chain and hand them over within 24 hours of an FDA request. The FDA itself has said the rule would allow for “faster identification and removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and deaths.”

The rule was supposed to take effect in January 2026, 15 years after the law ordering its existence was signed. But in March 2025, the FDA pushed that deadline back two and a half years to July 2028, in order, it said, to give companies more time to comply. Congress later codified the delay. That means the rule won’t be in force next summer, either. 

“Had the rule been in place, it would have made it easier to trace the outbreak back to the source more quickly,” says Ronholm, who added that FMI, a trade group that represents the consumer food supply chain, lobbied Congress to delay the rule’s implementation. “Basically, Congress decided to put consumers at risk because a small part of the food industry claimed 15 years wasn’t enough time to prepare.”

The FDA’s Plan to Protect Consumers From the Next Outbreak Is Lacking

Last week, the FDA published an overview of the 10 actions it plans to take before the next growing season to reduce the risk of another cyclosporiasis outbreak. The list includes sensible measures, like working with Mexican agencies to help educate the produce industry on cyclospora prevention, stepping up surveillance of high-risk foods, and working with the CDC to create a “single, replicable standard” for genotyping cyclospora “to make it faster and easier to trace outbreaks back to their source.”

But most of the actions listed are activities the FDA was already doing—and none appear designed to address the specific failures revealed by this outbreak, much less the deeper issues that have long plagued the agency, like budget cuts, a chronically understaffed investigations arm, and the loss of key monitoring programs.

“The FDA’s action plan announcement was a subtle admission that there’s a critical need for the agency to modify and refine its outbreak and investigation protocols,” says Ronholm. “What would really make a difference is assertive leadership that translates into an aggressive approach to investigations, ensuring that outbreak sources are identified more quickly, the industry is held accountable, and information is communicated to consumers with greater clarity.”

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.

CR offers strategies to get ready for weather emergencies, including preparing a go bag and updating your homeowners insurance.

By Consumer Reports

With an increasing number of weather emergencies—like Hurricane Isaias forecast to make landfall along the U.S. northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday—it’s important to prep your home, your devices, and more for extreme weather.

What should you do in the event of a weather emergency? Consumer Reports offers a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for approaching storms. Here’s a rundown of what to do now and what to do for longer-term planning.

How to Prepare for Weather Emergencies

Get your home ready for evacuations. If a mandatory evacuation is announced as a storm approaches, you should know what to do in your home before you leave. Read more about preparing your home before evacuating ahead of a storm.

Have a go bag ready. In addition to preparing your home, you should have a bag of essential items to take with you, including a flashlight, food and water, warm clothing, and more. Read more about what to include in a go bag. We’ve also covered what to eat during a power outage.

Prepare electronic devices. Having your phone fully charged is only one step in preparing for an emergency. Here are other things you need to do with your electronics.

Don’t forget your pets. It’s always a good idea to take your pets with you when you evacuate. But how do you prepare for that? Here’s how to make a disaster plan.

Be prepared for a power outage. Hurricanes cause more power outages in the U.S. than any other type of weather. If you shelter in place and the power goes out, what do you do? Here are helpful tips on how to survive. If you have a generator, learn how to use it safely during a storm. If you would like to buy a generator, here’s our guide to buying the best one for your home.

Learn how to handle a medical emergency. If someone in your family gets sick or hurt during a storm, what do you do? Here’s what you need to know.

Drive safely during floods. Flooded roads are often more dangerous to drive on than they appear. Here’s what to do when you encounter one.

Longer-Term Planning for Weather Emergencies

Even if you’re not immediately threatened by a storm or another emergency, it’s always good to be prepared. Here are some things you can do for the long term.

Update your homeowners insurance. When disaster strikes, you can save a lot of time, aggravation, and money by having a good insurance policy. How do you know which insurer is best or whether you have enough coverage? Check out the best homeowners insurance companies in Consumer Reports’ updated ratings.

Protect your property against flooding. Think you don’t need flood insurance? You don’t want to wait until disaster strikes to find out. Here’s what you need to know about flood insurance.

Have an emergency fund. About 4 in 10 American adults don’t have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense, according to a 2024 Federal Reserve survey. Many financial experts recommend that people have an emergency fund large enough to cover three to six months of their essential expenses.

Top Portable Generators to Power Your Home

The following workhorses provide 7,000 to more than 8,000 watts of power and usually weigh upward of 200 pounds. They’re what you want to power most or all of your home’s essentials during a prolonged outage. Prices currently range from just under $1,000 to $2,000 or more. See our generator ratings and buying guide for more options and shopping advice.

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