Product Reviews
News
Take Action
About Us
search
Become a Member
Donate
Search
All Products A-Z
    Become a Member
    Donate

    Welcome to Consumer Reports.

    We’re so glad to have you as a member. You now have access to benefits that can help you choose right, be safe and stay informed.
    Get Started

    5 Essential Products to Help You Weather a Winter Storm

    Forget hot cocoa and a blanket—these products could save your life

    Are You Ready for a Winter Blast?

    Best Tires to Buy for Winter Driving

    Quietest Space Heaters to Buy Now

    10 Snow-Blower Features That Matter

    Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

    How to Stay Safe in Extreme Cold

    Become a Member
    Join 6+ million members who believe that safety, fairness and honesty matter.
    Get independent ratings & reviews, trusted reporting, plus valuable tools and services.
    ICN Ratings
    8,000+ Ratings & Reviews
    8,000+ Ratings & Reviews
    Unlimited digital access to our unbiased and independent ratings and reviews for products and services.
    Chat
    Ask CR
    Ask CR
    Get one-on-one, trusted advice straight from a CR specialist.
    Member avatar
    You Test
    You Test
    Ready, set, test! Tell us your experiences on the products you own and test your knowledge.
    Recall
    Car Recall Tracker
    Car Recall Tracker
    Find out if your car has a recall and what to do next.
    Join Now!
    5 Essential Products to Help You Weather a Winter Storm

    5 Essential Products to Help You Weather a Winter Storm

    Forget hot cocoa and a blanket—these products could save your life

    Site Tools & Features
    Build & Buy Car Buying Service
    CR's Guide to Privacy
    Best Time to Buy Guide
    Credit Card Adviser Comparison Tool
    A-to-Z Product Guide
    More Ways to Connect With Consumer Reports
    CR on Facebook
    CR on Twitter
    'Consumer 101' TV Show
    'Talking Cars' Video Podcast
    Sign Up for CR's Free Newsletters
    Inside the Feb. 2019 Issue
    View Current Magazine Issue
    21 Hidden Smartphone Superpowers
    Guide to Car Repair Shops
    Car Buying: Should You Get an Extended Warranty?
    How Much to Tip
    View Current Issue

    We're Remodeling!

    • Improved search - front and center
    • Easy access to popular products
    • At-a-glance product info, safety, advocacy and more
    We're just getting started...
    Let's see the BETA!
    Working for and with You
    How we've helped change the marketplace in your favor:
    1964

    Surgeon General’s Landmark Report on Smoking

    1964

    Surgeon General’s Landmark Report on Smoking

    For a decade, CR conducted independent testing and research to highlight the dangers of cigarettes. The Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health used CR’s work to draft its landmark report.

    1968

    U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts

    1968

    U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts

    CR tests showed two-thirds of seat belts failed basic safety and durability tests, leading CR to call for better belts and for federal standards that incorporated crash testing. The government later mandated them.

    1981

    Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats

    1981

    Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats

    When CR first crash-tested car seats, 12 out of 15 were rated Not Acceptable. After CR published its findings, the government required manufacturers to certify that their seats would pass a similar test.

    1999

    Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides

    1999

    Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides

    In a study of U.S. Department of Agriculture data, CR found pesticide levels in some fruits and vegetables were too high. Shortly after, one of the pesticides was banned for use on food crops commonly consumed by children.

    2010

    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created

    2010

    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created

    CR helped to mobilize support in Congress to create the CFPB, an independent agency responsible for overseeing the financial industry with powers to police abusive practices and to enact new consumer protections.

    2013

    Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products

    2013

    Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products

    CR was one of the first groups to test food packaging for BPA. After working to pass bans in several states, the FDA finally announced a federal ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups (2012) and infant formula packaging (2013).

    2014

    A Win on Backup Cameras

    2014

    A Win on Backup Cameras

    After years of CR’s advocating for standards to address the problem of blind zones behind cars and trucks, the Department of Transportation finally required backup cameras in all vehicles less than 10,000 pounds by 2018.

    2017

    Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked

    2017

    Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked

    Four of the largest health insurers were seeking separate mergers. CR raised concerns about how the move would cut choices, drive up costs and compromise quality, pressing the Justice Department to block them.