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Consumer Reports magazine | September

Published: September 2012

Cover story

10 surprising dangers of vitamins and supplements Don't assume they're safe because they're 'all natural'

Features

Best streaming video services Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and Vudu all did better than Netflix
Create a beautiful bathroom Five tips for a masterful bath remodel
Magnetic toys still attract safety concerns Buckyballs, Magnet Balls, Zen Magnets, NeoCube, and others have been marketed as adult desk toys
Picture vs. product Some food bears little resemblance to what’s on the box
Protect your home These days, homeowners insurance covers less and costs more
Set-top boxes that make you the program director Take your TV online with one of these devices

Lab Tests

Clickers for many TVs get much slicker And with some sets, you don't even need the remote
How to Find the Best Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Our taste tests show that some oils don’t make the grade

Cars

Best compact sporty SUV review New fuel-efficient engines shake up our Ratings

Up Front

Best sliced turkey Liven up work, school, or home lunches
Claim check: Schticky and Sticky Buddy Do these silicone rollers work as advertised?
Healthy alternatives to white bread We found nutritious—and tasty—bagels, buns and rolls, flatbreads, pitas, and more
How to Rid your Car of Odors There are a number of ways to eliminate those bad smells
The new way to buy savings bonds Series I and EE paper bonds have gone electronic
To get cleaner indoor air, maintain your appliances Ignoring regular upkeep could be bad for your health
YoshiBlue skillet review: Should you buy one? Can this 10-inch pan take the heat?

CR Health

Speak up when talking to your doctor Ask about costs, consent forms, and more
Will BrainStrong boost your brain? The evidence for this DHA supplement is lacking

CR Money

Legal DIY websites are no match for a pro They provide services for a fraction of what you’d pay a lawyer

Departments

Ask our experts
From our president: A daily dose of risk
Letters
Viewpoint Update on health-care reform
Selling It A monthly selection of goofs, glitches, and gotchas

The September 2012 issue of Consumer Reports provides recommendations, expert buying advice, and Ratings on hundreds of consumer products. Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services, with more than 7 million print and online subscribers. It conducts the most comprehensive testing programs of any U.S. publication or website, and the company's experts have decades of experience in testing and reporting.

Subscribe here or call 1-800-333-0663. Access updated information and reports at www.consumerreports.org.

Consumer Reports magazine archive

Looking for a special report, investigative feature, or product review from a past issue of Consumer Reports? You can access that information and much more going back to January 2012 in our archive.