ICYMI: Best Baby Products of 2026: Cribs, Diapers, Strollers, and More

CR’s testers, scientists, researchers, and reporters (some of whom are parents) rigorously tested more than 1,000 baby products to help you make smart, safe choices.

In addition to the bassinet category, the best crib of the year is keeping its top spot for the third time in a row. Not so for car seats, convertible car seats, and all-in-one car seats, all of which have newcomers taking top slots this year. 

For more top performers in other baby categories, check out our full articles on high chairs, diapers, strollers, lightweight strollers, double strollers, and travel systems.

While grocery prices have risen sharply, private-label products (or store brands) sell at 25 to 30 percent below their name-brand counterparts, offering high-quality products and savings.

And our readers are enthusiastic about them—like Karen Iseminger of Coatesville, Pa., who prefers Giant Foods’ store-brand fudge-striped shortbread cookies to Keebler’s.

To find the best store-brand groceries, CR recommends:

• Checking reviews (like ours).
• Comparing unit prices.
• Sizing up ingredients and nutrition labels.

If you’ll allow me to be so bold: One of the great things about CR is our member surveys, which began in 1940 and allow us to unlock valuable insights for our readers (from our readers). 

For example, in CR’s second annual laundry appliance brand reliability rankings, we zero in on reliability. We collected data about 204,923 washers and dryers from our members. You’ll have to check out our article for the full scoop, but here are a couple of snippets:

The least reliable laundry appliance brand is Kenmore, with a score of 28 out of 100. 

The most reliable laundry appliance brands are LG, Miele, and Speed Queen. (Spoiler: One brand was one point away from a perfect score.)

If you want to build out your home gym so you don’t have to shell out $100 for a pricey gym membership, it’s worth investing in a set of resistance bands. They’re just as effective as dumbbells—and take up less space.

The typical lifespan of a resistance band is about six to 12 months with regular use, says Brian Cleven, ACSM-CEP. Store your resistance bands in a “cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat,” Cleven shares. Storing them in a mesh bag or on a hook is a good idea, too.

Check out our first-ever guide for more on which resistance bands to invest in for the next year—and which to ignore (cough, smart resistance bands, cough).

“When prepared the right way, the humble potato is a very nutritious food,” says Dana Hunnes, PhD, a senior dietitian at the UCLA Medical Center.

To make the most of potatoes, consider the following expert advice:

• Eating the skin gives you extra fiber and nutrients.
• Use Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in place of butter or cream.
• Make air-fryer fries using CR’s guide to healthier fries.

The weather—at least where CR is located, in Yonkers, N.Y.—is finally beginning to improve, and we’re excited to get outside again.

For your next outdoor gathering, we’ve spotlighted some great outdoor rugs and top-rated solar-powered outdoor lights for your walkway. A good outdoor rug should anchor the area while adding personality and comfort, says Rochelle Lee, an interior designer.

For outdoor rugs: CR spoke to interior designers to highlight great options for mess-prone areas, a splash of color, grassy areas, and small spaces.

For outdoor solar lights: CR tested a variety of lights from prominent brands to find the best landscape, deck, and string lights.

We’re constantly testing the latest products and retesting existing stock. Here are last week’s drops we didn’t mention above:

• We tested a few new carpet cleaners. Find our latest ratings.
• We added new upright vacuums to our ratings. Read more about the best upright vacuums.
• We assessed new portable air conditioners. For more, check out our ratings.