Consumer Reports Reviews

by Userthree

I’ve been wondering since February why I couldn’t load any newer issues into my iPad magazine viewer. I’m in good standing as a subscriber, and tonight I finally found time to log into CR website on my laptop and could see issues all the way to August. Still not getting it, I uninstalled my CR viewer, intending to reinstall it but got instead this “Ratings” app, renamed “Consumer Reports.” I don’t want to use my pad to read a website. The appeal of the apparently retired app was that I could download the issues when the pad was connected to WIFI and then read them in a stand-alone viewer. This thing on my iPad now is useless, and I guess my reading of Consumer Reports will continue to lapse, because my round-robin scheduling of iPad viewers to read the various periodicals they make available to me will not include anything from CR.

by Doggienice

Almost useless. What are you all doing? I have a digital subscription and have a reasonable expectation that most, if not all that shows up on my desktop iMac would show up on my iPad. Not the case at all. Why not? I am sick with a fever in bed and had hoped to use my iPad to do research on hearing aids. Nothing here.
You have made changes to what you offer and how it is offered. This has to be made clear and grandfathered in for those of us who have older subscriptions. Exactly what information is now available with a digital subscription and how and where is it offered? You are the organization that is supposed to protect us, not scam us. I had a print subscription since the 60’s and my parents had it from the 40’s. I chose not to renew as the information soon got old and was insufficient. Took a digital subscription instead.
Love this organization and hope the relatively new management will not run it into the ground by giving up your core values.

by MJCqwerty

Hey Consumer Reports, you got to fix your app with serious App Developers! I just got done composing my story about hidden fees that you requested in an email you sent me. I clicked on the link of the email, then clicked on the link to tell my story about hidden fees. But after spending a good amount of time composing that story about hidden fees, I tried to fill in my address, but your website will not accept my address. I noticed your email link only goes to your website, not your app. So then I went to your app, but there’s no place on it to tell my story about hidden fees!

Stupid me, this is the second time this has happened to me recently as I wanted to tell my story about something else (I can’t remember what it was you requested), But suffered the same problem. But I do remember having written a similar review on it on ConsumerReports Store (just like this one).

Consumer Reports, clean up your website act re: address fill-in fields!

by Early Cuyler44

When you look at chainsaws and see Stihl saws rated lower than ANY other chainsaw, you know something is amiss. I can tell that the products are bought and tested over the course of a few hours, maybe days, and then the rating concludes. This is not helpful for what I bought the subscription for. It's also discouraging that the results are cookie cutter answers. They all use the same phrases. It's like somebody picked up the product, used it for about 2 minutes and clicked a couple buttons and that's what I'm paying money for. That's not what I expected. There could be a poll. You could send products to professionals in their field for free and let them give you feedback over time for their testing. This would be much better than what I can only assume is happening with the lack of dynamism in the results and lack of accuracy in things I know to be true.

by TheJudester

If you don't have a subscription then ConsumerReports is nothing more than a product list. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I can use ConsumerReports to find a list of something I know nothing about, like water heaters, and then use the list to do my own research.

But there are certain basic features I expect from an app before I hand over my money.

First, I expect to be able to subscribe through Apple. This is non-negotiable for me as I have many subscriptions to manage and I need them to be in as few places as possible.

Second, I should never have to leave an app to create an account unless it's an app requiring additional verification to protect my privacy, like a patient portal app. But this isn't a patient portal app; it's a product reference app.

Third, if I must leave ConsumerReports and use a web browser to create an account, ConsumerReports should tell me where to go to create an account. Nowhere in ConsumerReports does it say where or how to create an account. The only contact information provided is a phone number to call when having trouble logging in.

So, I give ConsumerReports 2-stars for having an awesome list of products and for having no ambition when it comes to attracting new subscribers.

by CA-Hal

I am very disappointed with the functionality of the application running on an iPad because the user interface appears to be the same interface that is used on the iPhone. Some mobile application development suites make cross platform development easier, but the developer needs to think about the differences in how devices are used.

You should start from scratch and build an application that takes full advantage of the screen size and offers the user some ability to alter the views. Look at other applications and see how they function, and look for the things that make them great. As it stands now, there is a lot of room for improvements to the user interface.

by RickyTickyH

I LOVE Consumer Reports both monthly magazine and annual car guide book. No one comes close to their research, data and ease of use. Have been on/off member for decades and holding my breath hoping CR doesn’t go out of business. Online guide has 1/4 of the detail paper copies offer and nobody wants ALL those paper mags/books stacked up around the house. This could be an awesome App with a menu bar or side bar or drop down search. Click on Magazine and see the monthly reports in detail. Click on Auto see everything in the book. Charge extra for members to access the annual auto book link. PLEASE invest in online! People will come. P.S. I really believe in you guys and would love to come work for you and help you design ConsumerReports . Success to you all!

by Dayjc

I am a long-time consumer reports magazine subscriber. And I mean a long time. And now I am a digital subscriber also. I went into ConsumerReports looking for information about air-conditioning units and only two options were shown (window and room )not the main house air-conditioning. So I went to the Internet for reviews and one of the reviews had a link to consumer reports for home air-conditioning. Now why is that not available to me as a digital subscriber. I even tried the Consumer Reports online site through the browser on my iPhone. And still did not see it.
So I first thought the consumer reports had not done any analysis on home air conditioning but now I find it they did and I can’t access it. It’s a little frustrating no it’s a lot frustrating. I’ll see if I can find the magazine.

by Sinkstobottom

1. When researching cars there is no option to select new or used. You have to go into each model to see.
2. When clicking into a a car then you can choose “used”. It takes you to a screen of years but the rating grid doesn’t display.
3. When clicking into a used car year they only show “reliability” and “satisfaction”. Gone is their every point tested ratings.
4. Sadly, the unbiased CR seems to be struggling as there are very few items they review anymore so not a lot of information on everyday purchases
5. There is not a way to provide feedback or requests on ConsumerReports . Perhaps this is for keeping things unbiased. I would really like CR to review a Hair/blow dryer as many of them are too loud, controls are cumbersome and unreliable

by 1BigMo

I’ve been a big fan of Consumer Reports over a few decades. I had been a magazine subscriber forever, but have been away for a couple of years.

So ConsumerReports : (with online paid subscription) I’ve been researching used cars and ConsumerReports has limited information compared to the website. The big disappointment comes from the lack of continuity between the two, there is no connection between them - if I want more details I have to start my search over on the website - nothing I have found in the car sectioned ConsumerReports is hyper-linked to the website. So i don’t even bother with ConsumerReports , it’s a waste of time - I just use the website.

CR used car reviews: also disappointed. When they make a reliability statement, they don’t break models down by engine and transmission options. Many cars/trucks have multiple drivetrain options but they don’t subcategorize them so it’s hard to know which sub model to consider/avoid.

CR - if your listening, you’ll need to do better if I’m gonna renew when my annual subscription is up.

by Saphill

I’d really like to know what the report dates are for the ratings. Was it last month, last year?? At least the year would be helpful, year and month would be great. It would be useful to know if a set of ratings is very recent, or is older (and possibly going to be updated).

Other than the above, ConsumerReports is useful for quick comparisons while out on the go. It is no substitute for the full website at this time. But there is room for growth and inclusion of additional information and features thru future updates. The user interface is clear and intuitive. Easy to use. I hope that any future updates of ConsumerReports will keep the no-nonsense design.

by Sysconsultant

I’m a longtime CR subscriber, both print and digital. I’d rather use ConsumerReports all the time but the search feature only works about 50% of he time. For instance, I just tried to find the reliability ratings for different brand home heating and cooling systems. I searched for “heating”, “HVAC”, “Air conditioner”, and by brand names “Carrier” and “Bryant”. No useful results. But I’ve seen that information in the magazine so I know they have it.

The other issue is that the ratings pages only show a summary off the products they are rating. More detailed discussions about the test results and the overview discussions about the product category being reviewed are also missing.

by Disappointeduser323

I’m a subscriber and I appreciate the hard work behind the ratings and objective reviews, but ConsumerReports needs more features. I get the CR newsletter with all sorts of intriguing consumer rights, protections, tips, and tricks, but generally avoid clicking links in emails out of an abundance of security caution and don’t want to browse to a site on a phone. I want to be able to interact with all that great content after authenticating as a part of a more secure experience. Please expand functionality of app for a more complete and secure member experience. (Update) I would also be much more likely to participate in the surveys if I could click through ConsumerReports to do so. The segmentation of the review component from the broader CR content is disjointed and very counterintuitive. Please bring both sides under same umbrella. (Update 2, 31 Mar 20) Segmentation behind the reviews in ConsumerReports and all the consumer facing advice still persists; please combine the two CR sides.

by Sandy Wherry

I have used CR since I was in college in the 1960’s. I take the magazine as well as on line and I love both. The magazine is great to read because it has articles I probably would not have searched for on line. I read from cover to cover. Both are indispensable for doing a much better job of purchasing just about everything cars, used cars, yard equipment, even many smaller items like toilet paper. It is a big time saver. I hate buying something that after I get it home it doesn’t work. Some places make it a hassle to return except Costco who makes returning easy and pleasant. The subscription pays for its self in money and time. CR is the best publication and service and lessons how to shop and look for or to watch out for. Your organization gets my very top Recommendations !!! Thank you for years of help.

by AELShopGirl

Many don’t know that CR is only review company that is not at all funded by advertising and some don’t know how important this is to seeing reviews that are honest, accurate and produced for-the-consumer. In most cases, reviews are a form of advertising and not to be trusted. The CR app is a way to quickly check via category or brand before you pluck down that contactless “plastic.” I never buy electronics or any big investment product without checking with CR first.

by A Horse With No Name.

The average consumer needs a consumer advocate like Consumer Reports; otherwise we are flying blind when it comes to making purchases, large and small.

Consumer Reports takes the ‘guess’ out guesswork. They do rigorous testing, research, and thousands of surveys for you. All one has to do is read over the literature to make an informed and objective decision; with great confidence.

The is no worse feeling than being taken advantage of and being duped by corporate malfeasance. This is no longer the case for me as an avid CR reader. I buy all of my friends and family subscriptions to the magazine and to the online services as holiday gifts. It is the greatest gift of all, I am told, and is used all year around.

CR now covers the entire gamut of every conceivable purchasing decision: from food to health care plans, to stores and services to automobiles. Knowledge is indeed power and CR, rightly, empowers the consumer. They cut through all of the clutter and go directly to aiding one in making the right decision every time; to me this is priceless!

CR subscribers becomes discerning consumers and come to recognize the brands which deliver the highest quality and at the best prices. They are also the first to tell you when things change in the wrong direction.

They have changed my life and I will never be able to say enough nice things about them.

by Kindle Freak

We have had our Tuft and Needle mattresses , twin XL, for a little over a year. My wife and I both love them. We are using them on Silvana adjustable bases. I particularly liked the idea that we were able try the mattress out in the T & N store in Seattle before we bought something. The mattresses were purchased in the showroom and delivered by FedEx. Delivery was quick. The mattresses are firm but the top layer is soft enough to cushion my hips while on my side( large overweight man) sleeping. I do find that elevating the foot section of the bed puts more weight on my thighs and less on my hips. We highly recommend Tuft & Needle mattresses.

by Fanny1961

I purchased all KitchenAid appliances for my new kitchen in 2017. About a year later, I started having condensation in the back so much so that I could not close the middle slide out tray. I had the extended warranty by Via and they have been out to repair over five times. They fix the condensation but then the ice maker doesn’t work.
Via keeps coming out and replacing the control panel but it never fixes the problem. Now the refrigerator doesn’t even cool or maintain temps.
When I call KitchenAid, they don’t even pick up the phone.
It is frustrating but one thing for sure, I will NEVER buy KitchenAid products ever again.

by Britneyyy

Any major purchase I make is first checked with consumer reports. Just because something is on sale won’t mean it’s worth getting. CR tests products and provides accurate assessments of the pros and cons. While you may not be able to afford their highest rated product, you will be confident you’re getting the best item in your price range.

Used it for dishwashers, fridges, washer dryers, vacuum's, oven ranges, power tools, BBQ, TVs and currently I’m evaluating a generator for backup power. They’re subscription is worth every penny.

I check rankings here first and then search for stores and deals. I started using them from NZ, then here in the USA

by Connections Are The Key

Looking for a dishwasher and the information found on CR is incredible. It (the info) provides you with the peace-of-mind that you are making the correct buying decision. No more guess work, no more “trusting” the sales person or even word of mouth. The data doesn’t lie! The best part is we actually went with a cheaper better performing model so we saved money and being that the dishwasher is energy and water efficient it will continue saving us money every month on our utilities. Impressed! Not sure I will make a buying decision without consulting the data contains herein at CR!

by Tativiris

Consumer Reports web based has under Product Reviews exactly 7 categories and ConsumerReports has exactly 6, missing the key section of Money which in kind has under it 4 subsections: Airlines, Car Insurance, Homeowner Insurance and Luggage. I paid for the digital subscription basically to access all of the items under the Money category, specially Insurances , Airlines and Luggage. Luggage is not even accessible in ConsumerReports. It is available under the website Of CR.