Consumer Reports

{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox organization | name = Consumer Reports, Inc. | image = 250px|class=skin-invert-image | type = Nonprofit organization | founded = {{Start date and age|1936|2}} (as Consumers Union) | tax_id = | registration_id = | founders = {{ubl|Arthur Kallet|Colston Warne}} | location = 101 Truman Avenue<br />Yonkers, New York, U.S. 10703 | origins = | key_people = Phil Radford, President and CEO | region_served = | product = | mission = | focus = | method = | revenue = $238 million (2024-2025) | endowment = | num_volunteers = | num_employees = 550+ | num_employees_year = 2025 | num_members = | subsid = | owner = | former_name = | website = {{URL|https://www.consumerreports.org}} | dissolved = | footnotes = }} '''Consumer Reports''' ('''CR'''), formerly '''Consumers Union''' ('''CU'''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2012 |title=From Our President |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/01/from-our-president/index.htm |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=Consumer Reports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Early History · Consumer Reports Archives Exhibitions · Duke University Library Exhibits |url=https://exhibits.library.duke.edu/exhibits/show/conrep/history |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=Duke University Libraries}}</ref> is an American nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to independent product testing and rating, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy.{{sfn|Franklin|2015|p=141}} In 2025, Phil Radford became the organization’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Chris |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Consumer Reports hires Radford as its new CEO |url=https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/consumer-reports-hires-radford-as-its-new-ceo/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=Talking Biz News |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020171551/https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/consumer-reports-hires-radford-as-its-new-ceo/|archive-date=2025-10-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

Founded in February 1936, the organization has more than five million members and publishes content through both its website and a magazine, also called ''Consumer Reports.'' These are subscription-based and provide reviews, ratings, recommendations, and advice across a wide range of products and services. The organization has also been included in other digital platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Weather Channel Teams Up with Consumer Reports and MightyNest to Offer Convenience for Digital Customers with Expanded Premium Subscription Packages |url=https://newsroom.ibm.com/2022-12-21-The-Weather-Channel-Teams-Up-with-Consumer-Reports-and-MightyNest-to-Offer-Convenience-for-Digital-Customers-with-Expanded-Premium-Subscription-Packages |access-date=2025-12-11 |website=IBM Newsroom |language=en-us}}</ref>

Consumer Reports has a policy of independence, purchasing products anonymously at retail locations, and refusing traditional advertising. Throughout its history, the organization has influenced consumer protection legislation and contributed to product recalls and redesigns.

== History == right|thumb|''Consumers Want to Know'', a 1960 documentary on Consumer Reports [[File:3612-FirstConsumerReportsAd-NewMassesv19n08-pg24.tif|thumb|right|240px|Advertisement for the first issue of ''Consumer Reports'' from the Communist Party's arts and contemporary politics magazine, ''The New Masses'']]Founded in 1936, CR was created to serve as a source of information that consumers could use to help assess the safety and performance of products.{{sfn|Franklin|2015|p=141-2}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Duke Today |date=2019-12-09 |title=How Consumer Reports Kept Lipstick Long Lasting and HDTVs Amazing {{!}} Duke Today |url=https://today.duke.edu/2019/12/consumer-reports-archives-come-duke |access-date=2025-10-17 |website=today.duke.edu |language=en}}</ref> Since that time, CR has continued its testing and analysis of products and services and advocated for the consumer in legislative and rule-making areas.{{sfn|Franklin|2015|p=142-3}} Among the reforms in which CR played a role were the advent of seat belt laws,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Silber |first1=Norman Isaac |title=Test and protest – the influence of Consumers Union |date=1983 |publisher=Holmes & Meier |isbn=0841907498 |location=New York |pages=39–74 |chapter=The risk of smoking: verifying the tradition of temperance}}</ref> exposure of the dangers of cigarettes,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Silber |first1=Norman Isaac |title=Test and protest – the influence of Consumers Union |date=1983 |publisher=Holmes & Meier |isbn=0841907498 |location=New York |pages=75–102 |chapter=Accidents and injuries:testing the automobile industry}}</ref> and more recently, the enhancement of consumer finance protection, the increase of consumer access to quality health care, and data privacy and security protections.{{sfn|Franklin|2015|p=147}}<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Tracy |first=Marc |date=6 June 2019 |title=Craig Newmark, New Friend to Journalism, Gives $6 Million to Consumer Reports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/business/media/consumer-reports-craig-newmark.html |access-date=31 October 2025 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Consumer Reports advocacy efforts focus on improving product safety and public health, saving people money, including energy and utilities, and ensuring consumers’ digital privacy and security.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Fusaro |first=Dave |date=2025-02-02 |title=How Baby Food Companies Comply (or not) With California’s Lead Disclosure Law |url=https://www.foodprocessing.com/food-safety/regulatory-compliance/news/55264334/how-baby-food-companies-comply-with-californias-lead-disclosure-law-plum-organics-once-upon-a-farm-square-baby |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Food Processing |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Reports |first=Consumer |date=2025-02-13 |title=Consumer Reports: Choosing safer baby food |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/consumer-reports-choosing-safer-baby-food/63789965 |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=KCRA |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Marnie |date=2020-02-24 |title=Petition to airlines: Kids should sit with their parents |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/airlines-family-seating-consumer-reports |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Karen |date=1 April 2006 |title=Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs Helps People Save Money |url=https://cahealthadvocates.org/consumer-reports-best-buy-drugs-helps-people-save-money/ |access-date=5 November 2025 |website=cahealthadvocates.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collings |first=Thorin Klosowski, Lena Cohen, Christian Romero, Hayley Tsukayama, Bill Budington, Rindala Alajaji, Yael Grauer, and Paige |date=2025-10-31 |title=Opt Out October: Daily Tips to Protect Your Privacy and Security |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/09/opt-out-october-daily-tips-protect-your-privacy-and-security |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Mallory |date=2025-09-10 |title=Consumer Reports: Going solar? Do it now to save money |url=https://www.wisn.com/article/consumer-reports-going-solar-do-it-now-to-save-money/66013915 |access-date=2026-02-26 |website=WISN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULc1m-6C0lc |title=Consumer Reports shares ways to manage your budget as costs climb |date=2025-04-21 |last=WMUR-TV |access-date=2026-02-26 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Channel 3 |first=WKYC |date=11 July 2022 |title=Consumer Reports: How to pinch pennies on your electric bill |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce1hFG0tLUQ&t=52s |website=Retrieved via Youtube}}</ref>

=== Founding and early years === In 1927, F.J. Schlink and Stuart Chase published their best-selling novel, ''Your Money's Worth'', which saw massive readership due to the consumer movement. The demand for brand research led to Schlink to found the company ''Consumers' Research'' in 1927. The company was responsible for publishing Consumers’ Research Bulletin (previously named Consumer Club Commodity List). The subscriber count in 1933 was reported to be over 42,000. It was in this year, that Consumer Research moved its operations to New York City. Following this move, employees began to unionize, citing unfair pay. Schlink proceeded to fire the strikers. The former Consumers' Research employees, teamed up with "journalists, engineers, academics, and scientists" to found the company ''Consumers Union''—now known as Consumer Reports—in February 1936.<ref>Derdak, Thomas, and Laura Rydberg. "Consumers Union". ''International Directory of Company Histories'', edited by Jay P. Pederson, vol. 118, St. James Press, 2011, pp. 115-119. ''Gale eBooks'', [https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&u=euge94201&id=GALE%7CCX1722000031&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GVRL&asid=ccebf4ee. link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX1722000031/GVRL?u=euge94201&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=ccebf4ee.] Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.</ref> Consumers Union differentiated themselves from Consumers' Research by establishing a community amongst readers. Within the overall mission of creating more informed consumers, Consumers Union united with women's clubs and citizen groups, creating a progressive message. Consumers Union would surpass Schlink's Consumers' Research in subscribers by 1940, accumulating a readership of 71,000.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=McGovern |first=Charles F. |url=https://public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=427143 |title=Sold American: Consumption and Citizenship, 1890-1945 |publisher=University of North Carolina Pres |year=2006 |isbn=978-0807856765 |pages=308–315 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Resistance === Numerous businesses and corporations set out to suppress the actions of Consumers Union. In an effort to suppress the critiques of Consumers' Union, The New York Herald Tribune established an institute with the goal of demonstrating that the efforts of consumers groups were futile, in that businesses already conducted extensive product-testing.<ref name=":04">{{Cite book |last=McGovern |first=Charles F. |url=https://public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=427143 |title=Sold American: Consumption and Citizenship, 1890-1945 |publisher=University of North Carolina Pres |year=2006 |isbn=978-0807856765 |pages=308–315 |language=English}}</ref>

Additional suppression came later from the House Un-American Activities Committee (created in 1938), which placed Consumers Union on a list of "subversive" organizations.<ref name=":4" /> This was because of the organization’s association with labor leaders, and its refusal to use advertising,<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Folkart |first=Burt a |date=1987-05-22 |title=Founder of the Consumers Union Dies |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-22-mn-991-story.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> with the latter point seen as a plot against free enterprise. Consumers Union was later removed from the list, and the plot against it instead served to bolster public opinion for Consumers Union.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":16" />

=== Consumer advocacy === In World War II, Consumers Union took a stance in support of the war effort. They urged their supporters to put aside their personal interest by consuming less, and following the government ordered policies of consumption. They were also critical of businesses who saw the war period as an opportunity to advertise their products and as a result were wasting paper.<ref name=":05">{{Cite book |last=McGovern |first=Charles F. |url=https://public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=427143 |title=Sold American: Consumption and Citizenship, 1890-1945 |publisher=University of North Carolina Pres |year=2006 |isbn=978-0807856765 |pages=308–315 |language=English}}</ref>

In the 1950s, now known as Consumer Reports, the organization conducted reviews of seat belts in cars and showed their importance. They also reported on the dangers of cigarettes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consumer Reports |url=https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=consumerrpts |access-date=2 January 2026 |website=onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> The Surgeon General’s 1964 smoking report cited Consumer Reports research.<ref name=":4" />

In 2000, due to years of tests showing that many SUVs were prone to rollovers during sharp turns, Consumer Reports testified before Congress that all cars should undergo a rollover test as part of a national safety testing protocol.<ref name=":4" /> A rollover test became part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s assessment of new cars.<ref name=":4" />

In 2017, Consumer Reports led a consortium that established a Digital Standard benchmark by which digital products could be measured.<ref name=":8" />

The organization has also been involved with other issues, including:

==== Technology ====

* '''Sprint T-Mobile merger:''' The organization spoke against this merger citing the need for consumer choice and industry competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The T-Mobile and Sprint Merger Could Raise Your Cell Phone Bill |url=https://money.com/t-mobile-sprint-merger-customers/ |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=Money |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 26, 2019 |title=Critics Charge That T-Mobile/Sprint Merger Would Raise Wireless Bills, Questioning Dish’s Ability to Compete |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/tmobile-sprint-merger-critics-higher-wireless-prices-1203281480/ |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> * '''T-Mobile’s''' '''acquisition of Mint:''' Consumer Reports joined other consumer advocates in calling on the FCC to impose a phone unlocking condition after T-Mobile proposed an acquisition of Mint Mobile.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alleven |first=Monica |date=2024-02-07 |title=Consumer groups seek unlocked phone condition as part of T-Mobile/Mint deal |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/consumer-groups-seek-unlocked-phone-condition-part-t-mobilemint-deal |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.fierce-network.com |language=en}}</ref>

* '''Net''' '''neutrality:''' The organization supported net neutrality protections to remain in place to provide consumers with better options.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulatory classification |url=https://www.benton.org/topic/regulatory-classification |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Benton Foundation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffis |first=ByKelcee |title=It’s official: The FCC brought back net neutrality |url=https://www.techbrew.com/stories/2024/04/25/fcc-reinstates-net-neutrality |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Tech Brew |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-28 |title=CA Net Neutrality Law - Consumer Reports Coalition Support Letter |url=https://www.eff.org/document/ca-net-neutrality-law-consumer-reports-coalition-support-letter |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |language=en}}</ref>

* '''Right to''' '''repair:''' Consumer Reports’ advocates helped pass the U.S.’s first "right to repair" law in New York.<ref name=":18" /> This law gives consumers more choice in how they can get tech products fixed, rather than requiring them to work with only manufacturers or a manufacturer’s preferred repair service.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=8 January 2024 |title=CONSUMER REPORTS: The right to repair your tech |url=https://www.wafb.com/2024/01/08/consumer-reports-right-repair-your-tech/ |website=WAFB}}</ref> ====Data privacy ==== * '''Cambridge-Analytica''' '''data scandal:''' The organization supported stronger privacy laws in the wake of the Cambridge-Analytica data scandal.'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=2018-06-27 |title='Consumer Reports': Facebook 'Nudges' Users Toward Maximum Data Collection |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/consumer-reports-facebook-nudges-users-towards-maximum-data-collection |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Broadcasting+Cable |language=}}</ref>''' * '''State Data Privacy Act:''' Consumer Reports and EPIC crafted a proposed State Data Privacy Act to improve consumer privacy protections in the absence of a federal law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2024 |title=The State Data Privacy Act: A Proposed Compromise by Consumer Privacy Advocates |url=https://policycommons.net/artifacts/17854161/t-he-state-data-privacy-act/18749818/ |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=Policy Commons}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2025 |title=The State Data Privacy Act |url=https://cdt.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/State-Data-Privacy-Act-EPIC-CR-April2025.pdf |website=cdt.org}}</ref> ====Artificial intelligence ==== * '''AI-Powered''' '''voice cloning:''' Consumer Reports raised concerns about consumer protection in light of the many AI-powered voice cloning tools available. The organization called on the Federal Trade Commission to take steps to expand enforcement and restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Charlie |date=14 August 2025 |title=Consumer Reports petitions FTC to go after AI-enabled voice cloning fraud |url=https://insideaipolicy.com/ai-daily-news/consumer-reports-petitions-ftc-go-after-ai-enabled-voice-cloning-fraud |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=insideaipolicy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Jeremy |date=2025-03-14 |title=Consumer Reports warns about some AI voice-cloning tools |url=https://www.wishtv.com/news/business/ai-voice-cloning-fraud/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=WishTV.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |date=March 10, 2025 |title=AI can steal your voice, and there's not much you can do about it |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ai-voice-cloning-software-flimsy-guardrails-report-finds-rcna195131 |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Consumer Reports won an Anthem award for their investigation which showed AI voice cloning tools can be misused by scammers for identity theft and fraud.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AI Voice Cloning Apps Make It Easy for Criminals to Steal Your Voice, CR Reveals |url=https://www.anthemawards.com/winners/list/entry/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Anthem Awards |language=en}}</ref> ====Financial fairness ==== * '''Car''' '''insurance:''' Consumer Reports and ProPublica reported that racial disparities exist in car insurance premiums.'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-04-05 |title=Study Finds Car Insurers Raise Rates in Minority Neighborhoods (Published 2017) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/your-money/minorities-car-insurance-rates.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |language=en}}</ref>'''<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 5, 2017 |title=Report: Car Insurance Rates Much Higher In Minority Areas |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/04/05/194864/report-car-insurance-rates-much-higher-in-minority-areas/ |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=Houston Public Media |language=en-US}}</ref> ====Food safety ==== * '''Heavy''' '''metals in baby food:''' Consumer Reports was involved in the passage of a law requiring manufacturers to test baby food for heavy metals.<ref name=":20" /> After the law was passed, the organization, along with Unleaded Kids, investigated baby food companies to determine if they were abiding by the law and if more work was needed.<ref name=":19" />

=== Education and research === In 2019 and 2020, Duke University acquired the Consumer Reports' archive for the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |last=van Zanten |first=Zev |date=December 10, 2025 |title='This Sneeze was for Science' — Consumer Reports through the lens |url=https://dukechronicle.com/article/this-sneeze-was-for-science-consumer-reports-through-a-lens-20251211 |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=van Zanten |first=Zev |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Ninety years of Consumer Reports on display at Duke |url=https://dukechronicle.com/article/ninety-years-of-consumer-reports-on-display-at-duke-20260218 |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> The archive, which spans more than eight decades,<ref name=":32" /> includes artifacts, research files, testing information, published articles, and photographs to support the study of scientific product testing, consumer behavior and safety, advertising and marketing, journalism,<ref name=":31" /> consumer advocacy, rule- and law-making, and broader cultural and political history.<ref name=":32" />

In 2025 and 2026, Duke University Libraries hosted two exhibits from the Consumer Reports collection. One exhibit displayed the role of product testing photography in communicating information<ref name=":31" /> and another recounted the organization's history with governments, youth education, product testing, and advocacy and legislative efforts.<ref name=":32" />

== Rating method and impact == ''Consumer Reports'' formerly used a modified form of Harvey balls for qualitative comparison. The round ideograms were arranged from best to worst. On the left of the diagram, the red circle indicated the highest rating, the half red and white circle was the second highest rating, the white circle was neutral, the half black circle was the second-lowest rating, and the entirely black circle was the lowest rating possible.<ref name="nyt-harveyballs">{{cite web |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Another Pogue Challenge: Symbols With Meaning |url=http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/another-pogue-challenge-symbols-with-meaning/?_r=0 |access-date=September 24, 2016 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

As part of a wider rebranding of ''Consumer Reports'' in September 2016, the appearance of the magazine's rating system was significantly revamped. The Harvey balls were replaced with new color-coded circles: green for excellent; lime green for very good; yellow for good; orange for fair; and red for poor. It was stated that this new system will help improve the clarity of ratings tables by using a "universally understood" metaphor.<ref name="usatoday-makeover">{{cite web |title=Consumer Reports undergoes makeover |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/09/20/consumer-reports-undergoes-makeover/90699392/ |access-date=September 24, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="cr-16redesign">{{cite web |date=September 20, 2016 |title=We Put Ourselves to the Test |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-reports/we-put-ourselves-to-the-test/ |access-date=September 24, 2016 |publisher=Consumer Reports}}</ref>

=== Rating and review methods === As of 2025, Consumer Reports had published more than 10,000 independent ratings and reviews of products and services.<ref name=":17" />

Consumer Reports’ methods are transparent, allowing both consumers and industry professionals to understand how scores are calculated.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> The organization uses secret shoppers to purchase all rated products at online and retail prices on behalf of the organization.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=Bearman |first1=Sophie |title=Here's why millions of people trust this testing group when it comes to TVs |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HhkgIZuMElln_XLHq-YirK4zO_m0hOQS0L678t9LITg/edit |website=CNBC}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Karen K. |title=Testing out a new future for Consumer Reports |url=https://www.cjr.org/business_of_news/consumer-reports-wirecutter.php |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |language=en}}</ref> They do so anonymously, and CR accepts no free samples in order to limit bias from bribery and to prevent being given better than average samples.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleck |first1=Alissa |date=May 25, 2018 |title=Consumer Reports Launches First Ad Campaign Highlighting How It Keeps Companies Honest |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/consumer-reports-launches-first-ad-campaign-highlighting-how-it-keeps-companies-honest/ |website=Adweek}}</ref><ref name="first look">{{cite web |last1=Fowler |first1=Bree |date=August 24, 2017 |title=First Look: Samsung Galaxy Note8 Brings Size, Style, and Some Baggage |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-note8-first-look/ |website=Consumer Reports}}</ref>

Once purchased, Consumer Reports has dozens of specialized labs to review everything from exercise equipment to phones and TVs to food.<ref name=":4" /> Every purchased product goes through rigorous, standardized tests.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":17">{{Cite news |date=13 January 2025 |title=It’s harder than ever to find reliable product recommendations online |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/01/13/online-shopping-product-roundups/ |work=The Washington Post}}</ref> CR also regularly collects data from member surveys, and factors that information into its ratings.<ref name=":6" />

For most of ''CR''{{'}}s history, it minimized contact with government and industry experts "to avoid compromising the independence of its judgment".<ref name="NYT_2007-03-21">{{cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine |date=March 21, 2007 |title=Magazine Will Begin Consulting With Experts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/business/media/21consumer.html |access-date=2012-11-15 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2007, in response to errors in infant car seat testing, it began accepting advice from a wide range of experts on designing tests, but not on final assessments.<ref name="NYT_2007-03-21" /> Also, at times ''CR'' allows manufacturers to review and respond to criticism before publication, and implement product changes.<ref name="NYT_2007-12-08" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Stromberg |first=Joseph |date=2015-01-21 |title=Inside Consumer Reports |url=https://www.vox.com/2015/1/21/7537153/consumer-reports |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> This sometimes leads to redesigns or recalls.<ref name=":4" />

Some objective and comparative tests published by ''Consumer Reports'' are carried out under the umbrella of the international consumer organization International Consumer Research & Testing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members {{!}} ICRT |url=https://www.international-testing.org/members.html?section=icrt_shareholders |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=www.international-testing.org}}</ref> ''Consumer Reports'' also uses outside labs for testing, including for 11 percent of tests in 2006.<ref name="NYT_2007-03-21" />

<gallery> File:Consumer Reports - product testing - electric light longevity and brightness testing.tif|Testing electric light longevity and brightness testing File:Consumer Reports - product testing - television testing laboratory.tif|Television testing laboratory File:Consumer Reports - product testing - headphones in anechoic chamber.tif|Product testing headphones in an anechoic chamber </gallery>

=== Impact of testing and investigations === [[File:Consumer Reports - product testing - auto test track in East Haddam, Connecticut.tif|thumb|The ''Consumer Reports'' auto test track in East Haddam, Connecticut]] Consumer Reports’ independent testing and investigations have led to manufacturer recalls, redesigns, and software fixes. Here are a few examples:

=== Automotive ===

==== Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon ==== In the July 1978 issue, ''Consumer Reports'' rated the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon automobile "not acceptable", the first car it had judged such since the AMC Ambassador in 1968. In its testing they found the possibility of these models' developing an oscillatory yaw as a result of a sudden violent input to the steering; the manufacturer claimed: "Some do, some don't" show this behavior, but it has no "validity in the real world of driving".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071015194813/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,916240,00.html "Storm over the Omni Horizon"], ''Time'', June 26, 1978.</ref> Nevertheless, the next year, these models included a lighter weight steering wheel rim and a steering damper, and ''Consumer Reports'' reported that the previous instability was no longer present.

==== Nissan Murano Crossover Utility Vehicle ==== In a 2003 issue of ''CR'', the magazine tested the Nissan Murano crossover utility vehicle and did not recommend the vehicle because of a problem with its power steering, even though the vehicle had above-average reliability. The specific problem was that the steering would stiffen substantially on hard turning. ''CR'' recommended the 2005 model, which had addressed this problem.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}

==== BMW X5 SUV ==== BMW changed the software for the stability control in its X5 SUV after replicating a potential rollover problem discovered during a ''CR'' test.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070622114510/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/06/11/100082886/index.htm "No Test Dummies"] ''Fortune'', June 11, 2007</ref>

==== Lexus GX 460 SUV ==== In 2010, ''CR'' rated the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV unsafe after the vehicle failed one of the magazine's emergency safety tests. Toyota temporarily suspended sales of the vehicle, and after conducting its own test acknowledged the problem and issued a recall for the vehicle, which later passed a ''CR'' re-test.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leonard |first=David |title=Consumer Reports maintains old-school values |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38451478 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923231406/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38451478 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2012 |publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek/NBC News}}</ref>

==== Tesla Model 3 ==== In May 2018, ''CR'' said it could not recommend the Tesla Model 3 due to concerns about the car's long stopping distance. Within days, Tesla issued a remote software update.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferris |first1=Robert |date=July 5, 2018 |title=Elon Musk often blows up at critics, but when Consumer Reports complains, even Tesla's CEO listens |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/22/elon-musk-usually-blows-up-at-critics-but-when-consumer-reports-complains-even-elon-listens.html |publisher=CNBC}}</ref> ''CR'' retested the car's brakes, then gave the Model 3 a "recommended" rating.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boudette |first1=Neal |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Tesla Fixes Model 3 Flaw, Getting Consumer Reports to Change Review |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/business/tesla-consumer-reports.html |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Technology ===

==== Apple 2016 MacBook Pro ==== In 2016, ''CR ''found wildly inconsistent battery life in its testing of Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro. This led to the discovery of a bug in the Safari web browser, which Apple promptly fixed via a software update.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Consumer Reports Now Recommends MacBook Pros |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/apple/consumer-reports-now-recommends-macbook-pros/ |access-date=2017-01-12 |publisher=Consumer Reports}}</ref>

==== Instacart ==== In 2025, an investigation by Consumer Reports showed Instacart used an AI-driven dynamic pricing experiment to sometimes charge different shoppers different prices for the same items at the same store at the same time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Casselman |first=Ben |date=December 9, 2025 |title=Same Product, Same Store, but on Instacart, Prices Might Differ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/business/instacart-algorithmic-pricing.html/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212032457/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/business/instacart-algorithmic-pricing.html/ |archive-date=December 12, 2025 |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=New York Times |language=en}}</ref> Following public response to the investigation, Instacart ended its AI price-testing program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lorsch |first=Emily |date=December 22, 2025 |title=Instacart to halt 'item price tests' amid scrutiny of its AI tool for retailers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/instacart-ai-price-tests-scrutiny-rcna250454 |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Samsung Smart Televisions ==== Samsung fixed certain smart televisions after Consumer Reports found they could be hacked.<ref name=":8" />

==== Eken Video Doorbell ==== Consumer Reports found security vulnerabilities in video doorbells manufactured by Eken Group Ltd. and sold under various brand names.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=Some doorbell cameras sold on Amazon and other online sites have major security flaws, report says |url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-walmart-temu-doorbell-camera-security-3eededf1b379f894fb7b03b66ecbee72 |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-02-29 |title=These camera doorbells from Amazon, Walmart aren’t safe |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/29/doorbell-cameras-aiwit-privacy-amazon-walmart-temu/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |work=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref> After CR shared its investigation, Eken issued a firmware fix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khalid |first=Amrita |date=2024-04-26 |title=Eken fixes “terrible” video doorbell issue that could let someone spy on you |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/26/24141844/eken-firmware-update-consumer-reports-video-doorbell-security-vulnerability |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Children's products ===

==== Fisher-Price ==== In 2019, Fisher-Price recalled all of its Rock ‘n Play sleepers, approximately 4.7 million, after CR published an investigation that found the product was tied to at least 32 infant deaths since 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Winter |first=Jessica |date=2019-04-15 |title=The Life and Death of the Rock ’n Play, a Wildly Popular Baby Sleeper |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-life-and-death-of-a-wildly-popular-baby-sleeper |access-date=2025-10-23 |work=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |title=Consumer Reports and doctors urge recall of Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play after 32 babies died |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/04/08/fisher-price-rock-n-play-consumer-reports-calls-immediate-recall/3402268002/ |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Food ===

==== Kraft Heinz ==== In 2024, Kraft Heinz Lunchables made for U.S. schools were pulled from school lunch programs due to low demand.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand |url=https://apnews.com/article/lunchables-removed-national-school-lunch-program-a4a97b8c85932ba28fb9de22f1f82abe |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Limehouse |first=Julia Gomez, Eric Lagatta and Jonathan |title=Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/11/13/kraft-heinz-lunchables-schools-removed/76250171007/ |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> A few months prior, CR had published its investigation into the school Lunchables, sharing that it had found relatively high levels of lead, cadmium, and sodium present.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

==Editorial independence==

=== Core policies === ''Consumer Reports'' is well known for its policies on editorial independence, which it says are to "maintain our independence and impartiality ... [so that] CR has no agenda other than the interests of consumers".<ref name="CR_Mission">{{cite web|title=Our Mission|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/about-us/our-mission/index.htm|publisher=Consumers Union|access-date=September 27, 2012}}</ref><ref name="NYT_2007-12-08">{{cite news | first = Richard | last = Perez-Pena | title = Success Without Ads | date =December 8, 2007 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/business/media/08consumer.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2012-11-15}}</ref> ''CR'' has unusually strict requirements and sometimes has taken extraordinary steps; for example it declined to renew a car dealership's bulk subscription because of "the appearance of an impropriety".<ref>{{cite news | first = Matthew | last = Wald | title = Consumer Reports Refuses to Renew a Mass Subscription | date = April 14, 2001 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/14/business/consumer-reports-refuses-to-renew-a-mass-subscription.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2012-11-15}}</ref>

=== No outside advertising === ''Consumer Reports'' does not allow outside advertising because it does not want to compromise its objectivity.<ref name="CR_Mission" /><ref name="NYT_2007-12-08" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Dubb |first=Steve |date=2018-06-25 |title=Consumer Reports: A Nonprofit Icon with Business Model Questions |url=https://nonprofitquarterly.org/consumer-reports-a-nonprofit-icon-with-business-model-questions/ |access-date=2025-12-15 |website=Nonprofit Quarterly {{!}} Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice. |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-26 |title=Consumer Reports: GM reliability makes great strides |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39851985 |access-date=2025-12-15 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> The organization receives funding in other ways, namely from paid memberships,<ref name="NYT_2007-12-08" /><ref name=":3" /> grants,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":21" /><ref name=":7">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=August 13, 2012 |title=Consumer Reports Receives $2 Million Grant for Food Safety Study13 |url=http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/consumer-reports-receives-2-million-grant-for-food-safety-study/ |access-date=2012-11-14 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> donations,<ref name=":8" /> affiliate links,<ref name=":6" /> and through its commercial licensing program.<ref name=":28">{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=ByAndrew Adam |title=Why Consumer Reports lifted its decades-long ban on mentioning ratings in ads |url=https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2024/07/29/why-consumer-reports-lifted-its-decades-long-ban-on-mentioning-ratings-in-ads |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=Retail Brew |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{cite news | first = Bob | last = Tedeschi | title = MediaTalk; Critics Take Wary View Of Shopping Web Link | date =October 27, 2003 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/business/mediatalk-critics-take-wary-view-of-shopping-web-link.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2012-11-15}}</ref>

==Publications== {{Infobox magazine | title = Consumer Reports | italic title = no | logo = | logo size = | image_file = File:Consumer_Reports_cover_November_2016.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_alt = border | image_caption = ''Consumer Reports'' cover dated <br /> November 2016 | editor = Ellen Kunes, Editorial Director, Digital & Print | editor_title = Editor-in-Chief | frequency = Monthly | circulation = 3,800,000 | circulation_year = 2016 | category = Consumer advocacy | company = | publisher = Consumer Reports | firstdate = {{start date and age|1936|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last= Welborn|first=Aaron |date=4 February 2020 |title= Consumer Reports Archives Come to Duke |url=https://impact.duke.edu/story/consumer-reports-archives-come-duke |website=impact.duke.edu}}</ref> | country = United States | language = English | website = {{URL|http://www.consumerreports.org/}} | issn = 0010-7174 }}

=== Digital and Print Magazine === Consumer Reports publishes content through its digital platforms and produces a print magazine.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-21 |title=Consumer Reports {{!}} Product Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Consumer-Reports |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> These publications both provide consumers with product advice (the results of CR’s rigorous ratings work), as well as investigative reporting.<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":25" /><ref name=":26" /> Additionally, through its website, CR provides ratings and reviews for thousands products and services.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-21 |title=Tech Tips: How to use Consumer Reports |url=https://www.oppl.org/news-events/digital-learning/tech-tips-how-to-use-consumer-reports/ |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Oak Park Public Library |language=en-US}}</ref> It also provides recall information and video demonstrations.<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite web |last=Lowe |first=Zaneta |date=26 April 2018 |title=Consumer Alert: Consumer Report’s new Car Recall Tracker & spring contracting |url=https://wreg.com/news/consumer-alert-consumer-reports-new-car-recall-tracker-spring-contracting/ |website=wreg.com}}</ref>

The print magazine has been published since May 1936.<ref name=":4" /> Its first cover story was a report on the difference between Grade A and Grade B milk. Consumer Reports’ researchers found the two types of milk to be identical, and therefore did not recommend consumers spend more buying Grade A milk.<ref name=":4" />

=== Television and podcasts === In 1990, Consumer Reports launched ''Consumer Reports Television''.<ref name=":10">{{cite news | first = Lawrie | last = Mifflin | title = Consumer Reports Forges a TV Identity | date =September 2, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/02/business/consumer-reports-forges-a-tv-identity.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2012-11-15}}</ref> Like the rest of CR’s services, Consumer Reports TV accepts no advertising.<ref name=":10" /> It produces monthly news reports as well as specials, such as, "Buy Me That," from 1989, which discussed how TV advertising can mislead children.<ref name=":10" /> As of 2025, Consumer Reports produces its own podcasts in addition to videos for local broadcast and Telemundo stations.<ref name=":3" /> Digital content is also shared across the organization’s website, Amazon, Apple TV, MSN.com, and social media channels, including YouTube.<ref name=":3" />

=== Content distribution === Over the years, Consumer Reports has published its content on other sites/platforms, including:

* Linking to shopping comparison service BizRate.com through its digital cameras section<ref name=":22" /> * Allowing Yahoo to sell Consumer Reports buying guides online<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2001 |title=Technology Briefing {{!}} E-Commerce: Yahoo To Sell Consumer Reports Research |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/05/business/technology-briefing-e-commerce-yahoo-to-sell-consumer-reports-research.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> * Apple News<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=29 March 2019 |title=I did the math, and Apple News Plus is actually a pretty good deal |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-did-the-math-and-apple-news-plus-is-actually-a-pretty-good-deal/ |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> * Apple News+<ref name=":23" />

=== Newsletters === In 2025, Consumer Reports restarted their 1940s-era newsletter called Bread & Butter on Substack. The newsletter provides advice on deals and tips for saving money.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hazard Owen |first=Laura |date=November 26, 2025 |title=Consumer Reports revives a 1940s-era newsletter for cash-strapped Americans on Substack |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/consumer-reports-revives-a-1940s-era-newsletter-for-cash-strapped-americans-on-substack/ |access-date=April 27, 2026 |website=NiemanLab}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2025 |title=Meta gets a wake up call, Google's playbook rewrite, and Reach goes galactic |url=https://www.gpp.io/newsletter/meta-gets-a-wake-up-call-googles-playbook-rewrite-and-reach-goes-galactic-aLZdk5B5qN6q |access-date=April 27, 2026 |website=Glide |language=en}}</ref> Other newsletters from Consumer Reports cover topics including health, safety, home, and cars.

=== Previous publications ===

==== ''ShopSmart'' ==== On August 1, 2006, Consumer Reports launched ''ShopSmart'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shopsmartmag.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122190203/http://www.shopsmartmag.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-22 |title=ShopSmart magazine: Get the best deals every time you shop |website=Shopsmartmag.org |access-date=2017-03-05 }}</ref> a magazine aimed at young women.<ref>{{cite news | first = Maria | last = Aspan | title = Consumer Reports to Add Shopping Magazine | date =July 24, 2006 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/24/business/media/24consumer.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2012-11-15}}</ref> The magazine’s last issue was produced in August/September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-10 |title=Consumer Reports kills magazine, sparks labor dispute |url=https://nypost.com/2015/06/09/consumer-reports-kills-magazine-sparks-labor-dispute/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== ''The Consumerist Blog'' ==== In 2008, Consumer Reports acquired ''The Consumerist'' blog from Gawker Media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clifford |first=Stephanie |date=2008-12-30 |title=Consumers Union to Buy Gawker Blog Consumerist |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/business/31consumer.html |access-date=2023-10-11 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It was shuttered in 2017, and its content folded into the Consumer Reports website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consumerist.com Shutting Down |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/309573/consumeristcom-shutting-down.html |access-date=2018-05-17 |language=en}}</ref>

==== ''Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs'' ==== ''Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs'' is available free on Consumer Reports Health.org. It compares prescription drugs in over 20 major categories, such as heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes, and gives comparative ratings of effectiveness and costs, in reports and tables, in web pages and PDF documents, in summary and detailed form.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consumer Reports Drug Reports|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/drug-report-archives.htm|publisher=Consumer Reports|access-date=September 27, 2012}}</ref>

==== ''Penny Power/Zillions'' ==== Consumer Reports published a kids' version of ''Consumer Reports'' called ''Penny Power'' in 1980, later changed in August 1990 to ''Zillions''.<ref>[http://ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/archives/13/zillions.html Ibiblio.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701104335/http://ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/archives/13/zillions.html |date=July 1, 2009 }}</ref> This publication was similar to ''Consumer Reports'' but served a younger audience. At its peak, the magazine covered close to 350,000 subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|author=Debra West |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/25/nyregion/in-business-zillions-becomes-an-online-magazine.html |title=In Business; Zillions Becomes An Online Magazine |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2000-06-25 |access-date=2017-03-05}}</ref> It gave children financial advice for budgeting their allowances and saving for a big purchase, reviewed kid-oriented consumer products (e.g., toys, clothes, electronics, food, videogames, etc.), and generally promoted smart consumerism in kids and teens; reviews of products came from kids of the age range a product was targeted toward. It also taught kids about deceitful marketing practices practiced by advertising agencies. The magazine folded in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/cc/reading/Magazines.htm |title=Magazines |website=Macomb.k12.mi.us |access-date=2017-03-05 |archive-date=November 11, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021111112045/http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/cc/Reading/Magazines.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Consumer Reports WebWatch === In 2001, Consumer Reports launched the grant-funded project ''Consumer Reports WebWatch'', which aimed to educate consumers about online scams and other dangers.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2009-06-09 |title=Exclusive: Web watchdog site shut down by Consumers Union |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/2009-06-09-web-watchdog-site-shut-down-by-consumers-union.html |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}}</ref> WebWatch was backed by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Open Society Institute.<ref name=":11" /> In 2009, WebWatch was shut down.<ref name=":11" />

== Funding ==

=== Memberships and consumer engagement === Consumer Reports advocates for and with consumers and offers paid memberships to those who want access to its printed and digital publications.<ref name="NYT_2007-12-08" /><ref name=":3" /> CR’s more than 5 million members have access to online tools like a car recall tracker and personalized content.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27" />

=== Grants === Consumer Reports occasionally receives grants from other organizations to be used toward specific research projects. For example, in 2012, the Pew Charitable Trust provided Consumer Reports with a grant so the organization could examine food for carcinogens, heavy metal contamination, and pathogens.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

In 2021, the organization received a $375,000 grant from an environmental group, the Climate Imperative Foundation, to examine gas stoves and indoor air quality.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Salvucci |first=Jeremy |date=7 April 2025 |title=Consumer Reports: The product-testing nonprofit explained |url=https://www.thestreet.com/retail/how-does-consumer-reports-make-money-the-product-testing-nonprofit-explained |website=TheStreet|access-date=2026-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317180833/https://www.thestreet.com/retail/how-does-consumer-reports-make-money-the-product-testing-nonprofit-explained|archive-date=2026-03-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{cite web |date=May 9, 2013 |title=Climate Imperative Foundation Form 990 2021 |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/845024713/202310679349301426/full |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=Pro Publica}}</ref> After completing its study, Consumer Reports published an article entitled "Is Your Gas Range a Health Risk?" <ref>{{cite web |last1=Hope |first1=Paul |date=March 27, 2023 |title=Is Your Gas Stove a Health Risk? |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/indoor-air-quality/is-your-gas-range-a-health-risk-a6971504915/ |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=Consumer Reports}}</ref> published on October 4, 2022.<ref name=":6" /> The organization included a note that the study was funded in part by a grant from the Climate Imperative Foundation. Other organizations that have provided grants include the Hewlett Foundation and the Ford Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grants |url=https://hewlett.org/grants/consumer-reports-for-elevating-the-consumer-voice-in-clean-transportation-and-energy/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Consumer Reports, Inc. Archives |url=https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grantee/consumer-reports-inc/}}</ref> Ford has provided grants totaling more than $1 million in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |title=142599 - Consumer Reports, Inc |url=https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/consumer-reports-inc-142599/}}</ref>

=== Donations === Consumer Reports receives donations from individuals and organizations to fund various projects.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 2021 |title=The 2021 NPT 100: Donors Stood Tall, Led With BIG Gifts |url=https://thenonprofittimes.com/report/the-2021-npt-100-donors-stood-tall-led-with-big-gifts/ |access-date=21 November 2025 |website=The Nonprofit Times}}</ref> In June 2019, Craig Newmark’s foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, gave the organization $6 million to test internet-connected products for data privacy and security.<ref name=":8" /> This is done through the organization’s Innovation Lab.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=2023-10-03 |title=Delete your digital history from dozens of companies with this app |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/03/delete-personal-data-privacy-free-app/ |access-date=2025-11-18 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

Another donor is the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which donated to Consumer Reports’ Digital Standard project.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Adeniji |first=Ade |date=2019-06-24 |title=Consumer Rights 2.0: With a Big Cash Infusion, a Nonprofit Zeroes in on Data Privacy |url=https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2019-6-23-with-a-big-cash-infusion-a-legacy-nonprofit-aims-to-protect-consumer-rights-in-the-digital-age |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=www.insidephilanthropy.com |language=en-US}}</ref> This project created a set of digital rights and protections for which to evaluate manufacturers and advocate for consumer protections.<ref name=":9" />

=== Affiliate networks === Consumer Reports does not accept advertising from retailers or manufacturers, but it does use third-party affiliate links throughout its work.<ref name=":6" /> In this way, the organization can earn money without being incentivized to recommend a certain product.<ref name=":6" />

Consumer Reports was an early adopter of affiliate networks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The pros and cons of product review verticals |url=https://www.cjr.org/business_of_news/product-review-verticals-strategist-wirecutter.php |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |language=en}}</ref> The nonprofit’s website uses affiliate links in its articles for various brands, models, product types, and categories.<ref name=":6" />

At one point in its history, Consumer Reports also provided a website listing retailers included in the organization’s product reviews.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":29">{{Cite web |title=Consumer Reports magazine: November 2009 |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/november-2009/from-our-president/overview/we-do-it-our-way-ov.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211124705/https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/november-2009/from-our-president/overview/we-do-it-our-way-ov.htm |archive-date=11 December 2009 |website=ConsumerReports.org}} [https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/november-2009/from-our-president/overview/we-do-it-our-way-ov.htm Alt URL]</ref> This website was built and run by PriceGrabber.<ref name=":29" /> Through these affiliate links, PriceGrabber collected referral fees from retailers when someone clicked on a link. Consumer Reports accepted a percentage of this fee whether a purchase was made or not.<ref name=":29" />

=== Commercial licensing program === Brands that have been rated and reviewed by Consumer Reports may pay to license CR content, however, they may not alter or excerpt the content, but must use it in its entirety.<ref name=":28" /> This means that brands must share with consumers any negative shortcomings alongside successes.<ref name=":28" />

==Pushback from companies== Consumer Reports has been sued several times by companies unhappy with reviews of their products, but has never lost a case.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="NYT_2000-10-05">{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=October 5, 2000 |title=Public Lives; Still Top Dog, Consumers' Pit Bull to Retire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/05/nyregion/public-lives-still-top-dog-consumers-pit-bull-to-retire.html |access-date=2012-11-15 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="USA Today 2004-07-08">{{cite news | first = Earle | last = Eldridge | title = Consumers Union, Suzuki settle suit over tipping claim | date = April 8, 2004 | url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-07-08-suzuki-cu_x.htm | work = USA Today | access-date = 2013-02-24}}</ref>

===Bose=== In 1971, Bose Corporation sued ''Consumer Reports'' (''CR'') for libel after ''CR'' reported in a review that the sound from the system it reviewed "tended to wander about the room".<ref>{{cite court |url=http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/367/367mass424.html |litigants=Bose Corporation vs. Consumers Union of United States, Inc. |vol=367 |reporter=Mass. |opinion=424 |court=Mass. |date=1975}}</ref> The case eventually reached the United States Supreme Court, which affirmed in ''Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc.'' that ''CR''{{'s}} statement was made without actual malice and therefore was not libelous.<ref>[http://www.mobar.org/fecee336-a405-41e8-9647-fe5deb9cba1d.aspx Commentary on libel cases in general giving a specific example of ''Bose Corp. v. Consumer's Union of United States'']. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308101850/http://www.mobar.org/fecee336-a405-41e8-9647-fe5deb9cba1d.aspx |date=March 8, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opinion: Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union – 466 U.S. 485 (1984)|url=http://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/466/485/case.html|work=United States Supreme Judicial Court|publisher=Justia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Editorial: A Sound Affirmation|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40812FC3B5C0C718CDDAC0894DC484D81&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fC%2fConsumers%20Union|access-date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 2, 1984|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211023325/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40812FC3B5C0C718CDDAC0894DC484D81&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FOrganizations%2FC%2FConsumers%20Union|archive-date=2009-02-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Suzuki=== {{Main article|Suzuki Motor Corp. v. Consumers Union of the U.S., Inc.}} In 1988, ''Consumer Reports'' announced during a press conference that the Suzuki Samurai had demonstrated a tendency to roll and deemed it "not acceptable". Suzuki sued in 1996 after the Samurai was again mentioned in a ''CR'' anniversary issue. In July 2004, after eight years in court, the suit was settled and dismissed with no money changing hands and no retraction issued, but ''Consumers Union'' did agree to no longer refer to the 16-year-old test results of the 1988 Samurai in its advertising or promotional materials.<ref name="Hakim 2004 NYTimes">Hakim, Danny. [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/business/suzuki-resolves-a-dispute-with-a-consumer-magazine.html "Suzuki Resolves a Dispute With a Consumer Magazine"], ''The New York Times'', July 9, 2004.</ref>

===Rivera Isuzu=== In December 1997, the Isuzu Trooper distributor in Puerto Rico sued ''CR'', alleging that it had lost sales as a result of disparagement of the Trooper by the Consumers Union of the United States (CU). A trial court granted the motion for summary judgment by the CU, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the favorable judgment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2001/january/nw0105-7.htm |title=Defamation Claim Arising from Consumer Report Dismissed (January 5, 2001) |access-date=2006-11-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022103136/http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2001/january/nw0105-7.htm |archive-date=2006-10-22 }}</ref>

===Sharper Image=== In 2003, Sharper Image sued ''CR'' in California for product disparagement over negative reviews of its Ionic Breeze Quadra air purifier. ''CR'' moved for dismissal on October 31, 2003, and the case was dismissed in November 2004. The decision also awarded ''CR'' $525,000 in legal fees and costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quackwatch.org/14Legal/ionicbreeze.html |title=Court Dismisses Sharper Image Lawsuit against Consumers Union |website=Quackwatch.org |date=April 19, 2005 |access-date=2017-03-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infomercialwatch.org/legal/sharperimage.pdf |title=Sharper Image Corporation (Plaintiff) v. Consimers Union of United States Inc (Defendant) |website=Infomercialwatch.org |access-date=2017-03-05}}</ref>

==Controversial findings==

=== Child safety seats === The February 2007 issue of ''Consumer Reports'' stated that only two of the child safety seats it tested for that issue passed the organization's side impact tests.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Zarroli |first=Jim |date=2007-01-19 |title='Consumer Reports' Retracts Car-Seat Critique |url=https://www.npr.org/2007/01/19/6915528/consumer-reports-retracts-car-seat-critique |access-date=2025-10-17 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=2007-01-18 |title=Consumer Reports retracts infant car seat study |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16691288 |access-date=2025-10-17 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which subsequently retested the seats, found that all those seats passed the corresponding NHTSA tests at the speeds described in the magazine report.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /> The ''CR'' article reported that the tests simulated the effects of collisions at 38.5 mph. However, the tests that were completed in fact simulated collisions at 70 mph.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /> CR stated in a letter from its president Jim Guest to its subscribers that it would retest the seats.<ref name=":15" /> The article was removed from the CR website, and on January 18, 2007, the organization posted a note on its home page about the misleading tests. Subscribers were also sent a postcard apologizing for the errors.<ref name="NYT_2007-03-21" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /> On January 28, 2007, ''The New York Times'' published an op-ed from Joan Claybrook, who served on the board of CR from 1982 to 2006 and was the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 1977 to 1981, where she discussed the sequence of events leading to the publishing of the erroneous information.<ref name=":5"> {{cite news | author = Claybrook, Joan | title = Crash Test Dummies | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/opinion/28claybrook.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fContributors&oref=slogin | work = The New York Times | date = January 28, 2007 | access-date = January 29, 2007 | quote = How the testing mistake was made is instructive not only for ''Consumer Reports'' but for everyone who cares about public safety.|issn=0362-4331}} </ref>

=== Iams dog food === In February 1998, the organization tested pet food and claimed that Iams dog food was nutritionally deficient. It later retracted the report claiming that there had been "a systemic error in the measurements of various minerals we tested – potassium, calcium and magnesium".<ref>{{cite news | title= Consumer Reports' good reputation takes hit from flawed car seats report | work= San Diego Union Tribune | access-date=2007-02-05 | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070120-1028-infantseats.html }}</ref>

=== Hybrid vehicles === In 2006, ''Consumer Reports'' said six hybrid vehicles would probably not save owners money. The organization later discovered that it had miscalculated depreciation and released an update stating that four of the six vehicles would save the buyers money if the vehicles were kept for five years (and received the federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles, which expired after each manufacturer sold 60,000 hybrid vehicles).<ref> {{cite news | title = Update: This is a revised report on 'The dollars and sense of hybrids' | work =Consumer Reports | publisher = Consumers Union | date=September 2006 | url = http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/high-cost-of-hybrid-vehicles-406/a-note-about-this-report/index.htm | access-date = 2007-01-29 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061130114523/http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/high-cost-of-hybrid-vehicles-406/a-note-about-this-report/index.htm  |archive-date = 2006-11-30}} </ref>

== Leadership and structure == Prominent consumer advocate Ralph Nader was on the board of directors, but left in 1975 due to a "division of philosophy" with the organization.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 23, 1975 |title=Notes on People; Nader Quits Consumers Union |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A07E6DC1F3CE034BC4B51DFBE66838E669EDE |access-date=2012-11-15 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name=":13" /> Nader wanted Consumer Reports to focus on policy and product advocacy, while Karpatkin focused on product rating and reviews.<ref name="NYT_2000-10-05" /><ref name=":30">{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Sam |date=2023-08-07 |title=Rhoda Karpatkin, 93, Who Led Consumer Reports for Decades, Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/07/business/rhoda-karpatkin-dead.html |access-date=2026-02-26 |work=The New York Times |language= |issn=}}</ref> Karpatkin was appointed executive director in 1974 and retired as president in the early 2000s.<ref name=":30" /><ref name="NYT_2000-10-05" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Gold |first=Gerald |date=January 13, 1974 |title=Consumers Union Picks Lawyer To Be Its First Woman Director; In Involvement |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00EFDF123EEE37A25750C1A9679C946590D6CF |access-date=2012-11-15 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

In 2023, Consumer Reports had an annual budget of over US$30 million, which supported 60 labs and teams of engineers and other employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consumer Reports: Put to the test |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/consumer-reports-put-to-the-test/ |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=CBS News |language=en-US|date=2023-09-24}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

In January 2025, Consumer Reports named Phil Radford as its next president and CEO.<ref name=":12" /> Radford was previously chief strategy officer at Sierra Club, CEO of Greenpeace, and worked with the Public Interest Research Group and Public Citizen.<ref name=":12" /> Consumer Reports had over 5 million members as of April 2025.<ref name=":6" />

== See also == * Consumer protection * Consumer education * Australian Consumers' Association * Consumers' Institute of New Zealand * Consumers International * Consumers' Research * Euroconsumers and ICRT International Consumer Research and Testing * Good Housekeeping Institute * Stiftung Warentest * UFC Que Choisir, France's most important consumers' group. * Underwriters Laboratories * ''Which?''

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

===Works cited=== *{{cite book |last1=Franklin |first1=Dan |editor1-last=Brobeck |editor1-first=Stephen |editor2-last=Mayer |editor2-first=Robert N. |title=Watchdogs and Whistleblowers - a reference guide to consumer activism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uUUMCgAAQBAJ |date=2015 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781440830006 |pages=141–147 |chapter=Consumers Union / Consumer Reports}}

== External links ==           * {{Official website}}

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