Consumer Reports: A Trusted, Independent Resource for Smarter Buying Decisions

Consumer Reports remains one of the most widely trusted sources of unbiased product information in the United States, with a mission grounded in independence, rigorous testing, and advocacy for consumer safety and fairness.

A Nonprofit With an 89 Year Legacy of Independence

Consumer Reports, originally founded in 1936 as Consumers Union, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to independent product testing and consumer protection.
Unlike commercial review websites, Consumer Reports:

• Accepts no advertising, ensuring no financial influence from manufacturers.
• Purchases every product it tests at retail price through anonymous “secret shopper” transactions.
• Never accepts free samples, eliminating a major source of bias in consumer product reviews.

These structural safeguards have been essential to maintaining its reputation for impartiality and scientific rigor.

Backed by Member Support, Not Corporate Funding

Consumer Reports is funded primarily by:

• Paid subscriptions to its magazine and website
• Philanthropic grants
• Individual donations

Because it does not depend on advertisers, Consumer Reports can publish negative findings without fear of commercial repercussions. This transparency is a foundational reason it is consistently cited as one of the most trusted organizations in consumer advocacy.

Extensive Testing Across Thousands of Products

CR conducts expert, hands on testing across categories that include:

• Cars (tested at its 327 acre auto proving grounds in Colchester, Connecticut)
• Home appliances
• Electronics and smart devices
• Health and fitness products
• Home and garden tools
• Food safety and nutrition
• Financial services and consumer money products

These evaluations are carried out in CR’s network of specialized laboratories by engineers, scientists, statisticians, and safety experts.

Objective Testing + Real World Reliability Data

Consumer Reports bases its ratings on two major data streams:

1. Laboratory Testing:
   Products are benchmarked using standardized, repeatable tests designed to measure safety, durability, energy efficiency, performance, and ease of use.
2. Large Scale Consumer Surveys:
   CR collects millions of data points from its members each year on reliability, owner satisfaction, and long term performance.
   These surveys power reliability scores for cars, appliances, and electronics.

The combination of controlled lab testing and real world user data makes CR’s ratings uniquely comprehensive and evidence based.

Accessing Consumer Reports Through Your Library

While Consumer Reports offers its own digital subscription, many residents can access the same information for free through their public library.

Library Subscription Access

Library systems across the country subscribe to ConsumerReports.org through digital resource providers. Patrons can typically log in by:

1. Visiting their library’s website
2. Navigating to the “Digital Resources” or “Online Databases” section
3. Entering their library card number and PIN

This provides access to:

• Full product ratings
• Buying guides
• Comparisons and model rankings
• Safety alerts and product recall information
• Pricing insights and advice from CR experts

For many households, this is an invaluable way to leverage CR’s nationally respected testing without the cost of a personal subscription.

Why Consumer Reports Remains Essential

In an era where online “reviews” are increasingly plagued by paid placements, influencer marketing, and fake user ratings, Consumer Reports offers something fundamentally different:

Evidence based, nonprofit, independent product testing designed to protect consumers, not sell products.

Using Consumer Reports before making major purchases can help buyers:

• Avoid unreliable or unsafe products
• Save money
• Compare brands objectively
• Make fully informed decisions
• Prevent buyer’s remorse

Whether you’re shopping for a car, a refrigerator, a laptop, or everyday household items, Consumer Reports provides a level of depth and trustworthiness rarely found elsewhere.

MinneapoliMedia