Before you buy a power bank for travel: the checks that matter
Read the capacity label, check TSA's carry-on rules, search CPSC recalls and know what the FTC says about warranties, so you can judge any power bank yourself.
Before you buy a hair dryer: the plug, the specs and the paperwork
A hair dryer is simple inside, so the useful checks are few: the shock-protection plug, the printed specs, the true cost, the warranty text and the recall record.
Before you buy a fitness tracker: reading health claims and data practices
A fitness tracker's health numbers may not be medically validated, and it collects your health data. Here is how to check claims, privacy, ownership cost and recalls yourself.
Before you buy a pet camera: security, plan fees, warranty
A pet camera is a live video device in your home. Here is how to check its security, add up its plan costs, and use the warranty, return and recall protections before you pay.
Top Stories
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Before you buy a power bank for travel: the checks that matter
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Before you buy a hair dryer: the plug, the specs and the paperwork
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Before you buy a fitness tracker: reading health claims and data practices
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Before you buy a pet camera: security, plan fees, warranty
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Before you buy an artificial Christmas tree: labels, lights, cost, rights
What To Buy
Before you buy a power bank for travel: the checks that matter
Read the capacity label, check TSA's carry-on rules, search CPSC recalls and know what the FTC says about warranties, so you can judge any power bank yourself.
Before you buy a hair dryer: the plug, the specs and the paperwork
A hair dryer is simple inside, so the useful checks are few: the shock-protection plug, the printed specs, the true cost, the warranty text and the recall record.
Before you buy a fitness tracker: reading health claims and data practices
A fitness tracker's health numbers may not be medically validated, and it collects your health data. Here is how to check claims, privacy, ownership cost and recalls yourself.
Before you buy a pet camera: security, plan fees, warranty
A pet camera is a live video device in your home. Here is how to check its security, add up its plan costs, and use the warranty, return and recall protections before you pay.
Before you buy an artificial Christmas tree: labels, lights, cost, rights
How to read fire-resistance labels, light listings, cost per season and warranty and recall rules, using regulator sources and no product picks.
Home & Outdoor
Before you buy an electric space heater: what to check first
A heating-season guide to how portable electric heaters work, which features to check, how to work out running cost, and the recall, warranty and return protections you have.
Food & Recipes
Before you buy an air fryer: how to judge one yourself
A guide to how an air fryer works, which specs matter, what it costs to run, and which recall, warranty and return rights protect you. No picks, no ratings.
Holidays & Gatherings
Before you buy an artificial Christmas tree: labels, lights, cost, rights
How to read fire-resistance labels, light listings, cost per season and warranty and recall rules, using regulator sources and no product picks.
Entertainment & Pop Culture
Before you buy a TV on a holiday sale: what to check first
A TV buying guide on which specs are marketing, what a set costs to run, and what warranty, return, privacy and recall rules protect.
Family & Relationships
Before you buy a pet camera: security, plan fees, warranty
A pet camera is a live video device in your home. Here is how to check its security, add up its plan costs, and use the warranty, return and recall protections before you pay.
Health
Before you buy a fitness tracker: reading health claims and data practices
A fitness tracker's health numbers may not be medically validated, and it collects your health data. Here is how to check claims, privacy, ownership cost and recalls yourself.
Beauty & Personal Care
Before you buy a hair dryer: the plug, the specs and the paperwork
A hair dryer is simple inside, so the useful checks are few: the shock-protection plug, the printed specs, the true cost, the warranty text and the recall record.
Travel
Before you buy a power bank for travel: the checks that matter
Read the capacity label, check TSA's carry-on rules, search CPSC recalls and know what the FTC says about warranties, so you can judge any power bank yourself.
Buy Better. Spend Less.
A star rating tells you how somebody felt. It doesn't tell you what you're buying. Every guide trades opinions for facts you can check: how the thing works, which specs matter, what it costs over the years you own it, and what protects your money.
Why no star ratingsThe Facts on Your Side
Three protections every shopper already has. Each guide checks them for its kind of product.
Fake reviews are against the law.
Since October 21, 2024, a Federal Trade Commission rule bans fake reviews and testimonials, including ones written by AI and ones the seller paid for.
Read the FTC's ruleYou can read the warranty first.
When a product comes with a warranty, federal law says you must be able to read it before you buy, in the store or online.
Warranties, from the FTCRecalls are public.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a searchable list of recalls and safety warnings. Check a model before you buy it, especially a used one.
Search recalls at the CPSC
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The Latest
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What To Buy
Before you buy a power bank for travel: the checks that matter
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What To Buy
Before you buy a hair dryer: the plug, the specs and the paperwork
-
What To Buy
Before you buy a fitness tracker: reading health claims and data practices
-
What To Buy
Before you buy a pet camera: security, plan fees, warranty
-
What To Buy
Before you buy an artificial Christmas tree: labels, lights, cost, rights
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What To Buy
Before you buy an air fryer: how to judge one yourself
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Before you buy a TV on a holiday sale: what to check first
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Before you buy an electric space heater: what to check first