6 Products Consumer Reports' Experts Love

These are some of the items they own and recommend

By Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports evaluates thousands of products each year, many of them an impressive mix of performance, reliability, and value. But which items do CR staffers have in their own homes? Whether you’re in the market for an EV charger, interior paint, or a chainsaw, CR experts reveal the gear that they’ve purchased and would recommend to you.

Also see Consumer Reports’ Top Picks for 2022:

Top Picks in Autos for 2022
Top Picks in Bed, Bath, and Laundry for 2022
Top Picks in Cooking and Cleanup for 2022
Top Picks in Health and Food for 2022
Top Picks in Outdoor Living and Yard Care for 2022
• Top Picks in Tech for 2022

EV Charger

JuiceBox 40

Based on CR’s evaluation, I chose a 40-amp WiFi-enabled JuiceBox, an easy-to-use smart charger with an app for monitoring and scheduling, and a 25-foot cable. It did require an electrician to install a 240-volt line to my garage, but it’s super-convenient and all but eliminates any concerns about vehicle range.—Jeff S. Bartlett, Managing Editor, Cars

Sunscreen Lotion

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Lotion SPF 60

This La Roche-Posay sunscreen has continuously been at the top of CR’s ratings for several years, so I know I can trust its protection. But how a sunscreen feels is also important to me, so I’m willing to pay more for one that’s lightweight and sinks into my skin without leaving a sticky residue. I’ve tried a lot of sunscreens, and this has become my go-to for face and body year-round.—Trisha Calvo, Deputy Editor, Health & Food

Wireless Router

TP-Link Deco Whole Home (3-pack)

I bought this mesh router when I started working at home full-time, and it’s the best money I’ve spent in years. The TP-Link Deco Whole Home system is inexpensive, is easy to set up (using the TP-Link mobile app), and effectively eliminates the WiFi dead spots in my home. I even get a reliable signal on the backyard patio now.—Chris Raymond, Deputy Editor, Tech

Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Signature Dutch Oven

I’ve relied on my Le Creuset Signature Dutch Oven since I received it as a wedding gift 14 years ago, and I whip up everything from billowy Dutch baby pancakes to perfectly braised chicken. It’s easy to keep clean and so solid that the lifetime warranty doesn’t feel like a stretch.—Joanne Chen, Deputy Editor, Home

Paint

Behr Marquee (Home Depot)

I’m for anything that helps me get a paint job done faster and stretches out the time between touch-ups. This Behr Marquee interior paint tops our ratings with a stain-resistant, one-coat finish—no primer required. It helped speed up my own home-improvement projects and still looks great. The formula—with low volatile organic compounds—makes it a good pick for a bedroom, too.—Tanya Christian, Multimedia Content Creator, Home

Lighter-Duty Gas Chainsaw

Echo CS-3510

When I needed a chainsaw to clear some fallen limbs after a big storm, I quickly decided on this Echo CS-3510 model that stood out in our tests. While the rest of my neighborhood waited for tree services to return their calls, I cleaned up the mess in a single afternoon as the saw powered its way through heavy branches in no time.—Paul Hope, Senior Multimedia Content Creator, Home



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