Last week at CR, we also highlighted the best wood stains, shared advice about saving on gas right now, and tested popular shoe inserts
We shared our advice on getting your lawn mower ready for the mowing season, gave our picks for the best OTC orthotics, and discussed how well wood stains hold up over three years.
By Daphne Yao
Our In Case You Missed It series highlights recent ratings, news, and investigations.
Over the past week, we talked with experts about tips on getting your lawn mower ready for spring. And as part of CR’s Member Appreciation Week, we partnered with brands to offer exclusive discounts on sleep and kitchen products, and more. We also examined Apple’s current computer lineup after the introduction of its new MacBook Neo. We updated the best wood stains (and offered advice on staining your deck), and discussed how changing your driving habits could save you money on fuel. Finally, we tried eight popular shoe inserts and insoles and found a comfortable, budget-friendly option.
Getting your lawn mower or tractor in shape for mowing season will lead to smoother starting and easier cutting.
Photo: Adobe Stock
Don’t Forget to Prep Your Gas Mower Ahead of Mowing Season
We refreshed our advice on getting your lawn mower ready for mowing season and added new guidance on cleaning your mower deck. “If you have a battery mower, there’s nothing to do beyond sharpening the blade and charging the battery,” says Yasmeen Khan, who covers home improvement products for CR. “But a gas mower, particularly one that wasn’t winterized, will need a bit of TLC before its first run of the season.”
Spring Yard Prep: Quick To-Dos
Check and change your gas mower’s filters if necessary.
Fuel up your gas mower.
Change your gas mower’s spark plug.
Clean your gas mower by hosing it down.
To see how well lawn mowers cut grass, we cut about 500,000 square feet of grass in Florida every year. Here are the best lawn mowers and tractors of 2026.
We’ve partnered with 14 brands to bring our members discounts not available to the general public.
Graphic: Consumer Reports, Manufacturers
Exclusive Member Savings: Up to 40 Percent Off Top-Rated Products
We secured exclusive offers on top-rated products from 14 brands. Keep in mind that these special discounts end tomorrow, March 17.
Where You Can Save
Sleep products: mattresses, mattress toppers, sheets, and pillows.
Kitchen products: cookware and pizza ovens.
Home products: air purifiers and smart-home security devices.
Fitness equipment: treadmills and electric bikes.
For more deals, check out our deals hub, as well as our roundup of larger-than-average discounts in March.
Apple’s laptops and desktops are high performers in CR’s lab testing.
Photos: Apple, Consumer Reports
Students Should Consider the MacBook Neo (but the Air Is Still Great for Most of Us)
“Apple just wrapped up a three-day hardware extravaganza where it introduced its overhauled laptop lineup, and there’s plenty to sort through,” writes Nicholas de Leon, who covers laptops and tablets at CR. “Apple introduced the MacBook Neo, a brand-new laptop that starts at just $599, the cheapest Mac the company has ever sold.” It also announced updated MacBook Air and Pro models.
Which MacBook Should You Get?
The MacBook Neo (powered by the same chip as the iPhone 16 Pro) could be a great option for students and first-time Mac buyers.
The MacBook Air (thin, light, and powerful enough for most everyday tasks) is a great option for most people.
The MacBook Pro is a great option for power users who need the horsepower (software developers, photographers, and video editors).
Our Tests Reveal How Well Wood Stains Last Over 3 Years
It takes a long time for us to test wood stains. We assess every single option for three years, applying stain to wood boards, then exposing those boards to everything from ice storms to blistering heat and high humidity.
“We’ve found significant differences from one formulation to another,” says Jim Willcox, who covers wood stains, decking, and pressure washers at CR. “The least durable stains don’t hold up for even one year. The toughest remain close to new after three years, without fading, cracking, or mildew buildup.”
More on This: We updated our deck-staining tips last week.
How to Save on Gas Right Now
“While the price has dropped significantly from [its] peak, it has climbed by 64 cents a gallon over the last month,” writes Jeff Bartlett, a managing editor who writes about car buying, car deals, and more. “Now is as good a time as ever to fine-tune your driving to maximize your fuel economy.”
3 of Our 10 Pointers
Obey speed limits.
Drive evenly.
Check tire pressure.
We test the fuel efficiency of every car that comes into our Auto Test Center. Check out the most fuel-efficient cars and SUVs for models that performed well in our fuel-economy tests.
One of the Best Shoe Inserts Costs Less Than $15
To find the best OTC orthotics, our testers spent two days wearing each of our eight candidates and then evaluated how they felt while walking, standing, and working out. “Good news if you’re wondering whether adding a shoe insert may help your feet feel better,” writes Lisa Fogarty, one of the testers. “The answer is most likely yes.”
Notes From the Ground
One of the four pairs of Dr. Scholl’s inserts we tested stood out as a great budget pick, for less than $15.
You don’t have to suffer from a chronic foot, joint, or bone problem to find relief from OTC orthotics.
OTC orthotics are appropriate for about 70 percent of the population, according to a healthcare professional trained in foot care.
Fresh From the Labs: Power Scrubbers, Laundry Detergents, and Countertop Microwaves
We’re constantly testing the latest products and retesting existing stock.
We added eight power scrubbers to our ratings, and two of them earned our recommendation.
We tested 16 new laundry detergents, and one turned out to be among the worst we found.
We assessed eight countertop microwaves from Magic Chef, Whirlpool, and more.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.