Holiday Shopping with Consumer Reports

Searching for holiday gifts can feel like a hassle any year. Make sure you're getting your loved ones a great product at a good price by checking out Consumer Reports online, free with your library card.

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers. It has a team of consumers and employees that do rigorous testing of products, offering shoppers the best information possible. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has 63 testing labs and a 327-acre automobile testing track.

Consumer Reports is especially known for its reviews of:

• Electronics, such as televisions, cell phones, tablets, and computer accessories
• Appliances, including anything from coffee grinders to refrigerators to waffle makers
• Home and garden items, such as drills, snow blowers, cookware, and air mattresses
• Items for children, like car seats, strollers, and diaper bags
• Cars, food, money-related items, and more

On Consumer Reports, you get thousands of product reviews, including electronics, home & garden items, appliances, parenting items, and more. The 2023 Holiday Gift Guide and the Ultimate Guide to Black Friday Deals and Sales are great starting points for shoppers. You’ll find gift suggestions for under $50, $100, and $200 and see the best deals happening throughout the week.

For example, let's say someone you love has a slow cooker on their list. You'll want to check out slow cookers under the product reviews and see what the experts have to say. On the top of the screen on a mobile device, or on the left side of a computer, you'll find filters to help narrow down your choices, including brand, price, and Consumer Reports' score. For slow cookers, you'll find specific specifications, such as size, dimensions, whether it's programmable, and more. This allows you to see what the best item is for under $50, or what programmable slow cookers have a score of 75 or better.

So how do you get started? Just go to dmpl.org/consumerreports and have your library card ready. Punch in your library card number and your PIN, and you’ll have full digital access. Shop smart this holiday season!