Just injecting an anecdote. Consumer Reports’ car issue is really where they shine. They’ve been doing car reliability reviews for decades and presumably have a lot of data to draw from. Personally, I let my Consumer Reports subscription lapse after a move.
Also, there is something about Wirecutter’s affiliate business model that seems like it would incentivize behavior that is against the interest of the reader–say preferring to review products that are on Amazon. This 2014 example of a standing desk review suggests a “pay to play” model, at least for some of their reviews.
One would think that the NYT purchase would give them more financial independence, but I think the opposite as they are now owned by a media company that relies on advertising for a significant portion of their income. Not upsetting advertisers has long been a source of conflict of interest for media organizations.
I still like them for low-stakes purchases, or if there is nothing else available and I’m pressed for time. My current projector was a Wirecutter recommendation. It’s just something to keep in mind.