Our Review Process

How We Review Products

Honest reviews backed by hands-on testing, video documentation, and transparent scoring.

400+
Products Tested
400+
Video Reviews
37
Categories Covered
2+
Years Reviewing

How Products Are Selected

Products come from three sources. Each is chosen based on whether it adds genuine value for shoppers researching purchases.

1
Amazon Creator Connections
Brands offer bonus commission through Amazon's official program. The bonus does not influence the review outcome.
2
Personal Purchases
Products bought for personal use that are worth reviewing for others considering the same purchase.
3
Reader Requests
Products that readers ask about or that fill a gap in an existing category we cover.

Our Testing Process

Every product goes through the same four-step evaluation pipeline.

Step 1
Unboxing
Packaging, build quality, materials, setup. First reactions filmed on camera.
Step 2
Extended Testing
1 to 4 weeks of real-world use. Stress tested for durability.
Step 3
Research
Cross-reference with expert reviews, customer feedback, and competitors.
Step 4
Video & Review
Film hands-on video. Write detailed review with pros, cons, and comparisons.

How Ratings Work

Every product receives a rating from 1.0 to 5.0 based on five equally weighted criteria. Ratings are never influenced by commission rates or brand relationships.

Performance
Build Quality
Value
Ease of Use
Overall
4.5 – 5.0
Excellent — Would buy again
3.5 – 4.4
Good — Recommended with minor caveats
2.5 – 3.4
Average — Meaningful tradeoffs
1.5 – 2.4
Below average — More cons than pros
1.0 – 1.4
Poor — Does not deliver

How We Compare Products

Direct Competitors
We compare against the most popular alternatives in the same price range. No strawman products.
Consistent Criteria
Same metrics across every comparison: price, performance, build quality, features.
Honest Outcomes
If a competitor is better for your use case, we say so. We never force a winner.
Research Backed
We disclose when comparisons are hands-on versus based on expert reviews and specs.

Editorial Independence

Affiliate commissions and brand partnerships never influence our ratings, recommendations, or review content. Every product is evaluated on its own merits.

I choose which products to review. Brands cannot pay for a review.
Every review includes both pros and cons. Problems are always documented.
Low ratings are given to products from brands I have ongoing relationships with.
All affiliate relationships are disclosed in our affiliate disclosure.

Limitations and Transparency

No review process is perfect. Here is what you should know:

Sample size: One unit tested per product. Manufacturing can vary.
Time limits: Testing lasts 1 to 4 weeks. Long-term durability is estimated from materials and customer data.
Subjectivity: Comfort, aesthetics, and UX are subjective. Your preferences may differ from mine.
Updates: Reviews are updated when opinions change. Check the "Last Updated" date.

Questions About Our Methodology?

If you have questions about how a product was tested or how a rating was assigned, I am happy to answer.

Contact Us