Review Methodology

The process

• Select. We cover products buyers are actively researching and where impartial information is scarce. We do not take requests from brands.
• Verify. We record specifications, materials, certifications, regulatory status, warranty length, and return terms from the manufacturer's own documentation, and note where a claim is unsupported.
• Price. We record the price and any bundle pricing on the date of writing, and show that date. Prices on direct-to-consumer sites change often, so always confirm before buying.
• Compare. We identify named alternatives — including cheaper and more established options — and compare them on the criteria below.
• Assess. We score the product, write the verdict, and state plainly who should not buy it.
• Update. We revisit reviews when a product changes, pricing moves, or a reader reports an error, and we change the "Updated" date when the content changes.

What the score means

Scores run from 1 to 5 and are our own editorial judgement, not an average of user ratings. We weigh four things:

• Evidence. How well the product's claims are supported by documentation, certification, or regulatory clearance.
• Value. What it costs against the realistic alternatives, including doing nothing.
• Risk. Return terms, warranty, subscription traps, and how easily a buyer can undo the purchase.
• Fit. How clearly the product suits a specific buyer rather than being sold to everyone.

A high score means the product is a sensible purchase for the buyer we describe. It is not a claim that the product is the best in its category for everyone, and it is never a health claim.

Limits you should know about

We would rather state our limits than imply authority we do not have.

• We do not currently run laboratory tests, take physical measurements, or conduct long-term durability trials.
• We do not verify individual customer testimonials, so we do not publish them.
• We do not publish aggregate user ratings or review counts, because we do not collect them.
• We cannot confirm manufacturing or ingredient claims beyond the documentation a brand publishes.
• Pricing is accurate on the date shown and nowhere else.

How affiliate links affect this

They do not affect scores or conclusions. Commission rates vary between the products we cover, and we do not rank or score by payout. See our affiliate disclosure for the full explanation.