Our brand ratings are editorial opinions on a 10-point scale. They are not averages of user reviews and they are not influenced by commissions. This page explains what goes into the number.
The six factors
| Factor | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | 25% | What you get per dollar in materials, components and build, compared with alternatives at the same price. |
| Components and build | 20% | Whether the brand uses proven components and materials and discloses them clearly on every listing. |
| Buyer protection | 20% | Warranty length and exclusions, return window and conditions, who pays return shipping, whether policies are published and dated. |
| Shipping and availability | 15% | Delivery times, duties handling, local warehouses, how often models are out of stock. |
| Transparency | 10% | Clear company identity and location, complete specification sheets, honest naming and claims. |
| Range and fit | 10% | Choice of models, sizes and options for different needs. |
What the score means
- 9–10: Hard to beat at the price. We'd buy it ourselves without hesitation.
- 7–8.9: Strong value with a few clear trade-offs that we spell out in the review.
- 5–6.9: Acceptable, but better options exist for most buyers.
- Below 5: We would not recommend it; the review explains why.
What we check, and how
Catalog data (models, prices, stock) comes from the retailer's public product feed and is refreshed on the date shown on each page. Policies are read from the retailer's published shipping, return and warranty pages, and we quote the version date. Component claims are cross-checked against the makers' public specifications where possible. Where we have not handled a product, we say the review is specification-based.
What we don't count
Affiliate commission rates, whether a brand works with us, and brand prestige. A well-known name doesn't earn points on its own; the product has to justify its price.
Changes
If a brand changes its warranty, pricing or policies in a way that moves the score, we update the review and note the change and date at the bottom of the page.