In a world full of new technology, it can be difficult to know which gadgets are worth your hard-earned money. Our reviews are designed to cut through the noise and give you an honest, comprehensive look at the products that matter. We test everything from smartphones and laptops to smart home devices and niche creator tools. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned enthusiast, our goal is to help you make an informed decision.

How We Approach Reviews

At our publication, we take reviews seriously. Our mission is to provide fair, balanced, and informative critiques, whether we are evaluating a flagship smartphone or an obscure smart home accessory. We aim to give readers an accurate representation of what they can expect from each product. With no shortage of ways to spend your money on new technology, we want to help readers make informed decisions on the value of each product, at any given price point.

We cover a wide range of technology products, with preference given to unique features and emerging technologies. Our reviewers always cover the latest models from the biggest names in the industry, but we also strive to uncover and elevate niche products worthy of consumer attention. We judge each product based on real-world experience, and, except where clearly noted, all of our product reviews are based on market-ready products, not pre-release prototypes. Given the speed at which new products are released and existing products are updated, it is important to remember that a review is a snapshot and that the competitive landscape can change over time.

We provide honest and thorough assessments of every product we review, considering both the good and the bad aspects. While the criteria for what makes a successful product will vary, our goal is always to indicate overall quality and value. We do not allow advertiser interests or external pressures to influence our verdicts.

Review Philosophy

Our reviews typically include a mix of quantitative and qualitative testing. We run different benchmarks depending on the type of product we are testing, but we always approach our reviews as consumers, because we are consumers. We are early adopters, tinkerers, and generally tech-obsessed. We spend more time than most with smartphones, laptops, and robot vacuums, but we still have questions when a new device comes across our desks: Does it deliver on all of its promises? Is it better than the next best thing out right now? Who should buy it, and more importantly, is it worth buying at all?

In order to answer questions like that, we aim to use the products we review as if they were our own. For example, we might carry a smartphone everywhere for days, taking selfies, playing games, and annoying coworkers in messaging apps. Or we will write a laptop review on that machine to see how the keyboard holds up over extended typing sessions. For things like synths and samplers, we use them for as long as we can so we can judge how usable the device is, both for seasoned creators and novices. We make note of build quality, versatility, and overall value.

We know that gadgets do not exist in a vacuum, so placing them into context is just as important as judging their performance and features. That involves not only comparing a device to its direct competitors, but also thinking critically about who would get the most use out of it and whether the value it provides justifies its price. No gadget is perfect, but one might be perfect for your specific needs.

Different reviewers may have very different opinions about a particular product, depending on personal preferences, experiences, or tastes. It is important to remember that a review reflects just one person's opinion, and one moment in time. That is why we encourage readers to read multiple perspectives and weigh their own priorities before making a purchase.

Scoring

We rate products on a 1-100 scale, and the final score is chosen by our editorial team with no outside input. Each product's score is agreed upon by the reviewer and their editor, sometimes with advice from team members who have expertise in the area. The score is designed to summarize our overall impression of a product's quality and value, but it is not a mathematical average of every feature. Instead, it takes into account the product's intended audience, its competitors, and the context of the market.

What Our Scores Mean

• 0-29: An awful product that should be avoided. You'll be sorry.
• 30-49: A poor product that's more likely to be frustrating than useful.
• 50-54: A disappointing product with a lot of problems.
• 55-59: It might work in a pinch, but you wouldn't want to use it regularly.
• 60-64: A forgettable product. It isn't bad, exactly, but also doesn't do anything particularly well.
• 65-69: It has some redeeming qualities, but you could do better.
• 70-74: A dependable product that doesn't stand out from the competition or is very niche in appeal.
• 75-79: A very good product that falls just short of greatness, but we can still heartily endorse.

Recommended (80-89)

• 80-84: There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. Easy to recommend to most shoppers.
• 85-89: An all-around great product that's among the best in its category. You'll almost certainly be happy.

Editors' Choice (90-100)

• 90-94: The best in its category. We highly recommend it.
• 95-99: An important, nearly flawless product that raises the bar for the rest of the tech industry.
• 100: A gadget unicorn.

Unscored Reviews

Our review scoring system is designed for the products core to our coverage. From time to time, you will see reviews with no score. We do not numerically rate works of art like movies or games; our media reviews instead comprise a mix of opinion, criticism, and analysis. When we review software, cars, and other products outside of the typical consumer electronics market, we do not apply a score. This allows us to focus on the experience and context rather than forcing a number onto a product that does not fit a standard evaluation frame.

Embargoes and Review Units

We choose which products to review independent of our parent company or advertisers. Review units are usually provided by companies to us free of charge. In most cases, at the end of our review period, hardware is returned to the company. Occasionally we may hold onto units for long-term testing, but under no circumstances do they become a reviewer's personal property. Reselling of review units is strictly prohibited.

We believe in transparency. While our reviews are typically based on products supplied by manufacturers, as is the standard practice in the industry, our opinions and conclusions are independent. Where applicable, we accept early products so that we can give as thorough and informative a review as possible. We maintain editorial control over every review, from start to finish, and we clearly disclose any relationships that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

If you are a manufacturer or publicist interested in submitting a product for review consideration, we welcome the opportunity. We ask that you provide product samples, background information, and access to any necessary resources. Our editorial team will determine whether the product fits our coverage and whether a review is appropriate. Submission of a product does not guarantee a review or a particular score.

We also update reviews when significant changes occur, such as major software updates, price drops, or the introduction of a strong new competitor. In those cases, we may revise the score and text to reflect the new landscape. If a product changes hands to a new owner, we reevaluate our stance. This ensures that our reviews remain relevant and useful long after a product first launches.

At the end of the day, we are on the side of the consumer. We believe that honest, carefully researched reviews are one of the most valuable tools a technology publication can offer. By outlining our policies here, we hope to give you confidence in our methods and our conclusions. The products you buy deserve scrutiny, and we are committed to providing it.

Source: Engadget News