How we rate

1. Choosing candidates

We start with popular products sold online in the United States. We leave out products without basic information (specs, manufacturer, sale terms) and products we can’t identify with certainty.

2. What matters for each product type

Each product type has different priorities: battery life and comfort matter for earbuds; capacity and insulation matter for bottles. That’s why every ranking includes buying tips for that product type, and every position is explained on its product card.

3. Editorial score

Scores run from 0 to 10 and sum up our reading of a product based on what matters for its type, using its specs and available public information.

We don’t run lab tests and we don’t make up consumer reviews. If an article is based on real-world use, it will clearly say so.

4. Prices and buyer ratings

We don’t show or compare prices. They can change daily and vary between sellers, so check the latest price with the “Check price” button before you buy.

Star ratings, rating counts, and buyer reviews come from the retailer’s product page and are always labeled as such. The MageRanks score, from 0 to 10, is our own rating and is not calculated from those reviews.

5. Updates and corrections

Every list shows when it was published and last updated. If you spot a mistake, let us know: we’ll fix it and the date will change with it.