Time in use
Minimum testing windows depend on the category: two weeks for accessories and home goods, four to six weeks for skincare and supplements, a full season for outerwear and footwear, and at least a month of regular use for fitness and tech. If we haven’t reached the window, we say so and label it a first look.
What we measure
- Performance against the specific job the product claims to do.
- Consistency across repeat use, washes, charges or servings.
- Build and materials, including how wear shows over time.
- Value relative to the best cheaper and more expensive alternatives.
- Transparency: dosing, ingredient disclosure, sourcing, third-party testing.
Who tests
Category editors run testing themselves, supported by a panel of regular readers where sample size matters (skin types, foot shapes, hair textures, body sizes). Health-adjacent findings are checked by a medical reviewer before publication — see our editorial standards.
Samples and purchases
We buy most of what we test. Where a brand provides a sample, it is provided with no conditions, no copy approval, and no expectation of coverage. Samples are never returned in exchange for a favourable verdict, and receiving one does not earn a placement.
When we change our mind
Reformulations, quality drops and better competitors all happen. When they do we revise the ranking and date the update. Our selection criteria explain how a product earns its spot in the first place.