How We Rank Products
Our mission is simple: help you find the best products without the guesswork. Here's how we turn thousands of data points into clear, actionable recommendations.
Our Philosophy
The internet is flooded with product reviews. The problem isn't finding reviews—it's finding reviews you can trust. Many review sites are little more than affiliate link farms, promoting whatever pays the highest commission regardless of quality.
We built TrustedReports differently. Our rankings are determined by data and expertise, not advertising dollars. We analyze what real users experience, what experts measure, and what actually matters for each product category—then synthesize it all into recommendations you can act on with confidence.
Yes, we earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. But our revenue model never influences our rankings. A product ranked #1 earns that position through merit alone.
Our 6-Step Ranking Process
Every product recommendation goes through our rigorous evaluation methodology
Product Discovery
We identify every relevant product in a category, from market leaders to emerging options.
Data Collection
Our systems gather specifications, pricing, availability, and user reviews from across the web.
AI Analysis
Machine learning algorithms process thousands of reviews to identify patterns and sentiment.
Expert Review
Human experts validate findings, test products hands-on, and add nuanced evaluation.
Scoring & Ranking
We apply category-specific criteria to generate fair, comparable scores.
Continuous Updates
Rankings are refreshed regularly as prices change, new products launch, and feedback accumulates.
Our Data Sources
Accurate rankings require comprehensive data. Here's where we gather the information that powers our recommendations:
User Reviews & Ratings
We aggregate reviews from major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and more), manufacturer sites, and specialized review platforms. Our AI analyzes not just star ratings but the actual content of reviews—identifying recurring praise, common complaints, and patterns that simple averages miss.
Expert Testing & Publications
We incorporate findings from respected testing organizations (Consumer Reports, Wirecutter, CNET, etc.) and specialized publications in each category. When experts run standardized tests, those results inform our understanding of objective performance.
Manufacturer Specifications
Technical specifications, warranty terms, certifications, and official documentation provide the factual foundation for our analysis. We verify claims against real-world performance data whenever possible.
Price & Availability Tracking
We monitor pricing across retailers in real-time, tracking historical trends to identify genuine deals versus inflated "discounts." Value calculations consider not just current price but price stability and typical sale patterns.
Our Scoring Methodology
Every product receives a score from 1.0 to 10.0. Here's what those numbers mean and how we calculate them:
| Score Range | Label | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 - 10.0 | Exceptional | Best-in-class. Excels in virtually every measurable way. |
| 9.0 - 9.4 | Excellent | Outstanding product with minor limitations. |
| 8.0 - 8.9 | Very Good | Strong performer that meets most needs well. |
| 7.0 - 7.9 | Good | Solid choice with some notable trade-offs. |
| 6.0 - 6.9 | Fair | Acceptable but better options exist at this price. |
| Below 6.0 | Not Recommended | Significant issues. We rarely list these products. |
Score Components
Our overall score is calculated from weighted components that vary by category. For most products, we evaluate:
- Performance: How well does it do what it claims? Does it meet or exceed specifications?
- Build Quality: Materials, construction, durability, and long-term reliability.
- Value: Performance relative to price. Is it worth what you pay?
- User Experience: Ease of use, setup, maintenance, and day-to-day satisfaction.
- Features: Useful capabilities, connectivity, and flexibility.
- Support & Warranty: Manufacturer responsiveness, warranty terms, and parts availability.
Editorial Independence
Trust is everything in product reviews. Here's how we maintain it:
We Don't Accept Payment for Rankings
No manufacturer can pay to be ranked higher. Our rankings reflect genuine evaluation, not advertising spend. Period.
Affiliate Links Don't Influence Scores
We earn commissions when you buy through our links, but commission rates never factor into rankings. A product with lower commission can rank #1.
We Disclose Relationships
Any material relationship with a manufacturer is disclosed. If we receive products for testing, we note it. Transparency builds trust.
Negative Reviews Exist
If a product doesn't deserve recommendation, we say so clearly. Our value comes from honest assessment, not universal praise.
The Role of AI in Our Process
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool—when used correctly. Here's how we leverage AI while maintaining human judgment:
What AI Does
- Processes thousands of user reviews to identify common themes
- Detects fake reviews and removes them from analysis
- Tracks price changes and identifies genuine deals
- Monitors for new product releases and specification changes
- Generates initial drafts that human editors refine
What Humans Do
- Hands-on testing to verify claims and AI findings
- Nuanced evaluation of subjective factors (comfort, aesthetics)
- Final ranking decisions and score assignments
- Writing recommendations in clear, helpful language
- Quality control and editorial oversight
AI helps us work faster and process more data than humanly possible. But every ranking ultimately reflects human judgment—machines assist, they don't decide.
How Often We Update
Product landscapes change constantly. New products launch, prices fluctuate, and user experiences accumulate. Our update schedule reflects this reality:
- Daily: Price and availability monitoring across all tracked products
- Weekly: Review sentiment analysis and trend identification
- Monthly: Full ranking recalculation and content updates
- Immediately: Significant product launches, recalls, or major news
Every review page displays its last update date. If you see outdated information, please let us know—accuracy matters more than anything.
Questions About Our Process?
We believe in transparency. If you have questions about how we evaluate products, how we handle potential conflicts of interest, or anything else about our methodology, we want to hear from you.
Contact us at methodology@trustedreports.org