Transparent Testing Process

How We Test: Our 5-Step Review Process

Transparent, rigorous testing you can trust - no sponsorships, no shortcuts

100+ Hours Per Review
No Brand Partnerships
Data-Driven Ratings

Our 5 Testing Phases

1. Product Selection
Research & prioritize
2. Lab Testing
Benchmark performance
3. Real-World Use
30+ day trials
4. Scoring System
20-point evaluation
5. Final Rating
Best pick selection

Our Complete Testing Methodology

Every product goes through our systematic 5-step process to ensure you get the most accurate and trustworthy recommendations possible.

1

Product Selection

We analyze Amazon bestsellers, user complaints, and emerging trends to identify products worth testing. Reader requests are prioritized via contact@whytobuythis.com.

Amazon bestseller analysis
Customer complaint research
Reader request prioritization
Market trend monitoring

Selection Criteria

Amazon Rating:4.0+ stars
Review Count:500+ reviews
Price Range:$25 - $500
Availability:Prime eligible
Lab Tests
Real-World
Comparison
2

Hands-On Testing

Lab Tests

Benchmark performance with professional tools (e.g., decibel meters for noise tests, thermal cameras for heat analysis)

Real-World Use

30+ day trials under normal conditions to test durability and everyday performance

Comparison

Side-by-side evaluation vs. 3-5 competing products in the same category and price range

3

20-Point Scoring System

Every product is evaluated using our comprehensive 20-point criteria system with weighted categories for fair comparison.

Detailed breakdown below
4

Verification

We double-check specifications with manufacturers and monitor price fluctuations weekly to ensure our data stays current and accurate.

Manufacturer spec verification
Weekly price monitoring
Availability status updates
Firmware/software updates tracking

Data Sources

Direct manufacturer contact
Amazon API integration
Automated price tracking
User feedback monitoring
5

Final Recommendation

Only the top 20% of products earn our 'Best Pick' badge. Every review includes clear pros/cons lists and honest recommendations.

Best Pick

Top 20% products with outstanding performance

Recommended

Good value products with solid performance

Skip

Products that don't meet our quality standards

Our 20-Point Scoring System

Every product is evaluated across five key categories with specific metrics and weights to ensure fair, consistent, and comprehensive reviews.

Category
Weight
Example Metrics
Build Quality
20%
Material durability
Manufacturing precision
Defect rate
Finish quality
Performance
30%
Speed & accuracy
Battery life
Output quality
Consistency
Value
25%
Price vs competitors
Longevity
Feature completeness
Warranty coverage
User Experience
15%
Ease of setup
Interface design
Learning curve
Documentation quality
Support & Service
10%
Customer service
Return policy
Community support
Update frequency

How We Score

1
Individual Metrics: Each metric scored 1-4 points
2
Category Average: Metrics averaged per category
3
Weighted Score: Categories weighted by importance
4
Final Rating: Converted to 5-star scale

Rating Scale

4.5+ = Best Pick
3.5-4.4 = Recommended
2.5-3.4 = Average
Below 2.5 = Skip

Example: How We Scored a Bluetooth Speaker

Build Quality
3.8
× 20% weight
= 0.76 pts
Performance
4.2
× 30% weight
= 1.26 pts
Value
3.5
× 25% weight
= 0.88 pts
User Experience
4.0
× 15% weight
= 0.60 pts
Support & Service
3.7
× 10% weight
= 0.37 pts
Final Weighted Score:
3.87 / 5.0
Recommended

What Makes Our Testing Trustworthy

Our commitment to transparency and independence sets us apart from other review sites. Here's what you can count on from every WhyToBuyThis review.

🔍 100+ Hours Per Review

Each product undergoes extensive testing over multiple weeks. We don't rush - thorough evaluation takes time to uncover real-world performance issues.

30+ days daily usage
Multiple test scenarios
Detailed documentation

📊 Data-Driven Ratings

Our scores come from measurable metrics, not gut feelings. We use professional tools and standardized tests to ensure consistent, objective evaluations.

Professional test equipment
Standardized methodology
Quantified performance metrics

🤝 No Brand Partnerships

We buy every product ourselves and accept zero sponsorship deals. Our only income comes from Amazon affiliate commissions - which never influence our ratings.

Zero sponsored content
Self-funded testing
Honest negative reviews

Additional Quality Assurance

Multiple Reviewers

Every product tested by 2-3 team members for diverse perspectives

Photo Documentation

Every claim backed by original photos and test results

Regular Updates

Reviews updated when prices change or new models release

Reader Feedback

We monitor and respond to reader experiences and concerns

Our Testing Ethics

We're committed to providing honest, unbiased reviews that help you make informed purchasing decisions. Every product is tested under the same rigorous conditions, and we never let affiliate relationships influence our recommendations.

Our Testers in Action

Meet the team behind every review. Our experienced testers bring diverse backgrounds in engineering, consumer electronics, and product design to ensure comprehensive evaluations.

Lab Testing

Our engineers use professional measuring equipment to benchmark performance metrics like battery life, signal strength, and build quality.

Real-World Usage

Every product is tested in realistic conditions over 30+ days to understand long-term performance and everyday usability.

Documentation

Professional photography and detailed notes ensure every finding is properly documented and can be verified by our readers.

Our Testing Team

8 Testers
Full-time team members
15+ Years
Average experience
250+
Products tested
50+
Testing tools used

Technical Expertise

Electronics Engineering
Circuit analysis, power management, signal processing
Materials Science
Durability testing, wear analysis, quality assessment
Audio Engineering
Acoustic measurements, frequency response, noise analysis

Consumer Focus

User Experience Design
Usability testing, interface evaluation, accessibility
Consumer Behavior
Purchase patterns, value perception, satisfaction metrics
Customer Support
Service quality evaluation, warranty testing, RMA process

See This Methodology In Action

Experience our rigorous testing process firsthand. Check out our most detailed review to see exactly how we evaluate products from unboxing to final recommendation.

View Our Latest Reviews

Request a Product Review

Have a specific product you'd like us to test? Send us your suggestions and we'll prioritize reader requests in our testing queue.

Send Request

Questions About Our Process?

Want to know more about how we test specific product categories? Our team is happy to explain our methodology in detail.

Contact Us

Our methodology is constantly evolving to serve you better. Last updated: December 2024