How we score
We collect hands-on reviews from professional publications, convert each verdict to a 0–100 score, and average them; we publish a score only when at least 5 reviews of the exact model exist.
Which reviews count?
- Only staffed publications that test products themselves, such as Wirecutter, CNET, RTINGS, Tom's Guide, TechRadar and TechGearLab.
- No customer reviews, Reddit, YouTube, sponsored posts, manufacturer content or reviews from shops that sell the product. A shop has a reason to like what it sells, so we leave it out even when the review is good.
- Only the exact model. A review of the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro does not count for the Branch Ergonomic Chair.
- One review per publication. We prefer a dedicated review over a buying guide, and the newest over older ones.
How is the score worked out?
When a publication gives a number (4 out of 5 stars, 8 out of 10), we convert it to 0–100. Many publications give no number. Then we read the verdict and estimate one on a fixed scale, and we mark that score "est." on the page.
| Score | What the review says |
|---|---|
| 90 | Unreserved top recommendation. We never estimate higher than this. |
| 85 | Clearly recommended. The most we give a product that only appears in a buying guide. |
| 80 | Recommended, with real caveats |
| 70–75 | Mixed: good, but the reviewer doubts the value |
| 60–65 | More problems than strengths |
| under 55 | Not recommended |
We check our estimates against reviews read in full by hand. The estimates ran a few points high, mostly for reviews with real reservations (an estimated 80 was closer to 74 on a careful read), so every estimated score is corrected on that scale. Printed scores are never changed.
The critic score is the average. "Recommend" counts reviews scoring 76 or more.
What does critic agreement mean?
It shows how far apart the scores are. High: at least 6 reviews within 20 points. Low: scores 30 or more points apart. Everything else is medium. A low-agreement product can still be a good buy, but read the reviews first.
How do we make money?
When you buy through a store link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects scores: scores come only from the reviews, and stores are sorted by price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Found a mistake?
Tell us and we will fix it, and note the change on the page.
Last updated 1 Nov 2026.