This page explains the standard we hold ourselves to when we recommend a product, and what our language actually means when you read it.
What “products that may help” means
Most of our buying guides describe products that fit a particular budget, use case, or need — for example, a laptop for basic remote work, or a refurbished phone under a certain price point. When we say a product “may be a good fit,” we mean it looks like a reasonable option based on its specs, price, and available information, not that we’re guaranteeing it will be perfect for you. Budgets, needs, and tolerance for tradeoffs vary, and part of our job is helping you weigh those tradeoffs yourself.
When we claim hands-on testing
We only say we’ve personally tested a product when we genuinely have. If an article describes hands-on impressions, real-world use, or testing results, that reflects actual use of the product. Where we haven’t tested something ourselves, we rely on published specifications, manufacturer information, retailer details, and other verifiable sources instead — and we don’t dress that up as first-hand testing.
How picks are chosen
Our picks are based on:
- Specs and features relevant to the use case (e.g., battery life, storage, condition grading for refurbished units)
- Price relative to comparable new or refurbished alternatives
- Retailer/seller policies that matter for budget buyers, like return windows and warranty coverage on refurbished items
- Publicly available reliability information, where it exists
Picks are not chosen, ranked, or boosted based on affiliate commission rates or advertiser relationships. See our affiliate disclosure for how those links work.
Refurbished-specific standards
Because a large part of this site covers refurbished and open-box tech, we pay particular attention to:
- What condition grading (e.g., “Excellent,” “Good,” “Fair”) actually means for a given seller
- Return and warranty terms, which vary significantly between marketplaces
- Whether the discount versus new is actually meaningful once you factor in reduced warranty or battery health
Updates and corrections
Prices, availability, and specs on budget and refurbished tech change often. If you notice something that’s out of date, let us know through our contact page.