How we review products

Every guide on Comparewise follows the same process. We're publishing it here so you can judge our recommendations on their own terms, not just take our word for it.

1. Pick a specific use case

We don't start with a broad category like "best coffee grinder." We narrow it down: best coffee grinder for espresso under £80, or best coffee grinder for French press at home.

The right product depends on what you're using it for. Something that's perfect for one job can be the wrong choice for another, even in the same category.

2. Research the market

For each use case, we look at what's available from a few angles:

• Manufacturer specs and pricing for what's currently on sale
• Specialist publications and professional reviews
• Buyer reviews, forums, and community recommendations
• Retailer pricing and availability

We only include products you can actually buy in the UK right now. No discontinued stock, no pre-release items, nothing you can't get hold of.

3. Set the comparison criteria

Before we look at any product, we decide what matters for this particular use case. Usually some combination of:

• Performance for the specific job
• Value for money
• Build quality and how long it'll last
• How easy it is to use
• Anything specific to the use case (noise level for office gear, portability for travel kit, that sort of thing)

How much each of these matters depends on the context. A budget pick needs to score high on value. A professional tool needs to nail performance and durability.

4. Evaluate and compare

We go through each product against the criteria from step 3, using the research from step 2. The things we pay attention to:

• Do multiple sources agree on a product's strengths and weaknesses?
• Is there actual data or specific reports, not just marketing claims?
• What are the trade-offs? Every product has them.

5. Make a recommendation

Each guide names a top pick and explains why: why this product, for this use case, at this price. We also list alternatives and say who they'd suit better.

One rule we don't bend on: the best product wins, even if it doesn't have an affiliate programme. If the right recommendation doesn't earn us anything, we make it anyway. More on that in our affiliate disclosure.

6. Keep it up to date

Products change. Prices go up and down, new models come out, things get discontinued. We go back and update guides when:

• A new product comes along that changes the recommendation
• Something we recommended gets discontinued or changes price significantly
• We hear about issues we missed the first time round
• Enough time has passed that the whole thing needs a fresh look

When we update a guide, we note what changed and when.

What we don't do

• Accept payment for reviews or guaranteed rankings
• Let affiliate commissions influence what we recommend
• Publish guides in areas where we can't do proper research
• Use fake urgency, dodgy sales language, or made-up scores

Got a question?

If you think we've got something wrong, or just want to know why we picked what we picked, email hello@comparewise.co.uk.