How we score products
You've probably seen product scores everywhere online — but rarely do you get to see how they're actually calculated. Here's exactly how we do it, step by step.
The short version
We evaluate every product across 7 core pillars — Safety, Efficacy, Value, Usability, Durability, Suitability, and Sustainability. For each product category, we define specific criteria based on what families actually care about. Then we gather evidence, verify claims, and calculate a score from 0–10 that you can trace back to its sources.
The 7 pillars we evaluate
Every product we review gets scored across these dimensions. The weight of each pillar varies by category — safety matters more for a baby monitor than a phone stand.Tap any pillar for details.
Safety
Is it safe for my family?
Chemical safety, toxicity risks, and regulatory compliance across global standards.
Efficacy
Does it actually work?
Real-world performance validated by evidence, not just marketing claims.
Value
Is it worth the price?
Total cost of ownership including durability, maintenance, and long-term savings.
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Practical convenience for busy families — setup, daily use, and maintenance.
Durability
Will it last?
Build quality, materials, warranty coverage, and real-world longevity.
Suitability
Is it right for us?
Context-specific fit for your family size, lifestyle, and specific needs.
Sustainability
Is it eco-friendly?
Environmental impact, materials sourcing, and end-of-life considerations.
Category-Specific Criteria
What matters for a water filter is completely different from what matters for an air fryer. That's why we don't use a one-size-fits-all checklist.
For each product category, we research what families actually care about — then build a tailored set of criteria organized by priority.
Deal-breakers. These can make or break a recommendation regardless of everything else.
Key factors that significantly influence the score and our recommendation.
Additional factors we evaluate. Often the tie-breaker between similar products.
For air fryers, safety and performance are paramount — we focus on what matters most for daily family cooking.
- Material Safety — coatings, chemicals, and food-contact materials
- Product Safety — recalls, auto-shutoff, and build quality
- Cooking Performance — crispiness, evenness, and consistency
- Ease of Cleaning — dishwasher-safe parts and food release
- Practical Fit — capacity and counter footprint
- Ease of Use — controls, presets, and daily convenience
- Price & Value, Noise Level, Versatility, Brand & Warranty
Every category we cover gets its own tailored methodology built the same way.
How we calculate the final score
Each product gets scores across the criteria relevant to its category. We weigh these based on priority — critical factors have more impact than nice-to-haves. Safety almost always carries the most weight.
The result is a single overall score (0–10) that reflects real-world value for families like yours. But we don't just hand you a number and walk away — you can always see the breakdown behind every score on the product page.
If you're curious how we gather the evidence that feeds into these scores, here's our full process.
Common questions
Why don't all categories use the same criteria?
Because what matters for a water filter is completely different from what matters for an air fryer. A filter needs to remove contaminants — we don't care if it's crispy. Each category gets criteria tailored to what families actually need from that product.
Can I see how a specific product scored?
Yes. Every product page shows the full breakdown — which criteria it excelled at, where it fell short, and the evidence behind each score. Nothing is hidden.
How do you decide which criteria matter most?
We research what families actually care about — analyzing thousands of reviews, consulting expert sources like Consumer Reports and EWG, and applying common sense. Safety almost always comes first.
Want to see this in action?
Search any product to see its full score breakdown and evidence.
Browse scored products