Editorial standards
How we decide what to list, how we test, and the rules we don’t break.
01Evidence-led, tested — not hyped
Every verdict comes from hands-on testing or a cited method. No spec-sheet regurgitation, no marketing claim restated as fact.
02We only list the best — no filler
A category page is a curated shortlist of products that clear our bar, never an exhaustive catalog. If it isn't worth recommending, it isn't listed.
03Two generations, max — current + previous, per line
We list only the newest and one-prior generation of each product line. When a new generation ships, the oldest drops off. It applies to everything we cover.
Worked example
Apple Watch: we list Series 11 and Series 10; Series 9 and older are delisted. The SE and Ultra are their own lines, each with its own two generations. Oura: Ring 5 and Ring 4 only. When the next generation ships, the oldest drops off — automatically caught by a build-failing test if we forget.
04Independent — we buy what we test
No paid placement, no sponsored rankings. Affiliate links are disclosed and never change a score, ranking or verdict.
05Plainly written
Clear, jargon-light and reader-first. We explain the why, not just the what, and we don't hide behind hedge words.
06Methodology is transparent
Calculators name their formula and source (Mifflin–St Jeor, Riegel, Tanaka…); reviews state what we tested, how many and for how long.
07Privacy-respecting, no dark patterns
Static, no accounts, no tracking walls. Optional per-device localStorage only — nothing follows you between visits or devices.
08Dated and revisited
Reviews and rankings are timestamped and re-checked as generations turn over. Freshness is a feature, not an afterthought.
See the standards in action
These rules shape every page. Browse our rankings, run any of the calculators in The Index, and read the affiliate & independence disclosure in the footer of every page.