How SiftPrime Tests and Scores Products
At SiftPrime, a score is a promise. Every rating comes from someone who actually used the product, followed the same documented process, and recorded real results — here's exactly how.
Our Scoring Model
Every product is scored across five criteria, each rated from 0 to 10 (half-points allowed), then combined using the weights below into a single overall score out of 10 — the same five criteria for every product we review, so scores stay directly comparable across the site.
Overall Score & Verdict
Overall score = weighted average of the five criteria, rounded to one decimal place.
A score of 9.0 or above is eligible for our Editor's Choice badge. The specific tests within each criterion are tailored to the product category — a blender and a project-management app are judged on different hands-on tests, but against the same five yardsticks.
Our Testing Process
Sourcing
Wherever possible we buy products at retail, like any other shopper. When a manufacturer provides a sample, we say so in the review — a sample never buys a better score, and we do not accept payment in exchange for a review or rating.
Hands-on testing
Each product is used for a real testing period appropriate to its category before we score it, combining standardized tests with genuine real-world use.
Benchmarking against alternatives
No product is scored in a vacuum — we compare it directly against the leading competitors in its category.
Recording evidence
Reviewers log measurements, take their own photos of the actual unit, and keep notes. Claims in a review trace back to something we observed.
Editorial review before publishing
Every review is checked for accuracy and adherence to this methodology before it goes live.
Ongoing updates
Prices move, firmware updates ship, new models arrive — we revisit reviews and show a clear "last updated" date. If a score changes, we explain why.
Editorial Independence & Affiliate Disclosure
SiftPrime earns affiliate commissions when readers buy through some of the links on this site. This is how we fund our testing. It does not influence our scores, our rankings, or our verdicts — here is how we keep that true.
Every page with affiliate links carries a short, clearly visible disclosure above the fold, in line with FTC guidance — see our how we make money page for the plain-language version.
Corrections & Updates
If we get something wrong, we fix it and note the correction. To report an error or share new information about a product we've reviewed, contact us at contact@siftprime.com or through our contact page.
Who Writes Our Reviews
SiftPrime is currently led by a single named editor who also runs the hands-on testing behind every review, rather than an anonymous house style. You'll find their name on every review, and their full background on our about page.
Hugo Vance
Founder, Editor & Reviewer, SiftPrime · Austin, Texas