How we review
We're a faceless channel, so we're upfront about how every video is made. Every review is labeled with one of three modes in the first 15 seconds, on screen and in the description.
Review modes
| Mode | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tested | Someone on our side physically used the product. We show our own footage or measurements. |
| Hands-on software | We used the app or AI tool ourselves and show our own screen recordings. |
| Researched | We haven't used it. We synthesize specs, owner reports and expert sources, cited. We never say "we tested it." |
How we pick what to cover
We choose products people are actually deciding on: AI and software, gadgets, smart home, desk setups and things that make life easier. A commission program is never the reason a product is picked or the reason it scores well.
Verdicts
Solves a real problem, worth the price, and you'll still be glad you bought it in a year.
Worth considering if it fits your setup.
Overpriced, overhyped or outclassed.
The five questions and the score
- Does it solve a real problem?
- Is it worth the price?
- Is it built to last?
- Is it easy to live with day to day?
- Is there a better alternative?
Each question is scored from 1 to 5 and the review shows the breakdown. The overall score is rounded to the nearest half and shown as Tech Worth Owning logo marks. A "Researched" review can't be scored above what the evidence supports, and says so.
The rating scale: 1 to 5 logo marks
Instead of stars, we use our own logo mark. One mark is the lowest score, five is the best, and a half mark counts as 0.5. The number is always shown beside the marks, and screen readers hear "Rated 4.5 out of 5".
| Score | Marks | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | Own It | |
| 4.5 | Own It | |
| 4.0 | Own It | |
| 3.5 | Maybe | |
| 3.0 | Maybe | |
| 2.5 | Maybe | |
| 2.0 | Skip | |
| 1.5 | Skip | |
| 1.0 | Skip |
Where the verdict lines fall
| Verdict | Score |
|---|---|
| Own It | 4.0 or higher |
| Maybe | 2.5 to 3.9 |
| Skip | Below 2.5 |
The score is the average of the five questions, rounded to the nearest half for the marks. The verdict comes from the exact average, so a 3.9 is a Maybe even though it displays as 4.0. Commission never changes a score.
Explainers
"Tech: How It Works" videos aren't reviews and carry no verdict. They cite sources, state their simplifications and end with a "worth owning?" look at a related product.
How we use AI
Narration is AI-generated and labeled. Scripts and verdicts are edited and approved by a human before publishing. AI tools may assist with drafting and research, and facts are checked against cited sources.
Editorial independence and corrections
Commission never changes a verdict. Links are marked "paid link." If a brand sends a product or pays for coverage, we say so. We log corrections on the page with a date. Email [email protected] to report an error. See the full disclosure.