How We Choose Products
Last updated 2026-06-08
Gate 1: Real Product
Every product we consider must be a genuine, commercially available item sold through a recognized retailer. We exclude private-label duplicates with no distinct specifications, unbranded generic listings with no traceable manufacturer and products whose listings show signs of review manipulation. If we cannot verify the product is a real, distinct item, it does not enter the evaluation process.
Gate 2: Verified Demand
A product must show verified buyer demand to qualify for a recommendation. We look at review count and, where available, recent purchase frequency. Products with fewer than 100 verified reviews or no meaningful recent purchase activity are excluded, regardless of their other attributes. Demand data gives us confidence that enough real buyers have experience with the product to make the aggregated rating meaningful.
Gate 3: Rating of 3.8 or Higher
We require a minimum average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars across a sufficient number of reviews. Products that fall below this threshold are excluded from our recommendation lists. We apply this floor because aggregated owner satisfaction, at scale, is one of the most reliable signals of whether a product performs as described.
Gate 4: Real Brand and Final Ranking
Products must come from a brand with a verifiable track record, either a brand that appears in major retailer catalogs at scale or one with at least 50 reviews at the category level. This gate screens out pop-up sellers and one-listing brands with no accountability. Products that clear all four gates are ranked by a composite of rating, verified demand, relevant certifications, capacity relative to price and purification method. Higher-ranked products appear first in our recommendation lists.