We’re an affiliate site. You clicked a link that probably earns us a commission if you buy something. We think that’s worth being upfront about — and we think you deserve to know how to evaluate whether sites like ours (and sites way bigger than ours) are worth trusting.
How Affiliate Links Work (The Short Version)
When you click a product link on our site and buy something, we get a small percentage of the sale. Usually 3-8%. Sometimes up to 15% for higher-margin products. You don’t pay extra — the commission comes out of the retailer’s margin, not your pocket.
This is how most product review sites on the internet work. Wirecutter (owned by the New York Times), CNET, PCMag, The Strategist — they all use affiliate links. It’s not a secret. But the way they handle it varies a lot.
The Trust Problem
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: affiliate commissions create a conflict of interest. The more you buy, the more we earn. That creates an incentive to recommend products, to make everything sound great, and to push you toward buying things you might not need.
We’re aware of this. It’s why we have a disclosure on every page. And it’s why we try to be honest about downsides, include price comparisons, and occasionally recommend not buying something at all.
But you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Here’s how to evaluate any review site — including ours.
How to Evaluate a Review Site
1. Check for Disclosure
Legitimate affiliate sites disclose their relationship. In the US, the FTC requires it. If a site doesn’t mention affiliate links anywhere, that’s a red flag — not necessarily because they’re hiding something, but because they’re not being transparent about their incentives.
We put our disclosure at the top of every article. Some sites bury it at the bottom. Both are technically compliant, but we think top-of-article is more honest.
2. Look for Negative Information
Every product has downsides. If a review only lists pros, or lists “cons” that are actually compliments (“the only downside is that it’s so good you’ll want another one”), that review is not trustworthy.
Real cons are specific. “The battery only lasts 4 hours” is a real con. “It might be too powerful for beginners” is not a con — it’s a feature framed as one.
On our site, we try to include specific, honest cons. When we think something isn’t worth buying, we say so. When we think the cheap version is better than the expensive one, we say that too. We don’t always get it right, but we try.
3. Check for Original Testing
Sites that actually test products are more trustworthy than sites that just summarize Amazon reviews. Look for:
- Photos that aren’t product shots (real photos of the product in use)
- Specific test results (numbers, measurements, comparisons)
- Details that wouldn’t be in the product description (how long the battery actually lasted, how loud it really is, what happens after 3 months of use)
Wirecutter, RTINGS, and Consumer Reports do original testing. Many smaller sites (including ours) do informal testing. Both are more valuable than sites that just rewrite the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
4. Look for Unaffiliated Alternatives
The best way to verify a recommendation is to check it against a source that doesn’t earn a commission. Reddit threads, YouTube reviews from small creators, and forum discussions are good complements to affiliate reviews.
If our review says a product is great and Reddit says the same thing, the recommendation is probably genuine. If our review is glowing and Reddit is full of complaints about the same issue we didn’t mention, that’s worth noting.
5. Be Skeptical of “Best” Lists
“10 Best [Product Type]” articles are the bread and butter of affiliate sites. They’re easy to write, they target high-search-volume keywords, and they generate lots of affiliate clicks. But they’re also where bias most easily creeps in.
Why? Because when you need 10 products to fill a list, you start including mediocre options just to reach 10. Products #7-10 on most “best of” lists are there because the list needed 10 items, not because they’re actually worth recommending.
We write these lists too. But we try to be honest about which ones we’d actually buy and which ones are “fine if you’re looking for a budget option.” We also try to keep our lists shorter when there aren’t enough genuinely good options to fill them.
What We Get Wrong
We’re not perfect. Here’s where we might mess up:
- We haven’t tested everything forever. Our hands-on testing is limited by time and budget. We test what we can, but we can’t test every product for months.
- We have affiliate incentives. Despite our best efforts, there’s always a subconscious push to be more positive about products we earn from. We try to counter this, but it’s there.
- Prices change. A product that’s a great deal at $30 might not be worth it at $50. We update our reviews periodically, but prices fluctuate faster than we can update.
- Our preferences are our own. What works for us might not work for you. We try to note when a recommendation is subjective.
How to Use This Site (And Others Like It)
Use us as one data point, not the only one. Read our reviews for the specific details and honest assessments. Then check Reddit, YouTube, and other review sites for confirmation. If multiple sources agree, the recommendation is probably solid.
If a site — ours or anyone else’s — never has anything bad to say about any product, doesn’t disclose its affiliate relationship, or only writes glowing reviews, find other sources. The best review site is a transparent one that earns your trust by being honest, especially when honesty costs them a click.