Our testing methodology is set out on this page. You can add any additional notes here and they will appear beneath the standard sections.
Our methodology
How we choose what to recommend
We analyse what verified UK owners report over months of use, and we tell you clearly whenever we have used something ourselves.
The two standards
What our badges actually mean
Most affiliate sites imply they have tested everything they recommend. We have not, and we will not pretend otherwise. Instead we label every product with one of two badges so you know exactly what sits behind the recommendation before you spend anything.
WHC Tested
- We have used it in our own home, and we say for how long.
- We note what broke, what annoyed us, and what running it actually costs.
- We revisit the product after longer use and publish an update.
Researched from owner reviews
- We have not tested this specific unit ourselves.
- We analyse verified owner reviews at volume, weighted towards UK buyers.
- We look for complaints that repeat across months, not one-off bad units.
- We cross-check specifications, UK pricing and warranty terms directly.
A product never carries the WHC Tested badge unless we have used it ourselves. WHC Tested means the product has been in our own home and used for its actual job. Anything without that badge has been researched from verified owner reviews, not used by us.
The process
1 · Shortlisting
We start from what UK households actually buy, not what pays the highest commission. Products with thin
review histories, no UK warranty route, or a pattern of relisting under new brand names are cut here.
2 · Owner-review analysis
We read through verified reviews at volume and record recurring themes rather than headline star ratings.
A 4.6 average with the same fault reported every month tells you more than the number does.
3 · When we have used it ourselves
If we have used a product at home, it is marked WHC Tested and we say how long we used it and
whether we bought it or it was supplied. Everything else is researched from owner reviews.
4 · Ownership check
We look at what the product costs to keep running: consumables, filters, descaling, replacement parts,
and how easy it is to get support in the UK when something fails.
5 · Verdict and revisit
We publish who the product suits and who should skip it. Tested products get a long-term update once we
have lived with them longer, and prices are re-checked when guides are refreshed.
How a recommendation gets made
Independence
How we stay honest about this
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a position in our rankings, a badge, or a better verdict. We do not accept payment for reviews.
We say where a product came from
If we ever use a product supplied by a brand, we say so on the page. It changes nothing about the verdict.
We say when not to buy
If a category is not worth the money, or your existing product is fine, we will tell you that instead of selling you something.
How we are funded
Affiliate commission from retailer links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure.
Start with a buying guide
Every guide tells you which products we have tested and which we have researched.