Engadget has long been a trusted voice in consumer technology, and its review policy is central to maintaining that trust. The publication's approach to evaluating gadgets is built on a foundation of fairness, transparency, and thoroughness. This article breaks down the key elements of Engadget's review policy, from its scoring system to its treatment of embargoes and review units.

How Engadget Approaches Reviews

At Engadget, reviews are taken seriously. The goal is to provide a fair, balanced, and informative critique whether covering a smartphone or a smart home device. The aim is to give readers an accurate representation of what they can expect from each product. With no shortage of ways to spend money on new technology, Engadget wants to help readers make informed decisions on the value of each product at any given price point.

The publication covers a wide range of technology products, with preference given to unique features and emerging technologies. Reviewers always cover the latest models from industry giants like Apple and Samsung, but also strive to unearth and elevate niche products worthy of consumer attention. Each product is judged based on real-world experience, and—except where clearly noted—all Engadget product reviews are based on market-ready products, not pre-release prototypes. Given the speed at which new products are released and existing products updated, the review is considered a snapshot, and the competitive landscape may change over time.

Honest and thorough assessments are provided for every product, considering both the good and bad aspects. While the criteria for what makes a successful product vary, Engadget's goal is always to indicate overall quality and value.

Review Philosophy

Engadget reviews typically include a mix of quantitative and qualitative testing. Different benchmarks are run depending on the type of product being tested, but reviewers always approach reviews as consumers because they are consumers themselves. They are early adopters, tinkerers, and generally tech-obsessed. While they spend more time than most with devices like smartphones, laptops, and robot vacuums, they still have questions when a new device arrives: Does it deliver on all its promises? Is it better than the next best thing on the market? Who should buy it, and importantly, is it worth buying at all?

To answer such questions, reviewers aim to use products as if they were their own. For example, a smartphone might be carried everywhere for days—taking selfies, playing games, and annoying coworkers in Slack. A laptop review might be written on that machine to test keyboard endurance over extended typing sessions. For synths and samplers, devices are used for as long as possible to judge usability for both seasoned creators and novices. Notes are made on build quality, versatility, and overall value.

Gadgets do not exist in a vacuum, so placing them into context is as important as judging performance and features. This involves not only comparing a device to its direct competitors but also thinking critically about who would get the most use out of it and whether the value it provides justifies its price. No gadget is perfect, but one might be perfect for a specific user's needs.

Different Engadget reviewers may have very different opinions about a particular product, depending on personal preferences, experiences, or tastes. It is important to remember that a review reflects just one person's opinion, and one moment in time.

Scoring

Engadget rates products on a 1-100 scale, and the final score is chosen by the editorial team with no outside input. Each product's score is agreed upon by the reviewer and their editor, sometimes with advice from team members with expertise in the area.

What the Scores Mean

• 0-29: An awful product that should be avoided.
• 30-49: A poor product that is more likely to frustrate than be useful.
• 50-54: A disappointing product with many problems.
• 55-59: Might work in a pinch but not suitable for regular use.
• 60-64: A forgettable product that is neither bad nor good at anything.
• 65-69: Has some redeeming qualities but better options exist.
• 70-74: A dependable product that does not stand out or is very niche.
• 75-79: A very good product that falls just short of greatness but still endorses.

Recommended (80-89)

• 80-84: A product with many positives despite a few flaws, easy to recommend to most shoppers.
• 85-89: An all-around great product among the best in its category.

Editors' Choice (90-100)

• 90-94: The best in its category, highly recommended.
• 95-99: An important, nearly flawless product that raises the bar for the industry.
• 100: A gadget unicorn.

Unscored Reviews

The scoring system is designed for products core to Engadget's coverage. From time to time, reviews appear without a score. Works of art like movies or games are not numerically rated; media reviews instead comprise a mix of opinion, criticism, and analysis. Software, cars, and other products outside typical consumer electronics also are not assigned a score.

Embargoes and Review Units

Engadget chooses which products to review independent of its parent company or advertisers. Review units are usually provided by companies free of charge. In most cases, at the end of the review period, hardware is returned to the company. Occasionally, units may be held for long-term testing, but under no circumstances do they become a reviewer's personal property. Reselling of review units is strictly prohibited.

Transparency is a core value. While Engadget's reviews are typically based on products supplied by manufacturers—standard practice in the industry—the opinions and conclusions are independent. Where applicable, early products are accepted to allow thorough and informative reviews. To submit a product for review, companies can email the publication. More information about privacy policies, fact checking, and corrections is available on the site.

This policy ensures that readers receive honest assessments free from external influence. By grounding reviews in real-world usage and collaborative scoring, Engadget maintains a reputation for reliable guidance in the fast-moving world of technology. The emphasis on transparency about review units and embargoes further reinforces the credibility of each evaluation.

Source: Engadget News