Scores name the evidence behind them
Version 1.1 deliberately separates hands-on lab-test scores from research-based editorial scores. This is a transparency policy revision, not a silent rewrite.
| Category | What it covers | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Documented build, ergonomics, controls, repair access and practical carrying or placement constraints. | Editorial evidence |
| Features | How clearly documented functions address the intended use case and ecosystem. | Editorial evidence |
| Value | The editorial verdict weighed against a dated, verified price—not a permanent MSRP fiction. | Editorial evidence |
| Battery | Cited runtime, charge or capacity evidence, with manufacturer claims clearly labeled. | Cited evidence; when applicable |
Two score types
Hands-on lab-test score: used only after our editorial team physically tests and measures the product under a documented setup.
Research-based editorial score: editorial judgment from published review consensus, specification analysis and third-party hands-on reports — not a lab-test result. It follows the article’s relative roundup ranking plus its cited pros, cons, verdict and comparisons.
A lower-ranked product cannot outscore a higher-ranked product in the same article. We use whole- or half-star steps, never invented decimal sub-scores. Without an honest differentiating basis, the result is Not scored. Read the full policy →
How the industry reads star bands
We use a five-star scale with half-star steps. The bands communicate recommendation strength, while the accompanying text explains evidence, trade-offs, the intended buyer and whether the score is hands-on or research-based.
Weighted face-off template
Every face-off publishes its weights before its verdict. The template reference is Tom’s Guide’s published head-to-head weighting — Price/value 5, Design 15, Controls 10, Sound quality 25, ANC 20, Call quality 10, Connectivity 5, Battery life 10 — a 100-point table (worked example: 84 vs 85). We adapt the weights to the buying decision; the rule stays the same: weights first, winner second.