Every verdict you read on Reigvinny is the product of a structured, multi-week testing process designed to eliminate bias and surface the truth about how a product performs in the real world. Here is exactly what happens between the moment we decide to review something and the day we publish.
Our Core Principles
Before getting into the steps, three non-negotiable rules govern every review we publish:
- We buy everything ourselves. No free samples, no press loaners, no brand-provided units. Every product is purchased at retail price from the same channels our readers use. This means we receive standard packaging, standard quality, and no special treatment.
- Advertisers have zero editorial influence. We run display advertising and participate in affiliate programmes. Neither relationship affects scores, verdicts, or product selection.
- We update reviews. A review published today reflects today's product and today's competition. We revisit every major review at least quarterly.
Step 1 — Product Selection
Our editors identify products worth reviewing based on three inputs: reader demand (what you are actually searching for and emailing us about), market significance (best-sellers, widely recommended models, new launches with genuine innovation), and category gaps in our existing coverage.
We do not accept unsolicited products for review, and we do not review products purely because a brand requests it. The decision to cover a product must be justified by editorial merit alone.
Step 2 — Purchase and Unboxing Audit
Once a product is selected, a reviewer purchases it at the standard retail price. We photograph the box, packaging, and all included accessories before testing begins. If a product arrives damaged or does not match its retail listing, we return it and reorder — we want the same experience a typical customer would have.
Step 3 — Minimum Two-Week Testing Period
All products are tested for a minimum of two weeks. Many receive longer: mattresses are tested for eight weeks, appliances for a full month, and software tools for an ongoing basis. During the testing period, the reviewer uses the product in real daily-life scenarios — not controlled lab conditions designed to produce flattering results.
Reviewers maintain a testing log documenting observations, issues encountered, and standout moments as they occur. This running record prevents the human tendency to remember only the most recent experience and ensures our assessments reflect the full ownership arc.
Step 4 — Structured Scoring
Every review is scored on a 0“10 scale across five criteria. The specific criteria vary by category but they always represent the five things buyers in that category care most about:
- Performance — Does it do its primary job better than alternatives?
- Value for money — Is the price justified relative to what you get and what else is available?
- Build quality and durability — Does it feel well-made? Will it last?
- Ease of use — Is setup intuitive? Is daily use friction-free?
- Long-term reliability — Based on our testing period and verified owner data, how does it hold up over time?
The overall score is a weighted average of the five criteria scores. For most categories, performance and value carry the most weight. We never round up. A 7.8 is published as 7.8.
Step 5 — Competitive Context
A product cannot be fairly evaluated in isolation. Before finalising any verdict, our reviewer benchmarks the product against two to four direct competitors in the same price bracket. This prevents us from praising a product that simply has no competition and from damning one that is average in a field of excellent alternatives.
Step 6 — Editorial Review and Fact-Check
Before publication, every review is read by a second editor who did not conduct the testing. Their job is to challenge the conclusions, flag unsupported claims, check factual accuracy (pricing, specifications, availability), and ensure the review is useful to a reader who knows nothing about the category. Editors can and do send reviews back for additional testing if the evidence does not support the verdict.
Step 7 — Publication and Ongoing Maintenance
We publish reviews only when we are confident in the verdict. After publication, we monitor reader comments, new competitive launches, and firmware or formula changes that might affect our assessment. Major reviews are revisited on a quarterly schedule. If a product we recommended is recalled, discontinued, or significantly degraded by an update, we update the review and notify readers.
What We Do Not Do
- We do not accept payment to review a product.
- We do not offer positive coverage in exchange for affiliate deals.
- We do not suppress negative findings because a brand is an advertiser.
- We do not re-test a product to produce a better score after a brand complains.
- We do not publish reviews based on specification sheets without hands-on testing.
If you have questions about our methodology or want to flag a concern about a specific review, email us at [email protected].