How we test and rank
Every ranking on Empire Reviews follows the same process. This is the standard our editorial team is held to.
We research from public sources, not spec sheets alone
Every review draws on manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and specs -- we do not claim to have personally bought or tested every product.
We score on a fixed rubric
Performance, build quality, value for money, support and real-world reliability -- each weighted the same for every product in a category, based on what is publicly documented.
Commission never moves a ranking
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, but the order of our picks is set BEFORE links are attached. The honest best pick is always shown first, even when it pays us nothing.
We re-check and update
Categories are revisited as new products launch or pricing changes. The year in the title is the last full review pass.