How We Choose Products
The short version: we recommend products based on research, not hands-on testing. Here is exactly what that means, so you can decide how much weight to give our picks.
What we do
- Start from the job, not the product. Each recommendation answers a specific need in one of our guides, such as a first router or a dust collector for a one-car garage.
- Compare specifications. Power, capacity, adjustment and accuracy features, safety features, weight, warranty and price, taken from manufacturer documentation and the product listing.
- Look for patterns in owner feedback. We read owner reviews and long-term reports for recurring strengths and recurring failures, rather than trusting a single star rating.
- Check the fit for woodworking. A great tool for a contractor can be the wrong pick for a small hobby shop, so we judge each product against the materials, cuts and shop sizes our readers actually have.
- Say who should skip it. Every product page lists who the product suits, who should skip it and what to watch out for.
What we don't do
- We don't hands-on test every product we recommend, and we don't give products numerical scores we can't back up with our own measurements.
- We don't invent experiences. If a page ever describes hands-on use, it will say so clearly.
- We don't let commission rates decide what we recommend.
How we make money
Some links are affiliate links, including Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. These links are marked as sponsored. See our affiliate disclosure.
Prices and models change
Manufacturers update models and prices move often. Check the current listing before you buy, and tell us if something on a product page is out of date.