TechWhoop Review Policy & Disclosures

At TechWhoop, our reviews exist for one reason: to help people make confident tech decisions. We earn trust by combining first‑hand testing, transparent methods, and clear disclosures about how we work and how we make money. This page describes exactly how our product reviews, roundups, and buying guides are created, scored, maintained, and disclosed.

Quick disclosure (at a glance)

• We prefer hands‑on testing with retail‑purchased units; loaners are disclosed and returned unless kept for long‑term testing.

• No pay‑to‑play. Sponsorships and affiliate commissions never influence our recommendations or scores.

• We link to multiple retailers when helpful and always call out alternatives and trade‑offs.

• Named authors and expert reviewers sign off on every scored review.

• We correct errors promptly and visibly and maintain version history on major updates.

For how we research, test, and fact‑check in depth, see our Editorial Standards.

Scope: what counts as a “review”

We label content clearly so readers understand what they’re getting:

• Full review (scored). Hands‑on testing with evidence, a clear methodology, pros/cons, alternatives, and a 0.0–10.0 score.

• Long‑term review. Follow‑up reporting after extended use (e.g., months later), either as an update to the original review or a separate article that links back.

• First look / preview (unscored). Early impressions with explicit disclosure that it is not a scored review—useful for context, not for buying decisions.

• Roundups & buying guides. Curated recommendations anchored in tested units, with links to our full reviews; when we include untested picks (e.g., notable new releases), we say so.

How we obtain products

• Retail purchases preferred. Whenever feasible, we buy the same versions you do.

• Loaners & samples. If a company provides a sample, we disclose it and do not accept conditions that limit our coverage or conclusions. Loaners are returned; exceptions (long‑term testing) are disclosed.

• Gifts & swag. We decline gifts of material value. Items that could create real or perceived bias are returned or donated; we never resell review units.

• Event access & travel. If travel or accommodation is covered by a company, we disclose it. Coverage remains independent.

Independence, conflicts & disclosures

• Editorial firewall. Reviewers and editors decide what to review, how to test, and what to recommend—independently of sales, partnerships, or advertising.

• Conflicts of interest. Contributors must disclose prior employment, consulting, close relationships, or financial interests related to coverage. Significant conflicts lead to reassignment.

• Sponsorships. Sponsored placements are clearly labeled (“Sponsored” or “Advertisement”) and never control our verdicts or scores. Sponsored content is kept separate from editorial.

• Affiliate disclosure. Some links are affiliate links that may earn TechWhoop a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions do not influence what we cover or recommend, and we link to multiple retailers where helpful.

Hands‑on testing & evidence requirements

We align with Google’s product review guidance by prioritizing first‑hand experience and original evidence:

• Test setup recorded. We log device model, firmware/OS version, test tools and versions, environment (network, lighting, etc.), and any deviations from default settings.

• Repeatable measurements. Where applicable, we use standardized tests (e.g., performance, battery rundown, thermals, latency, display measurements) and provide context for results.

• Real‑world use. Beyond synthetic tests, we emulate typical user workflows (e.g., file transfers, photo/video processing, gaming sessions, app launch times).

• Proof of experience. Reviews feature original photos, screenshots, short clips, and—where relevant—benchmark logs or settings. Edited media are labeled; we do not stage conditions that mislead.

• Expert review. Security, data recovery, networking, and other advanced topics receive an expert technical review prior to publication.

• No hands‑on? Say so. If we could not test a product directly, we state that clearly, avoid scoring, and explain the basis of any coverage.

For category‑specific tests and weighting, see Editorial Standards → Product reviews: hands‑on testing & methodology.

Ratings, badges & how scores work

• Score scale. We use a 0.0–10.0 scale (one decimal) that summarizes performance, features, usability, support/updates, privacy/security, and value.

• Weighting. Each category (e.g., laptops, phones, routers, software) defines its own weighting—documented on the relevant category page and linked from the review.

• Badges. Labels such as Best Overall, Best Budget, or Editor’s Choice require (a) strong hands‑on results and (b) clear value in their segment. Badges can be rescinded after major changes (e.g., price hikes, firmware issues).

• Pros & cons. Every scored review contains explicit, evidence‑backed pros/cons.

• Transparency. If our weighting changes (e.g., adding AI features or repairability), we update the page and note the change in the review’s version history.

Comparisons, alternatives & value

• We explain what sets each product apart, where it falls short, and who should buy it—or not.

• We provide meaningful alternatives for different budgets, platforms, and use cases.

• Where useful, we link to multiple reputable retailers to avoid bias and help you find availability and fair pricing.

Updates, re‑tests & version history

• Living documents. Reviews and roundups are revisited as products evolve. Significant firmware updates, new competitors, or price changes may trigger new tests or revised guidance.

• Change logs. Substantive updates include a dated note explaining what changed and why.

• Long‑term notes. When we keep units, we add durability, battery health, and update‑policy observations over time.

• Deprecations. Outdated picks are removed or moved to a “previously recommended” section with rationale.

Pricing, availability & regional variants

• Prices and availability are accurate at time of publication but can change. We encourage readers to check current pricing.

• We call out regional differences (chipsets, bands, chargers, keyboard layouts) and model numbers where they impact results.

• If a firmware or hardware revision meaningfully changes performance, we update or re‑test and document the revision.

Affiliate links, ads & revenue

• Affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you buy via our links—this does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.

• Multiple purchase options. Where helpful, we link to more than one retailer.

• Advertising. Display ads are sold or served separately from the editorial team. Advertisers never receive advance access to our verdicts, notes, or scores.

• Sponsored posts. Clearly labeled and segregated from editorial. Sponsored content cannot assign or alter review scores.

For details on our monetization and disclosure approach across the site, see Editorial Standards → Advertising & affiliate links.

Vendor interactions (PR, loaners & embargoes)

Pitching products. Brands and PR teams can reach us via the Contact Us page. Pitches should include model numbers, pricing, availability, and what’s new vs. prior models.

Loaners & samples.

• Loaners are returned by default after testing.

• If a long‑term test is necessary, we disclose that the unit is retained for ongoing evaluation.

• We do not accept conditions on coverage, and loaning a product does not guarantee a review or a positive outcome.

Embargoes & NDAs.

• We honor reasonable embargoes for logistics and access, but we never accept editorial control clauses.

• We may share limited factual excerpts (e.g., spec tables) for vendor fact‑checks before publication to ensure accuracy—not to influence conclusions or tone.

Unsolicited packages.

• Unsolicited products do not guarantee coverage and may be returned, donated, or responsibly recycled. We do not pay return shipping for unsolicited items.

Corrections & reader feedback

We fix mistakes quickly and transparently.

• Minor fixes (typos/formatting) may be silent.

• Substantive corrections (specs, measurements, conclusions) include a dated Correction or Update note describing what changed and why.

• To report an error, request clarification, or share data that contradicts our results, please use Contact Us. Include the article URL, the issue, and any supporting evidence (photos, logs, version numbers).

(See also Editorial Standards → Corrections & reader feedback.)

Security, safety & responsible disclosure

If we discover a security or safety issue during testing, we attempt good‑faith responsible disclosure to the vendor and provide readers with risk‑reduction guidance (e.g., settings to change) when appropriate. We avoid publishing exploit details that would increase harm before a fix is available.

Accessibility & inclusive evaluation

When relevant, we consider accessibility features (screen reader support, captions, haptic feedback, remappable inputs, high‑contrast modes) and usability for a range of users. We use clear, readable language and provide alt text/captions for key media.

FAQ

Do companies pay for positive reviews?

No. Companies cannot buy coverage, placement, or scores.

Do affiliate links affect recommendations?

No. Affiliate relationships do not change our conclusions. We link to multiple retailers where useful.

Will you change a score if a company asks?

We’ll consider new evidence (firmware updates, bug fixes, pricing changes) and re‑test as needed. We do not change scores for marketing reasons.

Do you keep review units?

Loaners are returned unless explicitly retained for long‑term testing, which we disclose.

Can vendors fact‑check reviews before they go live?

We may share limited factual elements (e.g., specs) for accuracy, but not our verdicts, pros/cons, or scores.