Last updated July 15, 2023, by Herby Jasmin, Editor-in-Chief.
At Gotechtor, we’re passionate about helping you find the perfect tech for your needs.
That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to reviewing a wide range of consumer tech products, from phones to tablets to smartwatches to accessories and services.
This page explains how we review and rate products so you understand the reasoning behind our scores.
What We Consider
The specific categories we focus on depend on the product type. Here’s a general overview:
- Core Categories (All Products): Performance, Design & Build Quality, Value for Money, Ease of Use.
- Smartphones & Tablets: Display Quality, Camera Performance (Smartphones only), Battery Life, Operating System & Features.
- PCs (Laptops & Desktops): Processing Power, Graphics Performance (Desktops only), Display Quality, Battery Life (Laptops only), Keyboard & Touchpad (Laptops only), Operating System & Software.
- Wearables (Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers): Display Quality, Battery Life, Fitness Tracking Features (heart rate, GPS, etc.), Smart features (notifications, apps), Design & Comfort, Compatibility with smartphones.
- Accessories (Headphones, Chargers, Cases, etc.): Functionality (achieves intended purpose), Performance (e.g., sound quality for headphones, charging speed for chargers), Design & Build Quality, Comfort (for wearables), Value for Money.
This is not an exhaustive list; we may consider additional factors depending on the specific product.
We Buy Our Own Products
Unlike most websites, we don’t rely on manufacturers to send us review units. We purchase every product ourselves, just like you would at a store.
This ensures two key things:
- Unbiased Reviews: We eliminate the possibility of manufacturers sending us their “best” examples. The products we review are the same ones you’ll find on store shelves, with all the typical variations in quality that come with mass production. This means you get a realistic picture of what to expect when you buy the product yourself.
- Real-World Performance: We assess how the product performs in everyday situations, not just in a controlled environment. This lets us identify any potential issues you might encounter during regular use.
The Review Process
While the specific details of the review process can vary depending on the type of product, all reviews tend to follow a similar general structure.
- Product Acquisition: We purchase every product ourselves to keep our reviews unbiased.
- Hands-on Testing: We don’t just look at specs. We try out every feature to see how it performs in the real world.
- Comparison: We compare the product to similar offerings in the market to understand its relative strengths and weaknesses.
- Review Writing: We craft a detailed review outlining our experience, test results, and final verdict, addressing both pros and cons.
- Editorial Review: Our editorial team edits the review for clarity, consistency, and adherence to our quality standards.
Our Rating System
We use a 10-point rating system, where higher is better. Here’s a breakdown of what each rating means:
1. Embarrassing — has fundamental flaws that make it unusable.
2. Very poor — has critical issues that render it almost unusable. Not recommended under any circumstances.
3. Poor — has severe problems that significantly impact performance. Avoid if possible.
4. Disappointing — has major flaws that hinder its usability and is not recommended for most users.
5. Below average — has significant shortcomings. Consider other options before choosing this.
6. Average — has noticeable drawbacks and may only be suitable for limited uses or specific budgets.
7. Good — has some balanced strengths and weaknesses, may be a good option for specific users.
8. Very good — has some minor weaknesses, but still a strong recommendation, depending on your needs.
9. Excellent — has negligible drawbacks, highly recommended for most users.
10. Outstanding — excels in all or most key areas, a must-have for any tech enthusiast.
