Trust
How we test.
Updated October 5, 2026
Every product on this site gets the same 20 points, split five ways. No sponsored picks. No pay-to-rank. The number is the whole point — here's exactly how it's built.
The 20-point formula
| Criterion | Weight | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Performance in its job | 6 pts | Does what the box promises, in real conditions. |
| Build quality | 5 pts | Materials, fit, finish, and how it survives daily use. |
| Efficiency / running cost | 4 pts | Power draw, consumables, and cost of ownership. |
| Ease of use | 3 pts | Setup, controls, and living with it day to day. |
| Value | 2 pts | What you get for the money — not just the price tag. |
| Total | 20 pts |
What the scores mean
- 16–20: Buy with confidence. Best in class or close to it.
- 12–15: Solid. Worth your money with the right expectations.
- Below 12: Skip. There is a better option at the price.
How winners are picked
- Shortlist: the products drivers actually buy in the category.
- Score: each one against the same rubric — same weights, same bar.
- Gate check: the top scorer must clear 14/20 to be named a pick. No winner by default.
- Re-verify: winners get re-checked on a schedule; scores move when products change.
What we don't do
- No lab-coat theater — we compare products editorially against documented criteria, and we say so.
- No invented test hours or fake protocols.
- No brand gets to see a score before you do.
How we make money
Reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence scores — the rubric doesn't know where you clicked.
Questions
Do brands pay for better scores?
No. The rubric is fixed, the weights are published above, and sponsored picks don't exist here.
Have you personally used every product?
Scores are editorial comparisons against documented criteria and verified product data — not hands-on lab tests. We never claim otherwise.
How often are scores updated?
Winners are re-verified on a cadence, and any page shows its last-updated date at the top.
Disclosure: The Driver Gear is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Scores reflect our editorial comparison methodology — how we test.