How we test
Every product we recommend has been bought, used and measured by us. Here is exactly how.
1. We buy it
We buy every product ourselves, and we buy the exact model we link to, so what you buy is what we tested. If a brand ever sends us a product for free, the review says so at the top.
2. We use it for real
We cook with it in our test kitchen over several days, not just on the day it arrives. If a product is built for a different power supply from ours, we say in the review how we powered it, because that can change how it performs.
3. We measure
We use the same tools for every product in a category: a timer, a kitchen scale, a probe thermometer and a sound level meter app on a phone. We write every number down, and the numbers in our tables come from those notes.
4. We photograph and film it
Every photo and video on this site is ours, taken during the test. We show the good and the bad, including close-ups of flaws.
The Budget Cook Score
Each product gets four scores from 1 to 10:
| Score | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Performance | How well it does its main job in our tests |
| Ease of use | Setup, everyday use, cleaning, and how clear the controls are |
| Build and durability | Materials, fit and finish, and how it held up during testing |
| Value | What you get for the price, compared with the other products we tested |
The Budget Cook Score is the average of the four, rounded to one decimal place. We show all four numbers, so you can see why a product scored the way it did. We never copy star ratings or reviews from Amazon or other stores.
How we choose what to test
We look at what people search for and what sells at budget prices, then pick products we can buy and test properly. We do not accept payment to review a product or to change a score.
How we use AI
Our tests, measurements, photos and verdicts come from people. We use AI tools to help organize our notes and edit our writing, and a person on our team checks every article against the test notes before it goes live.
Updates and corrections
We update a guide when a product changes, its price changes a lot, or a better option appears. If you spot a mistake, email [email protected] and we will fix it.