{"id":612969,"date":"2024-05-10T14:48:34","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T18:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/?page_id=612969"},"modified":"2024-10-22T18:44:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T22:44:45","slug":"about-product-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/about-product-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"How We Test and Evaluate Products"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Our Mission<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">As<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><em> Family Handyman&#8217;s<\/em> shopping editors, we cover products that make everyday life better. Through extensive research and hands-on testing, we strive to deliver the best, most-trusted product reviews, recommendations and inspiration on the internet. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Our Team<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-638769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-We-Test-and-Evaluate-Products_PTT_BTS_062024_EF_6745.jpg?fit=700%2C1024\" alt=\"How We Test And Evaluate Products \" width=\"700\" height=\"1024\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span class=\"credits-overlay\"><span class=\"image-credit noskim\">EMIKO FRANZEN FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our team of shopping experts and product reviewers has more than 35 combined <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">years of experience in professional product selection and testing. But we\u2019re also everyday shoppers who aim to purchase the best products for the lowest price. Meet our team:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/caroline-lubinsky\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/caroline-lubinsky\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Caroline Lubinsky<\/a>, Senior Shopping Editor<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/mary-henn\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/mary-henn\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Mary Henn<\/a>, Shopping Editor<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/pamela-bondurant\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/pamela-bondurant\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Pamela Bondurant<\/a>, Product Reviewer<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/annamarie-higley\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/annamarie-higley\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Annamarie Higley<\/a>, Product Testing Manager<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/sheri-kaz\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/sheri-kaz\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Sheri Kaz<\/a>, Associate Product Tester<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/dylan-fischer\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/dylan-fischer\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Dylan Fischer<\/a>, Associate Product Tester<\/li>\n<li>Sydney Manning, Editorial Coordinator<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/daria-smith\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/daria-smith\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Daria Smith<\/a>, Senior Updates Editor<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/madi-koetting\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/madi-koetting\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Madi Koetting<\/a>, Shopping Editor, Social Video<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/reina-glenn\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/reina-glenn\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Reina Galhea<\/a>, Executive Shopping Editor<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/nicole-doster\/\" data-name=\"www.familyhandyman.com\/author\/nicole-doster\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\">Nicole Doster<\/a>, Content Director, Affiliate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Why You Should Trust Us<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We&#8217;ve built a first-rate testing program that showcases our commitment to authenticity and rigorous testing. Our team of in-studio and on-location testers methodically yet authentically put products through their paces so that our audience can click &#8220;add to cart&#8221; with confidence.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Our team\u2019s biggest responsibility is to our readers. You can trust that when a product appears on our site, it\u2019s been hand-chosen by one of our shopping experts, each with years of experience under their belt. We\u2019re truly fans of every single recommendation we publish\u2014we\u2019ll never push a product we find faulty or unworthy of coverage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We\u2019re always on the lookout for the latest products and brands that can make your lives easier and your days brighter. When we\u2019re not sending products to expert contributors, we\u2019re speaking to leading professionals in the fields of DIY, gardening and lawn care and home maintenance\/renovation <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">to incorporate their tips into our work.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How We Select and Test Products<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-612930 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Why-Trust-Us_TFH_Steam_Cleaners_EF_032624_013.jpg?fit=700%2C1024\" alt=\"Testing a steam cleaner by cleaning grout on a tile wall\" width=\"700\" height=\"1024\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span class=\"credits-overlay\"><span class=\"image-credit noskim\">EMIKO FRANZEN FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">As shopping experts, testing products is one of the most important\u2014and most fun!\u2014parts of the job. After all, how can we recommend products in good faith without getting our hands on them ourselves?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We follow rigorous guidelines and testing methodologies to arrive at the very best products. Whether we\u2019re putting power tools to work or <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">sifting through our cleaning data to test vacuums<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, we treat each product with the care and journalistic curiosity it deserves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When possible, we test products side-by-side with similar competitors,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> comparing qualities our readers care the most about such as pricepoint, accessibility, durability and design. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">We often include multiple testers to remove bias and personal preference from the equation. We also factor in reviews from across the internet from real, everyday people to form a more complete picture of a product\u2019s worthiness.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Some other qualities we evaluate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Industry standards: <\/strong>You wouldn&#8217;t buy a car without knowing its MPG, and experienced homeowners know that certain products\u2014like power tools and equipment\u2014also have standard measurements to meet. Whether it&#8217;s the force of a pressure washer or the size of the cutting deck on a lawn mower, we&#8217;re constantly comparing the specs of the products we test against industry standards.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Safety:<\/strong> The world of DIY sometimes requires using dangerous tools like saws and wood chippers. We test these types of product with a particular eye toward safety, ensuring that the manufacturer took the proper measures to keep hobbyist and professional users from getting hurt.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Longevity:<\/strong> Most products need to work more than once, and even more still should last for years. In addition to our rigorous initial evaluations, we <em>keep<\/em> testing products, incorporating those vacuums and snow blowers and mattresses into our lives to see how they hold up to continuous use. We also take note of whether they come with warranties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Our Testing Lab<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-638421\" src=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-We-Test-and-Evaluate-Products_PTT_BTS_090424_0227b.jpg?fit=700%2C1024\" alt=\"A well-organized kitchen showroom featuring various countertop appliances, including blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, displayed on white counters and metal shelves. The room has two large tables with stools in the center and wooden flooring.\" width=\"700\" height=\"1024\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span class=\"credits-overlay\"><span class=\"image-credit noskim\">EMIKO FRANZEN FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Based in Milwaukee, our dedicated lab offers 400 square feet of space to put products through their paces. The lab space is specifically designed to handle an array of products, from vacuums to subscription boxes to anti-theft bags, ensuring a thorough evaluation process across various categories. Our team, led by experts in product testing and editorial standards, manages the operation. Here\u2019s a snapshot of our day-to-day inside the lab:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We test roughly 70 products monthly, collecting more than 1,500 data points for consideration.<\/li>\n<li>Logistics are an integral part of the job. We have scrupulous processes for intaking, storing and long-term testing products.<\/li>\n<li>We take the time to carefully research each product to understand its features and specs better. This includes reading each owner\u2019s manual front-to-back and scouring product pages for testaments and customer feedback.<\/li>\n<li>Any products that do not require long-term testing are donated. Items that need disposal are done in an ethical and responsible manner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How We Make Money<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Our website participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase or take certain actions through links on our site. However, it&#8217;s important to note that our participation in these programs does not influence our editorial content. We maintain editorial independence and the inclusion of any product or brand on our lists is based on our assessment of their quality, value and relevance to our readers. We are committed to transparently sharing products and services that we believe will be of interest and benefit to our audience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Awards<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW215337290 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW215337290 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/skimlinks.com\/blog\/the-caps-2022-winners\/\" data-name=\"skimlinks.com\/blog\/the-caps-2022-winners\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Winner of CAPS Fastest Growing Publisher<\/a>, 2022<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW215337290 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Work With Us<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For all partnerships and editorial inquiries: <\/span><a href=\"mailto:Chris.Eppolito@tmbi.com\" data-name=\"mailto:Chris.Eppolito@tmbi.com\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chris.Eppolito@tmbi.com<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For more information about TMB: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustedmediabrands.com\/\" data-name=\"www.trustedmediabrands.com\/\" data-module=\"content engagement\" data-position=\"embedded links\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.trustedmediabrands.com\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Mission As Family Handyman&#8217;s shopping editors, we cover products that make everyday life better. Through extensive research and hands-on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7488,"featured_media":638423,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"coauthors":[101405],"acf":{"long_pin_file":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How We Test and Evaluate Products at Family Handyman<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"At Family Handyman, we shine a spotlight on the products and brands our readers can trust.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.familyhandyman.com\/about-product-testing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How 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