Editorial Policy
The Shortlist organizes products by Amazon source category, use case, specs, and editorial judgment. This page explains how we work.
How we choose
We are a curated publication, not an exhaustive directory. We select a representative set of products per scenario and compare them on the criteria that matter for that situation. When we name a best pick, we explain why in context rather than as a universal verdict.
How the Shortlist Score works
The Shortlist Score is a transparent editorial signal on a 0–10 scale, not a lab-test result. It blends three factors we can assess from public information, and it is never influenced by commissions, sales, or affiliate payouts:
- Feature depth — how many of the capabilities that matter in a given category (for example self-emptying docks, LiFePO4 chemistry, or wire-free RTK navigation) a product lists.
- Specification completeness — how fully the product documents the public specs shoppers actually compare on.
- Category fit — how central the product is to the use cases this site focuses on.
Because it is based on published specifications and editorial comparison rather than first-hand testing, we treat the score as a shortlisting aid, not a verdict. In practice, published scores cluster between 6.8 and 9.6: we only assign a score to products that already clear our shortlist bar, so the number ranks fit among picks we’d recommend rather than grading the entire market. Always confirm current details on the retailer’s page before buying.
On first-hand testing
When we have not personally tested a product, we describe the page as a product snapshot or buying note rather than a review based on first-hand testing. Our notes are based on published specifications and editorial comparison, and we say so plainly.
Product samples
We do not accept paid placements, sponsored rankings, or payment for inclusion. If we ever evaluate a brand-provided sample, we label it on the relevant page, and a sample never guarantees coverage, a recommendation, or a higher score.
Affiliate independence
Affiliate relationships may influence which products are available for linking, but they do not require positive coverage, and rankings are never influenced by commissions or commercial arrangements.
How we update
We monitor product information regularly. The front-end “updated” date changes only when the content, recommendation, or comparison materially changes — not every time we check data in the background.
Corrections
If something is inaccurate, tell us and we will review and correct it.
Working with brands
We do not publish fake reviews, incentivize marketplace reviews, or guarantee positive coverage, and we never misrepresent our relationship with a brand, retailer, or Amazon. See For Brands.