Our methodology
How We Test
Every review and buying guide on Spaffin follows the same process. We buy it, test it, compare it, and tell you what's actually worth it — the good and the bad, in plain language.
We get the product
We buy or borrow the actual unit. No reviewing from a spec sheet, a render, or a press release — if we haven't held it, it isn't in the guide.
We live with it
We use each product the way you would, in real conditions over days and weeks. A 20-minute first impression isn't a review.
We compare the field
We weigh each contender against the others on the dimensions that actually matter for that category — not a generic checklist.
We publish the verdict
We name a clear winner, call out the best value, and flag the skippers. Every guide is bylined, dated, and clearly disclosed.
What you can count on
- A named human. Every guide is written and edited by Boyd Tiffin — bylined and dated, never anonymous.
- Honest verdicts. If a category has nothing worth buying, we say so. We name the skippers, not just the winners.
- Clear disclosure. When a brand sends us a product or we keep one for free, the review says so — separate from our standard affiliate disclosure.
- Independence. Brands don't get approval, edits, or a say in what we publish, and we don't sell reviews, ratings, or placement.
How we make money
Spaffin is reader-supported. We're an Amazon Associate and earn a commission when you buy through some of our links, at no extra cost to you. That commission never changes which product wins — the recommendation is based on the testing, full stop.
Questions about our process, or a brand with a product to pitch? See For Brands or email reviews@spaffin.com.