How we pick products

1. We start with what you're trying to do

Before comparing products we define the job: smoke a brisket, feed six people pizza, keep a lawn short with minimal effort. Then we figure out which specifications and trade-offs actually matter for that job.

2. We research from published sources, and each guide says which

Our guides are research-based. The sources differ from guide to guide, so every guide's "How we picked" section states exactly what it relied on. In rough order of how much weight we give them:

• Manufacturer specifications — size, fuel, weight, materials and warranty terms, checked against the maker's own product page wherever we can read it. Products where we've done this show a "Specs checked" month, and Updates & verification shows how much of the catalog that covers.
• Independent testing — where a guide draws on tests from other publications or enthusiast communities, it says so.
• Owner feedback — where a guide draws on patterns in long-term owner reports (what breaks, what annoys people later), it says so.

When we can't confirm something on a maker's own page, we describe the product at the product-line level and leave the numbers out rather than guess. We have not hands-on tested the products unless a guide or product page says so.

3. We rank on trade-offs, not hype

Every pick lists what we like and the trade-offs. We weigh performance, build quality, ease of use, warranty and support, and value for the money. A product that costs less and does the job beats a pricier one that does it slightly better.

4. What we do not do

• We don't accept payment for rankings or reviews. Brands can't buy a spot.
• We don't rank a product higher because it pays a higher commission.
• We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done. If a product was personally tested, the guide will say so.
• We don't publish fake reviews or invented ratings.

5. Prices

Prices change daily, so we show a price tier instead of an exact number — always check the current price on the retailer's page before you buy.

• $ — Under $150
• $$ — $150–$500
• $$$ — $500–$1,500
• $$$$ — Over $1,500

6. Keeping guides fresh

Product lines change fast. Each guide shows its last-updated date and each product its "specs checked" month, so you can see how current the information is. We only change an "Updated" date when we've actually checked and changed something, and we remove products when we notice they're no longer sold. If you spot one we've missed, please tell us.

7. About our images

The atmospheric photos on this site (guide covers, banners and the About page) are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of real places, people or products. They set the scene; they don't show what a specific product really looks like, so don't use them to judge size, color or finish. Check the maker's own page for that.

8. Affiliate relationships

We earn commissions on some purchases. That's how we pay for this work. Read our full affiliate disclosure. Found an error or think a ranking is wrong? Tell us at hello@backyardreview.com.