A score is a summary of five sub-scores, each out of 10, weighted as below. The
weights have not changed since we started, and if we ever change them we will re-run
every live review rather than leave two scales in circulation.
Does the job (35%)
Measured against the maker’s own claim, not against a vibe.
Build and repair (25%)
Fasteners over glue. Published part numbers. Does the battery come out.
Software and privacy (20%)
Works offline? Account required? Anything talking to a server while idle?
Noise, heat, power (10%)
Measured at one metre, in a quiet room, at the settings people actually use.
Price honesty (10%)
Consumables, filters, subscriptions, and the two-year cost of ownership.
What the numbers mean
8.0 and up — buy it, we did.
6.5 to 7.9 — fine, with a named caveat you have to read.
5.0 to 6.4 — only at a discount, only if the caveat does not apply to you.
Below 5.0 — we could not find a person we would recommend it to.
Things we refuse to do
Score a unit we have had for less than three weeks.
Score a pre-production sample at all.
Round up. A 7.44 prints as 7.4.
Re-score after a firmware update without re-running the whole bench.