Find out how we review and rate products
SmartPlanet's mission is to be independent and tell you the unbiased reality behind green products. Our expert reviewers reveal exactly how environmentally-friendly products are, how ethically they were produced, how they perform and whether they're good value for money.
What you should know
We recognise sometimes giving scores to products is a subjective process. That's why we want your reviews. One person will value human rights over the environment and vice versa. Some will think a remote control is a cool way to turn gadgets off standby -- others will see it as a dumb waste of embodied energy. Spread the green word by adding a review now.
We source products direct from manufacturers and live hands-on with them for as long as possible, testing them and comparing them to rivals. If we haven't eaten or drunk the product, we return it to the supplier. For restaurant and hotel reviews, the night's accommodation or meal will have been provided for free by the restaurant or hotel. We're considering revising this policy.
As we aren't able to audit or investigate working conditions first-hand, we present an honest rating from the information in the public domain.
Our reviews are completely independent and bear no relation to advertising or the product supplier. Scores are based solely upon on how good the products are judged by our criteria. Scores are out of 10. See our guide below to discover what the numbers mean. Anything over 9 is awarded our prestigious Smart Choice award for excellence.
Our Editors' Scores are based on an average of four criteria:
- Is the product any good?
- Does it do what it is supposed to do?
- Is it well designed, does it offer good features, and does it perform well?
- How does it compare to its peers? Does it stand up well in the market?
How we test: we live with a product in the way it was designed to be used, and see how it fares in real-life conditions for as long as possible. We use expert reviewers who know the subject area inside-out.
- Is the product good value for the price?
- Could you get something much cheaper that would do the same job?
- We may be prepared to pay a premium in order to get a product that is ethically produced or environmentally sound, but how much is too much?
How we test: we compare a product's price tag against its ethical peers and not-so-ethical competitors to see whether the product is good value for money.
- Does the company or parent company invest in unethical practices?
- How does it treat workers?
- What certification is available to guarantee labour standards?
- Where is the product made? What ethical implications could that have?
- Is animal-testing involved?
How we test: we research a product's ethics using reports from CSR teams, NGOs and credible media organisations, plus information provided by manufacturer or distributor.
- Does production cause unnecessary harm to the environment?
- What eco impact do the choice of ingredients or materials have?
- Does the product contain or encourage the use of toxic chemicals?
- What's the impact on resources and wildlife?
- Can it be recycled easily?
- Does the product use energy efficiently?
How we test: we apply the same process that we apply to researching ethics for a product.
What the numbers mean
Perfect
This rare score is reserved for a product that is simply perfect and could not be improved.
Spectacular
A product in this range scores high on all of its rating criteria. It succeeds at meeting all your needs and has no real drawbacks.
Excellent
This product is good in so many ways that is relatively few drawbacks are not very important.
Very good
The strengths of a product scoring in this range certainly outweigh its weaknesses, but it has some minor faults.
Good
This product is above average. Its strengths slightly outweigh its weaknesses, making it good for most people but not all.
Average
A product that scores in this range is functional but unremarkable.
Mediocre
Products in this range are below average. They fall in the middle of the pack and suffer from a few additional major flaws.
Poor
You probably should not consider a product in this range or lower. There may be one or two specialised circumstances, however, that could justify the product.
Terrible
This product scores low on all of its rating criteria. It does not satisfy any of your needs and has no meaningful strengths.
Abysmal
A product in this range should never have been produced.
Found a fabulous green product that isn't in our database? We'd love to hear about it. Write a review to share your experiences with other SmartPlanet users.
