What Does RTINGS.com's Product Testing Process Involve?

RTINGS.com buys products at retail and runs them through the same standardized test benches in its own lab, then publishes the measured results so you can compare products on identical criteria. The site reports 5,017 products bought and tested across 28 categories in a 40,000 sq. ft. testing facility, and it states that it does not accept cherry-picked units sent by brands. This matters if you want to compare TVs, headphones, vacuums, or mattresses using consistent measurements rather than manufacturer spec sheets.

The core steps of the process

1. Products are purchased, not supplied by brands. RTINGS states that it buys its own products, so the unit tested is the same kind of unit a regular buyer would receive. This is the basis for its claim of independence.
2. Every product in a category runs the same test bench. A test bench is a fixed set of measurements and checks applied identically across products. For example, the page lists "TV Test Bench 2.3.1" as a current version, meaning all TVs tested under that version are measured the same way.
3. Results are recorded and published per product. Each product gets test results, a rating, and a review page. The "What's New" feed shows individual products moving through the lab, such as "Hisense U6SF Test Results" or "Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus Test Results."
4. Bench versions are updated over time. When the test methodology changes, the bench number changes (e.g., 2.3.1). This lets you see whether two products were measured under the same methodology before comparing scores directly.
5. Results feed into recommendations. The site uses the data to build "best of" lists and buying guides, such as Best TVs, Best Headphones, Best Air Fryers, and Best Running Shoes.

What the scale of testing looks like

The 28 categories span home entertainment (TVs, soundbars, projectors, monitors), computing (laptops, mice, keyboards, routers, VPNs), audio (headphones, speakers), home care (vacuums, robot vacuums, air purifiers, dehumidifiers), kitchen (air fryers, blenders, microwaves, refrigerators), mattresses, running shoes, and cameras.

How to use the testing data when comparing products

• Check the bench version first. If two products were tested under different bench versions, their scores may not be directly comparable. The version number is the signal.
• Read the test results, not just the score. The published measurements show why a product scored as it did, which is more useful than a single number when your priorities differ from the reviewer's.
• Use the comparison tools. The site offers tools such as a TV size-to-distance calculator, a running shoe 3D tool, and a vacuum comparison table, which apply the test data to a specific decision.
• Watch the "What's New" feed for recency. New test results and reviews are posted continuously, so a product's page may be updated after you last checked it.

Where the independence claim comes from

RTINGS states that it protects its independence by purchasing products itself rather than testing units selected by manufacturers. The site also offers a paid membership that it describes as supporting that independence and giving unlimited access to test results, comparison tools, and website features. The page does not state whether any content is accessible without an account, so check the specific page or tool you need before assuming open access.

Common points of confusion

• A high score is not universal. Because scores come from a fixed bench, a product optimized for one use (e.g., bright-room TV viewing) may score lower on a bench weighted toward another use. Match the test criteria to your own priorities.
• "Bought and tested" counts products, not test runs. The 5,017 figure reflects units purchased; each unit may go through dozens of individual measurements.
• Bench updates can shift rankings. When a bench version changes, older results may be re-evaluated or flagged, so recheck comparisons after an update.