~ 6 min read
METHODOLOGYWe do not test ourselves. We collect what specialist editors and buyers conclude - and turn it into one comparable number.
See the methodEvery score between 0 and 100 is built from three parts. The weighting deliberately puts measured results above opinions - and makes sure manufacturer data never decides the outcome.
Verdicts from editorial teams that actually handled the device - CHIP, Computer Bild, heise, VIDEOAKTIV or the ADAC, among others. School grades, stars and percentages are converted onto a shared 0-100 scale. Only sources with a real verdict count; reviews without a final rating are linked as evidence but not included in the calculation.
Average ratings from shops and price comparison sites, often based on hundreds or thousands of buyers. They reveal what short reviews miss: long-term quality, build issues, service cases. Because they are easier to manipulate than editorial tests, they carry less weight.
A calculated value based on features and the price level of the category. It ensures that devices with few reviews still get a sensible placement - and that a fair price-performance ratio becomes visible.
What we do not do
A verdict from 2022 says little about how a device stands today, so every score loses value over time. What matters is not calendar age but how quickly a product class becomes technically outdated - and that varies enormously.
| Pace | Categories | Full score until | Discount after that |
|---|---|---|---|
| fast-moving | Smartphones, tablets, headphones, smartwatches | 9 months | 3 % per quarter |
| medium | Drones, power stations, solar panels, laptops | 12 months | 2 % per quarter |
| long-lived | TVs, cameras, home batteries, balcony solar | 18 months | 1.5 % per quarter |
A three-year-old TV is often still an excellent buy; a three-year-old smartphone rarely is. That is exactly what the age discount reflects. It is capped: even a very old device never loses more than 30 to 50 percent of its test rating, depending on the category.
The technical component works in the opposite direction: as street prices fall over the years, price-performance improves. An older flagship can therefore overtake a new mid-range device.
It varies by device and is stated on every product page. A well-covered smartphone reaches seven or more ratings; a niche product sometimes just one. The fewer the sources, the more cautiously the score should be read - which is why we show the count openly instead of hiding it.
A score is not buying advice
