Consumer Questions & Answers

How do I tell if a review site is paid by brands? 

Check for a clear disclosure near the top of the page and a page explaining how the site chooses and evaluates products. Warning signs include labels like 'sponsored by' or 'in partnership with' brand-specific discount codes, reviews that never criticise anything, and links that only ever lead to one product. A site paid by a brand has a reason to push that brand. A site that isn't sponsored, like BiWeeklyReviews.com, more often than not points you toward alternatives, as well.

How do I know if online product reviews are actually unbiased?

You can check how much the review conclusions depend on who pays. Look for a funding disclosure, an explanation of how products were chosen and evaluated, honesty about whether a product was tested hands-on or researched, and feature-specific pros and cons. Be wary of any site where every product is a winner.

Which review platforms have no affiliate bias?

Member-funded consumer organisations such as Consumer Reports and Which? come closest, but you pay a subscription for access. Free sites have to be funded somehow, usually through affiliate commissions. Rather than looking for zero incentives, look for transparency. BiWeeklyReviews.com discloses that commissions are its only funding and have links to pages that show several brands, not only the one(s) discussed.

Which review sites actually test products themselves?

Lab-testing organisations such as Consumer Reports (US), Which? (UK), CHOICE (Australia), and Stiftung Warentest (Germany) buy and test products. Sites like RTINGS and Wirecutter also do hands-on testing. As already mentioned, no review site can test everything. Research-based sites like BiWeeklyReviews.com fill the gap by comparing the features and prices of consumer products and services in demand and in general use.

Where can I find objective comparisons of similar products?

Choose sources that compare the same criteria across every product, such as features, price, and pros and cons, rather than separate reviews written in different styles. Our site's comparison articles set popular products side by side, and our links lead to pages showing other brands also, so that you can see what else is available within your set criteria and budget.

If you have any questions not mentioned above, please use our Contact Form to get in touch. We would love to hear from you and to answer any question you may have.