How we rate
Last updated: 21 June 2026
At Silikode, every review carries a score from 1 to 5 that sums up, in a single number, our assessment of the product. It's a quick way to get your bearings, but there's a full analysis behind that number. Here we explain what each point of the scale means and how we decide the score.
The scale
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 5 | Exceptional — the best in its category |
| 4 | Very good — recommended, with minor flaws |
| 3 | Decent — gets the job done, but there are better options |
| 2 | Poor — significant problems |
| 1 | Bad — best avoided |
Whole numbers only
We use whole numbers only: no decimals, no half points. A product gets a 3 or a 4, never a 3.5. We do this on purpose, so that each score is a clear decision and not a way of pleasing everyone. When we're torn between two values, we pick one and explain it in the text.
How we assign the score
The score comes out of the analysis, not the other way around. We test products in real-world conditions whenever we can, or base our coverage on official specifications when we don't have physical access (and we say so in the review). To arrive at a number we look at several things:
- Performance. How well it does what it promises.
- Quality. Materials, build, durability and finish.
- User experience. How it feels day to day, how easy it is to live with the product.
- Value for money. Whether what it delivers justifies what it costs.
We also compare each product with the alternatives on the market. The same score can mean different things depending on the category and the price: what we always assess is the product against what can reasonably be expected of it.
The score complements the analysis
The number sums up; it doesn't replace. Two products with the same score can be very different, and the review is where we explain the nuances: who it's for, who it isn't, what shines and what gets in the way. We recommend reading the full analysis before you decide.
Editorial judgment and independence
The score is decided with editorial judgment, kept separate from the commercial side. The channels that sustain the project —affiliate links, advertising and brand collaborations— do not intervene in the score we give a product.
You can learn more about how we work in our Editorial Policy. If you have questions or want to flag something, write to us at admin@silikode.com.