Editorial Standards: How We Research and Recommend
This page explains how the articles on this site are produced, what our recommendations are based on, and what we will not do. We publish it so that you can judge for yourself how much weight to give our advice.
What our articles are based on
- Manufacturer documentation: owner’s manuals, specification sheets, service schedules and installation guides.
- Official safety guidance: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Ready.gov and other public safety bodies, which we link to where we rely on them.
- Established engineering principles: for example, how centrifugal pumps, alternators and compressors work.
- Published, widely used planning figures: such as typical appliance wattages and air-tool consumption, which we label as typical values rather than measurements.
What we do not claim
- We do not claim to have tested a product unless an article says exactly what was done and how.
- We do not invent specifications. Where a figure is a typical range for a class of equipment, we say so, and we tell you to check the nameplate or spec sheet for your own equipment.
- We do not publish review scores, star ratings or “best overall” awards that imply comparative testing we have not carried out.
- We do not quote prices, which change constantly, and we do not use urgency or scarcity tactics.
- We do not claim professional credentials, workshops or personal ownership that we cannot substantiate.
How recommendations work
Our buying guides recommend classes of equipment, defined by the specifications that matter for a job, rather than individual models. We explain what to look for, and we link to search results on Amazon so you can compare current models, prices and owner reviews. Where we name a brand or model, it is as an example of a class, not an endorsement based on testing.
Affiliate links
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate income does not influence which equipment classes we recommend, what we say about them or the order in which they appear. Articles that contain affiliate links say so near the top. See our affiliate disclosure.
Use of AI tools
We use software tools, including AI writing and research assistants, to help draft, structure and check articles. Every article is checked against manufacturer documentation and official safety guidance before publication, and we take full responsibility for what is published. If you find an error, we want to know.
Corrections and updates
When we find a mistake, or a reader reports one, we correct it as soon as we have verified it. Significant corrections are noted on the article. Articles show an “updated” date when they have been revised after publication. Equipment, standards and safety guidance change, so we review articles periodically and welcome reports of anything that is out of date.
Safety
We include the safety steps that manufacturers and safety agencies recommend, and we will not publish instructions for practices that are dangerous or illegal, such as connecting a generator to house wiring through a wall outlet. Our content is general guidance and never replaces the manual for your equipment or a qualified professional. See the equipment safety notice.
Independence
We do not accept payment for coverage, sponsored articles, or free products in exchange for favorable treatment. Manufacturers have no say in what we publish.
Questions about any of this? Contact us.