How we test products and services at ZDNET

At a time when technology permeates every aspect of our lives, from the smartphones in our pockets to the cloud services powering our businesses, finding the right tech can make all the difference. That’s why ZDNET’s team of subject matter experts, with over 30 years of experience, is committed to providing readers with in-depth, unbiased, and lab-tested reviews of the latest products and services.

Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025

Today, ZDNET covers over a dozen product categories, spanning consumer technology to the enterprise, including TVs, tablets, smartwatches, smart rings, laptops and PCs, portable power stations, VPNs, and more. Our reviewers spend upwards of a year testing each product and service to fully grasp its strengths and weaknesses and how it ultimately fares in real-world usage.

Every review, product comparison, and best list you read on our website goes through our rigorous testing efforts, which take into account the following:

• Transparency: Writers and editors evaluate products as they’re released and base buying advice on the state of the product during the review period. We never recommend products based on their promise of future updates, and we’ll always disclose if an external party or brand had any involvement in a story.
• Expertise: Our team of experts includes industry veterans, analysts, and business professionals who have spent decades testing consumer-facing products. As technology advances, we’re constantly staying on top of trends to best understand the market and how it impacts the products and services you buy.
• Hands-on testing: Beyond putting products through real-world usage, meaning we go beyond the office space to explore various use cases, ZDNET also has a dedicated testing lab in Louisville, which spans over 10,000 square feet, to test smart home devices, big-screen TVs, projectors, and more.
• Value: To give the best buying advice, our reviewers always consider whether the product and service they’re testing are worth the asking price, what the extraneous fees are (if any), and how the pricing compares to competitors and previous generations.

How ZDNET gets products to review

The review process starts well before products are launched and shown to the public. By keeping a close eye on release cycles, industry leaks and rumors, and maintaining close contact with all the manufacturers we cover, our reviewers are always prepared for what’s to come, setting aside ample time to test new products when they arrive.

Most of the products and services we test are provided by manufacturers on loan, whether it’s a pre-production smartphone with a trial SIM card or an activation code for a VPN subscription. That means that we typically spend about a month with every tested product before it’s shipped back to the manufacturer, which often gets seeded to a different publication or media member afterward. Some loan agreements can extend up to a year, allowing reviewers to test the product for the long-term, and potentially in line with the succeeding model.

ZDNET will occasionally expense products and services. This is the case when we want to further evaluate a product that’s officially on the market and/or run tests that aren’t permitted with review units.

What we evaluate when reviewing

Between hardware and software products, our test process encompasses:

• Build quality and design: We assess the materials, construction, and overall aesthetics of the product. How do headphones handle light drops and bumps? Is the phone manageable with just one hand? Is the 100-inch TV built to last? 
• Performance benchmarks: We measure performance using industry-standard benchmarks, including Geekbench 6, PCMark 10, SiSoftware Sandra, Calman, and more, comparing results to similar products in the market.
• Real-world usage: We simulate everyday scenarios to evaluate how the product performs in practical situations. This includes tasks like gaming, video editing, browsing, answering emails, loading visuals on social media feeds, and more.
• Battery life (if applicable): We conduct rigorous battery life tests, measuring performance under various usage conditions, power-saving modes, network connections, and more.
• Connectivity and compatibility: We test the product’s connectivity options and ensure compatibility with other devices and platforms.
• Value for money: We assess whether the product’s price justifies its performance and features. More importantly, we compare the price to competing products and older models in order to deliver buying advice to budget shoppers, early adopters, and everyone in between.

If any product-related issues occur during testing, reviewers will flag and work with manufacturers to troubleshoot them. Still, manufacturers have no editorial input over ZDNET’s review coverage, nor do they get an early preview of stories. 

How we order our best list recommendations

ZDNET’s best lists are developed and written after testing multiple products within a category, whether rugged tablets or laptops that go easy on your shoulders. Every list consists of nominations catering to specific customer needs, whether it’s design, performance, or budget-related. That’s all topped with our “Best Overall” pick, awarded to the product that delivers on all fronts — the pick that we have no hesitation recommending if you want the best there is. 

Our best lists are constantly updated as more products are released, and long-term evaluations distinguish the truly exceptional. In most cases, several reviewers contribute to writing and updating best lists, leveraging the unified experience to deliver expert-driven, balanced, and up-to-date advice.

Why you can trust ZDNET reviews

We believe that discerning reliable information is paramount. ZDNET’s commitment to rigorous testing and transparent methodologies is purposed to establish trust with our readership. Every review, comparison, best list you read on our website is underpinned by objective testing, a focus on practical applications, a commitment to long-term analysis, and data-driven conclusions. 

By adhering to these principles, ZDNET aims to provide readers with evaluations that are informational, personal, and trustworthy. You can learn more about how we test and evaluate products by category below.