The Forensic Scoring Engine
We do not rely on subjective opinions. The Review Examiner score is a composite metric derived from 14 independent data points, weighted to mathematically penalize conflicts of interest.
1. Affiliate Bias Penalty (ABP)
Most review sites operate on CPA (Cost Per Acquisition). If a mattress review site gives a 9/10 to a product that pays a $200 bounty, and a 6/10 to a product that pays $0, they are not a review site. They are a broker.
We track the outbound affiliate links of major publications. If a site's average score across 100 products is above 8.5/10, we apply a mathematical deflation curve to their aggregate data.
2. Benchmark Normalization
Manufacturers provide reviewers with "Reviewer Guides" detailing exactly which benchmarks to run, under which conditions, to get the best score. We ignore these.
We run 14-point regression analysis on synthetic loads specifically designed to find thermal throttling points the press materials ignore. For example, the Apple M3 Max throttles 14% after 22 minutes of sustained load—a metric ignored by 90% of launch-day reviews.
3. The Depreciation Curve
A good product at a bad price is a bad product. We track MSRP vs street price over 36 months.
| Category | Avg MSRP Drop (Yr 1) | Forensic Penalty threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Televisions | -28% | $1500+ |
| GPUs | -14% | $800+ |
| Laptops | -18% | $1200+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept review units?
Yes, but with a signed contract stating we will not honor embargoes if a critical flaw is found.
Who funds Review Examiner?
We are funded by our data-syndication API and direct subscriber support. We do not use Amazon Associates or other CPA programs.