Frequently asked questions
Everything about how Machine Unpacked scores and ranks tool and equipment picks, and what the method does not cover.
How do you score tools?
Each machine is compared on power, battery platform, price, warranty, and parts availability, weighed against what owners report, then rated 1 to 5 on ease of use, features, value for money, and support. The headline verdict is the mean of those four, expressed out of ten.
Do you personally use every tool you review?
No, and claiming otherwise would be the easy lie in this category. Scores come from spec and platform comparisons, warranty and parts terms, and what owners report on real jobs.
Are your verdicts independent, or do brands pay for better scores?
Independent. Commissions pay for the tools and nothing else. No manufacturer sees a verdict before it publishes, and none has ever talked one up.
What does each pillar measure on a machine?
Ease of use is setup, balance, and controls you can work without reading a manual twice. Features is power, capacity, and fit for the job. Value compares it against the tier above and the tier below. Support means warranty, whether you can still buy parts in five years, and what service is like.
When does a tool verdict get revisited?
We revisit a review when a manufacturer changes the motor, the battery platform, or the warranty, because those are the three things that decide whether a tool is still the right buy.
Do you earn money from the links on this site?
Yes - some links are affiliate links that may pay us a commission at no extra cost to you. Full details are on the disclosure page.
Can I suggest a tool for us to review?
Yes. The contact page comes straight to us, and reader requests decide plenty of what we review next.
Can I tell you how the machine held up on real jobs?
Yes. There is a discussion section under every review, comparison, and guide, and someone who has run the machine for three seasons knows things we do not.
Still have a question? Get in touch - we read everything.