How we score and compare
Specs from the source. A formula you can check.
Last updated
Where the specs come from
Every spec comes from the maker's own product, spec or support page. Each product page links that source and the date we checked it. We never copy specs from retailers or reviews, and we leave a spec out when the maker doesn't state it.
Some specs were first read from the official page through a search tool and are marked for a second check on the page itself. Those product pages stay out of search results until that check is done.
Hands-on or research-based
Unless an article names the person who used the product, it is research-based. We never write "we tested" without a named tester.
The Offerove spec score
The score turns a few key specs into a number from 4 to 10. Each spec is placed on a fixed scale (worst to best, 0 to 1), multiplied by its weight, and added up. The total is then mapped to the score: 4 + 6 x total. A product at the bottom of every scale scores 4.0; one at the top of every scale scores 10.0. If a spec is missing, its weight is dropped and the rest are rescaled. If more than 40% of the weight is missing, we show no score.
Fixed scales mean a product's score never changes because we add another product. The score does not include price yet. A value component (performance per dollar) is added once live prices are on.
Laptops
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory | 20% | 8 | 32 |
| Storage | 10% | 256 | 1000 |
| Refresh rate | 15% | 60 | 240 |
| Brightness | 10% | 250 | 600 |
| Portability (lower weight) | 20% | 2.6 | 1.1 |
| Battery capacity | 25% | 40 | 90 |
Monitors
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate | 30% | 60 | 360 |
| Resolution (megapixels) | 25% | 2.07 | 8.29 |
| Response time (lower) | 20% | 5 | 0.03 |
| Brightness | 25% | 250 | 600 |
Headphones
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 35% | 20 | 60 |
| Noise cancelling | 25% | 0 | 1 |
| Multipoint | 15% | 0 | 1 |
| Weight (lower) | 25% | 350 | 220 |
Earbuds
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life per charge | 35% | 4 | 10 |
| Noise cancelling | 25% | 0 | 1 |
| Water resistance (IPX level) | 20% | 0 | 7 |
| Multipoint | 20% | 0 | 1 |
Gaming headsets
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 40% | 20 | 100 |
| Weight (lower) | 30% | 400 | 250 |
| Wireless | 10% | 0 | 1 |
| Driver size | 20% | 40 | 53 |
Mice
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (lower) | 35% | 140 | 50 |
| Polling rate | 25% | 125 | 8000 |
| Battery life | 40% | 40 | 150 |
Keyboards
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-swap switches | 30% | 0 | 1 |
| Polling rate | 30% | 125 | 8000 |
| Battery life | 40% | 20 | 200 |
Webcams
| Spec | Weight | Worst | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max resolution | 30% | 2.07 | 8.29 |
| Max frame rate | 25% | 30 | 120 |
| Autofocus | 20% | 0 | 1 |
| Field of view | 25% | 65 | 90 |
Consoles, handhelds, controllers and microphones have no score yet: their key specs don't rank well on one scale.
What a verified deal means
A deal is verified when the price is at least 10% under the store's own list price and the item is in stock. We don't track price history, so we never say "lowest ever" or "record low".
A "Check the price" warning means the "was" price is above the maker's list price.
Prices and stores
Prices only come from official store feeds and APIs, never from copying store pages. Each price shows when it was checked. Until a store approves us, its button reads "Check price at" with no number.
Updates
Guides show an "Updated" date and a change log. We re-check guides at least every 90 days and when a model changes. Mistakes are logged on our corrections page.