How We Test

Every product score on Tech Hub Nerd comes from hands-on testing in our lab and in real homes. Here's exactly how we do it.

1. We buy or borrow — we don't keep

Most test units are manufacturer loans, returned after review. Retail purchases are made anonymously where possible. Nobody keeps review units, so there's no incentive to soften a score.

2. Phones: two weeks as a daily driver

• Battery: scripted video playback + real-world day test. We report screen-on time, not marketing hours.
• Camera: Fixed shot list in daylight, low light, and portrait — compared side-by-side against the current class leader.
• Performance: Standardized app-launch and export benchmarks, plus 30 minutes of sustained gaming to check throttling.
• Software: We count promised update years and check the manufacturer has actually delivered on past promises.

3. Laptops & computers

• Real battery test (browsing/video loop at fixed brightness) — not the manufacturer's number.
• Keyboard, trackpad, screen quality and thermals measured in person.
• Sustained performance under a 30-minute full load.

4. TVs, audio & smart home

• Calibrated measurement tools for brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
• Listening tests against reference devices at matched volume.
• Router testing uses fixed-position speed tests on multiple floors.

5. Our scoring system

Editorial scores are 0–100: 90+ exceptional, 80–89 excellent, 70–79 good with caveats, 60–69 average, below 60 hard to recommend. User ratings (★1–5) are separate and never averaged into our editorial score.

6. Corrections policy

Found an error? Tell us. Verified corrections are noted on the page — we don't edit reviews quietly.