The Filter US is the Guardian’s new product reviews and recommendations site, grounded in rigorous testing and first-hand experience. We’ll offer rigorous assessments of items for home, travel, wellness and more, as well as enlightening interviews with product experts, advice on taking care of what you already own, and gift guides to help you find thoughtful things for others.
Our approach is shaped by the fact that the Guardian is a global news organization, and we will seek perspectives on what to buy from around the world. Moreover, we will take into account questions of sustainability and ethical consumption. Our goal is to help you buy fewer, better things.
We will also advise what not to buy. If we don’t think a new or vaunted release is actually worth it, we’ll say so, and we will flag questionable marketing claims or deals that aren’t really deals. Importantly, we are independent and companies can’t purchase a spot on our product rankings.
What kinds of things do you review?
Everything from the best instant coffee, rice cookers, bike locks and blenders to skin cleansers, wedding gifts and college dorm essentials. We suggest “buy it for life” products – high-quality items built to last – such as a beloved chef’s knife, a great backpack, durable sandals and socks that are guaranteed for life. And we tell you which tech is overhyped (the new iPhone) and which is worth your money (eSIMs for travelers). Stay tuned – we have a lot more on the way.
Who writes the Filter US?
The Filter US is created by an editorial team at the Guardian, and we commission reviewers based on their product expertise and independence.
How do you test products?
In ranking the best products, we think reviewers need to have significant real-world experience of them before they can be recommended to readers. This can range from long-term usage at home to destructive testing, when we assess the durability of a product by measuring how long it takes to break it. We also seek out the opinions of experts – including our readers.
What other values inform recommendations at Filter US?
We believe that unfettered consumerism will have a detrimental effect on our planet, and seek to recommend products proven to last. We may also note possible risks linked to a product, such as non-stick coatings in cookware, and offer alternatives.
Can companies pay to be included?
No. Reviewers choose which products to include based on their expertise and research.
How do you obtain products to test, and what do you do with products once you have tested them?
We ask companies to supply test samples. If they do not, we purchase them. Once our reviewers have finished testing, they return items to companies or donate them to charity. In some cases they retain products so they can perform long-term assessments.
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How does the Filter US make money?
The Filter US makes money when readers click on a link in our product reviews – we receive a small percentage of any purchases that are made. There is no extra cost to the consumer to buy something this way, but for transparency, all articles that contain these links will include a disclosure statement at the top. (There are some products for which we do not earn revenue in this way – but we may still link to them. This is because we think it is more important to guide readers to the highest-quality purchases, as determined by our reviewers, than it is for us to make money.)
The Guardian does not have billionaire owners or shareholders. It is owned by a trust and supported by readers and advertising. All of our profits are reinvested in journalism. Think of the Filter US as another way to support us.
How can readers get in touch?
We would be delighted to hear from you at [email protected]. Tell us what you think we should be reviewing, your experiences of particular products, or even if you disagree with something we’ve recommended.
Please also sign up for our weekly newsletter, which will offer smart and thoughtful shopping tips.
Our standard disclaimer
We are not responsible for the quality and/or the safety of any product that you purchase, or the content on a third-party site – see our terms and conditions for more details.
