How we pick products
Short version: we pick products from published facts – manufacturer specifications, energy ratings, retailer listings and reputable published reviews – and we show our working. We do not claim to have tested products ourselves, and no brand can pay to be featured.
What we do
- Shortlist from specifications. We compare the numbers that matter for each type of product (capacity, rated power, energy label, noise, warranty, size) using the manufacturer’s own spec sheet or a major UK retailer listing.
- Read what others found. Where reputable reviewers or large numbers of verified buyers report a consistent strength or problem, we take it into account and say so.
- Work out running costs. For anything that uses electricity, we estimate what it costs to run in a UK home (see below). This is often a bigger number over a few years than the difference in purchase price.
- Check UK availability. We only recommend models that are on sale in the UK when we publish or update a page, and we date every price we show.
What we don’t do
- We don’t say “we tested” when we didn’t. If we ever test something hands-on, the page will say exactly what we did.
- We don’t accept payment, free products or sponsored placements in exchange for a recommendation.
- We don’t invent discounts or “was” prices.
How running costs are calculated
Running cost per use = rated power in kilowatts × hours of use × unit rate. For appliances rated per cycle (such as tumble dryers), we use the kWh per cycle from the energy label or manufacturer data instead.
The unit rate we use is the current Ofgem price cap for electricity paid by Direct Debit. We update it on every site page when the cap changes each quarter. Standing charges are left out, because you pay them whether or not the appliance is switched on.
These are estimates. Appliances with a thermostat, such as ovens and heaters, switch on and off once they are up to temperature, so a figure at full rated power is an upper estimate. Your own tariff may also differ from the cap. Our running cost calculator lets you enter your own numbers.
Prices and links
Prices change often. Where we show a price, we show the date it was checked. If we haven’t confirmed a current price, we say so and link to retailers instead. Where we can, we link to more than one UK retailer so you can compare.
Keeping pages up to date
We review running-cost figures each quarter when the energy price cap changes, and check product availability at the same time. Each guide shows when it was last updated. If you spot something wrong, please tell us and we will correct it.
Who we are
Rational Picks is a small independent UK site, operated by Aedatum Ltd. Guides are written and checked by the Rational Picks editorial team. How we make money is explained in our affiliate disclosure.
