There is a lot of junk in the world. Search for virtually any product online and you’ll find pages of gimmicks, influencer endorsements, and plastic baubles destined for a landfill. The Filter helps you cut through the noise and buy fewer, better things. Our expert reviewers have extensively tested everything from Pfas-free pans and raincoats to plush bath towels, the perfect sleep mask and family board games, so you know what’s worth your money and built to last.

We don’t take your trust for granted. Our journalists must meet the high journalistic standards that you’d expect of the Guardian, and adhere to the Guardian’s editorial code. Our articles are written by humans, not AI. We can spend months testing products for a review, and often enlist professionals, like the chef who tested 17 rice cookers, or the five dermatologists who recommended their favorite facial cleansers. To find the best instant coffees, we partnered with Drexel University’s food lab and did a blind taste test with 85 volunteers.

We evaluate whether a product is fit for purpose, whether it is thoughtfully designed, and consider possible impacts on your health or the environment. Not every solution lies beyond a buy button, so we’ll show how you can repair or upgrade what you already own, as well as avoid unnecessary purchases by steering you away from fake bargains. As a global news organization, we highlight unexpected choices from around the world, like winter attire from residents of Mongolia, or the money-saving clothes dryers beloved in the UK. And when you’re shopping for someone else, we help you find meaningful gifts that will delight and surprise them.

We are completely independent. Companies can’t purchase a spot on our product rankings. If we don’t think a new or vaunted release is actually worth it, we say so, and we investigate questionable and confusing marketing claims. We recommend small businesses when possible.

We’re not here for corporations. We’re here for you, our readers.

What kinds of things do you review?

Everything from the best instant coffee, packing cubes, 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?

The Filter 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 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?

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.

How does the Filter make money?

The Filter 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 as another way to support us.

How can readers get in touch?

We would be delighted to hear from you at thefilter.us@theguardian.com. 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.