Product Selection Process
We select products for review based on a combination of market research, user demand, and editorial judgment. Our selection criteria include:
- Market Popularity: Best-selling models across major retailers (Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, manufacturer direct)
- New Releases: Recently launched products from established manufacturers with significant marketing or claimed innovation
- User Demand: Products our readers frequently ask about via contact forms and search queries
- Category Coverage: We aim to cover all major filtration categories (pitcher, countertop, under-sink, whole-house, reverse osmosis)
- Price Diversity: We review products across the full price spectrum to serve readers with different budgets
We do not review every product on the market. We focus on products that real consumers are actively considering.
Editorial Independence
Filter Tested maintains strict editorial independence. Specifically:
- We do not accept payment from manufacturers for reviews, favorable coverage, or placement in recommendation lists
- We do not allow manufacturers to pre-approve or edit our content before publication
- We do not participate in "pay-to-play" ranking schemes
- Our reviewers and editors have no financial stake in any manufacturer or brand
If a manufacturer attempts to influence our coverage, we disclose this and maintain our independent evaluation regardless.
Affiliate Disclosure
Filter Tested participates in affiliate marketing programs. When readers click certain links on our site and make purchases, we may earn a commission. This does not:
- Affect the price paid by the consumer
- Influence our ratings, rankings, or written evaluations
- Determine which products we select for review
Our full affiliate disclosure is available on our Disclosure page. We only recommend products we have independently evaluated and believe provide value to our readers.
Manufacturer Communication
We may contact manufacturers to:
- Request clarification on technical specifications
- Verify certification claims
- Confirm warranty terms
- Inquire about product availability or discontinuation
We do not accept the following from manufacturers:
- Free products in exchange for favorable coverage
- Paid trips, events, or hospitality
- Pre-release products under embargo with review conditions
- Payment or compensation of any kind
Review Updates
Reviews follow a standard 90-day update cycle. During each cycle, we verify:
- Current pricing and availability
- Certification status (active, expired, or newly added)
- Product discontinuation or replacement by a newer model
- Safety recalls or widely reported defects
A material change (price change exceeding 20%, safety recall, new certification, or discontinuation) triggers an immediate update outside the normal cycle.
Removal Policy
We remove products from our recommendations when:
- The product is officially discontinued by the manufacturer
- A safety recall is issued by the manufacturer or regulatory body
- The product no longer meets our minimum performance standards relative to newer alternatives
- Certifications are revoked or expire without renewal
When a product is removed, we update the review to explain why and direct readers to currently recommended alternatives.