Clear about how we evaluate products
Not every product on Proper Pigeon is evaluated the same way — and we don’t think it should be. A $40 accessory and a $2,000 laptop don’t deserve the same process, and pretending otherwise usually means faking depth that isn’t there.
Instead, every piece of content on this site falls into one of four evaluation types, and we tell you which one applies before you’re deep into the article.
1. Hands-On Tested
We used the product directly — installed it, configured it, and used it under real conditions relevant to what it’s meant to do. What we report reflects what we actually observed, including any limitations or inconsistencies we ran into.
Hands-on testing has real limits: a single unit, a single environment, a limited testing window. We describe those conditions rather than presenting one experience as universal.
2. Spec & Source Analysis
When hands-on testing wasn’t performed, we say so clearly, and the evaluation is based on vendor documentation, published technical specifications, official statements, and other publicly available information.
This type of content is useful for understanding what a product claims to do and how it compares on paper — but it is not a substitute for direct experience, and we’re upfront about that distinction.
3. Side-by-Side Comparison
Comparison content evaluates multiple products against the same explicit criteria — price, features, specifications, use case fit, and other factors relevant to the decision at hand.
The goal of a comparison isn’t to crown a universal “winner.” It’s to help you understand which option fits your specific situation, because the best product for one person’s use case is often the wrong one for someone else’s.
4. Reviewed for Accuracy
Technology changes — prices shift, features get added or removed, companies change policies. We periodically review published content and update material information when appropriate.
We don’t promise continuous, real-time monitoring of every article. If you notice something that looks outdated or incorrect, we welcome you to flag it through our email us at contact@properpigeon.com.
The Proper Pick Seal
When you see the Proper Pick seal on an article, it means we consider that product particularly worth considering based on the specific criteria evaluated in that piece — not a universal “best of the internet” claim.
We use this seal selectively. It only appears when an article presents enough evidence and clear criteria to justify the recommendation, not by default on every product we cover.
Affiliate Relationships and Editorial Independence
Proper Pigeon participates in affiliate programs, and some links on this site may earn us a commission. This does not determine which products we cover, how we evaluate them, or whether a product receives the Proper Pick seal.
A product can appear on this site with no affiliate relationship at all. Likewise, having an affiliate relationship with a vendor never guarantees positive coverage. Full details are available in our Affiliate Disclosure.
Questions About a Specific Review
If you want to know how a specific article was evaluated, that information is stated directly in the piece — usually near the beginning. If it isn’t clear, or if you think we got something wrong, email us at contact@properpigeon.com.