How we rate
Every meta score is created using the same transparent process – independent, verifiable and free from advertising influence.
- 958
- products reviewed
- 4
- data sources
- 0–100
- meta score scale
- 100 %
- independent & ad-free
How the meta score is composed
The score is a weighted average of external test sources and our own user reviews.
88 × 70 % + 82 × 30 % = 86
Drag the sliders: this runs on the very same function that produces the score on every product page. Standard weighting, adjustable per category. The star rating (AggregateRating) is based exclusively on our own user reviews.
What a number means
The meta score runs from 0 to 100. These are the zones behind it – and this is how the values really spread across our catalog.
Distribution across our catalog
958 of 958 with a score- Excellent80–100
- Good65–79
- Fair50–64
- Poor0–49
958 of 958 published products carry a meta score. Products without a solid data basis deliberately get none – better no rating than a guessed one.
Five steps to the meta score
From data collection to the finished rating – this is how our process works.
- 1
Collect data
We gather independent test reports, community experiences and up-to-date shop data – automated and refreshed regularly.
From multiple sources - 2
AI groups & verifies
Our AI assigns individual statements to the matching criteria, paraphrases them with source attribution and filters out duplicates and untrustworthy reviews.
Duplicate & fake filter - 3
Weight in two stages
First, our editors rate every device against the fixed criteria of its category, each with its own weight. We then combine this editorial rating with independent test reports and ratings from our readers to form the meta score.
Transparent weighting - 4
Form the meta score
The result is a verifiable meta score from 0 to 100 that lets you compare products directly across all sources.
Score 0–100 - 5
Editors review & approve
Before anything goes live, an editor reads every text and its rating. The AI produces drafts – only what a human has checked and approved gets published.
Human approval
Our data sources
We never rely on a single source – only the combination gives a reliable picture.
Test reports & magazines
Editorial tests and expert articles
Community & forums
Experiences from forums and discussions
User reviews
Verified reviews from our own community
Shop data
Up-to-date prices & availability
Clear boundaries
Independence means above all: there are things we deliberately do not do.
What we do
- Ratings drawn solely from reviews and genuine user feedback
- Every external statement paraphrased and sourced
- Commissions disclosed openly – on every single link
- Scores change as soon as new data arrives
What we don’t do
- No manufacturer can buy a placement
- No external texts or verdicts copied word for word
- No stars from third-party ratings in the Google markup
- No score for products without a data basis
How our texts are written
Transparency is part of the method: our reviews are evaluations of many sources, not measurements in our own lab – this is how they come about.
- The basis is expert reviews, customer feedback, manufacturer information and the product's specifications. We evaluate and paraphrase – nothing is copied word for word.
- An AI assists us with sorting, summarizing and the first draft. It writes drafts – nothing is published automatically.
- Before publication, the figures are automatically checked against the specifications and the sources; an editor reads the text, reviews the findings and approves it. Discrepancies are corrected, not adopted.
- Every review names the responsible editor, the sources evaluated and the date of the current version. What we can't substantiate, we don't claim.
How we create our ratings
We do not test in a laboratory ourselves. Instead, we combine independent test reports, expert opinions, and verified user reviews into a transparent meta-rating from 0 to 100 – weighted by product category.
This way, you get a reliable overall score at a glance, without having to search through dozens of individual sources yourself. Which tests were included is shown for each product in the section “What other tests say” – with a link to the respective source.
Datasheets and comparison
For each product, we maintain a structured datasheet based on manufacturer information and aggregated sources – from the core specifications to the equipment details. These exact fields make our filters and direct product comparison possible; we update them regularly.
Independence and transparency
- The star rating is based exclusively on real, verified user reviews – never on third-party ratings.
- Affiliate commissions do not influence the rating.
- We hide outdated prices instead of displaying them.
Spot a mistake or miss a source? Let us know – we'll fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you test the products yourselves?
No. We do not buy or test devices ourselves. We bring together what independent reviews, community experience and verified user ratings add up to – structured, comparable and always with a source. That is exactly why the result is called a meta score, not a verdict of our own.
How often is the data updated?
Prices and availability are pulled from the shops automatically, daily to several times a day. The meta score is recalculated as soon as a new rating comes in – that is, whenever a review has been processed or a user rating approved.
Do affiliate links influence the rating?
No. Only ratings go into the formula – commission, shop or availability simply do not appear in it. The order of our rankings follows the score as well, not the payout.
Why do some products have no score at all?
Because the evidence is too thin. A score built on a single voice would be false precision – we would rather show the specs and the offers and leave the number out until enough ratings exist.
How do you deal with fake reviews?
Our own user ratings are approved by hand before they go live. For external sources we filter out duplicates and implausible patterns instead of counting every voice.
Why does Google sometimes show different stars than your score?
Those are two different things. The stars in Google results come exclusively from our own user ratings – external test verdicts must not feed into them. The meta score on the page takes both into account.
The people behind cybermag
Our editorial team
Our authors assess reviews, data and user experiences with transparency, independence and clear subject-matter expertise.
Clara Seidel
Personal care editor
No posts
Daniel Krüger
Workshop & DIY editor
No posts
Elif Kaya
Baby & kids editor
No posts
Felix Brandt
Smart home & security editor
No posts
Jonas Bergmann
Fitness editor
6 posts
Lena Hartmann
Kitchen editor
No posts
Luca Moretti
Energy & mobility editor
No posts
Miriam Kohl
Home & garden editor
6 posts
Nina Albrecht
Pets editor
No posts
Sarah Nowak
Computers & office editor
No posts
Tobias Wendt
TV, audio & photo editor
No posts
Independent & transparent
We are funded by affiliate links – but they have no influence on the score or ranking. We clearly label paid placements; rating is based solely on the data.