Welcome to our user guide to Good Food product reviews and taste tests. Here, we explain our selection process, test criteria and methods and introduce you to some of our on-test team. If you have a question that’s not answered here, please drop us a line on goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
As the UK’s number one food media brand, Good Food is trusted for its quality home-cooking recipes and buyer’s guides.
Our reviews experts test and rate hundreds of products a year to bring readers fully impartial, up-to-date product advice and help you find the best products for every budget, from kitchen appliances to tools, gadgets and equipment.
Products are carefully shortlisted, tested, scrutinised and scored against strict review criteria in controlled conditions. Only the best products make it into our detailed, easy-to-digest buyer’s guides as trusted recommendations and star buys.
Jump to section:
- Why you can trust us
- How we select products to review
- How products are scored
- Good Food product accreditation badges
- Meet our expert product reviewers
Why you can trust us
Every review on goodfood.com follows a strict editorial ethics policy and adheres to our editorial guidelines.
Products are included to give Good Food readers unbiased, tried-and-tested advice on what’s genuinely worth buying right now.
What makes Good Food reviews different is our food-first expertise. We’re a food brand, not a consumer-testing organisation, and our reviews are shaped by how products perform in real kitchens and real lives. We test products the way you would use them at home: cooking, tasting, cleaning and living with them, not just by comparing specs or lab scores.
Our reviews are carried out by experienced food editors, cooks and specialists who know what actually matters when you’re cooking, eating and entertaining. We’re transparent about how we test, who tests and what we’re looking for, so you can see the thinking behind our recommendations.
We also believe that trust comes from honesty. That means we’re clear when a product falls short and sometimes we’ll tell you when you don’t need to buy something at all. Our goal isn’t to push products, but to help you spend your money wisely on things you’ll actually use and enjoy.
Everything is designed to feel true to the Good Food brand: accessible, reliable, expert and warm. In short, we’re trusted food experts helping you choose products you’ll genuinely use and love.
How we select products to review
When we plan a review or taste test, we start with extensive research to make sure we’re covering the products our readers are most interested in. This includes looking at what people are searching for, current trends, availability and what’s genuinely new or noteworthy in the category.
Where possible, we test a broad cross-section of products so that budget, mid-range and premium options are represented. Most products we review are available to buy nationwide through online retailers, as this reflects how the majority of our readers shop. Occasionally, we may consider limited-run or seasonal products where they’re particularly relevant, but our focus is always on accessibility and usefulness.
As we’ve built up years of testing data across many categories, our approach has evolved. In some cases, we may test a single new product when it launches rather than re-testing the entire market. When we do this, that product is still assessed against the performance of all other products we’ve previously tested in the same category, using our established criteria and benchmarks.
Brands cannot pay to be placed within a review or best list. Every product is included or excluded on merit alone, based on how it performs in our tests and how well it meets the needs of home cooks.
How products are scored
Whether we’re reviewing coffee grinders, air fryers or ice cream makers, every product is scored using clear, consistent criteria agreed before testing begins.
Before any testing starts, our review team works closely with the Good Food cookery hub to define what really matters for that category. This includes performance, ease of use, build quality, value for money and any category-specific considerations. These criteria are set out in a testing grid that we refer to as our testing matrix. Each review has its own matrix, tailored to the type of product being tested, but the underlying principles remain the same.
Where food is involved, products are tested using Good Food’s triple-tested recipes wherever possible. These recipes are designed to deliver reliable, repeatable results, which means we can assess products fairly and consistently. Using the same trusted recipes allows us to compare how well different products perform under the same conditions, whether that’s brewing coffee, baking, chopping or cooking.
Food products are tested blind so that branding and price don’t influence the outcome. For gadgets and equipment, we replicate a real kitchen environment, using products as they would be used at home rather than in artificial lab conditions. All tests are carried out in controlled conditions to ensure results are fair and comparable.
Each product is scored by our experts against core criteria (the essentials a product must do well) and contributing criteria (additional features or benefits that may enhance the experience). These scores are combined to produce an overall star rating.
Only products that achieve an average score of 3.5 stars or above are considered for recommendation in our best lists. A higher score reflects consistently strong performance across the areas that matter most to home cooks.
Kitchen appliances, equipment and utensils
Would we buy it ourselves? That’s the question our experienced review team keeps front of mind as every appliance, piece of equipment or utensil is put through its paces.
Our testing methods are designed to reflect real-life cooking. We replicate the everyday kitchen tasks a product is designed for, using it as a home cook would, while also introducing additional challenges to test performance, durability and versatility beyond the basics.
For the cooking element of each test, we use Good Food’s triple-tested recipes, ensuring consistent, reliable results that allow fair comparisons between products. Alongside this, each product is scored out of five against a set of core criteria, which together determine its overall star rating.
Overall performance: The most important measure. This reflects how well the product does what it’s designed to do, with particular emphasis on cooking results. It also takes into account all other criteria combined.
Quality of materials: We assess build quality, robustness and longevity. Well-made products with sturdy components that feel built to last score more highly than those that feel flimsy or poorly finished.
Value for money: We consider whether the price feels justified based on performance, build quality and brand credibility. Products that overpromise for the price, or feel expensive for what they deliver, score lower here.
Ease of use and cleaning: We look for intuitive setup, clear controls and straightforward cleaning, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. Gadgets that are simple, logical and low-faff tend to perform best in this area.
Safety: This is essential, particularly in busy kitchens or homes with children. We assess features such as auto shut-off functions, cool-touch exteriors, blade covers, heatproof handles and overall stability during use.
Environmental credentials: We favour brands that take sustainability seriously, from responsible manufacturing and distribution to repairability and longevity. This includes considerations such as energy efficiency, warranties, availability of spare parts, recycled materials and recognised certifications such as B Corp.
Versatility: We score products on how adaptable they are in the kitchen. Multi-use appliances that perform several tasks well can save space, time and money, making them more valuable for everyday cooking.
Accessibility and usability: We consider how inclusive and easy a product is to use for a wide range of people. This includes whether it works well for both right- and left-handed users, can be operated comfortably with one hand and has controls, displays or markings that are clear and easy to see. Products that are thoughtfully designed, comfortable to handle and simple to operate score more highly, particularly where they reduce unnecessary strain or complexity in everyday cooking.
Every score reflects how a product performs in real kitchens, for real cooks, not just how it looks on paper.
Food products
All food and drink products are tested blind by our food and cookery teams. This means tasters don’t know the brand, price or retailer during scoring, helping to ensure feedback is fair, impartial and based purely on what’s on the plate or in the glass.
Before testing begins, we agree a set of clear judging criteria tailored to the category being assessed. These criteria are standardised across all products in that test, allowing us to compare like with like and reach meaningful conclusions.
Every product is scored against core sensory criteria, including:
Flavour: Is the taste balanced, well-developed and enjoyable?
Texture: Does the texture suit the product, whether that’s smooth, crisp, creamy or chewy?
Appeal: Who would enjoy this product and in what context? Is it likely to please a broad audience or a more specific taste?
Aroma: Does the product smell fresh, inviting and true to its ingredients?
Appearance: Does it look appetising and appealing when served as intended?
In addition to these core measures, we set category-specific criteria in advance to reflect what matters most for that type of food. For example, a chocolate taste test may assess snap, melt and mouthfeel, while a Christmas pigs in blankets taste test might look at the quality of the sausage, the flavour and crispness of the bacon, seasoning balance and how well the product cooks and browns.
By using blind testing, agreed criteria and consistent scoring, we’re able to judge products fairly and recommend those that genuinely stand out on taste and quality alone. Brand recognition and price never influence our scores: taste always comes first.
Supplements
When reviewing supplements, we combine expert guidance with hands-on testing to ensure our recommendations are both responsible and useful for everyday use.
Every supplement review is informed by input from a registered nutrition professional, who helps shape the testing criteria. This ensures we understand how different ingredients work in the body, what to look for in terms of formulation and dosing and how to assess products in a way that reflects real-world use.
Before testing begins, we clearly define the scope of the review to ensure fair comparisons. Products are always taken according to the manufacturer’s instructions and observations are recorded consistently using our agreed testing criteria.
We include supplements from a range of brands and price points, so readers can compare options to suit different budgets, preferences and dietary needs.
Depending on the category, supplements are assessed against criteria that may include:
Ease of use: How easy is the supplement to take and incorporate into a daily routine? This includes clarity of instructions and how straightforward it is to use consistently.
Active ingredients and dosage: We assess the type and amount of active ingredients provided per daily dose and how this aligns with recognised nutritional guidance. Where relevant, we look for transparency around ingredient sources, potency and expiry information.
Formulation and quality: We consider how the supplement has been formulated, including whether ingredients are combined in a way that supports effectiveness.
Additives: We check for unnecessary additives such as artificial sweeteners, colourings or preservatives and score products more highly when formulations are kept simple and purposeful.
Dietary requirements: We assess whether products are suitable for specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets and whether this information is clearly communicated.
Value for money: We compare products on a cost-per-day basis, weighing price against ingredient quality and overall experience.
Good Food product accreditation badges
We only recommend products we truly rate and would buy ourselves. Our accreditation badges are available for products which achieve an average rating of 4-stars or above during testing, providing brands the invaluable opportunity to align with Good Food’s authoritative brand name.
- Good Food Star-Buy
5-stars
- Good Food Highly Recommended
4.5-stars
- Good Food Recommended
4-stars
A note to brands: the Good Food logo and accreditation badges should not be used unless authorised by and purchased from Immediate Media. For information on our accreditation opportunities and rate card, please contact rebecca.mccarthy-smith@immediate.co.uk.
Meet our expert product reviewers
Our on-test team is a combination of Good Food staff, home economists, product experts and specialist writers. Meet some of our team.
Lydia Anderson
Lydia is Good Food’s e-commerce and reviews editor. She has a wealth of writing and reviewing experience across a range of titles, including Good Food, olive, Gardeners’ World and more. She previously managed testing across Immediate Media’s kitchen, household and gardening brands. She works with a team of writers and freelancers who produce content about a range of kitchen appliances, kit and tools. She also writes about food and drink, and curates gift guides.
Lucy Roxburgh
Lucy is content editor across Good Food and olivemagazine.com, specialising in food and drink reviews and leading our Supermarket Taste Awards. Before joining the team, she trained at Leiths and worked as a private chef and digital editor at Tesco Real Food. She works with our team of freelancers on producing new content, as well as writing food reviews and gift guides.
Natalie Bass
Natalie is a senior digital reviews writer for goodfood.com. Previously a print journalist specialising in education and parenting, she now tests and reviews appliances and cookware across a range of product categories, to help readers with their buying decisions. Natalie also oversees Good Food’s coffee machine content and has a Barista Skills qualification from the Speciality Coffee Association.
Laura Forsyth
Laura is the health and fitness content creator for Good Food and olive. She brings over 12 years’ experience as an award-winning journalist and commercial editor for national publications. A pro-level bodybuilding athlete, Laura reviews everything from kitchen gadgets and fitness wear to the latest wellness devices and supplements.
Elaine Lemm
Elaine is a former chef trained at the Ritz Escoffier School in Paris and was the owner of renowned cookery school Cuisine Eclairée for 10 years with bases in the UK, Italy, France, and Sweden. She now shares her passion for food and cooking as a freelance writer and is the author of three food books. Elaine tests a variety of kitchen equipment for Good Food, including rolling pins, steamers, bread makers and milk frothers.
Annie Collyer
Annie is a freelance journalist with 8 years of experience, mostly in the homes sector. She mainly creates shopping content, including buying guides and reviews.
Gabrielle Sander
Gabrielle’s first food feature was about beer and pies for her local paper. Fast forward over 20 years and she’s still as passionate about discovering and sharing delicious things to eat and drink, for titles such as Food and Travel, The Telegraph and The Independent, and as a judge for the Great Taste Awards.
Anna Lawson
Anna was food and reviews writer for Good Food. She now freelances for the brand and has tried and tested hundreds of products for the Good Food reviews section, from frying pans and woks to brownies.
Katie Gregory
Katie is a freelance features writer and copywriter. Her writing clients include household brands like TUI, M&S and Amazon. Katie reviews products, covering everything from toys and games to kitchen gadgets.
Keeping reviews up to date
Product reviews are checked every six months in order to ensure product availability and accurate pricing. Taste tests are checked every 12 months. We also encourage and rely on our loyal users to reach out and let us know if they spot a change to any of the information provided on the reviewed products, including the prices listed on our price comparison widgets. To get in touch, email goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Why not take a look around our reviews section and see what we’ve been putting to the test recently?
Some of our most popular reviews:
Best air fryers
Best slow cookers
Best espresso machines
Best dishwashers
Best food processors
Best stand mixers
Best dehydrators
Best ice cream makers
If you have a comment or suggestion about the Good Food product reviews or taste tests, or a query that isn’t covered in the frequently asked questions above, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
