How We Test at Housetra
Last Updated: Apr, 2020
We review products to help you make smarter buying decisions across beauty, wellness, and family essentials.
Our approach is designed for real life: we focus on usability, safety considerations, value, and what you actually get
for your money—then we explain our reasoning in plain English.
Our Review Principles
- Test-first mindset: We prioritize hands-on testing whenever it’s practical and safe.
- Explain the “why”: We don’t just name a pick—we tell you what makes it a good choice and what tradeoffs exist.
- Fit matters: We match products to needs (skin type, lifestyle, family setup, budget) rather than claiming one option is best for everyone.
- Transparency always: We disclose affiliate relationships and product samples, and we separate editorial decisions from monetization.
Step 1: What We Choose to Test
We select products using a mix of reader intent (what people search for), practical availability, and quality signals.
Depending on the category, we may evaluate:
- Consumer demand and common pain points (e.g., “sensitive skin,” “travel stroller,” “sleep support”)
- Ingredient or feature set (especially important for skincare and supplements)
- Safety and compliance basics (especially for baby and family products)
- Brand track record, warranty/support, and typical pricing
- Verified customer feedback patterns (to spot recurring defects or sizing/fit issues)
Step 2: Hands-On Testing (When Possible)
When we can test physically, we use structured, repeatable checks. Examples include:
Beauty & Personal Care
- Ease of use, texture, scent (if applicable), and packaging usability
- Wear time and comfort (e.g., hair tools, deodorants, lip products)
- Skin compatibility notes (we report reactions cautiously and never promise results)
- Cleaning/maintenance and durability for devices and tools
Wellness & Nutrition
- Label clarity: serving size, active ingredients, allergens, warnings
- Form factor: capsules vs. powders vs. gummies, taste/aftertaste (when applicable)
- Practicality: dosing convenience, packaging, subscription options
- Quality signals: manufacturing standards claims and availability of third-party testing information (when provided by the brand)
Baby, Parenting & Family
- Assembly time, instructions, and everyday usability (folding, carrying, cleaning)
- Comfort, adjustability, and space efficiency
- Safety-related checks: stability, harness usability, pinch points, and clarity of safety instructions
- Replacement parts, warranty, and customer support responsiveness (when verifiable)
Step 3: Research & Verification
Not every product can be tested in-house immediately. In those cases, we use careful desk research and clearly label the basis
of our conclusions. Our research may include:
- Manufacturer documentation and user manuals
- Ingredient lists and product labeling details
- Warranty/return policies and support availability
- Reliable third-party references when relevant to safety or health topics
- High-signal customer feedback to identify consistent pros/cons
Step 4: Scoring & Recommendations
We may rate products using category-appropriate criteria. While the exact weighting differs by category,
our recommendations typically consider:
- Performance: does it do what it claims in typical use?
- Usability: is it easy to use, clean, and maintain?
- Comfort/Fit: especially for wearables, baby gear, and skin-facing products
- Quality & Durability: build quality, longevity, reliability
- Value: total cost, refill costs, warranty value, and realistic alternatives
- Safety considerations: warnings, instructions, and category-specific red flags
We always include “who it’s for” and “who should skip it” sections to make the decision clearer.
How We Handle Affiliate Links
Some links on Housetra are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate revenue does not determine our rankings or conclusions.
- We disclose affiliate relationships near the top of relevant pages.
- We may include multiple retailers when possible so you can compare price and availability.
- We update older posts when products change, go out of stock, or no longer meet our standards.
Read our Affiliate Disclosure for more information.
Updates, Corrections, and Product Changes
Products change. Formulas get reformulated, models get replaced, and pricing shifts. We periodically revisit key guides and
update recommendations when needed. If you spot an error or a product change we missed, please contact us.
Medical Disclaimer (Wellness Content)
We do not provide medical advice. Wellness and supplement content is for informational purposes only.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for questions about medical conditions, medications, pregnancy/nursing,
or supplement suitability. Please review our Medical Disclaimer.
Where to Find Our Standards
For full details on our policies, visit Our Standards, including:
Editorial Policy,
How We Test,
and Affiliate Disclosure.
