What are the best focused review sites?
February 1, 2022 7:27 AM Subscribe
Taking a cue from this question, please tell me your favorite product review/database site that focuses on one particular item or subject.
I'm not looking for broad recommendation or review sites, so no Wirecutter, Strategist, Recommendo, etc. Outdoorgearlab, rtings, 99spokes , and The Pen Addict are in the ballpark, but I'm definitely also looking for forums and individual blogs that are really into, say, broadforks: think sites like Peter's Planets or The Ramen Rater. If you can vouch for a particular subreddit, that's also fine.
I'm not looking for broad recommendation or review sites, so no Wirecutter, Strategist, Recommendo, etc. Outdoorgearlab, rtings, 99spokes , and The Pen Addict are in the ballpark, but I'm definitely also looking for forums and individual blogs that are really into, say, broadforks: think sites like Peter's Planets or The Ramen Rater. If you can vouch for a particular subreddit, that's also fine.
If I wanted to buy iPhone games, I would go read TouchArcade for recommendations.
If I wanted to buy a pocketknife or a flashlight, I would go read Everyday Commentary.
If I wanted to choose the latest addition to my extensive flashlight collection, I'd read ZeroAir.
posted by box at 7:45 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
If I wanted to buy a pocketknife or a flashlight, I would go read Everyday Commentary.
If I wanted to choose the latest addition to my extensive flashlight collection, I'd read ZeroAir.
posted by box at 7:45 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Parka Blogs is one of the best sites in the world for art supplies, instructional art books, everything for visual artists.
posted by overeducated_alligator at 7:46 AM on February 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by overeducated_alligator at 7:46 AM on February 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
dcrainmaker for running/cycling electronics
babygearlab for car seats (they actually do independent crash tests)
posted by jessica fletcher did it at 7:47 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
babygearlab for car seats (they actually do independent crash tests)
posted by jessica fletcher did it at 7:47 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
I like Tom's Guide for tech type reviews.
MakeupAlley is a user-generated review site for makeup enthusiasts and I have found their aggregate reviews helpful.
posted by hepta at 7:52 AM on February 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
MakeupAlley is a user-generated review site for makeup enthusiasts and I have found their aggregate reviews helpful.
posted by hepta at 7:52 AM on February 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
Also r/skincareaddiction is a treasure trove of skincare information.
posted by hepta at 7:53 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by hepta at 7:53 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
For gifts for kids: The Kid Should See This Gift Guide
posted by gwint at 8:29 AM on February 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by gwint at 8:29 AM on February 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
Fred’s Shed for gardening tools and equipment (UK).
posted by fabius at 10:15 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by fabius at 10:15 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you're looking for SCUBA gear, Scubaboard has a couple of forums that are very helpful. For beginners looking to move from renting to owning their first kit, there's Diving Into New Gear. And for more experienced folks, everything else is in Diving Gear.
As much as I hate to plug Reddit, if you are looking for backpacking gear, by far the best place to get thoughtful suggestions and reviews is r/Ultralight. There are so many people there who have spent literal years on trails and know what works in the literal long haul.
posted by wnissen at 10:32 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
As much as I hate to plug Reddit, if you are looking for backpacking gear, by far the best place to get thoughtful suggestions and reviews is r/Ultralight. There are so many people there who have spent literal years on trails and know what works in the literal long haul.
posted by wnissen at 10:32 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Dave's Mechanical Pencils is what it says on the tin.
posted by davidest at 11:03 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by davidest at 11:03 AM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
DPReview was always where I'd go looking for information when I would buy new cameras.
MacRumors buying guides tell you where in the Mac/iPhone/peripheral product cycle Apple is and advises whether it's a good time to buy or not, as well as does good reviews.
posted by jessamyn at 12:12 PM on February 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
MacRumors buying guides tell you where in the Mac/iPhone/peripheral product cycle Apple is and advises whether it's a good time to buy or not, as well as does good reviews.
posted by jessamyn at 12:12 PM on February 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
Since we have pens and mechanical pencils covered, we might as well complete the trifecta: for hardcase pencils, check Pencil Revolution.
posted by box at 12:23 PM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by box at 12:23 PM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Blister for ski and skiing equipment reviews
posted by lalochezia at 3:38 PM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by lalochezia at 3:38 PM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've found Good e-Reader a good source for e-reader reviews.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:09 PM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:09 PM on February 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
For video games, Yahtzee Croshaw at Zero Punctuation.
posted by k3ninho at 12:26 AM on February 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by k3ninho at 12:26 AM on February 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Jet Pens (although also selling the product) has great guides to pens, writing utensils, and other stationary items.
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:05 AM on February 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:05 AM on February 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
Projectorcentral.com for projectors
posted by wowenthusiast at 10:18 AM on February 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wowenthusiast at 10:18 AM on February 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
I recently was shopping for trail running shoes and found RunRepeat the most in depth and helpful. Looks like they cover all sorts of footwear (hiking boots, climbing shoes, sport shoes, etc).
posted by metaname at 1:54 PM on February 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by metaname at 1:54 PM on February 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
r/vacuumcleaners for, well, vacuum cleaners.
r/moissanite for (surprisingly) a ton of info about affordably sourced lab diamonds, not just moissanite, as well as how to order custom fine jewelry from overseas manufacturers.
Rtings.com for: TVs, headphones, monitors, soundbars, mice, keyboards, printers, vacuums, blenders, speakers, cameras, and laptops. If what you're shopping for falls into one of those core electronics categories, they're a great resource.
posted by serelliya at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
r/moissanite for (surprisingly) a ton of info about affordably sourced lab diamonds, not just moissanite, as well as how to order custom fine jewelry from overseas manufacturers.
Rtings.com for: TVs, headphones, monitors, soundbars, mice, keyboards, printers, vacuums, blenders, speakers, cameras, and laptops. If what you're shopping for falls into one of those core electronics categories, they're a great resource.
posted by serelliya at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
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product X, I would go readsite Yfor recommendations.posted by zamboni at 7:35 AM on February 1, 2022 [1 favorite]