Every product on PlugPrep gets one score out of 100, built from four parts. The parts never change, the weights never change, and a product’s affiliate commission is not one of them. You’ll also see the score written as a /10 in parentheses — same number, smaller clothes.
What are the four parts of the score?
| Part | Weight | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | 30 | How solid is what we know? Full manufacturer spec sheets, warranty terms in writing, and large samples of verified-owner feedback score high. Thin specs and a handful of reviews score low — a product can lose points here just for being an unknown. |
| Cost | 25 | Not just the sticker. Purchase price against what you get, plus the cost to own: installation and any panel work, electricity at off-peak rates, replacement cables and holsters, and how long the warranty actually protects you. |
| Owner experience | 25 | The patterns in verified-owner feedback, counted. Recurring praise and recurring complaints both move this number, weighted by how many owners are reporting and how long they’ve owned the product. |
| Fit for your home and car | 20 | How many real homes and vehicles this product actually works in. Connector types (J1772 and NACS), cord length and mounting options, circuit sizes from 20A to 80A, outdoor ratings, and whether it plays well with your utility’s off-peak programs. |
Where does the information come from?
Three sources, in this order: the manufacturer’s published specifications and warranty documents; the current price, verified the day a comparison is written or updated (every comparison shows its prices-checked date); and aggregated verified-owner feedback, with sample sizes named in the review.
Do you test the products yourselves?
No — and we won’t pretend otherwise. PlugPrep is a research desk. Reviews are built from specs, prices, and owner evidence, and every review says what it’s based on. We think an honest desk comparison beats a fake “we installed all nine” claim, and we’d rather lose the click than make it.
Can a company pay for a better score?
No. Companies can’t pay for placement, can’t see a score before it’s published, and can’t change one after. Affiliate commissions are checked only after a score is set — the order matters, and it’s the whole business model: if the scores can’t be trusted, the site is worth nothing. See the affiliate disclosure for exactly how money flows here.