How the Spec Index works

The Spec Index compares beauty devices only by what their manufacturers state: spec sheets, user manuals and product pages. We don't measure anything ourselves, and we don't try out any devices. The Spec Index is a comparison of manufacturer data, not a verdict from hands-on use.

The rules

• Sources: only documents from the manufacturer. For every spec we save the source and the date we checked it.
• Scale: 0.0 to 10.0, calculated from five criteria with fixed weights for each device category.
• Data coverage: next to every score you'll see how much of the weighted criteria the manufacturer's data covers. If a spec is missing, that criterion gets zero points and the note "missing", never an estimated number. A device with less than 70% data coverage doesn't go into the ranking.
• Filters instead of points: you can filter by barrel diameter, coating (ceramic, tourmaline, titanium) and cordless operation. These earn no points, because without our own measurements nobody can say which option is better.
• Yes or no: a feature counts as absent when the manufacturer says so or leaves it out of its complete list of what is in the box. If the manufacturer says nothing about it, you see "not stated".
• Ties: with the same score, higher data coverage wins, then the name.
• Price: the price is not part of the Spec Index.
• Commission: a store's commission plays no part, neither in the points nor in the order.

Example: curling irons

Criterion	Weight	What counts
Temperature	25	Range from the lowest to the highest setting (full points from 100 °C, which is 180 °F) 35%; adjustment (full points for stepless or 8 or more settings, 70% for 5 to 7 settings, 40% for 2 to 4 settings) 35%; lowest temperature (full points at 140 °C, which is 284 °F, or lower; half at 160 °C, which is 320 °F) 15%; display 15%
Heat-up time	15	Full points at 30 seconds or less, none from 120 seconds, linear in between
Safety	20	Auto shut-off (full points up to 60 minutes, half if later) 40%; cool tip 25%; stand 15%; heat-resistant glove or mat included 20%
Handling	20	Weight (full points up to 350 g, about 12.3 oz; none from 600 g, about 21.2 oz) 40%; cord length (full points from 2.5 m, about 8.2 ft; none at 1.5 m, about 4.9 ft, or shorter) 30%; swivel cord 30%
Warranty and extras	20	Manufacturer's warranty (full points from 36 months, half for 24 months, no points if not stated) 60%; dual voltage for travel 20%; storage bag 20%

Rights you have under the law, such as implied warranties, are not a manufacturer's warranty. We only count the warranty the manufacturer expressly gives. If it extends the warranty after registration, we count the longer one and note that next to the value.

Flat irons

Criterion	Weight	What counts
Temperature	25	as for curling irons
Heat-up time	15	as for curling irons
Safety	20	Auto shut-off (full points up to 60 minutes, half if later) 50%; heat-resistant mat or pouch included 30%; plate lock 20%
Handling	20	Weight (full points up to 300 g, about 10.6 oz; none from 550 g, about 19.4 oz) 40%; cord length (full points from 2.5 m, about 8.2 ft; none at 1.5 m, about 4.9 ft, or shorter) 30%; swivel cord 30%
Warranty and extras	20	as for curling irons

You can filter by plate width and coating; they earn no points.

Hair dryers

Criterion	Weight	What counts
Settings	25	Heat settings (full points from 3, 60% for 2) 35%; speed settings (full points from 3, 60% for 2) 35%; cool shot 30%
Heat control	15	The manufacturer states that the dryer measures and regulates the temperature itself
Attachments	15	Attachments included (full points from 3, fewer pro rata)
Handling	25	Weight (full points up to 400 g, about 14.1 oz; none from 700 g, about 24.7 oz) 40%; cord length (as above) 30%; removable filter 30%
Warranty and extras	20	as for curling irons

We show wattage and ionic features but give them no points: more watts do not by themselves make a better dryer.

Hot air brushes

Criterion	Weight	What counts
Settings	25	as for hair dryers
Heat control	15	as for hair dryers
Attachments	20	Attachments included (full points from 5, fewer pro rata)
Handling	20	Weight (full points up to 400 g, about 14.1 oz; none from 800 g, about 28.2 oz) 40%; cord length (as above) 30%; swivel cord 30%
Warranty and extras	20	as for curling irons

Which models

We compare European models from European spec sheets, in the German and the Polish edition. A US comparison follows with US models. We show prices only once we read them at partner stores ourselves; until then the buttons lead to the store.

IPL devices and LED masks

Stricter rules apply to these devices:

• We state what a device is intended for only in the manufacturer's own words, as a quote with its source.
• We don't show before-and-after pictures, and we don't pass on personal accounts of results.
• Points are given only for features and device specs, for example the number of wavelengths according to the manufacturer, eye protection, length of one session, power supply and warranty.

Editorial changes

If our editors change the order of a ranking by hand or take a device out, the reason will be stated here. So far there has been no such change.

Ads

Buttons to stores are marked "Ad*". If you buy through one of them, we earn a commission. It has no influence on points or order. You can read more in our Affiliate Disclosure.