Independence
The Gilt Standard is independently owned and operated. We are not owned by, funded by, or beholden to any brand, retailer, or restaurant group. Our editorial decisions are made exclusively by our team.
How We Test
Every review is based on direct, first-hand experience:
- Products: Purchased with our own funds. Tested for a minimum of 2 weeks in real-world conditions. Compared against at least 3 alternatives when possible.
- Restaurants: Visited at least twice, on different days and times. Meals paid in full. No comps, no PR invitations accepted.
- Services: Hired and used as a regular customer. No press accounts, no special treatment.
Ratings
Our rating scale runs from 1 to 5 stars. A 5 doesn't mean perfect — it means we'd recommend it without hesitation. A 3 means it's acceptable but there are better options. Below 3 and we'll tell you to look elsewhere.
Ratings are assigned by the reviewer and reviewed by our editor for consistency.
Affiliate Links & Sponsorship
Some reviews may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission if you make a purchase. This never influences our recommendation. We recommend the product first, then check if an affiliate link exists — not the other way around.
Sponsored content, when it exists, is always clearly labeled as "Sponsored" or "Paid Partnership" at the top of the article. Sponsored content never receives a rating.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it publicly. Corrections are noted at the bottom of the article with the date of the correction and what was changed.
Contact
Questions about our editorial standards? Email editorial@thegiltstandard.com.
Last updated: March 2026