This page explains how WikiPatio researches and rates products. Our ratings come from research, not from physically handling or measuring products.
Step 1: Define the search
We start from what a shopper is trying to solve, such as a dining set for six people or a fire pit for a small patio, and set the criteria that matter for that need before looking at products.
Step 2: Gather information
We use manufacturer specifications, product listings, and recurring themes in buyer feedback. We attribute buyer feedback as feedback and do not present it as our own measurement.
Step 3: Compare against the criteria
Criteria depend on the category. Common ones are:
- Furniture: materials and frame, size and seating, cushions, weather protection, assembly, and overall value.
- Umbrellas and shade: canopy size and fabric, frame and mechanism, base and stability, and how the manufacturer says to use it in wind.
- Heating and fire pits: fuel type, size, materials, safety features stated by the manufacturer, and clearance requirements.
- Accessories: size and fit, materials, weather resistance, ease of use, and value.
The WikiPatio Score
The WikiPatio Score is a summary rating based on the criteria above. The same criteria are applied to every product in a category. It is a research based rating, not a laboratory result.
Limits of our method
Specifications and listings can be wrong or change. Always check the manufacturer details for the exact model you plan to buy, especially weight capacities, weather ratings, heat output, and safety clearances.
How products are chosen
We select products that fit the search, have enough reliable information to compare, and reflect a range of brands. We do not pad a list with weak products to reach a round number.