How the Renvo Score works
The Renvo Score is a number from 0 to 100. It tells you how good a cheaper product is as a swap for the premium product an expert recommends.
Step 1: must-pass checks
If a product fails any of these, we don't list it, however cheap it is.
- Supplements: independent lab test (certificate of analysis, or a seal such as NSF, Informed Sport or USP) for purity and heavy metals; exact doses on the label, no "proprietary blends".
- Devices: proper safety marks (CE in the EU; FCC / UL / ETL in the US where relevant), a real company address and support contact.
- Foods: clear sourcing, backed by the producer or a certification.
Step 2: the score
| Area | Points | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Independent testing | 25 | Who tested it, how recently, whether results are public |
| Ingredients, doses & materials | 20 | Same active form and dose as the premium pick? Body-safe materials? |
| Safety details | 15 | Heavy metals; for saunas, red light and wearables, measured EMF/output numbers. We report numbers and make no health claims |
| Honesty & transparency | 15 | Clear claims, real company, sourcing info, no fake reviews |
| Warranty & support | 10 | Warranty length, return window, spare parts, EU/US service |
| Value | 15 | Cost per serving, use or year vs. the premium product |
85+ "Great swap" · 70–84 "Good swap" · below 70: not recommended.
Ranking
Lists are ordered by score first, then price. How much commission we earn is never a factor.
How each area is measured (v1.0)
- Independent testing (25): 25 = public third-party report under 24 months old; 15 = older or summary-only report; 5 = brand-run test only; 0 = none.
- Materials (20): 20 = full materials/spec sheet matching the premium pick's key spec; 10 = partial; 0 = undisclosed.
- Safety details (15): 15 = independent measurement published (EMF, light output, heavy metals); 8 = brand measurement with method stated; 0 = claim with no number.
- Honesty (15): minus 5 for each misleading claim we find (e.g. disease claims, fake "only" claims), starting at 15.
- Warranty & support (10): 10 = 3+ years and EU support; 8 = 3+ years, no EU support found; 6 = 1–2 years; 3 = under 1 year; 0 = unclear.
- Value (15): computed: 15 × (saving vs. premium ÷ 80%), capped at 15. 80% or more cheaper = 15 points.
No guessing: if any must-pass check or any area lacks evidence, the page shows "Comparison available — score pending verification" and lists what's missing. We never fill gaps with estimates.
How we apply the rules (updated 17 Oct 2026)
- Safety marks count as verified only when we find the product in a public certifier or regulator record: the FCC database for radio devices, or an ETL/UL/CSA listing directory for mains-powered devices. A logo on a product page is not enough.
- CE marking is self-declared and has no public register, so we can't verify it from public data. We say so on each product; EU buyers should ask the seller for the EU declaration of conformity.
- Company address counts when it appears on the company's own site, or in a regulator filing (FCC grantee, FDA 510(k)) for the company named in the seller's terms.
- Independent testing means a test of the product's claimed performance (accuracy, output, EMF). Regulatory compliance tests don't count here.
- Safety details: a public FCC test report and RF-exposure exhibit from an accredited lab counts as an independent measurement of radio output.
- Non-electric products (ice tubs, pitchers, glasses): our method doesn't yet say which safety mark applies, so they stay "score pending" until we publish a rule.
- Subscriptions: the value points use the purchase price only. Required subscriptions are shown in the price notes.
- Every scored fact, with its source and date, is listed per product under "How we scored it".
How we grade claims
- Established: supported by systematic reviews or official bodies (e.g. EU-authorised health claims).
- Preliminary: small or early studies; we say so plainly.
- Marketing claim: said by the brand without independent evidence. Labelled as such.
We don't make health claims about any product.
Expert mentions
We name an expert only with a public source, and we label the relationship: paid/commercial (sponsor, partner, discount code), claimed by the brand, or independent mention. No expert endorses Renvo Life.
Sponsors can't buy scores
Sponsors may pay for us to review a product, never for the result. The score is published whatever it is. Sponsors may see a review before it goes live only to point out factual errors. Paid placements are always labelled "Sponsored / Anzeige" and kept outside ranked lists.
Corrections
Mistakes get a public corrections note. Every page shows the date last checked and our sources.