About
Who we are, what we do, and how we test products
Latest About
How We Test VPNs
At PCMag, we test and rate dozens of VPNs each year to help you find the best one to keep you safe and anonymous online. Here's our testing methodology and how we arrive at our conclusions.
How We Test Speakers
Sure, sound is subjective, but we still put all of the speakers we review through a defined set of tests. Check out our audio testing regimen.
How We Test VR Headsets
Curious about virtual reality? From PC-tethered systems to standalone headsets, this is how we test VR tech.
How We Test Smart Home Devices
We install and test more than 100 smart devices in our homes each year to determine their ease of use, reliability, and performance to help you choose the best ones for your budget.
How We Test Fitness Trackers
If you want to get healthy, a fitness tracker can help. At PCMag, we put them through rigorous testing to see which ones are up to the challenge. Here's how we do it.
How We Test Robot Vacuums
Here at PCMag, we subject every robot vacuum (and mop) we review to a demanding and consistent series of tests to determine which models are worth your money.
How We Test TVs
Shopping for a new television? Reading our TV reviews is the best way to be sure you're making the right buying decision. Here's an in-depth look at how our industry-certified home theater expert tests TVs in PC Labs.
How We Test Smart Displays
Do-it-all countertop screens are deceptively simple, but highly convenient. Here's how our reviews help you determine the best smart display for your money.
How We Test Smart Fitness Equipment
From stationary bikes and treadmills to rowing machines and workout mirrors, we put all the equipment we review through a series of lengthy and rigorous tests to help you choose the best smart fitness tech for your goals.
How We Test Digital Cameras and Lenses
Learn about the speed, image quality, and general performance tests we run on every digital camera and lens we review.
How We Test Drones
We do a lot of product testing in the friendly confines of PC Labs, but drones call for wide open spaces, so we take them out in the real world for test flights. Here's what we look for.
How We Test Password Managers
We test and rate password managers annually to determine the best value for keeping your credentials safe. Here we share our methodology and criteria.
How We Collect Malware for Hands-On Antivirus Testing
We wouldn't recommend a car without first getting behind the wheel, and we can't rate antivirus software without testing it. Here's how we get the malware we need to do our real-world tests.
How We Test Laptops
Standardized, repeatable testing is central to all of the 1,500-plus reviews we publish annually. Here's how we test every laptop that hits the bench at PC Labs using 24 different benchmarks.
How We Test Laptops (2021 to Late 2024 Methodology)
Standardized, repeatable testing is a key facet of all of the reviews we do at PCMag.com. Here's a rundown of how we test every laptop that hits the bench at PC Labs.
Readers' Choice and Business Choice Surveys: Methodology
Learn exactly how the Readers' Choice and Business Choice surveys work in this explainer.
How We Test Antivirus and Security Software
Which security products do the best job keeping you and your computer safe? To find out, we put them through a series of rigorous tests.
How We Test Wi-Fi Routers
Your router is the at the heart of your home network, so it's important to get the right one. Here's how we test every wireless router we review.
Why Windows 11 (Still) Isn't Ready for Antivirus Software Tests
Updating our security testbeds is a massive undertaking. We explain what goes into the decision of making the move to Windows 11 for our hands-on testing of antivirus apps.
How We Test Proxies
Proxies are simple, affordable tools for protecting your online privacy and unlocking content from abroad. We explain how we put them to the test to determine which proxy service is the best.
