Choose the question before reading
For a bag, you might need to know whether a laptop actually fits the stated compartment. For a kettle, you may be interested in lid access or the visibility of the water marker. A specific question helps you notice relevant detail instead of collecting general enthusiasm.
Read reviews of the exact model and variation. Some product pages combine comments across sizes, generations or unrelated accessories. A complaint about a small version may not apply to a larger one, while praise for an earlier model may tell you little about the current design.
Look for patterns with context
Several detailed descriptions of the same problem deserve more attention than one unexplained low score. Check when the reviews were written and whether the product or seller has changed. A long-term durability report answers a different question from a first impression written on delivery day.
Consider how the reviewer used the item. A chair described as comfortable for occasional use may not suit a full working day. A positive review from someone using a product differently from you can still reveal useful facts, but its conclusion is not automatically yours.
Separate product, seller and delivery feedback
A damaged parcel or late dispatch can be important when choosing a seller, but it does not establish how the product performs. Conversely, a well-designed item does not excuse a retailer's unclear returns process. Keep those decisions separate while reading.
The CMA's work on online reviews has included concerns about reviews being attached to different products. If the comments do not match what is being sold, look for another source rather than accepting the displayed score. No simple writing-style test can prove that an individual review is genuine.
Use the review to verify, not to guess
When a review raises a question about dimensions, materials or compatibility, check the manufacturer's specification or ask the seller. Customer descriptions can be mistaken, incomplete or based on an older version. Use them to identify what needs checking.
For a purchase with many mixed reviews, write down the two or three issues that would matter most to you. If the available evidence cannot resolve them, choose a product with clearer information or a return route you are comfortable using. More stars are not a remedy for an unanswered requirement.
