Methodology
How BalanzGM researches and curates CBD products
Every product on BalanzGM is evaluated using the same five-criteria framework based on publicly available data. We are an independent editorial publication, not a clinical or scientific testing lab. We do not conduct first-person product testing at this time. Below is exactly how we research, score, and rank.
The five criteria
- Third-party lab testing (COA) — 25%: We verify the brand publishes a current Certificate of Analysis from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab. We check potency accuracy against label claim, contaminant testing (heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, microbials), and batch traceability.
- Ingredient quality & sourcing — 25%: We score the source of the hemp (US-grown preferred), extraction method (CO₂ supercritical preferred), carrier oils, and any added ingredients.
- Value for money (price per mg) — 20%: Cost-per-milligram of CBD across the product’s full range of strengths, benchmarked against the current market average.
- Brand transparency — 15%: How easy is it to find the COA on the brand’s website? Are customer service contacts visible? Is the parent company clearly disclosed? Has the brand received any FDA warning letters?
- Aggregated customer experience — 15%: We survey verified customer reviews from third-party retail platforms and the brand’s own site to identify recurring themes about taste, onset, perceived effect, and customer service.
What our research process involves
- COA verification. We open the brand’s published COA, confirm the issuing lab is ISO/IEC 17025-accredited, and check the date is within the last 12 months.
- Ingredient and sourcing review. We review the brand’s published information on hemp source, extraction, and carrier oils.
- Value analysis. We calculate cost-per-milligram across each product strength and benchmark against the category average.
- Reputation audit. We check FDA warning letter records, U.S. Hemp Authority certification, BBB rating where applicable, and any recent consumer-safety legal actions.
- Customer feedback aggregation. We survey verified customer reviews on the brand site and on third-party retailers (where the product is sold) to identify consistent themes.
- Editorial scoring. Scores are assigned based on the weighted 5-criteria framework before any affiliate link is added to the article.
How the score becomes a star rating
- 9.0–10.0: ★★★★★ — Editor’s pick
- 8.0–8.9: ★★★★½ — Strong recommendation
- 7.0–7.9: ★★★★ — Good with caveats
- 6.0–6.9: ★★★½ — Average; better options available
- Below 6.0: Not recommended; we publish the review without affiliate links
Monthly re-audit
Every product on a “Best of” list is rechecked at least once every 30 days. We re-verify the brand’s current COA, the current price, and recent customer feedback. If a product drops below threshold, it is removed from the list and the article is updated with a note explaining the change.
What we will not do
- Accept payment for placement on any list
- Recommend any product without a current third-party COA
- Make medical claims about any CBD product (see Medical Disclaimer)
- Hide an affiliate relationship — every page with an affiliate link includes a clear disclosure (see Affiliate Disclosure)
- Claim to have personally tested a product when we have not
Plans for future first-person testing
As our editorial operation grows, we plan to add first-person product evaluations for a curated subset of brands — purchased anonymously at retail, used over a multi-week protocol, and documented with photos and notes. When we begin first-person testing for a specific product, the review will be clearly marked with an “Editorial test” badge and updated dates. Until then, all our reviews are clearly labeled as research-based editorial evaluations.
Questions about a specific review?
Reach us through the Contact page or email editorial@balanzgm.com. We respond to methodology and scoring questions within 48 hours.