The short version
We separate what a manufacturer says from what independent evidence supports, what a retailer promises from what its policies actually state, and what we have physically tested from what we have assessed from specifications and documentation.
What we evaluate
Product facts
Materials, dimensions, controls, power source, charging, water-resistance claims, warranty, included accessories and manufacturer instructions.
Practical ownership
Cleaning, storage, noise, travel locks, replacement parts, app requirements, durability considerations and ease of returning a defective product.
Safety and claims
We check recalls and safety alerts where relevant and do not repeat therapeutic, medical or performance claims as fact without adequate support.
Privacy
For connected products we examine account requirements, permissions, remote-control architecture and published privacy/security information where available.
Testing language means exactly what it says
- Hands-on tested means Feeling Adult actually had the product in hand and performed the tests described.
- Specification review means we evaluated manufacturer documentation, manuals, retailer policies and other available sources without claiming physical experience.
- First-hand use will never be implied from a press release, retailer description, influencer post or supplied sample we did not actually use.
Customer reviews are separate
Reader reviews do not convert a specification review into a hands-on Feeling Adult test. Customer submissions are moderated, displayed separately and labelled as reader-submitted and not independently verified. Reviewers must confirm adult status and actual product use and disclose free products, discounts or commercial connections. Negative reviews are not rejected merely for being negative.
Commercial relationships
Feeling Adult may earn commissions when readers purchase through some links. Commission rates do not determine rankings. A product can be recommended without an affiliate relationship and rejected despite a lucrative one. Paid or supplied products are disclosed.
Affiliate disclosures appear close to commercial links because both the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Canada’s Competition Bureau emphasize clear, prominent disclosure of material commercial relationships.
Inclusive by default
We describe products by function, anatomy, fit and intended use rather than assuming a reader’s gender, orientation, relationship structure or body. LGBTQ+ readers, trans and non-binary people, people with disabilities, people with sensory or dexterity needs, and kink/BDSM users are part of the core audience rather than separate afterthoughts.
Evidence hierarchy
- Regulator and government sources.
- Product manuals, manufacturer technical documentation and formal privacy/security documentation.
- Peer-reviewed research and professional sexual-health organizations where relevant.
- Retailer policies and current listings for price and availability.
- Community reports and reviews as context, not as proof of factual or medical claims.
Corrections
Prices, stock and specifications change. Each product page carries a “last checked” date. Material factual errors are corrected rather than silently left in place. See our Corrections Policy.