Last updated: 2026-08-28
Here is how we evaluate products before recommending them on HomeSteady.org.
The Home-Steady Rating
Every product we cover carries a Home-Steady Rating, shown as a score from 0 to 10 on our product cards and comparison tables. It is a transparent, formula-based signal, not our personal opinion of a brand.
The score is derived from the product’s verified Amazon customer rating at the time of our research. Products that do not yet have a customer rating are not scored. For rated products, we start from a base of 7.0 and add up to 3 points scaled from the average star rating, so a product averaging 5 stars sits at the top of the scale. The same formula is applied to every product, and no manufacturer, seller, or advertiser can pay to raise a score.
The Home-Steady Rating reflects customer satisfaction only. The editorial judgment about weight capacity, installation, accessibility, and who a product is or is not right for comes from the review itself, using the criteria below.
What we look at
- Weight capacity and safety rating: especially important for grab bars, transfer benches, stair lifts, and other load-bearing products.
- Installation and setup: whether a product requires drilling, professional installation, or can be set up without special tools.
- Accessibility features: including ADA-related design where applicable, such as bar diameter, seat height, or handle grip.
- Published customer feedback: patterns in publicly available reviews, both positive and negative.
- Value: whether a product’s price is reasonable for what it offers, without us listing specific prices in article text since prices change frequently.
Who writes our content
Each category on HomeSteady.org has a dedicated writer: Sarah Whitfield (Occupational Therapist, Bathroom Safety), Rachel Bennett (Fall Prevention), James Coburn (Mobility Aids), Linda Park (Kitchen & Daily Living), Daniel Foster (Smart Home for Seniors), and Michael Ortiz (Caregiver Corner). See each author’s bio on their articles.
What we will not do
We will not claim a product “cures”, “treats”, or “prevents” a medical condition. We will not recommend a product we would not consider genuinely useful for the stated audience, and we always try to note who a product is not a good fit for.
Not medical advice
This process helps us evaluate products, but it is not a substitute for a professional in-home safety assessment. Always consult a healthcare provider, occupational therapist, or physical therapist before making safety changes for a senior in your care.