Review Method
Seven Report provides reviews of just about anything and everything related to the world of vaping. So you can get the most out of our reviews, we've outlined our methodology here.
You'll see a circle with a number inside near the top of each review. That number is the overall score of what we've reviewed based on five criteria. We use a scale of X out of 10 possible points. The color of the circle is based on the overall score:
Red = Weak (less than a 2.5 overall score)
Yellow = Not Bad (2.5 - 5 overall score)
Blue = Good (5 - 7.5 overall score)
Green = Very Good (7.5 or higher overall score)
We provide written and video versions of most of our reviews. We'll embed the videos into each review article on the website. You can also catch the video reviews (as well as other videos) on the Seven Report YouTube Channel.
We're pretty frugal when it comes to awarding points in each criteria, so you're not going to see many reviews with a score in the 8-to-10 point range. That doesn't mean we don't like a certain ejuice, device, product or vape shop. It just means that (we believe) perfection is pretty rare to come by. So if our review points are above a 6, that's a pretty solid review.
Before we review anything we use it extensively ourselves. For ejuice, we've vaped at least two tankfuls of each flavor before we review it. For hardware, we use each item in a number of situations and configurations, and we thoroughly read any owner's manuals and/or instructions included in the packaging. For websites and vape shops, we visit, read, evaluate, talk to employees and customers and make purchases before we begin the review process.
We review EJuice based on five criteria:
Taste: This is how the juice actually tastes.
Flavor Authenticity: How closely the flavor resembles what it's supposed to taste like.
Hit: Or throat hit. The feeling or intensity you get when inhaling the vapor.
Vapor: The amount of vapor the juice produces and its consistency.
Aroma: How the vapor smells, including how closely it resembles the described flavor and how attractive or objectionable it may be.
We'll also include the numbers (Nicotine Level and PG/VG ratio) of the bottle tested and where we purchased it. If there are times of day or occasions when we especially enjoy vaping the reviewed juice, we'll be sure to include that as well. And, of course, we'll tell you how much we paid for the ejuice, where we purchased it and the different sizes of bottles that merchant offers. And if an ejuice maker provided a free sample for review, we'll let you know that as well.
Hardware Reviews
Under this category we'll review starter kits, mods, clearomizers,etc. Basically the hardware you need to vape. These items will be reviewed based on five criteria.
Performance: How well the device does what it's supposed to.
Features: The bells and whistles included with the device.
Quality: We'll look at how well the device will stand up to normal day-to-day use, how well it's made.
Looks:How attractive is this device? We'll let you know what we think.
Price/Value:Cost is important, but there's more to it than the actual price tag. We'll look at how much value each device has based on what you actually get for the money.
We'll tell you exactly what you get when you purchase the device as reviewed. And we'll let you know if there are other options. We'll include all pertinent specifications and tell you how much we paid, or if a company sent us the hardware for free for the review.
Cigalike Reviews
Under this category we'll review what are basically entry level, closed system devices. Cigalikes are usually about the same shape and size as traditional analog tobacco cigarettes or cigars. You'll rarely find cigalikes available in vape shops, they're most often sold in gas stations and convenience stores or online. These items will be reviewed based on five criteria.
Vapor: Both the amount of vapor produced and the quality of the vapor.
Hit: The throat hit.
Convenience: How easy it is to set up and use the products.
Taste:The quality of the flavor and how closely it matches the description of the flavor.
Price/Value:Cost is important, but there's more to it than the actual price tag. We'll look at how much value each device has based on what you actually get for the money.
We'll tell you exactly what you get when you purchase the device as reviewed. And we'll let you know how much we paid, or if a company sent us the product for free for the review.
In the future we'll be adding more review categories. We plan on reviewing accessories, vape shops and vape e-commerce websites and other vape-related sites, like review sites. As we add reviews to these categories we'll update this page to detail the review criteria we use.