How we make recommendations
Useful advice starts with clear evidence and room for uncertainty.
Facts and judgement are different.
Manufacturer-published specifications are facts attributed to an exact model and generation. Retailer listings establish a dated quote, not a manufacturer measurement. Independent measured values need their own source and measurement basis.
Our suitability, trade-off and action advice are editorial assessments. They do not imply a laboratory test or an on-court play-test. Existing reviewer summaries link to the people who did the reviewing.
Cheapest sensible intervention first.
The Setup Check evaluates your problem, current frame, known string condition, ability and budget. It considers inspection and setup changes before a purchase. Handling complaints can justify a demo sooner. For lightweight current frames, the demo filter allows alternatives up to 20 g heavier, capped at 300 g; heavier current frames retain their own weight as the ceiling. This is an editorial shortlist boundary, not evidence of easier handling. Fixed purchase budgets still require a recorded eligible quote. Every result exposes its reason and unknown inputs.
What specs cannot decide.
Static weight cannot establish how a frame feels to swing. Specifications cannot identify your perfect racket or diagnose discomfort. We recommend frames worth demoing and a way to compare them.
Prices have dates.
Retailer quotes retain the exact model, stringing state, stock observation and check date. Quotes older than 14 days leave headline recommendations; records older than 45 days leave offer tables. Unknown delivery or stringing costs stay unknown. We do not describe recorded prices as live prices.
Used values need sold evidence.
Asking prices are useful for finding listings but do not establish resale value. We publish a buying range only when enough reliable completed-sale evidence exists for the generation and condition. Otherwise we say so.
Commercial independence.
Recommendation rules run without affiliate commission as an input. Non-affiliate retailers remain eligible. Where total cost is unknown, a low frame quote does not earn a “best ready-to-play deal” label.
Corrections
Use the existing contact and corrections details. Include the model, generation, field, source link and date so the record can be checked.