About The Splurge File
The Splurge File answers one question: is the expensive one worth it?
Every page takes a popular splurge (a Vitamix, a Breville espresso machine, a HexClad set) and puts it up against cheaper alternatives that independent testers ran through the same tests. Sometimes the cheaper one matches it. Sometimes the original really is better, and we say so. So far that’s 65 splurges.
We don’t test products ourselves
We rely on reviewers who do: America's Test Kitchen, Tom's Guide, Reviewed, Prudent Reviews, TechRadar and Homes & Gardens. We only pair two products when one tester rated both, we quote testers word for word and link every source, and when testers disagree, we tell you.
Prices come live from Amazon and refresh about every 12 hours. The details are on How we score.
How we make money
When you buy through our Amazon links, we earn a commission. It’s a percentage, so a splurge earns us more than the cheaper pick, which is why we only say “Skip it” when the tests back it. No brand pays us or sees a verdict before it’s published.
Who’s behind it
I’m James. I started The Splurge File because I was tired of paying for big names without getting the value that was supposed to come with them.