How we evaluate equipment

This page explains how we decide what to recommend.

Research-based evaluation

Unless a review says otherwise, recommendations are research-based. We compare:

• Published capacity: tube OD, wall thickness and material the machine is rated for.
• Die and tooling availability for common tube sizes and centerline radii.
• Drive options and upgrade paths (manual, hydraulic, air or electric).
• Documentation, safety features and manufacturer support.
• Fit for the job: what the equipment is good at and where it falls short.

Hands-on testing

We only describe a product as tested when we have bent tube with it ourselves. Those reviews are labelled “Hands-on tested” and describe the procedure and results. We do not publish scores or ratings for products we have not tested.

What we do not do

• Invent test results, ratings, prices or availability.
• Rank products by commission rate.
• Accept payment for placement.