How Power Tools Lab Makes Money — In Plain Language
We use affiliate links throughout the site. Here’s exactly what that means, how it works, and why it doesn’t change what we tell you about a tool.
Last updated: July 11, 2026The Short Version
Power Tools Lab is reader-supported. When you click certain links on this site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you.
This disclosure explains that relationship in full, in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on endorsements and affiliate marketing. You’ll also see a shorter version of this notice in the footer of every page on the site.
How Affiliate Links Work
An affiliate link is a regular-looking link that includes a tracking code identifying that the click came from our site. Here’s what actually happens when you use one:
You click a product link on Power Tools Lab, for example a “Check Price on Amazon” button on a review page.
You’re taken to the retailer’s site (Amazon or another retailer), where the link’s tracking code identifies the referral as coming from Power Tools Lab.
If you make a qualifying purchase — of that product or, in many cases, anything else during that shopping session — the retailer pays us a small commission.
You pay exactly the same price you would have paid anyway. The commission comes out of the retailer’s margin, not your pocket.
Every review on the site includes affiliate links clearly marked with “Check Price,” “Shop,” or “View on Amazon” buttons.
Browse a ReviewAmazon Associates Disclosure
Power Tools Lab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links to Amazon on this site. Product prices and availability shown or linked from our reviews are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change; the current price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Other Affiliate Programs
In addition to Amazon, we may participate in affiliate programs with other retailers and manufacturers. Wherever this is the case, the same principles apply: a link may earn us a commission on a qualifying purchase, at no extra cost to you, and this doesn’t affect our editorial coverage of the products involved.
Does This Affect Our Reviews?
This is the question that matters most, so we want to answer it directly.
What Affiliate Income Funds
- Buying the physical tools we test, at full retail price
- Materials used in testing (tile, lumber, fasteners, and so on)
- The time it takes to test thoroughly and write an honest review
- Keeping the site running without a paywall or subscription
What It Never Influences
- Which tools we decide are worth recommending
- Whether we call out a real flaw or limitation
- How a tool is rated relative to its competitors
- Whether a review gets published at all
We don’t accept payment from manufacturers to review their products favorably, and no brand gets to review or approve content about its own tools before it’s published. See our About Us page for more on our full editorial standards.
FTC Compliance
The Federal Trade Commission requires that any material connection between a publisher and the brands or products it covers be clearly disclosed to readers. This page, along with the affiliate notice in our site footer and the disclosure language included on individual review pages, is intended to meet that requirement.
If you ever feel a piece of content doesn’t make an affiliate relationship clear enough, please let us know — we want this to be genuinely transparent, not just technically compliant.
Common Questions
Do I pay more if I use your links?
No. The price you pay is set by the retailer and is exactly the same whether you use our link or navigate to the product directly. The commission comes from the retailer’s marketing budget, not from an added charge to you.
Does clicking your link mean I have to buy the exact product reviewed?
No. With many retailer affiliate programs, including Amazon’s, we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made during that shopping session, not only on the specific product you clicked through from.
Are negative reviews affected by affiliate relationships?
No. We publish honest assessments regardless of whether a tool performs well or poorly, and regardless of which affiliate program it’s associated with. A tool that underperforms gets an honest writeup even if that costs us a sale.
Where can I read more about how you use my data when I click a link?
Details on affiliate tracking cookies and how your information is handled are covered in our Privacy Policy.
Questions? Contact Us
If anything in this disclosure isn’t clear, or you have questions about a specific link or review, we’re happy to explain.
Email us directly or use our contact form — we read and respond to every message personally.
hello@powertoolslab.com Contact Page