Method
The benefit-to-cost framework
A price tag alone cannot tell you whether a brand is worth it. UtilityRank converts quality signals into a single normalised benefit score, then measures that against what the choice really costs you over its life.
Define core criteria
Each sector ships a checklist preset — durability, warranty, repairability, fee transparency, walkability — so you compare like for like.
Weight the importance
Move the review, feature and durability weights. They are normalised to total 100% automatically, so the index stays comparable.
Calculate the value score
Benefit is divided by cost. Switch cost between sticker price and total cost of ownership to see how the ranking flips.
The formula
Normalised rating Rn = average stars ÷ 5
Normalised features Fn = checked features ÷ total features in category
Normalised durability Dn = lifespan ÷ longest lifespan compared
Benefit B = (Rn × Wr) + (Fn × Wf) + (Dn × Wd)
Cost basis TCO = price + (annual running cost × lifespan) − resale value
Value index = (B ÷ cost basis) × 1000
The four money questions
- Total cost of ownership
- Lifespan, maintenance and replacement cost, not the sticker.
- Value premium
- How much more you pay versus the cheapest option, and what that premium buys.
- Risk mitigation
- Warranty months measured against expected lifespan — thin cover is a hidden cost.
- Opportunity cost
- Extra replacements a short-lived option forces over the same horizon.