About
How I test (and who I am)
I'm Nate. I run NLVISUALS, a product photography and video studio in Vancouver, and the NateDesigns YouTube channel, which has passed 5.5 million views. I spend my days photographing products for brands, which means I see a lot of gear up close: how it's built, where corners were cut, and what looks good on a box but doesn't hold up.
Nate Tested is the written home for those reviews. Every review here comes from a video where you can see the product in my hands.
How a product gets tested
- Real use, not a weekend. Desk gear lives on my desk. Luggage goes on actual trips. My ergonomic mouse and keyboard tests ran for a full year.
- Against the alternatives. I compare products to cheaper options and to what I already use, because "is it worth the extra money?" is usually the real question.
- Specific downsides. Every review lists what I don't like, with no vague "could be better" filler.
How scores work
Scores are out of 10 and compare a product against others at a similar price. A 9+ is something I'd recommend to almost anyone. 8 is great with a clear trade-off. 7 is good for a specific person. Below 6 I'd tell you to buy something else.
Free products and affiliate links
Some brands send me products, and some of those I've also photographed professionally. When that's the case, the review says so at the top. Brands never see a review before it's published, never approve wording, and can't pay for a score.
This site earns money through affiliate links: if you buy through a link I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It's what keeps the reviews free. See the full disclosure.
Get in touch
Questions about a review, or a product you want tested? Email nate@nlvisuals.ca or reach me on Instagram.