BestPicks UK
Matthew Smart — founder of BestPicks UK

Hi, I’m Matthew Smart

Founder of BestPicks UK — helping UK homeowners choose the right products, backed by 20+ years of experience in the trade.

See my editor profile and specialisms →LinkedIn

My Story

I’ve spent over 20 years working in home and garden maintenance. I started out as a landscape gardener and set up my own business, Smart Gardens, transforming outdoor spaces across the South West. Over time the work naturally expanded into the home as well — kitchens, heating, ventilation, appliances — and the business grew into Smart Homes and Gardens.

Two decades of recommending products to real customers taught me what lasts, what performs, and what gets returned after a month. I also picked up a background in web development, SEO and content creation along the way, which is how BestPicks UK came about: I wanted to combine everything I’d learnt into one honest resource for UK homeowners.

When I’m not researching the next review, you’ll find me at home in Exeter, Devon, with my wife Julia and our three rescue dogs — who are thoroughly unimpressed by robot vacuums but surprisingly fond of warm air from the dehumidifier.

How I Choose What to Recommend

Every product on this site goes through the same process. I dig into the specifications, cross-reference real customer feedback from verified purchases, check independent test results where they exist, and weigh it all against value for money. Each product is scored out of 10 with a clear set of pros and cons — no filler, no hype.

I don’t physically test every product I feature. Where I haven’t personally tested a product, my assessment is based on specifications, verified owner feedback and reputable independent test data (such as Which?). My 20 years in the trade means I know what questions to ask and which specs actually matter in the real world, not just on a data sheet. When a better product comes along, the rankings change.

The full process — sources, scoring criteria and what each score means — is set out on our how we review page.

I currently publish in-depth reviews across 12 home & garden categories:

What I’ve Written

I’ve written 85 articles on BestPicks UK. The best place to start is one of my in-depth buying guides:

Latest articles

See all articles →

Editorial Independence

My recommendations are based purely on merit. Commercial relationships never influence a product’s score or position in the rankings. If I wouldn’t tell a paying customer to buy it, it doesn’t make the list.

Affiliate Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through one of my links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the research and keeps the site running — and it never affects my verdicts.