How we test tissues

• Our expert testers 
• How we choose what we test
• How we test
• Test criteria explained

Our expert testers

We buy tissues available from major supermarket retailers and send them to a laboratory for testing. 

We work out the value of each product by determining how much it costs per 100 tissues. We also take a closer look at the labelling claims, such as recycled and chlorine-free, to find out what they mean.

How we choose what we test

With most of our product testing, we aim to choose the most popular models on the market as well as what you're most likely to see in retail shops. In the case of tissues, our aim is to cover as much of the market as possible. Our buyers purchase all the tissue products they can find in major supermarkets.

Video: Why you shouldn't flush tissues

How we test

Softness

We measure how soft the tissue is. This is a subjective assessment conducted by a panel of five people.

Puncture

We measure the strength of the tissue by testing its resistance to puncturing. In this test a higher force is the most desirable result, meaning your finger is less likely to go through the tissue.

Wet tear strength

We test how much force is required to tear the tissue when it's wet, as it would be after using it to blowing your nose multiple times.

Absorption

We measure how much fluid the tissue can absorb.

Test criteria explained

The overall score is made up of:

• Softness (40%)
• Puncture (strength) force (30%)
• Absorption (20%)
• Wet tear strength (10%)

Ready to buy?

Check out our tissue reviews to see which brands came out on top.