Spec jargon dictionary

Carbon that adsorbs smoke, VOCs and odours.

Why it matters: A thin carbon mesh does almost nothing; usable units carry several hundred grams of granular carbon.

Look for: Ask for carbon weight in grams, not 'carbon layer'.

The percentage of the ingredient that does the work.

Why it matters: Niacinamide works at 2–5%; vitamin C at 10–20%; salicylic acid at 0.5–2%. Below that, you're buying marketing.

Look for: 'With retinol' on the front but no percentage on the box.

Active noise cancellation (ANC)

Microphones cancel steady low-frequency noise like engines and fans.

Why it matters: It transforms flights and commutes; it does very little against speech.

Look for: 'ENC' is microphone noise reduction for calls — it does nothing for what you hear.

A back cushion or mesh curve that moves up/down and in/out.

Why it matters: Your lower back curve is personal; a fixed bump often sits in the wrong place and hurts more.

Look for: 'Ergonomic design' with a fixed back is not lumbar support.

Air delivery (CMM)

Cubic metres of air moved per minute.

Why it matters: This is the actual cooling number; RPM alone tells you nothing about airflow.

Look for: 210+ CMM for a 1200 mm fan is good; below 200 feels weak.

Air throw & noise (dB)

How far cold air reaches, and how loud the indoor unit is.

Why it matters: For a long or L-shaped room, weak throw leaves cold pockets; for bedrooms, anything over ~40 dB is noticeable at night.

Look for: Quoted noise is usually the lowest fan speed — ask for the high-speed figure too.

The body metal. Triply is steel-aluminium-steel sandwich.

Why it matters: Aluminium heats fastest and is cheapest; stainless doesn't react with tomato/tamarind; triply gives even heat without hot spots.

Look for: Plain stainless without a thick sandwich base scorches dal at the centre.

External high-gain antennas vs internal.

Why it matters: External antennas you can angle usually work better across floors.

Look for: More antennas isn't automatically better; band support matters more.

Syncing readings and recognising family members.

Why it matters: Handy for tracking trends over months; needs Bluetooth and a decent app.

Look for: Check the app doesn't require constant account and ads.

Armrest adjustability (2D/3D/4D)

Height, width, depth and pivot of the arms.

Why it matters: Elbows at 90° stop shoulder and neck strain during typing.

Look for: Fixed armrests that hit the desk force you to sit too far back.

Crevice tool, upholstery brush, motorised head.

Why it matters: The motorised head matters for mattresses and rugs; crevice tool for sofa gaps and car interiors.

Look for: Robot vacuums can't do sofas, curtains or stairs at all.

Switches off when boiling or when empty.

Why it matters: This is the main safety feature; boil-dry protection saves the element.

Look for: Insist on both, plus ISI mark.

Padded straps, sternum strap, ventilated back panel, load lifters.

Why it matters: Weight distribution decides shoulder and back pain on daily commutes.

Look for: For 10 kg+ loads a hip belt matters more than padding.

Fabric thickness (e.g. 600D) and padded compartment size.

Why it matters: Higher denier resists abrasion; suspended laptop sleeves protect against drops.

Look for: Check the sleeve fits your exact laptop size.

How the filling is held in place.

Why it matters: Baffle boxes keep loft even; stitch-through creates cold seams where fill is squeezed out.

Look for: Large unstitched channels let the filling migrate into one corner after two washes.

Disposable dust bag vs washable bin.

Why it matters: Bagless is cheaper to run but dumps dust in your face; bagged is cleaner for allergy homes.

Look for: Check bag price and availability if you go bagged.

Base thickness (mm) & gauge

How thick the metal is at the bottom.

Why it matters: Thicker bases store heat, prevent hot spots and stop dal sticking.

Look for: Under 3 mm on a frying pan means uneven cooking.

Non-stick coating type on the basket and crisper plate.

Why it matters: Cheap coatings flake within a year and can't take metal tongs.

Look for: Look for PFOA-free ceramic or a replaceable basket; check dishwasher-safe claim.

Battery capacity (Ah)

How long it can supply that load.

Why it matters: Backup hours ≈ (Ah x 12 x 0.7) ÷ load in watts.

Look for: 150 Ah tubular is the common sweet spot for 3–4 hours of fans and lights.

mAh capacity plus charging wattage.

Why it matters: 5000 mAh with an efficient chip is a genuine two-day phone; fast charging matters more than capacity if you top up daily.

Look for: Fast charging shortens battery lifespan; check whether the charger is even in the box.

Hours per charge, with and without ANC, plus the case's extra charges.

Why it matters: Advertised figures are almost always ANC off at 50% volume.

Look for: Earbud batteries degrade in 2–3 years and are not replaceable.

Days with your features on.

Why it matters: Quoted '14 days' assumes AOD off, HR sampling low, GPS unused.

Look for: Ask for battery life with always-on display and continuous HR.

Construction of the battery.

Why it matters: Tubular lasts 4–5 years with deep cycles; flat plate is cheaper but dies faster; lithium is maintenance-free and compact but costly.

Look for: Tubular needs distilled water topping every 3–4 months.

Watt-hours is real capacity; 'up to 12 hours' is a lab loop.

Why it matters: Wh divided by realistic 8–15 W draw gives you a truer estimate.

Look for: Under 50 Wh in a 15-inch laptop means you carry the charger everywhere.

How wide the light spreads: bulb, panel, downlight, strip.

Why it matters: Downlights need planning to avoid dark patches; panels give even room light.

Look for: For task lighting, narrow beams; for rooms, 120°+ spread.

Sends a tiny current through your feet to estimate fat/muscle.

Why it matters: Foot-only BIA misses the upper body and shifts with hydration; useful only as a trend.

Look for: Not recommended with pacemakers or during pregnancy.

Blackout blocks ~99% of light (usually a 3-pass coated or triple-weave fabric); room-darkening blocks 70–90%; sheers only diffuse.

Why it matters: Only true blackout gets a west-facing bedroom dark enough for day sleep or a baby's nap.

Look for: Light leaks around the edges — the rod must extend 15–20 cm beyond the window on each side.

Metal, ABS or wood, and the tilt angle of each blade.

Why it matters: Pitch drives airflow more than blade count; metal is efficient, ABS resists coastal rust.

Look for: Three well-pitched blades usually outperform five decorative ones.

Brushless DC motor versus conventional.

Why it matters: BLDC draws around 28–35 W versus 70–80 W, and runs quieter with remote speed control.

Look for: BLDC electronics can fail; check warranty on the motor and the driver separately.

Bluetooth codec (SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC)

How audio is compressed before it flies to your ears.

Why it matters: Your phone and headphones must both support a codec for it to be used at all.

Look for: LDAC on the box is useless if your phone only sends AAC.

How braking force is distributed and whether wheels are stopped from locking.

Why it matters: Dual-channel ABS is the single biggest safety upgrade on a two-wheeler in wet Indian roads.

Look for: Below 125cc, CBS is mandatory but ABS is rare — check disc size too, not just the letters.

Water resistance, screen protection, and supported network bands.

Why it matters: IP68 survives accidents; missing 5G bands make an imported phone slower on your network.

Look for: IP54 means splash resistant only. Grey-market imports often lack local bands and warranty.

Own GPS chip vs borrowing the phone's.

Why it matters: Runners and cyclists need built-in GPS to leave the phone at home.

Look for: 'GPS' in the spec list often means connected GPS only.

Brass, forged brass or aluminium alloy burners.

Why it matters: Brass holds flame shape and survives spills; aluminium warps and yellows the flame.

Look for: Ask if burner caps and rings are sold as spares in your city.

55 x 35 x 25 cm and 7 kg on most Indian carriers.

Why it matters: Oversized 'cabin' bags get checked in at the gate.

Look for: Measure including wheels and handles.

CADR (m³/hr)

Clean Air Delivery Rate — volume of filtered air produced per hour.

Why it matters: Room area (sq ft) x 1.6 ≈ CADR needed for ~5 air changes per hour.

Look for: Some brands quote 'coverage area' at only 2 air changes — too slow for polluted cities.

How much light the sensor collects, and whether it is stabilised.

Why it matters: A 50 MP sensor with OIS beats a 108 MP one without it, especially indoors and at night.

Look for: 2 MP 'macro' and 'depth' cameras exist to pad the spec sheet. They add nothing.

Capacity (kg)

Dry weight of clothes per full load.

Why it matters: Too small means two cycles per wash day, which costs more water and time than the bigger machine ever would.

Look for: Roughly 6 kg for 2 people, 7–8 kg for 4, 9 kg+ if you wash bedding or curtains at home.

Capacity (litres)

Total internal volume.

Why it matters: Under-sizing means food stacked in front of vents, which ruins cooling.

Look for: Roughly 190–250 L for 2 people, 250–350 L for 3–4, 400 L+ for 5 or bulk shoppers.

Capacity (litres) vs basket area

Total volume vs the flat area you can actually cover in one layer.

Why it matters: Air frying needs airflow around each piece; stacking creates soggy food.

Look for: Ask for basket dimensions in cm, not litres.

Capacity (litres)

Tank size for storage models.

Why it matters: One bucket bath ≈ 15 L of hot water mixed. 15 L geyser suits one bathroom; 25 L for a family or a shower.

Look for: Oversizing wastes standby electricity every day.

Capacity (litres)

Internal cavity volume.

Why it matters: 20 L suits 1–2 people reheating; 25–30 L needed for family dishes and baking trays.

Look for: Check the turntable diameter against your largest dish.

Cookers can only be filled two-thirds (or half for dal/rice that foams).

Why it matters: A '3 L' cooker cooks about 1.5 L of dal safely.

Look for: For a family of 4, 5 L is the practical everyday size.

Raw iron that builds a natural non-stick layer with use.

Why it matters: Great for rotis, dosas and searing; adds dietary iron; cheapest lifetime cost.

Look for: Needs drying and oiling; avoid for long tomato/tamarind simmers.

Stainless steel vs ceramic-coated interior.

Why it matters: Steel and ceramic clean easily and resist Indian masala stains; painted cavities chip.

Look for: Ceramic cavities scratch less and are worth a small premium.

Li-ion vs Li-polymer, plus protection circuitry.

Why it matters: Li-polymer is safer and slimmer; BIS certification matters for flights and safety.

Look for: Airlines restrict banks above 100 Wh (~27,000 mAh).

How fast it recharges and how the warranty is split.

Why it matters: In areas with long cuts, higher charging current matters. Battery warranty is often part full, part pro-rata.

Look for: Ask exactly how many months are full replacement vs pro-rata.

Whether the surface absorbs sweat.

Why it matters: Closed-cell mats wipe clean and don't hold odour; open-cell absorbs and needs frequent washing.

Look for: For shared or hot practice, choose closed-cell.

The size of the induction coil under the glass, not the glass itself.

Why it matters: It decides how evenly your vessel heats. A 20 cm coil suits most Indian kadhais.

Look for: The printed circle on the glass is often larger than the actual coil.

Do you actually print colour?

Why it matters: If it's mostly school forms, tickets and documents, a mono laser is faster, cheaper and maintenance-free.

Look for: Occasional colour printing can be outsourced to a shop.

Colour temperature (Kelvin)

Warm yellow (2700K) to cool daylight (6500K).

Why it matters: 6500K keeps you alert — wrong for bedrooms. 2700–3000K is restful; 4000K is neutral for study and kitchens.

Look for: Most Indian homes are over-lit with 6500K everywhere; it looks like an office.

Pre-shrunk, bio-washed, reactive-dyed, sanforised.

Why it matters: Untreated cotton can shrink 5–7% in the first wash and bleed onto other clothes.

Look for: Dark cheap cotton without 'pre-shrunk' or 'bio-washed' on the label will change size and colour.

Whether the heating coil is under the base plate or sitting in the water.

Why it matters: Concealed elements are easier to clean and don't scale as badly in hard water.

Look for: Exposed coils are cheaper but collect white scale fast.

USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, mobile app printing.

Why it matters: Wi-Fi means any family phone can print without a PC.

Look for: Check the app supports your phone OS version.

Stitches per inch, double-needle hems, ribbed collars, seam finishing.

Why it matters: This is where cheap clothes fail — twisted side seams, curling hems, collars that go wavy.

Look for: Pull the seam gently; if you see gaps and loose thread, it will open in months.

Freezer that can act as fridge space; built-in voltage tolerance.

Why it matters: Useful for seasonal needs and for areas with unstable power.

Look for: 'Stabiliser-free' covers a stated voltage band — check yours is inside it.

Only magnetic-base vessels work.

Why it matters: Your existing aluminium and pure-steel vessels may not work at all.

Look for: Magnet test everything before buying.

The metal in the heat exchanger.

Why it matters: Copper transfers heat better, is repairable, and survives coastal humidity far longer.

Look for: Vague words like 'alloy' or 'copper-coated' usually mean not copper. Ask for the spec sheet line.

Battery minutes at usable suction.

Why it matters: Cordless sticks quote runtime at low power; on max suction expect 8–12 minutes.

Look for: Ask for runtime on max mode and whether the battery is swappable.

Total consumable cost divided by pages yielded.

Why it matters: This is the real price of the printer over 3 years.

Look for: Ask for the bottle/toner price and its page yield, then divide.

Fibre length. Egyptian, Pima/Supima and Turkish cottons have longer fibres than regular cotton.

Why it matters: Longer fibres mean less lint, more strength, and better absorbency wash after wash.

Look for: 'Egyptian-style' or 'cotton-rich' means blended. Look for 100% and a named long-staple cotton.

Area covered and whether units can be linked.

Why it matters: Brick and concrete walls kill 5 GHz. For 3 BHK or duplex, a 2-node mesh beats one powerful router.

Look for: '2,000 sq ft coverage' claims assume open space, not Indian walls.

The chip family (i5/i7, Ryzen 5/7, M-series) plus how new it is.

Why it matters: A current-gen mid chip beats a two-generation-old high-end chip on battery and heat.

Look for: U/低-power suffixes are efficient, H/HX are fast and hot. Match the suffix to your use, not the number.

CRI (colour rendering index)

How true colours look under the light, out of 100.

Why it matters: Under CRI 70 light, food, clothes and skin look grey. CRI 90+ is worth it in kitchens, mirrors and living rooms.

Look for: CRI is often hidden; ask or check the box — anything 80+ is acceptable, 90+ is good.

A BP monitor is only accurate if the cuff fits your upper arm and sits at heart level.

Why it matters: Wrist monitors are convenient but readings vary wildly with arm position.

Look for: One-size cuffs that claim to fit all arms — measure your mid-arm circumference first.

How much foam sits under your foot.

Why it matters: Heavier runners and long distances need max cushioning; speed work wants firmer, lighter foam.

Look for: Very soft foam feels great in the shop and can feel unstable on long runs.

Weight per unit and resistance to denting.

Why it matters: Low-density mats crease permanently under knees and elbows within months.

Look for: Press with a thumbnail — if the dent stays, it will wear fast.

Manual defrosting versus automatic.

Why it matters: Direct cool is cheaper and more efficient but you scrape ice; frost free is convenient and slightly drier inside.

Look for: Single-door direct cool models below ~250 L only; larger sizes are frost free.

Display type & brightness (nits)

AMOLED vs LCD and outdoor visibility.

Why it matters: Under Indian sun, below 500 nits is unreadable.

Look for: Always-on display cuts battery life roughly in half.

Brightness, IPS vs TN vs OLED, and sRGB coverage.

Why it matters: 300 nits is unusable outdoors; 100% sRGB matters for any photo or design work.

Look for: 'FHD display' with no nits or panel type listed usually means a dim 250-nit TN panel.

AMOLED vs LCD, 60/90/120 Hz, and peak nits outdoors.

Why it matters: High refresh makes cheap phones feel expensive; 800+ nits peak decides whether you can read it in sunlight.

Look for: PWM dimming on cheap AMOLEDs gives some people eye strain at night.

Single door, double door (top/bottom freezer), side-by-side, French door.

Why it matters: Bottom freezer puts everyday fridge items at eye level; side-by-side needs wide clearance.

Look for: Measure your doorway and the swing space before falling for a side-by-side.

The pipe between ceiling and fan.

Why it matters: Fans need clearance above and around them to breathe; too close to the ceiling kills airflow.

Look for: Aim for blades 8–9 ft above the floor and at least 25 cm below the ceiling.

The electronics inside the bulb.

Why it matters: Indian voltage swings kill cheap drivers; this is why bulbs fail in months.

Look for: Look for 'wide voltage 100–300V' and a real 2-year replacement warranty.

The speaker inside: dynamic, balanced armature, or planar.

Why it matters: Dynamic drivers give bass weight; larger isn't automatically better, tuning matters more.

Look for: Huge driver numbers on cheap earbuds usually mean boomy, muddy bass.

Dual band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz)

Two radio bands: one long-range, one fast.

Why it matters: 5 GHz is fast but stops at walls; 2.4 GHz reaches far but is congested and slow.

Look for: Single-band routers still sold cheap — avoid for anything above 50 Mbps plans.

Ducted vs ductless (recirculating)

Whether smoke goes outside or is filtered and blown back in.

Why it matters: Ducted is far more effective for Indian tadka; ductless only helps with mild odours.

Look for: Duct length and bends kill performance — keep it under ~3 m with one bend.

Duplex (two-sided) printing

Automatic printing on both sides.

Why it matters: Halves paper cost for anyone printing volume.

Look for: 'Manual duplex' means you flip pages yourself.

Extras: fine filters, PM2.5 claims, and a dry mode that pulls humidity without over-cooling.

Why it matters: Dry mode is genuinely useful in monsoon; filter marketing mostly is not.

Look for: Any filter needs washing every 2–3 weeks or your cooling drops and your bill rises.

Reactive dyes, OEKO-TEX certification, wrinkle-free resin finishes.

Why it matters: Reactive dyes hold colour through hot washes; OEKO-TEX means tested for harmful chemicals.

Look for: 'Wrinkle-free' usually means a resin finish that reduces breathability and can irritate sensitive skin.

How well it works with your phone.

Why it matters: iPhone users lose call/reply features on many Android-first watches.

Look for: Check notification reply and call support for your phone.

Double-stitched hems and dobby borders.

Why it matters: Hems are where towels fail first after repeated machine washing.

Look for: Single-row stitching or glued borders unravel within a year.

Cc, and whether the engine is naturally aspirated or turbocharged; torque is pulling force.

Why it matters: Torque low in the rev range makes city driving relaxed; peak horsepower matters mostly on highways.

Look for: Small turbo-petrols give great brochure figures but real mileage drops sharply with a heavy foot.

Displacement, and where the pulling force arrives in the rev range.

Why it matters: For city riding, low-end torque matters more than peak power; for highways you want the opposite.

Look for: 110–125cc for pure city, 150–200cc for mixed, 250cc+ only if you actually ride highways often.

Polyester, cotton, linen blends, velvet; weight in GSM.

Why it matters: Heavier fabric drapes better, insulates against heat and muffles sound. Cotton and linen breathe but crease.

Look for: Under 150 GSM polyester ripples in the fan breeze and fades within one summer.

Regular cotton, long-staple (Pima/Egyptian/Supima), cotton-poly blend, microfibre, linen.

Why it matters: Long-staple cotton is cooler, softer with washing and pills less. Polyester traps heat.

Look for: 'Cotton-rich' or 'cotton feel' means blended. Microfibre is polyester — cheap, hot, and static in dry weather.

Cotton, linen, viscose/rayon, modal, polyester, wool, and blends — printed on the wash label.

Why it matters: Natural fibres breathe and absorb sweat; polyester wicks but holds odour; blends trade comfort for wrinkle resistance and price.

Look for: 'Cotton-rich' can be 55% cotton. In peak Indian summer, anything over 30% polyester feels sticky.

Weight of the filling per square metre, typically 120–500 GSM.

Why it matters: This is the honest warmth number: 120–200 for AC rooms, 200–300 for mild winter, 300–500 for north Indian cold.

Look for: Total product weight quoted instead of fill GSM — ask for the filling weight specifically.

Fill power (for down)

Loft of the down — 550, 650, 800.

Why it matters: Higher fill power gives the same warmth with less weight, so the quilt drapes instead of pressing down.

Look for: Below 550 fill power, down loses its advantage over a good microfibre.

Down/feather, microfibre (polyfill), cotton, wool, or a shell-only quilt.

Why it matters: Down is warmest per gram and breathes; microfibre is cheap, washable and allergy-safe; cotton dohars suit humid nights.

Look for: 'Down-alternative' is polyester. Real down needs fill power, not just weight.

Replacement price and months of use.

Why it matters: In high-pollution cities filters last 6–8 months, not the claimed 12. This is the real running cost.

Look for: Get the replacement filter price before buying the machine.

How often cartridges and the RO membrane are replaced, and what a service contract costs.

Why it matters: Filters are the real cost of ownership — often 30–50% of machine price every year.

Look for: Ask for the printed price list of each cartridge and membrane before buying.

How grease is separated from air.

Why it matters: Baffle filters handle oily Indian cooking; mesh clogs fast; filterless uses a spinning separator and needs oil-collector cleaning.

Look for: Mesh filters need washing every 2 weeks and are the top cause of 'weak suction' complaints.

Filtration (HEPA, sealed system)

How fine the exhaust filter is and whether air leaks around it.

Why it matters: A vacuum without a sealed HEPA path throws the finest dust back into the room — worst for asthma.

Look for: 'HEPA filter' is meaningless without 'fully sealed system'.

OEKO-TEX certification, azo-free dyes, wrinkle-free resin treatment, anti-microbial coating.

Why it matters: Matters most for babies, kids and anyone with sensitive skin; resin finishes reduce breathability.

Look for: For infants, look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I and flat/covered seams.

Firmness (soft / medium / firm)

How much you sink in, usually scored 1–10.

Why it matters: Side sleepers need give at shoulder and hip; back and stomach sleepers need support to keep the spine level.

Look for: Heavier bodies experience the same mattress as softer — size firmness up with weight.

Slim, regular, relaxed — and the actual chest/waist/length in inches on the size chart.

Why it matters: Brand sizing is inconsistent; measurements are not. Fit affects airflow, which affects perceived heat.

Look for: Measure a garment you already like and compare numbers, not the S/M/L letter.

Ear tips, clamping force, and sweat/water resistance.

Why it matters: A bad seal loses all the bass and most of the ANC. Fit is the single biggest variable.

Look for: For gym use, IPX4 minimum; for over-ears, check clamp pressure with glasses on.

How deep the elastic corner stretches, in inches or cm.

Why it matters: Indian mattresses with a topper often run 8–12 inches; a 7-inch pocket keeps popping off.

Look for: Measure your mattress thickness before buying. All-round elastic beats corner-only elastic.

Invisible rapid flicker and whether it works with dimmers.

Why it matters: Flicker causes eye strain and headaches during long study or work hours.

Look for: Point a phone camera at the bulb — visible banding means flicker.

Foam density (kg/m³)

How much material is in the foam.

Why it matters: Low-density foam sags into a body-shaped hollow within two years.

Look for: Memory foam under 40 kg/m³ or PU base foam under 32 kg/m³ is a short-life mattress.

Common irritants that can cause redness, sensitivity, or breakouts over time.

Why it matters: 'Natural' fragrance from essential oils is still fragrance. Denatured alcohol high up can dry skin out.

Look for: 'Unscented' can mean a masking scent was added; 'fragrance-free' is the safer claim.

Drum on its side versus a vertical tub.

Why it matters: Front load uses far less water, cleans better and is gentler; top load is cheaper, faster and easier to load.

Look for: Front load needs a level floor, a drain, and you cannot add a stray sock mid-cycle on most models.

Total curtain width divided by window width — 1.5x, 2x or 2.5x.

Why it matters: Fullness creates the folds. Flat panels look cheap and let light through the weave.

Look for: Ready-made 'pair' sizes assume a narrow window; measure and buy for 2x your rod width.

Class 3/4 certified hydraulic cylinder and nylon vs metal base.

Why it matters: Cheap cylinders sink slowly within a year; metal bases handle more weight.

Look for: Ask for Class 4 gas lift and the weight rating.

Crystal/ceramic glass thickness and heat tolerance.

Why it matters: Thin tops crack under heavy cookers; better glass resists thermal shock.

Look for: Check maximum vessel weight in the manual.

Independent crash-test stars for adult and child occupants.

Why it matters: This is the only comparable safety number; airbag count alone tells you nothing about body-shell strength.

Look for: Ratings apply to a specific variant and year. Base variants are often tested differently from top trims.

The meter is cheap; the recurring strips are expensive.

Why it matters: Accuracy standards like ISO 15197 define acceptable error. Compare strip price per pack, not just meter price.

Look for: Third-party strips that aren't cleared for your meter — they can read wrong.

Surface texture and how it behaves with sweat.

Why it matters: Hot yoga and Indian summers demand wet grip, not just dry grip.

Look for: Press with a damp palm and twist — cheap mats slide instantly.

Height under the car (mm) and luggage volume (litres).

Why it matters: Under ~165 mm laden clearance scrapes on speed breakers; boot under 300 L struggles with family travel.

Look for: Quoted clearance is usually unladen — full car with five people sits lower.

GSM (grams per square metre)

Density of the towel — how much cotton is packed into it.

Why it matters: Low GSM dries fast but absorbs little; high GSM is plush and thirsty but slow to dry.

Look for: 300–400 gym/travel, 450–600 everyday bath, 600–900 luxury/spa. Above 700 in a humid bathroom stays damp.

Fabric weight per square metre — roughly 110–140 GSM for sheets.

Why it matters: Too light and the sheet is see-through and tears; too heavy and it sleeps hot.

Look for: Under 100 GSM sheets go thin at the hip line within months.

GSM (fabric weight)

How heavy the fabric is per square metre.

Why it matters: T-shirts: 140–160 GSM light summer, 180–200 GSM everyday, 220+ GSM heavy/structured. Shirts: 100–130 GSM.

Look for: Sub-140 GSM tees go transparent and lose shape; 220 GSM tees are too warm for most of the year here.

HDMI 2.1 carries 4K120, VRR and eARC; 2.0 does not.

Why it matters: One 2.1 port means the soundbar and console fight over it.

Look for: Some TVs list HDMI 2.1 but only one port supports the full bandwidth.

Eyelet (grommet), pencil pleat, rod pocket, pinch pleat.

Why it matters: Eyelets slide easily and suit modern rods; pleats give a formal drape but need hooks and a track.

Look for: Eyelet inner diameter must be larger than your rod — check both numbers.

Optical sensor quality and sampling rate.

Why it matters: Cheap sensors lag badly during interval workouts, making training data useless.

Look for: Continuous monitoring drains battery; check the rated life with it on.

Heel-to-toe drop (mm)

Height difference between heel and forefoot.

Why it matters: 8–12 mm suits heel strikers and eases Achilles load; 0–6 mm loads the calf more.

Look for: Never jump from 10 mm to 4 mm suddenly — calf injuries follow.

Manual, battery auto-ignition, or mains auto-ignition.

Why it matters: Auto-ignition is convenient but the spark unit is the first thing to fail in humid kitchens.

Look for: Manual is more reliable and cheaper to keep running.

How hard the headphone is to drive.

Why it matters: High-impedance wired headphones sound thin from a phone and need an amp.

Look for: Anything over ~80 ohms should be paired with a DAC/amp, budget for it.

Magnetic base plus riveted vs welded handles.

Why it matters: Riveted handles survive heavy vessels; welded handles snap under weight.

Look for: Magnet test the base if you use induction.

A magnetic base that works on induction cooktops.

Why it matters: Pure aluminium won't work on induction at all.

Look for: Test with a fridge magnet — it should stick firmly to the base.

Ingredient list order (INCI)

Ingredients are listed from highest to lowest concentration.

Why it matters: If a hero ingredient is near the end, it's only there for the label claim, not results.

Look for: Fragrance or essential oils hiding in the first half of a sensitive-skin product.

Refillable tanks, replaceable cartridges, or toner powder.

Why it matters: Ink tank ≈ 20–30 paise/page; cartridge ≈ ₹3–8/page; mono laser ≈ 50 paise/page and never dries up.

Look for: Cartridge printers are cheap upfront and brutal later.

Stainless steel vs plastic interior.

Why it matters: Plastic interiors leach taste and degrade with boiling water daily.

Look for: Some 'steel' kettles are steel outside, plastic inside — check the inner surface.

Where the lid seats.

Why it matters: Inner-lid cookers are safer and easier to open; outer-lid cookers have a wider mouth for rice and larger volumes.

Look for: Inner-lid gaskets are cheaper and more widely available.

How fast the bank itself refills.

Why it matters: A 20,000 mAh bank with 10W input takes 8+ hours to recharge.

Look for: Look for 30W+ input on large banks.

Instant heats water as it flows; storage heats a tankful and keeps it warm.

Why it matters: Instant suits kitchen sinks and quick handwash; bucket or shower baths need storage.

Look for: Instant geysers cannot fill a bucket at usable temperature in cold winters.

Variable-speed cooling instead of full-on/full-off.

Why it matters: Lower electricity, less noise, steadier internal temperature and longer food life.

Look for: Compressor warranty is usually 10 years; the rest of the unit is 1 year.

Variable-speed, usually direct-drive without a belt.

Why it matters: Quieter, more durable, less electricity — and usually a 10-year motor warranty.

Look for: The 10-year warranty is on the motor only; the electronics carry 1–2 years.

An inverter compressor slows down instead of switching fully off and on.

Why it matters: Steadier temperature, far less noise, and 20–30% lower electricity use for heavy daily runtime.

Look for: If you run the AC under ~600 hours a year, a good fixed-speed 3-star can be the cheaper lifetime choice.

Inverter varies power continuously instead of pulsing on/off.

Why it matters: Gentler reheating without rubbery edges; better for milk, curd and defrosting.

Look for: Rare in budget models; check the spec sheet, not the badge.

Extra charged-particle features.

Why it matters: Some ionisers produce ozone, which irritates lungs.

Look for: Prefer purifiers where the ioniser can be switched off.

Cooling delivered per unit of electricity across a season.

Why it matters: This is the number that shows up on your bill every month, not once at the shop.

Look for: Compare the ISEER figure itself, not just stars — rating thresholds get revised and old stock looks better than it is.

IS 4246 certification and thermal efficiency percentage.

Why it matters: Certified stoves burn cleaner and use less LPG per meal.

Look for: Look for the ISI mark stamped on the body, not just on the box.

Stainless steel jars for wet/dry, polycarbonate for juicing.

Why it matters: Steel jars last; the blade-to-jar seal decides leaks. Sizes should match your family's batch size.

Look for: Check the jar coupler (the plastic dog) — it's the first part to strip and must be replaceable.

How heavy the vehicle is, and how tall the seat sits (mm).

Why it matters: A tall or heavy bike is tiring in traffic and unsafe if you cannot flat-foot at a signal.

Look for: Under 5'6", look for 780–800 mm seat height. Sit on it with both feet down before buying.

Audio delay for video/gaming, and connecting to two devices at once.

Why it matters: Above ~150 ms lip sync is visibly off; multipoint saves constant re-pairing.

Look for: 'Game mode' cuts latency but usually shortens battery and range.

Door (7 ft / 213 cm), window (5 ft / 152 cm), floor-length custom.

Why it matters: Curtains that stop above the sill look unfinished and leak light at the bottom.

Look for: Measure from the rod, not from the window frame, and add 2–3 cm of clearance from the floor.

The four sensors under the platform.

Why it matters: Four good load cells give stable readings; cheap scales use weak sensors that drift.

Look for: Check max capacity (usually 150–180 kg) fits everyone at home.

Lumens (brightness)

Actual light output.

Why it matters: A bedroom needs ~1,500–2,500 lumens total; a kitchen counter needs far more.

Look for: Compare lumens across brands, since 9W bulbs range from 800 to 1,100 lumens.

PVC, TPE, natural rubber, cork.

Why it matters: Natural rubber and cork grip better when wet; PVC gets slippery with sweat; TPE is lightweight and cheap.

Look for: Natural rubber has a strong smell for the first weeks and isn't latex-allergy friendly.

Three very different support systems.

Why it matters: Memory foam hugs and isolates motion; latex is bouncy, cool and durable; pocket springs give airflow and edge support.

Look for: Memory foam runs hot in warm climates unless it's gel-infused or open-cell.

Breathable mesh back vs padded upholstery.

Why it matters: Mesh suits Indian summers; foam feels plush but sweats.

Look for: Cheap mesh sags in a year — press hard in the shop.

Synthetic split fibres versus natural cotton.

Why it matters: Microfibre dries in a fraction of the time and packs small — good for travel, gym and hair.

Look for: Microfibre can feel grabby on skin and holds odour if not washed without fabric softener.

Kilometres before the foam is dead.

Why it matters: Most trainers last 500–800 km; after that cushioning is gone even if the upper looks fine.

Look for: Track your kilometres, not the shoe's appearance.

Whether a partner turning wakes you, and whether the edge collapses when you sit.

Why it matters: The two things couples complain about most, and neither is on the price tag.

Look for: Cheap pocket springs skip the reinforced perimeter.

A control that adds back some minerals after RO.

Why it matters: Keeps taste and essential minerals when TDS input varies (tanker one week, municipal the next).

Look for: 'Copper' and 'alkaline' stages are mostly taste and marketing — they don't replace correct filtration.

Native refresh rate (60 Hz vs 120 Hz)

How many real frames the panel can show per second.

Why it matters: 120 Hz matters for consoles and sport; motion 'engines' with invented numbers do not.

Look for: 'Motion Rate 240' style figures are marketing, not panel refresh rate.

How fine the mist is; smaller particles reach the lungs better.

Why it matters: Respiratory meds need particles around 1–5 microns. Larger particles mostly deposit in the mouth.

Look for: 'Steam inhalers' sold as nebulizers — they don't deliver medication to the lungs.

Noise (dB) and auto-clean

Loudness at full speed and whether it heats oil off the surfaces automatically.

Why it matters: Over 62 dB makes conversation hard; auto-clean saves a filthy annual job.

Look for: Auto-clean still needs the oil collector emptied monthly.

Sound level and how much the body walks on the counter.

Why it matters: Heavier bases and rubber feet mean quieter, safer operation in small kitchens.

Look for: Run it empty in the shop; a rattling body means poor mounting.

How loud the circulation fan runs.

Why it matters: Air fryers run 15–25 minutes at a time; over 60 dB is intrusive in an open kitchen.

Look for: Test-run in the shop if possible.

dB level at the fan speed you'd run overnight.

Why it matters: Quoted noise is on sleep mode, which often delivers a fraction of the CADR.

Look for: Ask for dB and CADR at the same speed setting.

PTFE-based coating; quality is in the number of layers and the base metal thickness.

Why it matters: Thin single-coat pans lose non-stick in months; 3–5 layer coatings on 3 mm+ bases last years.

Look for: PFOA-free is standard now; the real question is coating layers and base thickness.

PD (Power Delivery), QC (Quick Charge) and watts.

Why it matters: Phones want 18–30W PD; laptops need 45–65W PD. Mismatched protocol means slow charging.

Look for: '22.5W max' is often shared across ports, not per port.

Rubber pattern for road, trail or treadmill.

Why it matters: Trail lugs on tarmac wear fast and feel lumpy; road shoes slip on wet trail.

Look for: Indian roads mix gravel and tarmac — durable rubber matters.

A cut-out that trips before the motor burns.

Why it matters: Indian kitchens run mixers hard in monsoon humidity and low voltage — this switch saves the machine.

Look for: Confirm it's a resettable button, not a fuse you must get replaced.

Trivet size and the gap between burners.

Why it matters: Two large kadhais must sit side by side without touching. Cramped stoves force you to cook one at a time.

Look for: Measure your biggest vessel against the trivet in the shop.

How the picture is lit — backlight zones, quantum dots, or self-lit pixels.

Why it matters: OLED gives perfect black in dark rooms; mini-LED gets far brighter for sunlit living rooms.

Look for: 'QLED' is still a backlit LCD. It is not related to OLED despite the name.

Test a new product on a small area first, and check the PAO jar symbol.

Why it matters: Actives oxidise and degrade; a retinol bought two years ago may be useless.

Look for: Open jars with no preservatives and no clear period-after-opening date.

Peak brightness (nits) and local dimming zones

How bright highlights get, and how finely the backlight can dim.

Why it matters: Under ~500 nits, HDR content just looks dim and washed out.

Look for: 'HDR10 support' only means it accepts the signal — not that it can display it.

The powertrain — what you refill, and how the running cost behaves.

Why it matters: Break-even depends on your monthly kilometres, not on which fuel is fashionable.

Look for: Diesel/CNG make sense above roughly 1,200–1,500 km a month; EVs need reliable home charging, not just public chargers.

IC engine versus battery, motor and charger.

Why it matters: Electric scooters cost far less per km, but range, battery warranty and charging access decide if that saving is real.

Look for: Ask true range with a pillion, battery warranty in years AND km, and whether the battery is removable.

Skin is naturally slightly acidic, around 4.5–5.5.

Why it matters: A high-pH cleanser strips the barrier; an acid toner at the wrong pH either irritates or does nothing.

Look for: 'Gentle' cleansers with a pH above 6.5.

USB-C with Power Delivery, HDMI, card reader, Thunderbolt.

Why it matters: USB-C PD charging means one charger for laptop and phone; missing HDMI means dongles forever.

Look for: Confirm the USB-C port supports both display output and charging — many only do data.

USB-C, USB-A count, and charging while being charged.

Why it matters: USB-C in/out is essential now; pass-through is handy overnight.

Look for: Some banks only charge via micro-USB — outdated.

Power (watts) & power levels

Heating output and how finely you can dial it down.

Why it matters: 800W+ reheats quickly; multiple levels matter for defrosting without cooking edges.

Look for: Cheap models offer only 3 power levels — poor for defrosting.

Battery life, stored readings, and whether the device needs regular calibration.

Why it matters: A device with no memory forces you to track readings manually. Some BP monitors drift and need service checks.

Look for: No battery-low indicator; app-only history that needs a subscription.

Displayed decimals vs giving the same reading twice in a row.

Why it matters: Weigh yourself three times in the shop — if readings jump, the sensors are poor.

Look for: 100 g steps are useless if repeatability is ±500 g.

Pressure rating (bar)

How much water pressure the tank can take.

Why it matters: High-rise buildings and pressure pumps need 6–8 bar rated units; standard 4 bar can burst or leak.

Look for: If you're above the 5th floor or use a booster pump, insist on 8 bar.

Processor (SoC) and fabrication node

The main chip; smaller nm numbers usually mean cooler and more efficient.

Why it matters: It decides smoothness three years from now, not on day one — every phone feels fast in the shop.

Look for: Renamed last-gen chips in 'new' phones. Search the exact chip name, not the phone name.

How much your ankle rolls inward.

Why it matters: Overpronators need stability shoes; neutral runners in stability shoes get discomfort.

Look for: Look at the wear pattern on your old shoes to judge.

SpO2 measures blood oxygen; perfusion index tells you how strong the signal is.

Why it matters: Low perfusion, cold fingers or nail polish make cheap oximeters unreliable.

Look for: No FDA/CE marking and no published accuracy range — avoid for serious monitoring.

RAM (and whether it's soldered)

Working memory for open apps and browser tabs.

Why it matters: 16 GB is the current comfortable floor; 8 GB starts swapping with a browser and one heavy app.

Look for: Soldered RAM cannot be upgraded later — check for a free SO-DIMM slot if you buy 8 GB.

RAM and storage type (UFS vs eMMC)

Working memory, and how fast the built-in storage reads.

Why it matters: UFS 2.2/3.1/4.0 storage affects app launch and camera burst speed far more than extra 'virtual RAM'.

Look for: '8+8 GB RAM' is 8 GB plus swap on storage. Ignore the second number.

Usable output vs the printed cell rating.

Why it matters: Real output ≈ 60–70% of the label. A 10,000 mAh bank gives roughly 6,500 mAh.

Look for: Good brands print 'rated capacity' on the back — compare that.

Real mileage (kmpl) and tank size

Fuel economy in your conditions and range per fill.

Why it matters: Claimed figures come from ideal test rides; city riding with pillion drops them 15–25%.

Look for: Multiply realistic kmpl by tank litres — that is your true range, which matters more than the kmpl number.

Claimed fuel economy is measured in lab conditions.

Why it matters: City mileage is typically 20–30% below the ARAI number, more with AC and traffic.

Look for: Compare owner-reported mileage for your city, and check tank size for range between fills.

How the back reclines and whether the seat tilts with it.

Why it matters: Tilt with lockable positions relieves spinal load through a long day.

Look for: Tension knob should match your body weight.

Litres of drinking water per litre of reject water.

Why it matters: Old RO units waste 3:1. Newer ones manage 1:1 and can route reject water to a bucket.

Look for: Ask for the recovery rate and whether the reject line can be diverted for mopping.

RO removes dissolved salts; UV kills germs; UF filters cysts and mud without electricity.

Why it matters: Each handles a different problem. Municipal water usually needs UV+UF; borewell and tanker water needs RO.

Look for: RO on already-soft water tastes flat and wastes 2–3 litres per litre purified.

How fast the blade spins and how finely you can control it.

Why it matters: A pulse/whip setting prevents overheating masala and lets you control chutney texture.

Look for: Three speeds plus pulse is enough; more dials rarely change results.

ESC/ESP, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX, TPMS, 360 camera, ADAS.

Why it matters: Electronic stability control prevents crashes; airbags only reduce injury after one.

Look for: ESC and six airbags are often top-variant only. Confirm variant-wise, not brochure-wide.

Pressure regulator weight, gasket-release safety and the ISI certification.

Why it matters: This is the one kitchen item where certification is genuinely a safety matter.

Look for: Look for ISI mark IS 2347 and a visible secondary safety valve.

Distance from back to front edge, and whether the edge curves down.

Why it matters: Two-three fingers should fit between the seat edge and your knee, else circulation suffers.

Look for: Tall and short users need seat-slide adjustment; most cheap chairs have none.

Scheduled service intervals, labour rates, parts price and expected resale value.

Why it matters: Two cars at the same price can differ by a lakh over five years in service and depreciation.

Look for: Ask for the brand's published service-cost schedule for 5 years/50,000 km in writing.

How far the nearest authorised service centre is, and part availability.

Why it matters: A cheaper brand with a distant service centre costs you days, not just money.

Look for: Ask for the price of a common consumable — brake pads, clutch plate set, or a battery pack for EVs.

The outer cover — cotton, poly-cotton, or downproof cambric.

Why it matters: Breathable cotton shells prevent night sweats; downproof weave stops feathers poking out.

Look for: Polyester shells trap moisture and feel clammy in humid weather.

Shell material (PC vs ABS vs polyester)

Hard polycarbonate, cheaper ABS, or soft fabric.

Why it matters: Polycarbonate flexes and returns to shape; ABS cracks; soft luggage expands but is less protective.

Look for: 'PC+ABS' blends are middle-tier — fine for occasional travel.

How many clients it can serve without lag.

Why it matters: Smart TVs, CCTV, phones, laptops add up fast; cheap routers stutter past 15 devices.

Look for: Look for MU-MIMO and OFDMA on Wi-Fi 6 models.

Shape of the output current.

Why it matters: Pure sine wave is required for fridges, computers and modern TVs; square wave hums and heats motors.

Look for: 'Modified sine' is a compromise — avoid it if you'll run a fridge or PC.

Hand (40×60 cm), bath (70×140 cm), bath sheet (90×170 cm).

Why it matters: A bath sheet wraps fully; a standard bath towel is faster to wash and dry.

Look for: Check the size in cm on the label — 'large' is not a measurement.

Length and width.

Why it matters: Standard 173 cm is short for anyone above 5'9"; 183 cm mats exist.

Look for: Check width too if you do wide-legged poses.

60 cm vs 90 cm width, mounted 65–75 cm above the hob.

Why it matters: Chimney should be at least as wide as your hob; too high and it captures nothing.

Look for: 4-burner hob = 90 cm chimney. 2–3 burner = 60 cm.

Single, double, queen, king — sizes differ between Indian and US labelling.

Why it matters: A US queen is not an Indian queen; buying by name alone gets you a short sheet.

Look for: Always buy by cm/inches printed on the pack, not by the word 'king'.

Whether the formula is built for oily, dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.

Why it matters: A rich cream can break out oily skin; a foaming cleanser can wreck dry skin.

Look for: One-size-fits-all claims when the ingredient list is clearly heavy or fragranced.

The built-in OS: Google TV, webOS, Tizen, Fire TV.

Why it matters: It decides app availability, update life, and how much of the home screen is advertising.

Look for: Cheap TVs slow down badly in two years; a separate streaming stick is a cheap fix.

How many years of OS and security updates are promised.

Why it matters: This is the real expiry date of the phone — banking apps eventually refuse old versions.

Look for: '2 years of updates' on a phone launched 8 months ago means roughly 16 months left.

Solo heats only; grill adds a browning element; convection adds a fan-oven for baking and roasting.

Why it matters: This single choice decides price and usefulness more than any other spec.

Look for: Convection microwaves bake fine but small — a 30 L cavity fits one 8-inch cake tin.

Built-in speaker power, and whether the TV can pass lossless audio to a soundbar.

Why it matters: Thin TVs cannot hold decent speakers; eARC lets one cable do everything later.

Look for: Budget a soundbar from day one on any slim TV.

SPF measures UVB protection; PA measures UVA protection.

Why it matters: UVB burns; UVA ages and darkens. Broad spectrum is not enough — PA+++ or PA++++ is what matters for daily use.

Look for: SPF 15 moisturisers that claim anti-ageing but give almost no UVA protection.

Spin speed (RPM)

How hard it wrings clothes at the end.

Why it matters: Higher RPM means drier clothes out of the drum, crucial if you have no sunlight or a dryer.

Look for: 1000–1200 RPM is the sweet spot; above 1400 creases delicate fabrics.

Where the noisy compressor sits: outside (split), in the wall (window), or in the room (portable).

Why it matters: Split is quiet and efficient; window is cheap and easy to service; portable is a last resort for rented or glass-walled rooms.

Look for: Split needs outdoor wall space within ~5 m of the indoor unit, otherwise copper piping costs jump.

Health sensors on the wrist.

Why it matters: Only medically certified ECG is meaningful; wrist BP readings are indicative at best.

Look for: Treat these as trend indicators, never as diagnosis.

Energy label with a kWh-per-year figure.

Why it matters: Over ten years the gap between 3-star and 5-star is often larger than the price difference.

Look for: Compare annual units within the same capacity class only.

Heat-retention efficiency and temperature control.

Why it matters: A 5-star geyser loses less standby heat; adjustable thermostat lets you cap at 55–60°C and save power.

Look for: Look for thermal cut-out plus a separate safety valve.

How much purified water it holds and how fast it makes more.

Why it matters: In areas with power cuts or timed supply, a 7–8 L tank matters more than any fancy stage.

Look for: Tank material — food-grade plastic vs stainless. Plastic tanks need cleaning every 6 months.

How fast files and the OS load.

Why it matters: NVMe boots and opens projects several times faster than SATA; eMMC is painfully slow.

Look for: 512 GB NVMe is the sane baseline; check whether a second M.2 slot exists.

Suction (kPa or air watts)

Actual pulling force, unlike motor watts which is only power drawn.

Why it matters: Hard floors need 8–15 kPa; mattresses and sofas want 15 kPa+.

Look for: If only motor watts are quoted, ask for kPa or air watts.

Suction power (m³/hr)

Air volume moved per hour.

Why it matters: Rule of thumb: kitchen volume x 10 air changes. Most Indian kitchens need 1000–1400 m³/hr.

Look for: Quoted figures are free-air; real ducted performance is 20–30% lower.

Tempered glass thickness and non-slip feet.

Why it matters: Scales must sit on hard flat floor; tiles yes, carpet no.

Look for: Rubber feet prevent slipping in bathrooms.

Telescopic vs USD forks, twin shocks vs monoshock, and tyre width/type.

Why it matters: Monoshock plus wider tubeless tyres transform potholed-road comfort and wet grip.

Look for: Tubeless tyres are worth insisting on — a puncture can be plugged instead of stranding you.

Sweep (mm)

Diameter of the circle the blades cut.

Why it matters: The sweep must match the room, or airflow either misses the corners or feels like a storm.

Look for: Up to 75 sq ft: 900 mm. 75–120 sq ft: 1200 mm. Over 120 sq ft: 1400 mm, or two fans.

Glass/vitreous enamel coating plus a sacrificial magnesium rod.

Why it matters: Hard Indian water corrodes tanks; the anode rod dies first and protects the tank.

Look for: Ask if the anode rod is replaceable and how often (typically every 2–3 years).

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

How many dissolved salts and minerals are in your water, in ppm.

Why it matters: Below ~200 ppm you usually need only UV/UF. Above ~500 ppm you need RO. This single number picks your machine.

Look for: Get your actual supply tested — a ₹100 TDS meter or the society's report is enough.

Presets for green tea (80°C), coffee (92°C), boiling.

Why it matters: Only matters if you brew tea or coffee seriously; otherwise skip.

Look for: Costs 2–3x more than a plain kettle.

Lowest to highest settings, usually 80–200°C.

Why it matters: Reheating rotis wants low heat; crisping needs 190–200°C. A narrow range limits use.

Look for: Some cheap models have only presets and no manual temperature dial.

A foam or coated backing that slows heat transfer through glass.

Why it matters: On a west or south-facing window this measurably reduces AC load in the afternoon.

Look for: 'Thermal' printed on the pack with no coating visible on the back is marketing.

Whether the cooling keeps the chip fast after 10 minutes.

Why it matters: Thin machines often drop to half speed under continuous load — the spec sheet never says this.

Look for: Look for a sustained-load review of that exact model, not just the chip.

Contact oral/axial thermometers are most accurate; infrared forehead/ear types are faster but sensitive to technique.

Why it matters: Forehead readings on sweaty skin or ear readings with wrong probe depth can be off by a degree.

Look for: 'Non-contact' fever checkers used as the only diagnostic tool.

Total height of the mattress.

Why it matters: 6 inches suits light single sleepers; 8–10 inches suits most adults; heavier bodies need 10+.

Look for: Thickness without density is meaningless — thick cheap foam still sags.

Thickness (mm)

4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm or more.

Why it matters: 4–5 mm balances stability and cushioning; 8 mm+ is for floor workouts and bad knees, not balance poses.

Look for: Very thick mats make standing poses unstable.

Thread count (TC)

Threads per square inch of fabric.

Why it matters: Useful only up to a point — 200–400 in genuine single-ply cotton is the sweet spot.

Look for: 1000TC+ at a low price is multi-ply counting or polyester. Real high-TC cotton is expensive and heavy.

For shirts, yarn count (40s, 60s, 80s, 100s) — higher is finer.

Why it matters: Higher counts feel softer and lighter; lower counts are tougher for daily wear.

Look for: 80s+ cotton is delicate — beautiful for occasions, not for a daily commute.

Thermal resistance of a duvet — 4.5 summer, 9–10.5 spring/autumn, 13.5 winter.

Why it matters: Lets you compare two duvets fairly, regardless of loft and marketing words.

Look for: Most Indian homes never need 13.5 TOG except in the far north or hills.

Tonnage (1 ton, 1.5 ton…)

How much heat the AC can remove per hour — not the weight of the unit.

Why it matters: Undersized units run non-stop and never cool; oversized units cool fast, switch off, and leave the room clammy.

Look for: Roughly 1 ton per 100–120 sq ft, add capacity for top floors, west sun, or 3+ people in the room.

Toughened glass vs stainless steel.

Why it matters: Glass wipes clean and looks better; steel takes rough handling and heavy vessels.

Look for: Glass should be 6–8 mm toughened; thinner tops crack from thermal shock.

Transmission (MT, AMT, CVT, DCT, torque converter)

How gears are changed.

Why it matters: AMT is cheap but jerky; CVT is smooth for city; DCT is quick but costlier to repair; torque converter is the most durable automatic.

Look for: Ask the out-of-warranty repair cost for the automatic before choosing it.

Nights you can return it, and what 'sagging' the warranty actually covers.

Why it matters: Bodies need 2–3 weeks to adapt; a 10-night trial proves nothing.

Look for: Warranties often only cover sag deeper than 1–1.5 inches, measured unweighted.

Steel-aluminium-steel sandwich across the whole pan, not just the disc base.

Why it matters: Even heat with no scorching, safe for acidic food, and lasts decades.

Look for: 'Encapsulated base' is not triply — the sides stay thin.

True HEPA (H13) filter

Captures 99.95% of 0.3 micron particles.

Why it matters: This is what removes PM2.5. 'HEPA-type' or 'HEPA-like' does not qualify.

Look for: Look for the H13 or H14 grade printed on the filter itself.

Engineered mesh, knit, toe box width.

Why it matters: Feet swell up to half a size during a run; a tight toe box causes black toenails.

Look for: Try shoes in the evening with your running socks on.

How often you'll print.

Why it matters: Inkjets clog if idle for weeks; laser doesn't care.

Look for: For rare printing, choose laser over any inkjet.

Solution-dyed or UV-treated fabrics hold colour under direct sun.

Why it matters: Indian sun bleaches untreated dark curtains along the fold lines in a year.

Look for: Very dark cheap fabrics fade fastest; check for a UV-resistant claim with a warranty.

How much load the inverter can carry at once.

Why it matters: Total watts you'll run ÷ 0.7 = VA needed. Overloading trips or damages the unit.

Look for: Add up actual wattages: fan 75W, tube 20W, TV 100W, fridge 200W (surge much higher).

Validation marks (ESH, AAMI, ISO)

Independent proof that a BP monitor reads correctly on real people.

Why it matters: Many cheaper cuffs drift over time. A validated device is more likely to match your clinic reading.

Look for: 'Clinically tested' is marketing unless it names ESH, AAMI/ESH or ISO 81060-2.

How the picture holds up off-centre and against windows.

Why it matters: VA panels have great contrast but wash out from the side; IPS is the reverse.

Look for: A glossy screen opposite a window is unwatchable in daytime.

Handling low and fluctuating supply.

Why it matters: Induction electronics fail first during voltage swings.

Look for: Look for wide-voltage operation and a fuse you can replace.

Gigabit vs 100 Mbps ports.

Why it matters: A 100 Mbps WAN port caps your 300 Mbps fibre plan instantly.

Look for: Check the WAN port is Gigabit if your plan is above 100 Mbps.

What's actually covered.

Why it matters: Most 'lifetime' warranties exclude airline handling damage — the main cause of failure.

Look for: Ask specifically about wheel, handle and zip coverage.

Quick wash, heavy soil, delicate, and a tub-clean cycle.

Why it matters: Three or four programmes cover 95% of laundry; the other fifteen are shelf appeal.

Look for: Front loads must run a hot tub-clean monthly or they smell.

Machine-washable at home vs dry clean only.

Why it matters: A quilt you cannot wash becomes a dust-mite reservoir in a year.

Look for: Check whether it fits in your machine drum — most 6–7 kg washers cannot take a double comforter.

Litres per cycle and units per year.

Why it matters: A front load can use less than half the water of a top load per kilo of laundry.

Look for: Ratings assume a full load — half loads wreck the economics on any machine.

Water resistance (ATM / IP)

5 ATM means swim-safe; IP68 means splash and rain only.

Why it matters: Swimmers must have 5 ATM; IP68 watches fail in a pool.

Look for: IP68 is not the same as 5 ATM.

1,200–2,000W decides how fast a litre boils.

Why it matters: 1,500W boils a litre in about 4 minutes; lower wattage doubles that.

Look for: Check your socket rating if the kettle is above 1,500W.

Maximum power and how finely it can be reduced.

Why it matters: Slow simmering needs low steps; many cheap models pulse on/off instead of holding low power.

Look for: Look for continuous power control, not just presets.

Power draw and how long it takes to reach temperature.

Why it matters: 1400–1800W heats fast; low-watt units take longer and cook unevenly.

Look for: Check your kitchen socket and wiring can handle it alongside a microwave.

Watts is power drawn; torque is turning force at low speed.

Why it matters: Grinding wet batter and chutney needs torque, not peak watts. A well-built 550W beats a cheap 750W.

Look for: Ask if the winding is copper. Aluminium windings overheat and die in 2 years.

Poplin, oxford, twill, chambray for shirts; single jersey, pique, interlock for tees.

Why it matters: Poplin is smooth and cool; oxford is textured and durable; twill resists creasing; pique breathes better than jersey.

Look for: Sateen-finish shirts look premium but trap heat; slub weaves hide sweat marks better.

Percale is a crisp one-over-one weave; sateen floats more threads on the surface for shine.

Why it matters: Percale breathes better and suits Indian summers; sateen feels silky and warmer, better for AC rooms and winter.

Look for: Sateen snags easily and shows wear on the shiny face after a year of hot washes.

How the loops are made and twisted.

Why it matters: Zero-twist is softest and very absorbent; ringspun is durable everyday; waffle dries quickest in humid climates.

Look for: Zero-twist sheds more in the first few washes and wears faster with hard water.

Grams you'll actually carry.

Why it matters: 20,000 mAh banks weigh ~400 g — heavy for daily pocket carry.

Look for: Match size to whether it's for travel or daily bag.

Can it pick up spills, not just dust.

Why it matters: Useful for Indian kitchens and balconies; needs a separate filter/bag setup.

Look for: Never use a dry-only vacuum on liquids — it kills the motor.

Four 360° wheels vs two fixed wheels.

Why it matters: Spinners glide in airports; two-wheel inline handles rough Indian pavements better.

Look for: Wheels are the first thing to break — check if they're replaceable.

Wi-Fi standard (AC / Wi-Fi 6 / 6E)

The generation of Wi-Fi it supports.

Why it matters: Wi-Fi 6 handles many devices at once far better — the real benefit in a crowded home, not raw speed.

Look for: Wi-Fi 6 helps only if your phones/laptops also support it, but it future-proofs the house.

Chain zip vs coil zip, and TSA locks.

Why it matters: Coil zips can be popped open with a pen; chain zips are more secure.

Look for: TSA locks matter for US travel, less elsewhere.