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.

A basic dust filter and a high-fan mode aimed at drying clothes indoors.

Why it matters: Laundry mode genuinely cuts indoor drying time in half in humid weather.

Look for: Filters need monthly washing — check it's easy to remove.

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.

Fee reversed if you spend a set amount in a year.

Why it matters: If your normal spend clears the waiver, a fee card can cost nothing.

Look for: Rent, wallet loads and fuel often do not count toward the waiver.

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.

Yearly cost including fees, not just interest.

Why it matters: Two loans at 11% can differ by 1–2% once fees are counted.

Look for: Lenders that quote only the flat rate.

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.

Concentrator nozzles for smoothness, diffusers for curls.

Why it matters: The right nozzle matters more than the technology badge for your hair type.

Look for: Curly hair without a diffuser ends in frizz — check what's in the box.

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.

Autofocus keeps you sharp when you lean; FoV (65–90°) sets how much of the room shows.

Why it matters: A 65–78° view frames one person well; 90°+ suits groups but shows your whole room.

Look for: Fixed-focus budget cams blur if you move closer than arm's length.

Phase-detection AF that recognises eyes, people, animals and vehicles.

Why it matters: Tracking AF decides how many shots of kids, pets and sport come out sharp.

Look for: Contrast-only AF 'hunts' and pulses in video — avoid it in 2026.

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.

Basic vs fuzzy logic (micom)

A thermal switch versus a microchip with sensors that adjust time and temperature.

Why it matters: Fuzzy logic rescues brown rice, porridge and mixed grains that basic cookers ruin.

Look for: If you only cook white rice, micom is money you won't taste.

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 (CIPA rating) and card slots

Shots per charge and the memory cards it takes.

Why it matters: 400+ shots and USB-C charging make travel easy; dual slots back up paid work.

Look for: Small bodies often rate under 300 shots — budget for a spare battery.

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 per charge and whether it charges on a stand, USB, or replaceable batteries.

Why it matters: Lithium handles last 2–4 weeks; battery units are cheap travel backups.

Look for: Proprietary chargers are a travel nuisance; USB charging is more convenient.

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.

Drip/filter, espresso pump, pod/capsule, French press or moka pot.

Why it matters: No machine does everything well; the brew type defines the drink.

Look for: 'Espresso' on a ₹3,000 (≈$36) steam machine is strong coffee, not true espresso.

Nits of brightness and the real static contrast ratio.

Why it matters: 300 nits is fine in a normal room; a bright room facing a window needs 400 nits or more.

Look for: 'HDR400' badges on a 300-nit panel do not deliver real HDR.

Brokerage plus STT, exchange fees, GST and stamp duty.

Why it matters: Frequent intraday trading lets charges eat your returns.

Look for: "Zero brokerage" that excludes DP charges on selling.

Replacement heads every 3 months, forever.

Why it matters: Heads often cost ₹300–₹800 (≈$3.60–$9.60) each; over three years they can exceed the handle price.

Look for: Check head prices and local stock before buying the handle.

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.

Capacity (litres or cups)

Raw rice capacity — 1 cup of raw rice feeds about two people.

Why it matters: Cookers work best at 50–80% full; an oversized pot cooks small batches badly.

Look for: A 1L cooker suits 2–4 people; 1.8L suits a family of 4–6.

Carafe size and how the machine keeps coffee hot.

Why it matters: A hot plate stewing coffee for an hour turns it bitter; thermal carafes keep flavour.

Look for: Single-cup households don't need 12-cup machines — small brews taste better.

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.

Tax on profit when you sell.

Why it matters: Held under 1 year: 20%; over 1 year: 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh (≈$1,500).

Look for: Intraday profits taxed as business income.

Steel grade (316L), solid vs folded links, clasp type.

Why it matters: Solid links and a screw-down crown last; folded links rattle and stretch.

Look for: Plated 'alloy' cases wear through to grey metal at the edges.

Width across the case, and the length tip to tip.

Why it matters: Lug-to-lug wider than your wrist overhangs and looks too big.

Look for: Most wrists suit 36–40 mm cases with 44–48 mm lug-to-lug — measure, don't guess.

Money credited back vs points you redeem.

Why it matters: Cashback is simple and certain; points can be worth more but need effort.

Look for: Monthly cashback caps that cut the real rate on big spends.

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.

How the card affects your credit score.

Why it matters: On-time full payments and using under 30% of your limit raise your score for loans.

Look for: Several card applications in a short time lower your score.

Share of claims the insurer paid.

Why it matters: Look for 97%+ consistently over three years.

Look for: A single good year; also check the amount settlement ratio.

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.

How much of a colour standard the screen can show — sRGB, DCI-P3, Adobe RGB.

Why it matters: 100% sRGB is enough for everyday work; photo and video editing wants 95%+ DCI-P3 and a factory calibration report.

Look for: '16.7 million colours' is meaningless — it is on every panel ever sold.

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.

Compressor units condense moisture like an AC; desiccant units absorb it into a rotor.

Why it matters: Compressors are efficient in warm rooms but stall below ~15°C; desiccants work in the cold but use more power.

Look for: Cold, unheated room in winter? Compressor models barely extract anything there.

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.

Wired USB, 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth — often all three.

Why it matters: 2.4GHz is near-wired latency for gaming; Bluetooth pairs with tablets and laptops cleanly.

Look for: Bluetooth-only boards add a hint of lag; battery life claims vary wildly.

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.

A blast of unheated air to set the style.

Why it matters: Cooling hair after heat locks the shape — stylists rely on it.

Look for: Some cheap models only drop to warm; a true cool shot should feel room-temperature.

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.

The glass over the dial.

Why it matters: Sapphire stays clear for decades; mineral scratches in months of desk use.

Look for: 'Sapphire-coated' is not sapphire crystal.

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.

How much the company borrows versus owners' money.

Why it matters: High debt is risky when rates rise.

Look for: Rising debt with flat profits.

Demat holds shares; trading account places orders.

Why it matters: Annual maintenance charges vary from zero to ₹900 (≈$11).

Look for: Brokers pushing margin and F&O activation.

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.

Direct has no distributor commission.

Why it matters: Over 20 years the cost gap can eat 15–25% of your corpus.

Look for: Apps and agents selling regular plans by default.

Honest answers on health, habits and income.

Why it matters: After 3 years a claim cannot be refused for misstatement, but early claims can.

Look for: Agents filling forms for you or hiding smoking or illness.

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.

Endurance (TBW) and warranty

Terabytes you can write before wear-out.

Why it matters: About 600 TBW per 1 TB plus a 5-year warranty is a solid drive.

Look for: Warranty ends at the TBW limit even if the years haven't run out.

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.

Fee for selling within a set period, often 1% within a year.

Why it matters: Affects short-term withdrawals.

Look for: Using equity funds for money needed soon.

Yearly fee taken from the fund.

Why it matters: Index funds charge 0.1–0.3%; active funds 0.5–2%.

Look for: High fees with returns no better than the index.

Extraction rate (litres/day)

Water removed per day, measured at 30°C / 80% humidity in a lab.

Why it matters: Real homes are cooler and drier than the lab — expect 50–70% of the rated figure.

Look for: A 10L/day unit suits one damp room; whole-floor damp needs 20L/day or more.

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.

Flash type (TLC vs QLC) and DRAM cache

How data is stored on the chips, and whether there's a memory buffer.

Why it matters: TLC with DRAM stays fast under load and lasts longer — best for a main drive.

Look for: QLC drives can slow to hard-drive speeds once their cache fills.

Flat charges interest on the full amount every month.

Why it matters: A 10% flat rate is roughly 18% reducing.

Look for: Consumer and vehicle loans quoted as flat.

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.

Flicker-free backlight dimming and a low blue-light mode.

Why it matters: PWM flicker causes headaches for sensitive users on long working days.

Look for: Look for 'flicker-free' stated for all brightness levels, not just at maximum.

A hinge that adjusts to the sandwich's thickness.

Why it matters: Without it, stuffed sandwiches don't close and thin ones slide around — the top plate just rests at an angle.

Look for: Test with your actual bread: thick multigrain or double-stuffed sandwiches need it.

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.

Extra charge on foreign-currency spends.

Why it matters: Usually 3.5% plus GST; travel cards cut this to 0–2%.

Look for: Markup on international websites even when you are in India.

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.

Refund of the 1% fee at fuel pumps.

Why it matters: Useful for regular drivers.

Look for: Only within a spend range and a monthly cap.

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.

Large cap, flexi cap, small cap, debt, hybrid, etc.

Why it matters: Category decides risk more than the fund house does.

Look for: Owning five funds in the same category.

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.

Grill plates leave ridges and melt cheese flat; triangle plates seal edges into pockets.

Why it matters: Grill plates double as a mini-panini/paneer-tikka press; triangle plates keep fillings from leaking out.

Look for: Interchangeable plates cost more but cover both uses in one machine.

Built-in burr grinders grind fresh per cup.

Why it matters: Fresh-ground is the single biggest taste upgrade; blade 'grinders' chop unevenly.

Look for: A machine plus a separate burr grinder often beats an all-in-one at the same price.

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.

Independent controls for temperature and airflow.

Why it matters: Fine or damaged hair needs low heat; thick hair needs high airflow. You want to mix both.

Look for: Single combined 'low/high' switches limit control — prefer separate sliders.

Fan/PTC ceramic (fast, blowing), oil-filled radiator (slow, silent, steady), halogen/quartz (radiant spot heat).

Why it matters: Type decides comfort: radiant heaters don't warm air, fan heaters dry it, OFRs do neither but take 15–20 minutes to start.

Look for: Buying a halogen for a whole room is the classic winter mistake.

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.

Switch sockets that let you pull and replace switches without soldering.

Why it matters: Your taste will change; hot-swap turns a ₹3,000 (≈$36) switch experiment into a 10-minute swap.

Look for: Check 3-pin vs 5-pin socket support before buying switches.

Sets a target humidity, usually 40–60%.

Why it matters: Stops the unit running all day; 50–55% is the comfort sweet spot.

Look for: Models without one run constantly and over-dry the air.

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.

In-body image stabilisation (IBIS)

The sensor moves to cancel hand shake, rated in 'stops'.

Why it matters: 5+ stops lets you shoot handheld in dim light and walk-and-talk video without a gimbal.

Look for: Many entry bodies have no IBIS and rely on stabilised lenses — check which kit lens you get.

Power and 'ready' lights, plus a latch to hold it shut.

Why it matters: A ready light tells you when it's preheated; the latch keeps pressure even without you holding it.

Look for: Cool-touch handle and a proper latch are what make it safe around kids.

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.

Induction heating (IH)

The whole pot is heated by magnetic induction instead of a bottom plate.

Why it matters: More even cooking and finer control — noticeable on premium grains.

Look for: IH adds ₹4,000+ (≈$48) over micom; taste the difference only if rice is a daily staple you care about deeply.

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 (≈$0.04–$0.10)/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.

Aluminium with non-stick coating, or thicker multi-layer pots.

Why it matters: Thicker pots spread heat evenly and stop the bottom layer burning.

Look for: Non-stick scratches with metal spoons — replacement pot availability matters.

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.

Interest rate (fixed vs floating)

Fixed stays the same; floating moves with the repo rate.

Why it matters: Floating home loans fall when RBI cuts rates and have no prepayment penalty.

Look for: "Fixed" rates that reset after 2–3 years.

Up to 45–50 days to pay without interest.

Why it matters: Only works if you pay the full bill; one missed full payment removes it.

Look for: Interest of 3–3.75% a month (36–45% a year) on any unpaid amount.

How the drive talks to the computer.

Why it matters: PCIe 4.0 (5,000–7,400 MB/s) is the value sweet spot; SATA caps at ~550 MB/s.

Look for: PCIe 5.0 runs hot and rarely speeds up everyday work — check your slot supports it.

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.

Technologies that smooth the hair cuticle and spread heat evenly.

Why it matters: Genuinely reduces frizz and hot spots, especially on long or curly hair.

Look for: It's a bonus feature, not a reason to double your budget.

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.

One-time and yearly charges, plus 18% GST.

Why it matters: A ₹2,500 (≈$30) fee is really ₹2,950 (≈$35); your rewards must beat that to be worth it.

Look for: "First year free" offers that start charging from year two.

Holds rice at serving temperature after cooking.

Why it matters: Basic models keep warm 4–6 hours before drying out; micom models manage 12+ hours with less crusting.

Look for: Extended keep-warm at low quality yellows and hardens rice.

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.

ABS (smooth, shines over time) vs PBT (textured, stays matte).

Why it matters: PBT caps keep their texture and legends for years; ABS gets greasy-shiny in months.

Look for: Double-shot or dye-sub legends don't fade; laser-etched ones do.

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.

Full-size (with numpad), TKL (no numpad), 75%, 65%, 60% (shrinking key sets).

Why it matters: Smaller boards free desk space and bring the mouse closer, but drop keys you might need.

Look for: Spreadsheet users: keep the numpad. Check where arrows and Delete went on small boards.

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.

Free airport lounge visits per quarter.

Why it matters: Only worth paying for if you fly often.

Look for: Many cards now require a minimum spend the previous quarter to unlock visits.

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.

Image resolution.

Why it matters: 24–33 MP prints large and crops comfortably; 45 MP+ only helps landscape and studio work.

Look for: High-MP bodies need sharper lenses, faster cards and more storage.

Guaranteed minimum write speed and app performance class.

Why it matters: V30 handles normal 4K; V60/V90 for high-bitrate video and long RAW bursts.

Look for: 'Up to 200 MB/s' is read speed — the V rating is the write guarantee.

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.

Built-in single or dual mics with noise reduction.

Why it matters: Fine for solo calls in quiet rooms; a headset or USB mic still beats any webcam mic.

Look for: Don't pay extra for webcam audio if you already own a decent headset.

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.

The smallest payment that avoids a late fee.

Why it matters: Paying only this still charges interest on the whole bill and new purchases.

Look for: Banks highlight it on the statement; ignore it and pay the total due.

Whitening, sensitive, gum-care modes; Bluetooth brushing reports.

Why it matters: Sensitive mode is genuinely useful; the rest rarely change outcomes.

Look for: Don't pay a ₹5,000 (≈$60) premium for an app you'll open twice.

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.

How the plate and PCB sit in the case — tray, gasket, top mount — plus foam layers.

Why it matters: Gasket mounts and foam give the softer, deeper sound people call 'thock'.

Look for: Acoustic jargon is the hobby's rabbit hole — pleasant, but optional.

What keeps the watch running.

Why it matters: Quartz is accurate to about ±15 seconds a month; automatics drift a few seconds a day and wind as you wear them.

Look for: Check power reserve (38–80 hours) if an automatic will sit unworn over weekends.

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.

Policy under the Married Women's Property Act.

Why it matters: Payout goes only to wife and children, safe from creditors.

Look for: Must be chosen when buying; cannot be added later.

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.

Typically 35–48 dB — like a quiet fan to a loud conversation.

Why it matters: Bedrooms and living rooms need the quieter end; check the lowest fan speed rating.

Look for: Compressor hum carries through floors at night; desiccants are often quieter.

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.

Fan heaters hum at 45–55 dB; halogen rods glow orange; OFRs are silent and dark.

Why it matters: For bedrooms, light and noise decide sleep quality.

Look for: No fan heater is truly quiet — don't trust 'silent' claims on one.

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.

Round heads that spin and pulse, versus vibrating heads that sweep side to side.

Why it matters: Both beat manual brushing in trials. Rotating heads clean one tooth at a time; sonic heads cover more area and feel gentler.

Look for: Pick the motion you'll actually use twice a day — comfort decides consistency.

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.

Share price divided by earnings per share.

Why it matters: Shows how expensive a stock is versus its profits.

Look for: Low P/E caused by falling profits.

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.

The underlying screen technology.

Why it matters: IPS gives accurate colour and wide viewing angles, VA gives deeper blacks, TN is fast but washed out, OLED is best for contrast.

Look for: OLED risks burn-in from fixed taskbars and logos on an all-day work screen.

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.

Non-stick quality and how heavy the plates are.

Why it matters: Thin plates heat in hot spots and their coating peels; thicker plates toast evenly and clean easily.

Look for: PFOA-free ceramic or 3-layer coating; avoid any model with bare aluminium plates.

Proprietary capsules that lock you into one brand's pods.

Why it matters: Pods run ₹40–₹80 (≈$0.48–$0.96) each — over a year that's often more than the machine.

Look for: Check whether third-party compatible pods exist for the system.

How many years the cover lasts.

Why it matters: Cover your earning years until dependants are independent.

Look for: Whole-life cover to 99 that costs much more.

Weight, castor wheels and cord length.

Why it matters: You'll move it between rooms; a 10kg OFR without wheels is a chore.

Look for: Short cords tempt people into extension boards, which overheat — prefer 1.5m+ cords.

Portable USB speed (10 / 20 / 40 Gbps)

USB 3.2 Gen 2, Gen 2x2 and USB4/Thunderbolt.

Why it matters: 10 Gbps (~1,000 MB/s) works almost everywhere; 40 Gbps enables editing straight off the drive.

Look for: Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) drives drop to 10 Gbps on most laptops and Macs.

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.

HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C with power delivery.

Why it matters: A USB-C monitor can carry video, data and laptop charging over one cable, replacing a dock.

Look for: Check the USB-C wattage — 65 W charges most laptops, 15 W does not.

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.

Fee for paying early.

Why it matters: Floating-rate loans to individuals cannot carry this; fixed ones often charge 2–5%.

Look for: Lock-in periods of 6–12 months.

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.

A light or pulse that warns when you press too hard.

Why it matters: Hard brushing wears enamel and recedes gums — the most common electric-brush mistake.

Look for: A visible light ring beats a subtle vibration you'll never notice.

Physical shutter, status LED, and a clip or tripod thread.

Why it matters: A shutter is the only webcam privacy guarantee that can't be bypassed by software.

Look for: Thin laptop lids defeat some clips — check for a tripod screw as backup.

Upfront charge, usually 0.5–3% plus 18% GST.

Why it matters: It is deducted from the payout, so you receive less.

Look for: Insurance bundled into the loan without asking.

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.

Brown rice, porridge/congee, steaming, slow-cook, cake modes.

Why it matters: Brown and mixed-grain programs are genuinely useful; cake modes are party tricks.

Look for: A steamer basket adds real value for vegetables and dumplings.

Founders' stake and how much they have pledged for loans.

Why it matters: High pledging can force sales in a fall.

Look for: Promoters steadily selling.

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.

Pump pressure (espresso)

Bars of pressure pushing water through the coffee puck — 9 bars is the extraction sweet spot.

Why it matters: Machines advertise 15–20 bar pumps but regulate down to ~9 bars at the puck; below 9 you get sour, weak shots.

Look for: Steam-toy machines claiming espresso at 3–4 bars produce no crema worth the name.

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.

Refresh rate (Hz) and response time

How many times a second the image redraws, and how fast a pixel changes.

Why it matters: 100–120 Hz makes scrolling and cursor movement feel smoother; competitive gaming benefits from 144–240 Hz.

Look for: '1 ms' is usually a marketing mode with heavy overshoot — look for measured grey-to-grey figures in reviews.

1080p is the call standard; 60fps looks smoother; 4K helps for cropping and recording.

Why it matters: Meeting apps often compress to 720p–1080p anyway — frame rate and sensor matter more.

Look for: '4K' cameras with tiny sensors look worse in dim rooms than good 1080p ones.

Return of premium (TROP)

Term plan that refunds premiums if you survive.

Why it matters: Costs far more; the extra invested elsewhere usually grows more.

Look for: Being sold it as 'free insurance'.

Value you get back per ₹100 (≈$1.20) spent.

Why it matters: Compare in rupees: 4 points per ₹150 (≈$1.80) at ₹0.25 (≈$0.003) a point is only 0.67%.

Look for: Points with low redemption value or redemption fees.

Add-ons like critical illness, accident or waiver of premium.

Why it matters: Waiver of premium and accidental disability are often worth it.

Look for: Critical illness riders weaker than a standalone health plan.

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.

Tip-over switch and overheat protection that kill power automatically.

Why it matters: Heaters are a leading cause of winter household fires — these two features are non-negotiable.

Look for: Check for the safety certification mark, not just a sticker claim.

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.

Sensor size (Full-frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, 1-inch)

The physical size of the chip that captures light.

Why it matters: Bigger sensors gather more light — cleaner indoor and night shots and softer backgrounds.

Look for: A 1/2.3-inch compact with 20 MP is phone-class quality, whatever the zoom number says.

Bigger sensors and wider apertures (f/2.0 and below) gather more light.

Why it matters: Light gathering decides how you look at 8pm under a tube light — the most common real-world test.

Look for: Marketing hides sensor size; reviews with low-light samples are the truth.

Battery changes, servicing interval, authorised service centres.

Why it matters: Automatics need a service every 5–7 years — check local cost before buying.

Look for: Grey-market watches may void the warranty.

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.

Fixed monthly investment.

Why it matters: Averages your buying price and builds discipline.

Look for: Stopping during market falls, when units are cheapest.

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'.

Size vs resolution (pixel density)

How many pixels sit in each inch of screen — not just how big it looks.

Why it matters: 1080p on a 27-inch panel looks grainy; 1440p on 27 inches, or 4K on 32 inches, keeps text crisp.

Look for: Roughly 90–110 pixels per inch is comfortable. A cheap 32-inch 1080p screen is the classic regret.

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.

Auto-framing, background blur, HDR, exposure controls via companion apps.

Why it matters: HDR genuinely helps with bright windows behind you; auto-framing is a nice-to-have.

Look for: AI-tracking gimbal cams are clever but solve a problem most desk workers don't have.

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.

Height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment, plus VESA mounting.

Why it matters: Screen height decides your neck posture more than any spec on the box.

Look for: Budget models often tilt only. Confirm VESA 100×100 support if you plan to use an arm.

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.

Steam nozzle for texturing milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

Why it matters: Without it, 'cappuccino at home' is coffee with microwaved milk.

Look for: Panarello wands are beginner-friendly; plain wands give better foam with practice.

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.

The amount your family receives.

Why it matters: Aim for 15–20× yearly income plus loans, minus existing savings.

Look for: Cover set by what the agent quotes, not by your family's needs.

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.

Speed after the fast cache runs out during a long copy.

Why it matters: Copying 100 GB of video is decided by this number, not the peak.

Look for: Budget portable SSDs can fall from 1,000 MB/s to under 150 MB/s mid-copy.

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.

Linear (smooth press), tactile (bump you feel), clicky (bump plus loud click).

Why it matters: The switch defines the feel and the noise — nothing else comes close.

Look for: Clicky switches in a shared room or office will make you unpopular fast.

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).

Collection tank capacity, and a hose outlet for non-stop draining.

Why it matters: A 2L tank on a 12L/day unit means emptying it six times a day — the hose matters more than the tank.

Look for: Check the drain outlet height; it drains by gravity, not a pump.

Taxation (LTCG/STCG)

Tax on gains when you sell.

Why it matters: Equity gains above ₹1.25 lakh (≈$1,500) a year held 1+ year are taxed at 12.5%.

Look for: Debt fund gains taxed at your slab rate.

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 (≈$1.20) 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.

How many months you take to repay.

Why it matters: Longer tenure lowers EMI but raises total interest sharply.

Look for: Banks pushing 30-year home loans to make EMIs look small.

Term pays only on death; endowment and ULIPs mix insurance with investing.

Why it matters: Term gives 10–20× more cover for the same premium.

Look for: Savings plans returning only 4–6% a year after charges.

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.

A dial that switches the heater off at a set temperature.

Why it matters: Cuts running cost by 30–40% and keeps temperature stable through the night.

Look for: Budget models skip it or use vague 'low/high' switches only.

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.

Two-minute timer with 30-second pulses to move between mouth quadrants.

Why it matters: Most people brush for under a minute; the pacer fixes coverage, not just duration.

Look for: Standard on decent models — treat its absence as a red flag.

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 camera records video and for how long.

Why it matters: Uncropped 4K/60 and 10-bit 4:2:2 give smooth footage that survives colour editing.

Look for: '4K' with a heavy crop or a 20–30 minute overheat cut-off ruins long recordings.

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.

Water resistance (ATM / metres)

A pressure test rating, not a diving depth.

Why it matters: 3 ATM is splash only; 5 ATM is showers; 10 ATM+ for swimming.

Look for: Never press buttons or open the crown underwater; seals age — retest every few years.

Motor and heater power, 1000W to 2400W.

Why it matters: Higher wattage means faster airflow and less time exposing hair to heat — useful for thick hair.

Look for: Above ~2000W many models get loud and hot rather than better.

Wattage (700–900W)

How fast and evenly the plates heat.

Why it matters: Under 700W browns slowly and unevenly; 750–850W gives crisp toast in 2–3 minutes.

Look for: Check your kitchen socket is not shared with a kettle or microwave on the same trip.

Heat output — 400W personal heaters to 2500W room units.

Why it matters: Roughly 100W per square metre of room for comfortable heating; a 2000W unit suits a mid-size bedroom.

Look for: Running at full 2000W for 6 hours can add over ₹3,000 (≈$36) a month — a thermostat is essential.

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.

DC motors are cheap and heavy; AC and brushless motors are lighter and last longer.

Why it matters: You'll hold it above your head for minutes — 100g less weight is worth real money.

Look for: High-speed brushless dryers cut drying time most; check noise level in reviews.

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.