Blog
Honest, numbers-first analysis by Nora Fischer — mining our database of every appliance we cover to answer the questions the spec sheets don't: what's worth paying for, what isn't, and what the label really tells you.
Why a 9.5-Litre Air Fryer Can't Cook a 9.5-Litre Meal
Dual-basket air fryers advertise a combined total capacity, but each basket cooks alone. The number that limits your dinner is the smaller single basket.
By Nora Fischer
That 10-Year Warranty Is on the Motor, Not the Machine
Six appliances in our database advertise a 10-year warranty. For the washing machines and the blender, that decade covers the motor alone, not the machine.
The Dishwasher Eco Cycle Takes Five Hours. Here's Why.
Our database shows the most water- and energy-efficient dishwasher eco cycle also runs the longest, from 199 to 295 minutes. The trade-off is not a flaw.
Watts Don't Tell You How Much Steam an Iron Makes
The iron with the highest wattage in our database delivers the least continuous steam. Power draw and steam output are two different specs.
The 650-Euro Oven Gap That Buys Almost No Efficiency
Two single ovens in our database differ by 650 euros. Their energy use per baking cycle differs by 0.02 kWh, a difference too small to matter.
Two Fridges, Same Size, 57 Percent More Freezer Space
Total litres alone can mislead. In our database, freezer space ranges from 24 to 38 percent of total volume among fridge-freezers of similar overall size.
The 15-Bar Coffee Machine Spec That Means Nothing
Every bean-to-cup and espresso machine in our database is rated at 15 bar of pump pressure. The number that actually separates them is price and grind control.
Three A+++ Dryers, Only One With a Published Price
Three of the five heat-pump dryers we track earn the top legacy energy class. Their noise levels still span 59 to 66 decibels, and only one discloses a price.
Every 100Hz+ TV We Track Has a Worse Energy Label
In our database, every television with a 100Hz or faster refresh rate carries an F or G energy label. The 50-60Hz sets are all rated E.
A Longer Battery Doesn't Mean a Bigger Dust Bin
Samsung's Bespoke Jet AI runs 67 percent longer than Dyson's V15 at a similar price, but Dyson's dust bin holds 54 percent more before you empty it.
Why 'A' Means Nothing Until You Know the Category
Across the appliances we track, a top washing machine reaches A while the best fridge sits at D and the best TV at E. Same letters, different scales. Here's how to read them.
Same Energy Class, 16 Percent More Water Per Kilogram
Four washing machines in our database share the same A energy class. Their real water use per kilogram of laundry still ranges from 5.05 to 5.88 litres.