How We Test

Great recommendations come from great measurements. Our lab protocols are built to be repeatable, comparable, and relevant to how you actually brew and live.

Equipment & Calibration

Temperature: NIST‑traceable thermocouple probes and a calibrated data logger; verification at ice point and boiling point adjusted for altitude.
Noise: Class‑compliant sound level meter (A‑weighted, slow response) at 1 m on axis in a quiet room, floor‑noise documented.
Power & Energy: Inline power meter; energy per liter computed across fixed volumes and starting temperatures.
Flow: Timed pour tests with a precision scale to model 4–8 g/s targets; measure surge, dripback, and cutoff control.
Water & Scale: Hardness strips or titration; repeated boil/descale cycles to evaluate limescale adhesion and ease of cleaning.

Core Tests

Speed & Efficiency: Time‑to‑boil per liter and energy per liter at 500 mL, 1.0 L, and max fill; note auto shut‑off behavior.
Temperature Accuracy: Set‑point tests at 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, and 100°C; capture overshoot, undershoot, and ± stability during keep‑warm.
Noise: Peak and average dBA during heat‑up and at boil; subjective tone (whine vs. hum) noted where consistent.
Pour Control: Start/stop latency, ability to hold stable 4–8 g/s, and pour smoothness across early/mid/late fill.
Taste & Materials: Path materials (stainless, borosilicate, plastics), odor tests after multiple boils, and any off‑taste reports.
Safety & Usability: Handle and lid heat checks, steam/condensation path, auto shut‑off, boil‑dry protection, balance, visibility, and left/right‑hand friendliness.
Hard‑Water Resilience: Post‑cycle inspection for scale buildup, filter effectiveness, and cleaning effort.

Scoring & Weighting

Precision (temperature accuracy/stability): 30–40% depending on category (highest for variable‑temp and pour‑over models)
Pour Control & Ergonomics: 20–30%
Noise & Vibration: 10–15% (weighted higher for small/quiet‑priority contexts)
Speed & Efficiency: 15–20%
Build, Taste Neutrality, and Maintenance: 15–20% Weights shift slightly by use case; we publish which weights apply in each guide.

Repeatability & Variance

Each test runs at least three times; we report means and note variance when meaningful.
Test conditions (starting temp, volume, mains voltage/region, altitude) are documented in each review.
Firmware updates or hardware revisions trigger retests when they could affect outcomes.

Real‑World Mapping

Lab numbers only matter if they help you brew better. We translate results into:

Pour‑over readiness: Can the spout hold a smooth 4–8 g/s without pulsing?
Tea presets that hit their marks: Do 70–80–90–95°C holds actually hold?
Quiet mornings: Are dBA levels comfortable for roommates or nurseries?
Hard‑water ownership: How fast does scale build, and how easy is cleanup?

Have a test you want us to add? Email your idea to [email protected].