OLED
Organic light-emitting diode TVs can turn off individual pixels for deep blacks and high contrast.
Why it matters when buying: Brightness in sunny rooms, burn-in risk for static content, and price tiers change whether OLED is the right lane.
Glossary
Product Buying Glossary
Plain-English definitions for terms you will see in Better Buy Lab guides. These are practical shopping context—not industry-standard certifications unless a guide says otherwise.
Mini LED
LCD TVs with many small backlight zones that improve contrast versus basic LED sets.
Why it matters when buying: Bright-room performance and blooming control vary by zone count and tuning—not by the label alone.
Refresh rate
How many times per second the display updates the image, measured in hertz (Hz).
Why it matters when buying: Games and motion clarity benefit from higher refresh when the GPU and cable path support it; office work may not need peak Hz.
Input lag
Delay between a controller or mouse action and the on-screen response.
Why it matters when buying: Competitive gaming cares about lag; movie watching is more forgiving. Marketing game modes still need real-device checks.
HDMI 2.1
A HDMI generation that can support higher bandwidth features such as 4K high refresh on compatible chains.
Why it matters when buying: Console and PC gamers should match TV or monitor ports, cables, and device output—version labels alone do not guarantee a feature works in your setup.
CADR
Clean Air Delivery Rate—an industry rating for how much filtered air a purifier moves for smoke, pollen, and dust classes.
Why it matters when buying: Undersized purifiers underperform in large rooms; CADR helps size planning alongside noise and filter upkeep.
HEPA filter
High-efficiency particulate air filters capture a high percentage of particles that pass through when maintained correctly.
Why it matters when buying: Filter replacement cost and sealed housing matter as much as the HEPA label—check upkeep before buying.
Dehumidifier capacity
How much moisture a dehumidifier can remove per day, often listed in pints or liters.
Why it matters when buying: Basements and damp rooms need realistic capacity plus drain or tank routines you will maintain.
Self-empty dock
A robot vacuum base that empties the onboard bin into a larger bag or bin.
Why it matters when buying: Reduces daily emptying but adds bag cost and noise—pet hair households should plan upkeep.
Cordless vacuum runtime
How long a battery stick vacuum runs per charge on a given mode.
Why it matters when buying: Marketing runtime often reflects eco modes; pet hair and carpets drain faster—plan for spare batteries if needed.
Mesh Wi-Fi
Multiple router nodes that share one network name to extend coverage.
Why it matters when buying: Helps dead zones but still needs thoughtful placement; wired backhaul improves busy homes.
Wi-Fi backhaul
How mesh nodes talk to each other—wireless repeat or wired ethernet between nodes.
Why it matters when buying: Wired backhaul usually beats wireless repeat in homes with many devices and thick walls.
VPN logging policy
Provider statements about what connection or account data they collect, retain, or share.
Why it matters when buying: Marketing “no logs” claims still need plain-language policy reading—Better Buy Lab does not certify providers.
ANC
Active noise canceling uses microphones and electronics to reduce outside noise at the ear.
Why it matters when buying: Fit and comfort change ANC satisfaction as much as marketing scores—try return policies when possible.
Soundbar channels
Speaker layouts such as 2.1 or 5.1.2 describe drivers and whether separate subs or height speakers are included.
Why it matters when buying: Room size and HDMI eARC needs matter more than channel marketing alone.
Laptop battery life
How long a laptop runs on battery under stated test conditions.
Why it matters when buying: Real campus or travel use varies with brightness and apps—treat claims as upper bounds, not guarantees.
Mechanical keyboard switch
Individual spring-loaded switches under each key with distinct feel and sound profiles.
Why it matters when buying: Linear, tactile, and clicky types affect noise and gaming feel—layout and desk noise matter first.
DPI
Dots per inch—how far the cursor moves on screen per inch of mouse movement.
Why it matters when buying: Very high DPI is not always better; in-game sensitivity and pad size shape aim more than peak numbers.
Mattress firmness
Subjective feel from soft to firm describing surface resistance and support.
Why it matters when buying: Side sleepers often want pressure relief; back sleepers may prefer firmer support—there is no universal firmness score.
Cooling mattress
Mattresses or toppers marketed for heat dissipation via materials or covers.
Why it matters when buying: Cooling claims vary; hot sleepers should pair expectations with room airflow and bedding, not marketing alone.