HOW · Buying guides
How to choose, and what the specs mean
Plain-English guides to the specifications that matter, the questions to ask before you buy and how to judge a price. They are written from manufacturer specifications and general product information — we do not test products ourselves, and guides never quote prices.
Buying guides by product type
14 guides across our departments, each with a key-specs table, the questions to ask before you buy and a short FAQ.
- Kitchen & HouseholdHow to choose an air fryerBasket, dual drawer or oven style? What capacity, wattage and temperature range mean, and what to check before you buy an air fryer.Read the guide
- Kitchen & HouseholdStand mixer buying guideTilt-head or bowl-lift, bowl size, motor power, speeds and attachments — how to choose a stand mixer for the baking you actually do.Read the guide
- Kitchen & HouseholdRobot vacuum buying guideLidar or camera navigation, suction figures, self-emptying docks, mopping and running costs — what matters when choosing a robot vacuum.Read the guide
- Computer HardwareGraphics card buying guide: what the specs meanVRAM, board power, connectors and card length explained — how to pick a graphics card that suits your monitor, your games and your PC.Read the guide
- Computer HardwareChoosing a CPU for gaming or workCores, threads, clock speed, cache, sockets and coolers — how to choose a desktop processor for gaming, creative work or everyday use.Read the guide
- Computers & LaptopsLaptop buying guideProcessor, memory, storage, screen and battery explained — how to choose a laptop for study, work, creative projects, gaming or travel.Read the guide
- Consumer ElectronicsHow to choose a TV: panel types, HDR and sizesOLED or LED, which HDR formats matter, refresh rates, gaming features and how to choose a TV size for your room and viewing distance.Read the guide
- Consumer ElectronicsNoise-cancelling headphones: what the specs meanHow active noise cancelling works, over-ear versus earbuds, battery figures, multipoint and codecs — what to compare before you buy.Read the guide
- Consumer ElectronicsSmartphone buying guideSoftware support, screen, storage, battery and cameras explained — plus what to check when buying outright, on contract or refurbished.Read the guide
- Hardware & ToolsCordless drill buying guide: voltage, torque and brushless motorsDrill driver, combi drill or impact driver? Voltage platforms, torque, brushless motors and kit contents explained before you buy.Read the guide
- Sports & OutdoorsRunning shoe buying guide: cushioning, drop and fitRoad or trail, stack height, heel-to-toe drop, weight and fit — what running shoe specifications mean and what to check before you buy.Read the guide
- Beauty & Personal CareHair dryer buying guide: wattage, motors and attachmentsWattage, motor types, heat settings, weight, cable length and attachments explained — how to compare hair dryers before you buy.Read the guide
- Health & Fitness TechFitness tracker and smartwatch buying guideBand, smartwatch or GPS watch? Compatibility, battery life, GPS, sensors, water resistance and subscriptions explained.Read the guide
- Gaming & EntertainmentGames console buying guideHome, hybrid or handheld? Games library, disc or digital, storage, 4K and HDMI 2.1, controllers and subscriptions — what to check before you buy.Read the guide
Getting the best price
How to read a price history, and how delivery and returns change what you really pay.
- How we compareHow to read a price history and when to buyWhy a “was” price is not enough, how to read a price history chart, common price patterns and how HotWhatHow spots genuine drops.Read the guide
- How we compareDelivery costs, returns and the true landed priceHow delivery charges, free-delivery thresholds and returns costs change the real price — and how HotWhatHow ranks offers by total cost.Read the guide