Every induction heater gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Heaters are grouped by rated output (up to 1,100 W, and 1,500 W and up).
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per kilowatt of rated output | 30% |
| Output | rated output in watts | 30% |
| Coils | coils included in the kit | 15% |
| Warranty | maker warranty | 15% |
| Weight | lighter is easier to hold overhead | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Output, voltage, coil count, weight, cord and warranty come from the maker’s product page or manual: theinductor.com for Induction Innovations, vevor.com for VEVOR. Bolt Buster’s own site is gone, so its output comes from the company’s 2016 announcement as carried by a trade site. Prices are checked at Amazon, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by rated output in kilowatts, on a log scale, so going from $400 to $200 per kW counts as much as going from $200 to $100. $500 per kW scores zero and $80 full marks.
Output is the rated watts, from 800 W (zero) to 1,800 W (full marks). It is the maker’s claim, not a measured heating rate.
Coils is the number of coils in the kit as sold, from 3 (zero) to 10 (full marks). More coils means fewer jobs that need an accessory purchase.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty, from none (zero) to 2 years (full marks). A warranty the maker does not print scores zero and is marked as estimated.
Weight is the tool weight, from 8 lb (zero) to 3 lb (full marks). A lighter tool is easier to hold overhead.
What isn’t scored
Largest nut or bolt, longest continuous run, cord length and input amps are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. A missing warranty scores 0. The Mini-Ductor Venom (MDV-777) has no printed output on the maker’s page, so its value and output factors are neutral.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.