A cheaper product is not always the better deal. This calculator shows what each year of manufacturer warranty costs you, so you can compare two products on how long the maker stands behind them, not just on the sticker price.
Product A
Product B
Cost per year of warranty is the price divided by the years the manufacturer promises to repair or replace the product. A lifetime warranty has no fixed end, so it is spread over the years you expect to keep the item. Warranties differ in what they cover (defects only, wear, accidents), so read the terms before you buy.
How the calculation works
Divide the price by the number of years the warranty lasts. A $45 tumbler with a 5-year warranty costs $9 for each year it is covered. A $35 tumbler with a lifetime warranty has no end date, so the calculator spreads its price over the years you expect to keep it: $3.50 a year over ten years. Load this example into the calculator, or read the full Stanley Quencher vs Yeti Rambler comparison.
What the number leaves out
- What the warranty covers. Most cover manufacturing defects only. Wear, drops and cosmetic damage are often excluded.
- How claims work. Some brands need a receipt, product registration or paid return shipping before they replace anything.
- Pro-rated terms. Some warranties pay less each year, so year five is worth less than year one.
- Price changes. Sale prices move the result. Use the price you would actually pay.
Every comparison on PracticalPickr uses this same math, with the warranty terms and sources linked in each article. Browse the comparisons.