<p>The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (NO₃⁻) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) to ammonia (NH₃), herein NO_xRA, has recently attracted much attention in the broader field of NO_x⁻ electroreduction (NO_xER), particularly in catalyst development. Many promising NO_xRA catalysts have been reported, though translation of these catalysts into devices and processes remains limited. This appears to be partially correlated to the catalyst testing conditions employed. Herein, the electrolytes reported in 411 papers published from January 2023 to June 2024 were compared to the compositions of NO_x⁻-laden water sources. Approximately 60% of these papers employed pH and NO₃⁻/NO₂⁻ concentration ([NO_x⁻]) combinations matching water sources with very limited potential as NO_xRA feedstocks. This suggests a large proportion of NO_xRA catalyst research targets scenarios where NO_xRA will be inherently ineffective. To aid translation of research to application, this perspective suggests criteria by which suitable NO_xRA, and more broadly, NO_xER, feedstocks might be identified, to mimic relevant conditions for catalyst testing through: (i) appropriate matching of pH and [NO_x⁻], (ii) explicit selection of the substrate (i.e. NO₃⁻ and/or NO₂⁻), and (iii) inclusion of other expected species. Using this approach, recommended conditions are provided for two examples of viable NO_x⁻-laden feedstocks.</p><p></p>