diff --git a/python/tests/test_3rd_harm_1d.py b/python/tests/test_3rd_harm_1d.py
index 70d439d63..6c0b52b05 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_3rd_harm_1d.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_3rd_harm_1d.py
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 import unittest
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 
-class Test3rdHarm1d(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class Test3rdHarm1d(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.sz = 100
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def test_3rd_harm_1d(self):
         harmonics = [self.k, self.amp, mp.get_fluxes(self.trans1)[0], mp.get_fluxes(self.trans3)[0]]
 
         tol = 3e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-7
-        self.assertVectorsClose(expected_harmonics, harmonics, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(expected_harmonics, harmonics, epsilon=tol)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/python/tests/test_adjoint_jax.py b/python/tests/test_adjoint_jax.py
index 6a6c4ab49..346946b13 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_adjoint_jax.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_adjoint_jax.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import unittest
 import parameterized
 
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 
 import jax
 import jax.numpy as jnp
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def test_design_region_monitor_helpers(self):
       self.assertEqual(value.dtype, onp.complex128)
 
 
-class WrapperTest(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class WrapperTest(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
   @parameterized.parameterized.expand([
     ('1500_1550bw_01relative_gaussian', onp.linspace(1 / 1.50, 1 / 1.55, 3).tolist(), 0.1, 1.0),
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def loss_fn(x):
     fd_projection = onp.stack(fd_projection)
 
     # Check that dp . ∇T ~ T(p + dp) - T(p)
-    self.assertVectorsClose(
+    self.assertClose(
       projection,
       fd_projection,
       epsilon=_TOL,
diff --git a/python/tests/test_adjoint_solver.py b/python/tests/test_adjoint_solver.py
index 227aab136..b8bb7d44c 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_adjoint_solver.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_adjoint_solver.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 from autograd import tensor_jacobian_product
 import unittest
 from enum import Enum
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 
 MonitorObject = Enum('MonitorObject', 'EIGENMODE DFT')
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def mapping(x,filter_radius,eta,beta):
     return projected_field.flatten()
 
 
-class TestAdjointSolver(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestAdjointSolver(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     def test_adjoint_solver_DFT_fields(self):
         print("*** TESTING DFT ADJOINT FEATURES ***")
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ def test_adjoint_solver_DFT_fields(self):
 
             ## compare objective results
             print("|Ez|^2 -- adjoint solver: {}, traditional simulation: {}".format(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed))
-            self.assertVectorsClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=1e-3)
+            self.assertClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=1e-3)
 
             ## compute perturbed S12
             S12_perturbed = forward_simulation(p+dp, MonitorObject.DFT, frequencies)
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ def test_adjoint_solver_DFT_fields(self):
             fd_grad = S12_perturbed-S12_unperturbed
             print("Directional derivative -- adjoint solver: {}, FD: {}".format(adj_scale,fd_grad))
             tol = 0.3 if mp.is_single_precision() else 0.01
-            self.assertVectorsClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
 
 
     def test_adjoint_solver_eigenmode(self):
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ def test_adjoint_solver_eigenmode(self):
 
                 ## compare objective results
                 print("S12 -- adjoint solver: {}, traditional simulation: {}".format(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed))
-                self.assertVectorsClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=1e-3)
+                self.assertClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=1e-3)
 
                 ## compute perturbed S12
                 S12_perturbed = forward_simulation(p+dp, MonitorObject.EIGENMODE, frequencies, use_complex)
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ def test_adjoint_solver_eigenmode(self):
                 fd_grad = S12_perturbed-S12_unperturbed
                 print("Directional derivative -- adjoint solver: {}, FD: {}".format(adj_scale,fd_grad))
                 tol = 0.1 if mp.is_single_precision() else 0.03
-                self.assertVectorsClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
+                self.assertClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
 
 
     def test_gradient_backpropagation(self):
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def test_gradient_backpropagation(self):
             ## compare objective results
             print("S12 -- adjoint solver: {}, traditional simulation: {}".format(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed))
             tol = 1e-2 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-3
-            self.assertVectorsClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(adjsol_obj,S12_unperturbed,epsilon=tol)
 
             ## compute perturbed S12
             S12_perturbed = forward_simulation(mapping(p+dp,filter_radius,eta,beta), MonitorObject.EIGENMODE,frequencies)
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ def test_gradient_backpropagation(self):
             fd_grad = S12_perturbed-S12_unperturbed
             print("Directional derivative -- adjoint solver: {}, FD: {}".format(adj_scale,fd_grad))
             tol = 0.04 if mp.is_single_precision() else 0.03
-            self.assertVectorsClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(adj_scale,fd_grad,epsilon=tol)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/python/tests/test_cavity_arrayslice.py b/python/tests/test_cavity_arrayslice.py
index a8c9b5271..bbedbebe6 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_cavity_arrayslice.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_cavity_arrayslice.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 import os
 import unittest
 import numpy as np
 
 
-class TestCavityArraySlice(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestCavityArraySlice(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     data_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'data'))
     expected_1d = np.load(os.path.join(data_dir, 'cavity_arrayslice_1d.npy'))
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ def test_1d_slice(self):
         vol = mp.Volume(center=self.center_1d, size=self.size_1d)
         hl_slice1d = self.sim.get_array(mp.Hz, vol)
         tol = 1e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(self.expected_1d, hl_slice1d, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(self.expected_1d, hl_slice1d, epsilon=tol)
 
     def test_2d_slice(self):
         self.sim.run(until_after_sources=0)
         vol = mp.Volume(center=self.center_2d, size=self.size_2d)
         hl_slice2d = self.sim.get_array(mp.Hz, vol)
         tol = 1e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(self.expected_2d, hl_slice2d, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(self.expected_2d, hl_slice2d, epsilon=tol)
 
     def test_1d_slice_user_array(self):
         self.sim.run(until_after_sources=0)
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ def test_1d_slice_user_array(self):
         vol = mp.Volume(center=self.center_1d, size=self.size_1d)
         self.sim.get_array(mp.Hz, vol, arr=arr)
         tol = 1e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(self.expected_1d, arr, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(self.expected_1d, arr, epsilon=tol)
 
     def test_2d_slice_user_array(self):
         self.sim.run(until_after_sources=0)
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def test_2d_slice_user_array(self):
         vol = mp.Volume(center=self.center_2d, size=self.size_2d)
         self.sim.get_array(mp.Hz, vol, arr=arr)
         tol = 1e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(self.expected_2d, arr, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(self.expected_2d, arr, epsilon=tol)
 
     def test_illegal_user_array(self):
         self.sim.run(until_after_sources=0)
diff --git a/python/tests/test_cavity_farfield.py b/python/tests/test_cavity_farfield.py
index 05c1e2214..861831c94 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_cavity_farfield.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_cavity_farfield.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 import os
 import unittest
 import h5py
 
 
-class TestCavityFarfield(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestCavityFarfield(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     data_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'data'))
 
@@ -76,12 +76,12 @@ def run_test(self, nfreqs):
             ref_hz = mp.complexarray(f['hz.r'][()], f['hz.i'][()])
 
             tol = 1e-5 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-7
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_ex, result['Ex'], epsilon=tol)
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_ey, result['Ey'], epsilon=tol)
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_ez, result['Ez'], epsilon=tol)
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_hx, result['Hx'], epsilon=tol)
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_hy, result['Hy'], epsilon=tol)
-            self.assertVectorsClose(ref_hz, result['Hz'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_ex, result['Ex'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_ey, result['Ey'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_ez, result['Ez'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_hx, result['Hx'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_hy, result['Hy'], epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(ref_hz, result['Hz'], epsilon=tol)
 
 
     def test_cavity_farfield(self):
diff --git a/python/tests/test_dispersive_eigenmode.py b/python/tests/test_dispersive_eigenmode.py
index 0a56b815a..5fce1d96d 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_dispersive_eigenmode.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_dispersive_eigenmode.py
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
 
 # dispersive_eigenmode.py - Tests the meep eigenmode features (eigenmode source,
 # eigenmode decomposition, and get_eigenmode) with dispersive materials.
-# TODO: 
+# TODO:
 #  * check materials with off diagonal components
 #  * check magnetic profiles
 #  * once imaginary component is supported, check that
 
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 import unittest
 import numpy as np
 import h5py
 import os
 
-class TestDispersiveEigenmode(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestDispersiveEigenmode(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
     # ----------------------------------------- #
     # ----------- Helper Functions ------------ #
     # ----------------------------------------- #
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def call_chi1(self,material,frequency):
         n_actual = np.real(np.sqrt(material.epsilon(frequency).astype(np.complex128)))
 
         tol = 1e-6 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(n, n_actual, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(n, n_actual, epsilon=tol)
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def verify_output_and_slice(self,material,frequency):
         chi1inv = np.diag(chi1inv)
         N = chi1inv.size
         n = np.sqrt(N/np.sum(chi1inv))
-        
+
         sim = mp.Simulation(cell_size=mp.Vector3(2,2,2),
                             default_material=material,
                             resolution=20,
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def verify_output_and_slice(self,material,frequency):
                             )
         sim.use_output_directory(self.temp_dir)
         sim.init_sim()
-        
+
         # Check to make sure the get_slice routine is working with frequency
         n_slice = np.sqrt(np.max(sim.get_epsilon(frequency=frequency,snap=True)))
         self.assertAlmostEqual(n,n_slice, places=4)
@@ -74,17 +74,17 @@ def verify_output_and_slice(self,material,frequency):
         with h5py.File(filename, 'r') as f:
             n_h5 = np.sqrt(np.max(mp.complexarray(f['eps.r'][()],f['eps.i'][()])))
         self.assertAlmostEqual(n,n_h5, places=4)
-    
+
     # ----------------------------------------- #
     # ----------- Test Routines --------------- #
     # ----------------------------------------- #
     def test_chi1_routine(self):
-        # Checks the newly implemented get_chi1inv routines within the 
-        # fields and structure classes by comparing their output to the 
+        # Checks the newly implemented get_chi1inv routines within the
+        # fields and structure classes by comparing their output to the
         # python epsilon output.
 
         from meep.materials import Si, Ag, LiNbO3, Au
-        
+
         # Check Silicon
         w0 = Si.valid_freq_range.min
         w1 = Si.valid_freq_range.max
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def test_chi1_routine(self):
         w0 = Au.valid_freq_range.min
         w1 = Au.valid_freq_range.max
         self.call_chi1(Au,w0)
-        self.call_chi1(Au,w1)   
+        self.call_chi1(Au,w1)
 
         # Check Lithium Niobate (X,X)
         w0 = LiNbO3.valid_freq_range.min
@@ -115,13 +115,13 @@ def test_chi1_routine(self):
         rotLiNbO3.rotate(mp.Vector3(1,1,1),np.radians(34))
         self.call_chi1(rotLiNbO3,w0)
         self.call_chi1(rotLiNbO3,w1)
-    
+
     def test_get_with_dispersion(self):
         # Checks the get_array_slice and output_fields method
         # with dispersive materials.
 
         from meep.materials import Si, Ag, LiNbO3, Au
-        
+
         # Check Silicon
         w0 = Si.valid_freq_range.min
         w1 = Si.valid_freq_range.max
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ def test_get_with_dispersion(self):
         w0 = Au.valid_freq_range.min
         w1 = Au.valid_freq_range.max
         self.verify_output_and_slice(Au,w0)
-        self.verify_output_and_slice(Au,w1)       
+        self.verify_output_and_slice(Au,w1)
 
         # Check Lithium Niobate
         w0 = LiNbO3.valid_freq_range.min
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def test_get_with_dispersion(self):
         rotLiNbO3.rotate(mp.Vector3(1,1,1),np.radians(34))
         self.verify_output_and_slice(rotLiNbO3,w0)
         self.verify_output_and_slice(rotLiNbO3,w1)
-        
+
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()
diff --git a/python/tests/test_holey_wvg_cavity.py b/python/tests/test_holey_wvg_cavity.py
index 1f7cd2fc0..5b486273f 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_holey_wvg_cavity.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_holey_wvg_cavity.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 import unittest
 
 
-class TestHoleyWvgCavity(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestHoleyWvgCavity(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         eps = 13
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def test_resonant_modes(self):
         res = [m.freq, m.decay, m.Q, abs(m.amp), m.amp.real, m.amp.imag]
 
         tol = 1e-6 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(expected, res, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(expected, res, epsilon=tol)
 
     def test_transmission_spectrum(self):
         expected = [
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ def test_transmission_spectrum(self):
 
         tol = 1e-8 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-10
         for e, r in zip(expected, res):
-            self.assertVectorsClose(e, r, epsilon=tol)
+            self.assertClose(e, r, epsilon=tol)
 
 
 
diff --git a/python/tests/test_refl_angular.py b/python/tests/test_refl_angular.py
index 15ad269e6..89acd03a4 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_refl_angular.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_refl_angular.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 import math
 import unittest
 import numpy as np
 
 
-class TestReflAngular(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestReflAngular(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     def test_refl_angular(self):
         resolution = 100
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def test_refl_angular(self):
         ]
 
         tol = 1e-7 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-8
-        self.assertVectorsClose(expected, list(zip(freqs, refl_flux)), epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(expected, list(zip(freqs, refl_flux)), epsilon=tol)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/python/tests/test_ring_cyl.py b/python/tests/test_ring_cyl.py
index 862801c4d..dec776920 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_ring_cyl.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_ring_cyl.py
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 import unittest
 import meep as mp
-from utils import VectorComparisonMixin
+from utils import ApproxComparisonTestCase
 
-class TestRingCyl(VectorComparisonMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestRingCyl(ApproxComparisonTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         n = 3.4
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def test_ring_cyl(self):
         res = [m.freq, m.decay, m.Q, abs(m.amp), m.amp.real, m.amp.imag]
 
         tol = 1e-6 if mp.is_single_precision() else 1e-7
-        self.assertVectorsClose(expected, res, epsilon=tol)
+        self.assertClose(expected, res, epsilon=tol)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/python/tests/utils.py b/python/tests/utils.py
index 5dfbe42c1..a249e8e26 100644
--- a/python/tests/utils.py
+++ b/python/tests/utils.py
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ def compare_arrays(test_instance, exp, res, tol=1e-3):
         test_instance.assertLess(diff, tol)
 
 
-class VectorComparisonMixin(unittest.TestCase):
+class ApproxComparisonTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     """A mixin for adding proper floating point value and vector comparison."""
 
-    def assertVectorsClose(self, x, y, epsilon = 1e-2, msg = ''):
+    def assertClose(self, x, y, epsilon = 1e-2, msg = ''):
         """Asserts that two values or vectors satisfy ‖x-y‖ ≤ ε * max(‖x‖, ‖y‖)."""
         x = np.atleast_1d(x).ravel()
         y = np.atleast_1d(y).ravel()