Latest articles by Erin Bashford
Battle of the sub-$500 TVs — I watched 3 movies on the cheapest Samsung TV and second-cheapest Amazon TV, and this is the best bang for your buck
I compared the Samsung U8000H to the Amazon Ember 4-Series with three UHD Blu-ray movies.
Amazon Ember QLED TV review
The Amazon Ember QLED is fine for the price, with good colors and picture quality, but it’s not as bright or affordable as alternatives from Hisense and TCL.
I tested one of the coolest-looking drip coffee makers in the world — and it's not just a pretty face
RecommendedThe Smeg Retro Coffee Maker brews clean, delicious coffee with a single press of a button, and looks delightfully cool while doing so, too.
Overwhelmed by coffee jargon? Here are the 5 key espresso terms you need to know
On Episode 19 of The Coffee Lab, I help you understand coffee equipment jargon.
I walked 103,000 steps in Columbia’s summer-ready hiking sandals — and I have zero blisters, zero aches, and zero regrets
RecommendedThe Columbia Konos Hiker 2-Strap are one of the comfiest, most supportive, and most flexible hiking sandals I’ve ever tested. Definitely a new favorite.
I tried budget outdoor brand Coleman’s first collapsible cooler — here’s what I thought
RecommendedColeman Snap ‘N Go is an aptly named cooler with a collapsible design, a removable inner lining, a non-outrageous price tag, and keeps ice solid for 30 hours.
I tested De'Longhi's most expensive superautomatic espresso machine — and it's even got an app
The new De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic can make iced and hot drinks in seconds, has a range of recipes in the app, and looks super sleek. It's just... pricey.
I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
For the eighteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I let you in on a little Starbucks secret and show you how to make one of my favorite summer drinks.
$300 vs $2,000 espresso machine — I ran a blind taste test to see if you need to spend $$$ for barista coffee at home
I ran a blind taste test to answer the age-old question: Does a more expensive espresso machine make better coffee?
I just tested the brand-new Samsung QS90H — and it’s one of the best all-in-one soundbars money can buy
Editor's ChoiceThe Samsung QS90H is a powerful all-in-one soundbar. No need for a separate subwoofer or rears here: 7.1.2 channel in just one device.
You told me your three biggest issues with Moccamaster — and I have solutions for all of them
On the sixteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I answer your most-asked questions about the Moccamaster: Part 2!
I tested the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus — and it’s ideal for total beginners due to this one game-changing feature
RecommendedThe Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is one of the best espresso machines for complete beginners due to its helpful dialing-in assist feature.
I tested the Technics AZ100 — and they're premium earbuds capable of giving Bose a run for its money
I tested the Technics AZ100 earbuds and they bring premium sound and cool style to the oversaturated earbud market.
I tested the Denon Home 600 — and it’s one of the most ambitious smart speakers yet
The Denon Home 600 smart speaker is huge at 18 inches long, with 8 speakers and a built-in sub. But it’s pricey and has a few app-related issues.
I tested the Edifier MR5 — and they’re budget-friendly studio monitors with energy and clarity
RecommendedThe Edifier MR5 are budget-slash-midrange studio monitors with a huge five connectivity types, great sound quality, and actually useful app functionality.
You said your Moccamaster couldn't do these 3 things — here's how I'd fix it
On the sixteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I answer your most-asked questions about the Moccamaster.
I tested the ultra-affordable Amazon Ember 4-Series TV and I wasn’t disappointed — here’s how it stacks up
Although it’s not as bright or color-accurate as pricier alternatives, for around $300, the Amazon Ember 4-Series is a decent option.
I've tested soundbars twice its price but the 23-driver JBL Bar 1300XMK2 would be my desert island choice
I tested JBL's new flagship soundbar, and the Bar 1300MK2 might just be the best penny-per-performance option on the market in 2026.
I tested JBL’s newest flagship soundbar — and it’s proof you don’t need to spend $2k on a full home theater setup
Editor's ChoiceThe JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is one of the best ways to get a full cinematic audio experience at home, with a powerful subwoofer, immersive Atmos, and clear dialogue.
I tested Nespresso’s brand-new Vertuo Up — and it has a dedicated ‘Over Ice’ mode for summer
RecommendedNespresso Vertuo Up is a futureproofed machine with app functionality, a new iced coffee mode, and a rotating water tank. Of course, it’s easy and fun to use.
I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
On the 15th episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm trying all of the new Nespresso summer flavors. Which one will be my favorite?
I tested IKAPE’s portable espresso maker — and it’s the most coffee-snob-friendly portable coffee machine in the world
Editor's ChoiceThe IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro is a premium, high-quality portable espresso maker with a weighty tamper and bottomless portafilter.
I've been using the AirPods Max 2 for 3 months — here's how they've held up
I've been using the AirPods Max 2 since March, and they've seriously impressed me.
