Latest articles by Erin Bashford
I'm a barista who swapped an $899 espresso machine for a $149 budget one — here's why
I'm an ex-barista and I won't stop making coffee. Now a journalist, I'm on a mission to find the perfect espresso machine. Can this cheap De'Longhi impress me?
My love for How To Train Your Dragon runs deep (I have 4 Toothless plushies), but even with its 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, the remake is cringe and weird – stream the OG on Prime Video instead
I would class myself as one of the world's biggest 'How To Train Your Dragon' fans, so when I watched the 2025 live-action remake, I was very disappointed.
I'm a tough critic when it comes to audio gear, but these $199 headphones still have me hooked
I reviewed the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones months ago, but I still can't get them out of my head. Here's why they've stood the test of time.
I review headphones for a living — 3 things you need to know before you buy
I spend hours every week testing headphones, so I've learnt a few things along the way. I've compiled my best tips for choosing the right headphones here.
This budget fitness tracker I tested last year refuses to die — here's why I'm still wearing it
I tested the awesome Amazfit Band 7 almost a year ago, and its long battery life, easy usage, and reliable nature means I'm still wearing it today; here's why.
5 tech travel hacks I learned after 2 months backpacking in Asia — don't make the same mistakes as me
I spent 2 months backpacking Asia last year and I made my fair share of travel mistakes. Don't be like me! I've compiled some travel tech tips to help you out.
I used to be a houseplant serial killer, but now I’ve got a living room jungle — here’s how I did it with Gemini
Houseplants are the best decoration: they brighten a room, cleanse the air, and look great. With Gemini's help, I'm keeping my plants alive for the first time.
Neck pain from your 'silly little emails job'? Here's 3 things I do every day after work
I have a desk job, so I spend most of my life sitting and staring at a screen. To help my neck pain, I do yoga, I massage myself, and sleep on a good mattress.
I've reviewed loads of budget soundbars — these are the 3 mistakes you're making
I've tested loads of budget soundbars, but it's easy to grow disappointed with their lower-quality sound. Here's how I make the most of budget soundbars.
I'm an audio reviewer who can't ditch her AirPods — sue me. Here's what other brands need to do to make me switch
Even though I literally review earbuds for a living, I just can't quit my AirPods. Why? Oh, so many reasons. I'll tell you all of them now.
Not everyone needs Dolby Atmos: here's why I think you might be one of them
Dolby Atmos is seen as the pinnacle of audio quality, but does your soundbar need Dolby Atmos? I go through all the reasons why it might be overkill.
I fell for the bean-to-cup hype — here's the espresso machine I wish I'd bought, and why
As much as I love my De'Longhi La Specialista Opera, I think I'd be better off with a manual espresso machine and grinder, like a Breville and a Comandante.
Cutting out processed food? Me too — these 3 kitchen gadgets are my secret weapons
Like most people, I'm trying to eat healthy, but I want easy hacks, not complicated rules. My Instant Pot, KitchenAid stand mixer, and air fryer are all helpful.
ChatGPT vs. barista — who makes the best latte?
I'm an ex-barista who got curious and asked ChatGPT how to make the perfect latte. What ensued was a battle of human v computer, with only one winner.
I'm an ex barista and I tested a $150 De'Longhi espresso machine and a $500 Breville — here's what I learned
I'm an ex-barista, and I when I tested the Breville Bambino Plus, one most iconic compact espresso machines, and then the $150 De'Longhi Stilosa, I was shocked.
No, a $67 soundbar isn’t going to perform like Sonos — but this one actually surprised me
Good soundbars don't come cheap, which is why I had my doubts about the Majority Naga 60 soundbar. But it doesn't sound as bad as you'd think.
Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini massage gun review: Super-powered, mini-sized
Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini massage gun has a powerful speed range and 9mm amplitude, which makes it great for a strong massage, but might be too much for some.
I just tested one of Jura’s entry-level automatic coffee machines — it nails what others miss
Most automatic espresso machines struggle to make yummy espresso, but not the Jura ENA 4. I was bowled over by its espresso flavor, despite it being overpriced.
I just tested these Skullcandy x Bose earbuds, and my 2008 emo heart is happy
Skullcandy’s Method 360 ANC are trying to bring the late noughties back, and I’m not mad. With pumping Bose bass and ANC, they perform well above their price.
I just tested this $67 soundbar, and I'm blown away for the price
The Majority Naga 60 soundbar is a compact soundbar for a super-affordable price of just $67… and while its sound won’t blow you away, I was actually surprised.
I convinced my dad to buy Bose QuietComfort headphones — now they're $100 off for Father's Day
I convinced my dad to buy the Bose QuietComfort headphones, and he loves them. Now they're an incredible $100 off, just in time for Father's Day.
This $149 De'Longhi espresso machine is proof you don't need to drop $500 for great espresso — here's why
As an ex-barista, I was completely shocked by how good the budget-friendly De'Longhi Stilosa is.
Jura C8 automatic coffee machine review
Jura C8 automatic coffee machine has just four coffee recipes, but can make drinks in quick succession. It just doesn’t do enough to earn its asking price.
