Erin Bashford

Erin Bashford

Staff Writer, Reviews

Erin Bashford is a reviews writer at Tom’s Guide. She has a Master’s in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia and 7 years of experience reviewing music and events for various publications. She has edited publications such as Outline Magazine’s Guide to Norwich, and she has written for a number of music magazines and websites such as Clash Magazine, Outline Magazine and Dork Magazine, making her desperate to find the best audio gear.

Alongside this she has created video reports for BBC News and produced podcasts and radio broadcasts about everything from music to ghost stories. As an ex-barista, Erin is passionate about coffee tech. She also loves finding the best cooking hacks and kitchen appliances, including her beloved Instant Pot.

In her spare time, you can find her reading, practising yoga, hiking, writing fantasy fiction, or stressing over todays’ NYT Games.

Latest articles by Erin Bashford

the samsung bespoke jet AI vacuum cleaner in mint green against a blue background, showing its ability to clean carpets and baseboards, as both a stick and a handheld

I've never liked cleaning — until this brand-new Samsung vacuum made it weirdly addictive

By Erin Bashford last updated

I hate cleaning, but the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Ultra makes it a little easer to stomach thanks to its superpowered 148,000 RPM and self-emptying dustbin.

Home Appliances
AI awards image

Tom's Guide AI Awards 2025: 17 best AI tools and gadgets right now

By Alex Hughes published

Laptops, smartphones, chatbots and more - these are our picks for the best AI devices and tools in 2025

AI
the belkin soundform isolate are a pair of budget headphones in black, with soft pillowy cups, control buttons on each cup, and ANC

These $59 headphones are so uncomfortable they gave me a headache

By Erin Bashford published

Belkin SoundForm Isolate headphones are cheap, and that’s pretty much all they’ve got going for them. They’re uncomfortable and sound like bass took a day off.

Headphones
the samsung hw-s801d soundbar and subwoofer in white, an ultra slim soundbar with on-bar buttons, a remote, and separate subwoofer with a black cone

Samsung HW-S801D Ultra Slim soundbar review: One for the Samsung TV owners

By Erin Bashford published

The Samsung HW-S801D Ultra Slim soundbar excels in a few areas: size, sound, and ease of use. But for just a 3.1.2 channel setup, it feels costly for what it's offering.

Soundbars
the samsung hw-s60D soundbar photographed on a wooden coffee table with a panasonic tv and a samsung soundbar against a blue background

Samsung HW-S60D review: An affordable upgrade from TV speakers, but only if that TV’s a Samsung

By Erin Bashford published

Samsung HW-S60D has good sound, but I wouldn’t say it’s mind-blowing. With the Smart Things app, it’s easy to control, but most features require a Samsung TV.

Soundbars
photograph of the kitchenaid artisan stand mixer tilt head in cherry red, with the mixing bowl, paddle, dough hook, and whisk attachments, photographed against a blue background

I got my first KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer last month — here's 3 things I've learned

By Erin Bashford published

Every day's a school day

Kitchen & Dining
kalita wave stainless steel pour-over coffee dripper photographed against a blue background with kalita filters

I’m an ex-barista and these are the best pour-over coffee makers I’ve tested

By Erin Bashford published

I've tested all the main players in the pour-over game, and here are my favorites: the Kalita Wave, Hario V60, Chemex, and Yeti Pour-Over.

Home
the samsung bespoke jet AI vacuum cleaner in mint green against a blue background, showing its ability to clean carpets and baseboards, as both a stick and a handheld

I’ve done the math, and the results are in — the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Ultra is a 5-star vacuum cleaner

By Erin Bashford published

The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Ultra is a perfect vacuum cleaner. Everything about it is incredible: its cleaning power, design, usability features, and more.

Home Appliances
the rode wireless go gen 3 microphone with one receiver, two transmitters, shown against a blue background and with accessories like dead cat, charging ports, and cables

I just tested the perfect mic for content creators — and there's a reason why you see it in so many TikTok videos

By Erin Bashford published

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 is the mic for content creators: just $300 for professional-level 32-bit quality is a force to be reckoned with.

Audio
the de'longhi rivelia automatic superautomatic coffee machine in sage green with a bright LED screen, two interchangeable bean hoppers, an automatic milk frother, and a huge range of coffee recipes

I like my coffee with milk, sugar, and… AI? I tested out De’Longhi’s new superautomatic espresso machine, and it literally has a personality

By Erin Bashford published

I tested the new De'Longhi Rivelia superautomatic coffee machine, which has a huge 18 customizable recipes, stylish aesthetics... and a personality!

Coffee Makers
the yeti roader cooler in neon yellow with wheels, soft close hinges, a retractable handle, and 32 quart capacity

I tested the YETI Roadie cooler, and the rumors are true — it’s practically perfect

By Erin Bashford published

The Yeti Roadie cooler actually keeps things cold for days and days. Not only does it look cool, it excels keeping ice, cans, and food chilled.

Home
the earfun tune pro headphones, in black, with soft pleather cups, and gray cups, photographed against a blue background

I swapped my AirPods Pro 2 for these $69 headphones for 7 days — here’s what happened

By Erin Bashford published

EarFun Tune Pro are super-budget headphones with an unbelievable 120 hours battery life, mediocre sound, and comfy cups.

Headphones
the de'longhi rivelia automatic superautomatic coffee machine in sage green with a bright LED screen, two interchangeable bean hoppers, an automatic milk frother, and a huge range of coffee recipes

I tested the brand-new De’Longhi Rivelia — it’s like an enthusiastic robot barista has set up shop in my kitchen

By Erin Bashford published

The De’Longhi Rivelia is a superautomatic coffee machine with over 18 drinks options, two hoppers, and stylish aesthetics, but its coffee is merely fine.

Home Appliances
the yeti hopper m15 cool bag with a padded carry strap, handles, and a 15 quart capacity photographed with coke zero cans against a blue background

The YETI Hopper Cool Bag is so good that it’s going be my go-to accessory this summer

By Erin Bashford published

Yeti Hopper Cool Bag is a marvel. It keeps cold for over 48 hours, has a padded strap, magnetic opening, and comes in a huge range of colors. I love it.

Outdoors
the skechers go run elevate 2.0 running shoes in the women's style, in fuchsia pink, photographed against a blue background

I ditched my $170 Hoka running shoes for these $85 Skechers — and I'm blown away

By Erin Bashford published

I love my Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX running shoes, so I didn't want to switch them out for the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0... but I'm so glad I did

Running
the rode podmic podcast and broadcast microphone photographed with a blue background, shown with the rode ds2 desk stand

I finally tested the famous $150 Rode PodMic and its sound quality equals Shure — but there’s a catch

By Erin Bashford published

The Rode PodMic is the perfect microphone for professional-quality broadcasts or podcasts. It’s faithful to voices, recording with depth, warmth, and nuance.

Audio
the rode wireless micro microphone with the black charging case and two black transmitter mics photographed against a blue background

The Rode Wireless Micro is so easy, I bet my cat could figure it out — it’s perfect for total newbies

By Erin Bashford published

The Rode Wireless Micro is a smartphone-first set of wireless microphones with a USB-C and Lightning receiver, ideal for content creators… beginners or not.

Audio
The Eureka Mignon Specialita coffee grinder dispensing ground coffee

Best coffee grinder in 2025

By Millie Fender last updated

If you want the perfect brew, here are the best coffee grinders to suit every taste, lifestyle and budget.

Kitchen & Dining
the instant pot pro 2025, a smart wifi enabled pressure cooker with 10 cooking modes including pressure cook, rice, and yogurt

I tested the latest Instant Pot Pro — this Wi-Fi-enabled multi cooker is perfect for lazy home chefs like me

By Erin Bashford published

This is it — a smart cooker with Wi-Fi connectivity that’s well worth the money. You can start dinner from the office, your commute, or even your bed.

Home Appliances
the skechers go run elevate 2.0 running shoes in the women's style, in fuchsia pink, photographed against a blue background

Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 review: These beginner-friendly running shoes are just $85

By Erin Bashford published

Bouncy and cooling

Running
the maono pd300x microphone for podcasting with an xlr and usbc connection and a boom arm in the photograph but also available with a desktop stand, one button dial on the mic and a muting button

Maono PD300X microphone review

By Erin Bashford published

The Maono PD300X microphone is a plug-and-play podcasting mic with both XLR and USB-C ports, but its audio quality isn’t as good as other similarly-priced mics.

Audio
the breville bambino plus / sage bambino plus in stainless steel silver photographed against a blue background shown with its accessories including milk jug, tamper, portafilter, and shown in use extracting espresso

I just tested the iconic Breville Bambino Plus — and it's the perfect espresso machine for small spaces

By Erin Bashford published

I just tested the iconic Breville Bambino Plus and loved it. While it's easy to use and perfect for small households, I wouldn't recommended for everyone.

Home Appliances
the breville bambino plus / sage bambino plus in stainless steel silver photographed against a blue background shown with its accessories including milk jug, tamper, portafilter, and shown in use extracting espresso

Breville Bambino Plus review: The reigning entry-level champ

By Erin Bashford published

The Breville/Sage Bambino Plus is a fantastic first espresso machine thanks to its compact size, delicious espresso, and auto milk steam function.

Home Appliances
the akg n5 hybrid earbuds by harman in white, shown in their charging case with accessories and without

AKG N5 Hybrid review: Surprisingly fantastic

By Erin Bashford published

The AKG N5 Hybrids are some of the best-sounding earbuds I’ve ever tested. While they’re uncomfortable for small ears, the sound quality makes up for it.

Earbuds
the keen hyperport h2 water hiking sandals with aquagrip soles, injected foam soles, and a cinch clasp for slip-on ease, in the taupe/coral colorway

Keen Hyperport H2 review: Comfy enough to be your only shoes

By Erin Bashford published

The Keen Hyperport H2 hiking and water sandals are waterproof and quick drying, but that’s not all. They’re the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever worn.

Fitness
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