Latest articles by Erin Bashford
I reviewed 9 headphones in 2025 — but I only recommend one pair
I tested nine pairs of headphones in 2025, but only one pair is worth your money.
I got this $50 coffee accessory — and it's completely transformed my espresso
I'm an ex-barista, and now I spend hours every week testing espresso machines. This accessory is the barista's secret recipe for perfect espresso every time.
I tested lots of wireless earbuds in 2025, but I only recommend these 3 under $40, $70, and $100
I reviewed 10 pairs of earbuds in 2025, but only 3 are worth your money, all under $100.
I tested 16 soundbars in 2025 — here are my top picks under $200, $500, and $700
You don't have to spend a fortune to get great sound at home, so I've rounded up my highest-rated soundbars of 2025.
3 things every new record player owner needs to know — from another vinyl newbie
I got my first turntable — the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special — and learned 3 major lessons.
Nothing's new $69 earbuds sound better than $200 rivals — so I asked a product exec how
CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 sound like $200 buds for $69, so I asked Nilo Casimiro Ericsson, product executive at Dirac, how the tech works.
I would never buy earbuds without this one key feature
I test countless earbuds, and I always look for one key feature. If the buds don't have it, I don't want them.
How to grind your coffee correctly — 3 easy tips from an ex-barista
I'm an ex-barista, and here are 3 easy ways to tell if you're using the correct grind size for your coffee.
No more pinched toes — I tried these hiking shoes and now I won't wear anything else
I reviewed the Keen Jasper Zionic, and now every pair of shoes has been ruined for me thanks to this one game-changing design feature.
Breville Bambino vs Breville Bambino Plus: Which budget espresso machine should you buy?
Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth an extra $200, or is the Breville Bambino a better option? I evaluated espresso, milk steaming, and more to find out.
Should you get a bean-to-cup or compact espresso machine? I'm an ex-barista, and here's my verdict
Should you get a bean-to-cup or a small manual espresso machine? Don't buy one until you read this.
Just got your first soundbar? You need to check out these 3 features first
I review soundbars for a living, and these are the three features you need to check out when using your first soundbar.
Just got an espresso machine for Christmas? Don’t make the one fatal mistake beginner baristas fall for
I'm an ex-barista and now an espresso machine reviewer, so I've made thousands of coffees. Don't make this one major mistake with your new espresso machine!
This cheap Sony soundbar is an Amazon bestseller — and it's ten times better than the budget competition
The Sony HT-S100F is widely regarded as the best cheap soundbar, and for good reason. It has crystal-clear dialogue and surprisingly punchy bass.
I’m an ex-barista, and I would never buy an espresso machine without this one key feature
I'm an ex-barista, and now I've tested loads of espresso machines. Some good, some bad. But I'd never buy one without this one key feature.
I just awarded my first 5-star rating to an espresso machine — here's what makes the Breville Bambino a perfect product
I test a lot of espresso machines, but none are as high-value and impressive as the small-but-mighty Breville Bambino.
I just tested Breville’s cheapest espresso machine, and there’s no denying it — this is a 5-star product
Editor's ChoiceThe Breville Bambino is my favorite cheap espresso machine I’ve ever tested. At just $299, it’s a budget machine in a league of its own. There’s no competition.
Looking for your first pair of wired audiophile headphones? I've got a great recommendation that won't break the bank
I tested the FiiO FT13 headphones and they're the perfect option for newbie audiophiles.
This entry-level Klipsch soundbar is capable of going head-to-head with other premium brands — and it's buildable into a home theater powerhouse
RecommendedThe Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is a perfect first soundbar with impressive bass and clear dialogue, but has no Wi-Fi compatibility.
I tested FiiO’s brand-new audiophile headphones, and they’re my new go-to recommendation for beginner hi-fi nerds
RecommendedThe Fiio FT13 are a pair of comfortable wired headphones with a rich low-end and faithful treble. They’re the perfect cans for audiophile newbies.
I’m an ex-barista — and this entry-level De’Longhi bean-to-cup is the best-value espresso machine I’ve tested so far
Editor's ChoiceThe De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo is a compact bean-to-cup espresso machine capable of making cafe-quality coffee right out of the box.
I've been trying to quit Spotify for months, but Spotify Wrapped is the beast that keeps pulling me back
Spotify Wrapped is here, and it's reminded me why Spotify is so hard to quit. No other streaming service comes close.
I used the 'wrong' grind size for 3 coffee brewing methods — it proves why you shouldn't buy pre-ground beans
I used the 'wrong' coffee grind size for espresso, drip, and pour-over in the name of science. Here's what happened, and why having a grinder is important.
