Erin Bashford is a senior 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. She has a strong interest in audio gear and the music world.
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 novels, or stressing over NYT Games.
Latest articles by Erin Bashford

By Erin Bashford Published
I tested nine pairs of headphones in 2025, but only one pair is worth your money.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
I reviewed 10 pairs of earbuds in 2025, but only 3 are worth your money, all under $100.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Last updated
I got my first turntable — the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special — and learned 3 major lessons.

By Erin Bashford Last updated
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
I test countless earbuds, and I always look for one key feature. If the buds don't have it, I don't want them.

By Erin Bashford Published
I'm an ex-barista, and here are 3 easy ways to tell if you're using the correct grind size for your coffee.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
Should you get a bean-to-cup or a small manual espresso machine? Don't buy one until you read this.

By Erin Bashford Published
I review soundbars for a living, and these are the three features you need to check out when using your first soundbar.

By Erin Bashford Published
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!

By Erin Bashford Last updated
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
I test a lot of espresso machines, but none are as high-value and impressive as the small-but-mighty Breville Bambino.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
I tested the FiiO FT13 headphones and they're the perfect option for newbie audiophiles.

By Erin Bashford Published
RecommendedThe Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is a perfect first soundbar with impressive bass and clear dialogue, but has no Wi-Fi compatibility.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.

By Erin Bashford Published
Spotify Wrapped is here, and it's reminded me why Spotify is so hard to quit. No other streaming service comes close.

By Erin Bashford Published
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.
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