Lee Dunkley
After 2.5 years as Tom's Guide's audio editor, Lee has joined the passionate audio experts at audiograde.uk where he writes about luxury audio and Hi-Fi. As a former longstanding editor at the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine with over 20 years experience, Lee knows all about crafting accessible reviews and features for audio fans.
Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined the Consumers' Association, publisher of Which? magazine, in the 1990s. As a product tester, Lee started his consumer tech career evaluating all kinds of audio and home theatre products for Which? magazine, including CD players (remember those?), speaker systems, portable audio players and mobile phones, flatscreen TVs, and all kinds of surround sound solutions.
Trained as an 'expert listener' and a regular participant on audio and video evaluation panels, Lee has worked with some of the biggest audio brands in the world, consulting on product design and audio development.
As an experienced print editor and contributor, Lee has worked on numerous consumer tech titles (past and present), including Home Entertainment, What Home Cinema, Home Cinema Choice, What Satellite & Digital TV, and Hi-Fi Choice magazine, to name a few.
Lee has been covering all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers, and soundbars, and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring. When not listening to music or researching the tech behind the latest audio products, Lee can usually be found tending to his cottage garden or baking sourdough bread for villagers from his home bakery.
Latest articles by Lee Dunkley
![Best AirPods Max cases: AirPods Max cases lede image showing AirPods Max headphones surrounded by cases on test](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4wVVZJBC8SCPytJQw5zr4c-320-80.jpg)
The best AirPods Max cases and covers 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
Here are the best AirPods Max cases and covers we’ve tested to keep your Apple headphones safe and looking their best.
![Listing image for best Apple AirPods alternatives showing Jabra Elite 10 listing image shot in charging case held in hand with lid open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hyboM4MmZLyCK9bS2ZNUH8-320-80.jpg)
Best Apple AirPods alternatives: Top picks of 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best Apple AirPods alternatives: rival earbud designs tested and ranked for sound quality and features.
![Listing image for best microphones showing Blue Yeti Nano press shot showing mic on a desktop next to a monitor screen and a green plant](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7S9BmJjBEATJvkbHNFzZCb-320-80.jpg)
The best microphones in 2024: Boost voice quality at home
By Lee Dunkley last updated
Whether you’re working from home or just want to upgrade your video calls, the best microphones will help you get the best audio quality.
![Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Umg7LQ4eRcsge39TVGEzg4-320-80.jpg)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
These are the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy right now, ranked and rated by our audio experts.
![Ultimate Ears Everboom series group shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fMDHLkB6frnZGqAtRPmCr-320-80.jpg)
Forget Bose — Ultimate Ears just unveiled Everboom speaker that's big on sound and costs less
By Lee Dunkley published
New Ultimate Ears Everboom challenges Bluetooth speaker rivals with 360-degree sound, IP67 dust and water protection, and 20-hour playback for $249.
![Listing image showing reviewer wearing Focal Bathys for best audiophile headphones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ita9EcdkgpNtXrkK2EK3SP-320-80.jpg)
The best audiophile headphones in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best audiophile headphones deliver a top-flight audio experience — whether you're seeking a pair of wired over-ear cans or wireless in-ears, these are the best we've listened to.
![JBL L42ms on table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qsny5Z35JasuU8K7zW2afJ-320-80.jpg)
I just tested JBL's new retro-style speaker — and the sound is stunning
By Lee Dunkley published
Retro styling, hi-res audio and Apple AirPlay... JBL's luxury speaker system is a thoroughly modern music maker that looks and sounds great.
![Listing image for best AV receivers showing Denon AVR-X4800 AV receiver](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QDc6U5eLRWCvKgNeUszroW-320-80.jpg)
Best AV receivers 2024: Top amps tested by home theater experts
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best AV receivers tested for power, sound and connectivity — these amps deliver on movie night
![AirPods Max 2 rumors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PKWiMkno2x5p2hpDh4TK9H-320-80.jpg)
Apple AirPods Max 2: Everything we know so far
By Kate Kozuch last updated
Here are AirPods Max 2 rumors we've heard so far, plus the top features we want to see from the second-gen Apple AirPods Max.
![Listing image for the best cheap earbuds showing the JLab Go Air Pop held in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8k4ht4BJim9fsxaWigDgLE-320-80.jpg)
The best cheap earbuds 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best cheap earbuds you can buy for $50 or less based on our testing — great sound without shelling out.
![Best cheap soundbars listing image showing the Creative Stage V2 placed in front of a TV](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MLu89jjwnKMgThVC7zzL4j-320-80.jpg)
Best cheap soundbars 2024: Low-cost ways to upgrade your TV sound
By Lee Dunkley last updated
Cut-price soundbars tested and rated for sound quality, connectivity and ease of use. Find out which of these great budget buys is best at boosting TV sound.
![JBL Flip 6 vs Sony ULT Field 1](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iYryTQU9ME4cDNuEfcVqt3-320-80.jpg)
JBL Flip 6 vs. Sony ULT Field 1: Which Bluetooth speaker wins?
By Lee Dunkley published
Sony is shaking up the portable speaker market with its bass-heavy ULT series, but how does its smallest model compare to JBL's Bluetooth champ?
![The Klipsch Flexus sound system at CES 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NbxgzzDVoisd8CCg8RtHc3-320-80.jpg)
I test speakers for a living, and this Klipsch Dolby Atmos soundbar blew me away
By Lee Dunkley published
This Klipsch Flexus Core 200 soundbar powered by Onkyo is one of the best Dolby Atmos speaker systems I've heard, and it costs just $499.
![Listing image for best headsets and headphones for working from home showing Sony WH-1000XM5, AirPods Pro 2 placed on a MacBook laptop at a desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bBTNjjp3voMcuEnHHaBCCd-320-80.jpg)
Best headsets and headphones for working from home 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best headsets and headphones for working from home offer crystal-clear audio for voice and video calls. Here are our picks based on our extensive testing.
![The Apple AirPods Max vs the Sonos Ace](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/etgnzJzLY5RN2FyiVYJRPL-320-80.jpg)
The best AirPods Max alternatives in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
These alternative ANC headphone models all offer comparable audio performance and features to rival the AirPods Max, but cost a lot less money.
![Listing image for best music streaming services (L-R) the Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pdahTKshnEQYd2UjVpfyCH-320-80.jpg)
Best music streaming services in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
Our guide to the best music streaming services compares functionality, sound quality, and price.
![Sonos Ace headphones on man's head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/77Xk2eryFf5g6qWUTi4C2k-320-80.jpg)
Sonos Ace review: Stunning sound and superb noise-canceling
By Lee Dunkley last updated
Sonos' first headphones are an ace against its rivals in terms of sound and noise-canceling tech, but the lack of integration with Sonos' wider ecosystem feels like a letdown at the price.
![Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8yXQFk7gx6JBJd5zmHdCsG-320-80.jpg)
Sonos Ace vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Which noise-canceling headphones win?
By Lee Dunkley published
Bose's flagship headphones have the best noise-canceling tech in the business, but how do they compare to the new rival from Sonos?
![best cheap headphones listing image showing 1More SonoFlow SE held up against a colorful backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s7FXb3qSJcR64Q9px2zjye-320-80.jpg)
The best cheap headphones in 2024: Big sound for less
By Lee Dunkley last updated
We've tested the best cheap headphones on the market, including over-ear, in-ear wired and wireless models.
![A photo of the JBL Go 4 in blue on a concrete surface against a blue wall.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n6bdW5KEedFhqGSbQhwfSD-320-80.jpg)
The best cheap Bluetooth speakers in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
We've searched for the best value Bluetooth speakers under $100 — check out our roundup of best-sounding models for budget pockets.
![Sonos Ace vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 placed on grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b85FjqmUGboG7uzsnS5HpX-320-80.jpg)
Sonos Ace vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Which noise-canceling headphones win?
By Lee Dunkley published
Sonos' first pair of headphones have really impressed me, but how do they compare to Sony's class-leading design?
![Listing image for cheap wireless headphones buying guide showing a photo of the Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones in use with one of the buttons being pressed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BafFy8Lp4pEGZpU6dEHJJF-320-80.jpg)
The best cheap wireless headphones in 2024
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The best cheap wireless headphones you can buy right now — from over-ears to earbuds, these are the top low-cost models we've tested.
![Bose SoundLink Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4UsbXhAPprydkMDA3XsoCV-320-80.jpg)
Bose SoundLink Max review: A sleek Bluetooth speaker with plenty of boom and 20-hour playback
By Lee Dunkley last updated
The new SoundLink Max offers expansive stereo sound and 20-hour playback in Bose's largest portable Bluetooth speaker so far, and it's shaking up the portable speaker category.