Latest articles by Erin Bashford
I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
For the eighteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I let you in on a little Starbucks secret and show you how to make one of my favorite summer drinks.
$300 vs $2,000 espresso machine — I ran a blind taste test to see if you need to spend $$$ for barista coffee at home
I ran a blind taste test to answer the age-old question: Does a more expensive espresso machine make better coffee?
I just tested the brand-new Samsung QS90H — and it’s one of the best all-in-one soundbars money can buy
Editor's ChoiceThe Samsung QS90H is a powerful all-in-one soundbar. No need for a separate subwoofer or rears here: 7.1.2 channel in just one device.
You told me your three biggest issues with Moccamaster — and I have solutions for all of them
On the sixteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I answer your most-asked questions about the Moccamaster: Part 2!
I tested the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus — and it’s ideal for total beginners due to this one game-changing feature
RecommendedThe Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is one of the best espresso machines for complete beginners due to its helpful dialing-in assist feature.
I tested the Technics AZ100 — and they're premium earbuds capable of giving Bose a run for its money
I tested the Technics AZ100 earbuds and they bring premium sound and cool style to the oversaturated earbud market.
I tested the Denon Home 600 — and it’s one of the most ambitious smart speakers yet
The Denon Home 600 smart speaker is huge at 18 inches long, with 8 speakers and a built-in sub. But it’s pricey and has a few app-related issues.
I tested the Edifier MR5 — and they’re budget-friendly studio monitors with energy and clarity
RecommendedThe Edifier MR5 are budget-slash-midrange studio monitors with a huge five connectivity types, great sound quality, and actually useful app functionality.
You said your Moccamaster couldn't do these 3 things — here's how I'd fix it
On the sixteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I answer your most-asked questions about the Moccamaster.
I tested the ultra-affordable Amazon Ember 4-Series TV and I wasn’t disappointed — here’s how it stacks up
Although it’s not as bright or color-accurate as pricier alternatives, for around $300, the Amazon Ember 4-Series is a decent option.
I've tested soundbars twice its price but the 23-driver JBL Bar 1300XMK2 would be my desert island choice
I tested JBL's new flagship soundbar, and the Bar 1300MK2 might just be the best penny-per-performance option on the market in 2026.
The best tech of 2026 (so far): 26 products we've actually tested, rated and loved
Here are our favorite products from 2026 after 6 months of non-stop testing.
I tested JBL’s newest flagship soundbar — and it’s proof you don’t need to spend $2k on a full home theater setup
Editor's ChoiceThe JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is one of the best ways to get a full cinematic audio experience at home, with a powerful subwoofer, immersive Atmos, and clear dialogue.
I tested Nespresso’s brand-new Vertuo Up — and it has a dedicated ‘Over Ice’ mode for summer
RecommendedNespresso Vertuo Up is a futureproofed machine with app functionality, a new iced coffee mode, and a rotating water tank. Of course, it’s easy and fun to use.
I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
On the 15th episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm trying all of the new Nespresso summer flavors. Which one will be my favorite?
I tested IKAPE’s portable espresso maker — and it’s the most coffee-snob-friendly portable coffee machine in the world
Editor's ChoiceThe IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro is a premium, high-quality portable espresso maker with a weighty tamper and bottomless portafilter.
I've been using the AirPods Max 2 for 3 months — here's how they've held up
I've been using the AirPods Max 2 since March, and they've seriously impressed me.
I tested the Grado SR80 open-back headphones — and they make my music sound like vinyl
The Grado SR80 are open-back, on-ear headphones with retro aesthetics and wired connectivity, great for casual listening, but weirdly expensive.
I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it.
On the 14th episode of The Coffee Lab, I've got Lelit's brand-new Mara X3 in the lab. Is this $2,000 entry-level prosumer espresso machine worth it?
I tested the minimalist Cambridge Audio L/R S — and they’re some of the most premium-feeling midrange speakers on the market
RecommendedThe Cambridge Audio L/R S are high-quality bookshelf speakers with a huge range of connectivity types and clean sound.
Worried about microplastics in your daily coffee? I tested Simply Good Coffee's 'Plastic-Free' Brewer
For the 13th episode of The Coffee Lab, I've got in the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer. How does it hold up?
The Moccamaster is the perfect example of 'buy it nice or buy it twice' — I did the coffee math vs Bonavita, Breville and more so you don't have to
Is the Technivorm Moccamaster worth it in the long run? I crunched the coffee numbers so you don't have to.
I walked 316,000 steps in the Merrell Moab 3 in rain, sun, and mud — and if you need one pair of hiking shoes, make it these
I reviewed the trendy Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes earlier this month, and they're the perfect all-rounder outdoor shoe.
