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

I've reviewed 30+ earbuds but I still use 3-year-old AirPods Pro 2 — and I have zero plans to upgrade
By Erin Bashford Published
I've reviewed over thirty earbuds, but I still use my 3-year-old AirPods Pro 2, and I have no interest in upgrading. Here's why.

I tried a music hammock that vibrates to the beat of any song — and I wanted to take it home with me
By Erin Bashford Published
I tried a music hammock that vibrates to the beat of any song — and I wanted to take it home with me

Best of IFA 2026: We found the 26 top new gadgets
By Jason England Published
The official Tom’s Guide Best of IFA 2026 Awards: From the Acer DualPlay Mini and Nvidia RTX Spark to the Lenovo Vibe, here are the 26 best gadgets of the show.

I just tried the world’s first AI espresso machine — I'm a coffee snob, and it was surprisingly... good?
By Erin Bashford Published
I tried nunc., the world's first espresso machine that dials in your beans using AI. Is it actually good, or just a gimmick?

I just went hands-on with the world's smallest earbuds — here's what happened (and yes, they have ANC now)
By Erin Bashford Published
I went hands-on with the new JLab JBuds Mini ANC, and they're some of the most exciting earbuds of 2026.

I just watched a robot vacuum actually climb stairs — it took 3 minutes but those steps were sparkling after
By Erin Bashford Published
The Roborock Rover is a stair-climbing robot vacuum, and it actually works... but there's a catch.

I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless — sorry AirPods, these are the earbuds to beat in 2026
By Erin Bashford Published
Editor's ChoiceThe Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds pack a major punch, with excellent sound quality, Dolby Atmos for movies, and a sleek design.

People are seriously spending $300 on a handheld coffee grinder, and here's why I'm completely on their side
By Erin Bashford Published
On episode 22 of The Coffee Lab, I'm diving deep into the Comandante C40 MK4: Why does this pricey coffee grinder have a cult following?

I tested Subminimal’s newest handheld milk frother — and it’s so much more than a coffee accessory
By Erin Bashford Published
RecommendedThe Subminimal Nanofoamer Go isn’t quite barista-worthy yet, but it’s a veritable sous chef in the kitchen department.

I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + subwoofer — and recommending it is a no-brainer
By Erin Bashford Published
Editor's ChoiceThe Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + subwoofer is an instant home theater upgrade, with crystal-clear dialogue, impressive bass, and music streaming.

I tested Philips’s new ‘budget’ Baristina espresso machine — but I’m more confused than impressed
By Erin Bashford Published
The Philips Baristina is a curious espresso machine, with a handheld portafilter yet a totally automated grinding and dosing system.

What to expect at IFA 2026: AI everywhere, robots, laptops evolved, smarter homes and more
By Anthony Spadafora Published
The next big consumer tech innovations land next week at IFA 2026, and Tom’s Guide will be on the ground in Berlin to cover every major reveal.

People are mixing coffee with Diet Coke (yes, really) — I'm an ex-barista, and I tried the viral 'fridge cigarette'
By Erin Bashford Published
On the 21st episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm trying the viral "Fridge Cigarette" coffee cocktail.

Moccamaster vs Simply Good Coffee — which premium coffee machine makes a better brew? Here's what I think
By Erin Bashford Published
On the 20th episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm putting two drip machines head-to-head to see which comes out on top.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Why don’t all espresso machines have a built-in timer?
By Erin Bashford Published
The Casabrews Ultra Pro is a midrange espresso machine with a PID controller and a built-in timer, but the steam wand issues still haven’t been fixed.

I tested a music-lover's $1,499 all-in-one soundbar — and it's not by Samsung, Bose, or Sony
By Erin Bashford Published
The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is a pretty pricey all-in-one soundbar, but has great bass, great music performance, and great buildability.

Battle of the sub-$500 TVs — I watched 3 movies on the cheapest Samsung TV and second-cheapest Amazon TV, and this is the best bang for your buck
By Erin Bashford Published
I compared the Samsung U8000H to the Amazon Ember 4-Series with three UHD Blu-ray movies.

Amazon Ember QLED TV review
By Erin Bashford Published
The Amazon Ember QLED is fine for the price, with good colors and picture quality, but it’s not as bright or affordable as alternatives from Hisense and TCL.

I tested one of the coolest-looking drip coffee makers in the world — and it's not just a pretty face
By Erin Bashford Published
RecommendedThe Smeg Retro Coffee Maker brews clean, delicious coffee with a single press of a button, and looks delightfully cool while doing so, too.

Overwhelmed by coffee jargon? Here are the 5 key espresso terms you need to know
By Erin Bashford Published
On Episode 19 of The Coffee Lab, I help you understand coffee equipment jargon.

I walked 103,000 steps in Columbia’s summer-ready hiking sandals — and I have zero blisters, zero aches, and zero regrets
By Erin Bashford Published
RecommendedThe Columbia Konos Hiker 2-Strap are one of the comfiest, most supportive, and most flexible hiking sandals I’ve ever tested. Definitely a new favorite.

I tried budget outdoor brand Coleman’s first collapsible cooler — here’s what I thought
By Erin Bashford Published
RecommendedColeman Snap ‘N Go is an aptly named cooler with a collapsible design, a removable inner lining, a non-outrageous price tag, and keeps ice solid for 30 hours.

I tested De'Longhi's most expensive superautomatic espresso machine — and it's even got an app
By Erin Bashford Published
The new De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic can make iced and hot drinks in seconds, has a range of recipes in the app, and looks super sleek. It's just... pricey.

I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
By Erin Bashford Published
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.
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