Erin Bashford is a 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, making her desperate to find the best audio gear.
Alongside this she has created video reports for BBC News and produced podcasts and radio broadcasts about everything from music to ghost stories. 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 fiction, or stressing over todays’ NYT Games.
Latest articles by Erin Bashford

Is the Samsung Music Frame worth the hype? Here's my first impressions
By Erin Bashford published
The Samsung Music Frame is one of the most innovative audio products I've ever seen, so here's my first impressions. Spoiler alert: I'm not sure how to feel.

I thought this was the most boring kitchen gadget ever created, but now I can't imagine my life without it
By Erin Bashford last updated
I recently got a DoughBed to test, and I immediately fell in love with it. On paper, it's the most boring kitchen gadget, but in practice? My life has changed.

My sister is starting college in the fall and asked me which headphones she should get for studying — I had just one recommendation
By Erin Bashford published
Forget headphones like Bose, Sony, and Apple; the only cans college students need are Soundcore Space One Pro. I'm so confident that I got them for my sister.

Dear haters, you're wrong — the 'ugliest sandals in the world' are actually the hiking sandals I was missing all along
By Erin Bashford published
I reviewed the Keen Hyperport H2 hiking sandals way back in April, and I still wear them almost every day. Here's why I'm still a Hyperport H2 fanatic.

Shopping for an espresso machine? Here’s 3 things I wish I'd known sooner (and I'm an ex-barista)
By Erin Bashford published
I'm an ex-barista and I know my way around a commercial espresso machine. But home espresso machines have way more variations, so here's what to look for.

We've spent years testing the best massage guns — these are the 3 to buy
By Sam Hopes last updated
Review We've tested the best massage guns to boost recovery and reduce muscle soreness and picked our top three choices, plus recovery alternatives if you want to try something else.

You're probably using your Breville espresso machine wrong — I make espresso like a pro with this one simple change
By Erin Bashford published
Sometimes an espresso machine's default settings don't result in the best tasting coffee. Here's how I adjusted my Bambino Plus to get barista-level coffee.

I'm an ex-barista and this is why you need to stop ordering 'extra hot' coffees
By Erin Bashford published
I've spent 3 1/2 years of my life as a barista, and I learned a few things about coffee in that time. One of the most surprising? Extra hot coffee isn't great.

I've reviewed countless espresso machines this year — but there's only one you need to buy
By Erin Bashford published
As a professional espresso machine tester, I've tried a fair few options from big brands like Breville and De'Longhi. But only one reigns supreme.

Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 review
By Erin Bashford published
The Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is a premium massage gun. With a minimum speed of 2,200RPM, it’s pretty powerful, but it doesn't do enough to justify its price tag.

I’m utterly bamboozled by this ultra-cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine — and not in a bad way
By Erin Bashford published
The Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder has one very specific USP: it’s almost definitely the cheapest bean-to-cup machine you can buy.

Don't buy a budget espresso machine before checking for these 3 essential features — from an ex-barista
By Erin Bashford last updated
I'm an ex-barista, so I know how overwhelming the coffee world can be when you're starting out. Here's the essentials to look for in budget espresso machines.

I asked an expert why automatic espresso machines and manual espresso machines taste different — and I'm really surprised
By Erin Bashford published
I'm yet to find an automatic coffee machine that makes coffee as delicious as a human, but I can't stop thinking... Why is this? So I asked a coffee expert.

I usually give budget earbuds a tough time, but not this $29 pair — here's why I won't stop until everyone owns them
By Erin Bashford published
I just tested the JLab Go Pods ANC and now every other pair of cheap earbuds is ruined for me. I can't believe these earbuds are only $36.

KitchenAid 1.7L Variable Temperature Kettle review
By Erin Bashford published
The KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle is a beautiful electric kettle with great pouring feel, unbeatable aesthetics, and rapid boil. However, it doesn’t come cheap.

Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones review: A one-way ticket to Tinny City
By Erin Bashford published
The Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones are a pair of budget headphones with awesome ANC, soft, pillowy cups, but incredibly disappointing sound quality.

I review audio gear for a living, and the only budget headphones I've ever recommended are 35% off right now — hurry!
By Erin Bashford published
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are my favorite budget over-ear headphones, and right now they're a huge 35% off.

I tested these $36 earbuds and now every other pair of budget earbuds are ruined for me
By Erin Bashford published
JLab Go Pods ANC are the best cheap earbuds on the market right now, there’s no doubt in my mind. The bass is loud and I love the premium features for $36.

I was a Yeti skeptic, but I’ve been using my Yeti Roadie cooler for 2 months now — here’s why you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands
By Erin Bashford published
From water bottles to coolers, Yeti has dominated summer 2025 thus far. I'm a recent convert, and I'm never going back to a Yeti-less summer.

I got my first under-desk treadmill and I’m obsessed — here’s 5 things I learned
By Erin Bashford published
I got my first under-desk treadmill, and my home office will never be the same again. Here are 5 things I've learned from my first few weeks with the DeerRun Q1 Mini.

Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review
By Erin Bashford published
The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro is $349: an expensive massage gun. Thankfully, it performs like a premium option, but doesn’t quite do enough to justify its price.

Jura E8 review
By Erin Bashford published
The Jura E8 is a premium automatic coffee machine that can make drink after drink in mere seconds… but it’ll cost you an arm and a leg.

I walked 14,000 steps without leaving my apartment thanks to this under-desk treadmill — and it’s just $149
By Erin Bashford published
The DeerRun Q1 Mini is a delightfully affordable under-desk treadmill that helped me smash my daily step targets, but I wouldn’t recommend it for runners.

Prime Day is over, but I'm still obsessed with REI's anti-Amazon Patagonia sale — here's my 29 hand-picked deals from $15
By Erin Bashford last updated
If you're anti-Prime day, you can still get major discounts. I've found the REI Patagonia sales on Patagonia fleeces, Patagonia jackets, and more, from $15.

Prime Day is over but REI's sale is going strong — I've found the best deals under $25 on Patagonia, Columbia and more
By Erin Bashford published
Prime Day is over tomorrow, but REI's sale is only just getting started. I've found the best REI deals under $25 from Patagonia, Columbia, Cotopaxi, and more.
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