Latest articles by Erin Bashford
I tested the Ninja AutoBarista Pro — and it’s one of the most ambitious automatic coffee machines I’ve ever tested (but I’m not sure it’s in a good way)
The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is an ambitious automatic coffee machine with espresso, drip, and cold brew functions, but I’m not sure it meets all its marks.
The Breville Barista Express is randomly on sale for $499 — and you basically get a free grinder
I just found the iconic Breville Barista Express for just $499: that's the same price as the Breville Bambino Plus... so you literally get a free grinder.
I tested the brand-new Kindle Colorsoft 2026 — and it’s still the King of e-readers
RecommendedThe Kindle Colorsoft 2026 is a fantastic e-reader, with a frontlit screen complete with night mode, an IPX8 rating, and 8 weeks of battery life.
Do you need a WDT tool for barista-quality coffee at home? I put the controversial coffee tool to the test
On episode 12 of The Coffee Lab, I put the enigmatic Weiss Distribution Technique Tool (WDT tool) to the test. Is it an essential accessory?
I tested the most-anticipated espresso machine of 2026 — and the Fellow Espresso Series 1 hits all its marks
Editor's ChoiceFellow Espresso Series 1 is perfect for beginners and coffee nerds alike, with enough shot profile options to fill a Yellow Pages and a pro-level steam wand.
I walked 316,000 steps in the Merrell Moab 3, and they’re some of the comfiest hiking shoes I’ve ever worn
Editor's ChoiceThe Merrell Moab 3 are some of the best hiking shoes I’ve ever used, with grippy 5mm lugs, a supportive Vibram sole, and a super-cushioned interior.
I just saw Smeg's brand new Moonlight colorway in real life — and my kitchen is about to get a serious upgrade
I saw Smeg's brand-new Moonlight colorway in real life, and it's the upgrade my kitchen has been begging for. It's modern yet retro, and gorgeous.
I reviewed 'the ugliest sandals in the world' last year — and there's a reason these Keen hiking sandals (still) never leave my feet in the summer
I reviewed the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals last summer, but they're still my go-to for hikes during heatwaves.
I tested Simply Good Coffee’s (mostly) plastic-free brewer — and it’s actually a fantastic Moccamaster alternative
Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer is a great Moccamaster alternative capable of making delicious coffee in minutes, but it’s not 100% plastic-free.
I tried this ridiculously cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine so you don't have to — and it's a total head-scratcher
On Episode 11 of The Coffee Lab, I attempt to answer the age-old question: can you get a good bean-to-cup for under $350?
I just tested KEF’s first soundbar — it’s $2,500 and one of the best home cinema products I’ve ever used
RecommendedKEF XIO is a soundbar with big ambitions and a big price tag. At $2,500, this is only for the serious home cinema enthusiasts, but it won’t disappoint you.
Don't suffer through muffled commentary this World Cup — these 5 soundbars will ensure you hear every goal (from just $53)
I test tons of soundbars every year and these are my top 5 recommendations for crystal-clear sound all World Cup long.
I made two identical espressos with $5 coffee beans and $20 coffee beans — and yes, the coffee snobs are right
Episode 10 of The Coffee Lab sees me pitting cheap and expensive beans against each other: Do you really need to spend $20 on coffee beans?
We've spent years testing the best massage guns — these are the 3 to buy
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.
The 6 best coffee grinders you can buy in 2026, tried and tested by a former barista
We meticulously tested all the best coffee grinders you can buy in 2026, and here's our final ranking.
I tested JBL’s new mid-range headphones — and they’re zingy, fresh, and fun (and finally have hi-res audio!)
RecommendedThe JBL Live 780NC are fun headphones. Gone are the muted tones of the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort. The sound and features aren't half bad either.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: Apple, Sony, and Bose wish they could do this one thing
RecommendedSennheiser Momentum 5 took 4 years to come out, but they're finally here. With clean bass, balanced mids, and a huge 57-hour battery, they are going for hold.
Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
On the ninth episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm talking about the Ratio Four, one of my favorite low-plastic coffee makers.
I'm an ex-barista but I'm not great at latte art — and this is my cheat code to perfect art every time
For the eighth episode of The Coffee Lab, I teach you how to get perfect latte art every time, very little skill required.
I tested Lelit’s brand-new entry-level prosumer espresso machine — and it’s one of the best I’ve ever used
Editor's ChoiceThe Lelit Mara X3 is Lelit’s brand-new prosumer model with custom flow control and a commercial-level steam wand for barista espresso at home.
I tested Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2 — here's the winner
I tested the Apple AirPods Max 2 versus the Sony 1000X The ColleXion, and this is the one I'd buy.
DJI Mic Mini 2 review: The best affordable mic for content creators
Editor's ChoiceDJI Mic Mini 2 is the best budget wireless microphone for content creators, and there’s no competition. It’s straightforward and has premium sound quality.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Coming for AirPods Pro 3’s crown
RecommendedThe Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max have excellent, rich sound, immersive ANC, great battery, and impressive AI features, for just $229.
