James is Tom’s Guide’s Buying Guide Editor, overseeing the site's buying advice, from tech products like smartwatches, fitness trackers and phones, through to home essentials like washing machines, garden accessories and smart home devices.
At his first job at as a sales assistant in a department store, James learned how important it is to help people make purchasing decisions that are right for their needs, initially advising people on the different styles of fountain pens to give as gifts, before moving to the electrical department to help customers choose a new fridge, washing machine, cooker, or small appliance.
This skill stayed with him as he developed a career in journalism as a freelance technology writer and, later, as Buying Guide Editor for MakeUseOf, where his interest in fitness combined with his commitment to impartial buying advice.
James is an advocate for sustainability and reparability, and focuses his reviews and advice through that lens to offer objective insights as to whether a specific product or service will be right for your needs, and if it is actually good value for money and designed to last.
Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, James was the Fitness Editor at Fit&Well, where he covered beginner-friendly exercise routines, affordable ways to boost your wellbeing, and reviewed weights, rowing machines, and workout headphones.
He was previously Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor, covering strength training workouts, cardio exercise, and accessible ways to improve your health and wellbeing. His interest in fitness started over 10 years ago after being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
To help manage the symptoms, he began focusing on strengthening his core, taking regular walks around the city, and practicing meditation. He also invested in fitness trackers, home workout equipment, and yoga mats to find accessible ways to train without the gym.
He believes that exercise should be something you enjoy doing, so appreciates the challenge of finding ways to incorporate it into everyday life through short muscle-building sessions, regular meditation, and early morning walks.
James’ work has appeared in Live Science, Happiness, and consumer technology sites like MakeUseOf, Lifewire, and Blocks Decoded. He has reviewed headphones, fitness trackers, and smartwatches, covered events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), IFA, and Black Hat Europe, and was named Muck Rack’s Featured Journalist in February 2021.
He was a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast and a co-host for the Blocks Decoded podcast, and spent five years as a Listening Volunteer for the UK-based mental health charity Samaritans. Outside of work, you’ll find him out on long dog walks, listening to podcasts, and excitedly checking out each week's New Music Friday releases.
Latest articles by James Frew

We've tested the best smart locks to secure your home and these are the 3 I recommend right now
By James Frew Last updated
Easy, secure access to your home

We've tested the best tablets for entertainment and productivity, and these are the 8 I recommend right now
By Darragh Murphy Last updated
We've tested the best tablets to help you decide between an iPad, Android tablets and Windows slates to boost your productivity with a screen that's right for you.

These are the 3 best Google TVs we've tested for movies, bright rooms and all budgets
By James Frew Last updated
The best Google TVs combine Google's impressive personalization tools, an Android-based smart TV platform and high performance, great value hardware from Hisense and TCL.

We've tested the best Oura Ring alternatives and there's one I'd recommend over all the rest right now
By James Frew Last updated
These are the best subscription-free Oura Ring alternatives in 2026, from budget models to direct competitors.

We've tested the best Samsung TVs and these are the 3 I recommend right now for movies, TV shows and gaming
By James Frew Last updated
The best Samsung TVs are bright, have incredible colors, excellent contrast and impressive gaming features. These are the three models I recommend now for every use and budget.

The best Skechers shoes in 2026 — top picks for running, walking, cross training and more
By Jane McGuire Last updated
We've tested the best Skechers shoes to help you find the right pair for your next walk, training session, or run.

These are the best cheap fitness trackers in 2026
By Dan Bracaglia Last updated
Keep tabs on your fitness, sleep, and overall wellness, all without breaking the bank. These are the best cheap fitness trackers in 2026.

The best Android antivirus apps in 2026
By Amber Bouman Last updated
The best Android antivirus apps can protect you from malware but also offer features like a VPN, password manager, phishing protection and more.

Best Samsung tablets in 2026: expert tested and rated
By Jason England Last updated
These are the best Samsung tablets we've reviewed, in a range of prices and sizes to fit a variety of budgets.

These are the 5 best 75-inch TVs we've tested for movies, sports and games without breaking the bank
By James Frew Last updated
We've tested all the best 75-inch TVs from Hisense, LG and TCL to help you choose a model that's right for your home, whether you love movie nights, bingeing TV shows or immersive gaming sessions.

The best electric bikes of 2026: expert tested and rated
By Mike Prospero Last updated
Our picks for the best electric bikes for riders of all types and budgets, based on dozens of reviews and tests

These are the 3 best TV antennas we've tested for range and picture quality
By James Frew Last updated
The best TV antennas are a clear gateway to your favorite shows, sports, news and movies with no monthly bills.

I test dozens of workout headphones every year and these are my 5 top picks right now
By James Frew Last updated
We put the best workout headphones to the test to help you find a set that'll keep you motivated whatever your training style.

The best trail running shoes in 2026 for men and women
By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated
We put the best trail running shoes to the test to help you find a comfortable, durable, supportive pair for your next off-road run.

These are the best GPS trackers for kids on Android and iPhone
By James Frew Last updated
These are the two best GPS trackers for kids we've tested that'll help you keep tabs on your child's location, stay in touch with calls and messages and stay active throughout the day.

These are the best smart scales we've tested in 2026 to track your health and fitness at home
By Jane McGuire Last updated
We've tested the best smart scales to help you track your stats and monitor your weight to boost your health and fitness at home.

We've tested the best dehumidifiers and these are the 3 I recommend right now
By James Frew Last updated
Keep mold and mildew at bay with the best dehumidifiers, tested by a tech expert with a very damp basement.

We've tested the best smartwatches and these are the 3 I recommend for iPhone and Android
By James Frew Last updated
These are the best smartwatches we've tested to monitor your health, extend your phone for messages, calls and notifications and track your fitness.

The best folding electric bikes for space-saving rides
By Dan Cavallari Last updated
We put the best folding electric bikes through their paces to help you find the right bike for your next outdoor adventure, whether you're commuting to the office or taking a leisurely ride.

We've tested every Apple Watch and these are the 3 models I recommend right now
By James Frew Last updated
We've been testing the best Apple Watches for more than a decade, and these are the three models I recommend right now, including budget picks and a better value, older option to save you money.

These are the 3 best budget TVs I recommend right now for movies, gaming and sports without breaking the bank
By James Frew Last updated
These are the best budget TVs that we've tested that I think are actually worth your money, whether you're into gaming, enjoy atmospheric films or watch live sports.

These are the 3 best smart thermostats we've tested to control your home's temperature and bring down energy costs
By James Frew Last updated
We've tested the best smart thermostats to help you find the right model for your home, with options from Honeywell, Ecobee and Nest for all budgets.

Best video doorbells in 2026: Ring, Nest, Wyze and more tested
By Mike Prospero Last updated
These are the best video doorbells based on our real-world testing of video quality, notifications, smart home integration and more.

These are the 3 best OLED TVs we've tested for bright rooms, watching movies and gaming without breaking the bank
By James Frew Last updated
We've tested the best OLED TVs around right now to help you find your new set, whether you want to watch movies, binge TV shows or game, and they don't cost a small fortune.
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!


