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

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 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.

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.

We've tested the best 55-inch TVs and these are the 3 I recommend right now for movies, gaming and live sport
By James Frew last updated
The best 55-inch TVs are ideal for tighter spaces without compromising on performance and these are the three models I recommend right now without breaking the bank.

These are the best Fitbit trackers we've tested (and three great alternatives)
By James Frew last updated
We've tested the best Fitbit and Fitbit alternatives to help you find the right wrist-worn device to log your activity, sleep and overall well-being.

These are the 3 best 50-inch TVs we've tested that I recommend right now for movies, gaming and sports without breaking the bank
By James Frew last updated
The best 50-inch TVs are ideal for smaller spaces or as a secondary set outside of your living room, whether you want movie nights, to binge TV shows or game without breaking the bank.

Best space heaters in 2026 — expert tested and rated
By Millie Fender last updated
We tested a range of space heaters to see which are best for keeping you warm all year round.

These are the 3 best gaming TVs we've tested for console and PC gaming without breaking the bank
By James Frew last updated
If you're looking for the best TVs for gaming, these three models are bright, fast, responsive and look fantastic, all without breaking the bank.

These are the 3 best Samsung smartwatches we've tested for battery life, budget and outdoor adventures
By James Frew last updated
I've tested all the latest Samsung Galaxy smartwatch models, and these are the ones I reccomend overall, for workouts, for the budget-minded, and for battery life.

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.

We've tested the best 85-inch TVs and these are the 5 I recommend right now
By James Frew last updated
These are the best 85-inch TVs we've tested that are perfect for group watchalongs, cosy movie nights and live sports parties.

Best outdoor security cameras in 2026: expert tested and rated
By Mike Prospero last updated
The best outdoor security cameras for keeping tabs on your home and yard.

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 TVs under $1,000 we've tested for sports, gaming and movies
By James Frew last updated
You don't have to make many compromises with the best TVs under $1,000, whether you're into films, TV shows or gaming.

These are the best TVs under $500 I recommend right now to upgrade your setup without breaking the bank
By James Frew last updated
These are the best TVs under $500 we've tested that keep the cost down and performance up for movies, TV shows and gaming.

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.

Best Android smartwatch — top picks from Google, Garmin and Samsung
By Dan Bracaglia last updated
The best Android smartwatch in 2026 is the Google Pixel Watch 4. Here's why...

Best TVs of 2026 tested: top OLEDs, Mini-LEDs and QLEDs for every budget
By James Frew last updated
These are the best TVs we've tested for watching movies, bingeing TV shows, playing games and live sports from LG, Samsung, TCL and more.

These are the 3 best 43-inch TVs we've tested for when you're tight on space
By James Frew last updated
The best 43-inch TVs are the perfect option if you need something smaller and more affordable with impressive performance packed into a compact set.

These are the 3 best smart displays we've tested to control your home and smart devices
By James Frew last updated
Your smart home deserves the best smart display

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.

These are the best running watches we've tested for tracking your training and hitting your goals
By James Frew last updated
These are the best running watches we've tested (and a few more) to kickstart your training and hit your next PB.

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.
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