Articles by Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor

Becky became Audio Editor in 2024, but joined TechRadar in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things audio and hi-fi. Before joining the team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing, reviewing and generally enjoying everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge, multi-product high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage.

When not writing, she is usually throwing shapes in a dance studio, spinning in the air to improve the tolerance of her inner ear to dizziness, drinking coffee, watching football or trying to surf in Cornwall with her other half; an irritatingly good surfer and an even better football writer.

Articles by: Becky Scarrott

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Apple's banking on camera-equipped AirPods to trounce Meta smart glasses, but I'm not sure it's enough

By Becky Scarrott published 27 January 25

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman doubles down on claims Apple's priority (and answer to Meta AR glasses) is to fit future AirPods with IR cameras.

Cory Henry wearing Beyerdynamic's new pro-specific IEMs, sitting at a piano

Beyerdynamic just released four IEMs pitched at different members of your band – yes, even the bassist

By Becky Scarrott published 23 January 25

All band members are equal in Beyerdynamic’s new four-strong range of IEMs, even the bass player.

Happy Plugs JOY speaker in green, in front of a mirror reflection of a blue, fluffy-clouds sky

This cheap Bluetooth speaker is the perfect addition to the hygge lifestyle I wish I led

By Becky Scarrott published 21 January 25

Want a portable Bluetooth speaker that vaguely reminds you of Baby Yoda? Meet the Happy Plugs Joy.

Focal Utopia Main UM 212 in a recording studio

I'm no pro sound engineer, but if I was, Focal's Utopia Main would be the studio monitors for me

By Becky Scarrott published 20 January 25

Focal Utopia Main: you've seen the Diva towers, now see the dedicated in-studio monitors.

A trio of headphones being measured, with TechRadar's 'Personal Shopper' franchise badge

Size does matter: how one reader’s email left me obsessed with headphone arm length (and sent me on a quest to find a model for larger heads)

By Becky Scarrott published 18 January 25

After a reader query about woefully short extension arms on budget headphones, I decided to do what other audio journos won’t: measure ‘em.

AirPods Pro’s long-promised heart-rate monitoring could be one step closer – but don’t wait up for it

By Becky Scarrott published 16 January 25

A tidbit in a new report might send pulses racing, but the roadmap to AirPods with an actual, reliable ticker-taker seems to be a long and winding one.

Campfire Audio Clara IEMs on blue background

Campfire Audio's Alessandro Cortini collab IEMs are everything my Nine Inch Nails-loving heart needs

By Becky Scarrott published 14 January 25

When an audiophile rock icon and a niche IEM specialist collide, you got your chin held high and you feel just fine…

I'd like to be, under the sea, with Ringo Starr's Studer 80 recorder, in the shade

By Carrie Marshall published 14 January 25

Ringo Starr's 1970s studio recorder is being auctioned online – you've got 'til February 2 to bid!

Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds in black, on a beige background, held in a hand

Technics' intriguing new flagship wireless earbuds boast 'Magnetic Fluid' injected between the driver magnet and voice coil

By Carrie Marshall published 7 January 25

It's a huge day: Technics' update to the excellent EAH-AZ80 earbuds is here – behold, the EAH-AZ100!

Noble The Knight IEMs in a very dark studio, with their blue/purple headshells shining

Noble wants to save your ears from bad audio with The Knight triple-driver wired earbuds

By Becky Scarrott published 3 January 25

If it's a Knight you need to save you from your morning commute, Noble says it's got just the thing.

AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, held together to show the differences

Apple's cheapest AirPods 4 aren't sonically superb, but one great perk keeps me coming back

By Becky Scarrott published 29 December 24

I pride myself on seeking out audio excellence, but AirPods 4 are great for a different reason – and sometimes, it matters.

Yoto Mini speaker held in a hand on blue background

This Yoto Mini 'fire hazard' children's speaker has been recalled again due to its overheating battery

By Becky Scarrott published 13 December 24

If you have a Yoto Mini speaker (SKU PRPLXX00860), please stop using it immediately and contact Yoto for a free battery replacement kit.

Tribit StormBox Blast 2 with a mic plugged in, at a party with people enjoying a woman singing in the foreground

My favorite Bluetooth party speaker is back, and this time there's a karaoke function

By Becky Scarrott published 11 December 24

Considering a cheeky karaoke party this holiday season? The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 can help with that.

Creative Pebble Nova speaker illuminated to look like a comet on starry sky backdrop

Are they Magic 8 Balls? Lawn bowling balls? I don’t care, I want Creative’s wild new desktop Pebble Nova stereo speakers

By Becky Scarrott published 10 December 24

Someday you will find me caught beneath the landslide, with the Creative Pebble Nova on my desk.

Activo Q1 earbuds held in a hand either side of the Activo P1 hi-res audio player, on white background

Activo Q1 are the inexpensive wired earbuds made for our favorite budget hi-res audio player

By Becky Scarrott published 9 December 24

The Activo P1 hi-res audio player stunned us for value when it arrived in July, and now it's got a set of IEMs designed for it.

Three iPhone 15 screens showing Apple Music Replay stats, on teal background

Apple Music Replay walked all over Spotify Wrapped in 2024, and after years of ridicule, you love to see it

By Becky Scarrott published 7 December 24

Look, Replay was a poor cousin to Wrapped in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023… but that's all changed now – and better late than never.

Anker recalls nearly 80,000 Bluetooth speakers due to fire risk, check to see if you own one

By Becky Scarrott published 6 December 24

Anker has said it will offer free replacement speakers to those speakers affected, all of which were sold exclusively on Amazon in 2023.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 on green TR Cyber Monday background

The top Cyber Monday AirPods deals live now – even cheaper post-Black Friday savings!

By Becky Scarrott published 1 December 24

The best AirPods Black Friday deals still live as Cyber Monday joins the party, including AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds held in a hand with the case, above a flowerbed

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: wireless earbuds with scarily good immersive audio

By Becky Scarrott last updated 19 November 24

Recommended

If your ear desires the ultimate in spatial audio gymnastics, the Bose QCUE are ideal – but you'll have to forego multipoint.

Sennheiser's best wireless headphones just became a perk of first-class flights… or you can buy a pair in this record-low Black Friday deal

By Carrie Marshall published 8 November 24

Lufthansa? More like Luft-cans-ah…

Wharfedale Super Linton in a sunlit hi-fi listening room

Wharfedale's stunning Super Linton speakers could take pride of place in the hi-fi room of my dreams

By Becky Scarrott published 1 November 24

Look at those offset tweeters – just look at them…

Grado HP100 SE on a headphone stand, in a listening room

Grado's high-end headphones look like iconic 90s cans, but feature detachable cables for the first time

By Becky Scarrott published 29 October 24

Grado's 2024 offering hails from the iconic Signature HP1 released in the early 90s – but there are several key upgrades worth noting.

A hand holding a pair of B&W Pi* earbuds with a sign saying TechRadar Choice Awards 2024 Winner

Why Bowers & Wilkins' Pi8 ran away with our Headphones of the Year award – and why it was one of the easiest decisions I've made in 2024

By Becky Scarrott published 28 October 24

B&W changed everything except the sound quality in its 2024 earbuds, and ran off with the crown.

Devialet Astra with gold-leaf being applies, on beige background

Got a spare $23,000? Devialet just launched a streaming amp covered in 23-carat gold leaf – and it's gorgeous

By Becky Scarrott published 24 October 24

Devialet's Astra integrated amp totes 2x300 watts of power and wants to 'redefine the boundaries of hi-res audio fidelity'.

The 90s revival continues! WH Smith announces it's selling vinyl in shops again

By Becky Scarrott published 22 October 24

WH Smith is about to become your local record store again – someone tell me Woolworths is reopening!

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
View Archive

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: