Tom Bedford

Tom Bedford

Contributor

Tom Bedford joined TechRadar in early 2019 as a staff writer, and left the team as deputy phones editor in late 2022 to work for entertainment site What To Watch. He continues to contribute on a freelance basis for several sections including phones, audio and fitness, as well as many other websites.

He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working on TechRadar, he freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist.

He grew up in Bristol, UK, and has also lived in Norwich, UK, Salt Lake City, UT, and currently resides in London, UK.

Articles by: Tom Bedford

An array of Cambridge Audio MSX kit arranged around a red bookshelf.

'Designed to be compact': these new speakers are perfect for small apartments, and come from a 5-star company

By Tom Bedford published

The Cambridge Audio MSX line lets you build your own audio setup, and it's seen a refresh.

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 dropped in some mud.

'JBL-beating': our favorite 5-star cheap Bluetooth speaker just got a new model with double the battery life

By Tom Bedford published

Tribit has unveiled the StormBox Micro 3, with a range of upgrades over a top-rated compact speaker.

A hand pulling out a CD from a collection next to an iPod resting on a laptop

I finally sold my CD collection — and it reminded me why iTunes was better than any streaming service in 2026

By Tom Bedford published

Here's how burning discs onto an old iPod helped me appreciate physical media.

9 Comments
The Poco X8 Pro Max placed horizontally on a ledge.

‘The longest-lasting phone I've ever reviewed’ — I spent 3 weeks with the Poco X8 Pro Max, and it beats Apple and Samsung rivals in one big way

By Tom Bedford published

The Poco X8 Pro Max offers a huge battery, and it lasts multiple days without needing to be charged. For many users, that will be enough of a selling point.

The Leak Sandwich 100 on either side of a Leak TruStream.

A 90-year-old audio brand just put out its most affordable speakers yet — and the specs look very tasty indeed

By Tom Bedford published

Leak has unveiled the Sandwich 100, a more compact and affordable Hi-Fi speaker for the rest of us.

The Oakcastle MP300 on a table, showing a Green Day album artwork.

I tested this super-cheap MP3 player for a month, and I'm surprised to say it quickly became my go-to music source

By Tom Bedford published

Recommended

The Oakcastle MP300 may be simple, but it does enough that your phone doesn't, to fit into certain set-ups.

Samsung's Hearapy app running on a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

I tried Samsung's all new earbuds therapy app for travel sickness — and it might actually work

By Tom Bedford published

Samsung has unveiled a motion sickness app called Hearapy, so I gave it a spin — and it's not half bad, provided you use the Buds 4 Pro

The JBL Go 5 on a beach.

JBL just upgraded two of our favorite Bluetooth speakers — one's big and powerful, and one's cheap and portable

By Tom Bedford published

JBL has launched the Go 5 and Xtreme 5, two new portable party speakers which upgrade some of our favorite Bluetooth blasters.

On the left, the Samsung Galaxy A37. On the right, the Samsung Galaxy A57.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs Samsung Galaxy A37: which mid-range phone is for you?

By Tom Bedford published

We compare the key features of the Samsung Galaxy A57 and cheaper Galaxy A37.

The Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear in a woman's ears.

'Sign of the times': Panasonic launches a USB-C version of its cheap wired earbuds, because who has a headphone jack any more?

By Tom Bedford published

Panasonic has unveiled the ErgoFit In-Ears are coming in a new USB-C form. Goodbye, 3.5mm.

The Pro-Ject VC-E Mini on a table, with a white background.

‘Small enough to be tempting’: I need this award-winning turntable company’s new mini automatic vinyl-cleaning machine more than I’ll admit

By Tom Bedford published

Pro-Ject has launched the VC-E Mini, a new vinyl cleaning machine that's smaller and more affordable than past models.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 case and buds on a ledge.

'Some of my least favorite headphones to test': I used the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 for a month, and one issue makes them very hard to recommend

By Tom Bedford published

Samsung's mid-ranged earbuds aim to offer an alternative affordable option to the brand's top-priced Buds, but they're not a worthy substitute.

5 Comments
The Majority Auto and D50X on a self.

'Perfect Record Store Day prep': Majority's new turntable-speaker combo is surprisingly affordable (and colorful!)

By Tom Bedford published

The new Majority Auto turntable and D50X bookshelf speakers are affordable, colorful, and out now (just in time for Record Store Day).

The Google Pixel 10 on the left, and the Pixel 10a on the right.

Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 10: which Pixel phone should you buy?

By Tom Bedford published

The Google Pixel 10a and Pixel 10 offer identical software and similar specs, but which mid-range Pixel phone should you buy?

The Astell & Kern Activo Scoop on top a pebble.

'Hard-pressed to find a more affordable pair of IEMs' — Astell & Kern's cheaper sub-brand just released budget 5-driver wired earbuds

By Tom Bedford published

Astell & Kern's budget arm has unveiled new wired earbuds, the Scoop, which offer five drivers and multiple connection options for under £100.

The Cleer Arc 5 on a white table with a green background.

'An odd choice': Cleer has put audiophile-grade perks in open earbuds, and I'm confused

By Tom Bedford published

Cleer Audio's new Arc 5 open earbuds offer THX and Dolby Atmos spatial audio, in a confusing package.

The JBL Live 780NC and JBL Live 680NC on a blue background.

'The year of price hikes continues': JBL unveils new two new headphones, as well as an AI party speaker that you don't need to fear

By Tom Bedford published

JBL has unveiled the Live 780NC and Live 680NC headphones to US markets, as well as a PartyBox karaoke speaker which uses proprietary magic to reduce vocal lines from your favorite songs.

The Skullcandy Push 540 Open in a man's ear.

'If anyone can make open earbuds work, it'd be Skullcandy': these new sports-specific buds could dethrone the Shokz — and cost half as much

By Tom Bedford published

The Skullcandy Push 540 Open combine old-school tools with Skullcandy magic, and it could give them the gumption to take on the Shokz as our favorite open earbuds.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro on a yellow background.

'Bass, bass and more bass': OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro slated for launch — and I think drum 'n' bass fans will like 'em

By Tom Bedford published

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro are officially on their way and according to early teases from the company, bass and ANC are the names of the game.

JBL Authentics 200 front grille logo detail

'It's massive': why the leaked Lenovo tablet with a huge JBL speaker on the back actually makes a lot of sense

By Tom Bedford published

Business up front, party in the back

The HiFiMan HE1000 Wi-Fi on a white table.

'Clear and non-fatiguing': HiFiMan's new Wi-Fi headphones are designed for the perfect audiophile experience, if money is no object

By Tom Bedford published

Two stunning new open-back headphone options with Wi-Fi

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro on a table, next to the case.

'Fantastic, and a disappointment': I love the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but they don't fix the problems of the past

By Tom Bedford published

Recommended

Samsung's new premium buds sound great, with a range of handy features, and they're pretty good-looking too. That said, they fail to fix key Buds 3 Pro issues.

A hand holding the Nothing Phone (4a) next to a hand holding the iPhone 17e

'Apple has dug a hole for itself': why the iPhone 17e has been overshadowed by the Nothing Phone (4a)

By Tom Bedford published

It's been a huge week for mid-range smartphones — but one TechRadar writer explains why they think the iPhone 17e was completely eclipsed by its new Nothing rival.

The Soundpeats Cove Pro hanging on a banister.

I’ve been using these cheap headphones for a month, and I’d recommend them to anyone who needs an affordable pair

By Tom Bedford published

Recommended

If you want a low-cost pair of headphones, the Soundpeats Cove Pro have to be on your to-consider list.

2 Comments
The MacBook Neo on a stand next to an iPad 11 and keyboard on a desk with hands removing the tablet

MacBook Neo vs iPad 11: which affordable Apple setup should you buy?

By Tom Bedford published

The new MacBook Neo is an affordable laptop that's almost identical in price to an iPad 11 with a Magic Keyboard Folio. So which is best for you?

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