Becky Scarrott

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

Wentronic YO1 (AirPods Max dupe) headphones in blue with AirPods Max nearby to compare and contrast their looks, outside on a sunny day

I bought the $37 AirPods Max dupes to see how they compare with the real thing – and I'm actually angry

By Becky Scarrott published

I bought the silly-cheap Wentronic YO1 AirPods Max lookalikes just to see if I was missing out – and I'm livid at what I discovered.

Spider-Man looking at a Sonos speaker and GPT-5 logo

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from GPT-5's rocky debut to Sonos' upcoming price hike

By Hamish Hector published

This week ChatGPT got an upgrade, and Tom Holland swung back into action as Spider-Man.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 held in a man's hand, and the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds in their case, held in a woman's hand

Is Sony looking to end XM4 vs XM5 vs XM6 confusion with new ‘1000X The Collexion’ headphones?

By Becky Scarrott published

Sony ‘1000X The Collexion’ trademark spotted and if Sony thinks I’m buying ‘Collexion’ headphones, it can think again

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

AirPods 5: all the rumors and leaks, plus everything we want to see from Apple's cheaper earbuds

By Becky Scarrott published

Updated Apple's 5th-gen non-Pro AirPods aren't here yet, but as we approach one year since the two AirPods 4 models arrived, the rumor mill is turning to churn… 

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 with the original P100, either worn by Becky Scarrott or next to each other, to illustrate the similarities

I tried Cambridge Audio's 'Special Edition' headphones and everything that made the originals great is here, but one new perk surprises me

By Becky Scarrott published

Retuned audio, DynamEQ to maintain full sound at lower volumes, a cushier headband and a new blue finish (but sadly, I received another gray set).

TechRadar's review team member Harry Padoan wearing the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, on blue background

Back to school headphones: I've picked 4 noise-cancelling over-ears to keep your study game strong, all TechRadar tested and approved

By Becky Scarrott published

You want weapons-grade ANC, zero interruptions and a price that won't rinse the student loan? Read on

Quad's Generation X ESL speakers in a hi-fi listening room with lots of vinyl, and TechRadar's 'Money No Object' badge

Quad's new Gen X ESL electro-static speakers look nothing like the 1957 originals, and I really, really want them

By Becky Scarrott published

Stunning slimline electro-static speakers with a halo of light at the base. Yes, you can switch it off (but I actually love it).

Sonos Era 100 speaker sitting against a colorful background with the TechRadar logo

Best Sonos speakers and soundbars, as rated by our expert reviewers

By Matt Bolton last updated

Updated We've tested the best Sonos speakers to bring you a definitive list of the top speakers and soundbars available.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in purple color, next to some flowers of a similar shade but held in a hand

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review: Bose just did it again with the best noise cancellation in earbuds to date

By Becky Scarrott published

Editor's Choice

Finally, a set of Bose earbuds that are fully featured, premium and thoroughly desirable across the board.

JBL Xtreme 4 party speaker with the techradar logo behind it

Best party speakers for all budgets, chosen by our expert audio reviewers

By Becky Scarrott last updated

Want a wireless speaker with enough bounce for a banging party? We've got picks for all sizes of shindig, whatever your budget.

A woman in profile, wearing Audio-Technica's Mimio Assist One earbuds in white

Audio-Technica takes aim at AirPods Pro with new hearing-health earbuds and speakers

By Becky Scarrott published

Audio-Technica's latest project is to target users with some form of hearing loss – see the Mimio Assist One earbuds and Mimio Sound Move speakers.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE images were reportedly leaked, then withdrawn – which is probably a sign that they were real

By Becky Scarrott published

Samsung’s unreleased Fan Edition earbuds were leaked by a noted tipster on X, but the images have been withdrawn – which could be a clear indication of their impending launch

FiiO QX13 on a gray table

FiiO's portable hi-res DAC and amp is priced to make you an audiophile, right before hi-res goes 'truly mainstream'

By Becky Scarrott published

Is hi-res music streaming about to hit the mainstream? If so, FiiO's got to be in pole position

15 Comments
Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Homepod smart speakers

The best smart speaker: for Google, Alexa and Siri

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Whatever smart home ecosystem you use, our experts have picked the best smart speaker for you.

AirPods Max in purple hooked up to a source via USB-C

USB-C audio in AirPods Max doesn't just sound great on paper: for me, Lossless audio quality finally makes them worth it

By Becky Scarrott published

In which I gladly accept a set of AirPods Max with new USB audio and hook 'em up to various sources – and with a bit of patience, I reaped the rewards.

2 Comments
A Nintendo Switch 2 next to hands holding the Sigma BF and a B&O Bluetooth speaker sitting on a table

The best tech of 2025 so far – the 17 finest gadgets we've tested this year

By Mark Wilson published

TechRadar has spent days testing products across phones, TVs, laptops, cameras, smartwatches and more in 2025. These are the best ones we've reviewed so far this year.

Nothing Headphone (1) in black, on a pink rose and floral background, held in a woman's hand

OK, Nothing’s first over-ear headphones aren’t the finished article, but here's why I’m truly excited for the Headphone (2)

By Becky Scarrott published

Nothing took three attempts to make a set of truly excellent earbuds, so why did I expect its first over-ears to wow me?

A Tesla car, James Bonds and Samsung's foldable promo image

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Tesla finally launching robotaxis (kinda) to Samsung's foldables teaser

By Hamish Hector published

Here's the biggest tech news stories from Samsung, Amazon, Tesla, and more for June 28, 2025

A woman holding a Nik Bentel speaker bag and a mixer bag, almost like earrings, wearing a half-and-half monochrome dress, in front of a navy curtain

I just found my next wearable hi-fi fix, and it’s not a pair of over-ear headphones

By Becky Scarrott published

This high-end brand wants you to dance around your Mixer Bag at the club – and so do I.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core in black and white, suspended on blue background

Full Galaxy Buds Core specs revealed, and Samsung’s finally fixed our main issue with the Buds FE

By Becky Scarrott published

Comprehensive Galaxy Buds Core specs have been published on Samsung’s UAE site, showing cheaper-than-ever pricing, plus one good upgrade.

FiiO M23 player in a woman's hand, above a wooden table, playing Mogwai, Gunna and Fontaines DC

No, you can’t touch my FiiO: why this hi-res ‘MP3 player’ is still trouncing my old iPod Classic a year on

By Becky Scarrott published

Why, oh why, oh why oh… why would I ever leave my FiiO? How this hi-res player got me – and my music – singing again

4 Comments
Nothing Ear (a) earbuds in yellow, on a grass lawn alongside yellow flowers, on a sunny day

Nothing Ear (a) have been my top budget earbuds for over a year now: here’s why

By Becky Scarrott last updated

I don't want to tell you what to do, but did I consider a 'Forget Prime Day, this is the only earbuds deal you need!' headline? Oh, I absolutely did… 

JBL Endurance Zone earbuds in purple, on TR's pink background

JBL just launched its ‘first ever’ open earbuds – and they act like they forgot about Tune Flex

By Becky Scarrott published

Endurance Zone aren’t JBL’s first open-fit earbuds, but they are the firm's first sports-specific dedicated open-fit set – and I’m sure they’re a better, er… Flex

Some dark Samsung earbuds, backlit, on black background

Galaxy Buds Core spotted: Samsung India adds a launch date for earbuds that move you 'to the core'

By Becky Scarrott published

Samsung in India has gone live with a Galaxy Buds 'Core' announcement – and an Amazon listing even spills when we can buy them.

Sivga Que UTG in-ear monitors on blue TR background

My #1 cheap audiophile headphone maker just unveiled $89 IEMs and I can’t buy ‘em quick enough

By Becky Scarrott published

I don’t have a wooden heart, but I do love Sivga’s cheap audiophile-grade headphones – and now, you can buy $89 earbuds to match

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