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

The Huawei FreeClip 2 buds on a ledge, with the case behind.

My favorite open earbuds brand just released a new Clip model — but sadly, they're a let-down

By Tom Bedford published

The Huawei FreeClip 2 are let down by design and sound woes, with some feature issues too. It's a shame because there are some strengths.

Eversolo speaker close up, with grille removed, on purple background

Just days after Ikea launched its cute cube speakers, this bookshelf option fits your flatpack furniture even better

By Tom Bedford published

The Eversolo SE100 is designed with Ikea furniture in mind, but with more sonic prowess than Ikea’s own speakers.

The Edifier M90 straddling a monitor on a PC desk.

These understated new desktop speakers have one little feature that'll make them rival your TV's soundbar

By Tom Bedford published

The Edifier M90 adds HDMI eARC to the party, marking the brand's first active speakers with the connection

The Fender Elie 6 next to a man playing guitar.

Fender just released its first headphones and Bluetooth speakers, but I feel like it forgot something Marshall and Orange knew

By Tom Bedford published

Fender-branded consumer products are finally here, as of CES 2026, but they miss a key ingredient.

The Victrola Soundstage under a Victrola turntable, on a table by a brick wall.

This new turntable speaker is a perfect space-saving buy for new vinyl owners

By Tom Bedford published

CES offers up the perfect turntable companion in the form of the Victrola Soundstage, which goes on sale in the summer.

The Anker Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro in a man's ear while he looks the wrong way to wait for the train.

Only 5 days in, the best fitness headphones of 2026 have already been announced — if they’ll stick the landing

By Tom Bedford published

The Anker Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro are open earbuds that can switch over to become standard fitness 'phones, fixing problems with the form factor.

A hand holding the Boox Palam 2 Pro in front of a Christmas tree

Goodbye, brain rot – I'm ditching my smartphone for this tiny ereader in 2026, here's why

By Tom Bedford published

Can an ereader do everything a phone can? I found out by giving the Boox Palma 2 Pro a whirl, comparing its features to those of my Android phone.

3 Comments
The AllTrails app on an Android smartphone.

I've been addicted to AllTrails this year – here's why it's your key to an outdoorsy 2026

By Tom Bedford published

Here's why AllTrails is the fitness account you really need, if you want an adventurous new year.

The Google Pixel Buds 2a buds in the case.

Google's new cheap earbuds are its best in years — though it must be said, the bar wasn't especially high

By Tom Bedford published

Google's latest low-cost earbuds may solve issues with older buds, but they don't crack the market yet.

Elf

Are you a holiday hero or home alone? Test your Christmas movie knowledge with our 30-question quiz

By Tom Bedford published

Do you know your Christmas movies well enough? Take our 30-question quiz on 30 festive flicks to find out.

The Shokz OpenDots One on a white windowsill

I tested 30 pairs of headphones in 2025, and these are the 4 I still want to use

By Tom Bedford published

Narrowing the bunch to a wishlist

2 Comments
Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight in the 1989 Batman movie

Test your knowledge of Gotham's Caped Crusader with our 30-question Batman quiz

By Tom Bedford published

Think you know Batman well enough? Take our 30-question quiz on the life and times of the Bat to find out.

The Fitnexa SomniPods 3 on a bedside tablet, with a stuffed lion examining it.

I used the thinnest noise-cancelling sleep earbuds for two weeks and it had one fascinating statistic

By Tom Bedford published

Meet the Fitnexa SomniPods 3. They have some problems but look beyond them, and you'll find smartly-framed buds with a few interesting twists.

Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel in 1978's Superman

How well do you really know Superman? This 30-question quiz could be your Kryptonite

By Tom Bedford published

We've concocted a 30-question Superman quiz to test how well you know the character and the franchise.

The Soundpeats Clip1 buds on a table next to the case.

I've found a new favorite pair of sub-$100 cuff-style open earbuds, with some surprisingly premium features

By Tom Bedford published

The Soundpeats Clip1 are budget clipping open earbuds done right, and they're great budget alternatives to Shokz or Bose options.

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL 2025 on a bench.

Fairphone's newest eco-friendly headphones have a feature I wish Bose or Sony would use – and the sound's good too

By Tom Bedford published

The most eco-friendly headphones just got a little bit eco friendlier – and slightly better sounding, too

HBO Max

Can you survive our The Walking Dead quiz? 30 questions stand between you and Alexandria

By Tom Bedford published

Are you a survivor or are you just a walker? Let's find out with this 30-question The Walking Dead quiz.

Think you know The Simpsons? Test your Springfield knowledge with this superfan quiz

By Tom Bedford published

How well do you know The Simpsons and Springfield? Let's find out with this 30-question quiz.

The Nothing Phone (3) leaning on a wine rack.

I was skeptical about the Nothing Phone 3, but after a month of testing, I finally get what it's all about

By Tom Bedford published

The Nothing Phone 3 matches Samsung and Apple flagships in price, but has its own novel appeal.

The Sony PS-LX310BT on a table.

I tested the entry-level turntable that everyone raves about, and I totally get it

By Tom Bedford published

Recommended

Sony's PS-LX310BT turntable is a delightfully cheap record player that's an absolute dream to listen to – once you've set it up

iPad Pro 12.9 2021

I bought a refurbished iPad, and you should do the same for Black Friday – here's why

By Tom Bedford published

Here's how you can save money (and the planet) by buying a refurbished iPad over Black Friday.

Online Web Browsing

Best online courses and online class sites of 2025

By Tom Bedford last updated

Updated We list the best online courses and online class sites, to make it simple and easy to further your education and learn specialized skills at home.

The Motorola Edge 70 perched on a brown table.

I tested Motorola's cheaper iPhone Air alternative, but it still didn't win me over to team thin-phone

By Tom Bedford published

The Motorola Edge 70 is a surprisingly expensive thin-body Android, which doesn't live up to the expectations past generations have set.

The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus on top of a keyboard.

I tested the new cheap Earfun earbuds everyone’s raving about; here's how they compare to my favorites

By Tom Bedford published

The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus are more solid earbuds from the brand, with a few rough edges.

The Shokz OpenDots One in a man's hand.

I tested 12 pairs of open earbuds in 2025: these are the only 5 you should look for on Black Friday

By Tom Bedford published

The open-ears you’ll want to open your wallet for

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