Articles by Tom Bedford, Contributor

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

By Tom Bedford Published 30 March 26

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 29 March 26

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 27 March 26

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 25 March 26

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 23 March 26

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

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

By Tom Bedford Published 23 March 26

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 18 March 26

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 17 March 26

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 16 March 26

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 13 March 26

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 12 March 26

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 11 March 26

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.

'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 10 March 26

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 10 March 26

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 9 March 26

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 8 March 26

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 7 March 26

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 7 March 26

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?

'Two days on a single charge': why two months with the OnePlus 15R has got me excited about the 15T's 'Glacier' battery

By Tom Bedford Published 6 March 26

The OnePlus 15T is an upcoming affordable spin on the OnePlus 15 — at the company says it's going to have an enormous 'Glacier' battery.

Everyone was mad at the Galaxy S26 Ultra — but Samsung just told us why it's all been a big misunderstanding

By Tom Bedford Published 6 March 26

The Galaxy S26 Ultra recently found itself at the center of an controversy about its screen specs — but Samsung's now explained what happened.

This Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra rival is launching outside China for the first time — and it wants to 'be your next camera'

By Tom Bedford Published 6 March 26

Chinese phone giant Oppo has confirmed that it's launching its flagship camera phone outside China for the first time — and it has camera-sized aspirations.