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

4 reasons why Google Pixel Buds 2a may be the $129 earbuds to beat in 2025 – and one key way they disappoint

By Becky Scarrott last updated 22 August 25

They're super-small, they're the first A-series Pixel Buds to get ANC and there are other strong perks – but there's one thing left off the spec-sheet…

A woman holding a Pixel 10 Pro to her ear, next to ands holding a Google Pixel 10 phone, and another Pixel phone on a stand

13 things we saw at the wild Google Pixel 10 launch – including the best Pixel phones yet

By Jacob Krol published 20 August 25

Google's Made by Pixel event just delivered a ton of new Pixel, Pixel Watch and AI features – here are all of the big headline announcements from the event.

A selection of earbuds and headphones with TR's Wellness Week sponsored by Pure badge, on mint green background

A gentle reminder to clean your earbuds and headphones: study reveals they may carry 10x more bacteria than a toilet seat

By Becky Scarrott published 18 August 25

Your go-to buds or cans for a musical (or informative) commute may be harboring more nasties than you think…

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE on TR's blue background

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE arrive with real-time translation, Buds 3 Pro looks, and the longest battery life of any Galaxy Buds

By Becky Scarrott published 18 August 25

AI with Gemini including voice activation and translation with real-time interpreter, plus enhanced ANC – on paper there's plenty to like for the money.

HomePod mini 2: all the latest rumors, what we know and 5 things we want to see

By Tom Bedford last updated 14 August 25

Could the HomePod mini 2 arrive in 2025? There are certainly a few rumors gathering traction…

iFi Go Pod in a hand, with high-end wired earbuds and in the case, which accepts even larger earbuds

iFi's high-end ‘Pods’ turn every pair of wired IEMs I own into hi-res Bluetooth earbuds, but they're a pretty penny

By Becky Scarrott published 13 August 25

You'll breathe new life into your wired IEMs but take note: your bank account will feel a lot lighter…

Campfire Audio Grand Luna wired IEMs with their case and a hi-res player, on white background and with TR's 'Money No Object' badge

I’m a serial collector of Campfire Audio IEMs at this point, and the new Grand Luna are about to join my collection

By Becky Scarrott published 13 August 25

Uniquely finished so no two pairs are ever the same? Gah, Campfire Audio, why do you do this to me?!

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 11 August 25

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.

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

By Hamish Hector published 9 August 25

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 6 August 25

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 5 August 25

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 1 August 25

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 31 July 25

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

Sonos, Apple, Edifier and Bowers & Wilkins wireless speakers on a table, with a pick wall behind them

The best AirPlay speakers, all tested by TechRadar, and perfect for Apple-using music lovers

By Becky Scarrott last updated 31 July 25

Buying Guide Here are the best AirPlay speakers to stream audio from your iPhone, iPad or MacBook using Apple AirPlay 2.

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 28 July 25

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

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

By Matt Bolton last updated 25 July 25

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 25 July 25

Editor's Choice

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

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

By Becky Scarrott last updated 24 July 25

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

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

By Becky Scarrott published 23 July 25

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

By Becky Scarrott published 22 July 25

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'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 18 July 25

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

Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Homepod smart speakers

The best smart speaker: for Google, Alexa and Siri

By Cat Ellis last updated 18 July 25

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 16 July 25

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.

Two pairs of headphones on TR's blue/green Prime Day background

Every decent Amazon Prime Day headphones deal is still live after the huge sales event – some of the cheapest-ever prices still available

By Becky Scarrott last updated 14 July 25

I've rounded up the cheapest deals still live on excellent headphones the week after Prime Day, so you can still get the best music for your money

Skullcandy Method 260 ANC in animal print, on red poster with 'Price Cut' written in white

Steady on, tiger! These animal-print earbuds with Bose sound are still on sale this Prime Day, and someone you know needs ‘em (read: me)

By Becky Scarrott published 11 July 25

A leopard never changes its spots, but you can certainly switch up your buds with this last-minute Prime Day deal

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