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 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 Soundpeats Cove Pro on the left and oneOdio Focus A1 Pro on the right.

I can’t put down two cheap headphones I tested this year — one’s better for budget audiophiles, one’s perfect for commuters

By Tom Bedford published

For cheap headphone buyers, the Soundpeats Cove Pro and OneOdio Focus A1 Pro are perfect — just for different people.

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.

The OneOdio Studio Wireless Pro C on a red background, next to the text 'Price Cut'.

I use OneOdio headphones every day, and the budget version cans are now just £35 — run!

By Tom Bedford published

These are multi-purpose over-ear headphones, and can be yours for just £35 in the Amazon sales.

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?

The OnePlus 15R

'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

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.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra REVIEW

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

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

Oppo Find X9 Pro camera module with Hasselblad logo

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

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.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 in blue next to a Moto Razr Ultra botrh showing TechRadar.com on the cover display

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will get new rival very soon — and the leaked Moto Razr 70 could beat it in four key ways

By Tom Bedford published

Some leaked specs for the Motorola Razr 70 specs have leaked — and they suggest it could be a major rival for the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

The Leak TruStream on a shelf.

'The only thing missing is zip ties': A legendary audio brand just released its first streamer, and it supports every standard under the sun

By Tom Bedford published

Leak's new TruStream audio player is all heritage charm, but under the hood there's every modern connection and service you could wish for

The Nagra Compact Player on a black background, with TR's 'Money no Object' badge

'Affordable' it is not — Nagra's music streamer and DAC costs thousands, but you know you want it anyway

By Tom Bedford published

Nagra's Compact Player might have you thinking about CD transports, but it's much more into the hi-res streaming game

Two Xiaomi Leica phones on a black background next to the MWC 2026 logo and a person holding the Honor Robot phone

Best phones of MWC 2026: I just tested 30 phones in 2 days and these are the 6 you absolutely must see, including one I have to have

By Tom Bedford published

Best phones of MWC 2026: 6 handsets you need to own.

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