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

Oakcastle BK100 active bookshelf speakers on pink TR background

Majority's budget audio sub-brand just unveiled blindingly cheap speakers, MP3 players and soundbars — and I'm gonna need to hear them

By Tom Bedford Published

Active bookshelf speakers for just £70 (which is around $95 or AU$134)? They've got to be worth a test drive… 

The Deezer Flow menu showing French Rap and Cloud Rap.

Deezer is finally granting the one wish Spotify users have been crying out for — put the algo in its place and ban AI slop

By Tom Bedford Published

Deezer's Flow algorithm-playlist-maker now gets Tuner, a way to limit or change which genres are included in the mix.

A woman in bed on an iPad and listening to music over headphones, next to a shelf with a coffee drip and TN-400BT-X/TB turntable.

A turquoise turntable designed for Bluetooth? If anyone can do it, TEAC can

By Tom Bedford Published

Don't want to bother with turntable cables? TEAC's TN 400BT X/TB wants you to listen to your vinyl wirelessly

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds on a table, outside of their case

Sony's new WF-1000XM6 elite earbuds seem to be imminent — here are 3 upgrades I hope to see, as a headphones reviewer

By Tom Bedford Published

It’s been nearly three years since the Sony WF-1000XM5; there are some open goals for Sony to improving on in the new version, which it's teasing heavily for a launch this week.

The main menu of Headphone Dust.

Someone has just invented the dream lossless Dolby Atmos music service for audiophiles — but it needs some changes before it's likely to really take off

By Tom Bedford Published

Grammy-nominated musician and producer Steven Wilson has launched his own high-tech audio platform, for the audiophiles out there.

The RePod Ultra next to an AirPods case and an iPhone.

The 'RePod Ultra' turns your 'forgotten' Apple Watch Ultra into an iPod, complete with scroll wheel — but the description makes some pretty outlandish points

By Tom Bedford Published

I'm not sure we all an Ultra sitting unloved in a drawer, as seems to be the implication here with this otherwise interesting idea…

The Dan D'Agostino Momentum Z Monoblock Amplifier on a stone surface

This legendary hi-fi maker's new ultra-powerful amp has a network port so you can study voltages and bias in realtime — oh, and it costs £123k for a stereo pair

By Tom Bedford Published

You'll need a pretty amazing pair of speaker to justify this amp, but it's made for the truly hardcore hi-fi nerds

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro against a leafy background.

The Samsung Buds 4 Pro design leaks yet again in all its glory — but I tested the Buds 3 Pro, and I hope Samsung fixes one invisible flaw

By Tom Bedford Published

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have leaked, and the renders don't answer my biggest worry, which caused some Buds 4 Pro backlash.

A still from Highguard, showing Atticus shooting at Kai across a broken bridge.

I’ve spent 15 hours in Highguard, but I'm not desperate to play any more

By Tom Bedford Published

Highguard feels fantastic to play, but it's a few major updates away from being the online shooter it wants to be.

The Primare Allt-i-Ett on a white surface, with a pink background

This powerful wireless hi-fi speaker has all the modern connections you could want — and a touchscreen to control things easily

By Tom Bedford Published

The Primare Allt-i-Ett is a jack of all trades, and perhaps a master of them too, with basically every spec you'd ever want.

The Nothing Headphone (1) showing the techy design of the earcups

More Nothing headphones are on the way, and this leak says they'll be more budget focused — and I hope they copy one particular trait of other budget headphones

By Tom Bedford Published

Nothing's next headphones are set to be budget spins on the Headphone (1), and we've got early release window and pricing leaks.

The Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro in their case.

I tested the earbuds that morph from workout headphones to open 'buds and it works — but that's only half the story

By Tom Bedford Published

Anker's Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro present a novel idea, and the gimmick works well, but they have some other issues.

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
A TV screen showing artwork from The Outrun on BFI Player

My one tech splurge in 2026 will be these 3 unsung TV streaming services – here's why

By Tom Bedford Published

I'm treating myself to some new streaming service subscriptions this year – here are the three I'm starting with in 2026.

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.

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