Latest articles by Erin Bashford
People are seriously spending $300 on a handheld coffee grinder, and here's why I'm completely on their side
On episode 22 of The Coffee Lab, I'm diving deep into the Comandante C40 MK4: Why does this pricey coffee grinder have a cult following?
I tested Subminimal’s newest handheld milk frother — and it’s so much more than a coffee accessory
RecommendedThe Subminimal Nanofoamer Go isn’t quite barista-worthy yet, but it’s a veritable sous chef in the kitchen department.
I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + subwoofer — and recommending it is a no-brainer
Editor's ChoiceThe Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + subwoofer is an instant home theater upgrade, with crystal-clear dialogue, impressive bass, and music streaming.
I tested Philips’s new ‘budget’ Baristina espresso machine — but I’m more confused than impressed
The Philips Baristina is a curious espresso machine, with a handheld portafilter yet a totally automated grinding and dosing system.
What to expect at IFA 2026: AI everywhere, robots, laptops evolved, smarter homes and more
The next big consumer tech innovations land next week at IFA 2026, and Tom’s Guide will be on the ground in Berlin to cover every major reveal.
People are mixing coffee with Diet Coke (yes, really) — I'm an ex-barista, and I tried the viral 'fridge cigarette'
On the 21st episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm trying the viral "Fridge Cigarette" coffee cocktail.
Moccamaster vs Simply Good Coffee — which premium coffee machine makes a better brew? Here's what I think
On the 20th episode of The Coffee Lab, I'm putting two drip machines head-to-head to see which comes out on top.
Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Why don’t all espresso machines have a built-in timer?
The Casabrews Ultra Pro is a midrange espresso machine with a PID controller and a built-in timer, but the steam wand issues still haven’t been fixed.
I tested a music-lover's $1,499 all-in-one soundbar — and it's not by Samsung, Bose, or Sony
The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is a pretty pricey all-in-one soundbar, but has great bass, great music performance, and great buildability.
Battle of the sub-$500 TVs — I watched 3 movies on the cheapest Samsung TV and second-cheapest Amazon TV, and this is the best bang for your buck
I compared the Samsung U8000H to the Amazon Ember 4-Series with three UHD Blu-ray movies.
Amazon Ember QLED TV review
The Amazon Ember QLED is fine for the price, with good colors and picture quality, but it’s not as bright or affordable as alternatives from Hisense and TCL.
I tested one of the coolest-looking drip coffee makers in the world — and it's not just a pretty face
RecommendedThe Smeg Retro Coffee Maker brews clean, delicious coffee with a single press of a button, and looks delightfully cool while doing so, too.
Overwhelmed by coffee jargon? Here are the 5 key espresso terms you need to know
On Episode 19 of The Coffee Lab, I help you understand coffee equipment jargon.
I walked 103,000 steps in Columbia’s summer-ready hiking sandals — and I have zero blisters, zero aches, and zero regrets
RecommendedThe Columbia Konos Hiker 2-Strap are one of the comfiest, most supportive, and most flexible hiking sandals I’ve ever tested. Definitely a new favorite.
I tried budget outdoor brand Coleman’s first collapsible cooler — here’s what I thought
RecommendedColeman Snap ‘N Go is an aptly named cooler with a collapsible design, a removable inner lining, a non-outrageous price tag, and keeps ice solid for 30 hours.
I tested De'Longhi's most expensive superautomatic espresso machine — and it's even got an app
The new De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic can make iced and hot drinks in seconds, has a range of recipes in the app, and looks super sleek. It's just... pricey.
I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
For the eighteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I let you in on a little Starbucks secret and show you how to make one of my favorite summer drinks.
$300 vs $2,000 espresso machine — I ran a blind taste test to see if you need to spend $$$ for barista coffee at home
I ran a blind taste test to answer the age-old question: Does a more expensive espresso machine make better coffee?
I just tested the brand-new Samsung QS90H — and it’s one of the best all-in-one soundbars money can buy
Editor's ChoiceThe Samsung QS90H is a powerful all-in-one soundbar. No need for a separate subwoofer or rears here: 7.1.2 channel in just one device.
You told me your three biggest issues with Moccamaster — and I have solutions for all of them
On the sixteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, I answer your most-asked questions about the Moccamaster: Part 2!
I tested the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus — and it’s ideal for total beginners due to this one game-changing feature
RecommendedThe Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is one of the best espresso machines for complete beginners due to its helpful dialing-in assist feature.
I tested the Technics AZ100 — and they're premium earbuds capable of giving Bose a run for its money
I tested the Technics AZ100 earbuds and they bring premium sound and cool style to the oversaturated earbud market.
I tested the Denon Home 600 — and it’s one of the most ambitious smart speakers yet
The Denon Home 600 smart speaker is huge at 18 inches long, with 8 speakers and a built-in sub. But it’s pricey and has a few app-related issues.
