44 Headphone, Speaker and Audio Journalists (2026)
44 Journalists Who Review Headphones, Speakers and Home Audio (2026)
The 2026 list of 44 journalists who review headphones, earbuds, speakers and soundbars, at Wirecutter, CNET, What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, The Verge, WIRED and more.
Answer
Headphones, earbuds and speakers are reviewed by audio specialists at buying-guide outlets such as Wirecutter, CNET, WIRED, The Verge, TechRadar and Tom's Guide, and by hi-fi and AV publications such as What Hi-Fi?, Trusted Reviews, Audioholics and SoundGuys. Below are 44 of them, grouped by outlet type, with each person's role and beat.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- This list covers 44 journalists across 29 outlets who review headphones, earbuds, speakers, soundbars or home audio.
- Wirecutter, What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar each have four or more writers on this beat.
- Hi-fi publications such as What Hi-Fi? and Audioholics test with more technical depth than general tech outlets, so pitch them on sound quality and specs.
- The list comes from PromoteHour's media database of 1,100+ outlets, last enriched in August 2026.
How to use this list
Match your product to the writer's audience. Wireless earbuds fit general tech and buying-guide writers, a high-end bookshelf speaker fits hi-fi specialists, and a soundbar fits TV and AV editors. Shortlist 8 to 12 writers whose recent reviews are closest to your product, then pitch each one personally.
Major buying-guide and review outlets
These outlets publish the best-of lists and buying guides shoppers check before they buy, and their picks are widely cited by AI search tools.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Butterworth | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Audio Writer | Speakers, soundbars, amplifiers, subwoofers |
| Adrienne Maxwell | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Supervising Editor | Home audio, speakers, headphones |
| Grant Clauser | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Senior Editor | Headphones, audio and video gear |
| Kathryn Rath | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Writer | Headphones, speakers, AV gear |
| David Carnoy | CNET | Executive Editor | Headphones, portable speakers |
| Ty Pendlebury | CNET | Senior Editor, TV and Home Audio | Home audio, sound systems, AV |
| Harry Rabinowitz Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | WIRED | Commerce Editor | Headphones, earbuds, speakers |
| Chris Haslam Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | WIRED UK | Contributing Editor | Audio, smart home |
| John Higgins Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | The Verge | Senior Reviewer | Audio technology, TV and AV |
| Terrence O'Brien Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | The Verge | Weekend Editor | Audio technology, consumer tech |
| Billy Steele Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Engadget | Reviews Editor | Audio gear, consumer reviews |
| Erin Bashford | Tom's Guide | Senior Writer | Headphones, lifestyle tech |
| Becky Scarrott Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | TechRadar | Audio Editor | Headphones, earbuds, hi-fi |
| Harry Padoan Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | TechRadar | Senior Reviews Writer | Soundbars, audio equipment |
| Max Langridge Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | TechRadar Australia | Senior Editor, Home Entertainment & Broadband (APAC) | Headphones, audio, home entertainment |
| Carrie Marshall Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | TechRadar | Freelance Journalist | Audio-visual news, home cinema |
| Will Greenwald | PCMag | Principal Writer | Soundbars, home theater |
| Henry T. Casey Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | CNN Underscored | Electronics Writer | Audio, hardware and accessory reviews |
| Mark Sparrow Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Forbes | Senior Contributor | Consumer audio |
| Chris Welch Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Bloomberg | Consumer Tech Reporter | Audio gear, home theater |
| Tucker Bowe Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Gear Patrol | Associate Editor | Headphones, home-theater systems |
| Stefan Vazharov Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Popular Mechanics | Senior Technology Editor, Reviews | Audio equipment, consumer electronics |
| Tyler Hayes Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Business Insider | Freelance Contributor | Audio gear, consumer reviews |
| James Pero Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Gizmodo | Journalist | Wireless earbuds, gadgets |
| Steve May Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | The Independent | Freelance Contributor | Hi-fi, home cinema |
Hi-fi and AV specialists
Specialist publications with technical, test-led audio and home cinema reviews.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair Stevenson | What Hi-Fi? | Editor-in-Chief | Hi-fi, smart speakers |
| Andy Madden | What Hi-Fi? | Deputy Editor | Wireless earbuds, hi-fi, car audio |
| Tom Parsons | What Hi-Fi? | TV and AV Editor | AV equipment, home entertainment |
| Harry McKerrell | What Hi-Fi? | Senior Staff Writer | Speakers, headphones, music streamers |
| Lewis Empson | What Hi-Fi? | Senior Staff Writer | Audio and entertainment gear |
| Robyn Quick | What Hi-Fi? | TV and AV Staff Writer | Soundbars, home cinema |
| Kob Monney | Trusted Reviews | TV and Audio Editor | Hi-fi, home cinema, AV |
| Cam Bunton Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Trusted Reviews | Video Producer | Headphone reviews |
| Andy White Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Expert Reviews | Deputy Editor | Audio equipment, TV and AV |
| Hannah Cowton-Barnes Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Tech Advisor | Entertainment Editor | Home audio reviews |
| Chris Martin Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Tech Advisor | Reviews Editor | Audio equipment, gadget reviews |
| Wayde Robson Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Audioholics | Editor-at-Large | Home theater, audio and video |
| Erik Wesley Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: Third-party journalist profile; confirm with current publisher bylines. | AVS Forum | Editor | Audio equipment, home theater |
| Derek Malcolm Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | How-To Geek | Streaming & A/V Section Editor | Speakers, home theater |
| James Smythe | Mighty Gadget | Editor | Audio-visual products |
Headphone and mobile audio specialists
Writers focused on headphones and earbuds, often from a phone-user angle.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Triggs Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | SoundGuys | Review Writer | Headphones, earbuds, audio gear |
| Adam Birney Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | SoundGuys | Editor | Audio hardware, immersive sound |
| Zachary Kew-Denniss Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Android Police | Technology Journalist | Headphones, consumer electronics |
| Thomas Bergbold Profile / bylines ↗ Source checked: | Macworld | Contributor | Audio gear, Apple accessories |
What these editors look for in a pitch
- A clear sound story: what your tuning, drivers or codecs do differently, and who it's for.
- The right comparison: name the earbuds, headphones or speakers yours competes with. Reviewers test side by side.
- Specs up front: drivers, codecs, ANC, battery life, app features, connectivity and price.
- Review units ready to ship: audio needs listening time, often weeks, so samples are essential.
- Respect for their beat: one short, personal pitch beats a mass email every time.
When to pitch audio products
- Launch window: pitch 2 to 4 weeks before launch so reviewers have time to listen.
- Holiday gift guides: many outlets plan these months ahead, so the earlier the better.
- CES and sales events: CES in January, plus Prime Day and Black Friday for deals editors.
Frequently asked questions
Which journalists review headphones in 2026?
Journalists reviewing headphones in 2026 include David Carnoy (CNET), Becky Scarrott (TechRadar), Harry Rabinowitz (WIRED), Grant Clauser and Adrienne Maxwell (Wirecutter), Erin Bashford (Tom's Guide), Andy Madden (What Hi-Fi?) and the SoundGuys team. The full list of 44 is in this article.
Which outlets review speakers and soundbars?
Outlets that review speakers and soundbars include Wirecutter, CNET, What Hi-Fi?, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, PCMag, The Verge, Audioholics and Expert Reviews.
How do I get my headphones reviewed?
Shortlist writers who recently reviewed similar products, pitch what is genuinely different about your sound or features, offer a review sample, and follow up once or twice. Audio reviewers usually need several weeks of listening before publishing.
Does this list include journalists' email addresses?
No. This list shares names, outlets, roles and beats only. PromoteHour clients get matched contacts and a done-for-you pitching campaign.
How current is this list?
Selected from PromoteHour's media database, enriched in August 2026, and checked against public sources on October 2, 2026. Each entry has a source link and check date, with notes for historical archives, third-party profiles or search-index checks. Journalists change roles often; check current bylines before pitching.
Sources and verification
Selected from PromoteHour's media database (enriched August 2026), then checked against public profiles and byline archives on October 2, 2026. Each journalist has a dated source link. Notes distinguish historical archives, third-party profiles and search-index checks where direct access was restricted. Beats summarize published coverage, not confirmed pitch availability. Always check current bylines before pitching.
- Brent Butterworth — checked
- Adrienne Maxwell — checked
- Grant Clauser — checked
- Kathryn Rath — checked
- David Carnoy — checked
- Ty Pendlebury — checked
- Harry Rabinowitz — checked
- Chris Haslam — checked
- John Higgins — checked
- Terrence O'Brien — checked
- Billy Steele — checked
- Erin Bashford — checked
- Becky Scarrott — checked
- Harry Padoan — checked
- Max Langridge — checked
- Carrie Marshall — checked
- Will Greenwald — checked
- Henry T. Casey — checked
- Mark Sparrow — checked
- Chris Welch — checked
- Tucker Bowe — checked
- Stefan Vazharov — checked
- Tyler Hayes — checked
- James Pero — checked
- Steve May — checked
- Alastair Stevenson — checked
- Andy Madden — checked
- Tom Parsons — checked
- Harry McKerrell — checked
- Lewis Empson — checked
- Robyn Quick — checked
- Kob Monney — checked
- Cam Bunton — checked
- Andy White — checked
- Hannah Cowton-Barnes — checked
- Chris Martin — checked
- Wayde Robson — checked
- Erik Wesley — checked
- Derek Malcolm — checked
- James Smythe — checked
- Tom Triggs — checked
- Adam Birney — checked
- Zachary Kew-Denniss — checked
- Thomas Bergbold — checked