44 Journalists Who Review Headphones, Speakers and Home Audio (2026) | PromoteHour
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 | WIRED | Commerce Editor | Headphones, earbuds, speakers |
| Chris Haslam | WIRED UK | Contributing Editor | Audio, smart home |
| John Higgins | The Verge | Senior Reviewer | Audio technology, TV and AV |
| Terrence O'Brien | The Verge | Weekend Editor | Audio technology, consumer tech |
| Billy Steele | Engadget | Reviews Editor | Audio gear, consumer reviews |
| Erin Bashford | Tom's Guide | Senior Writer | Headphones, lifestyle tech |
| Becky Scarrott | TechRadar | Audio Editor | Headphones, earbuds, hi-fi |
| Harry Padoan | TechRadar | Senior Reviews Writer | Soundbars, audio equipment |
| Max Langridge | TechRadar Australia | Senior Staff Writer | Headphones, audio, home entertainment |
| Carrie Marshall | TechRadar | Freelance Journalist | Audio-visual news, home cinema |
| Will Greenwald | PCMag | Principal Writer | Soundbars, home theater |
| Henry T. Casey | CNN Underscored | Electronics Writer | Audio, hardware and accessory reviews |
| Mark Sparrow | Forbes | Senior Contributor | Consumer audio |
| Chris Welch | Bloomberg | Consumer Tech Reporter | Audio gear, home theater |
| Tucker Bowe | Gear Patrol | Senior Staff Writer | Headphones, home-theater systems |
| Stefan Vazharov | Popular Mechanics | Senior Technology Editor | Audio equipment, consumer electronics |
| Tyler Hayes | Business Insider | Freelance Contributor | Audio gear, consumer reviews |
| James Pero | Gizmodo | Journalist | Wireless earbuds, gadgets |
| Steve May | 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 | Trusted Reviews | Lead Videographer and Host | Headphone reviews |
| Andy White | Expert Reviews | Deputy Editor | Audio equipment, TV and AV |
| Hannah Cowton | Tech Advisor | Entertainment Editor | Home audio reviews |
| Chris Martin | Tech Advisor | Reviews Editor | Audio equipment, gadget reviews |
| Wayde Robson | Audioholics | Editor-at-Large | Home theater, audio and video |
| Erik Wesley | AVS Forum | Editor | Audio equipment, home theater |
| Derek Malcolm | How-To Geek | Streaming and 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 | SoundGuys | Review Writer | Headphones, earbuds, audio gear |
| Adam Birney | SoundGuys | Editor | Audio hardware, immersive sound |
| Zachary Kew-Denniss | Android Police | Technology Journalist | Headphones, consumer electronics |
| Thomas Bergbold | 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?
The list is drawn from PromoteHour's media database, last enriched in August 2026 and published in October 2026. Journalists change roles often, so always check a writer's recent bylines before pitching.
Source: PromoteHour media database (People records last enriched August 2026). Roles and beats change often; check each journalist's recent bylines before pitching. Journalists are listed for informational purposes and are not affiliated with PromoteHour. Spotted an outdated entry? Let us know and we'll update it.