Authors

Alan Martin is a freelance writer with more than a decade’s worth of experience, mainly in the technology space, with bylines at The Evening Standard, Tom’s Guide, The i and many others. His main focus at Expert Reviews is ensuring that your next pick of phone or wearable is the right choice for you and represents the best possible value for money. In the past he’s covered a broad range of games, dental apparel and pet accessories and, on one memorable occasion, had to strip off to retrieve a rogue drone from a lake – such is his dedication to reviews.

Alice’s two favourite things are interior decorating and telling people about interior decorating. As a freelance lifestyle writer, she’s never happier than when she’s reviewing all things home and garden, from the latest sewing machines to state-of-the-art kitchen taps. When she’s not digging a new veg patch or retiling her bathroom, she can usually be found bothering one of her many cats or wandering around the Scottish countryside.

Alistair began his journalism career in 2011 and has been a freelancer across the technology and automotive sectors since 2017. He has reviewed a huge amount of products in that time, from smartphones, televisions and smart home gadgets, to dash cams, wearables, webcams and connected security systems. He has also test-driven hundreds of cars and now considers the average working week to include lightswitches, Lamborghinis and everything in between. His career began on the technology desk of IBTimes UK, part of the Newsweek Media Group, where he became Deputy Technology Editor before going freelance. As well as Expert Reviews, he writes regularly for Wired, T3, Forbes and TechRadar, among others.

Over the past two decades Alun has written on a freelance basis for many publications on subjects ranging from mobile phones, PCs and digital audio equipment to electric cars and industrial heritage. Prior to becoming a technology writer, he worked at Sony Music for 15 years frequently interfacing with the computer hardware and audio equipment sides of Sony Corporation and occasionally appearing on BBC Radio 4. A native of Scotland but an adopted Mancunian, Alun divides his time between writing, listening to live music and generally keeping the Expert Reviews flag flying north of Watford.

Andrew Williams is a freelance writer who has written about tech professionally since 2008. He covered the dawn of the app stores but now focuses more on fitness wearables and VR at Expert Reviews. Other publications he has contributed to in recent years include WIRED, T3, Stuff and Live Science.

Andy Shaw has been a professional reviewer for 30 years, starting his career critiquing PC games and rapidly expanding his horizons into all types of computer hardware and software. Since then he’s worked for a broad selection of print magazines and websites, as a writer and editor, both on staff and as a freelancer. Nowadays he applies his well-honed critical eye to reviewing a wide range of products, from vacuum cleaners to printers.

Andy was appointed deputy reviews editor in 2024 following four years spent putting a huge range of products through their paces. Formerly a sports journalist at Greenways Publishing, he cut his tech teeth testing laptops before taking over as the site’s TV and audio expert. He’s cast his eye over more headphones and televisions than you can shake a stick at but has also reviewed football boots, handheld game consoles and just about everything in between. As well as testing, writing and editing, Andy covers product launches and key industry events in the UK and overseas.

Barry Collins has been a technology writer, editor and broadcaster for more than 25 years. He was assistant editor of The Sunday Times’ technology section, editor of PC Pro and has written for more than a dozen different publications and websites over the years. He’s made regular TV and radio appearances as a technology pundit, including on BBC Newsnight, ITV News and Sky News. Now a senior contributor at Forbes.com, he also presents and produces tech-related podcasts.

Reviews writer Ben has been with Expert Reviews since 2021, and in that time he’s established himself as an authority on all things mobile tech and audio. On top of testing and reviewing myriad smartphones, tablets, headphones, earbuds and speakers, Ben has turned his hand to the odd laptop hands-on preview and several gaming peripherals. He also regularly attends global industry events, including the Snapdragon Summit and the MWC trade show.

Cat Hufton is a freelance lifestyle journalist based in London. She has two young sons and in the past six years has tested hundreds of products in a real-life setting to help parents make informed decisions. She has also been writing for a broad range of national publications for the past 16 years covering everything from mental health, the childcare crisis, and pregnancy.

Cathy has been a journalist since 2001, starting her career writing about mortgages and property. Before going freelance in 2018 she worked at Which? for 12 years, first as a money writer then as an editor in the money, home, tech and cars teams. Her final role as technology editor saw her getting to grips with smart home technology and covering the latest tech from Las Vegas. Publications she has written for as a freelancer include Loveproperty.com, Lovemoney.com, The i Paper, the London Evening Standard, Which? and Which? Computing. Her guilty pleasure is watching property programmes.

Chris Haslam is an experienced consumer journalist with over 15 years’ experience. As well as reviewing all manner of kit for Expert Reviews, he’s also Contributing Editor for Wired UK and writes for, amongst others, BBC Music, Stuff, Grand Designs, Ideal Home and Livingetc. He specialises in audio, smart home, sports and outdoors, and can go days without natural light but only hours without coffee.

Chris is a freelance writer specialising in product reviews with over 13 years of experience in the industry. Currently the Reviews Editor at Tech Advisor, where he tests all kinds of gadgets, he spends his spare time writing about drinks, baby equipment, tools and much more for publications such as ShortList.

Expert Reviews’ senior digital content producer, Christian is responsible for original photography and video content across the website, getting hands-on with just about every product the site reviews. He also manages the Expert Reviews YouTube, Instagram and TikTok channels, oversees the brand’s social media accounts and writes the occasional product review.

As Senior Home Editor, Danielle heads up Expert Review’s home content. Alongside commissioning and editing, she’s also passionate about testing and reviewing appliances including air fryers, kettles and everything in between. Before joining Expert Reviews back in 2019, Danielle had a five-year-long career as a freelancer, writing for national magazines and websites such as Woman’s Own and At Home Magazine. As well as a decade of writing experience, Danielle is also NCTJ accredited and has an MA in Multimedia Journalism.

Danielle Wilkins is a London-based freelance writer and journalist with a special interest in parenting, wedding and beauty content. Formally the editor of Wedding Ideas and features editor at Baby, Danielle has worked with a number of brands and lifestyle publications in both a writing and editing capacity since her career began in 2007, covering product reviews for all things pregnancy, parenting, bridal and beauty. She has also previously shared advice and hosted panel talks at industry events such as Bubble London and The National Wedding Show.

A lifelong technology enthusiast, Darien is a regular contributor to both Expert Reviews and PC Pro magazine, specialising in wireless networking, internet security and other technical topics. He also contributes to and produces the weekly PC Pro podcast, and has made occasional appearances on BBC News and Open University programming. In his spare time he dabbles in audio production, and plays guitar, bass and drums with the enthusiasm of a committed amateur.

Eddie joins Expert Reviews as an editorial intern. He assists the team with uploading articles for publication, creating social media content and has written about topics ranging from washing machines to the best SIM card deals on the market. His background is in media, with a degree in Film Studies, having previously worked as an assistant for an independent studio as well as having provided freelance screenplay and book coverage for a number of production companies.

Now the brand’s affiliate partnership manager, Ed has more than a decade of professional experience in publishing and copywriting. He established Expert Reviews’ template for mattress reviews in 2017, testing models from the likes of Simba, Eve, Sealy and Harrison Spinks. Elsewhere, Ed has tested scores of smartwatches, fitness trackers and headphones, as well as covering trade shows such as IFA and MWC.

Ellis is a freelance digital writer and journalist, with a specific expertise in the homes, interiors and gardens sector. She’s contributed to and freelanced at the likes of Ideal Home, House Beautiful, Country Living, Daily Express, Cosmopolitan and Stylist over the past five years, with her reviewing everything from makeup and skincare to books, dehumidifiers and jewellery for Expert Reviews.

Emily Peck is a British freelance lifestyle journalist with over 25 years of experience writing for newspapers and magazines. During her time as a writer and editor she has written features and reviewed a wide range of products across interiors and gardens, smart home and technology, fitness and wellness and more. Before going freelance she held staff positions as features writer at BBC Good Homes and features editor at Ideal Home magazines. Today she writes regularly for the likes of Expert Reviews, The Telegraph, Wired, GQ, Livingetc, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide to name a few.

Flora’s love of a good deal led her to start freelancing for Expert Reviews back in 2021. Since then, she’s happily tested an eclectic range of lifestyle products from probiotics and neck massagers to sewing machines and standing desks. Outside of writing reviews, she contributes to publications including the Independent, Telegraph and National Geographic.

Alongside his role as commissioning editor, Gareth manages Expert Reviews’ mattress and bedding content: a section of the website he’s worked within since joining in 2020. With a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism, Gareth has also written about a range of product categories, such as coffee and office chairs.

Jack joined Expert Reviews as a Staff Writer in early 2023. With a diploma in sport and exercise science, he has more than a decade of experience as both an athlete and mentor. Previously a county golfer and sports performance coach, he carries extensive knowledge across the sports and fitness world, testing protein powders, massage guns, sporting equipment, and more.

A Staff Writer at Expert Reviews, Jamie has been with the website since 2022, having started as an Editorial Intern. Pairing writing skills honed while obtaining degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing with his interest in home cooking, Jamie covers kitchen appliances, food and drink and more.

Jane has been a writer for Expert Reviews for six years. She is a freelance journalist who previously worked as a Features Editor for magazines including Computeractive, Runner’s World and Web User, winning an IPC Media award in 2003 for her work. Jane has also written for titles as diverse as IT Pro and Cosmopolitan, and guested on BBC Radio Four and Five Live.

Jo Plumridge is a freelance writer and photographer with almost 25 years of experience writing for a variety of magazines, websites and books. She writes extensively on home and tech products, along with covering photography, interior design and all things sleep-related. Outside of work, Jo fosters cats alongside her husband for a local rescue, giving her plenty of practice in dealing with tricky subjects.

Joanne has been writing about food, drink, health, beauty and wellbeing for ten years. She has contributed to The Independent, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Grazia and YOU Magazine among others and writes regularly on food, drink and home at Expert Reviews. She will test and rate anything from Pinot Noir to vegetable peelers and everything in between.

John has been working as a freelance tech writer, specialising in soundbar, TV and projector reviews, for more than 25 years. During that time, he’s worked for countless esteemed publications, including Forbes and The Sunday Times, attended industry events worldwide and got hands-on with all manner of weird and wonderful products. With all that experience under his belt, John’s confident that he’s seen more AV technologies come and go and reviewed more home entertainment products than anyone working in AV journalism today.

Jon is an experienced freelance journalist who got his start covering the nascent mobile gaming scene just as the first iPhone came to market. He now covers consumer technology and culture for a range of websites. As well as providing smartphone and tablet reviews for Expert Reviews, he has written for the likes of TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, Tech Advisor, and ShortList.

Head of reviews at Expert Reviews, Jon has been testing and writing about products since before most of you were born (well, only if you were born after 1996). In that time he’s tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops, PCs, smartphones, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, doorbells, cameras and more.

He’s worked on websites since the early days of tech, writing game reviews for AOL and hardware reviews for PC Pro, Computer Buyer and other print publications. He’s also had work published in Trusted Reviews, Computing Which? and The Observer. And yet, even after so many years in the industry, there’s still nothing more he loves than getting to grips with a new product and putting it through its paces.

Julia is an editorial intern at Expert Reviews. She mostly works behind the scenes, uploading articles to the site and posting on social media, though she’s also written a “How to” piece or two. She is a researcher, writer and air frying enthusiast with a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies.

Kat is a UK-based writer, editor and SEO specialist who splits her time between England and Greece. She has written for many publications including Mother & Baby, Parenting, Parents, InStyle, Real Simple, Grazia and Woman’s World, and, as an advocate for female empowerment, loves to write about women’s issues, parenting and helping fellow mothers feel supported. She has birthed one child, written two books, runs a writing agency for women writers and is doing a philosophy degree. An avid reader, Kat spends most of whatever (non-parenting) time is left reading and writing, and trying to spend more time in nature.

One of the UK’s best-known and most experienced male grooming experts, “Grooming Guru” Lee has been writing about skincare, haircare and fragrance for over 20 years and has road-tested thousands of products in that time. An award-winning journalist and former magazine editor, his work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and on websites across the world, and as an in-demand consultant he has worked with some of the world’s biggest skincare, haircare and electrical brands. He is the recipient of two prestigious Jasmine Awards for his writing about fragrance and regularly appears on TV and radio discussing skin and haircare. He always smells amazing.

Leon is a freelance writer with almost 20 years’ experience in print and online. His expertise is in automotive, particularly electric vehicles and future transport, although he has written about everything from vintage motorcycles to flying cars. In addition to this, he has reviewed hundreds of pieces of fitness equipment and spent more time in dank public gyms than he cares to divulge.

Lise is a freelance writer specialising in beauty, lifestyle, parenting and performing arts. Her dance reviews and features have appeared in online and print publications since 2007, and she was Youth Zone Editor at londondance.com from 2014-15. Lise also managed two local news sites for Associated Northcliffe Digital’s localpeople.co.uk until the closure of the site in 2010. Following appearances in MacFormat, Tap! magazine, Computer Buyer, Den of Geek and PC Pro, Lise joined Expert Reviews in 2018.

Lottie Gross is a freelance writer specialising in travel and dog-related articles. She has written for many of the UK’s major national newspapers and regularly reviews hotels, dog products and travel gear for several outlets. She has been in media since 2012, is the author of two books on dog-friendly travel, and has a first class degree in journalism and NCTJ from Bournemouth University.

Lucy Thorpe is a freelance writer specialising in health, beauty and lifestyle reviews, content and copywriting. Also a trained beauty therapist, her work has been published in Refinery29, Popsugar and Confidentials.

Staff Writer Matt joined Expert Reviews in 2021 after a period of music writing at culture outlet METAL Magazine. Passionate about all things audio, that musical trend has continued at Expert Reviews where he has tested a host of headphones and speakers. Holding a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism, Matt is also undertaking a sound engineers course to further train his ears to pick the bona fide audio gems from the disappointing duds.

Now deals editor at Expert Reviews, Max first joined the website in 2016 and has worked for numerous tech-focused publications over the past 13 years – including PC Pro, The Big Tech Question, Alphr and Wonderpedia – as well as the Daily Mirror, Total TV Guide, TV Choice, Take a Break, the Falmouth Packet and Welt der Wunder in Germany, among others. He’s sifted through thousands of deals on everything from broadband contracts to toothbrushes in his career so he knows what separates a great offer from a bad one.

Previously Expert Reviews’ Phones Editor, Michael’s portfolio includes TechRadar, Digital Trends and Android Central.

Deputy editor at Expert Reviews, Nathan joined the website back in 2016. Kicking off his journalism career as a laptop reviewer, he swiftly became Expert Reviews’ smartphone expert, testing and reviewing hundreds of handsets over the years. Nathan is an NCTJ-accredited journalist and regularly attends key industry events and product launches around the world, including the MWC and IFA trade shows.

Nick is a freelance journalist whose obsession with running gear and tech often sees him wearing two or three watches and swapping shoes mid-run. Nick has several marathons under his belt, with a PB of 2:29, and is always looking for the next big thing in fitness. Outside of Expert Reviews, Nick writes for fitness website Coach, and is a co-founder of The Run Testers YouTube channel.

As an editorial intern at Expert Reviews, Nicole is involved in all parts of the website, from production to social media and has written on topics ranging from air fryers to radiators. They have also contributed to many literary journals as a writer and editor, and hold a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.

Nik Rawlinson has been writing about technology for the last quarter century. A former editor of Windows and Mac magazines, and author of several books in related fields, he’s an increasingly passionate advocate for Linux and open source.

Paddy Maddison is a freelance lifestyle writer with a decade’s experience covering topics around fitness, outdoor pursuits, men’s style and consumer goods. He has been a freelance gear tester for The Independent for the last five years, where he has reviewed everything from high-performance road bikes to running shoes. He’s also a regular contributor to a number of specialist magazines where he writes monthly features on trends in fitness, tech and fashion. His work has appeared in publications including Esquire, Men’s Health, GQ, Cyclist, Stuff magazine and Oracle Time.

Pete Wise is a freelance writer from Leeds. His work has been published by titles including The Guardian, Independent, BBC Good Food, Sunday Times and Ideal Home. A frequent contributor of in-depth guides to Expert Reviews, Pete bases his articles on interviews with subject matter specialists, first-hand experience, and research using books, academic articles, patents and instruction manuals. Over ten years in journalism have seen Pete report on aquifers in Namibia, interview public figures including Jeremy Corbyn and Craig Charles, and – one fateful day – review twenty Christmas trees at a small suburban house in Yorkshire.

Rachel Ogden is a freelance journalist who has been writing about small and large appliances, interiors and home tech since 2007. Her kitchen has seen hundreds of air fryers, cookers and coffee machines over the years as well as food processors, mixers and blenders. Other outlets she has contributed to include Ideal Home, BBC Good Food, Woman & Home, Tech Advisor and Trusted Reviews.

Richard Peace took to full-time outdoor writing/photojournalism after stints in an office and as an English teacher abroad. His cycling route guidebooks include the best-selling Ultimate C2C Guide and the Ultimate UK Cycle Route Planner. He has written for various media about many aspects of cycling.
His biking experience led him into the world of e-bikes and other forms of light electric transport and even to the publication of a book on e-bikes. He has probably reviewed more light electric vehicles than anyone else in the UK over the past three decades, covering both the specialist bike media, the wider world of consumer-facing media and trade journalism, including writing features for the show magazine of the biggest bike show in Europe, Eurobike.

Sarah is a senior staff writer and has worked at Expert Reviews since 2021. Alongside testing and reviewing heaps of health and beauty tech, she has completed the SCS Introduction to Cosmetic Science course. This equips her with a comprehensive understanding of cosmetic formulation, which means she’s great at separating the wheat from the chaff in hair care, skincare and dental care.

Senior Editor Sasha started out in the world of tech magazines way back in 2001 and has spent the past two decades working as a writer, reviewer and editor across a range of titles including Computer Buyer, Mobile Computer, PC Pro and Alphr before finally landing at Expert Reviews. While reviewing laptops, PCs and monitors was once a key speciality, Sasha is now more likely to be surrounded by a fleet of coffee machines while consuming unwise quantities of espresso or filter coffee, or researching and writing about large appliances.

After seven years writing about technology for brands such as Computeractive and Make Use Of, Sherwin joined Expert Reviews in early 2019 to head up VPN and software coverage, soon branching out into reviewing a wide range of products including electric scooters. When not reviewing tech products or writing detailed how-to-watch guides for television and sporting events, he keeps a keen eye out for a great deal, managing most of the deals content on the website. He’s passionate about sports – mainly basketball, cricket and football – and loves playing tennis, as and when the temperamental British weather permits it, and FIFA, where he is a much better footballer than in real life.

Sian Lewis is an award-winning travel and outdoors writer and blogger based in the South West and is a keen hiker, camper and wild swimmer.

Simon Lucas is a freelance technology journalist with over 20 years of experience writing about the audio and video aspects of home entertainment. He was the editor of What Hi-Fi? Magazine before going freelance and has since contributed to a huge range of titles, including Wired, Metro and GQ. He’s also acted as an audio consultant for some of the world’s highest-profile consumer electronics brands and has been to IFA and CES more times than he’d care to remember.

Siobhan Grogan has worked as a freelance travel, music, shopping and lifestyle writer for over 20 years. She began her career at NME interviewing everyone from Paul McCartney to Amy Winehouse and has since written reviews and features for Mail on Sunday, Telegraph, Independent, The Times, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Glamour and Grazia. She has written hundreds of product reviews and shopping guides, focusing mainly on food and wine, household appliances, fashion and beauty, and tech.

After various years of freelance work, an English Literature degree & a master’s in Literature & Culture, Sonakshi joined the Expert Reviews team in early 2023. As a sub-editor, she balances her time between assisting Production Editor Will and Senior Digital Content Producer Christian. Sonakshi’s day-to-day consists of creating social media updates, uploading and editing articles for publication and putting out content fires across the site. 

Stephen Withers is a freelance TV reviewer with more than ten years of experience writing for major tech publications. As a lifelong film fan, he’s embraced the evolution of display technology from Full HD to 4K, HDR and beyond. He’s also a professional video calibrator, allowing him to keep abreast of the latest developments and innovations while ensuring people get the very best picture quality out of their new TVs and projectors.

Steve is a highly experienced technology journalist who has been covering AV and related topics since the onset of home video. He created Home Cinema Choice magazine in the mid-nineties and is the editor of custom install website Inside CI and premium lifestyle magazine The Luxe Review, as well as features editor of consumer electronics trade magazine ERT. Steve also contributes to various other publications covering consumer electronics and is a regular attendee at major industry events including IFA and CES.

Steven Jenkins is a freelance content creator and long-time journalist with more than 20 years of experience across digital and print. He was the editor on leading web design titles Web Designer and .net for over eight years. He has worked across numerous tech, homes and garden titles reviewing hardware, software, power tools and writing hundreds (if not thousands) of invaluable how-to articles.

Stuart Andrews has been writing about technology and computing for over 25 years and has written for nearly every major UK PC and tech outlet, including PC Pro and the Sunday Times. He still writes about PCs, laptops and enterprise computing, plus PC and console gaming, but he also likes to get his hands dirty with the latest gardening tools and chill out with his favourite movies. He loves to test things and will benchmark anything and everything that comes his way.

Stuart Pritchard has been a journalist and editor across numerous print and digital channels for over 20 years, working primarily in consumer tech, home & lifestyle, travel and business fields, forging an unlikely career of criss-crossing the world, looking at things and then writing about them. Freelance for the past ten years, if an objective yet firmly held opinion on something needs forming, he’s your man.

Suzanne is a freelance lifestyle and celebrity editor and has reviewed hundreds of products in her 20-year career. You name it, she has tested it; from being the first UK writer to review the Peloton tread to interviewing Charlotte Tilbury about her new beauty drop, and reviewing it before it has even gone on sale. As well as being shortlisted in 2023 for the freelance journalist of the year award, Suzanne has previously been deputy editor of Fit&Well and worked most recently as a freelance lifestyle editor for Top Sante, Women’s Fitness and Platinum.

Sydney’s work will be quite difficult to find on Expert Reviews. If you do manage to find an article, you’ll see that she mainly contributes articles about deals. Occasional deals writer, full time behind-the-scenes sub-editor. She gained experience for the latter after quite a few years at Boardsport SOURCE.

Sydney Butler is a technology writer covering a wide variety of tech and science topics. He’s been an IT practitioner for over 20 years, with a background in cyberpsychology and educational technology. He has over 10 years of experience in user education and training. His writing career spans over a decade, with bylines in major online publications such as 9to5Mac, How-To Geek, and Tom’s Hardware. He holds a Masters in Research Psychology, with a thesis in the effects of social media, and minored in Media Science, Journalism, and Communications.

Vincent Teoh is an AV journalist and professional display calibrator with in-depth knowledge of television technology. He is the founder and lead content creator of the YouTube channel HDTVTest, where he provides reviews, insights and comparisons of the latest TVs to over half a million subscribers. Additionally, he organises and hosts the annual UK TV shootout event, which is highly anticipated for determining the year’s best television. His expertise and contributions have made him a leading authority in the field of TV technology.

Since 2018, Will has been the engine of the Expert Reviews production team as sub-editor, senior sub-editor, and now production editor. Will is responsible for making sure that the content Expert Reviews publishes is of the highest quality; he also keeps the team’s vast workflow running smoothly and maintains the ancient and revered Expert Reviews style guide. With five years of experience behind him and thousands of articles edited, sub-edited and triple-checked, Will is confident that you won’t find a single mistake on the site – and if you think you have, you’re wrong.

Zoe is a freelance editor and writer with almost 20 years of experience. She mainly focuses on parenting, kids, tech and homeware, with a speciality in all things sleep related. Zoe has reviewed more than 2,000 products over the last three years, and has three children who are very willing co-testers of kids’ products. Zoe has worked for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Independent, The Evening Standard and has been writing for Expert Reviews since 2022.