Photo Credit: Jeremy Lips, Tom’s Guide Staff Photographer

Think of Tom's Guide as the geeky friend who's always on call. Whether you're looking for a powerful new smartphone, jaw-dropping TV or sleek fitness tracker, we're here to provide you with buying advice, in-depth reviews and expert recommendations in a wide variety of tech product categories. We take the Guide part of our name literally, which means you can expect tutorials for gear you already own, plus essential downloads and apps.

Mission Statement

To help you buy and use devices and decide when you should (and shouldn't) trade up.

Our History

Tom's Guide is a technology-focused website owned and operated by Purch (formerly known as TechMedia Network Inc.). The publication was founded by TG Publishing LLC, a subsidiary company of Bestofmedia Group, and was originally known as Gear Digest. In September 2007, Gear Digest was rebranded as Tom's Guide.

Laptop Mag, which is focused on mobile technology, is now part of Tom's Guide. Mark Spoonauer serves as editor-in-chief of both Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag. Tom's Guide is a sister publication of Tom's Hardware, which is helmed by Fritz Nelson.

How We Test Products

Each product Tom's Guide reviews is thoroughly tested and evaluated based on the following criteria: design, ease of use, features, performance and value. We rate each product on a 5-star scale. A rating of 3 stars or above means we recommend the product; 2.5 stars and below means there are better options. An Editors' Choice award indicates that we think that product is the best in its class.

The tests we perform vary based on the type of device or software being reviewed, but we pride ourselves on using a combination of homegrown and third-party benchmarks to get the most complete picture of a given product's performance.

Our People

  • Mark Spoonauer, Editor-in-Chief

    Obsessed with tech since the original PalmPilot, Mark Spoonauer is responsible for the editorial vision of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for nearly 15 years. Mark became editor-in-chief of Tom's Guide in 2013 and, since then, has expanded the site's consumer electronics and software reviews and analysis. He speaks at key tech industry events and makes regular media appearances on CNBC, Fox and CNN. Mark was previously reviews editor at Mobile Computing, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc.

    Contact Mark
    mspoonauer@tomsguide.com
    @mspoonauer
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  • Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director

    The official Geek's Geek, as his weekly column is jobtitled, Avram Piltch has guided the editorial and production of Laptopmag.com since 2007. With his technical knowledge and passion for testing, Avram programmed several of Laptop Mag's real-world benchmarks, including the Laptop Mag Battery Test. He holds a master's degree in English from New York University.

    Contact Avram
    apiltch@tomsguide.com
    @geekinchief
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  • Anna Attkisson, Managing Editor

    A lover of lists and deadlines, Anna Attkisson is obsessed with puzzle apps, large-screen smartphones and weird social networks. She bows down to her new drone overlords in the hopes that she be allowed to maintain her illusion of privacy. She joined Laptop Mag (now part of Tom's Guide) in 2007 and became managing editor at Tom's Guide in 2013. She's a graduate of the University of Kansas' journalism school, and previously created custom publications for corporations at Time Inc.

    Contact Anna
    aattkisson@tomsguide.com
    @akattkisson
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  • Sean Captain, Senior Editor

    A 15-year tech journalism veteran, Sean Captain has covered everything from hard drives to nuclear power for publications including PC World, Wired, Popular Science and The New York Times. At Tom's Guide, Sean indulges his love of the visual arts by heading up coverage of photography and television (including TV sets, online video and cord cutting), as well as 3D printing.

    Contact Sean
    scaptain@tomsguide.com
    @seancaptain
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  • Mike Prospero, Reviews Editor

    Mike Prospero oversees audio, fitness and home automation reviews and news for Tom's Guide. An avid runner, skier and foodie, he's always looking for the latest gadget that intersects with his out-of-work hobbies. After receiving his Master of Science in journalism from Columbia in 2003, Mike worked at Fast Company. Prior to that, he worked at The Times of Trenton and George magazine.

    Contact Mike
    mprospero@tomsguide.com
    @mikeprospero
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  • Paul Wagenseil, Senior Editor

    Paul Wagenseil heads security and gaming coverage for Tom's Guide, where he's been since 2011. He's been immersed in the tech world since the Nintendo 64 was released, and has worked at FoxNews.com, RandomHouse.com and other sites. Paul has also been a marketing production assistant, a warehouse manager, a broadcast monitor, a car deliveryman, a bartender, a fry cook and a dishwasher.

    Contact Paul
    pwagenseil@tomsguide.com
    @snd_wagenseil
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