The Best Buy winners are here
Explore the recognised equipment, discover what makes each category important and find the right fit for your listening room.
The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 Best Buy winners were announced on 13 October, providing an independent starting point for discovering new hi-fi. From affordable vinyl upgrades to immersive home cinema and premium headphones, we look at 17 Best Buy winners available through Kronos AV and explain what deserves consideration before buying.
See our full illustrated awards showcase: What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 — all 17 products.
Turntables
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
Best turntable £500–£750
Pro-Ject Debut Evo II Turntable
A modern vinyl favourite, recognised for its engaging performance and thoughtful upgrades.
Explore product ↗Speakers
A product award is useful guidance, but the best choice is still the one that suits your system, music and budget. Our team can advise on the details.
Best standmount speaker £500–£1000
Acoustic Energy AE300 MKII Speakers
A considered standmount design for listeners who value balance, precision and musical detail.
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Best standmount speaker £1000–£1500
PMC Prodigy1 2 Way Bookshelf / Standmount Speaker
Compact dimensions with PMC's distinctive approach to clarity and controlled bass.
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Best floorstanding speaker under £500
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3i Floorstanding Speakers
A newly recognised, accessible floorstander for music lovers building a serious stereo system.
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Best floorstanding speaker £1000–£2000
PMC Prodigy5 2 Way Floorstanders
An expressive, cohesive floorstander for listeners looking to give their music room to breathe.
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Best floorstanding speaker £2000–£3000
fyne Audio F502S Floorstanders
Fyne Audio's F502S combines scale, refinement and a convincing sense of musical authority.
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Best desktop speakers
Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII Active Bluetooth Speaker System
Premium compact powered speakers for a desk, smaller room or effortlessly stylish setup.
Explore product ↗Music streaming
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
Best music streamer £750–£1000
Bluesound N530 Node Icon Reference Music Streamer
A highly capable digital music source, bringing effortless streaming to a traditional hi-fi system.
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2026 Best Buy · Music streamer
Wiim Pro Plus Streamer
An exceptionally accessible way to add modern streaming and high-quality digital playback to an existing hi-fi system.
Explore product ↗Music systems
A product award is useful guidance, but the best choice is still the one that suits your system, music and budget. Our team can advise on the details.
2026 Best Buy · Music system
Triangle AIO Twin Active Speakers
A stylish active-speaker system bringing amplification, connectivity and music streaming together in one neat setup.
Explore product ↗Home cinema
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
2026 Best Buy · Surround sound speaker package
Wharfedale DX-3 HCP Home Cinema Pack
A compact home cinema speaker package that brings impressive immersion to smaller spaces.
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2026 Best Buy · Surround sound speaker package
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i HCP Home Cinema package
A cohesive surround sound system for music and movies, centred on Wharfedale's Diamond 12.1i speakers.
Explore product ↗Headphones
A product award is useful guidance, but the best choice is still the one that suits your system, music and budget. Our team can advise on the details.
2026 Best Buy · Premium wireless headphones
Focal Bathys MG Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
High-end wireless noise-cancelling headphones featuring magnesium drivers, Bluetooth connectivity and a high-resolution USB DAC.
Explore product ↗Vinyl accessories
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
2026 Best Buy · Phono cartridge
Goldring E3 Cartridge
A practical moving-magnet upgrade that keeps the enjoyment of vinyl front and centre.
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2026 Best Buy · Phono cartridge
Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
An acclaimed moving-magnet cartridge for customers seeking greater finesse from their records.
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2026 Best Buy · Phono cartridge
Ortofon MCX30 MC Cartridge
An award-recognised moving-coil choice for a thoughtfully matched analogue system.
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2026 Best Buy · Phono cartridge
Audio-Technica AT-VM740xML Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge
Dual moving-magnet vinyl cartridge with a Nude MicroLinear stylus, designed to reveal fine detail from your records.
Explore product ↗Ready to hear the difference?
Great hi-fi begins with finding the right match. Our experienced team can help you choose equipment suited to your existing system and listening room.
Explore all 17 selections →What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 Best Buys were announced on 13 October 2026. Overall Products of the Year are expected on 12 November 2026. The publications are independent of Kronos AV.