FAQ's about nominations and the awards 

Entries will open on 16 June and close on 12 August, existing five-star products are considered automatically for the Awards.

All our product tests are conducted by the most dedicated and experienced team of full-time, independent, expert reviewers, testing products together, as a team, in our bespoke suite of test rooms. We test the widest range of consumer electronics products and accessories, from the smallest in-ear headphones through to huge TVs, state-of-the-art high-end audio and home cinema components. Our Awards highlight the best in each of these categories, price-banded to suit every budget. Every Awards contender – be it a new product submitted during the judging process or an existing class-leader – is tested comparatively alongside its relevant peers. 
The What Hi-Fi? team will be in touch to arrange delivery after you have submitted your entry online via this website. You will need to deliver your products for testing by the end of August.
Any product that has already received a five-star review, and that will be on sale at the time of the Awards in November, is automatically considered for entry and need not be resubmitted.
Any new products entered for the Awards must be on sale in the UK when the Best Buys are announced on the website in early October 2026. Products must also be widely available in the UK for at least 3 months from this date. Any manufacturer providing misleading information on pricing or specification of products will face disqualification from the Awards.  
Manufacturers may enter more than one product per category, but please use your common sense and limit the number of entries to your key products. Categories listed on the entry form are a guide (you can select a category if you wish or leave that for us to choose). 

Yes all entry information is strictly confidential until the shortlist announcement in October.

All nominated products will be considered for the Awards, but submission does not guarantee coverage within What Hi-Fi?.

The 2026 awards ceremony will be on 12 November at the Royal Lancaster, London.

Entries will submitted through our online portal, this will be live on the site from 16 June. 

No, it is free to enter the awards. 

You can book via the website or you can contact Kate Smith (kate.smith@futurenet.com) if you have any questions or need assistance with booking. 

You can claim your 30% discount rate by using this booking link. The discount code (HIFI2026) will be automatically applied to your booking. 

If you have any questions, or need any other information about the entry process or the event itself, please don’t hesitate to contact Kate Smith, Customer Relations Manager: kate.smith@futurenet.com