With the U.S. having implemented tariffs on Canadian goods, there’s a big push to buy Canadian. Tariffs or not, it’s a good idea to support homegrown companies, whether this means grocery items, alcohol, or yes, even tech. Did you know that there are many Canadian tech companies? Here are some Canadian brands to consider for everything from audio product to mobile accessories.
Always Mobile
Always Mobile is an eSIM company based in Toronto, ON. The company, which launched in June 2024, aims to help Canadians, and those from around the world, save money on their cellular data while traveling. With affordable data roaming price packages for more than 150 global destinations, it’s a great way to save on data roaming charges for both frequent and infrequent travelers. The company was founded by Mike Stanford, who has previously worked in senior positions at Bell Canada, Public Mobile, Freedom Mobile (formerly Wind Mobile), and TekSavvy Solutions Inc. I reviewed three eSIM providers recently to compare and contrast and – spoiler alert – Always Mobile is a great option to consider.
Axiom Audio
Axiom Audio has been making audio products for more than 30 years. The company has an acoustic research facility up north in Dwight, ON, designed to replicate the labs at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, ON. Priding itself on both the design and rigorous testing of its products, Axiom Audio makes all types of speakers, including models for outdoors as well as in-walls, along with home theatre products and accessories. Axiom’s Canadian founder Ian Colquhoun had the opportunity to work with Dr. Floyd Toole, a Canadian physicist and psycho-acoustician, to help evolve speaker measurements and listening tests.
Bluesound
Owned by Lenbrook International based in Pickering, ON, Bluesound set out to become the most sought-after audio ecosystems for the home, leveraging your home wireless network to stream music throughout your abode. All Bluesound products connect to one another through the BluOS system and BluOS controller app, and afford harmonious, crisp sound as you listen to tunes. As an audiophile versus a computer company, Bluesound products focus on audio first, but are also elegant and stylish in design. You’ll get hifi sound in compact packages with an intuitive interface and ecosystem. The Bluesound Node Nano, which we reviewed last year, is a favourite among fans.
Bryston
Headquartered in Peterborough, ON, Bryston products are made in Canada as well. The company makes specialty audio for both consumers and the professional market, including amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, loudspeakers, DACs, phono stages, and power isolation products. In business now for more than 35 years, the company prides itself on extensive research and development as well as offering value through its line. Consider products like the BP-19 analog pre-amplifier.
Caseco
Whether you need a new wireless charger, portable charging bank, protective phone case, or even a Bluetooth beanie (rather, should we say toque?), Caseco has you covered. Based in Toronto, ON, Caseco was established in 2010 with a focus on creating premium products at a lower price. The company uses eco-friendly materials as well, including recycled materials and ethically sourced leathers, so you can further feel good about the purchase.
Fluance
Consistently receiving rave reviews, Fluance turntables are matched by the company’s powered and home theatre speakers. Based in Niagara Falls, ON, the company offers a lifetime warranty on all its passive speakers along with 30-day in-home trials so you can try the speakers out for yourself before investing. Established in 1999 by founder Deepak Jain, he wanted to recreate the same impact he felt when attending a live concert, but at home. So, he set out to create products he felt could do that at a more affordable price point than the premium systems he couldn’t afford at the time. Following the launch of its speakers, Fluance dove into the hifi turntable space as well.
Kanto
Founded in 2007, Kanto Audio is based in Coquitlam, BC. The company develops stylish desktop speakers, both powered and passive, that come in fun colours, ideal for the computer room, apartment dwellers, and even as part of your home theatre. Boasting premium features without a premium price tag, the speakers have become massively popular in the last decade or so. Kanto, which also makes mounts, stands, and headphone accessories, prides itself on its customer service. One of Kanto’s most exciting new products this year is the UKI desktop speaker while its Kanto REN with HDMI ARC that we reviewed last year is a popular option in the line. Kanto Products are distributed in Canada through Canadian-owned distributer Gemsen.
LAVA Computer
This provider of smart connectivity solutions for PCs and mobile devices has products that are made in Canada for the enterprise market. This include everything from mobile adapters to lithium-IQ battery life extension and protection dongles, serial cards, tablet enclosures, and power adapters. Based in Toronto, ON, the company has more than a million products built into workstations, servers, retail POS systems, and industrial computers in more than 47 countries. All products are designed and manufactured in its labs in Toronto.
Liteline
Liteline Corporation is Canada’s largest independent, family-owned and operated lighting manufacturer in operation since 1979. Headquartered in a 160,000 square-foot facility in Richmond Hill, ON, Liteline specializes in providing solutions for architectural, commercial, industrial, and residential spaces. The company is centred on three core principles: innovative product design, installation efficiency, and personal customer service. These principles are distinctly present with their flagship product series’ including ALR, Edge, FORUM Linear, Helios, KLICK, LUNA, Sigma, and FORUM Panels and frames – all designed to support the ever-changing needs of lighting designers, architects, engineers, interior designers, property developers, and distributor partners’ project designs. Liteline is distributed in Canada by Sherpa Group.
Moon by Simaudio
Proudly 100% made in Canada for the last 40 years, Simaudio manufactures all types of audio products, including network players and DACs, integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, phono preamplifiers, power supplies, CD players, and accessories. Based in Boucherville, QC and in business since 1980, Simaudio focuses on products that are sustainable, and even offers a 10-year warranty on all products.
MuxLab
MuxLab designs and manufactures Pro AV signal distribution solutions, leading the industry with cutting-edge technologies across various categories including AV over IP, digital signage, and video conferencing. MuxLab designs and engineers all its products in Canada with headquarters in St-Laurent, QC. The brand is distributed by Sherpa Group, which is also a 100% Canadian-owned distribution company.
NAD
While fundamentally British, having been founded in 1972 with headquarters in London, UK, NAD today is owned by Canadian company Lenbrook Industries. The original goal of NAD was to create audio components company that offered excellent value, quality and sound and to make a brand that could be affordable to most. While many NAD products are manufactured today in Asia, the design and engineering team are 100% Canadian run. According to Lenbrook, while tariffs are being disruptive and creating uncertainty, NAD products are actually a bargain for a Canadian consumer who will see no pricing mark up while prices for NAD have risen in the U.S.
Nakymatone
This manufacturer of invisible speakers that blend into the home is based on North York, ON. The products are made in Canada and employ patent pending European design. With a background in sound engineering, system integration, and live venue pro audio production, the invisible speakers are easy to install and provide pleasant sound, despite the fact that you can’t see them. You’ll find a wide range of options for installers to create beautiful set-ups in all types of homes. Nakymatone speakers are available in Canada through Evolution Home Corp.
Paradigm/Anthem
Headquartered in Mississauga, ON, Paradigm has been in business since 1982. Founded by Jerry VanderMarel and Scott Bagby, the company set out to create speaker components that were “based on science, not speculation” and that could be purchased at an affordable price. They sought the assistance of audio researchers from a local university and consulted with audio studies by the National Research Council of Canada. Today, Paradigm manufactures a full suite of home theatre products, including loudspeakers, subwoofers, outdoor speakers, and custom installation lines. The company also developed its own Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology, designed to adjust the audio performance based on the set-up of the room you’re in.
Pela Case
Need a snazzy protective case for your new iPhone or Android device? Pela Case humorously touts its products as being “proudly made in Ameri…close by,” confirming that these stylish cases are produced north of the border: the company is based in Kelowna, BC. You’ll find cute, funky, floral, basic, and everything in between. There’s even an adorable case designed to resemble an old cassette tape for those who are feeling nostalgic. Plus, these premium, soft-touch cases are made with the environment in mind, constructed of plants and compostable materials. You’ll pay the same as any other premium case, anywhere from $50-$65. But that’s a drop in the hat to protect a premium phone you just spent $1,500 on.
PSB Speakers
Also owned by The Lenbrook Group in Pickering, PSB Speakers is proudly Canadian. The company makes speakers as well as headphones, all designed for audiophiles or those who appreciate superior audio quality. Extending outside of the house as well with outdoor speakers and with headphones ideal for at-home listening and travel, the company has a versatile offering of products. Check out products like the SubSeries BP8 powered subwoofer.
Saturn Audio
Saturn Audio is a manufacturer of audio components that are 100% assembled and manufactured from their 25,000 square foot factory in London, ON. Saturn Audio features the latest electronic assembly technologies, test equipment, ISO 9000:2015 certification, and a dedicated engineering and quality program supporting everything that they build. Building in Canada allows Saturn to control quality in real time, providing significant product development and production advantages. Every Saturn Audio product is certified (CSA-1000) for sale in Canada, the U.S., and the EU. A list of Canadian dealers carrying Saturn Audio can be found here.
thinksound
You can support both Canadian brands and smaller brands with a company like thinksound from Burlington, ON. WiFi HiFi publisher John Thomson met founder Aaron Fournier several years ago, and he introduced him to the company’s headphones. Launched in 2009, thinksound only sells a handful of products, including a wired in-ear pair of earbuds that Thomson says are a “terrific pair of headphones that any music lover would be lucky to wear.” With tons of endorsements from well-known musicians, thinksound is a brand to consider, both for your store and for your own personal listening.
Torus Power
Canadian industry veteran Kevin Main is the President and Owner of Ontario-based Torus Power, a company that manufacturers isolation transformers that improve the performance of audio and video systems. Connect audio equipment to a Torus Power isolation transformer and the results include more dynamics, improved imaging, and cleaner, enhanced bass. Video is crisper, with darker blacks, and brighter colours. The Torus Power secret ingredient is the brand’s proprietary Toroidal Isolation transformers that are, of course, manufactured in Canada. Virtually all of the power line noise artifacts are eliminated through the Toroidal Isolation transformer, using patented Plitron technology. The Toroidal Isolation transformer provides high levels of instantaneous current, making sure even dynamic components (such as high power amplifiers) are never starved for power.
Totem Acoustic
Totem Acoustic is not only Canadian, based in Montreal, QC, its audio products are made in Canada as well. With a 35-year-plus history in the business, the company focuses on creating speakers that totally immerse you in the audio, whether you’re watching TV or listening to a music concert. Design is crucial as well: these speakers look sleek, modern, sometimes even funky. Most importantly, the team behind the brand has a great passion for audio and audio quality, and the credentials to back it up. Founder Vince Bruzzese decided to develop his own loudspeaker when he couldn’t find one that truly reproduced the music, as it was intended by the artist. From there, Totem Acoustic was born. One of its newest products is the KIN One two-way speaker.
Totinit
Developed by British Columbia-based industry veteran Brian Herd, the totonit carrying solutions are designed as wearable tech fashion, affording easy access to essentials like your smartphone and passport. Designed to be minimalist while also comfortable to wear with ample storage and sufficient security, the products are made from heavy-duty sustainable recycled materials.
Are you a Canadian tech brand and want to be included on this list? Reach out to [email protected]. I will be continually updating this list as a reference for those who want to support our home-grown tech brands.