Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista, and holds a professional certificate in security awareness for smart homes.. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

‘You can really unleash a lot of creativity’: Philips Hue founder George Yianni explains why its AI upgrades will be genuinely useful and 'a bit of a game changer'

By Cat Ellis

The brand's founder and CTO explains why artificial intelligence and home lighting are a perfect fit, and what he's most excited about next.

No HDMI needed — Philips Hue's new camera-based Screen Sync system works with any source, including your TV's native streaming apps

By Cat Ellis

Philips Hue Play Screen Sync lets you synchronize your smart lights with content from any source, including your smart TV's native streaming apps.

4 Comments

Air fryer with drawer open showing cooked fries, and close-up of fries and chicken nuggets in air fryer

The best small air fryers 2026: our favourite space-saving air fryers

By Cat Ellis

Updated Top-rated compact air fryers that are perfect when you're cooking for one or two people.

Split image of three home security cameras

The best home security cameras: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams

By Cat Ellis

Updated We've tested masses of security cameras in our own homes to bring you this guide to the very best.

People's hands adjusting Hive Thermostat (left) and Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which are number four and number one in our guide respectively

The best smart thermostat 2026: the easy way to make your heating more efficient

By Cat Ellis

Updated We've tested the best smart thermostats from top brands to find the smartest ways to heat and cool your home.

Split image showing mug of milk foam, milk in electric milk frother, and a latte with a heart on top

Want delicious lattes the easy way? I'm a certified barista, and these are the top 3 milk frothers I recommend for perfect results every time

By Cat Ellis

Whether you prefer dairy or plant-based milk, an electric milk frother is your shortcut to perfect cappuccinos and lattes.

Split image of coffee beans in hopper, coffee maker dispensing espresso, and control panel on espresso machine showing options for cold brew, espresso, and steam

I'm a certified barista, and these are my 3 favorite small coffee machines that deliver delicious espresso without dominating your kitchen

By Cat Ellis

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and these are the 3 best compact models I recommend for cafe-quality espresso every time.

Sliced cucumber in food processor, food processor containing berries, and grated carrot in food processor

The best food processors 2026: 6 tried and tested machines for easier food prep

By Cat Ellis

Updated We've tested the best food processors for every kind of cook, whether you need a compact model for quick prep or a powerful all-rounder for more demanding jobs.

Lavazza Jolie Evo coffee maker on kitchen counter with espresso cups and saucers

Lavazza's A Modo Mio Jolie Evo is the tiniest coffee machine I've ever tested, and brews a delicious espresso — but there's one sustainability catch you should know about

By Cat Ellis

Recommended

Lavazza's A Modo Mio Jolie Evo is a super compact espresso machine, and very reasonably priced, but its plastic capsules are harder to recycle than I'd like.

Panasonic bread and ice cream maker with selection of ice creams and bread

Panasonic's new gadget is a bread maker that also churns ice cream — I went hands-on with the wild two-in-one appliance, and the results were seriously tasty

By Cat Ellis

I've tested a lot of multi-function kitchen appliances, but never one as strange as this — so how well does it actually work?

A man pours foamed milk into a double espresso.

Your daily coffee is over 90% water, and tap water could be ruining your best beans — experts explain how to choose the right filter to unlock the full flavor

By Cat Ellis

I spoke to water-quality experts to find out what I should look for when choosing a water filter to upgrade my coffee-making experience.

"We’re not hiding how things work, we’re expressing it" — I sat down with Jake Dyson to talk radical product design, and why your favorite vacuum and hair dryer look like nothing else on the planet

By Cat Ellis

I spoke to Chief Engineer Jake Dyson about the company's unique designs, and why it's not afraid to break the mold

I wanted great filter coffee and espresso without buying two appliances — and 9 months later, the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is still my absolute favorite for both

By Cat Ellis

I love both types of coffee equally, and this all-in-one brewer means I don't have to sacrifice my whole countertop for two separate machines.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo coffee maker preparing an iced coffee

The new De'Longhi Magnifica Duo prepares 20 different coffee drinks at the tap of a button — and its 3-minute cold brew feature has me sold

By Cat Ellis

De'Longhi has upgraded one of its best automatic coffee makers with the ability to prepare authentic cold-extracted espresso, complete with chilled milk foam.

Split image of whole Jura E10 coffee maker, and close-up of coffee menu

Jura's new espresso machine packs cold brewing, delicious syrup-infused milk foam, and timed morning brewing into a surprisingly slim package — and it might be the ultimate upgrade for your small kitchen

By Cat Ellis

Jura has just launched a new coffee maker that offers hot and cold extraction, syrup-infusion, milder brewing, and a timer — all in one compact package.

A new Google Home Display is reportedly on the way — but what our smart homes actually need in 2026 is a proper Pixel Tablet successor

By Cat Ellis

A new Home Display sounds intriguing — but I’ll be disappointed if Google gives us another stationary screen instead of a movable AI hub.

2 Comments

Ninja Crispi Microwave containing four dishes of various vegetables

It’s a microwave, it’s an air fryer, it’s a... soup-maker? Ninja’s latest launch could be the only appliance your kitchen needs

By Cat Ellis

Microwaved food can easily get soggy, but that's not a problem with this new air fryer and microwave combo, packed with useful presets.

Split image of three blenders from Ninja and Nutribullet

No room in your kitchen for a Ninja Slushi? We tested 3 blenders that make perfect slushies for one for a fraction of the price, and actually fit in your cupboard

By Cat Ellis

If you don't have the space or cash for a Ninja Slushi machine, these portable blenders can make fantastic frozen drinks for a fraction of the price.

I'm a certified barista, and these are the best 3 espresso machines I've tested so far this year — and the only ones genuinely worth your kitchen counter space

By Cat Ellis

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and these are the three models that have received my seal of approval so far in 2026.

Split image of EZVIZ EP4 internal screen, external camera, and screengrab of footage in app

The EZVIZ EP4 is a great home security camera for renters — but its facial recognition won't stop it from spamming you with alerts when you come home

By Cat Ellis

A super-sharp 4K security camera that fits right into your existing peephole — if you don't mind getting notifications when it sees your own face.

Smeg Musa ovens installed in neutral-colored kitchen

'It's a product that doesn't scream for attention, but captures it anyway': designer Carlo Borromeo on his new minimalist Smeg appliances — and why stripping away the color is the brand’s boldest design experiment yet

By Cat Ellis

BorromeodeSilva brought the world the denim-coated Smeg fridge in 2012, but the studio's latest partnership was a totally different challenge.

T3 Afar hair dryer folded, with card bundled and nozzle detached

This travel hair dryer is so good, I gave away my full-size one and never looked back

By Cat Ellis

Mini dryers aren't just for vacations — pick the right portable and you'll want to use it every day.

Split image of Ezviz peephole camera installed in door, and footage captured by the camera in the Ezviz app

I installed this brilliant peephole camera in 10 minutes, and it's a great subscription-free alternative to a video doorbell for renters and apartment-dwellers

By Cat Ellis

If you live in an apartment or rented house, this clever little camera gives you all the best features of a video doorbell without damaging your door.

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine with coffee drinks on kitchen counter

The KitchenAid KF4 brews a beautifully balanced espresso thanks to its Intelligrind system, but its iced drink menu left me cold

By Cat Ellis

KitchenAid's latest fully automatic coffee maker is extra compact and makes an excellent espresso, though its 'iced' drinks leave something to be desired.

AeroPress has made the best manual coffee grinder I've ever used — and it's not even close

By Cat Ellis

This premium portable grinder doesn't just look great, it also grinds beautifully, however you prefer to make your coffee

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