Cat Ellis

Cat Ellis

Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, and worked on print magazines including PC Plus, Official Windows Magazine, and PC Format before moving online. She's also a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista, so whether you want to upgrade your smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

Ninja Luxe Café Pro coffee machine on kitchen counter with various coffee drinks

Ninja's best coffee maker just got an upgrade to make brewing the perfect espresso even easier

By Cat Ellis published

The automating tamping system applies even pressure to your ground coffee for optimal extraction and no mess.

Espresso shot pouring into ceramic cup

What are ESE coffee pods? Everything you need to know about these quick alternatives to freshly ground coffee

By Cat Ellis published

Want a quicker espresso at home? Nespresso and K-Cups aren't your only options.

Philips Barista Brew coffee maker

The Philips Barista Brew espresso machine is good-looking and well priced, but it's challenging to master (and a bit messy, too)

By Cat Ellis published

A machine that can brew consistently good espresso, but only once you've overcome its idiosyncrasies.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat on purple background

The best smart thermostat 2025: the easy way to make your heating more efficient

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

Three smart locks on blue and teal background

The best smart locks 2025: keyless security systems tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated The most secure and reliable smart locks for keyless convenience.

Cold press juicer on green background

The best juicer 2025: make delicious, clear juice from any fresh produce

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Our expert team have juiced buckets of produce to bring you this list of the very best centrifugal and cold press juicers around.

WiZ TV Sync Box with backlight behind TV

If the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is too expensive, this new budget-friendly alternative from WiZ could be exactly what you need

By Cat Ellis published

The WiZ HDMI Sync Box is less than half the price of Philips' box, and comes with a light strip included.

Switchbot robot vacuum on black floor

Thanks to this super cheap robot vacuum, I no longer want to rip out my kitchen floor

By Cat Ellis published

If you're also regretting your interior design choices, the solution is cheaper than you might expect.

A Fairphjone, Insta360 X5 camera and LG TV next to ecah other.

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from your LG becoming an Xbox to the new Insta360 X5 camera

By Hamish Hector published

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Insta360, LG, Xbox, Alexa+, and more for April 26, 2025.

Woman detaching Philips Hue Smart Button from base stuck on nightstand

Got Philips Hue lights? This new customizable button could make them even smarter

By Cat Ellis published

There's a new version of the miniature controller launching soon.

Best free ebook reader

Best free ebook reader in 2025: read your favorite books online

By Philip Berne last updated

Updated TechRadar presents a definitive list of the best free ebook readers available on PC, Mac, and mobile right now.

A toy Amazon Echo next to the Alexa Plus logo and a range of Echo devices

Alexa+ early adopter gives their thoughts: "Old Alexa was hot garbage but this new one was a pleasant surprise"

By Cat Ellis published

The AI assistant handles natural speech well, but it's still being used as a fancy egg timer.

Roku Battery Camera (right) and Battery Camera Plus (left) on table

Roku's new wireless security cameras will guard your home for up to two years on a single charge

By Cat Ellis published

Weatherproof cameras that let you watch over your home from your phone or TV.

Split image showing retrofit smart lock, curtain puller, and switch pusher

Build a zero-waste smart home by automating your existing hardware

By Cat Ellis published

Don't replace it – just upgrade it

A person working from home.

Best free program to speed up your PC in 2025: optimizations to improve performance

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Presenting TechRadar's list of the best free programs to speed up your PC in 2025.

Nespresso Vertuo pods and boxes on kitchen counter with green graphic reading 'Sustainability Week'

How are Nespresso coffee pods recycled? Discover what happens behind the scenes

By Cat Ellis published

Coffee capsules are quick and convenient, but make more waste than fresh grounds – so what happens to it?

Eufy FamiLock S3 Max

Eufy's new smart lock reads the veins in your palm for touchless entry – even if your hands are dirty

By Cat Ellis published

With 2K video, wide-angle recording, and AI to detect potential porch pirates.

Philips Hue + Spotify

I have Philips Hue lights everywhere in my home, and this is what I want to see from its AI assistant

By Cat Ellis published

Signify has been tight-lipped about the details of AI for Philips Hue, but here's my wishlist.

Person pouring water onto V60 coffee filter using gooseneck kettle

With this simple gadget, you can make great-tasting pour-over coffee with fewer beans

By Cat Ellis published

Brewing coffee is all about extraction, and the right kettle will help enormously. Here's how to choose one.

Nespresso Sweet Vanilla Decaf pods

Nespresso's new sweet vanilla decaf pods could make coffee my new favorite bedtime drink

By Cat Ellis published

It tastes as comforting as cocoa, and won't keep you up at night.

Philips Hue's new SmartThings integration

Your Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is getting a big software update, and it's good news for gamers

By Cat Ellis published

The latest update fixes bugs and should improve performance for PS5 owners.

Person cooking 10 burgers using Ninja Sizzle Pro XL indoor grill

Ninja's new indoor grill lets you cook 10 burgers at once and doesn't need scrubbing afterward

By Cat Ellis published

The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL gives you a huge cooking space, and it's a piece of cake to clean.

Nutribullet x McLaren blender with silhouette of F1 car in the background

Lights out and away we blend – McLaren and Nutribullet unveil new F1-themed blenders

By Cat Ellis published

Just add bananas, kale, and a little burnt rubber.

Ninja Blast Max blender

The Ninja Blast Max is so powerful it can obliterate frozen strawberries and even make kale smoothies delicious

By Cat Ellis published

It's the most powerful portable blender I've tested, and it makes light work of challenging ingredients.

Nespresso white chocolate and strawberry coffee pods

I didn't think white chocolate and strawberry coffee would work, but Nespresso's new pods proved me wrong

By Cat Ellis published

A coffee with both red fruit and creamy notes sounds strange, but it works much better than you might expect.

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