Articles by 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

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 12 April 25

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

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

By Cat Ellis published 11 April 25

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 9 April 25

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 9 April 25

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 9 April 25

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

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

By Cat Ellis published 7 April 25

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 6 April 25

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

Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker on table with record player and mirror ball

Ninja's latest coffee machine takes away one of the biggest hassles of being a barista – and it's awesome

By Cat Ellis published 5 April 25

Getting the perfect grind size and fine-tuning it throughout the day used to be a real headache.

Philips Hue smart light bulbs illuminating blue in a lounge

Got Philips Hue lights? This free update gives you 8 new scenes for an instant makeover

By Cat Ellis published 4 April 25

The fresh bundle of themed presets will give your home a new look with a single tap.

The best smart plugs 2025: take control of any electrical appliance

By Cat Ellis last updated 2 April 25

Save energy and effort: automate your home effortlessly with the best smart plugs, tested and recommended by experts.

Person adjusting Philips Hue wireless camera on wall

Your Philips Hue cameras are getting a free upgrade to boost their battery life

By Cat Ellis published 31 March 25

The Philips Hue Secure battery camera is getting a big battery life improvement.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt mounted on window and in app

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a quick, easy and affordable way to control your blinds from your phone – no DIY necessary

By Cat Ellis published 29 March 25

I was thinking about buying smart blinds, but having tested this, I realize I don't need to.

Samsung two-door smart fridge in kitchen

Samsung's new AI smart fridge could stop you from accidentally wasting food, and I've seen it in action

By Cat Ellis published 28 March 25

A dual cooling system keeps food fresh, and AI suggests recipes for items expiring soon.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop machine in Candy Pink with coffee drinks and capsules

My favorite Nespresso coffee maker just got a fresh new makeover, and now I love it even more

By Cat Ellis published 26 March 25

If you didn't think a coffee machine could be cute, think again.

De'Longhi Linea Classic espresso machine on kitchen counter with hot and cold coffee drinks

I'm a qualified barista, and De'Longhi's latest espresso machine could be this year's best budget buy for coffee lovers

By Cat Ellis published 24 March 25

The Linea Classic has everything you need to brew delicious espresso, and won't break the bank.

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine on kitchen counter

If your kitchen is as small as mine, the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch is one of the best espresso machines you can buy

By Cat Ellis published 23 March 25

Looking for your first espresso machine? The La Specialista Touch is a great choice, and can grow with you as you develop your skills.

Polar's latest software update might have finally convinced me to ditch my Garmin

By Cat Ellis published 23 March 25

TrainingPeaks has been invaluable in my marathon training, and now it's available on Polar devices too.

Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip set up on gaming PC

This Nanoleaf light strip adds Ambilight-style illumination to your gaming setup – and it's amazingly cheap

By Cat Ellis published 21 March 25

The Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip uses USB-C rather than a camera, meaning less latency than other systems.

Setting up your Philips Hue lights is now quicker and easier than ever thanks to the latest app update

By Cat Ellis published 21 March 25

You can use QR codes to add multiple lights and other devices to a room at once.

Smeg kettle and toaster in Jade Green on kitchen counter with spiced tea

Some of Smeg's best kitchen appliances just got a fresh new look, and I think I'm in love

By Cat Ellis published 20 March 25

The new Jade Green shade is like taking a plunge in a lagoon, and now I want to redecorate my whole kitchen.

Various SwitchBot smart home automation devices

Switchbot has totally redesigned its smart home hub – and it's great news for renters

By Cat Ellis published 17 March 25

The new hub has a physical dial, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

I love my Garmin watch, but there's one health feature I've always wished it had

By Cat Ellis published 16 March 25

I'm not a morning person, but this one tool could make waking up less of a chore.

The best Alexa speakers 2025: top smart speakers to control your home

By Cat Ellis last updated 13 March 25

Updated From Amazon to Sonos, these are the best smart speakers to bring the AI-powered Alexa into your smart home.

The best smart display 2025: top smart screens tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated 13 March 25

Updated A smart display is the heart of your home, so make sure you choose the right one.

Person opening door fitted with Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th Gen)

This renter-friendly smart lock fits over your existing door hardware, and costs less than you might expect

By Cat Ellis published 12 March 25

The Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th Gen) can secure your door in just 1.5 seconds.

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