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. 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

Split image of fries cooked in air fryer, front view of Ninja air fryer, and steak being cooked in air fryer with heat probe

The best air fryers 2026: from cooking for one to feeding a crowd

By Cat Ellis Last updated 12 August 26

Updated From crispy chips to roast chicken, we've cooked with every air fryer in this guide to help you find the right one for your kitchen.

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 Last updated 10 August 26

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 Published 5 August 26

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 Published 4 August 26

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 Published 2 August 26

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.

Nespresso Verto capsules, machine dispensing espresso into cup, and Nespresso Original capsule in machine

The best Nespresso machines 2026: capsule coffee makers worth your kitchen counter

By Cat Ellis Last updated 30 July 26

Updated Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines tested and recommended by an SCA-certified barista.

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 Last updated 28 July 26

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

"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 Published 28 July 26

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

Split image of Dreo fan in reviewer's home and promotional image of Meaco air conditioner in bedroom

9 tips to get more from your fan or air conditioner — air quality experts on how to keep your whole home cool without spiking your energy bill

By Cat Ellis Published 27 July 26

Interview I asked three air-quality experts how to optimize your fan and portable AC this summer to keep your home cooler without spiking your energy bill.

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 Published 24 July 26

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.

Coffee dripping into carafe, cup of drip coffee, and hand adjusting brew settings on drip coffee maker

The best espresso machines 2026: Tried, tested and worth your countertop

By Cat Ellis Last updated 24 July 26

Updated We've tested the latest drip coffee makers to find the ones worth waking up for.

portafilter full of coffee, espresso dispensing from espresso machine, and hand pulling espresso machine tamper

The best espresso machine 2026: home coffee makers tested by experts

By Cat Ellis Last updated 24 July 26

Updated Expert-recommended espresso machines to give you a morning jump-start.

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 Published 22 July 26

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 Published 22 July 26

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 Published 21 July 26

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

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IKEA Halloween lights set up on table at night

IKEA just dropped its Halloween collection in the middle of summer — and these ghostly lights are so cute, I can't wait until October

By Cat Ellis Published 20 July 26

It might still be the middle of summer, but it's never too early to start getting ready for spooky season — especially when the decorations are this cute.

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 Published 16 July 26

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

De'Longhi Rivelia Start coffee maker in five colors on kitchen counter

The new De'Longhi Rivelia Start is a super-compact coffee maker with a 10-drink menu — including the cold brew we desperately need for sweltering summer days

By Cat Ellis Published 14 July 26

The De'Longhi Rivelia Start can brew 10 different drinks at the tap of a button, including cold brew, and create silky milk foam.

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 Published 13 July 26

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.

The Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp shines a multicoloured aurora effect onto a slanted ceiling.

The best smart lights in 2026: smart lighting for every home

By Cat Ellis Last updated 13 July 26

Updated We've tested the best smart light bulbs and light panels from all the big brands including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf.

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 Published 9 July 26

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 Shark, Meaco, and Dreo fans

We've tested the best fans of 2026 so far — these 5 models from Shark, Dyson, and Dreo are the ones we trust to actually keep us cool

By Cat Ellis Published 8 July 26

We test over a dozen new fans every year on TechRadar — these are the coolest new models that actually deliver on their claims.

Want a cheap Shark fan this summer? Amazon just knocked up to $70 off top-rated models — and these are my 3 expert picks

By Cat Ellis Published 7 July 26

Enjoy a cooling breeze with a super-fine mist of water to keep you feeling refreshed this summer.

Split image of three home security cameras

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

By Cat Ellis Last updated 7 July 26

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

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 Published 5 July 26

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.

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