Cat Ellis

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

Smart bird feeder, outdoor lights, water sensor, pizza oven, fan, and speaker on blue and green background
12 gadgets that will turn your mini garden into the perfect spot for watching nature or entertaining — from $20

By Cat Ellis Published

With the right tech, even the smallest outdoor space can become a haven for wildlife, or the coolest spot for dining al fresco this summer.

Person wearing black gloves washing air fryer basket in kitchen sink
Do you have a 'kitchen graveyard' of broken appliances? Here's how to care for your gadgets and keep them working longer

By Cat Ellis Published

Over a third of people have a broken kitchen appliance gathering dust in a cabinet, say experts, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Melitta AromaFresh Pro Therm coffee maker on kitchen counter
The Melitta AromaFresh Therm Pro is an almost-great drip coffee maker — but it's let down by its most novel feature

By Cat Ellis Published

The AromaFresh Therm Pro grinds exactly the right amount of beans for your brew, but the uneven results mean inconsistent flavor from your coffee.

Collection of oak wood, green, and chrome IKEA furniture and homewares in a living room
IKEA has just revealed a chic inflatable chair that's a masterpiece in design — here's how to style it in your home

By Cat Ellis Published

Use neutral oak furniture and soft lighting to make this striking chair the star, and pick out its colors with splashes of green and chrome.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated blue, mounted on wall
This fun IKEA lamp is a brilliant talking point in my home, and my friends can't believe how cheap it was

By Cat Ellis Published

The IKEA Varmblixt is a color-shifting light that can be fitted on a wall or placed on a table, and will grab the attention of your friends when they visit.

Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer with cable arranged in the shape of a plane
Forget wheezy hotel hair dryers — the Dyson Supersonic Travel is small enough to fit in your carry-on bag

By Cat Ellis Published

The Dyson Supersonic Travel will give you a break from wheezy hotel hair dryers, and adapts to suit the voltage in your vacation destination.

Collection of blue, white, and black office furniture and accessories, including blue IKEA Billy bookcase
IKEA's iconic Billy bookcase just got a makeover, so here's how to style it in your home

By Cat Ellis Published

Over 140 million Billy bookcases have been sold worldwide, but this new blue version is a limited edition.

Woman painting white wall green using a roller
'So we've got a proper four wall bedroom situation': I asked Alexa+ to help redecorate my apartment, and she has a great eye for design

By Cat Ellis Published

It turns out Amazon's AI-powered assistant has a much better eye for design than me — and it really loves sage green.

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic espresso machine on kitchen counter with coffee beans, oat milk, and snake plant
De'Longhi's super-smart new coffee maker 'learns' your favorite hot and cold drinks, and brews them in moments

By Cat Ellis Published

The De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic has a huge menu of drinks, and pushes your favorites to the top of the list depending on the time of day.

Meatball-flavored IKEA and Chupa-Chups lollipop in front of abstract blue and yellow background
'We heard you like Swedish candy' — IKEA's meatball-flavored lollipop started as an April Fools joke, but now it's really happening, and you can try it soon

By Cat Ellis Published

The meaty lollipop will be given away in IKEA stores next month so you can sample the, er, interesting flavor yourself.

Dyson PencilWash being used to mop a kitchen floor
Dyson's latest floor cleaner is a super-slim electric mop that got my hard floors sparkling in minutes

By Cat Ellis Published

Recommended

The Dyson PencilWash couldn't be easier to use, and makes light work of wet and dry dirt, but only if your wallet can stand it.

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone robot vacuum and dog carrying cleaning tool
The smartest wet-dry robovac yet? This new Ecovacs model identifies dried-on stains, pre-treats to soften them, then scrubs them away for spotless floors

By Cat Ellis Published

The Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone uses camera and infrared detection to seek out tough spots, and employs high-pressure water jets to soften them.

Jura Automatic Milk Frother on gray background
Want cafe-quality lattes at home without buying an expensive new coffee machine? Jura's new gadget upgrades your drinks with perfectly foamed milk every time

By Cat Ellis Published

Jura's new Automatic Milk Frother prepares silky hot and cold microfoam for espresso-based drinks, and can even make hot chocolate.

Collection of coffee-making accessories on kitchen counter
I created my dream coffee corner at IKEA for under $100 — and my mornings are about to get a lot cozier

By Cat Ellis Published

Making a dedicated space for your morning will make preparing coffee more relaxing, and help get your day off to the right start.

Split image of IKEA Gömpyssling light inside cupboard, and person removing film from the adhesive mount on the back of the light
IKEA just launched a tiny motion-sensitive light that you can stick anywhere — and you can get two for $5 right now

By Cat Ellis Published

You can stick the IKEA Gömpyssling lights anywhere, and they're so versatile you'll want a set for every room.

Woman holding white Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan
Feeling the heat? The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan is portable, wearable, and will keep you cool anywhere

By Cat Ellis Published

Place this compact fan on your desk at work, carry it on public transport, or wear it around your neck to keep you cool at festivals.

Smeg espresso machine and coffee grinder on kitchen counter
Smeg's new coffee maker prepares hot or cold espresso in three minutes — I tested it, and said it's 'an absolute pleasure to use' every morning

By Cat Ellis Published

The Smeg ECF03 is now available in the US, and arrives alongside a new coffee grinder to complete your morning coffee routine.

IKEA Soluppgang kitchenware arranged outdoors
IKEA just launched a kitchen collection to bring the backcountry into your home — and as a homes editor, I'm in love

By Cat Ellis Published

The new Soluppgång range starts at just $4

Shower head in a darkened room
Beyond the 'dark showering' trend — these expert lighting tips will really help you get a better night's sleep

By Cat Ellis Published

Bathing with the lights down can help you relax before bed, but what other tricks can you use to nod off faster and sleep more soundly?

Smeg Mini Milk Frother
Smeg's tiny and stylish new milk frother will add a touch of flair to your morning coffee routine

By Cat Ellis Published

My all-time favorite milk frother has a fresh new look and can turn plant-based or dairy milk into thick and creamy foam for perfect cappuccinos.

Dark blue KitchenAid Artisan Plus stand mixer on kitchen counter
KitchenAid's new premium stand mixer has one brilliant feature I didn't realize I needed in my baking

By Cat Ellis Published

The KitchenAid Artisan Plus offers a more powerful motor, finer control, and a bowl light that lets you easily check on your ingredients.

Split image of Ecovacs Winbot Mini and Switchbot K10 Plus
My apartment is always sparkling clean, and I owe it all to these two robots

By Cat Ellis Published

This robot vacuum and window cleaner duo are specially designed for small spaces, and will drastically reduce the amount of time you spend scrubbing.

Split image of IKEA and Philips Hue light bars
IKEA just released a super cheap Philips Hue Play Light Bar lookalike, but there's one big drawback

By Cat Ellis Published

The new IKEA lamp costs the same as a cup of coffee, but don't expect it to create an immersive home theater experience.

Split image of three De'Longhi coffee makers
Looking for a cheap De'Longhi coffee maker? I'm a trained barista, and I've found 5 awesome offers at Amazon right now

By Cat Ellis Published

Amazon is holding a spring sale, and there's never been a better time to grab a five-star espresso machine.

Woman drinking espresso near De'Longhi Eletta Ultra coffee maker
Can't decide which coffee to choose? De'Longhi's new espresso machine offers over 50 options grouped by 'mood and style'

By Cat Ellis Published

The menu is huge, but it's easy to find exactly what you want.

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