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

Split image of three Smeg coffee makers with espresso cups

'Consistently well-extracted coffee time after time' — I'm a certified barista, and these are my top 3 Smeg espresso machines

By Cat Ellis published

I test espresso machines for a living, and these three stylish models will bring a touch of Italian chic to your kitchen counter.

Three smart light bulbs on table with cables, smart speakers, phone, and house plant

'Get enough of these and you could probably throw your own rave' — the 3 best smart light bulbs, recommended by a home tech editor

By Cat Ellis published

Upgrading to smart lighting costs less than you might expect, whether it's a single room or your whole home.

Split image of herbs chopped using mini food processor, KitchenAid Mini Chopper, and carrot grated using mini food processor

The 3 best mini food processors — compact choppers tested and recommended by a kitchen tech expert

By Cat Ellis published

Don't let a compact kitchen or a small budget hold you back — these tiny food processors pack real power into a tiny space.

The Ikea Kallsup in Hot Pink help in a man's hand.

IKEA's tiny, stackable Kallsup speakers let you 'build your own sonic skyscraper', and they're on sale now for $10 each

By Cat Ellis published

Grab as many of these punchy little cubes as your budget will allow, and start building your own 'sonic skyscraper'.

VARMBLIXT donut lamp

'A marriage of hue and form' — IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp has started landing in stores early, and we can't wait to get our hands on it again

By Cat Ellis published

The pastel-hued smart lamp was originally scheduled to launch in April, but some shoppers have spotted it on shelves already.

Split image of IKEA Ankarlägg light on a wall in a dark room, and by itself

IKEA's new motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere' — and it doesn't need a hub

By Cat Ellis published

The Ankarlägg is battery-operated, has a self-adhesive mount, and doesn't need a pricey smart home hub.

Split image of two coffee maker bean hoppers, and a latte made using a home espresso machine

'Makes using fresh coffee beans as simple as pods' — the 3 best coffee makers with grinders, recommended by a barista

By Cat Ellis published

Whatever your budget, there's a bean-to-cup espresso machine that will make brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

Collection of accessories for AeroPress coffee maker

I'm a trained barista, and here are my top 15 AeroPress accessories to take your brewing to the next level

By Cat Ellis published

Upgrade your AeroPress with my guide to the best accessories and add-ons, starting at just $10.

Split image of three small coffee makers on kitchen counter with green wall

'Tiny brewers that pack a punch' — I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are my top 3 compact coffee makers for small spaces

By Cat Ellis published

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are my top-rated espresso machines for small kitchens.

Collection of IKEA kitchen accessories and lights on kitchen counter

IKEA just released a whole heap of smart new kitchen lighting and storage solutions — with prices starting at just $2

By Cat Ellis published

It's the perfect time to start spring cleaning and brighten up your cooking space with these bargain storage and lighting options.

Split image of three blenders in use

The best blender 2026: top models from Vitamix, Smeg, and Nutribullet tested by home tech experts

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Powerful home blenders from big brands, tested with real recipes and rated for power, performance, and volume.

Ground coffee in portafilter, automatic espresso machine dispensing espresso, and caffe latte in glass cup

The best coffee maker 2026: espresso and filter made easy

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Coffee makers that you can rely on to produce consistently delicious results, whatever style you prefer.

Coffee beans in hopper, latte macchiato, and person's hand using bean-to-cup coffee machine

The best bean-to-cup coffee maker 2026: quick and convenient espresso machines tested

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated We've tested the best bean-to-cup coffee makers to find the best options from De'Longhi, Breville, Ninja, Gaggia and more.

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

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

De'Longhi Eletta Ultra espresso machine on kitchen counter

De'Longhi just upgraded one of my favorite coffee makers with 'Silent Technology' to make mornings 65% quieter

By Cat Ellis published

The new De'Longhi Eletta Ultra can make 50 hot and cold drinks, split into 'curated' menus to help you find something you'll enjoy.

Smeg MOC02 Combi Microwave with accessories on kitchen counter

Smeg just launched a stylish microwave and air fryer combo — and it'll cook everything from creamy oatmeal to crispy chicken

By Cat Ellis published

The Smeg MOC02 is four appliances in one, and can switch between modes automatically with sequential cooking.

Nutribullet Power Core blender containing vegetables on kitchen counter

Nutribullet's new blender can hit speeds of 20,000rpm — your vegetables won't know what hit them

By Cat Ellis published

The Nutribullet Core Power is packing a mighty 1,400-watt motor to handle difficult blending jobs.

Philips Baristina coffee maker with espresso

The Philips Baristina is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've ever tested — and it's seriously impressive

By Cat Ellis published

A bargain espresso machine that makes brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

Person using AeroPress Steel to make coffee outdoors

The AeroPress just got a stainless steel upgrade — and it’s perfect for travel

By Cat Ellis published

The iconic coffee brewer is now available in vacuum-insulated stainless steel, with an extra-large capacity for bigger brews anywhere.

Two women sitting on sofa with cups of coffee, looking disgusted

Did someone wash underwear in your hotel coffee machine? Bring a portable espresso maker, and you won't have to worry

By Cat Ellis published

A TikTok influencer claims a flight attendant taught her how to clean underpants in a hotel pour-over machine, and I'll never use one again.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro coffee grinder with person using Sage Bambino coffee maker to brew espresso

Struggling to dial in your coffee grinder? Baratza's new stepless Encore ESP Pro could be exactly what you need

By Cat Ellis published

Dialing in your grinder just got easier, whichever brewing style you prefer.

Philips Baristina espresso machine

The new Philips Baristina coffee maker brews superb espresso, and surprised me with a very cool feature I've never seen before

By Cat Ellis published

If you're looking for an entry-level machine that takes the messier parts of brewing espresso out of your hands, this is the one for you.

Ninja BlendBoss blender

Hands-on with the Ninja BlendBoss — if there's an ingredient this super-powerful blender can't turn into a smoothie, I haven't found it yet

By Cat Ellis published

The funky-looking Ninja BlendBoss is the smoothie-maker of my dreams, making everything from chia seeds to carrots silky-smooth and sippable.

IKEA home office setup with natural wood and green accessories

IKEA home office trends: give your workspace the natural touch with lamps, lights, and accessories in bamboo, rattan, and pine

By Cat Ellis published

Bamboo, rattan, and pine office accessories that will add a breath of spring to your working day.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt attached to blind wand

This little gadget turned me into a morning person by opening my bedroom blinds automatically — and it's on sale for Presidents' Day

By Cat Ellis published

There's no need to splash out on expensive smart blinds when the SwitchBot Blind Tilt can do the same thing for a fraction of the price.

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