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

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.

Split image of three home security cameras

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

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

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.

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

The best video doorbell: security for your home, wherever you are

By James Capell last updated

Updated We've spent months testing video doorbells from big and small brands to help you make the right choice.

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 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: quick and convenient fryers to feed a family

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Air fryers for quick meals in small spaces, tested by our team of experts in real-world conditions.

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.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro mounted beside door

Ring just launched a battery-powered version of its premium 4K video doorbell, so you can install it 'virtually anywhere' with no wires

By Cat Ellis published

Ring just released a new premium 4K video doorbell, alongside three more 2K alternatives — here's everything you need to know.

The Samsung Trifold, Spider-Man swinging and the Apple AirPods Max 2

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's AirPod Max 2 surprise to Nvidia DLSS 5 backlash

By Hamish Hector published

The week's top tech news stories from Apple, Sony, Nothing, Nvidia, and more for March 21, 2026

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