Articles by Ruth Hamilton, Homes Editor

Ruth is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in air (vacuum cleaners, robovacs, fans and air purifiers), and hair (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). She has been in consumer journalism since 2020, reviewing and writing about everything from outdoor kit to mattresses and wellness gadgets, with stints on Tom's Guide and T3 before joining TechRadar. Before that, she worked on various design titles, in print and online.

Articles by: Ruth Hamilton

Shark Stratos upright vacuum cleaner against a magenta and blue background

The best upright vacuum 2025: powerful vacuums for deeper cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 14 May 25

Browse the best upright vacuums around, tested and approved by experienced reviewers.

Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop

I test robot vacuums for a living, and this new bot has the best mopping system I've seen

By Ruth Hamilton published 13 May 25

The newly unveiled Deebot X9 Pro Omni promises less gunk and less smearing.

best vacuum cleaners with the new TechRadar background

We’ve been testing the best vacuum cleaners for almost a decade – here are our top picks

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 12 May 25

Updated All of these vacuums have been put through their paces by TechRadar's team of experts.

The HEPA filter from inside the Blueair air purifier sits facing forward on a wood surface against a pink background.

What is a HEPA filter, and what is it used for?

By Ruth Hamilton published 11 May 25

HEPA filters are common in air purifiers and vacuums. Here's more on what they do, and whether they're worth prioritizing in the appliance you're shopping for.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right.

6 questions to ask before choosing an air purifier

By Ruth Hamilton published 10 May 25

Top tips to help you choose an air purifier that fits your needs and works in your space.

Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum being tested in a living room

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review: lightweight, efficient and modern

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 9 May 25

Recommended

Although not the most powerful vac we've tested, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless is an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs.

A range of Dyson fans against a pink background with Tech Radar, Big savings written in white to the left.

Need to cool off? There's a massive sale on Dyson fans right now – here are the 3 best deals

By Ruth Hamilton published 9 May 25

Many of Dyson's coveted fans are the cheapest they've ever been – here's your chance to pick one up at a (kind of) bargain price.

Dyson V8 against an orange and blue background

The best vacuum for carpet 2025: powerful suction for deep cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 7 May 25

Keep your home spotless, with minimal effort, by using the best vacuum for carpet.

Dyson Ball Animal upright vacuum cleaner

Which type of vacuum cleaner should I buy?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 6 May 25

We compare the pros and cons of the various vacuum types, from nimble cordless stick vacuums to robust and powerful uprights.

Close up of navigation puck and buttons on Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum

7 things I wish I'd known before getting my first robot vacuum

By Ruth Hamilton published 3 May 25

In 14 months of testing robovacs, here are the most important things I've learned.

Air circulator (left) and a regular fan (right)

Air circulator vs fan: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?

By Ruth Hamilton published 2 May 25

They can look very similar, but air circulators work differently to most other fans – here's how to pick the right option for your needs.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum on blue background

The best robot vacuum 2025: top robovacs to keep every home dust-free

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 1 May 25

Updated Your guide to the top robot vacuums (and mops) for hassle-free cleaning, as recommended by experienced reviewers.

Man using FlexBreeze Pro Mist fan on a tennis court (left) and a couple using the fan on a camping trip

Shark goes for broke and straps a water tank onto its latest fan so it can blast you with cool mist all day

By Ruth Hamilton published 30 April 25

The FlexBreeze Pro Mist will envelope you in a cooling cloud, and I can't think of anything more refreshing.

The best Dyson vacuum cleaner 2025: maneuverable, powerful cleaners

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 29 April 25

Buying Guide You guide to the best Dyson vacuums for every need and budget – tried, tested and compared by experienced reviewers.

best robot vacuum for pet hair: Ecovacs DEEBOT T20 Omni robot vacuum

The best robot vacuum for pet hair 2025: reviewed by experts

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 25 April 25

Buying Guide Your guide to the best robot vacuums for pet hair – ideal for those with shedding pets.

The best beard trimmer and electric razors 2025: trim, shape and style

By Michelle Rae Uy last updated 25 April 25

The best beard trimmers and electric razors for every kind of style and every budget

iRobot just launched a new 'flagship' Roomba, but it's less impressive than its existing models – and I'm confused

By Ruth Hamilton published 24 April 25

The new Roomba Max 705 Vac looks very capable, but I'm struggling to get excited about it.

The best cordless vacuum 2025: tried and tested by experts

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 23 April 25

Our experts have tested the best cordless vacuums for convenient, flexible cleaning. Here are our top picks from Shark, Dyson, Samsung and more.

6 ways to extend the life of your Dyson Airwrap

By Ruth Hamilton published 23 April 25

Top tips to make your Airwrap last as long as possible, plus sustainable options for what to do if you need to replace yours.

Reviewer having her hair done with a Dyson Airwrap i.d. in a salon

How to get your Airwrap curls to hold, plus more top tips for getting the most from your Dyson multi-styler

By Ruth Hamilton published 21 April 25

I had my hair done by a celeb stylist – here's what he taught me about how to use the Dyson Airwrap the right way.

Dyson Gen5detect vacuum (left) vs Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum (right)

Shark PowerDetect Cordless vs Dyson Gen5detect: which brand's range-topping vacuum cleaner is better?

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 April 25

I tested Shark and Dyson's most expensive vacuums side-by-side – here's what I found out.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer (left) and Airwrap (right)

Dyson Supersonic vs Airwrap: do I need both?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 15 April 25

Two ultra-popular tools, but both pretty pricey – I've tested both, so which one should you buy?

This curling wand looks like a drill and I'm not sure if it's dumb or genius

By Ruth Hamilton published 14 April 25

MDLondon has reinvented the curling wand, and if it actually works it could be a game-changer.

Dyson Airwrap i.d. with conical airwrap barrel attached

Dyson Airwrap i.d. review: a major upgrade on the original

By Ruth Hamilton published 12 April 25

Recommended

The 2024 Airwrap i.d. might look like its predecessor, but that extra button on the front is the key to effortless curls.

The best blender 2025: Ninja, Vitamix, Nutribullet and more

By Cat Ellis last updated 9 April 25

Updated Powerful home blenders from all the big brands, tested and rated by kitchen experts.

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