Cat Ellis

Cat Ellis

Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, and worked on print magazines including PC Plus, Official Windows Magazine, and PC Format before moving online. She's also a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista, so whether you want to upgrade your smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

KitchenAid stand mixer with wooden bowl in Porcelain White

KitchenAid's enormously popular wooden bowl stand mixer is back – and I think it looks better than ever

By Cat Ellis published

The updated Artisan mixer has the same natural walnut wood accents, with a fresh new Porcelain White color scheme.

Split image of Lavazza Assoluta Bean-to-Cup coffee machine and Lavazza mobile app

Lavazza's smart new coffee machine automatically adjusts its settings to suit your beans – and it looks stunning too

By Cat Ellis published

The Lavazza Assoluta looks amazing, and I can't wait to test it in my own kitchen.

Montage of Philips, De'Longhi, and KitchenAid coffee machines

The best 3 espresso machines for beginners, recommended by a qualified barista

By Cat Ellis published

Never used an espresso machine before? Don't be intimidated – these three machines make it as easy as pie.

An Amazon teaser showing new Echo and Kindle devices

New Echos and Kindles are coming soon – 5 things to expect from Amazon's big 2025 hardware launch

By Mark Wilson published

Amazon has shared an invite for a major product launch later this month – here's what we think is coming based on its revealing teaser.

Montage of three wireless video doorbells

I'm a smart home tech editor, and these are the 3 best wireless video doorbells that you can install in minutes

By Cat Ellis published

Home security doesn't have to be complicated – these top-notch video doorbells can be installed in a couple of minutes each.

De'Longhi Dedica Duo coffee machine

Brewing hot and cold espresso is a piece of cake with the cute little De'Longhi Dedica Duo – and it costs less than you might expect

By Cat Ellis published

I thought the Dedica Style couldn't be beaten, but it looks like I might have been wrong.

Split image of three super-automatic espresso machines

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are the top 3 super-automatic espresso machines I recommend for one-touch brewing

By Cat Ellis published

It's time to wave goodbye to your neighborhood barista – soon you'll be brewing cafe-quality coffee at home with zero effort.

A sign of the IFA logo, with the Messe Berlin complex in the background

Best of IFA 2025 awards – our 15 favorite tech reveals at the show, from next-gen TVs to stair-climbing robo-vacs

By Matt Bolton published

From hybrid gaming laptops to AI home robots to elite turntables, IFA in Berlin saw tech innovations of all kinds.

Reolink TrackFlexFloodlight WiFi camera mounted on exterior wall

Reolink's new subscription-free security camera protects your home with 360-degree coverage and super-bright floodlights

By Cat Ellis published

Reolink is also launching AI-powered search so you can use natural language to find a specific moment, with no extra fees.

Swann MaxRanger4K Mini Wireless System

Swann's latest home security camera will protect your home with 4K footage and sharp night vision – and it's subscription-free

By Cat Ellis published

There's a new entry-level version of the MaxRanger4K, with a more compact design and the same sharp recording.

Philips Hue Bridge Pro

The Philips Hue Bridge Pro is finally on sale, but there's something you should know before you buy one

By Cat Ellis published

The Bridge Pro can support three times as many lights as the Bridge V2, but there's a temporary snag.

Split image of the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell and Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus

Philips Hue takes on Ring with its first video doorbell – but which deserves a place on your wall?

By Cat Ellis published

Hue's new doorbell gives you a lot of bang for your buck

Split image of Philips Hue Bridge Pro, Philips Hue Essential bulbs, and Philips Hue Video Doorbell

Over 10 new Philips Hue devices just landed – here's everything you need to know about the Bridge Pro, OmniGlow, and more

By Cat Ellis published

It's the biggest Philips Hue product drop ever, and you're in the right place to find all the details about every new launch.

Split image of three blenders in use

I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are the top 6 blenders I recommend for everything from soup to slushies

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

Blink Video Doorbell Gen 2 on purple background with white text reading 'TechRadar don't miss'

The brand new Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) is down to just $34.99 with this epic Labor Day deal

By Cat Ellis published

The new Blink Video Doorbell is super easy to install and use, and earned four stars in our review.

Bosch ErgoMaster Serie 3 blender

I've used the Bosch ErgoMaster Series 6 for two weeks, and it's already replaced my blender, food processor, and whisk

By Cat Ellis published

A powerful multi-function stick blender that's super comfortable to use and remarkably versatile – just as long as you don't need crushed ice.

Smeg espresso machine on teal background with white text reading 'TechRadar big savings'

I'm a trained barista, and these are my 5 top espresso machine deals in this year's Labor Day sales

By Cat Ellis published

There's never been a better time to snag a coffee machine from big brands including De'Longhi, Philips, and Smeg.

Split image of Swann MaxRanger4K Solar, Reolink Altas PT Ultra, and Blink Outdoor 4 cameras

I test smart home tech for a living, and these are the 3 outdoor security cameras I recommend to my family and friends

By Cat Ellis published

These are the cameras I trust to protect what matters most (and two of them don't need a subscription).

google nest

'Who in the hell would want red cameras?' – details of four new Nest devices have leaked, but has Google lost the smart home race already?

By Cat Ellis published

Amazon's speakers, doorbells, and cameras will almost certainly be cheaper, but Gemini for Home could give Google an edge.

Smeg milk frother

Smeg's new Mini Milk Frother prepares perfect foam for cappuccinos – but it's too thick for latte art

By Cat Ellis published

Smeg's super-compact frother is whisper-quiet and super simple to use, but only offers one foam texture, and it's seriously thick.

Split image of person putting filter in drip coffee machine, and espresso machine dispensing coffee

I've tested 14 coffee makers in the last year, and these are my 3 favorite budget-friendly options

By Cat Ellis published

You can easily spend hundreds on a coffee maker – but you don't have to.

Casabrews 5418PRO espresso machine on kitchen counter with plant and cup of coffee

The Casabrews 5418 Pro is a super-affordable espresso machine, but too many corners have been cut to make it a good budget buy

By Cat Ellis published

The 5418 Pro has an appealing price tag, but the more I used it, the more the compromises became apparent.

Philips Hue

Are Philips Hue Essential bulbs the cheap smart lights we don't need?

By Cat Ellis published

There's no shortage of brands making affordable smart lights, but it looks like Hue wants a piece of the entry-level pie.

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 fryer 2025: 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.

Swann EVO Wireless Solar security camera mounted on wall

Swann's new subscription-free home security camera stays charged with just 45 minutes of sunlight per day

By Cat Ellis published

The days of climbing up to replace batteries and paying monthly fees to save your video clips are over.

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