Articles by Carrie-Ann Skinner

Carrie-Ann Skinner was formerly Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has more than two decades of experience in both online and print journalism, with 13 years of that spent covering all-things tech. Carrie specializes in smart home devices such as smart plugs and smart lights, as well as large and small appliances including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, stand mixers, and coffee machines. Carrie is now a copy editor at PWC.

Articles by: Carrie-Ann Skinner

How do robot vacuums work, and should I buy one?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 12 June 21

Love the idea of a robot vacuum but not sure how it works and what it does? Our robo-vacuum guide will clean things up

HomePod Mini and Nanoleaf Essential smart home devices

Apple bringing Siri to third-party devices is an absolute game changer

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 11 June 21

Apple has taken one of the best aspects of Alexa and Google Assistant - third-party support - to give Siri a fighting chance to be the voice assistant for your smart home.

Snap up one of the best smart plugs for its (almost) lowest price ever

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 11 June 21

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 has been discounted almost 50%, offering a hefty saving.

Amazon smart plug review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 10 June 21

The Amazon Smart Plug is an affordable way to control electrical devices in your home through Alexa, but how does it compare to rival plugs from TP-Link and Eve?

Eve Energy smart plug review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 8 June 21

Eve Energy is a HomeKit-compatible smart plug that can track your power consumption, but how does this expensive smart plug compare to those from TP-Link and Amazon?

Panasonic EH-NA65 hair dryer review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 4 June 21

The Panasonic EH-NA65 hair dryer is an unusual looking appliance that offers fast speeds and shiny locks – but how does it stack up against rivals from GHD and Dyson?

Ring Video Doorbell Pro vs Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

Ring removes the most controversial feature from its Neighbors app

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 3 June 21

Ring is replacing direct video requests from police and fire departments in its Neighbors app with public posts – here’s what you need to know.

TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 3 June 21

The TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 is a bulky but affordable smart plug that can monitor the energy consumption of any device connected to it.

Philips Hue app update improves using smart lights for home security

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 3 June 21

Philips has launched Hue 4.0 - a new version of its iOS and Android app that controls its smart lights - here’s everything you need to know

Eufy’s new range fixes the biggest issue with home security cameras

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 2 June 21

Eufy has launched the SoloCam range of home security cameras with built-in local storage, but how will they compare to rivals from Ring and Arlo?

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 2 June 21

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 is a compact, affordable smart plug – but can it rival those from Amazon and Eve?

Dyson Omni-glide vs Dyson V15 Detect: Which new cordless vacuum is best for you?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 31 May 21

We tested the Dyson V15 Detect against the new Dyson Omni-glide to find out which really is the best cordless vacuum.

Dyson Omni-glide review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 25 May 21

The DysonOmni-glide is one of Dyson’s more affordable vacuums, and it can be maneuvered in any direction thanks to its unique multi-directional cleaning head.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro review

By Luke Edwards, Carrie-Ann Skinner published 25 May 21

See, hear and interact with anyone at your door using your phone, your smart speaker and plenty more.

Amazon Echo Flex review

By Cliff Joseph, Carrie-Ann Skinner published 24 May 21

Recommended

The Amazon Echo Flex mini marvel extends Amazon’s lead in the smart-home market yet again.

Amazon Echo Show 10 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 24 May 21

Updated The Amazon Echo Show 10 has a rotating 10.1-inch display that’s always within your eyeline, and a 13MP camera that can double as a home security camera.

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2019) review

By Henry St Leger, Carrie-Ann Skinner published 24 May 21

Updated This scaled-down smart display is certainly compact, but where does the Echo Show 5 (2019) fit in Amazon's product range?

How do video doorbells work?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 24 May 21

If you like the idea of a video doorbell but not sure how it works and what it does, then here’s all you need to know.

Dyson V15 Detect vacuum handstick with lasers

Dyson V15 Detect is officially the best vacuum cleaner of 2021

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 21 May 21

Dyson has retained its crown as the best vacuum cleaner of 2021 with the V15 Detect - discover why we rate this vacuum cleaner brand so highly.

Roidmi R10 cordless vacuum cleaner review

By Lauren Mulville, Carrie-Ann Skinner published 21 May 21

The Roidmi R10, which was previously called the Roidmi S1E, is a lightweight, compact cordless vacuum that performs well on hard floors.

Android and Nest devices will soon play nice with other smart home gear

By Sharmishta Sarkar, Carrie-Ann Skinner published 20 May 21

Google is planning on adding a new smart home connectivity protocol called Matter to its Nest and Android devices.

Roidmi RS60 cordless vacuum cleaner review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 18 May 21

The Roidmi RS60 is an expensive cordless vacuum cleaner that can mop floors as well, but can it rival top-of-the-range cleaners from Dyson and Miele?

Google Nest Hub 2 vs Amazon Echo Show 8: pick the right smart display for you

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 17 May 21

The Google Nest Hub 2 and the Amazon Echo Show 8 are both competent smart displays for your home. We round up the major differences between the two.

How one air fryer showed I can never go back to cooking fries in the oven again

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 16 May 21

Air fryers may seem like another useless kitchen gadget that but here’s why one writer will never go back to her usual french fry-making method again

Echo Show 8 (2021) vs Echo Show 5 (2021): which Amazon smart display is for you?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 15 May 21

Weighing up whether to buy the new Echo Show 5 or the Echo Show 8? We compare the early specs

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Carrie-Ann Skinner

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