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, and holds a professional certificate in security awareness for smart homes.. 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

Man struggling in hot weather, holding a desktop electric fan close to himself
You're using your fan all wrong — these 3 top tips will help you cool down your home properly and stay comfortable in a heatwave

By Cat Ellis Published

Even a cheap electric fan can make a real difference to the temperature in your home — but only if you use it the right way.

Split image of coffee beans in hopper of Philips Baristina coffee maker, and the coffee maker dispensing a shot of espresso into a glass measuring cup
Still using coffee capsules? You're not alone, but brewing with fresh beans can be just as easy — here's how

By Cat Ellis Published

Coffee capsules are OK in a pinch, but preparing espresso can be just as quick and easy if you have the right machine.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with bottle of oat milk
The Philips Café Aromis makes the best oat milk latte I've ever had from a home coffee maker — and it looks great as well

By Cat Ellis Published

This 'conversational' coffee maker talks you through choosing the right settings, and transforms even plant-based milks into thick, creamy foam in seconds.

The Android robot next to an iPhone and Insta360 GO 3S Retro
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android 17's showcase to Claude cracking a $400,000 crypto wallet

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android, Apple, Insta360 and more.

Three coffee makers on a beige background surrounded by latte-making equipment and ingredients
It's time to ditch your takeout coffee habit — I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality lattes at home

By Cat Ellis Published

Making cafe-quality drinks at home is a piece of cake when you have the right machine, and these are the best I've tested for perfectly foamed milk.

Split image of plant with Willow sensor, and plant health overview in Willow app
‘Eva Green is not vibing with her surroundings’ — can these smart sensors help me keep my houseplants alive?

By Cat Ellis Published

Willow will let you know exactly what your houseplants need to grow strong and healthy — if you don't mind being bossed about by a fern.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated green, on table
IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp shines candy-colored light anywhere in your home, though the app experience isn't quite as sweet

By Cat Ellis Published

This lamp is guaranteed to grab guests' attention, but if you're new to smart home tech, you may prefer to skip the app and use its remote control instead.

Split image showing coffee beans in hopper, controls on top of espresso machine, and espresso being dispensed into a glass cup
I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 budget-friendly coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality drinks at home, from De'Longhi, Ninja and Philips

By Cat Ellis Published

Coffee shop prices have shot through the roof, so it's a good time to pick up your own coffee maker to prepare your favorite drinks at home instead.

Two smart locks installed on doors
The best smart locks 2026: keyless security systems tested by experts

By James Capell Last updated

Updated The most secure and reliable smart locks for keyless convenience.

Person wearing black gloves washing air fryer basket in kitchen sink
Do you have a 'kitchen graveyard' of broken appliances? Here's how to care for your gadgets and keep them working longer

By Cat Ellis Published

Over a third of people have a broken kitchen appliance gathering dust in a cabinet, say experts, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Melitta AromaFresh Pro Therm coffee maker on kitchen counter
The Melitta AromaFresh Therm Pro is an almost-great drip coffee maker — but it's let down by its most novel feature

By Cat Ellis Published

The AromaFresh Therm Pro grinds exactly the right amount of beans for your brew, but the uneven results mean inconsistent flavor from your coffee.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

Philips Hue lightbulbs, Apple HomePod mini speaker, and Blink security camera on purple background
The best smart home devices 2026: smart speakers, lights, hubs, and more

By James Capell Last updated

Updated Never mind repainting: with smart home tech you can completely transform how your home looks and works. These are our favorite bits of smart home kit

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