Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

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 17 April 26

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 16 April 26

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 14 April 26

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 14 April 26

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 11 April 26

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 8 April 26

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's tiny and stylish new milk frother will add a touch of flair to your morning coffee routine

By Cat Ellis Published 3 April 26

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 2 April 26

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 26 March 26

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 25 March 26

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 25 March 26

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 21 March 26

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 20 March 26

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

Aarke Coffee Maker in Sand on kitchen counter

Aarke's 'stunning' drip coffee maker looks better than ever, with a stylish new colorway that'll add a splash of sophistication to your kitchen

By Cat Ellis Published 20 March 26

The Aarke Coffee Maker has a fresh new look for 2026 that fits perfectly with this year's freshest kitchen design trends.

KitchenAid stand mixer with pasta roller attachment, with bowls of freshly made pasta

I tried KitchenAid's new super-easy pasta roller, and making flavored spaghetti is my new favorite hobby

By Cat Ellis Published 16 March 26

Just screw this all-purpose attachment onto your stand mixer and start making tagliatelle, spaghetti, linguine and much more.

Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine on kitchen counter

I tested the tiny Russell Hobbs coffee maker that uses grounds or Nespresso pods — but I discovered one infuriating drawback

By Cat Ellis Published 14 March 26

Forget creamy cappuccinos, the Everyday Espresso Machine makes so many bubbles you'll have a personal foam party in your kitchen.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with a variety of coffee drinks

Philips just launched a new coffee maker with a 'conversational' virtual assistant to make sure your cappuccino is just right

By Cat Ellis Published 10 March 26

This premium coffee maker can adjust its own internal brew settings to fine-tune your drinks — no barista knowledge or experience necessary.

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Split image of three Smeg coffee makers with espresso cups

'Consistently well-extracted coffee time after time' — I'm a certified barista, and these are my top 3 Smeg espresso machines

By Cat Ellis Published 9 March 26

I test espresso machines for a living, and these three stylish models will bring a touch of Italian chic to your kitchen counter.

Three smart light bulbs on table with cables, smart speakers, phone, and house plant

'Get enough of these and you could probably throw your own rave' — the 3 best smart light bulbs, recommended by a home tech editor

By Cat Ellis Published 8 March 26

Upgrading to smart lighting costs less than you might expect, whether it's a single room or your whole home.

Split image of herbs chopped using mini food processor, KitchenAid Mini Chopper, and carrot grated using mini food processor

The 3 best mini food processors — compact choppers tested and recommended by a kitchen tech expert

By Cat Ellis Published 6 March 26

Don't let a compact kitchen or a small budget hold you back — these tiny food processors pack real power into a tiny space.

'A marriage of hue and form' — IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp has started landing in stores early, and we can't wait to get our hands on it again

By Cat Ellis Published 3 March 26

The pastel-hued smart lamp was originally scheduled to launch in April, but some shoppers have spotted it on shelves already.

Split image of IKEA Ankarlägg light on a wall in a dark room, and by itself

IKEA's new motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere' — and it doesn't need a hub

By Cat Ellis Published 3 March 26

The Ankarlägg is battery-operated, has a self-adhesive mount, and doesn't need a pricey smart home hub.

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Split image of two coffee maker bean hoppers, and a latte made using a home espresso machine

'Makes using fresh coffee beans as simple as pods' — the 3 best coffee makers with grinders, recommended by a barista

By Cat Ellis Published 1 March 26

Whatever your budget, there's a bean-to-cup espresso machine that will make brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

2 Comments

Split image of three small coffee makers on kitchen counter with green wall

'Tiny brewers that pack a punch' — I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are my top 3 compact coffee makers for small spaces

By Cat Ellis Published 27 February 26

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are my top-rated espresso machines for small kitchens.

De'Longhi Eletta Ultra espresso machine on kitchen counter

De'Longhi just upgraded one of my favorite coffee makers with 'Silent Technology' to make mornings 65% quieter

By Cat Ellis Published 26 February 26

The new De'Longhi Eletta Ultra can make 50 hot and cold drinks, split into 'curated' menus to help you find something you'll enjoy.

Cat Ellis

Articles by: Cat Ellis

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