Articles by 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

Split image of fries cooked using air fryer, Ninja 5-in-1 air fryer, and burger cooked using air fryer

Looking for a Ninja air fryer? I test them for a living, and these are the 3 I'd buy for my own kitchen

By Cat Ellis published 21 December 25

Whether you're cooking a side of fries or dinner for the whole family, there's a Ninja air fryer for your kitchen.

Split image of iced coffee, coffee machine dispensing espresso, and espresso cup on coffee maker drip tray

The 3 best De'Longhi coffee makers you can buy – recommended by a barista

By Cat Ellis published 20 December 25

De'Longhi makes some of the best espresso machines I've ever used, and these are my top picks.

Your Ring doorbell can now use Alexa+ to identify who's calling and give them an appropriate greeting

By Cat Ellis published 18 December 25

Alexa+ Greetings can recognize and give instructions to delivery people, greet friends and family, and (politely) turn away cold callers.

Ground coffee in portafilter, automatic espresso machine dispensing espresso, and caffe latte in glass cup

The best coffee maker: espresso and filter made easy

By Cat Ellis last updated 16 December 25

Updated Coffee makers that you can rely on to produce consistently delicious results, whatever style you prefer.

Looking for a cheap coffee maker? I'm a trained barista and these are my three top recommendations

By Cat Ellis published 16 December 25

The cost of takeout coffee has rocketed, so pick up one of these excellent budget brewers and save cash by making your own at home.

This home security cam monitors your property 24/7 with 'unlimited' battery life – and it costs less than you might expect

By Cat Ellis published 15 December 25

IMOU's latest point-and-tilt camera uses a solar panel, high-capacity battery, and power-efficient recording for constant surveillance.

Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker with caffe latte

The Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly is a super affordable coffee maker, but beware – there's a catch that means it could cost you in the long run

By Cat Ellis published 13 December 25

Looking for a cheap and cheerful coffee maker? The Finesse Friendly could be the one for you, but mind how much you're spending on pods.

Split image of three drip coffee makers on kitchen counter

Want a new drip coffee maker? I'm a trained barista, and these are my 3 top recommendations for your kitchen

By Cat Ellis published 9 December 25

Upgrade your mornings with a new brewer for perfect pour-over every time.

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

Want a cheap Ring doorbell alternative? I'm a smart home tech expert, and these are the 3 I recommend

By Cat Ellis published 7 December 25

Affordable video doorbells with no subscription fees

Coffee maker dispensing steamed milk into glass cup

Love lattes? I test coffee makers for a living and these are my top 3 recommendations for the creamiest drinks

By Cat Ellis published 3 December 25

Tired of paying a premium for take-out lattes? These three coffee makers will handle all the prep for you.

portafilter full of coffee, espresso dispensing from espresso machine, and hand pulling espresso machine tamper

The best espresso machine: home coffee makers tested by experts

By Cat Ellis published 29 November 25

Updated Expert-recommended espresso machines to give you a morning jump-start.

The best video doorbell: security for your home, wherever you are

By Cat Ellis published 29 November 25

Updated We've spent months testing video doorbells from big and small brands to help you make the right choice.

Lavazza Assoluta coffee machine with drink and two bags of coffee

The Lavazza Assoluta is a quirky coffee machine that adjusts its own settings to suit your beans – provided you buy the right ones

By Cat Ellis published 16 November 25

If you don't mind sticking with Lavazza's own beans, the Assoluta will deliver consistently well-extracted coffee every morning.

Coffee beans in hopper, latte macchiato, and person's hand using bean-to-cup coffee machine

I've tested over a dozen coffee makers this year, and these are the 3 top bean-to-cup machines I recommend

By Cat Ellis published 3 November 25

Enjoy perfect coffee at the touch of a button, whether you prefer a strong espresso or a silky latte.

Nespresso Festive Collection Sweet Almond and Hibiscus capsules

I tried Nespresso's Christmassy new Sweet Almond and Hibiscus coffee, and it was like sipping a marzipan-infused latte

By Cat Ellis published 2 November 25

The festive flavor of a German Christmas market, ready within one minute.

Nesprsso Festive Collection Double Espresso capsules

I tried Nespresso's Festive Edition Double Espresso, and it gave me the energy to finish my Christmas shopping a month early

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

A toasty and fruity espresso that tastes festive but doesn't rely on added flavors.

The color-changing Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle is giving me a moment of peace in the morning, and it's perfect for Christmas

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

Turn your first brew of the day into a minute of mindfulness with soothing sounds and shifting light effects.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Need help buying the best phone for you? Here’s what the TechRadar experts use, and how to score a good deal

By Roland Moore-Colyer published 1 November 25

With the Black Friday deals already here, now's a great time to snap up a brilliant phone that has the TechRadar seal of approval.

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 published 31 October 25

Updated Air fryers for quick meals in small spaces, tested by our team of experts in real-world conditions.

Nespresso machine dispensing coffee, latte made using Nespresso machine, and Nespresso capsules

The 3 best Nespresso machines for delicious coffee in an instant, recommended by a trained barista

By Cat Ellis published 29 October 25

If you want your coffee as quickly as possible, a Nespresso machine could be exactly what you need, and these are three of the best.

Coffee grounds in brew basket, cup of drip coffee, and settings on drip coffee machine

The 3 best drip coffee machines for your kitchen, recommended by a qualified barista

By Cat Ellis published 27 October 25

The best batch brewers for preparing delicious drip coffee and keeping it hot and tasty for hours.

The Lavazza Assoluta adjusts its own brew settings to suit your beans, but does it make a good espresso?

By Cat Ellis published 26 October 25

An espresso machine that aims to take the trial-and-error out of espresso.

The chic Smeg ECF03 looks like it came straight out of the 1950s, and brews consistently great hot and cold espresso

By Cat Ellis published 24 October 25

The new ECF03 is the most stylish way to prepare your morning pick-me-up.

The best bean-to-cup coffee machine 2025: quick and convenient coffee makers tested

By Cat Ellis last updated 23 October 25

Updated We've tested the best bean-to-cup coffee machines to find the best options from De'Longhi, Breville, Ninja, Gaggia and more.

The 7 best blenders: top models from Vitamix, Smeg, and Nutribullet tested by home tech experts

By Cat Ellis last updated 22 October 25

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

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