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. 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

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.

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

The best coffee maker 2026: espresso and filter made easy

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Coffee makers you can rely on for consistently great results, whatever your preferred brew style.

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.

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

The best bean-to-cup coffee maker 2026: quick and convenient espresso machines tested

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

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

The best espresso machine 2026: home coffee makers tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

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.

Split image of three home security cameras

The best home security cameras: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated We've tested masses of security cameras in our own homes to bring you this guide to the very best.

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.

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

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

By James Capell last updated

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

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 fries cooked in air fryer, front view of Ninja air fryer, and steak being cooked in air fryer with heat probe

The best air fryers: 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.

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

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