Cat Ellis

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

A sign of the IFA logo, with the Messe Berlin complex in the background

Best of IFA 2025 awards – our 15 favorite tech reveals at the show, from next-gen TVs to stair-climbing robo-vacs

By Matt Bolton published

From hybrid gaming laptops to AI home robots to elite turntables, IFA in Berlin saw tech innovations of all kinds.

Reolink TrackFlexFloodlight WiFi camera mounted on exterior wall

Reolink's new subscription-free security camera protects your home with 360-degree coverage and super-bright floodlights

By Cat Ellis published

Reolink is also launching AI-powered search so you can use natural language to find a specific moment, with no extra fees.

Swann MaxRanger4K Mini Wireless System

Swann's latest home security camera will protect your home with 4K footage and sharp night vision – and it's subscription-free

By Cat Ellis published

There's a new entry-level version of the MaxRanger4K, with a more compact design and the same sharp recording.

Philips Hue Bridge Pro

The Philips Hue Bridge Pro is finally on sale, but there's something you should know before you buy one

By Cat Ellis published

The Bridge Pro can support three times as many lights as the Bridge V2, but there's a temporary snag.

Split image of the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell and Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus

Philips Hue takes on Ring with its first video doorbell – but which deserves a place on your wall?

By Cat Ellis published

Hue's new doorbell gives you a lot of bang for your buck

Split image of Philips Hue Bridge Pro, Philips Hue Essential bulbs, and Philips Hue Video Doorbell

Over 10 new Philips Hue devices just landed – here's everything you need to know about the Bridge Pro, OmniGlow, and more

By Cat Ellis published

It's the biggest Philips Hue product drop ever, and you're in the right place to find all the details about every new launch.

Split image of three blenders in use

I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are the top 6 blenders I recommend for everything from soup to slushies

By Cat Ellis last updated

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

Bosch ErgoMaster Serie 3 blender

I've used the Bosch ErgoMaster Series 6 for two weeks, and it's already replaced my blender, food processor, and whisk

By Cat Ellis published

A powerful multi-function stick blender that's super comfortable to use and remarkably versatile – just as long as you don't need crushed ice.

Split image of Swann MaxRanger4K Solar, Reolink Altas PT Ultra, and Blink Outdoor 4 cameras

I test smart home tech for a living, and these are the 3 outdoor security cameras I recommend to my family and friends

By Cat Ellis published

These are the cameras I trust to protect what matters most (and two of them don't need a subscription).

google nest

'Who in the hell would want red cameras?' – details of four new Nest devices have leaked, but has Google lost the smart home race already?

By Cat Ellis published

Amazon's speakers, doorbells, and cameras will almost certainly be cheaper, but Gemini for Home could give Google an edge.

Smeg milk frother

Smeg's new Mini Milk Frother prepares perfect foam for cappuccinos – but it's too thick for latte art

By Cat Ellis published

Smeg's super-compact frother is whisper-quiet and super simple to use, but only offers one foam texture, and it's seriously thick.

Split image of person putting filter in drip coffee machine, and espresso machine dispensing coffee

I've tested 14 coffee makers in the last year, and these are my 3 favorite budget-friendly options

By Cat Ellis published

You can easily spend hundreds on a coffee maker – but you don't have to.

Casabrews 5418PRO espresso machine on kitchen counter with plant and cup of coffee

The Casabrews 5418 Pro is a super-affordable espresso machine, but too many corners have been cut to make it a good budget buy

By Cat Ellis published

The 5418 Pro has an appealing price tag, but the more I used it, the more the compromises became apparent.

Philips Hue

Are Philips Hue Essential bulbs the cheap smart lights we don't need?

By Cat Ellis published

There's no shortage of brands making affordable smart lights, but it looks like Hue wants a piece of the entry-level pie.

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 last updated

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

Swann EVO Wireless Solar security camera mounted on wall

Swann's new subscription-free home security camera stays charged with just 45 minutes of sunlight per day

By Cat Ellis published

The days of climbing up to replace batteries and paying monthly fees to save your video clips are over.

Three juicers being used to prepare fresh fruit juice

The best juicer 2025: tested for juice yield, smoothness, and ease of use

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Our expert team have juiced buckets of produce to bring you this list of the very best centrifugal and cold press juicers around.

Google Nest Mini

'Why should I give Google money?' – former Nest fans decry new leaked model, and I really can't blame them

By Cat Ellis published

Google has given us a sneaky peek at a new Nest smart speaker, but what will it be, and do we really want it?

Split image of two Ninja air fryers, and golden fries cooked inside air fryer

I test kitchen tech for a living, and these are my top 3 Ninja air fryers for quick and tasty meals

By Cat Ellis published

Ninja is the biggest name in air fryers, and these three will make preparing all your favorite dishes a piece of cake.

Woman looking at coffee machines in store

As a trained barista, I want you to know these 3 things before buying your next coffee maker

By Cat Ellis published

A coffee machine can be one of the most expensive appliances in your kitchen, so make sure you pick the best one.

Five coffee makers on picnic blanket

Coffee is my life, and these are my 5 favorite coffee makers for camping adventures

By Cat Ellis published

There's no need to resort to instant coffee granules when you're spending the night under canvas.

Split image of cold brew option on coffee machine, espresso machine dispensing chilled latte macchiato, and machine dispensing espresso onto ice cubes

I've tested 14 coffee makers in the last year, and these are my top 3 picks for making delicious cold-brew at home

By Cat Ellis published

Making smooth and delicious cold-brew doesn't have to take hours with the right coffee maker.

Split image of coffee beans, coffee machine dispensing milk, and latte macchiato made using home coffee machine

Shhh – I test coffee makers for a living, and theses are the top 4 quiet espresso machines I recommend

By Cat Ellis last updated

Does your bean-to-cup machine leave your ears ringing? Here are three quieter alternatives

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

I test smart home tech for a living, and these are the top 3 subscription-free video doorbells I recommend

By Cat Ellis published

Don't get trapped in a payment plan – these doorbells will give you advanced features and local storage for your videos with no added fees.

Split image of three home security cameras

I'm a smart home tech reviewer, and these are the top 3 subscription-free home security cameras I recommend

By Cat Ellis published

Don't pay extra to store your videos and unlock extra security features – these smart cams do it all as standard.

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