Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

I'm a certified barista, and these are the best 3 espresso machines I've tested so far this year — and the only ones genuinely worth your kitchen counter space

By Cat Ellis Published 9 July 26

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and these are the three models that have received my seal of approval so far in 2026.

Split image of EZVIZ EP4 internal screen, external camera, and screengrab of footage in app

The EZVIZ EP4 is a great home security camera for renters — but its facial recognition won't stop it from spamming you with alerts when you come home

By Cat Ellis Published 5 July 26

A super-sharp 4K security camera that fits right into your existing peephole — if you don't mind getting notifications when it sees your own face.

Smeg Musa ovens installed in neutral-colored kitchen

'It's a product that doesn't scream for attention, but captures it anyway': designer Carlo Borromeo on his new minimalist Smeg appliances — and why stripping away the color is the brand’s boldest design experiment yet

By Cat Ellis Published 4 July 26

BorromeodeSilva brought the world the denim-coated Smeg fridge in 2012, but the studio's latest partnership was a totally different challenge.

T3 Afar hair dryer folded, with card bundled and nozzle detached

This travel hair dryer is so good, I gave away my full-size one and never looked back

By Cat Ellis Published 14 June 26

Mini dryers aren't just for vacations — pick the right portable and you'll want to use it every day.

Split image of Ezviz peephole camera installed in door, and footage captured by the camera in the Ezviz app

I installed this brilliant peephole camera in 10 minutes, and it's a great subscription-free alternative to a video doorbell for renters and apartment-dwellers

By Cat Ellis Published 14 June 26

If you live in an apartment or rented house, this clever little camera gives you all the best features of a video doorbell without damaging your door.

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine with coffee drinks on kitchen counter

The KitchenAid KF4 brews a beautifully balanced espresso thanks to its Intelligrind system, but its iced drink menu left me cold

By Cat Ellis Published 13 June 26

KitchenAid's latest fully automatic coffee maker is extra compact and makes an excellent espresso, though its 'iced' drinks leave something to be desired.

AeroPress has made the best manual coffee grinder I've ever used — and it's not even close

By Cat Ellis Published 12 June 26

This premium portable grinder doesn't just look great, it also grinds beautifully, however you prefer to make your coffee

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine evaporating water from system

I test a lot of espresso machines, but the new KitchenAid KF4 has one of the smartest features I've ever seen — and it'll stop your coffee maker from getting gross

By Cat Ellis Published 10 June 26

Automatic coffee makers can get pretty gross, but KitchenAid's latest model can evaporate all the water inside to keep itself fresh.

'Elon Musk said he thinks humanoid robots will be in many homes in three years, and I agree with him.' I sat down with Jake Dyson to hear his predictions for AI and robotics in your home — and why you shouldn't throw out your stick vac just yet

By Cat Ellis Published 6 June 26

Dyson's Chief Engineer says robots will be in homes within the next three years — but you shouldn't throw out your stick vacuum just yet.

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan in woman's hand

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is the powerful personal fan you won't want to live without this summer — and it's surprisingly reasonably priced, too

By Cat Ellis Published 5 June 26

Editor's Choice

Wear it, hold it, or keep it on your desk — this stylish portable fan will keep you cool anywhere your summer takes you.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop in green and bronze, in dock in hallway

Tired of your ugly robot vacuum? Shark has a solution — designer robovacs in chic colors that blend with your decor rather than standing out

By Cat Ellis Published 4 June 26

The new Luxe Collection gives one of Shark's best robot vacuums a new look, with subtle colors and coordinating metallic accents you won't want to hide.

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Ninja AutoBarista Pro and Ninja Luxe Cafe coffee maker on kitchen counter with varios coffee drinks and loose coffee beans

Ninja just launched an automatic espresso machine, but should you choose the new AutoBarista Pro or go for the cheaper Ninja Luxe Café? I'm here to help

By Cat Ellis Published 3 June 26

Pick the right Ninja for for your kitchen

Ninja AutoBarista Pro coffee maker on kitchen counter, with person's hand pouring milk out of pitcher

Ninja has solved the biggest, most disgusting problem with home coffee makers, and as a barista, I can't believe nobody thought of it earlier

By Cat Ellis Published 1 June 26

Automatic espresso machines can easily become a breeding ground for mold, but the new Ninja AutoBarista Pro has a case fan to stop that from happening.

Philips Cafe Aromis Series 8000 coffee maker on kitchen counter with coffee and house plant

I spent two weeks with the gorgeous Philips Café Aromis espresso machine, and creating delicious custom coffees has never been so much fun

By Cat Ellis Published 30 May 26

Editor's Choice

Even if you have no barista experience, Aromis has a chatbot-style assistant that will help you tweak the brew settings until your coffee tastes perfect.

Split image of three capsule coffee makers

Want great coffee, fast? I'm a trained barista, and these are my top 4 capsule coffee makers from Nespresso, Keurig, and more

By Cat Ellis Published 29 May 26

Capsule coffee makers get a bad rap, but if you choose the right one, you can enjoy great-tasting drinks at home in two minutes flat.

Ducati Barista M3 1926 Limited Edition Carbon Fiber coffee maker

Ducati is celebrating its 100th anniversary by launching a $2,000 Nespresso machine — and it's even stranger than it sounds

By Cat Ellis Published 27 May 26

The more I learn about the Ducati Barista M3 1926 Limited Edition Carbon Fiber, the stranger this luxury coffee maker sounds.

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 24 May 26

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 23 May 26

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 19 May 26

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 16 May 26

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 15 May 26

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 6 May 26

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 4 May 26

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.